Lucio’s: Quaint BYOB Dining in Houston

Located in Midtown Houston, Lucio’s is the place to go for an intimate dinner with somebody special. But do yourself a favor and call ahead for reservations – the place is cozy and fills up fast. Whether you come for lunch or dinner, you’ll find a nice selection of appetizers and entrees that are made with fresh, local ingredients. Regulars recommend the Beef Carpaccio and the crab cakes as a starter, and main dishes like the crusted Ahi tuna and rib eye steak are also good. Don't forget to bring your wine — but if you do, Lucio's has a nice selection. Lucio’s is open Monday through Friday for lunch, and Monday through Saturday for dinner.

Lucio’s
905 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 523-9958
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucios-byob-and-grill-houston

Provisions: Stock Up in Houston

Provisions has won over diners with their fresh, flavorful menu, an open kitchen dining area and spacious terrace. Get your party started with a refreshing cocktail like the Highland with green chartreuse, tequila, sugar cane & lime. Add on a Bread & Cheese Plate or a wood-fired pizza with mozzarella, basil & tomato. Some yummy pasta dishes adorn the menu, as do meat entrees like Hanger Steak with spring onions, Suckling Pig Porchetta for Two and Ham’O’Day with mustard rye. Fish entrees include Curried Mussels with cauliflower, Shrimp Salad with celery-apple remoulade, and Big Eye Tuna with fennel. Save a spot in your tummy for a tantalizing dessert like Neapolitan Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Minutes from Reserve at Garden Oaks, Provisions is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Provisions
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/provisions-houston

Bar Boheme: La Vie Boheme in Houston

Fans call Bar Boheme the hippest, coolest, busiest, most fun bar in Houston. Prepare for a crush if you go during the rush when everyone converges on the spot to get their party on. Table service is not so speedy, so do what the regulars do and order at the bar. The Frozen Mojito is their signature drink, so why not try it? Other options include the Bohemian with spiced rum, jasmine liqueur, lemon & agave nectar, and the Pink Pussycat with vodka, hibiscus liqueur, sugar & fresh lemon. A nice selection of beer and wine is also on the menu. Snacks include Smoked Jalapeno Hummus with warm garlic naan, Vietnamese Fries with peanuts & cilantro and the Marvelous Cheese Board with Marconi almonds. Some yummy pizzas and desserts are also on the menu. Open every day.

Bar Boheme
307 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-boheme-houston

BRC Gastropub: Houston Food, Houston Beer

BRC Gastropub is a favorite spot for southern-style pub food in a cozy setting. It’s a beer-lovers haven, with 28 beers on tap and 25 bottled brands, offering a huge variety to please just about every taste. The food menu features their Big Bad Ass Biscuits, served with an array of spreads like bacon jam and smoked salt butter. Backyard Style BBQ Chicken Legs with bleu cheese slaw, Country Pork Pate with Creole mustard, Fried Oyster Street Tacos with carrot slaw and Dixie Chicken Cobb Salad with bleu cheese & bacon are on the entrée menu. Grilled Flatbreads, Burger Sliders, and Mac & Cheese are also offered. Open every day for lunch and dinner.

BRC Gastropub
519 Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-2233
http://www.yelp.com/biz/brc-gastropub-houston

Melange Creperie: Parisian Bliss in Montrose

Melange Creperie is a Parisian-style crepe truck parked smack-dab in the heart of the Montrose neighborhood. It’s won over a bevy of fans who think their crepes are tres magnifique! They feature a rotating weekly menu of sweet and savory options, plus classic crepes that are always available, such as ham, egg & cheese, and banana & Nutella. Don’t like what you see? Come up with your own crepe combo filling. Order a crepe filled with either a ‘mélange a deux’ – two fillings, or ‘mélange a trios’ – three fillings. Sweet and savory crepe fillings means you can have one for dessert or one for lunch – or both. They’re served in a cone, so they’re perfect for taking away.

Open Monday through Sunday.

Melange Creperie
403 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 724-9464
http://www.yelp.com/biz/melange-creperie-houston

Just Dinner: Casual & Classy

From small beginnings, Just Dinner has grown into a great local BYOB dining experience. Located in the Mogan House in the neighborhood of Montrose, Just Dinner is just that – a delicious dinner option. While this is a casual restaurant, the décor is decidedly upscale, but also quiet and comfortable. Get an appetizer like country pate or warm brie to share, and move on to tasty American and Italian entrée options that will satisfy any diner. Everything made is fresh because all of the ingredients are either harvested in the restaurant’s garden, or bought that day. What a great way to have a tasty rendezvous with somebody special! Just Dinner is open Tuesday through Saturday for – what else – just dinner! Reservations are accepted.

Just Dinner
1915 Dunlavy St
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 807-0077
http://www.yelp.com/biz/just-dinner-houston-2

Luigi’s Pizzeria: A Slice of Naples in Houston

Luigi’s Pizzeria is known as one of the best places to get thin crust pizza in Houston. Some would say the best place; it’s certainly a contender. Many people call Luigi’s pizza New York style because of its thin crust, but the rustic oblong pies belong to the Neopolitan tradition more than anything. A popular choice at Luigi’s is the Caprese pizza, appropriately Italian in its simplicity. Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil are all you need to complement the chewy crust. The Supreme, with pepperoni, sausage, and veggies is also a favorite. The star here is the pizza but Luigi’s also offers a wide range of salads, sandwiches, pasta, and calzones. Be sure to end your meal with a refreshing gelato in a rotating variety of flavors.

Luigi’s Pizzeria
3700 Almeda Road
Houston TX 77004
(281) 793-3333

The Pass: Visit the Chef’s Table

The Pass seeks to create an experience where patrons feel they’re dining at the chef’s own table. Expertly attentive service, impeccable food and a casually elegant atmosphere have earned them kudos from happy diners. Pass through the secret entrance and prepare to be wowed by a chef’s tasting menu with 5 to 8 courses, with or without wine or cocktail pairings. You can call ahead or go online to find out the changing menu, or be surprised by the marathon of delectable delights presented to you. Courses might include Ham & Eggs, which is egg custard served in a can of caviar, layered with capers, salt, spices, & black caviar. By all accounts it’s a little bit of heaven in your mouth. Dinner is by reservation only.

Not far from Reserve at Garden Oaks, it's open Tuesday through Saturday.

The Pass
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pass-houston

Uchi: Creative Sushi

If you're getting bored with regular sushi offerings head over to Uchi for a unique twist on your favorite rolls. This Houston restaurant tries to use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and provide only the freshest pieces of fish. Start with the tomato katsu, panko fried green tomatoes and sesame. The tomatoes come out hot and tender. Customers say these are some of the best fried green tomatoes. The brussel sprouts will make you love brussel sprouts. The yokai berry is a refreshing dish with salmon, kale, and Asian pears. Regulars enjoy the creative rolls like the Ham & Eggs with katsu pork belly, yolk custard, and espellette, the Bond with avocado, sun-dries tomato, gobo, and soy paper, the Pitchfork with wagyu beef, leek crisp, avocado, and yuzu kosho, and the Shag tempura roll with salmon, avocado, and sun-dried tomato. A meal at Uchi is expensive but if you come during Happy Hour you can enjoy great bargains on regular menu dishes. 

Uchi
904 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4808
http://www.yelp.com/biz/uchi-houston

Vinoteca Poscol: Good Wine, Good Food

Vinoteca Poscol is the place to go for classic Italian food, complemented by a great selection of wines. Located near Cherryhurst Park, Vinoteca Poscol is actually named after the chef’s hometown street. When you come in, you’ll like the subdued décor and quiet ambiance. Folks rave about the service, too. The chef makes all of his “small plates” with specific wines in mind, so ask your server for recommendations. There’s a great selection of cheese and meat trays, finger sandwiches, flatbreads, pastas and risottos to enjoy and share. What a great place to go for happy hour, dinner or a late night bite!

Vinoteca Poscol is open Tuesday through Sunday.

Vinoteca Poscol
1609 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-2797
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vinoteca-poscol-houston-2

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