Just like a painting in an art museum, the dishes at Artista Restaurant are picture-perfect and exceptionally creative, diner say. This artistic eatery is located in Houston’s Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, and it offers sweeping views of the city skyline from any table in its spacious dining room.

Here, guests can dine on New American classics and signature dishes from Michael Cordúa, one of the most inventive and renowned chefs in all of Texas. The lunch and dinner menus include wild Scottish salmon, calamari tempura appetizers, and premium filet mignon steaks served with complementary sides, including the restaurant’s almost-famous mascarpone mashed potatoes. The dessert menu includes crème brulee, tres leches cakes, and other decadent sweets, and there is even an expansive wine list for of-age guests.

If you’re going out to see a show in the area, be sure to make reservations beforehand for dinner at Artista!

Artista Restaurant
800 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 278-4782
www.artistahouston.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr jeffreyw

You don't have to splurge (or violate your lease) in order to put your own mark on your apartment. Here are four ways you can give it some personality without leaving any holes behind.

1. Use temporary wallpaper. In lieu of repainting a wall or using permanent wallpaper, try a temporary adhesive wallpaper instead. It'll peel right off when you move out, and you can lean into whatever trend you're loving right now without fear of doing permanent damage to your living space.
2. Make over a space with mirrors. If you want to create even more room in your apartment, hang a statement mirror or create a gallery wall of smaller mirrors. Either way, you'll create the illusion of extra square feet with the piece(s). Scour local thrift stores for mirrors that suit your tastes, or look online for the perfect accent.
3. Hang fresh curtains. Hanging curtains is an easy way to revamp a room with very little effort. If you're at all handy with a sewing machine, you can easily make your own set of curtains using your favorite fabric from the craft store. If you're not much of a crafter, buy a fresh set to spruce up your living room or bedroom.
4. Create a focal point with a print. If you really want to make a statement, find a big print or a piece of colorful vintage art that you love, as well a a frame that suits it, and hang it on the living room wall. With just a small hook or two, you'll create an entirely new vibe in your home.

10 Ways to Customize a Rental [Apartment Therapy]
11 Decor Ideas That Will Change Your Rental Apartment (Without Risking Your Security Deposit) [HuffPost Home]
30 Ways To Upgrade Your Rental Apartment [StyleCaster]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/ProFlowers

For nature lovers in Houston, there are few places more fun and fascinating than the Hermann Park Conservancy. This large park is packed full of outdoor attractions that everyone in your family will love to explore, or if you prefer to simply relax in the grass, you’ll find lots of places to do that as well.

Start your visit by purchasing an all-day ticket for the Hermann Park Railroad, a train that winds its way around all of the park’s major attractions. Tickets are just over $6 to ride all day long, or you can purchase single ride passes if you know where you’re going. Next, rent a paddle boat on the crystal clear lake or rent a bike to pedal your way around the park’s numerous trails. There is a small zoo on the park’s grounds, a Japanese garden, and even the Miller Outdoor Theatre, which shows Shakespeare performances all summer long.

Hermann Park Conservancy
1700 Hermann Drive
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 524-5876
www.hermannpark.org

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Carodean Road Designs