Just Dinner: Casual & Classy Cuisine

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.

Visit and you can start out with an appetizer like country pate or warm brie to share, and move on to tasty entrée options that will satisfy any diner. Everything is made 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 Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 807-0077

www.justdinnerhouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/just-dinner-houston-2

Huynh: Vietnamese Fare Flavors on the Gulf Coast

Bite into the crispy spring rolls or savor the delicious broth of a splendid vermicelli bowl at Huynh, a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant that's been part of Houston's dining scene for more than a decade. Consistently named one of Houston's best Vietnamese eateries, Huynh complements its flavorful fare with an inviting atmosphere and friendly staff. Simple floral arrangements accent the lightly colored walls and carpet, creating a serene space to enjoy a meal with family or friends.

Authentic Vietnamese dishes here are replete with spice and texture. Come for lunch and feast on Huynh's mid-priced pho, a traditional Vietnamese soup that includes up to four meats of your choice. Dinner promises a feast of flavors when you order dishes like Dau Hu Xoa Thit Xay, a combination of diced tofu and ground pork with mushrooms, peppers, and onions to share with your favorite people.

Huynh Restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Note that this popular eatery is closed on Sundays.

Huynh
912 St. Emanuel Street
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 224-8964
www.huynhrestauranthouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/huynh-houston

Luigi’s Pizzeria: Hand-Tossed Dough and Freshly Made Gelato

If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Italy without leaving Houston, regulars say you’ll find it at Luigi’s Pizzeria. This charming eatery is decorated in Italy’s colors both inside and out, and the spacious outdoor patio offers the best seats in the house.

The menu lists made-from-scratch pizzas that rely on hand-tossed dough and a wide selection of fresh toppings, including traditional Caprese and margherita pies. In addition to pizza, the eatery offers spicy hot wings, fresh salads, and authentic Italian gelato made fresh on-site. Luigi’s Pizzeria is BYOB, so you can bring your favorite wine or beer to enjoy while you eat, and there is also free delivery with a $20 minimum purchase if you prefer to enjoy your pie at home.

Luigi’s Pizzeria is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Luigi’s Pizzeria
3700 Almeda Road
Houston, TX 77004
(281) 793-3333
www.luigipizzamidtown.com
www.yelp.com/biz/luigis-pizzeria-houston

Houston Dining with a Welcoming Atmosphere: Brasil

A Houston restaurant with a community feel, Brasil is a nice spot to work on a project or grab a bite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The three owners used their very different backgrounds to create a place the whole community can enjoy, whether it be local food, craft beers, or scrumptious desserts.

For breakfast, choose from bagels, pancakes with fresh toppings like fruits and roasted nuts, or breakfast tacos loaded with eggs, bacon, and savory sauces. For lunch and dinner, start off with an appetizer like the brie with almond and fruit or the falafel flatbread with hummus, tomatoes, and tzatziki. For your main entree, choose from expertly made sandwiches, burgers, or order a pizza to share with the table. Pizzas come with a variety of cheese, meats like all-beef sausage and bacon, and savory spices.

Brasil
2604 Dunlavy Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-1993
www.cafe-brasil.net
www.yelp.com/biz/brasil-houston

Benjy’s Restaurant: Lounge Around at This New American Eatery

Benjy’s is an American restaurant done in the style of a 1920s lounge bar, complete with round leather booths, orb-shaped chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and a handsome wooden bar well-suited to enjoying an evening cocktail. While its ambiance is retro, Benjy’s remains one of the hippest spots in all of central Houston.

Here, the focus is on farm-to-table fare. Customers enjoy artfully plated dishes like crispy chicken, ricotta gnocchi, and sake kasu salmon. Wood oven pizzas and entree salads are ideal for lunch, while the brunch menu features a selection of omelets, biscuit sandwiches, and Fresh toast entrees that will cap a weekend off the right way. Although Benjy’s is known for its food, its cocktails, locally brewed craft beer, and an impressive wine list are just as important to the dining experience!

Benjy’s Restaurant
2424 Dunstan Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 522-7602
www.benjys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/benjys-houston-3

Enjoy Sushi in Houston at Oshii Japanese Restaurant

Located near the Greenway Plaza is Oishii Japanese Restaurant, a place where Houstonians can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes without breaking the bank.

Stop by for lunch or dinner and select from sashimi, sushi rolls, noodle dishes, and crispy tempura plates. Favorites include udon noodles with vegetable tempura, grilled salmon smothered in teriyaki sauce, and the chef’s choice sashimi and sushi plates. There is a decent selection of maki, including Philadelphia and rainbow rolls, and it’s relatively inexpensive. You can also opt to order sushi or sashimi by the piece.

Regulars rave about the happy hour specials and casual atmosphere, claiming that Oishii is one of their favorite places to gather with friends for sushi or a bento box.

Visit Oshii's website to find out more about this Japanese restaurant in Houston.

Oshii Japanese Restaurant
3764 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
(713) 621-8628
www.oishiihouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/oishii-restaurant-houston

The League of Extraordinary Brewers: Unique Brews and Delicious Eats

Craft beer enthusiasts might enjoy The League of Extraordinary Brewers in Houston. A true celebration of small breweries from Texas and beyond, this gastropub also serves beer brewed right on the premises. Local beers include Nitro Lone Pint and Brazos Valley alongside Texas labels such as 512 and Rogness. The selection changes to include new and seasonal taps, a reason to stop back frequently to see what’s offered.

A fresh pint of your favorite style of beer goes great with the small plate selection on the menu, including cheese plates and the favorite beer cheese pretzel. More substantial fare includes hand-stretched pizzas topped with Meyer’s Elgin Sausage, a regional craft meat. Settle in beside other beer connoisseurs in this cozy yet comfortable brewery accented by exposed brick and wall length windows. Visit the gastropub's website to learn more about The League of Extraordinary Brewers!

The League of Extraordinary Brewers
907 Franklin Street
Houston, TX 77002
(281) 406-0652
www.leaguebrewpub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-league-of-extraordinary-brewers-houston

Have Crepes at Melange Creperie

Owners Sean Carroll and Tish Ochoa fell in love with the classic creperies that line the streets of Paris, and after spending their honeymoon in the City of Light, the couple decided to open up their own creperie back home in Houston. Their open-air crepe cart, Melange Creperie, debuted in 2010 and is still going strong today, serving up Parisian style crepes with your choice of either two or three ingredients.

Try a classic Nutella and banana combination, or bite into a fresh strawberry and chantilly cream combination. If you prefer savory flavors, try the classic ham, egg, and cheese, or go for one of the daily lunch specials, which can include everything from zucchini and chili to seasoned potatoes. Regulars say you should know that this cart gets busy, and that at peak times you should be prepared to wait for your order (paying with exact change can speed things up a bit). You'll have lots of company while you wait, however, as you chat with the crowd that generally gathers around this popular cart.

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

Uchi: Contemporary Japanese Dining

Uchi offers elegant, modern fare in an atmosphere that works well for everything from a romantic date to a business dinner with new clients. This central Houston restaurant is inspired by Japanese flavors and techniques, though it serves seafood from around the globe in a series of small, shareable dishes.

You'll find traditional sushi and sashimi, like sea eel with orange and ginger or salmon belly with ikura, but you'll also find a number of unique options, like the "ham and eggs" sushi roll, which combines katsu pork belly with an egg yolk custard and espelette. Other menu items include things like smoked duck confit served with endives and bacon and tempura fried cauliflower, and regulars say you shouldn’t miss the crispy Brussels sprouts served with a squeeze of lemon chili. Finally, you should know that this place is popular and fills up during peak hours, so making a reservation is definitely the way to go.

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

Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at Baby Barnaby’s Cafe

Baby Barnaby's Cafe is a popular spot for breakfast and more in Houston. The space is intimate, warm, and decorated with posters. During peak hours there can be a bit of wait and parking is a bit scarce, so be prepared if you have plans after your meal. Luckily, customers can enjoy coffee while they wait for seats.

The menu has a large variety to choose from, so don't worry about pleasing picky eaters. Popular among morning diners is the healthy breakfast plate which features egg whites, wheat toast, fruit, and apple sausage and the fruity pancakes that rotate depending on the season. (Make a point to try out the potatoes, which are brown and crispy on the outside while staying tender and soft inside!)

For lunch and dinner, choose from entrees like baby back ribs with apples, chicken tostadas with corn salsa, a range of meat and vegetarian burgers, and deli sandwiches. It's a wide ranging selection with something for just about everyone.

Baby Barnaby's Cafe
602 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4229
www.barnabyscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/baby-barnabys-caf%C3%A9-houston-2

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