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

Ba Mien Bistro: Enjoy Authentic Vietnamese Pho at This Houston BYOB

Ba Mien Bistro’s authentic Vietnamese cuisine may come from three regions of Thailand, but you will only find the restaurant in one place: Houston. Along with rice plates, vermicelli bowls, and sandwiches, the restaurant serves pho, which is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of a rich, savory broth that teems with noodles, herbs, and meat. The soup’s meat could include rare flank steak, seafood, or brisket. Diners who prefer meat-free plates can choose from Ba Mien Bistro’s vegetarian selection, which features tofu spring rolls, sandwiches, and rice plates. Bring your favorite drink to pair with your meal; Ba Mien is BYOB.

Inside the small restaurant, white plates and black and white photos hang on gray walls over silver tables and chairs and an industrial floor. The restaurant also has an outdoor patio for those hoping to dine al fresco.

Ba Mien Bistro
5102 FM 1960 Road West
Houston, TX 77069
(281) 781-8138
www.facebook.com/BaMienBistro
www.yelp.com/biz/ba-mien-bistro-houston

Blue Water Seafood: Try Crawfish Three Ways

Brad Aplin comes from a long line of anglers. He's a third-generation commercial fisherman, which means he's dipped a toe in virtually every type of fishing: shrimping, crabbing, and oystering, to name a few. Along with Ping Aplin, Brad puts his expertise to good use at Blue Water Seafood. The pair opened the Houston seafood restaurant in 1996 with the goal of serving fresh fish, much of it sourced from other active fishermen in the Aplin family.

Customers seem to agree that the crawfish dishes are some of the tastiest! You can try it boiled, in a po'boy, or as part of the etouffee—a traditional New Orleans eat. They also love the fresh oysters for a starter, but you can order anything from fried alligator to a Mexican shrimp cocktail. There are other dishes to explore …… try the Mariners platter, which comes with shrimp and scallops, shrimp and oysters. Whatever you decide upon… you will not be disappointed!!

Blue Water Seafood
12914 FM 1960 Road
Houston, TX 77065
(281) 894-9221
www.bluewaterseafoodonline.com

www.yelp.com/biz/blue-water-seafood-houston

Sweet Tomatoes: Veggie-Friendly Meals for Everyone

Let Sweet Tomatoes come to the rescue on days when you just don't feel like cooking. This unique eatery in northwestern Houston offers a huge, all-you-can-eat selection of fresh, veggie-centric dishes that are just as beautiful on the plate as they are delicious and healthy.

The menu changes regularly with the seasons, so you won't get bored with the same meal over and over again. Try the spicy cucumber watermelon salad with sriracha sauce that adds an extra kick to the sweet flavors, or go for the Asian ginger broth with mushrooms, cubed tofu, and chopped scallions for a fresh and light dinner. Sweet Tomatoes also strives to offer kid-friendly options such as tossed salads and the festive red white and blue potato salad with bacon. And of course, don't forget dessert, which includes lemon lava cake and peach cobbler soft-serve ice cream.

Sweet Tomatoes
8775 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 365-9594
www.souplantation.com/locations/restaurant.aspx?store_id=59&store_name=Katy_Fwy
www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-tomatoes-houston

Garden Kitchen: Raw Food Is Just What the Doctor Ordered

As a cardiologist, Dr. Baxter Montgomery had an excellent grasp on the way the human body worked. Yet at age 38, his own wasn't functioning very well. His cholesterol was far outside a healthy range, and with a family history of diabetes and heart disease looming, he knew he had to launch a preemptive strike against future health complications. His first step in doing so was cleaning up his diet. Dr. Montgomery began eating more raw, plant-based foods, and prescribing the same diet to his patients. Eventually his recommendations evolved into an eatery in Houston where his patients could find such food: Garden Kitchen.

Of course, today Garden Kitchen's reach has expanded beyond the scope of Dr. Montgomery's patient base. Anyone with a predilection for raw, healthy food will find it at Garden Kitchen. Try the popular corn chips, crafted with organic corn, sea salt, and a special house blend of spices. For the main course, dig into a salad, raw veggie burger, wrap, or pizza. Garden Kitchen even offers healthy desserts like sorbet and key lime pie.

Garden Kitchen
10480 Main Street
Houston, TX 77025
(832) 350-7534
www.gardenkitchenfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/garden-kitchen-houston

Luna Pizzeria: Artisan Pizzas in a Casual Setting

The word "casual" shows up time and time again in Yelp reviews of Luna Pizzeria. It's meant as a compliment in this context. The pizzeria's unique ceiling shows off a fun geometric patchwork of multi-colored triangles, offset by black tables and bright red stools. So the environment still hints at careful design, despite the casual vibe that permeates it.

The real appeal of Luna Pizzeria, however, is of course its Italian fare. Many Yelp reviewers commend its spicy andouille pizza. The pie sports andouille sausage, red onion and red pepper, fresh jalapenos, and green onions. The prosciutto pizza is another popular option, but this one comes topped with its namesake Italian meat, arugula, tomato, provolone, mozzarella, and a lemon vinaigrette. You can also build your own pizza from Luna's gourmet ingredients or opt for a salad or sandwich instead. Save some room for gelato, tiramisu, or Italian cream cake.

Luna Pizzeria
3435 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77098
(832) 767-6338
lunapizzeria.com
www.yelp.com/biz/luna-pizzeria-houston

Bite Into a Barbacoa Taco at Tacos Tierra Caliente in Houston

For a food truck, earning more than 300 Yelp reviews and 4.5 out of 5 stars is a pretty impressive feat. Anyone who's ever visited Tacos Tierra Caliente Food Truck probably isn't surprised that the Houston food truck has accomplished this goal.

Nearly 100 of Tacos Tierra's fans point to the barbacoa as the best option. Its tender ribbons of beef have won over many mouths in Houston, but the al pastor tacos and lengua—that is, cow tongue—tacos also garner many rave reviews. Cooks match the fresh beef with ample amounts of onion and fresh cilantro to complement the meat's savory flavors. Add on slices of creamy avocado for a different combination of flavors and textures, or try the fajita tacos instead. Many Yelp reviewers also highly recommend the fajita meat. Tacos Tierra Caliente Food Truck even serves breakfast tacos, and they're a hearty way to start your day.

Tacos Tierra Caliente Food Truck
1919 W. Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 584-9359
www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-tierra-caliente-houston

Fioza: Local Coffee and Fresh Paninis

"Come thirsty or come hungry and Fioza Cafe will take care of you." So goes the motto for this trendy coffee and bubble tea bar in Houston. It pours locally roasted Fontana Coffee, the product of another independent business in Houston. Using careful brewing techniques and high-grade equipment, Fioza's baristas make everything from lattes to espressos.

Another chunk of the menu showcases various bubble teas, each teeming with Fioza's own artfully prepared tapioca pearls. Grab a bubble tea, hot or iced standard tea, or any other refreshing drink and use it to wash down one of the casual eats at Fioza. Its food menu includes paninis, deli sandwiches, and an array of pastries that are all baked fresh and in-house. Yelp reviewers particularly seem to enjoy the paninis, so try one stuffed with smoke turkey and basil pesto or grilled veggies and goat cheese.

Fioza
9002 Chimney Rock Road
Houston, TX 77096
(713) 729-8810
www.fioza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fioza-houston

Local Foods: Home to Some of Houston’s Best Sandwiches

Local Foods fills a unique niche in Houston dining by serving gourmet salads and sandwiches that are prepared with local ingredients and served in a bright, airy space. The walls and counters are lined with white tile, steel prep tables have been put on whimsical blue casters to serve as dining room tables, and brightly colored leather booths make Local Foods a bright and cheerful spot for lunch.

The service is casual and quick: you place your order at the counter and then take a number to your table, where a server brings your food out as soon as it's ready. And the food, well, regulars the sandwiches just might be the best around. Bite into the grilled chicken sandwich piled high with veggies and topped with a creamy sauce and served on a toasted pretzel bun. Or for something really decadent, try the tender, smoky duck confit sandwich with melted Swiss and micro greens.

Local Foods
2424 Dunstan Road
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 521-7800
www.houstonlocalfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/local-foods-houston

Pappas Bros Steakhouse: Delightful Steaks in Houston, Texas

‘Excellent, fantastic and phenomenal’ are some of the adjectives sometimes used to describe Pappas Bros Steakhouse. Go there to find out what all the fuss is about and come up with a description of your own.

The menu features appetizers like Lobster Deviled Eggs, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Shrimp Remoulade, Crab Cocktail, and Fried Oysters. The steaks are all USDA Prime in-house dry-aged beef, seasoned with kosher salt, pepper & butter. Options include Filet Mignon, Porterhouse, Bone-In Prime New York Strip, and Prime Ribeye. Grilled Double Lamb Chops, Lamb Rack, Pan Seared Sea Bass, Broiled Atlantic Salmon Filet and Live Maine Lobster. Sides include Fresh Jumbo Asparagus, Au Gratin Potatoes, Roasted Wild Mushrooms and French Green Beans.

Pappas Bros Steakhouse is open Monday through Saturday.

Pappas Bros Steakhouse
5839 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 780-7352
www.pappasbros.com/home
www.yelp.com/biz/pappas-bros-steakhouse-houston

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