Jersey Mike’s: A Delightful Sandwich Shop

Craving a sandwich? Head to Jersey Mike’s where they’ll layer the meat, cheese & veggies onto a fluffy roll and sprinkle it with oil, vinegar & spices right in front of you. That means you’re getting a fresh sandwich that has been prepared just for you!

Jersey Mike's friendly counter service ensures you get your meal fast, which is great during the busy lunch hour. Sandwich options include the Jersey Shore’s Favorite with provolone, ham & cappacuolo, the Famous Roast Beef & Provolone, and the Club Supreme with roast beef, turkey, swiss cheese, bacon & tomato. If you’re counting calories, you can order the Sub Tub and get your sandwich ingredients on a bed of lettuce instead of bread. A tasty kid’s menu gives the little ones some nice options, too!

Jersey Mike's
5393-B Westheimer Street
Houston, TX 77056
Galleria/Uptown
(713) 960-9992
www.jerseymikes.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/jersey-mikes-subs-houston-2

Zoës Kitchen: Freshly-Made Mediterranean Fare

You can expect Mediterranean-inspired fare served in a fast-casual setting at Zoës Kitchen, a franchise eatery with locations in 15 states throughout the country. At Zoës Kitchen, the focus is on fresh, healthy food. In fact, Zoë—the first name of founder Zoë Cassimus—translates to "life" in Greek, and food here is a celebration of life's finer things: friends, family, and delicious food.

Whether you get your food to-go or eat a table inside or on the patio, you'll enjoy Zoës' hot soups, fresh salads, pita sandwiches, and hearty entrees. The flavorful hummus is popular among regulars, made on-site. Replete with lean protein and veggies, hot entrees include chicken kabobs with rice pilaf and the steak roll-up with caramelized onions. Items on the kids' menu are accompanied by fresh fruit. Those adhering to gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian diets are also accommodated.

Zoës Kitchen is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The convenience of online ordering is offered.

Zoës Kitchen
5779 San Felipe
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 787-9637
http://zoeskitchen.com/Home.aspx
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zoes-kitchen-houston-15

Etoile Cuisine et Bar: Refined French Fare Without Pretense

Located in Houston's Uptown Park, Etoile Cuisine et Bar serves authentic French fare with a seasonal twist. With executive chef/owner Philippe Verpiand—a native of France—at the helm, French cuisine is presented sans pretense.

Regulars note that the rustic, bistro-like ambiance provides the perfect setting in which to savor Etoile's creamy lobster bisque and equally decadent foie gras or escargot. The coq au vin is elegantly presented with creamy potatoes and winter vegetables, while the Cassoulet Toulousain is a hearty dish of pork shoulder, duck confit, and beans topped with parsley bread crumbs. No meal of French fare would be complete without a glass of wine, and you can expect a lengthy list of French reds, whites, and champagne to complement your dish. Conclude your meal with the apple tart served with salted caramel and ice cream.

Etoile Cuisine et Bar serves lunch and dinner every day. The restaurant is open Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch, then 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner. On Fridays and Saturdays, Etoile Cuisine et Bar serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then dinner from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Etoile Cuisine et Bar
1101-11 Uptown Park Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(832) 668-5808
http://etoilecuisine.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/etoile-cuisine-et-bar-houston

Public Domain/Public Domain

Cafe Brussels: Brewing Up Fun in Houston

Café Brussels is a cozy neighborhood bistro that’s quickly become a favorite dining spot. Fans of Belgian beer love the fact that the café has the largest selection of the country’s beers on tap in Houston. Chimay Blanche, Hoegaarden, and Stella Artois are just a few of the brews you can nestle up to at this warm, friendly spot. The food menu features classic Belgian dishes like Moules Marinieres – mussels steamed in white wine, Le Lapin aux Pruneaux – rabbit leg with prunes, and Le Cordon Bleu – chicken stuffed with ham & swiss cheese. Be sure to save room for a luscious dessert like Dame Blanche – vanilla ice cream with warm chocolate sauce & whipped cream.

Cafe Brussels is open Mondays through Saturdays for lunch and dinner, Sunday brunch.

Cafe Brussels
1718 Houston Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 222-6996
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-brussels-houston

Have You Tried the Hummingbird Cupcake at Crave Cupcakes?

The next time you have a cupcake craving, don't settle for store-bought varieties when you can get gourmet at Crave Cupcakes in Uptown. Only superior ingredients make their way into Crave's decadent cupcakes, like seasonal fruit, local Texas dairy, and European chocolate.

Come in and select from rotating daily flavors, like macadamia nut, red velvet, key lime, and carrot, or choose a more mysterious flavor, like hummingbird or candy bar. Your favorite flavors can be pre-ordered to ensure you get exactly what you want before they run out. You can also request a customized decoration for these special orders.

Crave bakes cupcakes frequently throughout the day to ensure freshness. These bite sized cakes are a great choice for weddings, birthdays, and other special moments.

Crave Cupcakes
1151-06 Uptown Park Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-7283
https://www.cravecupcakes.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/crave-cupcakes-houston

Make Brasil Your New Go-To Dining Destination in Houston

If you're looking for a restaurant to make your new go-to spot, check out Brasil in Montrose. 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
http://cafe-brasil.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/brasil-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

Juice Box: Fruity Goodness

There’s nothing nicer to cap off one of Houston’s punishingly hot days than heading to Chinatown for a meal in the blessed air conditioning, and then cooling off with shaved ice from Juice Box. This fast food style space serves up refreshing, light desserts made with shaved ice, a bounty of fresh fruits, flan, and plenty of condensed milk. The end result is a cooling concoction with a great balance between tart fruit and sweet, creamy milk. Juice Box also has drinks, including fresh fruit smoothies and iced teas laced with chunks of fruit. Be forewarned, this is a cash-only establishment and can get very crowded at peak times. You might want to pick up a dessert or drink to go and take a stroll through Chinatown if there aren’t any tables available.

Juice Box
9889 Bellaire Boulevard
Houston TX 77036
(713) 484-8085

Zelko Bistro: Pair Great Food & Wine

At Zelko Bistro, the food, wine, service and atmosphere combine to create a classic yet casual dining experience. Zelko's located in Houston Heights, where the proprietor sets the stage for the experience by using fresh local and sustainable ingredients to craft a delightful menu. Then, the right wines are chosen to pair with each dish. And there are so many good wines here that the Houston Press awarded Zelko Bistro as the place with the best restaurant wine list! The selection of apps, salads, sandwiches and entrees will satisfy any diner for lunch or dinner. And try something from the expansive dessert list, like the Texas Strawberry Shortcake!

Zelko Bistro is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Zelko Bistro
705 E. 11th Street
Houston, TX 77008
(713) 880-8691
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zelko-bistro-houston-2

Oxheart: Fresh Seasonal Dining in Houston

Fans of Oxheart love their take on fresh food made with seasonal local ingredients. The chic, open kitchen setting makes you feel like you’re dining at the chef’s home. An expansive wine and beer list means you can start your meal with something special. The tasting menu gives you three options – the Spring Menu, the Garden Menu and the Tasting Menu. The changing chef’s selection might feature culinary delights like Warsaw Grouper with three egg sauce & caviar, Layered Beets with meyer lemon blossom vinegar, Heirloom Carrots with exotic spices, Freedom Ranger Chicken with summer squash, or Baked Heirloom Tomatoes with black garlic. Desserts might include something uber-yummy like Caramelized Chocolate Cake with cane syrup and green tomato jam. Open for dinner Thursday through Monday.

Oxheart
403 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 724-9464
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oxheart-houston

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