Italian Café: A Neighborhood Spot for Italian Cuisine

You don’t have to travel far from Avana Grogan’s Mill to find great Italian food, not when the Italian Café is close by! Conveniently located in Spring, Texas, the Italian Café is a welcoming Italian restaurant that's family-owned and operated. Come in and have a glass of wine while you look over the menu that features classic dishes. If you’re in the mood for pizza, the Italian Café has small, medium, and large pies for any person or group. Try one of the special pies, or create your own! Every entrée comes with delicious garlic bread and a salad with delicious house dressing. The pasta, chicken, and veal dishes will make you want to come back for more. The Italian Café is open Tuesdays through Saturdays for dinner, and Sundays for lunch and dinner.

Italian Café
19620 Kuykendahl Road
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 528-2919
http://www.yelp.com/biz/italian-cafe-spring-2

Uni Sushi: A Chic Sushi Spot in The Woodlands

Uni Sushi features a flavorful selection of sophisticated fare in an upscale Art Deco setting with chandeliers and onyx columns. If sushi's your thing, settle in at the sushi bar and order one of their specialty rolls like the Angry Dragon with yellowtail, jalapenos, cilantro, habanero, tobiko, and ponzu sauce.

If you prefer something warm, a bowl of Miso Soup is always a nice choice. Rock Shrimp Tempura, Lobster and Shrimp Rolls, and Gyoza Dumplings are on the appetizer menu, and Uni Sushi's entrees include dishes like Wild Mushroom Chicken, Asian Pesto Tuna, Rib Eye Beef Rolls, Firecracker Chicken and Sauteed Shrimp & Scallops, all served with steamed rice and your choice of vegetable tempura or Asian vegetable sautee!

Uni Sushi is open Monday through Saturday in The Woodlands.

Uni Sushi
9595 Six Pines
The Woodlands, TX 77380
www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/directory/taste/dining-restaurantes/uni-sushi/
www.yelp.com/biz/uni-sushi-the-woodlands

The Blue Mug Cafe: Casual Dining at Its Best

The Blue Mug Cafe is a fast-casual eatery serving breakfast and lunch. You place your order at the counter, and you're given a beeper that will alert you when your food is ready. Regulars note that the owners of The Blue Mug also own the poplar Black Walnut Cafe, so you can expect the same high-quality food and service.

One of the top dishes is the bruleed French toast, and once you taste it, you'll see why. The bread is extra thick sourdough, and it's grilled and then baked until it's golden brown. It's topped with powdered sugar, a medley of nuts, and the cafe's house-made bourbon amber maple syrup. The French dip sandwich also gets rave reviews. Diners note that the portions are generous, so you should expect to have some food to take home to Avana Grogan's Mill.

Blue Mug Cafe
30420 FM 2978
The Woodlands, TX 77382
(281) 292-2583
bluemugcafe.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

CorkScrew BBQ: Classic Barbecue in The Woodlands

CorkScrew BBQ serves barbecue worthy of accolades. In fact, the Houston Press named CorkScrew BBQ's brisket and turkey as one 2012's top 100 dishes, and the food truck recently made Texas Monthly's list of top 50 barbecue. Whether your favorite 'cue is brisket, ribs, or pulled pork, CorkScrew's perfectly-smoked meats are delicious with or without the truck's raved-about barbecue sauce.

CorkScrew makes no apologies for selling out of meats daily; its loyal following knows to queue up early for the widest selection. Bring your own beer to keep you company while you wait in line. CorkScrew BBQ is closed Sundays and Mondays.

CorkScrew BBQ
24930 Budde Road
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(832) 592-1184
http://www.corkscrewbbq.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/corkscrew-bbq-the-woodlands-2

The Counter: Build Your Own Burgers

The concept at The Counter is unique – when you walk into this eatery, you're handed a clipboard with an extensive list of ingredients that allow you to build your own gourmet burger. There are more than 300,000 different combinations, so you could have a unique burger every time you go.

Star by choosing what kind of patty you'd like, with choices including beef, chicken, turkey, or a veggie burger. There are 12 cheeses to select from, about 20 sauces, and a variety of premium toppings, such as sundried tomatoes, avocado, applewood smoked bacon, or chili. Regulars point out that The Counter offers gluten-free buns. If the choices seem overwhelming, you can always order from the regular menu, which is filled with sandwiches, salads, and side dishes.

The Counter
9595 Six Pines Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 231-2147
thecounterburger.com
Read the reviews on Yelp.

Enjoy $3 Peach Bellinis and Hearty Italian Meals at Grotto Ristorante

After a day of shopping at The Woodlands Mall, unwind with a hearty Italian meal at Grotto Ristorante. Start with the complimentary bread and garlic olive oil, perfect for dipping and staving off hunger pains. For a lighter meal, go for soup and salad; try the Lobster Bisque and the Italian Chopped Salad with grilled chicken, prosciutto, provolone, gorgonzola, bacon, and egg. Indulge in one of the popular entrees, like the Ravioli Pera e Gorgonzola, ricotta cheese-stuffed ravioli with roasted chicken, Bosc pears, and asparagus in a gorgonzola sauce.

Dinner can be pricey, but Grotto Ristorante offers a comfortable and classy atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, in which to savor your meal. The full bar has an excellent wine list and great happy hour deals from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday through Friday. Stop in for the famous $3 Peach Bellinis and reasonably priced small plates, including $6 pizzas.

Grotto Ristorante
9595 Six Pines, Suite 100
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4252
http://www.grottohouston.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/grotto-ristorante-the-woodlands-2

Jasper’s: Gourmet Upgrades on Classic Comfort

Celebrate a special occasion at Jasper's, an upscale restaurant offering gourmet upgrades on classic American comfort food. The creation of Executive Chef Kent Rathburn, an Iron Chef America winner and James Beard Award nominee, Jasper's features a sophisticated, yet modern, decor appropriate for special occasions.

Start with the Maytag Blue Cheese Potato Chips or a basket of the homemade bread with roasted garlic-herb butter. Many customers come for the Slow Smoked Baby Back Ribs, which were recognized by Bon Appetit as one of the top three racks in the country. These tender treats are coated with Ancho barbecue sauce and served with a side of Creamy Baked Potato Salad. If barbecue isn't your style, try an Allen Brothers Steak with a side of aged Gouda Mac and Cheese.

Prices reflect the quality and reputation of Chef Rathburn, but for those on a budget, the lunch menu offers a better deal on signature dishes. Or, enjoy happy hour on the patio from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., daily, with $5 wine, beer, cocktails, and small plates. Dinner reservations are recommended.

Jasper's
9595 6 Pines Drive, Suite 900
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 298-6600
http://www.jaspers-restaurant.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jaspers-gourmet-backyard-cuisine-the-woodlands

Fukuda: Impressive Japanese Cuisine

With its strip mall location in The Woodlands, Fukuda may look like a typical sushi restaurant, but it's anything but boring. Although you'll be pleased ordering your favorite Asian dish, don't overlook Fukuda's specials, which reflect the availability of the fresh and unique seafood that's delivered three times per week. The restaurant's extensive menu is easy to read; rolls are clearly marked as spicy or containing raw ingredients. Try the Ghost Rider Roll with shrimp, cucumber, pepper tuna, avocado and sweet potato crisps. Noodle and teriyaki dishes are also popular, and the creative cocktail menu includes a cold raspberry saké martini. 

Customers find the prices to be fair, especially for the quality, but frequent happy hour deals make it an even better deal. In addition to an afternoon happy hour that starts at 3 p.m., Fukuda offers a late night reprisal as well as an extended happy hour all evening on weekends. Its clean space is tastefully decorated, and dim lighting makes Fukuda ideal for a casual date or fun night out.

25701 Interstate 45 N, Suite 3
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-8980
http://www.fukudasushiwoodlands.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fukuda-the-woodlands

Enjoy New York Style Pizza at Grimaldi’s

Grab a slice after a concert at the Pavillion at Grimaldi's, a national pizza chain known for its New York style pie (the favorite pizza of former New York City mayor Rudy Guilliani). Casual but charming, Grimaldi's boats checkered table cloths, exposed brick, and a coal-fired brick oven that creates crispy, thin-crust pizza. Choose from three sizes and your choice of red, white, or pesto base. Pies are topped with handmade mozzarella and your choice of meats and veggies. There is a nice variety of toppings, but at $2 to $4 per topping, choose judiciously; they add up quickly.

Add a Mediterranean Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese for a complete meal. In cooler weather, the outdoor patio makes a delightful spot to share a pie with a friend. Grimaldi's is quite popular, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.

Grimaldi's
20 Waterway Avenue
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 465-3500
http://www.grimaldispizzeria.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/grimaldis-the-woodlands

The Flavors of Louisiana are at Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen

Taste the flavors of Louisiana at Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen in The Woodlands. Conveniently located near the Market Street shops, it's an ideal spot to stop in for lunch. Diners love the complimentary basket of Cajun potato chips. The menu offers all of the standards of Big Easy cuisine, like chicken and sausage gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya, and po'boys (try one with sloppy roast beef). Just be sure to save room for beignets (New Orleans-style doughnuts) and a French Press coffee. Come by on Wednesday or Thursday for "Wine Lovers Night" and take advantage of $10 off any bottle of wine. Regulars love Schilleci's for its friendly service and cozy space.

9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 1120
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 419-4242
www.schillecis.com
www.yelp.com/biz/schillecis-new-orleans-kitchen-the-woodlands-2

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