Underbelly: Fine Dining in Houston

With soaring ceilings, handcrafted walnut tables and an open kitchen that lets you watch the chefs work their magic, Underbelly might just be the perfect spot for a unique dining experience. The frequently changing menu takes advantage of what’s seasonal and fresh from local purveyors. Stop by for lunch to feast on Grilled Shrimp Salad with buttermilk dressing, Butter Biscuits & Chicken Gravy, or a Roast Beef Sandwich with Korean red chile mayo. The dinner menu features a tasty array of entrees like Seared Snapper with tomato confit, Korean Braised Goat with dumplings, Wagyu Satay with cold soba salad and Crispy Local Vegetables with caramelized fish sauce. Save room for dessert, as diners praise the Fried Strawberry Pie with toasted rice ice cream. Underbelly is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Underbelly
1100 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-9800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/underbelly-houston

Oxheart: A Houston Dining Experience

If you're lucky enough to secure a reservation at Oxheart you will not be disappointed. The small dining room only has 30 seats. This Houston restaurant is so popular that reservations are taken weeks in advance. Oxheart is not quite a vegetarian restaurant, as there are a few meat and seafood options, but the menu comprises primarily delicious vegetable dishes like warm Sunflower Seed Soup and Heirloom Carrots cooked with exotic spices, coconut, avocado, and corianders. The menu changes frequently but is always full of flavorful options. Order the chef's tasting menu for a taste of everything. You will not be disappointed with seven courses of careful created dishes. Everything is made with care to create a delicate mix of flavors. You can even see the chefs cooking in the open kitchen that is the center of the restaurant. The service is wonderful, taking the time to explain each dish that is brought out to you. Make sure you sample the desserts created by the talented pastry chef. 

Oxheart
1302 Nance Street
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oxheart-houston

Ambrosia: Sweet Eats in Houston

Ready to try a unique melding of Asian recipes and Texas-style ingredients? Head to Ambrosia, a cozy little bar and restaurant where a distinctive culinary experience awaits you with tasty tapas menu. Get the party started with a refreshing White Coconut Sangria or a Shere Khan cocktail with tequila, ginger beer & blood orange juice. Follow it up with some yummy Curry Wedges with potatoes, curry & cheese. Other options include Vegetarian Samosas with apple cilantro chutney, or fresh Ceviche with tostada chips. Gangnam Style Ribs is another tasty dish, as are crisp Flatbread with mushrooms cooked in Marsala wine & topped with melted mozzarella cheese, and Green Curried Chicken.

Moments from Reserve at Garden Oaks, it's open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner.

Ambrosia
2006 Lexington Street
Houston, TX 77098
(832) 649-4636
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ambrosia-houston

MKT BAR: Lots of Fun in Houston

Part bar, part music venue, part restaurant, MKT BAR has lots to offer Houstonians. It’s a favorite after-work gathering spot, where you can erase the cares of the day over a beer or glass of wine while you chat it up with friends. Starter plates include Ceviche with toasted pita bread, Chickpea Fries with garlic aioli, and Plantain Chips with mango salsa. Heartier appetites will want one of their wood-fired pizzas, like the Squashed with roasted butternut squash, roasted garlic, bleu cheese, walnuts & fresh arugula. Other dining options include Fish & Chips with garlic aioli, Harissa Roasted Half Chicken with sweet potato gratin, Grilled Pork Chop with sautéed spinach, and Chilean Sea Bass with polenta & olives. Yummy desserts include house-made gelato. Open every day.

MKT BAR
1001 Austin Street
Houston, TX 77010
(832) 360-2222
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mkt-bar-houston

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

Roost: Come Home in Houston

Using farm fresh ingredients and a seasonal tapas menu that fuses Southern, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Roost has earned itself a favorite place on the Houston dining scene. The menu changes every three weeks, so you can always count on new flavors emerging from the kitchen. Sumptuous plates – to share, or not – include a Mason Jar Pickles of Local Produce, Smoked Trout Mousse with rye toast points, Fried Cauliflower with miso dressing & pine nuts, Beer Can Cornish Hen with honey mustard sauce, Curried Crab Cakes with chayote squash slaw and Angus Flatiron Steak with pickled watermelon. The ‘Gimme Some Suga’ dessert menu features taste tempters like Coffee N’ Donut Holes with salted caramel & coffee ice cream. Yum!

Moments from Reserve at Garden Oaks, Roost is open for dinner Monday through Saturday.

Roost
1972 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 523-7667
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roost-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

Lucio’s: Quaint BYOB Dining in Houston

Located in Midtown Houston, Lucio’s is the place to go for an intimate dinner with somebody special. But do yourself a favor and call ahead for reservations – the place is cozy and fills up fast. Whether you come for lunch or dinner, you’ll find a nice selection of appetizers and entrees that are made with fresh, local ingredients. Regulars recommend the Beef Carpaccio and the crab cakes as a starter, and main dishes like the crusted Ahi tuna and rib eye steak are also good. Don't forget to bring your wine — but if you do, Lucio's has a nice selection. Lucio’s is open Monday through Friday for lunch, and Monday through Saturday for dinner.

Lucio’s
905 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 523-9958
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lucios-byob-and-grill-houston

Provisions: Stock Up in Houston

Provisions has won over diners with their fresh, flavorful menu, an open kitchen dining area and spacious terrace. Get your party started with a refreshing cocktail like the Highland with green chartreuse, tequila, sugar cane & lime. Add on a Bread & Cheese Plate or a wood-fired pizza with mozzarella, basil & tomato. Some yummy pasta dishes adorn the menu, as do meat entrees like Hanger Steak with spring onions, Suckling Pig Porchetta for Two and Ham’O’Day with mustard rye. Fish entrees include Curried Mussels with cauliflower, Shrimp Salad with celery-apple remoulade, and Big Eye Tuna with fennel. Save a spot in your tummy for a tantalizing dessert like Neapolitan Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Minutes from Reserve at Garden Oaks, Provisions is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Provisions
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/provisions-houston

Bar Boheme: La Vie Boheme in Houston

Fans call Bar Boheme the hippest, coolest, busiest, most fun bar in Houston. Prepare for a crush if you go during the rush when everyone converges on the spot to get their party on. Table service is not so speedy, so do what the regulars do and order at the bar. The Frozen Mojito is their signature drink, so why not try it? Other options include the Bohemian with spiced rum, jasmine liqueur, lemon & agave nectar, and the Pink Pussycat with vodka, hibiscus liqueur, sugar & fresh lemon. A nice selection of beer and wine is also on the menu. Snacks include Smoked Jalapeno Hummus with warm garlic naan, Vietnamese Fries with peanuts & cilantro and the Marvelous Cheese Board with Marconi almonds. Some yummy pizzas and desserts are also on the menu. Open every day.

Bar Boheme
307 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-1099
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-boheme-houston

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