With its heat hues, leather-based banquettes, and classic Mexican pottery, this Tex-Mex favourite achieved the basic Mexico Metropolis vibe homeowners Armando and Cinda Palacios have been on the lookout for. A staple of conventional Tex-Mex delicacies since 1978, the restaurant’s menu is stuffed with comforting classics with premium substances.

Regulars flock to the house-made tortillas, paper-thin, well-seasoned fajitas, and decadent queso flameado. Armandos has an in depth 10-margarita menu to select from, which incorporates the whole lot from the basic frozen or on the rocks to the ultra-flamboyant River Oaks Rita made with Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Tequila, Patron Citronge, recent lime juice, agave, a rim of inexperienced salt and, most notably, a pure gold wedge of lime.

Thursday evening at Armandos is the evening to see and be seen. For practically twenty years, at 10pm, the restaurant transforms into the final word nightclub with DJ music and dancing.

discover him: Armandos, 2630 Westheimer Highway, Houston, TX 77098; 713-520-1738

Backstreet Café

Diners are having a tough time getting a desk at this River Oaks eatery throughout Houston’s elusive patio climate season. The Backstreet Cafe has been a favourite for greater than 4 a long time and is thought for having among the best out of doors patios within the metropolis and a busy Sunday brunch.

James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega began out on the restaurant as a dishwasher earlier than turning into an government chef and proprietor. An embodiment of the American dream, Ortega and his spouse Tracy Vaught now have 4 different Houston eating places (Hugo’s, Xochi, Caracol and Urbe) to their names.

The beloved chef focuses on elevated and approachable New American delicacies. Housed in a two-story Thirties bungalow, the eating room is undoubtedly noteworthy, however the scrumptious wood-fired oysters, grilled Hugo’s burger and Nutella chocolate banana pudding be certain individuals come again for extra. The restaurant additionally has an revolutionary vegetarian menu, be sure you save room for Chef Ruben’s vegan chocolate cake.

discover him: Backstreet Cafe, 1103 S. Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77019; 713-521-2239

Brewery 19

Tucked away within the coronary heart of River Oaks, this energetic restaurant caters to the palates of an prosperous clientele. The restaurant boasts an in depth caviar menu, a each day choice of uncooked oysters, and a phenomenal seafood platter. Forgo the standard bread service and choose as an alternative for do-it-yourself caviar and chips.

Not a fan of seafood? Don’t be concerned, the Brasserie’s menu presents hearty cuts of ribs, lamb shank, duck breast and pasta. Weekend brunch is a restaurant scene, the place diners can begin the day with a mimosa or Aperol spritzer and decadent bites of eggs benedict, seafood croissant, or quiche. Take pleasure in a breezy brunch open air or take a coveted reservation indoors.

discover him: Brasserie 19, 1962 W. Grey Road, Houston, TX 77019; 713-524-1919

Giacomo’s Meals and Wine

Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is a neighborhood favourite. Savor small plates such because the cheese platter, crostini or deviled shrimp, good for sharing. Giacomo’s menu highlights domestically sourced substances. The recent egg pasta is do-it-yourself and influenced by proprietor Lynette Hawkins’ time in Italy. The tortellini full of rooster, pork, mortadella and diverse cheeses and the tagliatelle alla bolognese stand out on the menu.

The Italian restaurant additionally contains a fastidiously curated checklist of regularly rotating Italian and French wines chosen by Hawkins. Diners vary from {couples} on a romantic night, to pals sharing a number of small plates, and neighborhood households for an excellent meal. The relaxed environment contains a informal patio or indoor eating space harking back to consuming in your mom’s or grandmother’s eating room.

discover him: Giacomo’s Meals and Wine, 3215 Westheimer Highway, Houston, TX 77098; 713-522-1934

Le Colonials

Le Colonial serves glorious Vietnamese delicacies in a 1920’s setting. The decor of the restaurant is gorgeous, and whether or not consuming in the principle eating room or within the out of doors courtyard, company are transported to French Indochina circa 1910-1920. Chef Nicole Routhier is the restaurant’s culinary director, simply as she was in New York Metropolis 22 years in the past when the unique Le Colonial first opened.

The meals is refined and presents many seasonal flavours. Suppose crispy shrimp and pork wraps with a tangy lime-chilli sauce, spicy natural tofu curry with Japanese candy potatoes and roasted cashews, or seared yellowfin tuna with soy-preserved ginger and candy lemon. The restaurant presents each indoor and out of doors eating and a second stage lounge with a non-public lounge and bar good for a late evening drink. Diners may make the most of fixed-price menus for lunch and dinner.

Discover him: Le Colonial, 4444 Westheimer Highway, Houston, TX 77027; 713-629-4444

MAD Houston

Put together for sensory overload at this bustling River Oaks District sizzling spot. Visitors will discover an revolutionary and intoxicating environment with a nod to Madrid’s nightlife, music and theater scene of the 70s and 80s. Cocktail choices are playful with drinks like AyGuey, Que Guay, Luz de Dia, and the eye-catching Fruto Prohibido.

Diners will delight within the meals menu, which options conventional Spanish dishes with enjoyable twists, comparable to steak tartare wrapped in an edible Houston Chronicle newspaper, or the unlikely pairing of bone marrow and caviar served with crème frache and mini hash brown.

At first look, the menu could appear meat-heavy, however there are additionally delicate fish choices comparable to uncooked tuna, pulpo, and grilled sea bass. Every dish is served with a phenomenal and generally surprising presentation. The environment is a vivid Spanish daydream, so company must be ready to order a cocktail, settle in, and drift away.

discover him: MAD Houston, 4444 Westheimer Highway, Suite C180, Houston, TX 77027; 281-888-2770

Ouisie’s desk

Ouisie’s Desk has been part of Houston’s dynamic eating scene for greater than half a century. Authentic proprietor Elouise Adams Jones opened the restaurant in 1973 on Sundown Boulevard earlier than shifting to its present location in 1995. The menu is a various mixture of Southern meals she was recognized for in addition to extra refined choices. Diners can take pleasure in shrimp and cheese grits, Ouisie’s meatloaf with chipotle ketchup, or fried rooster. Extra refined dishes embrace curried rooster over lemon-ginger rice or herb-crusted scallops with salmon roe.

Patrons can savor lunch, brunch or dinner indoors or open air at this glorious River Oaks restaurant with one thing for everybody.

discover him: Ouisie’s Desk, 3939 San Felipe St., Houston, TX 77027; 713-528-2264

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