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Fresh seafood, mouth-watering steaks, and ethnic surprises cater to your culinary pleasures. To help you sample some of the finest offerings from around the world, here are some sure bets.
Asian:
The all-you-can-eat weekend dim sum at Gigi’s Asian Bistro (713-629-8889) wins the contest as the best bang for the buck in the Bayou City. Twelve dollars gets you an array of steamed and fried offerings, but be sure you follow it up with the fantastic Chow Fun.
Steaks and Chops:
Go for the veal chop at Frank’s Chop House (713-572-8600) when you want comfort food in elegant surroundings. It’s flavorful and tender, grilled to perfection. For something different, Frank’s regulars know they can order the house specialty, black drum fish sautéed with breadcrumbs and parmesan over roasted vegetables with a key lime beurre blanc. We also like Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse (713-228-1111), which features a piano bar and one of the finest wine lists in town. Also, Sullivan’s Steakhouse (713-961-0333) serves up exquisite steaks in an elegant space, which includes the Ringside Bar, a hotspot for live music.
Seafood:
An impressive list of rotating specialties helps distinguish the elegant and fun experience at Pesce (713-522-4858). Watch the chefs fillet the fish. And try the Surf and Turf, a fresh Maine lobster topped with lemon-caper beurre blanc and beef tenderloin with wild mushroom demi-glace.
French Continental:
Bistro Calais (713-529-1314) does French with a Texas twist. In a historic cottage on the edge of tony River Oaks, it feels like home. The seafood gumbo is the spicy, brownroux- based house specialty; the steak frites are a fantastic French homage. Jazz livens the experience four nights a week, and insiders love Bistro’s Sunday brunch, with its generous mimosas and huge spread of salads and made-to-order crepes and omelets.
Tapas:
You’ll come back to Capriccio’s (281-884-9442) over and over once you’ve sampled their patatas bravas or gambas al Guajillo (paprika shrimp with Guajillo chilies). For dinner, be sure to allow extra preparation time so you can savor one of the specialty paellas.
Tex-Mex:
Bodegas Taco Shop’s (713-528-6102) cafeteria-style service lets you build your own salads, burritos and tacos, offering a dizzying array of meats, toppings and salsas. Try the carnitas taco with ancho chili sauce or the grilled fish taco. A full bar means you can pair your creation with a margarita or Mexican beer.
