Fadi's is a great suggestion. There's a Tapas place in the Village on University that would great for y'all, as well. My sugg would be Tokyohana's. But I've never checked out how much vegetarian fare they have. But the women love that place.
If your stuck near downtown, go to Vincent's off of smith street, its classy casual...you'll be able to find something that fits your diet...Another place that I'd recommend as a first date is Katz Deli...it's real casual and you'll be able to find anything to eat...Lastly, my fav would be Nit Noi...
Casual first date: Cafe Express Barnaby's Auntie Chang's Yidizlar on Kirby @ Richmond so many places... oh btw, what's a date?
Little quiet place on Mid lane (off of westheimer i think) called D Wine...great date place...they have a bar and outdoor seating in case its nice out
Baba Yega ? It's casual... it has a nice scenery, and you can take as much free fruit as you want when you leave. Though I dont think looking like a monkey, pawing at the plums, would make a good first impression.
I can't think of an exact restaurant off the top of my head but an Italian restaurant where they out a big jug of wine in the table and you fill hers up every time it gets about half way down. Nothing greases the skids like alcohol when you want slide through that first awkward date. Let the laughter ensue.
Drinking is like vegetarianism to me - I don't drink and I don't eat meat, but I don't care if anyone else does or wants to. As for my "quick rebound," hardly. In reality, she pretty much asked me out, which is fine by me, and both of us just want to have a good time and eat. No pressure or anything. I love Baba Yega's. It's upscale but casual and has a great vegetarian menu - the veggie club is awesome. One place I'm considering is Cavatore. It's near me (between the Heights and Oak Forest), is usually pretty quiet on weeknights and has really good Italian food. As for the seafood/Mexican rule, the problem is that seafood places have very few (if any) things on the menu that don't include meat. I mean, that's SEAFOOD. Usually, my only resort at seafood places is a baked potato and a salad, which really isn't the point of going out for seafood. As for Mexican, almost every place that is remotely authentic uses lard, so that's pretty much out. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm definitely figuring out some new places.
They have this awesome filet in a burgndy wine reduction sauce that is great (if your date is into that sort of thing)
i would second Nit Noi in the village. romantic but good for family as well, good prices, good food and lotsa veggie stuff. otherwise, collina's is good too but i always see a ton of babies and strollers (which is annoying when they cry) esp with a bottle of wine you can bring in. lemongrass is good too in the meyerland area. good luck jeff!
I like Collina's though it may be a little too cafe casual - meaning loud - for a first date. There is one here in the Heights and I definitely like it. Yeah, I'll try to avoid the term "kick ass" in the conversation, though, with her, she'd probably appreciate it.
for future reference when it comes to first dates, or dates in general, pick up a book from the library called, "147 Fun Things To Do in Houston." if you can't find anything to do after reading that book, go kill yourself.
Yeah, it's a chain restaurant (and crowded at that), but what about P.F. Chang's? I'd also say James Coney Island, but that's my answer for everything.
If you're by the heights try hitting up Berryhill on 11th or Spahgetti Western on Sheperd. Cavatore seems a little more that casual. If you've never been to Spahgetti Western, you should definatly try it, its awesome italian food.
Jeff, The only way we can really come up with a good restaurant for you two is if you post her picture. Then we'll have a better idea of her tastes, etc.
The Hobbit Cafe is THE restaurant for vegetarians like us. Its the only restaurant I've eaten at in five years.
Ohhhh, I just tried a new place the other day that might be just right. It's called Grand Lux Cafe, and it's right across the street from the galleria (Where FAO Schwartz used to be.) Really great food, a nice atmosphere, and their menu is huge so I'm sure you could find just about anything. http://www.grandluxcafe.com/
