In Houston: TexMex: Ninfas on Navigation, Gringos Italian: Damians Vietnamese: Kim Som Thai: Nit Noi Steaks: Pappa's Bros. Cajun: Treebeard's, Zydeco and Brennan's BBQ: Joe's BBQ in Alvin Other: Ruggles, Sambucca In Dallas: TexMex: Cuquita's, Mi Cocina (Brisket tacos) Italian: Patrizio's Thai: Royal Thai, Thai Orchid Steaks: III Forks, Del Frisco's BBQ: Peggy Sue's Other: Cuba Libre, Samba Room
Kanomwan has been one of my faves for many years, and bringing your own wine to a restaurant is FAR from ghetto. Corkage is a concept usually reserved for the finest restaurants. Besides Kanomwan, I still like El Tiempo in Houston; not truly Tex-Mex, and not truly Mexican......I just like what they serve. Other faves are Mark's, Da Marco, Chez Nous, Azuma, Cova, Mogul (Indian, in the clear Lake area), and a few little Vietnamese hole in the walls. I used to think that Houston had great Vietnamese restaurants, but now I realize it is just competent. The Slanted Door in San Fran, and Monsoon, The Tamarind Tree and The Baguette Box in Seattle all showed me how much better Vietnamese cooking can be. Off the top of my head, other standout meals I've had were at Momofuku in NYC, The Dundee Bistro and the Joel Palmer House in the Willamette Valley, the Herbfarm in Seattle (technically, Woodville), The Aerie dining room in the Malahat Mountains above Victoria, Joe Beef and Au pied de Cochon in Montreal, Fore Street in Portland Maine, and Cochon, Stella!, and Irene's in New Orleans. The three best meals I've ever had were all at Restaurant August in New Orleans. John Besh is unreal.
in Austin Vietnamese: Tan My (formerly Tan Tan), Sunflower Thai: Madam Mam's Mexican: Fonda San Miguel, El Caribe, Los Comales, Vazquez Tacos Chinese: Din Ho, Tien Hong Barbecue: Ruby's, Mann's Greek: Tino's Indian: Star of India Persian: Alborz Seafood: Quality Seafood Doughnuts: Ken's, Mrs. Johnson's Brazilian: Sampaio's
Mogul is a good joint, except when they have the PIANO GUY! I'm assuming he must be the owner or something, because there is NO WAY anybody would pay this guy to "play." He just tinkles up the keys... and back down again. ALL NIGHT. Does anyone know where there's a good Mongolian BBQ in Houston? Galleria area, preferrably.
I know that the Lodge at Bayou Bend (former site of Rainbow Lodge) has American Kobe beef. I guess some other places might but I haven't seen it.
Yeah I forgot about that. Speaking of Rainbow Lodge, I don't care much for the new location. Had my wife's b-day party over there and they had the worst service ever. Lupe Tortilla kicks ass!
good call. also, in austin: taco deli - for, well.... tacos. the mojo fish taco and the cowboy taco (which i believe cracked the Texas Monthly best tacos list) are delicious. i would love to eat at one of his restaurants. he seems like a cool guy as well.
Man........I haven't been there in a LONG time; probably close to a year. After posting in this thread, I got the urge to go there, so my wife and I went there for dinner, and we just got back. Lots of new faces, and the place was kind of dirty. Worst of all though......the food just was NOT as good as I remember it. What a shame. Scratch Mogul from my list.
Middle Eastern - House of Kabob (Westheimer) Dimassis (Woodlands) Indian/Paki - Bismillah Restaurant (Hillcroft) Sabri Nehari (Hillcroft) Kabobs - Bijan (hillcroft) Darband (hillcroft) World Food (HW6 and Beechnut) 1.50 for a kabob Afghani - Tandoori Afghan (59 and Bissonnet)
Mogul is soooooooo overrated. Try out Cuisine of India on Nasa Rd.1 in the same strip center as Ihop across Putt Putt. Its much better. The lassi over there is freakin awesome!
I went over to "Hobbits Cafe" over there by Richmond and Kirby on Monday. Pretty good place.. it's like I'm eating at the Shire itself. The only thing that was odd was on the second page of the menu there's a "South of the border" food. I didn't know Hobbits ate Mexican food... I was curious, but I'd rather eat texmex at Chacho's.
Reminds me of the Conan skit when Triumph the dog goes to a Star Wars screening. Some dude is dressed as an elf or magic wizard or something. The catch is he is eating a Wendy's burger but supposed to be some legit wizard. Anyways...
My girlfriend loves that place. She works in the area and likes to eat breakfast or lunch there. I've never been.
