Ok, believe it or not, I'm still dating someone. I made the suggestion last week that every week I would take her out to dinner. The thing is, every week one of us chooses where to go, regardless of cuisine, with the other not being able to argue or fuss about it, and we alternate weeks. Last week, I chose Tio Pepe, which is a quaint little Spanish place in Bellaire that serves a damn nice Paella. This week, she has chosen Blue Nile, which is an Ethiopian restaurant. So, where are some random, unique restaurants that y'all swear by? Personally, I'm looking for locales within the loop.
Spaghetti Western on Shepard near I-10. Good stuff. Big fan of the Ugly and the Bad pizzas, not so much of the Good or Blondie.
Best of My Neighborhood My Food Is All That- Wallisvillle Road.. East Houston 10 mins east of 610 loop. Like This Is It. One Entree and Two HUGE sides. Will fry you half a chicken as an entree. Or Two Smothered Pork Chops the side of your face, meatloaf, oxtails, ..you get the idea. Stellar greens, mac and cheese and yams. Also homestyle burgers. Probably not much lo-cal or veggie fare on the menu. Sweet "Tea" is an aqquired taste...a lot like Kool Aid. Brother in Laws BBQ- Freeport St....Also East Houston. Great brisket and links...good ribs. Sides industrial but servicable...fries pretty good, cobbler a treat
have you considered Peruvian ceviche restaurants? There is a dive just north of the loop. Can't seem to find it at citysearch, though. I'll have to ask my Peruvian buddy who took me there. He said it was pretty authentic, but it's like going to an authentic dive Mexican place. Not that pretty of a joint/neighborhood. for inside the loop, you've probably been to Max's Wine Dive bar on Washington's. If not, that's a definite must try.
Bismillah on Harwin and Hilcroft is the best freakin Ino/Pak restaurant in Houston. Grilled items and curries. There is not one bad dish on the menu, but I really recommend the Shrimp Curry and Bihari Kabab. Very spicy stuff. Sheik Chili is the best Pakistani restaurant. On Hilcroft also. Best freakin nihari ever!!!!!
Oh Kasra Persian Restaurant is amazing as well...there is always more americans then persians there..and it has even been in the chronicle...its great you should go there
Good call on Ibiza. Its of course on the expensive side. You can feel the oil power in the dining room during lunch.
for some of these suggestions, i think Fatty is asking for two star restaurants, at highest...since he's talking about a weekly deal with the new gf. I love Monstrose Cafe. For the longest time, I never went there. I've never had french fries come anywhere close to that. It's weird...a Belgium restaurant with no hamburgers, but fries. The Mussels appetizer has won several awards. but i'm sure you've been there Fatty. oh, did you know Brazil has a new kitchen and Dan finally hired a real chef to remake the menu. Worth checking out, if you haven't been there since the remodel. oh, and Monica Pope's (owner/chef of T'afia/Boulevard Bistro) new joint venture BBQ joint near the defunct Pig Stand is now open. I haven't been. But when I'm in town in May, mabye we could go, or you could take gf and report back to us. spot on. especially when you go with Chinese regulars who know how to order "off the menu" items. For how fast they are and price, it just can't be beat. Oh, and thanks for the Ino/Paki suggestions. I just don't even know where to start when shopping for that cuisine.
i've heard mixed reviews of beaver's ice house... still like to check it out for myself. dharma cafe is a pretty cool place, but i've only been there for brunch.
yeah, check it out and let us know. One thing we can say about "mixed reviews" of bbq joints is to first ask the reviewer what time of day they went. I'm really interested in any review of brisket unless it was a lunchtime, noon-1pm tasting.
Blue Nile Ethiopian food could quite possibly be the schittiest food in town. Imagine eating what appears to be vomit, using a shammy that you might use to dry your car to pick up that vomit and put it in your mouth. There you have it, the Blue Nile I went there once and hit taco cabana upon leaving. The coffee is the only decent part of the meal
If you like Ibiza, you've got to try Catalon. finally made it to Dolce Vita; and it was some kind of good. Cova food and wine bar is also good; always great wines by the glass and tapas size dishes.
