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3 dinners in downtown Houston (or nearby) -- lunch, too


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4 replies to this topic

#1 Alex

Alex
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Posted 18 October 2009 - 11:47 AM

Ms. Alex will be in Houston for a conference at the end of the month, staying at either the Doubletree or the Hyatt Regency (right by each other). She'd prefer a dinner place she could walk to, but easy walking distance of a light rail stop would be fine. A short bus ride might be OK, too. Lunch needs to be close to the Hyatt. I've done some research and would greatly appreciate comments about my selections, along with any other suggestions you might have. Thanks.

Near downtown
Reef
Feast
t'afia

Downtown
Voice
17
Yatra
Massa's (seems a bit gimmicky and no comparison to Reef, but it's right across the street from the hotel; maybe a good lunch option?)

Lunch
Treebeards - The Tunnel
Artista (Hobby Center)
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (at the airport, just in case)
Gene Weingarten, writing in The Washington Post about online news stories and their readers' comments: "I basically like 'comments,' though they can seem a little jarring: spit-flecked rants that are appended to a product that at least tries for a measure of objectivity and dignity. It's as though when you order a sirloin steak, it comes with a side of maggots."

"A vasectomy might cost as much as a year’s worth of ice cream, but that doesn’t mean it’s equally enjoyable." -Ezra Dyer, NY Times

#2 bmdaniel

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Posted 23 October 2009 - 08:42 AM

Ms. Alex will be in Houston for a conference at the end of the month, staying at either the Doubletree or the Hyatt Regency (right by each other). She'd prefer a dinner place she could walk to, but easy walking distance of a light rail stop would be fine. A short bus ride might be OK, too. Lunch needs to be close to the Hyatt. I've done some research and would greatly appreciate comments about my selections, along with any other suggestions you might have. Thanks.

Near downtown
Reef
Feast
t'afia

Downtown
Voice
17
Yatra
Massa's (seems a bit gimmicky and no comparison to Reef, but it's right across the street from the hotel; maybe a good lunch option?)

Lunch
Treebeards - The Tunnel
Artista (Hobby Center)
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (at the airport, just in case)


In downtown Houston, needing to be able to walk or take the light rail is pretty constricting. My comments would be:

Reef, T'afia, and Voice are probably the best bets for dinnerish places under that constraint (Reef would be my pick). Feast is an excellent choice, but doesn't meet the transportation criteria (she would have to take a cab unless she really, really wants a hike). If she's willing to grab a cab, it opens up a bunch of other great options (Catalan, Da Marco, Dolce Vita, Textile are all excellent).

Treebeards is a great lunch option.

#3 Alex

Alex
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Posted 23 October 2009 - 08:57 AM

Reef, T'afia, and Voice are probably the best bets for dinnerish places under that constraint (Reef would be my pick). Feast is an excellent choice, but doesn't meet the transportation criteria (she would have to take a cab unless she really, really wants a hike).
Treebeards is a great lunch option.

Thanks for the input. According to Google Maps, the #81 and #82 buses stop right by Feast and run within a few blocks of her hotel. If she's willing to take the bus, would you recommend she opt for Feast over Voice or T'afia?
Gene Weingarten, writing in The Washington Post about online news stories and their readers' comments: "I basically like 'comments,' though they can seem a little jarring: spit-flecked rants that are appended to a product that at least tries for a measure of objectivity and dignity. It's as though when you order a sirloin steak, it comes with a side of maggots."

"A vasectomy might cost as much as a year’s worth of ice cream, but that doesn’t mean it’s equally enjoyable." -Ezra Dyer, NY Times

#4 bmdaniel

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Posted 23 October 2009 - 09:14 AM


Reef, T'afia, and Voice are probably the best bets for dinnerish places under that constraint (Reef would be my pick). Feast is an excellent choice, but doesn't meet the transportation criteria (she would have to take a cab unless she really, really wants a hike).
Treebeards is a great lunch option.

Thanks for the input. According to Google Maps, the #81 and #82 buses stop right by Feast and run within a few blocks of her hotel. If she's willing to take the bus, would you recommend she opt for Feast over Voice or T'afia?


I would say Feast, Dolce Vita, and Da Marco (depending on how fancy she wants) all over either of those. Catalan is bussable too, and probably my favorite.

Another option closer to downtown is Ibiza (not walkable but closer than Reef or T'afia). Honestly, to me, the idea of T'afia is much better than the food. Reef is very good seafood, but to me, not as good as those other places.

ETA: Another great option down Westheimer would be Hugo's. Authentic upscale Mexican, probably something you can't get in Michigan and very excellent.

Edited by bmdaniel, 23 October 2009 - 09:15 AM.


#5 Alex

Alex
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Posted 23 October 2009 - 09:31 AM



Reef, T'afia, and Voice are probably the best bets for dinnerish places under that constraint (Reef would be my pick). Feast is an excellent choice, but doesn't meet the transportation criteria (she would have to take a cab unless she really, really wants a hike).
Treebeards is a great lunch option.

Thanks for the input. According to Google Maps, the #81 and #82 buses stop right by Feast and run within a few blocks of her hotel. If she's willing to take the bus, would you recommend she opt for Feast over Voice or T'afia?


I would say Feast, Dolce Vita, and Da Marco (depending on how fancy she wants) all over either of those. Catalan is bussable too, and probably my favorite.

Another option closer to downtown is Ibiza (not walkable but closer than Reef or T'afia). Honestly, to me, the idea of T'afia is much better than the food. Reef is very good seafood, but to me, not as good as those other places.

ETA: Another great option down Westheimer would be Hugo's. Authentic upscale Mexican, probably something you can't get in Michigan and very excellent.

Thanks so much. Those all look wonderful. We'll probably review all the menus together later today then make some reservations, provided we don't ruin the keyboard by drooling over it.
Gene Weingarten, writing in The Washington Post about online news stories and their readers' comments: "I basically like 'comments,' though they can seem a little jarring: spit-flecked rants that are appended to a product that at least tries for a measure of objectivity and dignity. It's as though when you order a sirloin steak, it comes with a side of maggots."

"A vasectomy might cost as much as a year’s worth of ice cream, but that doesn’t mean it’s equally enjoyable." -Ezra Dyer, NY Times