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

[Alex]

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)

[bmdaniel]

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.

[Alex]

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?

[bmdaniel]

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 October 23, 2009 by bmdaniel (log)

[Alex]

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.