Houston's Best Group Dining 2008

Old World charm graces the table with a warm mix of European classics.

Reviews:

• “A very special place”
• “Fantastic!”
• “Truly Great Food”
• “Slow service, but great food”
• “Not for people in a hurry, but definitely worth the wait.”

Tips: Bavaria’s Hacker-Pschorr beer is a treat; house wines are affordably tasty; Dracula’s coffee isn’t as scary as it sounds.

Charivari Restaurant-Home Of European Cuisine or email Charivari Restaurant-Home Of European Cuisine

Fancy filet mignon served in a must-see setting that includes a copper-inlaid bar and a luxurious lounge.

Reviews:

• “Remarkable!”
• “Benchmark for Restaurants!”
• “Terrific experience!!!!”
• “Consistently good but not exceptional”
• “Loud, Overpriced and so so food.”

The Capital Grille or email The Capital Grille

Vegas-style mega restaurant brings upscale American fare, live entertainment and plenty of elbow room to Clear Lake.

Reviews:

• “Unforgettable……..Service”
• “Who needs Dubai, New York, or Vegas when you have Macy’s Table”
• “Birthday at Cullen’s "
• “Best banquet meal I’ve ever eaten”
• “Desserts to die for!”

Tips: Diners can order California house wines or select a bottle from the varied list on their table’s touch-screen computer.

Cullen’s Upscale American Grille or email Cullen’s Upscale American Grille

Eye-popping decor and salaciously good food take diners at this dramatic eatery on a trip abroad.

Reviews:

• “Great Churrasco steak and several ceviches”
• “Good Food Bad Service”
• “5 Star Restaurant”
• “The steak is still good, not much else…”
• “So so.”

Tips: Don’t overlook the lunch specials, where the choices are just as flavorful but less expensive.

Churrascos or email Churrascos

Get cozy with friends and family and enjoy an Italian feast at this loved-by-locals restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Interesting decor, decent italian food and drinks”
• “WORSE ITALIAN FOOD”
• “worst place in town”
• “Won’t Return”
• “So not recommended”

Tips: If you have a large party, reserve the circular “Pope’s Table.” Special occasion? Request the kitchen table, where diner’s can watch all the behind-the-scenes restaurant action.

Buca di Beppo or email Buca di Beppo

This forerunner of the downtown renaissance satisfies with inventive New American food and two levels of glitzy decor.

Reviews:

• “DO NOT WORK FOR THEM!!!!!”
• “WONDERFUL ATMOSPHERE AND GREAT SERVICE”
• “VERY GOOD AND RELIABLE RESTAURANT”
• “The Cuisine Marvelous- The service even better!”
• “strange, decent place”

Tips: Only two blocks from the Theatre District, Zula is the ideal spot for a pre-theater dinner. From 5:30pm-7pm nightly, diners have the option of enjoying a three-course prix fixe menu for a mere $35 per person.

Zula Restaurant or email Zula Restaurant

Family-friendly restaurant serves up enormous portions of southern Italian favorites in a nostalgic setting.

Reviews:

• “Fantastic for Family Style Dining”
• “great italian food”
• “GREAT ITALIAN FOOD!”
• “Absolutely disgusting”
• “Simply Outstanding on All Levels!”

Tips: Half-portions are a good bet; they’re still generous and considerably less expensive.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Bountiful Tex-Mex favorites are the specialty at this upbeat happy-hour favorite.

Reviews:

• “Awesome Tex-Mex food…my favorite in Houston”
• “Trashy, low class, horrible atmosphere‎ "
• “I enjoyed it”
• “Waaayyy Overpriced!!”
• “Great Patio”

Tips: Try the weekend breakfasts, which are fit for a king.

El Tiempo Cantina

Solid Italian fare in a remodeled farmhouse makes for an impressive Galleria-area experience.

Reviews:

• “F+”
• “My favorite Italian spot in Houston”
• “Not so hot…”
• “Phenomenal Italian Experience”
• “Elegant, Relaxing & Romantic”

Tips: Ask to reserve the wine room for a group, from eight to 14.

Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana or email Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana

Austrian fare that’s worth a yodel.

Reviews:

• “Great little restaurant”
• “Very enjoyable!!”
• “Outstanding German Food that even the guy on TV with blue glasses would like”
• “Love it”
• “What a wonderful place”

Tips: Resturant offers special event such as Oktoberfest, Thanksgiving buffet and Easter buffet.

Rudi Lechner’s or email Rudi Lechner’s

Four Seasons restaurant features fashionable Italian dining in Euro-sleek style.

Reviews:

• “Very Nice but Food is…”
• “Young professionals are welcome”
• “Worst service ever! "
• “Excellent Italian American Food in Beautiful Setting”
• “A great night!”

Tips: This downtown restaurant gets busy at lunch. Avoid the two-hour business lunch by letting the waitstaff know that you’re on a schedule.

Quattro at Four Seasons Houston

No-fuss Cajun cuisine greets those searching for spicy, savory crawfish and gumbo.

Reviews:

• “Man, was this good!”
• “I must admit, I’m really happy I finally tried Mardi Gras Grill….”
• “Worst Crawfish Ever”
• “BEST SEAFOOD IN TEXAS IS FLOYD’S BY FLOYD LANDRY! "
• “insane!”

Mardi Gras Grill or email Mardi Gras Grill

Zydeco and Cajun food in an open-air setting.

Reviews:

• “Everything is Awesome!”
• “Great food, great variety and FAST service”
• “Great restaurant Great food GREAT prices!”
• “Really good food (carb-conscious dieter friendly, to boot!)”
• “Passably Good Food Amid Total Bedlam”

Jax Grill

The Omni’s sister restaurant to the L.A. original shines with fusion cuisine and glossy decor.

Reviews:

• “Great place”
• “Oh Man Oh Man”
• “Great place to host friends and family.”
• “Outstanding service, great menu”
• “Dining elegance at its best!”

Tips: Give free reign to the chef and opt for a multi-course tasting menu, ranging in price from $75 to $85. A la carte dishes range from $26 to $38. Wine pairings are available with all.

NOE Restaurant & Bar or email NOE Restaurant & Bar

Sophisticated northern Indian cuisine and award-winning wines in an upscale setting.

Reviews:

• “Horrid Service, Expensive Food”
• “Good Food, but not like it was under Kiran’s regime”
• “Disappointing! Elegant atmosphere but unimpressive, overpriced food”
• “Good food but don’t expect much else.”
• “Refined and elegant”

Tips: Hit the lunch buffet Monday through Friday and enjoy the creative spread at a discount.

Ashiana Indian Restaurant

In a classic New Orleans-style abode, this local landmark serves upper-crust Cajun-Creole cuisine.

Reviews:

• “The worst restaurant experience ever…my stomach still hurts a day later!”
• “Great anniversary brunch”
• “Excellent Easter”
• “What’s all the fuss about?”
• “Very romantic, excellent food”

Tips: Brennan’s famous jazz brunch is served on Saturdays from 11am to 2pm and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. Reservations recommended.

Brennan’s of Houston

A pioneer, and now fixture, of Midtown, this bistro serves fusion cuisine in modern quarters.

Reviews:

• “Solid, trendy American”
• “Awful food and service”
• “these other reviewers are nuts.”
• “Ruined Birthday”
• “Sunday Brunch and the Bottomless Mimosas are Fantab-ulous!”

Tips: Smoking is only allowed at the bar and on the patio, which is surrounded on all four sides by apartments.

Farrago

Old-school ’40s elegance meets modern-day steakhouse sizzle.

Reviews:

• “Disappointing first visit”
• “Good food & excellent service”
• ""Best Service Ever"!!!"
• “Surprised!”
• “Great Sunday night piano bar”

Tips: Sullivan’s offers happy hour—not on drinks, but on bar menu items—from 5pm to 7pm Monday through Saturday, with marked items half price.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse-Steaks, Martini’s & Jazz

Family-owned Houston staple for fried shrimp and fresh seafood since 1917.

Reviews:

• “One of the best places for seafood!”
• “lousy atmosphere, subpar food, inexperienced waiter”
• “Our Favorite Restaurant”
• “not baby friendly”
• “So Goooood!”

Tips: Christie’s has banquet facilities for up to 100 guests and will cater your event for full or banquet service.

Christie’s Seafood & Steaks or email Christie’s Seafood & Steaks

Audience-participation dinner theater, where the guests enjoy a meal while helping to solve a mystery.

Reviews:

• “What a great time we had!”
• “Family Fun!!!”
• “I had the best time of my life!”
• “Egad! Even a stuffy lawyer will have a good time.”
• “If you love chocolate, you’re in heaven. There was some traffic in Kemah of Friday night.”

Tips: Diners can become the center of attention, so appropriate dress is recommended.

Murder by Chocolate

Powered by Citysearch