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Maybe you're on a budget, or one of those people who doesn't believe on spending obscene amounts of money on dates. Not spending too much doesn't mean you need to sacrifice the romance. This guide will show you how.
This unpretentious strip mall pizza joint is a great family place for New York-style pizza. When it gets busy, the pizza making becomes a show, with a guy in the back pounding the dough, then throwing it up in the air. Romano may be there at the counter with a smile. Meatballs are great.
Well-located in the heart of Westheimer close to Montrose, Paulie's is comfortable fast-casual, and reasonably priced, a place where you can stop at anytime for sandwiches, pasta or great coffee, which is why it's not only popular in the neighborhood, but among chefs as well.
Hong Kong-nese food is no nonsense deliciousness. Dry beef chow fun is perfection. Hong Kong French toast stuffed with peanut butter, is a must. Most rice plates, about $5.95-$7.95. Now, that's delicious.
Located in the corner of a strip mall near Beltway 8 at Bellaire, Jasmine may not be as cosy as some smaller, intimate restaurants, but it is well appointed and the food quality is high. The specialty here is "ca 8 mon," or fish eight ways. You can also beef seven ways, or just order a la carte. Lunch specials are indecently low at approximately $5/plate. The grilled whole fish is one of the best in the city.
If there's one thing to get here, it's definitely the civap, a Bosnian meatball-type sandwich made with house baked bread and served with this sweet condiment.
Tony Thai is authentic Thai the way I like it. The papaya salad with the lime chili dressing is one of my favorites, as is the deep fried fish with garlic sauce (an entire fish, artfully arranged on a large platter). The pad thai won my mom's heart and she insists its the best she's had in town, and the pad see ew is delicious as well.
Come to this trendy Chinatown spot for specialty drink or one of the many new-Chinese type dishes. A good bet: the red wine pork chop, the crispy chicken wings (be prepared to wait 15 min), and the kim chi fried udon.
This charming Mexican-Peruvian restaurant is famous for its Peruvian rotisserie chicken, or pollo a la brasa. You can order the whole chicken to share, or choose white and dark meat, along with a few sides. The salchipappas, or french fries with spicy sausages, and the caramelized plantains are a great bet, as are the Mexican chilaquiles. Prices are extremely affordable, and the ambience, with light Mexican tunes playing in the background, and artisanal-type wooden tables is comfortable and casual.
This clean modern Vietnamese restaurant in EaDo generally makes great fare, like their pan fried rice noodles (pho ap chao) and duck salad. BYOB.
A fave of local chefs, the red oil wontons (not to be confused with red oil dumplings) are to die for. Other faves include arctic surf clams, mala beef jerky, garlic bacon, water boiled fish (spicy), the dan dan noodles or cold sesame noodles. Beware of things marked extra spicy. Byob. 5% off if u pay cash.
MKT bar is a hidden gem. Hidden, because it's part of the much larger Phoenicia Specialty foods downtown. A gem, because the sight that greets you is always unexpected. Tuesday nights, you're greeted with sultry sound of tango, as newbies and more seasoned dancers hit the floor showing off their moves. Saturdays are vinyl nights, with local guest DJ's spinning everything from 80's to Michael Jackson. At night, the lights are dim. It's part bar, part cafe. The concrete floors give it this warehouse-y vibe, and the scene is eclectic. The menu is solid, with pizzas and tapas-like appetizers, along with an extremely reasonably priced wine and beer list. It's a place where you can go and sit at the bar, order a glass of sparkling rose with their fantastic steak night special ($12 on tuesday and thursdays), and chat with whoever's manning the bar. You could just as easily go with a few friends for some drinks and nosh before heading out for the night.
Super cute Korean drinking bar w/ cute paper wall dividers & Korean pop music playing. Jajangmyun black bean noodle and kalgooksu noodle soup are a good bet, along with your choice of soju.
A popular out-of-the-loop destination for inner loopers, Banana Leaf is popular because of its roti prata and its extensive menu of everything from tofu to fish and, of course its noodles. The char kway teo pan fried rice noodle is spicy, chewy, and tasty -- a must try.
A fave of barbecue aficionado's in Houston, this tiny mom and pop churns out some of the best brisket, ribs, and 'cue in the city. When the weather is good, order a plate of your favorite meats and fixin's and head out to the side porch for finger-lickin' meal.
Brand spanking new, the space is gorgeous & modern for fun time & drinks with friends. Pretzel wrapped pigs in a blanket were really spicy but delish.
Run, don't walk, to this new burger & crepe joint in Sugar Land Town Square. The akaushi burger is juicy, the twist bun is fantastic, the sweet potato fries, a must-not-miss.
By day, Cafe TH is a lively banh mi shop cum restaurant featuring everything from pho, to rice vermicelli, to vegan curry. Thursday and Friday evenings, you get Cafe TH by night, a romantic, hazy, dinner experience complete with romantic jazz tunes and impeccable service offered by the restaurants' owner, Minh Nguyen.
Seriously, this place is totally rad. The brainchild of three partners who started out with a food truck, feast on inspired dishes by chef Matt Marcus, including his famous matzah ball pho, or a stellar frank the pretzel. End the meal with a whimsical ice cream flavor, like the Glazed and Confused. And maybe, bump into a chef while you're at it. Montrose at its best.