Food as Art - Gorgeous Plates Around Town

Chef David Denis' French restaurant on the Energy Corridor draws everyone from big oil execs to foodies from around town. Simply exquisite food all the time. The private chef's table is a special treat, and the desserts, like the deceptively simple apple tart, a must-not-miss.

When I think of Italian restaurants in Houston, one comes to mind immediately: Da Marco. Marco Wiles' eponymous flagship turns out some of the most consistently delicious food in town. The corn & lobster ravioli is always scrumptious. The octopus appetizer is also phenomenal, as is their whole fish. When it's truffle season, go for the gold and get their pasta with shaved alba white truffles or black truffles; it's something you're unlikely to forget, ever.

Rattan's pan-Asian food is bold and beautiful. They have state-of-the-art enomatic system so they can serve wines by the glass. Get the clams, the short ribs, and the tuna/avocado tower, and the rice noodles wrapped in egg shell. Happy hour is 4-7pm and awesome, too.

Excellent nigiri and specialty items by chef Chris Nemoto. Uni, hamachi and salmon are noteworthy. Green tea cheesecake is yummy too

Named Best Sushi Restaurant 2012 by Houston Press, the modern Japanese, high-quality sushi by exec chef Manabu Horiuchi makes this one of the best restaurants in the city. Splurge on a 8 or 10 course omakase, or chef's tasting, and count the number of "Wow's" that fall from your lips. Seasonal cold soba noodles and ramen experiments when it gets colder are always a must try. Chefs also happen to love this place when they're off duty -- you'll find them at the bar or taking food to-go.

Chef David Grossman offers modern, stylish, irreverently decadent food --think duck fat popcorn, Australian butter poached wagyu, and his famous sticky toffee pudding.

Chef Philippe Schmit's eponymous restaurant offers his "French Cowboy" take what French cuisine should be in Houston. Drunken foie gras is a must. Braised beef cheeks are solid. If you get a chance to taste his his coq au vin or a souffle, just do it and thank me later. Impeccable wine list by Sommelier Vanessa Trevino-Boyd. Desserts by Pastry Chef Jami King, like the tarte tatin, are always delicious.

Chef Soren Pedersen creates a new farm fresh menu daily in his beautiful open kitchen. The 3- course lunch prix fixe is a major bargain. Try any foie gras dish or one of his poached or pan-seared fish dishes.

Is there a hotter restaurant in Houston? Quite possibly not. Creative, avant-garde, elevated Japanese cuisine is a joy to discover and savor, with Chef de Cuisine Kaz Edwards turning out some of the most intellectually compelling dishes you'll ever taste. Standouts on the regular menu include the machi cure, Hama chili, bacon tataki, daily oysters, cantaloupe okashi dessert and the carefully constructed specials from the kitchen that change every two weeks.

Wonderful modern coastal Mexican food like ceviche, octopus, sous vide ribeye and more by celebrity Mexican Chef Aquilas Chavez

Chef Justin Yu's tiny, 36-seater restaurant is one of the hottest tickets in town due to his creative vegetable concoctions, which are beautifully plated, locally sourced, and change seasonally. Chefs and industry folk flock here.

It's a restaurant within a restaurant, each distinct, and yes, fantastic. The more casual side, Provisions, is a little rock 'n roll, with a lively main dining room playing music that sets an almost rambunctious mood. Pizzas are a must, like the guanciale with uni, or the burrata with tomato. Pastas are house-made and will blow your mind, like the wholly unforgettable cresta de gallo. House made breads, served with a selection of cheeses or charcuterie, are also musts, and the wine list/drink program is already shaping up to be one of the best in the city. In contrast, The Pass is decidedly ritzy and upscale. An exclusive place where you can get dressed up (or not), where the star is the food and the chefs who will come to your table to serve them. Plan to stay the whole night, go for the gold and get the eight course tasting menu with a wine or cocktail flight, and get ready for an experience to remember. Reservations a must.

The authentic, beautifully plated, modern Peruvian cuisine by Chef Roberto Castre deserves all the raves it gets. Colorful causitas, intricately prepared tiraditos, one of the best lomo saltado's you'll taste anywhere, and seasonal specials like the delicious duck confit with cilantro rice are just some of the dishes you should sample at this restaurant. Perfect for a date night, you will ooh and ahh over the beautiful dishes at this Latin American hotspot. For lone diners, the marble-topped bar overlooking the ceviche station is also a great spot to sip on a pisco sour and enjoy your meal while watching the action in front of you.

Arguably the most beautiful restaurant in the city at this moment, Triniti won the American Institute of Architects 2012 award for best renovation. Inside the restaurant, the glowing golden orbs of designer Tom Dixon's chandelier set the mood for a night of culinary exploration. Order a tasting menu created especially by the rockstar kitchen team helmed by Chef Ryan Hildebrand, or order a sampling of a la carte dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Recs include the foie gras breakfast, kale salad, or one of the melt-in-your-mouth beef dishes, like a butter-poached ribeye.