Houston
Mi Luna
A great tapas restaurant on University Boulevard. We had some octopus, serrano ham, and other tapas. There's a good selection of Spanish wines by the glass. We were there at lunch on the weekend and it was sparse. I got the sense it gets jam-packed on evening weekends, though. October 2003
Ashiana
(12610 Briar Forest Drive) We had a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner here. It was a set menu but the offerings were so unique, very fresh, and beautifully prepared. We had fish in a banana leaf, and lamb, and several other things which I can't recall. The space is lovely. The service was very slow the night we were there, but it was a holiday, afterall. February 2004
Sylvia's
A down-home cooking Tex Mex place in a nondescript strip mall in West Houston. (Isn't everything in Houston in a nondescript strip mall? ;-)) I've eaten here twice; once for breakfast and once for dinner. My breakfast was good (huevos rancheros), but there were several unhappy campers at our table, so I hesitate to recommend it. Dinner, on the other hand, proved to be a better meal and all six of us wiped our plates clean. I had the tampico which were shrimp enchiladas with a Spanish style sauce (i.e. fresh tomato with onions & peppers) served with refried beans and rice. Lots of food for very little money here, good service, and a very friendly, sweet owner (Sylvia) who makes the rounds to make sure everything is to your liking. July 2004
Bistro Le Cep
We absolutely loved this charming, little French restaurant. On Sundays, they have a dinner special: $20 for a chicken or fish entree; $26 for a meat entree (or some such). This includes an appetizer and dessert, and you are not restricted from anything on the regular menu. Amazing! I started off with Escargots Bourguignonne. It's been ages since I had escargots that didn't come out of a can. They were wonderful - not chewy - as was the butter and garlic sauce they were happily swimming in. Oh, they also serve some very good raisin-nut and french breads here and start you off with toast points and chicken liver pate. I saw rabbit on the menu - a rarity - so I was quick to order it. It was served in a delicious mustard sauce with buttered spaetzle and haricots vert. I consider myself a bit of a lapin a la moutarde connoisseur and this was a good one! I had a warm tart tatin for dessert - no creme fraiche, but a scoop of good, creamy, vanilla ice cream. The space is cute with lace curtains and a big COW outside of the restaurant. For you francophones out there who have a 6th grade vocabulary like yours truly, le cep is the trunk of a grape vine. This was a truly wonderful meal. July 2004
We came back here for Sunday lunch with my in-laws. I had a wonderful seafood salad, with at least five or six different kinds of very fresh fish and shellfish. Tom had a pork chop with red cabbage, which was good as well. Brunch entrees were also offered on Sunday, along with a good selection of homemade breads. I love the space. July 2005
Macaroni Grill
I normally wouldn't choose a chain in Houston, but it was convenient on our way into town. It wasn't bad. Tom had a penne Arrabiata, which was good, and I had a steak salad, with some nicely cooked, good quality beef. July 2005
Fox & Hound
Yet another chain, but we like the beer selection at this place, which is trying to be an English pub, but clearly isn't. The pub grub food is nothing to write home about, however. July 2005
Le Viet
We had a delicious lunch here with a friend over Thanksgiving weekend. We all shared the appetizer sampler, which had very good spring rolls and so-so dumplings. My "fiery hot calamari" weren't that hot, but spicy enough and very tender. Good fish dishes, an extensive menu and good service. November 2005
Pasta Lomonte
A good Italian with no surprises in Western Houston. I had seared ahi tuna here and Tom had some gorgeous softshell crabs, several claws of which I stole off his plate. My in-laws were pleased with their dishes as well. Very good food, nice ambiance, reasonable prices, but overzealous servers. November 2005