STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

blubirde · Chanel

Houstonians

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

well Brennan's is pretty romantic/nice but also kinda pricey. great desserts though...bananas foster...yummmmmm.

i have not been, but my husband loooooooves Mark's. i think it's kind of near the Galleria, on Westheimer, but i might be wrong.

if you're up for Mexican, there's an upscale Mexican place called Hugo's, and it's not too expensive. really yummy and a cool atmosphere too.

there's a cute little Italian place called Arcodoro that has a pretty nice atmosphere too. it's in a strip mall near the Galleria, but once you're inside you kind of forget that. and the food is delish. i don't think it's too expensive either.

for brunch, i like Le Madeleine (but it's a chain, sort of like Panera, but still tasty) and Farrago (but be prepared for a pretty long wait).

blubirde · Chanel

valenciana wrote:

well Brennan's is pretty romantic/nice but also kinda pricey. great desserts though...bananas foster...yummmmmm. i have not been, but my husband loooooooves Mark's. i think it's kind of near the Galleria, on Westheimer, but i might be wrong. if you're up for Mexican, there's an upscale Mexican place called Hugo's, and it's not too expensive. really yummy and a cool atmosphere too. there's a cute little Italian place called Arcodoro that has a pretty nice atmosphere too. it's in a strip mall near the Galleria, but once you're inside you kind of forget that. and the food is delish. i don't think it's too expensive either. for brunch, i like Le Madeleine (but it's a chain, sort of like Panera, but still tasty) and Farrago (but be prepared for a pretty long wait).

I'm going to citysearch some of your suggestions - thanks! Unfortunately the boy is opposed to La Madeleines. He lived in Dallas awhile and they're all over there (as opposed to 2 in Austin).

I'll let you know if I end up going to one of those places and how it was. Thanks again!

Claudia · Gucci

for dinner I reccomend Sambuca. It's a little pricy though, but they have live jazz. Here's the website Sambuca.

I recently went to Mingalone. It's pretty good and not too expensive. Mingalone.

For dessert, I've heard good things about House of Pies, but I've never been there.

that's all I can think of right now. If I think of anymore I'll let you know.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Hey girl. There is a Cheesecake factory in the galleria you can pick up dessert to go if you want. Food is decent but it is crowded so it won't be romantic. Maggianos (across the street) is the same way. From the outside it looks upscale and romantic but on the inside its just an olive garden with high prices. So not worth it plus they don't honor the reservations you make. On v-day we didn't even get on the list until we showed up for our reservations and we had to wait 45 mins for a table. What was the point of making the reservation?

Anyways. do you want to stay in that area or do you want to go else where and what is your price range (you can pm me if you want) and food preference? There are some places down westheimer that are nice but you would have to drive to get there. we eat out a lot with work so let me know what you are looking for.

Personally I love italian and if you go further towards downtown its quieter and more romantic. My bf took me to Michaelangelos (sp??) for our first date and it was really nice and romantic. Had a pianist play the whole time. Its an old house turned into a restaurant. I think he spend close to $100 on dinner though.

La Strada is down the street on westheimer or up from the galleria on san felipe. Its just as good but I've only done takeout with them. They both look nice on the outside not sure about the crowd on the inside though.

Fogo de chao is down westheimer towards the beltway (not towards downtown) and its suppose to be really good but only go there if you eat beef. I hear the salad bar is delish but its too expensive to go if you are eating just salad.

There is a latin infusion place called the red onion on Kirby and 59 south. It is really good and not too pricey. Next door is Miyako's a sushi and japenese restaurant that is pretty good. They do the whole take your shoes off to eat and your feet drop below the floor. The deserts are good too.

Kubo's in Rice Village is good for Sushi too and not very expensive. Its dimly lit and pretty quiet. Not sure about a Saturday night though. Desserts & appetizers are small though (fyi)

Not sure about how you feel about mexican but if you are looking for a good place on sunday maybe on the way to the game you need to go to chuys on westheimer. It is fabulous and you have to get the creamy j dip.

anyways let me know what you are looking for and i could get more specific.

blubirde · Chanel

Claudia - I've been to Sambuca's and I really liked it. I would like to try someplace different, though, since I've already been there. It's definitely a cool place, though.

Aurora - I think Italian food would be perfect. Sushi is out because we're doing sushi Thursday night. (My insistence! ) I'd also like to stay away from chains because we have most of those here. I'm also open to driving wherever. I was thinking downtown for dinner. Nothing that takes more than 20-30 minutes to get to though.

Michaelangelo's sounds interesting. I'll have to look it up. Hopefully citysearch will have a link to its website. Any other Italian suggestions? We might even head to Central Market or some such place for dessert. We're open to whatever for that suggestion. And we could get cheap wine there.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming!

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Well for cheap wine you could always hit up spec's in midtown (on Smith). you have to go before 9 pm though (I'm sure you are aware of that though). I don't think there is anything spec's doesn't have. You get discounts for paying in cash or with a debit card (fyi). If you stay by the galleria area eatzi's is like central market minus the grocery part and they sell wine. I can't remember the brands or prices.

There is a place near the galleria called dessert gallery. It is suppose to be really good. Not sure when they close but the address should be something like san felipe and post oak.

I loved Michaelangelos. It was so yummy and if you go call and make reservations for a table near the piano. La Strada's is italian also. Its on Westheimer and Montrose (by me!) If they don't have a website look them up on takeouttaxi.com under houston. the zip for downtown is 77002.

Biraporelli's is downtown & is italian but its ok not great so I would steer clear of there. Mingalone's is next to hard rock cafe downtown but its cute and nice. I went there after the ballet and it wasn't too loud or crowded. Like Claudia said its reasonably priced too.

blubirde · Chanel

The hotel recommended these places. Any opinions?

Piatto

Arcodora

Maggiano's

Symposio

Damiens

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

The only one in that list I've been to is Maggianos.

My opinion: From the outside it looks upscale and romantic but on the inside its just an olive garden with high prices. So not worth it plus they don't honor the reservations you make. On v-day we didn't even get on the list until we showed up for our reservations and we had to wait 45 mins for a table. What was the point of making the reservation? It was $86 for my bf and I to eat there which included a bottle of pretty cheap wine, entree, and I think an appetizer. The waiter was awful and the host and hostess were rude. I'll never step foot in there again.

jess · Kenneth Cole

HEY GIRL!

There is a place I really like called Daily Review Cafe. Its got this great patio set up and is very romantic. Great food, good wine, great desserts.

Arcodoro is nice, good atmosphere, good place to get drinks pre going out.

Umm, I recently went to this Mexican rest. called Boccado's on W.Alabama, its very cozy, not very crowded, and apparently starts playing music later in the evening. Let me know if this interests you and I can get you a better description of the location.

Right by you, there is this ginormous place Grand Lux Cafe. It's on Westheimer & Post Oak- right across from the Galleria. They have awesome food & great desserts. The portions are huge, so ya'll may want to split. Have the strawberry martini. Has fresh strawberries. drool.

For brunch, depending on how crazy you want....La Strada is a blast. They have awesome bellinis, but don't have too many...trust me. There is also a place calledd Las Alamedas on Voss & I-10, not crazy at all- people just go to eat.

Everyone needs breakfast right? Go to Barnaby's, its yummy. There are like 3 locations, but the best ones (IMO) are on West Gray and there is one on Shepherd. Go early, they stop serving like at 11 or 10:30 something like that.

Yey! Bluebirde in H-Town :)

Let me know if you have any questions!

Claudia · Gucci

jess wrote:

Right by you, there is this ginormous place Grand Lux Cafe. It's on Westheimer & Post Oak- right across from the Galleria. They have awesome food & great desserts. The portions are huge, so ya'll may want to split. Have the strawberry martini. Has fresh strawberries. drool.

it's right in front of the galleria. It's pretty good and the portion are huge like jess said. The Grand Lux Cafe is almost like The Cheesecake Factory since they are connected or however you say it. haha But the atmosphere/ambience is better.

kahluamilk · Dooney & Bourke

Nay on Maggianos! We heard rave reviews abt it but was v. disappointed with it when we went to try it out. Kinda loud and our waiter was super snobby. Oh well.. I like the Chicken Marsala at Olive Garden better anyways.

I live right behind La Strada and yes it's a big party there for Sunday Brunch. I'm pretty sure if you go there you will def need reservations unless you get there super early like at 11am.. The place gets PACKED.

I LOVE Red Onion that Aurura mentioned. Yummy yummy food and not as pricey as the other places yr conciege recommended. Those are pretty upscale places and will be pricier then most Austin restaurants (Waves.. fellow Austinite here!) And if you go to that one on 59 and Kirby.. you can just go down Kirby to the Dessert Gallery that has FABULOUS cakes. It's at 3200 Kirby Dr # 106, right behind a bank. Just slow down when you're on Kirby. Mmmmm, how could you say No to this???

http://www.dessertgallery.com/

These 2 places are super close to where you're staying. Prob not more than 2-3 miles so you should be able to drink and drive back to yr hotel safely (Kids, Kahluamilk is in no way promoting drinking and driving)

Hope you have a great trip!

-- Edited by kahluamilk at 22:45, 2006-03-22

-- Edited by kahluamilk at 22:45, 2006-03-22

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

ooh that dessert gallery looks fabulous. Must stay away until I lose 10 pounds haha.

I've heard sunday brunch at la strada is nice. I think I want to give it a try now.

Kahula- maybe we can plan a ST gathering at one of these places I know Claudia would be up for it.

kahluamilk · Dooney & Bourke

Aurora, yes yes yes! Just let me know when.. I'm sure you'll be busy til tax season ends right? Are we all on this side of town?

And we must definitely end at the Dessert Gallery!

P/S. I/m very fond of the Cheesecake Factory.. maybe we can go there on a week night when it's not as busy... we can also throw in some shopping since we're at the Galleria *evil laugh*

Claudia · Gucci

I'm totally gamed. I think you and Aurora live kind of near by. I live by the Humble Area/Greenspoint Area, but the Galleria is only like 10-15 minutes away. So yeah, whenever. It would be fun.

& oh yeah, the Dessert Gallery Bakery looks yummy. I've been wanting to go there. I've had it under my favs for a while so I can remind myself to go.

-- Edited by Claudia at 23:29, 2006-03-22

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

kahluamilk wrote:

Aurora, yes yes yes! Just let me know when.. I'm sure you'll be busy til tax season ends right? Are we all on this side of town? And we must definitely end at the Dessert Gallery! P/S. I/m very fond of the Cheesecake Factory.. maybe we can go there on a week night when it's not as busy... we can also throw in some shopping since we're at the Galleria *evil laugh*

I'm not too busy now. Luckily audit season ends before tax season ends so we get a little bit of a break. I'm not a fan of cheesecake but let me tell you I love that banana cream cheesecake there it is my fav!!

hmm... must find a date we can all meet up now haha I'll be pm'ing you and claudia soon.

blubirde · Chanel

Okay, I made reservations for Michaelangelo's for Saturday night. I'm super excited. Thanks for the tip, Aurora! We're not having wine (or at least not a bottle) or dessert so hopefully it won't be too, too expensive.

KM - I definitely want to try out the dessert place. It's open until 11, so I'm sure we'll make it in time to get something yummy. It looks so good! (waves back at fellow Austinite)

Jess - I also got a good rec from a friend about Barnabys. I'll have to look it up and see if it's something we're looking for for brunch. And if we can get up that early. If not, we may have to check out La Strada (I'll make reservations, of course). The boy is paying for this one so load up!

Thanks for everyone's help. I'll let y'all know how everything turns out. I can't wait!

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Just chiming in that I've been to the barnaby's on west gray and it is a good place to eat. I've never had brunch there but I've had dinner and it was good.