Better Grocery Shopping

Central Market
3815 Westheimer Rd
Houston, 77027
(713) 386-1700

Central Market offers a wide variety of international and gourmet foods not found in other stores. Their selection of fresh fruits and vegetables can't be beat (though the farmer's market at Tafia might edge them out in the freshness category). My clients are usually thrilled when I tell them you can get "real" yogurt there (aka not the sugary, fruity kind common here). There is an excellent selection of artisan cheeses, a huge seafood counter, a lovely wine selection, a gorgeous selection of fresh-baked breads, lots of organic foods, a bakery that dares you to try to walk through it without sampling something...
If you don't feel like cooking, they have an entire area devoted to pre-made (but fresh- they make it all there daily) dinners, salads & sandwiches to order, soups, and did I mention the 15-foot olive bar? You could organize a glamorous 7-course dinner party in 15 minutes, and not have to cook a thing. (I won't give away your secret!) They also offer catering services.
Beware- if you go at lunch to the cafe and wander through the store first, you won't be hungry anymore for having tasted all of the goodies the store has to sample.

I heart: the variety!

http://www.centralmarket.com/

Escalante

Escalante may be one of my favorite Mexican places ever. Be it a vegetarian, a health-nut, a classic combo-plate lover... Escalante has the menu to please everyone. You can even get baked tortilla chips instead of fried if you like. The margaritas pack a strong punch, but they are delicious. I am a self-professed fajita expert, and they pile them high with lots of grilled onions and peppers. They offer several varieties including steak, chicken, seafood, and portobello mushroom.
What really gets me at Escalante's are two things. The Chile Con Queso Blanco (white cheese dip) for the tortilla chips (I put it on everything!) and... my favorite... the amazingly fresh and delicious guacamole. They bring fresh cut avocados to the table, add pico & spices, and mix it up right in front of you. You could make a meal out of that alone!
If you have room for an entree, they have great dishes including their Enchiladas De Espinaca, which is spinach and mushrooms stuffed in two flour tortillas, topped with a roasted corn sauce and Chihuahua cheese, or the Escalante Especial which comes with a beef empanada, cheese enchilada and guacamole with three camarones (bacon wrapped shrimp). Of course, there are always the above mentioned fajitas! Personal tip: order corn tortillas instead of flour with the fajitas.
There are four locations in houston, Check the link.

I Heart: table-side guacamole, the margaritas, fajitas

http://www.escalantesmexicangrille.com

La Vista

1936 Fountain View Dr
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 787-9899

This is a hidden gem. Well, it WAS a hidden gem. It has become quite popular, so a word to the wise, expect a wait. The great thing, however, is that this restaurant is BYOB, or "Bring Your Own Bottle". Essentially, this means you can bring your own wine into the restaurant. For a small 'corking fee' ($1) they will open your wine and provide wine glasses. Should you forget to bring any, there is a convienient liquor store next door. So you can get started on your wine while waiting, and if you run out, just pop next door.
La Vista is an amazing Italian restaurant in the Galleria area, in a strip center next to a grocery store. The food, unbelievable. I tell people all the time, don't even look at the menu, just order whatever the special is. They offer some interesting dishes to mix-up the Italian theme. One night I had filet mignon enchilladas. They have grilled beef tenderloin in a port wine, apricot and cherry sauce, grilled pork chops in a brandy broth towering atop mashed sweet potatoes, ravioli with a creamy tomato-vodka sauce, and the most amazing lasagna EVER. Plus bread made in-house.

I heart:
* their lasagna! It is the only restaurant lasagna I have ever CRAVED over & over.
* any special of the day. Anything.

-no website :(

Logan Farms

Okay, I'm totally biased on this one.

Logan Farms is most well known for their delicious honey-glazed hams, turkeys, ribs, and such. But did you know that they have a bustling cafe that serves breakfast and lunch, as well? The sandwiches at lunch are out-of-this-world, and they also offer blue-plate specials that include your favorite Southern staples.

I Heart:
* Creole Caesar Club: blackened chicken, crispy bacon, asiago cheese and caesar dressing, Lettuce, tomato.
* Turkey Aoli: start with Logan Farm's spiral-sliced honey glazed turkey breast, add a yummy mixture of shredded asiago and parmesean cheese, add red onions, lettuce, tomato, and an herbed aoli. Yum.
* anything that is the special of the day. You get entree & 3 sides, (ALL yummy) all for $6.95!

http://westhouston.loganfarms.com/

Blue Fish House

By far my favorite Sushi EVER, ANYWHERE.
BlueFish is a family owned gem. Not fancy, just good. Inventive rolls, always fresh, and since it’s actually part-owned by a Thai family, it’s got other great food as well for your non-sushi loving friends. Clever menu items (Dumb & Dumpling, Some Young Guy, Fry me to the Moon…). Best roll: BlueFishEye. The staff is very sweet and they will remember you. Ask for Vicky!!

I heart:

*Spicy Tuna Roll (soy paper): Okay, not so original. But making it with soy paper takes it to a whole new level.

*BlueFish Eye: Imagine a spicy tuna roll wrapped around a Philly Roll. Yum. Big.

*Spicy Tuna Asparagus: Inventive! 1/2 a stalk of asparagus, with tuna wrapped around it. Tempura Battered & deep fried for just a second, and topped with spicy mayo & fish roe. LOVE IT.

*for non-sushi lovers: Get the Hot Basil Chicken (chicken veggies, hot basil sauce) or Ooh! Honey Breast (chicken, veggies, pineapples, sweet & sour Thai sauce).

http://www.bluefishhouse.com

StripHouse

1200 McKinney St.,
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 659-6000

For delicious steak, understated & attentive service, and napkins that have a subtle print of ladies’ silhouettes (think mudflaps on a big rig), Striphouse is the joint to be at. The interior is decked out with dark woods, red leather banquettes, and saucy, arty 1920’s burlesque pictures printed on glass and backlit.

I heart: Filet Mignon, Tomatoes & Red Onions w/ sweet basil & vinegarette, Romanof Potatoes, Steamed asparagus, and a big, hearty, chewy, bold red wine. Spectacular desserts, too.



http://theglaziergroup.com/restaurants/striphouse_houston/index.html

Mo Mong

1201 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77006

Mo Mong means "to dream" in Vietnamese.
I have spent five birthdays at MoMong. I was even in Jane magazine one month (for a feature called "blind date") and I took my blind date there. It's walls double as an art galley, and the art changes monthly. The food is varied, and unbelievably good. I have yet to try anything that wasn't amazing. Of course, tons of noodle dishes. Great martinis, cool bamboo patio, and you MUST have a Café Su Da (coffee). They also have a great sake list. I mean it, in my top 3 restaurants of all time.

I heart:
*Bo Luc Lac- Filet Mignon Chunks that are sauteed in a red-wine reduction with a few jalepenos tossed in for heat. ADDICTIVE. You can also get he same dish with tofu instead, and it is equally delish. Yes, Tofu.
*Phu Quoc: Asparagus & chicken w/ a soy, ginger, sugar glaze. Very drool-worthy.

-no website :(