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 :(