Take a Bite out of the Houston Food Scene

By Marika Flatt

Texas is known for its BBQ and Mexican food; but our large cities, like Houston, have a smorgasboard of culinary delights to choose from. Why not take a trip down the road just to experience some of Houston’s most impressive eateries? Sounds like the makings of a great weekend to me!

City Centre is an upscale mixed-use development spotlighting a myriad of great restaurants. And–a bonus—it happens to be on the Austin side of the city, so fairly easy to get to. You might choose to stay at Hotel Sorella, a sleek right in the heart of CityCentre, so you’ll be close to the action. The 244-room Hotel Sorella features the Monnalisa bar, Bistro Grill and offers complimentary breakfast each morning. Ready, set, eat!

Grub Burger Bar at CITYCENTRE—Burgers are their thing and they take it pretty seriously. With locations also in Dallas and College Station, this is where you can order up an enticing specialty burger on a freshly-made bun, complete with matchstick French fries and followed up with a sweet milkshake (have you tried a Nutella shake?). Parents might want to pair their burgers with one of the beers on tap, like a Samuel Adams or a local Saint Arnold.They boast baking their buns from scratch every hour and grinding their meat blend every morning. So, freah is key; plus, their signature burgers are given names like You’re My Boy Blue, OMG (which I recommend!), Texas Luau and Ghost Burger. Now, you’ve got to go out of curiosity!

Ruggles Green CITYCENTRE– They claim to be the greenest restaurant in Texas. Certified by the Green Restaurant Association, where on the website, you can click on the Ruggles Green link and see all the ways they are eco-friendly. Their intention is to provide you with a unique WOW experience. You’ll be “livin’ the green,” ordering delicious choices such as the Shrimp Cake Sandwich, the Veggie Nut Burger, or a classic Ham & Cheese Panini. Make sure and end it with the Charlotte’s Web dessert (moist chocolate cake, layered espresso pudding, cool whip, Heath bar crumbles)- I absolutely got caught in that web!

Charlotte’s Web Dessert at Ruggles Green

Studio Movie Grill – This is where you can select a new flick to watch in the comfort of your reclining chair while you dine at your own table (table for 2). Much like Alamo Drafthouse or Flix theaters, you can order food and beverages, even beer and wine. I am surely spoiled to the point that this is the only way I like to see movies now!

Yard House –A restaurant/ bar where you can enjoy a relaxing dinner with your choice of tap beers. Their tagline, Resolve to Drink Better Beer, is spot-on as they’re happy to help you explore new beer choices. The food choices include appetizers like spinach artichoke dip, salads, burgers and sandwiches. And, as with all great beer bars, you can choose a beer flight to sample several, then make your informed decision.

Eleven XI – In Montrose, this is where you’ll find Southern coastal cuisine prepared by Chef Kevin Bryant and his friendly staff. If you sit inside, you have a view of the kitchen where the team is busily preparing impressive dishes (think of a seat at a live taping for The Food Network); if you sit outside for Sunday brunch, you can enjoy live music. It will be tough to choose what you want off the menu but I would recommend starting with their French press coffee, which comes from a local company.
You’ll want to sample many dishes, such as: the Sausage Gravy Biscuits, the Seafood Crepe, and their signature XI Madame (a.k.a. 7 Layers of Heaven), which is thinly sliced challah toast, layered with speck, sopressata, Prosciutto De Palma & Neuske’s smoken duck breast, topped with a fried duck egg, and drizzled with a Manchego-Bechamel sauce.
Their signature dessert is the Peanut Butter Tower, which boasts a creamy peanut butter filling, textured with Valrhona chocolate. The consistency of the mousse-like filling on top of the graham cracker-like bottom is delightful!

This is just the first sampling of Houston restaurants we’re sharing with you. We hope to return later in the year to bring you more enticing culinary choices from H-town.