houston restaurants: european suggestions

[szechuan sage]

um, i'm not really sure why i just say european because that is really vague but i was hoping to get some recommendations for italian, french, or spanish food... which all happen to be european subcategories. anyways, once again, help me out. i hate reading review sites.

 

[MirrOlure]

All of these are the best inside the Loop places in each category, IMO:

French: Chez Georges on Westheimer between Bagy and Montrose, which is a really interesting, ecclectic part of town. Very "old school" menu, fish dishes being the specialty. Funky decor, and of course, expensive.

Spanish: The only "Spanish" I am familiar with is Mi Luna Tappas Bar. Very trendy (in a good way) place, with loud, pretty people there pretty much every night. You won't come away "stuffed", but the quality is outstanding, and you feel cooler for having been there. Also, excellent and surprisingly reasonably priced Spanish wine list.....you can get a very good Malbec for about $30. Located on University near Kirby.

Italian: You could start a 3 page thread on Houston Italian, but I'll direct you to my favorite Old World place.......Damians. Again, expensive, but worth every penny. The service is impeccable. Critics claim the food has "slipped" over the years....but I haven't noticed. Maybe they just hold them to higher standards. Full menu of pastas, veal, chicken and fish. Sure, there are probably hotter more hip places, but when you said "European", I first thought of old world style places, and Damian's definately fits the bill there. Located on Smith Street just SW of Downtown.

 

[TXHookem]

Italian - All fo the following, save for Dolce Vita, are run by Italians. Perbacco (downtown), Arco D'Oro (Galleria area), La Trattoria (West of the Galleria on Westheimer), Simposio (Galleria area) and Achille (West Houston). Those are ones I would recommend, along with Dolce Vita (ate there last night).

Spanish - Rioja is good on the west side (Westheimer)

French - We like Bistro Provence in the Memorial area. Bistro Le Cep, at Wilcrest and Westheimer is excellent, as well.

Rudi Lechner's on the west side of town (Gessner/Westheimer) is German but the owner is Austrian

I believe Cafe Rabelais in West U. is Belgian - never been , though.

 

[hornimal]

In reply to:

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[Mack Tripper]

French: Le Mistral, Laurier, Bistro Provence, Bistro Moderne, Bistro Le Cep,

Italian: Da Marco, Dolce Vita, Simposio, Perbacco, Arcodoro

Spanish: Mi Luna, Rioja

TXHookem: Isn't Marco Wiles, the owner/chef of Da Marco who also owns Dolce Vita, from northern Italy?

 

[1990txgirl]

We've been to Cafe Rabelais and would categorize it as French rather than Belgian. Nice bistro food, good wine list. Bistro Le Cep is good too.

 

[stillaphlopin]

Cafe Montrose has excellent Belgian food. Some of the best muscles I have eaten.

 

[vy til i die]

damian's is teh suck.

 

[TXHookem]

Depending on your perspective, part of Turkey is technically in Europe. That being said, I really like Empire Turkish Grill on Memorial (between Gessner and BW8). Azzarelli's is a few doors down but tends to be Americanized Italian but is still pretty good. They overdo it on sauces (as do 90% of Italian restaurants). Vine Wine Room is in the same center and is always worth visiting.

BTW - ate at Bistro Provence last night. Excellent dinner.

 

[YChang]

Another vote for Cafe Montrose...great mussels

 

[RollingwoodHorn]

You didn't mention German food but I'll throw it out there anyway. Alfredo's Europeans Grill, on Montrose immediately north of Westheimer.

 

[texfight2003]

Try Charivari at Bagby and McGowan (Midtown ) . It is as close to European as you will find. Bon apetit!

 

[texdude2006]

Mykonos has great Greek food. Its in a shopping center on Richmond at Greenbriar.