OT- Anybody know Houston?

[Sykes25]

I originally posted this in the Bullpen, but only got hijacked by some troll, so I will re-post here for my SOM pals. :P

Going to be in Houston for 3 days starting on a Sunday. Will need a place to eat all 3 nights, and a place to drink heavily those 3 nighst as well.

Staying at the Westin Galleria (Mall). :roll:

Already found the Houston Gentleman's Club and the Vintage Bar which look promising. Would prefer to walk if possible and not travel more than 10-15 min in a taxi if needed. :wink:

Only requirement I have is that the bar/restaurant has a good chance of serving Stella Artois. One of my co-workers would like to get stupid, and she loves drinking Stella. I am fine with any premium beer, alcohol or wine. Price is not an object. 8)

Recommend away. :D

[Jack377]

Sykes--

I've been to Houston roughly 100 times on business in the last 6 years...Here are a couple of ideas in the Galleria area.

[b:dba0d3830d]Sullivan's Steakhouse[/b:dba0d3830d] on Westheimer (just "outside the loop") is a great steak joint with a pretty good bar that has live music on occasion. Should be good for your female colleague. I think that this will be on the other side of 610 from you but close.

Also for dinner...[b:dba0d3830d]Vic & Anthony's[/b:dba0d3830d] (steak/downtown), [b:dba0d3830d]Strip House[/b:dba0d3830d] (no, not that kind of strip house! also dsteak/owntown), [b:dba0d3830d]Americas[/b:dba0d3830d] (Galleria), and [b:dba0d3830d]Brennan's[/b:dba0d3830d] (same family as all of the New Orleans Brennan's)...

If you like cigars, check out [b:dba0d3830d]Downing Street[/b:dba0d3830d] at Westheimer and Kirby next to [b:dba0d3830d]Taco Milagro[/b:dba0d3830d] which is also a pretty good scene for out of towners--yuppified, Tex Mex sort of thing.

I've stayed in the Galleria area on many occasions (I go downtown now to the Icon or Alden) and have to warn you about something...there is no walking in Houston! Everything is half a mile or more from the street, so you'll have a rough time of it unless you stay right next to the hotel.

Let me know if you need anything else...I'm here to help. Feel free to PM me as well.

Jack

[Sykes25]

Thanks Jack. I also found [b:e3e70f2dc3]Woodrow's[/b:e3e70f2dc3] and [b:e3e70f2dc3]Red Lion Pub [/b:e3e70f2dc3]that look promising.

[Sykes25]

Thx medic. Much appreciated.

[jcr54]

I lived in Houston 35 years, nine of them in an apartment (one bedroom) within walking distance (very few things in Houston are) of the Galleria, but you guys are talking about things that were/are mostly out of my price range. I did eat at Morton's steakhouse once (directly across Westheimer from the Galleria at the Post Oak intersection), and it was superb. The rebuilt (it burned to the ground) Willie G's just up Post Oak is very good if you like seafood. Ate at Delmonico's once (right there in your hotel) many years ago, and it was OK. Zuchinni's in the Westin Oaks Hotel there in the Galleria is good for breakfast. The Cheesecake Factory (also in the mall, which means genuine easy walking distance from your hotel) is credible though not five-star. That's about all of the "class" establishments I can vouch for. If you just want a good self-serve mesquite-grilled burger or other sandwich, Beck's Prime in the Galleria food court opposite the skating rink is tasty.

I would stay away from the nearby "gentlemen's clubs," although they do have supposed "world class" talent if that is your sort of thing. If you want a good workout, the 24-Hour Fitness up the street at Post Oak and San Felipe is very nice (it used to be a real upscale gym before the chain bought them out), and I think they offer relatively inexpensive guest passes. Don't know if your hotel has a decent fitness center, having never stayed there.

That's my two cents worth. I ate at the McDonald's in the food court more than any other Galleria establishment. You can watch the really good skaters practice, which is kind of nice, and do some interesting people watching, as the Galleria shops (some of the most exclusive in the world) attract an interesting-looking cleintele.

[Sykes25]

Jack377-

OMFG. What a HOME RUN with that restaurant Americas! Menu was EXCELLENT and honestly was some of the best tasting food I have had in a very long time from anywhere outside of Hoboken. Wine, dessert etc. FANTASTIC. Wine selection was nice as well.

Just wanted to let you know.

[Sykes25]

Medic-

Went to Richmond Arms on Sunday night after 10pm local time. GREAT bar for what I needed, which was a few beers and then a few more. :wink:

Thanks again.