Downtown Houston dining recs?

[gertdog]

I'll be in downtown Houston next week for a conference. I'm staying at the Club Quarters hotel on Fannin St.; conference is at the Crowne Plaza on Smith St., about a mile away. I won't have a car. I'll probably be with colleagues for lunches and for most dinners. I'm interested in things I can walk to for lunch and/or dinner that are not named Schlotzky's (I like Schlotzky's but need some variety! ;) )

I did find this thread from last year (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=106404&highlight=houston) with some nice ideas. I'm just a few blocks from Mia Bella and plan to give that a try. And if I do splurge on a cab one evening (taxi budget is severely limited) I'd like to try T'afia. Most of the other restaurants sound great but are a bit farther than I'll be able to travel for dinner.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated! Thanks! :)

[doggerham]

T'afia isn't a long ride, and will be well worth it.

I'll think more and be back.

[Pony]

Stephanie, how long are you in town for? T'afia is a great choice. I've eaten at Mia Bella, but a different location and it was very good. You could take the Metrorail to T'afia. I'm not that familiar with downtown restaurants.
I haven't been to this location, but I've been to Azuma off of Kirby. Very good sushi.
Azuma-Downtown
909 Texas Ste E
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 223-0909
0.19 miles from hotel

Same with Nit Noi, I've been to the other location. Good Thai food.
Nit Noi Cafe
2020 Louisiana Ste. B
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713) 652-2855
1 mile from conference and almost 2 miles from hotel

The 2 restaurants above may be accessible by the metrorail as well.

Hope that helps some!
Michelle

[buffygirl]

We love Cava Bistro downtown, it is our go to place, European in feel, excellent food, charming wait staff.... The Grove is new and groovy. It gets mixed reviews b/c of service, but I've been there 5 times for lunch and once for dinner and have had really good food each time. Quatro at the Four Seasons is an all time favorite of mine. I'll keep thinking.
Kim

[Pony]

We love Cava Bistro downtown, it is our go to place, European in feel, excellent food, charming wait staff.... The Grove is new and groovy. It gets mixed reviews b/c of service, but I've been there 5 times for lunch and once for dinner and have had really good food each time. Quatro at the Four Seasons is an all time favorite of mine. I'll keep thinking.
Kim

I've been to the Grove twice. Once for dinner, very good, but pricey! Lunch was for a meeting so the menu was picked out and paid for. The one thing I noticed both times was that they don't like when you ask for substitutions. My friend was pregnant and had to alter something in the dinner and they said it could not be done. I understand that to an extent, but it was simply replacing the cheese. During the lunch meeting, there was no vegetarian option and someone asked. The waiter was very nice, but had to discuss it with the chef first. To me, there should always be a vegetarian option even if it was not planned on the meeting menu. But, it is a beautiful restaurant and the park nearby is very pleasant.

[gertdog]

Thanks, you guys! These sound like some good options. I'll be there Tues-Fri. The client I'm traveling with tends to not care at all what he eats, so I usually end up doing a lot of the choosing and I like to have some options to offer.

I didn't even realize there was a metrorail, so that opens up more possibilities- fun!

[Pony]

The metrorail is good for your location, but unfortunately does not go all over town. But, it should definitely help you in your area. :)

[buffygirl]

Michelle, that is odd about the Grove, I've experienced the same thing, they are not real flexible with substitutions...

Stephanie, if you end up with any extra time for a glass of wine, let me know. I'll PM you my number. I'm sure others would be open to that as well...:)