1. Nic's Picks Guide to Houston

This is a guide of my favorite restaurants, bars, hangouts, museums, theaters, shows andevents, and places my friends and I go to all the time. I put this together so that everyone visiting my hometown of Houston has an insider's view to what's hot a...

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3. 2008 Dance Salad Festival

Dance Salad Festival is a curated, international production with performances by companies from around the world, chosen solely for their excellence - an event that can be seen only in Houston, Texas. Celebrating its 13th anniversary season in Hous...

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4. The Grove

The Grove is Houston's hottest new dining experience located just across from the Convention Center and Hilton Americas Hotel. Food, Bar, and View is what they say they've got, and boy do they have it and right out of the box too. The food is fanta...

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5. Massa's Seafood Grill

I imagine Massa's will be a busy place during the show since it's easily walkable from the Convention Center and has great food. It is right across the street from The Four Seasons and is frequented for lunch and happy hour by surrounding office go...

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6. Strip House

The Strip House Houston was designed by the ever popular David Rockwell of The Rockwell Group and serves as one of Houston's finest steak houses. The posh, executive d...

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7. District 7 Grill

District 7 Grill is a local diner that's good for a quick bite. It's high quality though and the menu is diverse serving up sushi tuna wraps and pita pizzas. Skip Wendy's and put an order in at the District 7. Now with two locations in the Downtown a...

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8. Treebeards

Treebeards has been the place for lunch in downtown Houston since 1978. Their fresh Southern food is fantastic and is served in some of the most unique locations in Houston one of which being Christ Church Cathedral's social hall and the 1861 B...

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9. Azuma Sushi

Azuma is probably the best place downtown to get your Sushi and Japanese food fix. Located in the historic Rice Hotel building, you can get a good lunch special here or a fine dinner at a good price as far as sushi is concerned. The block that the Ri...

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10. Sambuca

Sambuca is part "Jazz" lounge, part restaurant, part bar with live music nightly. This Dallas import has been popular ever since it opened as one of Houston Downtown's first "new" night spots. It's a mellow scene that is on the co...

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11. REEF

REEF is a beautifully designed restaurant and bar in heart of Houston's hot Midtown district. It's popular too so be sure to make your OpenTable reservation or you could be in ...

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12. Farrago

This is a locals spot full of regulars for sure. Sunday brunch is what Farrago is most known for with bottomless mimosas and delicious food. Located in Midtown Square, the scene is usually younger and hip. The menu is "world cuisine" and ma...

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13. Les Givral's Cafe

Givral's is the first place to stop in Houston's vibrant Vietnamese section of Midtown. Come here for $2.50 spring rolls and equally priced BBQ pork baguette sandwiches and other fresh entrees. There are a lot of interesting places around the shop s...

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14. This Is It Soul Food

If you've come with a hankering for some good home cooked soul food, This Is It is where it's at. Not too far from the show you'll find the best place in town for some southern comfort food real quick. Everyone's welcome at this family owned establis...

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15. T'Afia

Monica Pope is one of Houston's most respected chef's, and her t'afia restaurant is one of the best around. Her latest venture features a unique seasonal menu using the most local and organic ingredients possible in a beautifully designed 16 table ...

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16. Dolce Vita

Dolce Vita Pizzeria is Houston's best place for gourmet pizza. This casual concept is really nice for hanging out with a nice bottle of wine and it doesn't get any more authentic than enjoying some prosciutto slided by their antique slicer. ...

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17. Indika

Some of the nation's finest Indian food is had at Indika. This is undoubtedly one of those "Houston" restaurants to go to while you're here. Make a reservation and good luck with that!

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18. Mark's

Mark's American Cuisine is home to well known chef Mark Cox and is, again, another Houston not to miss. The restaurant is set in an old church building which makes for a unique frame for the menu and substantial wine list. Connoisseurs abound, this i...

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19. So Vino

So Vino Wine Bar and Bistro is the latest addition to the Westheimer scene. It's a warm, clean environment to enjoy finer wines and foods. Well priced for the offering I believe, you're sure to be satisfied here, but be prepared to have a couple of ...

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20. Ibiza

Chef Charles Clark has crafted a real winner with Ibiza. Located in Houston's hot Midtown District, it's a great place to sit outside and see the Houston scene go by. The food is first rate of course and is inspired by the Mediterranean island settin...

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21. Ibiza Lounge

After a great dinner at Ibiza, it's an easy walk just around the corner to Ibiza's Lounge Next Door. More lounge than club for sure, here you'll find all type to all hours of the night in an intimate setting. Nothing about it is a value per say, bu...

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22. Ibiza Lounge

After a great dinner at Ibiza, it's an easy walk just around the corner to Ibiza's Lounge Next Door. More lounge than club for sure, here you'll find all type to all hours of the night in an intimate setting. Nothing about it is a value per say, bu...

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23. Hugo's

Mexico City Mexican not Texas Mexican is Hugo's and it's the best. Set in restored, high ceiling building, chef Hugo Ortega serves up a refreshed menu of what I find the be the norm in Mexico. I'm a regular here and highly recommend Hugo's if you wan...

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24. Teala's

Another place to get away from the TexMex and enjoy the authentic flavors of Mexico is Teala's. The menu is centered around the Yucatan region of Mexico and is delicious. There's a very nice outdoor area in front and is a favorite amongst the neighbo...

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25. Brazil

Brazil is a coffee house and then some with a wide selection of food, coffee, beer, wine, herbal teas, and baked goods. This is where all the artists and hipsters in town hang at all hours. They come for breakfast, a leisurely light lunch, and beer...

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26. La Griglia

Started by Tony Vallone (see Tony's ) La Griglia is now a part of the Landry's Restaurant Group, but it still considered to be a flagship. The Italian menu...

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27. Star Pizza

Star Pizza is that legendary pizza house here in Houston. All the varieties, all the toppings, all the styles - this is the place for pizza no question. I suggest the Margarita pizza with a Shiner Bock. Two locations; the Norfolk is my choic...

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28. Maxx's Wine Dive

There is very little "dive" when it comes to Maxx's Wine Dive - it's just a name. From the creators of the popular Tasting Room, Maxx's focuses...

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29. Armadillo Palace

The Armadillo Palace is the closest place to go for a genuine Texas bar experience. Some live music, great Texas decor, and a huge mirror encrusted armadillo - what more could one want? It's next door to it's sister | Print | PDF | Email | Read more...

30. Armadillo Palace

The Armadillo Palace is the closest place to go for a genuine Texas bar experience. Some live music, great Texas decor, and a huge mirror encrusted armadillo - what more could one want? It's next door to it's sister | Print | PDF | Email | Read more...

31. Benjy's

Benjy's is another neighborhood standard in town. Located in Houston's Rice Village they serve an eclectic, latin influenced menu that's exciting while being a safe, surefire hit for any occasion. I recommend Benjy's for that nice quite mea...

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32. The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room is probably the most popular wine bar around. The whole wine bar concept has come on strong the last couple of years in Houston, and The Tasting Room was the pioneer. There are two locations convient to Downtown; a small location i...

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33. The Tasting Room

The Tasting Room is probably the most popular wine bar around. The whole wine bar concept has come on strong the last couple of years in Houston, and The Tasting Room was the pioneer. There are two locations convient to Downtown; a small location i...

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34. Shade Cafe

Shade is a lovely locals place in The Heights area of Houston. They have a simple dining room with a warm, clean feel, and a small bar to get things started. The fare is light and seasonal and the wine list adequate for this affordable choice for a...

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35. Cafe Annie

Cafe Anne is a bit of a hike from the Convention Center but so worth it once you're there in Houston's Uptown/Galleria district. "World -class on all counts" says Zagat and has it has been considered to be one of the top ten restaurants in ...

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36. del Frisco's

This smallish national chain has recently come to Houston and has established itself quite well in the Houston Steakhouse scene. The space is high-end as is the menu and wine list. Sure to see some A-listers here, it's worth the trip out one night to...

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37. Rainbow Lodge

The Rainbow Lodge has been around for 30 years and recently moved to a new location (the old location is now Brenner's on the Bayou , a Landry's owned ...

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38. The Shops at Houston Center

This is where to go for a food court near the show activites. You can see the Houston Center from both the Convention Center and the Hilton Americas and it's a three block walk. &...

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39. Skyline Bar & Grill - 24th Floor of Hilton Americas

This place is all about the view. The food is fine, the bar and drinks are better, but it's the view that steels the show here. It's also convient for all being in the Hilton Americas Hotel, but I have to say now that the bars at The Grove are open...

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40. Skyline Bar & Grill - 24th Floor of Hilton Americas

This place is all about the view. The food is fine, the bar and drinks are better, but it's the view that steels the show here. It's also convient for all being in the Hilton Americas Hotel, but I have to say now that the bars at The Grove are open...

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41. The Lake House @ Discovery Green

The Lake House is a family-friendly fast-casual concept featuring hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, shakes, sodas, wine, and beer. Located steps into Discovery Green Park, it sits directly in front of both the Convention Center and the Hilton America's...

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42. Rodeo Houston!

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world's largest livestock exhibition and the world's largest rodeo event and, of course, it's in Houston during USITT! I highly recommend everyone take a night to head out to the Reliant Center, home of the HLS...

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43. Othello

Houston's Tony Award Winning Alley Theatre will be presenting William Shakespeare's Othello on "the large stage" during the USITT week.

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44. Underneath the Lintel

The Alley will be in previews for Glen Berger's Underneath the Lintel on its flexible Neuhaus Stage.

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45. Quattro at Four Seasons Houston

Quattro is the Four Seasons' premiere restauraunt and like the Four Seasons, is class dining. Sure it comes at a premium price, but it's within walking distance of the Convention Center and the menu is diverse and pleasing to most. Italian or America...

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46. Ninfa's on Navigation

TEXMEX TEXMEX TEXMEX! The Original Ninfa's on Navigation is where it all began for the chain of texmex restraunts none of which have anything on the original. This is the ONLY Ninfa's I go to, and whenever I'm back from a trip this is the first stop ...

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47. Mai's Restaurant

Mai's owners opened the first Vietnamese restaurant in Houston in 1975 and  the current iteration is  as authentic as it gets. This spot is really popular with artist and the Vietnamese communities in Houston, so dining guests are interesti...

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48. Julia's Bistro

Julia's is right on the Metro light rail line and is a sort of hipster/mod place to go. It's brightly colored walls frame a small dining room of white white topped tables and chrome chairs; it's beautiful but the Latin-fusion food is the star here. M...

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49. Daily Review

Home cooking with a touch of organic sophistication is what the Daily Review has in store for you. I'm a regular for lunch mostly, but it makes an equally fine casual dinner choice. Concrete topped tables, a fine porch, and lush garden are the atmosp...

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50. Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen

A cloudy martini with a blue cheese stuffed olive should get you off to a good start at this Houston standard. Oysters on the half shell, the Gulf's freshest catch, and gumbo are my favorites here. The Mandola family is legendary in the local foodie ...

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