American / Continental

Amy’s Ice Cream 3816 Farnham; 6584 Woodway (713) 526-2697; (713) 465-2697. Ice cream is made serious business at Amys ice cream parlors. The fanciful, cow-spotted buildings house some of the most creative flavors ever seen, like lemon cheesecake, chocolate peanut butter and even flavors modeled after mixed drinks  fuzzy navel and Irish crème. The Amys on Shepherd is the home of all Amys ice cream coffees, and the beans are roasted daily for the perfect combination on a hot summers day.
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Benjy’s Restaurant 2424 Dunstan (713) 522-7602 . Combining Asian, South American, Middle Eastern and Mexican cuisine, this eclectic menu changes monthly. Check out the wraps and salads at lunch and enjoy The Lounge upstairs for fine spirits and cigars.
L, D, R, $$$$-$$$$$,
www.benjys.com

Canopy 3939 Montrose Boulevard 713-528-6848. Canopy boasts fresh, seasonal and healthy fare created by Claire Smith and Executive Chef David Luna. The cuisine ranges from the casual to the sophisticated, complimented by a thoughtfully chosen and value-driven wine program.
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Cleburne Cafeteria 3606 Bissonnet (713) 667-2386. Named for the downtown street it on which it was originally located. Cleburne Cafeteria is much loved by families. (A favorite time to come is on Sundays after church.) When this cafeteria burned down a few years ago, locals feared it was gone for good, but the Mickelis family came through and rebuilt this Houston favorite. This is a perfect place to enjoy home-cooked favorites, such as squash casserole and turkey with dressing; and just like Mom’s kitchen, there’s always plenty to eat.
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Connie’s Frozen Custard 12545 Jones Road (281) 469-3444. Its worth the drive, is what loyal customers will tell you. Connies has been making custard fans out of ice-cream eaters for years. With a limited (but amazing!) choice in flavors, custards are customized here with a myriad of toppings. Just try it, and youll see.
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Eleventh Street Cafe 748 E 11th St. (713) 862-0089. If you’re looking for a good ole’ reliable brunch, then sit on the cool patio at Eleventh Street Café and a friendly staff will keep your coffee cup full. If it’s possible, this café has a combination of a slightly hippy and slightly yuppie atmosphere. The brunch menu is right on the money with its big portions of fluffy waffles and perfect eggs. If you’re not feeling like breakfast food, then be sure to try the restaurant’s legendary cheeseburger. This is also a great spot to bring the kids along for brunch. L, D, $,

Gelato Italia 500 N. Shepherd (713) 861-3979. A little known hot spot for some of the best gelato in the city, Gelato Italia is an unassuming storefront in the middle of warehouses. Indulge in icy-cold sweets or shop around for hard-to-find European imported foods, including meats, cheeses, breads and sauces. $

Glass Wall 933 Studewood Street 713-868-7930. Just North of White Oak, the Heights’ newest bistro serves up a fresh perspective on cuisine. Working chef/co-owner Lance Fegen launches the new venture with a menu reflecting what’s currently in season and a wine cellar that’s unparalleled.
D, Bar, R, $$$,
www.glasswalltherestaurant.com

Harry’s Restaurant 318 Tuam (713) 528-0198. A Houston favorite since the 1940s, this cafeteria-style restaurant features a “steam table” luncheonette, an outdoor deck and a bar. With six to eight fresh entrees there is something for the whole family. The menu changes daily – but always includes country standards like meat loaf, pork chops and crisp vegetables. (Don’t miss breakfast on the weekends!)
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Jax Grill 6510 S. Rice (713) 861-5529. Families can relax and enjoy the food at Jax Grill in Bellaire and the Heights. Locals know this crowded hot spot has great food at even better prices. The menu has a wide variety, so everyone in the family can get what they want. Don’t forget to check out the daily specials.
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Jonathan’s The Rub 9061 Gaylord at Corbindale  (713) 465-8200. Come here to watch chef and owner Jonathan Levine grill, sear, and simmer upscale comfort food in an open kitchen. Gumbo, steaks, and sea bass are hot items on the menu, which changes frequently. You’ll feel like you’re in a neighborhood restaurant in New York at this intimate, BYOB eatery. L, D, $$$,

Little Bigs 2703 Montrose () (713) 521-2447. Choose from angus beef, chicken, or portobello mushroom at this quaint slider shack. Open late on the weekends, Little Bigs boasts a large patio and also serves beer, wine, and sangria slushies to help you wash down your burger and fries. L, D, $,

Max’s Wine Dive 4720 Washington Avenue (713) 880-8737.  Max’s Wine Dive is packed with a trendy crowd, so get here early to find a seat. Brought to us by the folks from The Tasting Room, this location is far more casual, urban and hip than its Uptown sister. The 40-foot bar/counter practically extends the length of the restaurant and can hold about 30 people, while comfy booths line the walls. Some Mexican and domestic beers are available, but, as you may guess, the featured libation here is wine, and the fabulous boutique wines on the 150-label menu are being well received. (You can order any wine on the menu if you’ll commit to at least two glasses.) The items on the menu have informal titles but are truly chef-inspired. For example, the foie gras is simply labeled “liver and onions.” The owners call the cuisine “upscale, down-home food,” and the Heights/Rice Military area is very happy to clamor for it. Serving dinner only, Max’s is closed on Monday, while food is available until midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday and until 2 a.m. on Thursday through Sunday. D, Bar,
www.maxswinedive.com

Melting Pot, The 6100 Westheimer, Suite 146 (713) 532-5011. The only 100 percent fondue restaurant in Houston. Intimate dining offers the best setting for a romantic couple or a group of friends.
D, Bar, R, $$$$-$$$$$,
www.meltingpot.com

Noé (Noe) Houston Restaurant and Bar Four Riverway (713) 871-8181.  The Omni Houston Hotel, at Four Riverway in the Post Oak/Galleria area, features “Progressive American” cuisine.D, Bar,
www.omnihotels.com

Potatoe Patch 2504 F.M. 1960 Road East (281) 443-3530. For a truly country dinning experience, the Potatoe Patch is the restaurant to visit. Every meal includes “pass-arounds,” such as hot rolls that are thrown to you, fried okra, fried green tomatoes and a variety of muffins, making this spot a favorite for many.
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Raven Grill 1916 Bissonnet St. (713) 521-2027. Raven Grill, a family-owned restaurant, offers comfort food in the Rice Village area with an ambience that is inviting and casual. The brunch menu offers traditional fare, like French toast, eggs benedict and cheese grits. Order its famous cranberry and jalapeno bread, the seafood enchiladas or quesadillas to get a taste of what makes birds flock to this establishment.
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Ruggles Green 2311 W. Alabama 713-533-0777. Houston’s first GRA-certified restaurant takes green to gourmet levels and has customers lining up for quinoa pasta and gluten-free beer.
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www.rugglesgreen.com

Ruggles Grill 903 Westheimer (713) 524-3839. Ruggles Grill gives customers a taste of America from California to the Southwest. Guests love the white chocolate bread pudding. This restaurant has set a high standard for future Ruggles restaurants.
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Ruggles Grill 5115 5115 Westheimer (713) 963-8067. What could be more elegant than dining in Saks Fifth Avenue? This restaurant in the Galleria offers style and sophistication that match its new American and French cuisine. Ideal for private parties or a fashionable lunch stop.
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Texas Cafeteria 2400 N. Shepherd Drive (713) 862-5958. It’s a find, but you’ll be happy you stopped by for fried chicken and homemade gravy – or anything else that’s featured at this tiny cafeteria. Sit among regulars, contemplate the lovely fishing lures for sale, and enjoy the yummy Southern delights.
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The Daily Grill 5085 Westheimer, Ste. 3125; Galleria III (713) 960-5997. We never knew that home-cookin’ could taste this finger-lickin’ good. With chicken pot pie, cobbler, homemade soups, meatloaf, steaks, sandwiches and pasta, the choices are endless.
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The Diet Gourmet Lunch Spot 3917 Richmond (713) 850-0900.     The Diet Gourmet is a food delivery service that offers a wide array of food based on your choice of caloric intake. It is perfect for those keeping with the low-carb or low-calorie diets. This convenience makes it easy to try some of the food in the walk-in lunch area, so don’t be shy. To make the deal even sweeter, the food is very affordable and can be conveniently picked up Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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www.dietgourmet.com/index.html

The Memorial Grill 14510 Memorial Drive (281) 496-1780. Stop by this great neighborhood spot, and dig into a yummy burger, nosh on a salad with homemade dressing, or enjoy the fresh fish. Must try’s are Manhattan chicken and the fillet of sole.
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This Is It Soul Food 207 W. Gray (713) 659-1608. When this local favorite moved to a larger new location, they didn’t lose the warmth or any regulars. With a home-cooked menu full of hearty meals served cafeteria style, you won’t leave hungry. Patrons enjoy meatloaf, yams, barbecue ribs and more at this midtown institution.
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Tony’s 3755 Richmond (713) 622-6778. The new space tony’s now occupies is light, airy and fantastic! The menu is full of old favorites and new delights – this New American staple mixes in Italian influences splendidly. Perfect for a business lunch, the service here is impeccable.
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Triple A Restaurant 2526 Airline Drive (713) 861-3422. Right next to the Farmers Market, Triple A Restaurant has been delighting Heightsians, and more, for decades. With daily specials, such as chicken and dumplings and pot roast, an abundance of fresh sides and a quaint diner counter  and booths  Triple A has garnered the market on family-friendly meals.
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Voice, Hotel Icon 220 Main (832) 667-4470. This posh location at the Hotel Icon has been revamped and re-energized. Enjoy rack of lamb, crimini mushrooms, and munchies in the lounge. The mushroom soup is the best we have ever tasted!
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www.hotelicon.com