what are the best restaurants in houston? we've only eaten at Aries and loved it. Any other favorites out there? r

try cafe annie... terrific!

These aren't "the best" restaurants in terms of haute cuisine, but they are the ones my husbad and I really enjoyed. This information is 5 years old, but here goes.

In the Clear Lake area near NASA, We used to like:
Enzo's - for good Italian food
Villa Capri - on Clear Lake for a romantic dinner
The Flying Dutchman - in Kemah for excellent seafood

We also liked the Swinging Door in Richmond for the best barbeque.

Papas Seafood on I45 South was always good.

Hunan was the best place in town for Chinese food. (The phrase "Chinese food" doesn't do justice to Hunan.)

right next door to aries is the boulevard bistrot---sierra on montrose is also close--brennan's downtown is popular with some---colombe d'or is a good french restaurant---otto's on memorial makes pres. Bush #1's favorite hamburger

I have to second cafe annie, otto's & brennan (only been to the one on I-10).

My picks which I find really good.
Brownstone on Westhiemer
Sullivan's on Westhiemer
Fox's Diner on S. Sheperd
The Crab House next to The Flying Dutchman in Kemah

These are further down on the price scale, but are my favorites:
Jax's Grill on Sheperd
Red Onion Cafe - either 290 or Kirby
Guadalajara Hacienda
Rajin' Cajun (must if crawfish season)

I think I could go on and on!

There are tons of really good restaurants in Houston:

Mi Luna in the Rice Village is a Spanish tapas restaurant. Very reasonable prices also. This is my favorite restaurant in Houston - try the baked goat cheese....

Michelangelo's near Montrose & Westheimer - also very reasonable and excellent food. Nice decor as well.

Khyber North Indian Grill near Richmond & Kirby.

Goode & Co. Seafood on Westpark @ Kirby.

Clive's downtown near theater district - pricey but excellent cuisine

Thai Spice, in the Village - fantastic pad thai and you never need a reservation.

Ouisie's Table on San Felipe near Buffalo Speedway

Prego, also in the Rice Village - great grilled entrees and good pasta too

Honestly there are so many that you never have to go to the same place twice. Have fun!

At all costs avoid Good Eats. They should rename it Barely Edible Stuff.

thanks for all the info guys. was thinking about trying Urbana this weekend... has anyone been there?

Urbana is fine, sort of standard fare for the Montrose area trendy bistro type place.
Cafe Montrose is a hole in the wall run by a French Belgian family with some of the best mussels you'll find anywhere. Mai's in Milam at St. Francis is great Vietnamese. Brababy's (two locations, River Oaks and Montrose) is top of the line "diner" food - the salads are monumental.