mark99

Could someone please give me your top 5 Fusion style cuisine, cool restaurants, cutting edge, in Houston.

Something along the lines of China Grill -Miami if anyone is familiar with that.

Thanks in advance!

maryanntex

The Glass Wall

maria_so

I second the glass wall. super wine list too. The only thing is it can get quite loud and the service is inconsistent. Still, delicious food.

I also like t'afia (on travis). The chef, Monica Pope, is one of the best in Houston and was named top 10 chefs with food and wine. I've followed her career from the Boulevard Bistro. The restaurant is simple modern and food is simply delish. (www.tafia.com)

For fusion asian food, The Rickshaw is pretty good and for sushi, Asuma on Kirby can't be beat.

Enjoy your stay.

mark99

Thanks!

It looks like were headed in the right direction...the glass wall had no website to view so I don't know what it looks like.

Looking for something more exotic, hip...the menus looked good but the ambience looked a little plain. Looking more towards a hip Friday/Saturday dinner with a clubby edge to it, with lots going on and preferably very upscale.

Any other suggestions?

maria_so

Ok, T'afia is pretty hip actually but if you want more clubby feel, try Gravitas on Taft.

http://www.gravitasrestaurant.com/

Food is good - not as good as T'afia but it's pretty "cool".

maria_so

meant to add that the other side of the restaurant (which is a part of it) is an actual club).

There's also Charivari. http://www.charivarirest.com/

More eastern european exotic. It's not that big of a place but it's nice and good food that is different. On some nights, they have belly dancers. It's in the midtown area where clubs and bars are just a block or less away.

Then there's Benjy's at the Rice Village area near the medical center.
http://www.benjys.com/ That place is always busy Thurs through Sat evenings.

There are bars in that area too (different from midtown - more at midtown). Benjy's has nice food also.

Houston is separated into different areas. 2 to name are midtown which is where all the nightlife is at the moment. then there's rice village and it's night life but more university and medical center folks.

mark99

Thank You!

I think Benjy's is the closest to the look and feel.

I will run by T'afia when I get into town to see what it is like. Too bad their website is so limited.

Thanks for all your help!

mark99

Any comment on 17 at Alden restaurant?

Thanks

maryanntex

I have eaten at 17 once. It was not really my style, but it may be what you are looking for. The food was very, very good--especially fresh and well-prepared, but maybe not too interesting. Expensive. It was too sedate and serene for my tastes--I like more activity, but it might be good for a quiet romantic evening. You can check out any of these restaurants you're considering on www.b4-u-eat.com This is a great website with customer reviews.

mark99

I know, I was all set on it until I read it was very quiet!

If only I could take all the recommendations on this page and then put them into one restaurant!

I have to admit...I am torn on what to do here! I guess I've taken New Orleans, Miami and NYC for granted!!!

mark99

Now I'm starting to lean towards Quatro!!! Help someone...meaby I should draw straws!!!!

Americas looked good at first then as I looked into it more it started to look more and more like a glorified Olive Garden.

Then looking at Zule...them comparing it to Las Vegas style restaurant was the death nail for me!

I think Gravitas or t'afia is looking the best.

maryanntex

Actually, I think Houston has the best moderately-priced restaurants of just about anywhere I've been. It's the very high-end ones that can disappoint.

maryanntex

The food at Gravitas tends to be very salty. It's loud with lots of activity. Sometimes the service is greeat; other times it's awful. My favorite restaurants are Shade and Glass Wall. I love Shade.

maryanntex

Or Da Marco. It's really good. Check out the reviews.