Travelling to a Thursday evening hockey game at the Toyota Centre in early December. We are staying in West Houston - I presume it'll be best to drive - what's the parking like? Any other tips?

There's a large parking garage adjacent to the Toyota Center that's connected by a walkway. Other than that, there are a number of surface lots nearby, as well as parking garages at the Houston Center shops.

Are you planning on coming early and having dinner first downtown?

It's a fair drive to make it downtown to the Toyota Center from West Houston. You might want to come early and have dinner to avoid some of the rush hour traffic (even though most of it will be going in the other direction).

Susan

I agree w/Susan- I usually stay in West Houston when I am in town (I have family out that way) and going towards downtown on I10, if that is the way you are going, can take awhile. Give yourselves time. Downtown had undergone quite a renovation, and there are good places to eat close to Toyota Center, depending on what you like. You could park at Toyota and walk to dinner from there- there are places close to (next to, behind) the Four Seasons Hotel area, for instance.

US59 (Southwest Freeway) has an ongoing construction just before Downtown, where 5 lanes merged into 2. And it usually backed up pretty bad in the late afternoon hours. You may want to take I-10 or Memorial in.

Many thanks. My husband is familiar with Houston (we're travelling from the UK) and the traffic (!). I believe we will be heading in on the I10. We've nothing planned, so heading in early seems the way to go - shopping?!!!. Any sugestions for dinner - we have broad and ecclectic tastes - just tell me your favourites!!!

ttt

Anne,

As to restaurants that are close to Toyota Center, your best choices are Quattro (in the Four Seasons Hotel), the Twisted Fork, and The Strip House. The last two are in the Shops at Houston Center, which is next to the Four Seasons Hotel (formerly called the Park Shops, in case your husband is familiar with it). Quattro is on the expensive side and upscale. The Twisted Fork is an American bistro-style restaurant and much more casual. Here's a link to its menu: http://www.rdgchicago.com/TwistedFor...ton-menu1.html
The Strip House is a New York-based steak house that just opened on Tuesday.

There are a lot of other options downtown, but none are as close to the Toyota Center. I like Bossa's, which is a Cuban restaurant on the other side of downtown. You can also do a search for restaurant reviews on www.houston.citysearch.com.

As to shopping, downtown Houston is still lacking in decent shops. You will find some assorted shops at the Shops at Houston Center, but there's nothing exciting there. There is also a Foley's department store that's about 4 blocks farther away, but it's a basic department store. The downtown location isn't as nice as the newly refurbished Foley's located in west Houston at Memorial City Mall. So, if you're looking for some good shopping, I'd venture to Memorial City Mall. In addition to Foley's, there are many, many more choices all under one roof.

Have a wonderful trip. I hope the weather when you're visiting is as glorious as the weather we've been having this week -- highs in the upper 70's, lows in the low 50's, clear, crisp, and very sunny.

Susan

Oops -- the citysearch site I gave you is incorrect. It's http://houston.citysearch.com/ (not www.)

Susan

What about the steakhouse Vic and Anthony's (or is it Victor and Anthony's?) next to the Inn at the Ballpark, across from MiunteMaid Ballpark? I stayed at the hotel, but didn't make it to the restaurant. The menu looked good though.
I ate dinner at Quattro a few wks ago on a Friday night. It was very good and not crowded at all. You might feel out of place if you are dressing really casual for the hockey game.
There is a less formal Italian place right behind the Four Seasons that a Houstonian friend of mine likes very much, moderate prices and good food--- anyone recall the name of that place? It might be a good option if you are dressing very casually (jeans) for the game.

The Italian place you're thinking of is called Josephine's. I'm not particularly partial to it. (I think there's MUCH better Italian restaurants in Houston.)

Vic & Anthony's is fairly close by, although it's a few blocks farther. It's also pretty expensive and upscale.

Susan

It may not be the best Italian in Houston but if they are looking for more causal places to walk to after they park at Toyota before the game, I guess it is Josephine's or Twisted Fork, or the Strip House Susan mentioned, which is new.
I checked out the Twisted Fork in August, the menu looked good and interesting, but it was too busy at lunch on a Thursday to get in. It gets good reviews and looked like a good place to go before a game.

Many thanks. Yet again Fodorites come to the rescue!! We will certainly check out your suggestions - The Twisted Fork seems like the best bet at the moment - what a great name!!

Susan, we are definately heading for Memorial City Mall and to Katy Mills - my 16 and 12 year old daughters have compiled a lengthy shopping list for me already!