Hello driving down from Big D to stay 2 nights for quick getaway. We are booked at the St. Regis. I have some questions:
1) Anyone have an excellent Spa recommendation nearby just in case their spa is booked?
2) Looking for restaurant unique to Houston..no chains...that we don't have in Dallas. We do not want Asian cuisine and no steak (we are maxed out on those two categories) We want an mid-upscale dining experience.
3) We are in our early 40's no kids and looking for things to do besides shopping.
Any suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated. TIA

One of Houston's well regarded restaurants is Cafe Annie in the Galleria area on Post Oak. A bit pricey, but worth it.

When we visit Houston, our favorite area is the Museum District.

http://www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org/default.asp?id=1

DH and I went to Cafe Annie's once, a little over a year ago, and loved the food, service, etc. It's been around a long time for good reason.

In University Village, near Rice University, we like El Meson. The Village, once filled with unique shops and restaurants, has slowly given way to the chains but El Meson has been around since the early 80's. There's a little Italian place there, too, that is non-chain but can't think of the name.

http://www.elmeson.com/

1) Urban Retreat - on San Felipe several blocks east from the St Regis.
Spa at Za Za Hotel on main in the museum district. A little further, but very nice.

2) Definitely agree with Cafe Annie - excellent food and service.

3) Pompeii Exhibit just opened at the Musuem of Natural Science and History. Has been getting excellent reviews. Next door is the Cockrell Butterfly House - well worth a visit.

Should've added that I agree with AnnMarie's suggestions. Think the Italian place she's thinking of is Prego's, also very good.

If you are looking for a romantic dinner, we always enjoyed the Brownstone. It is actually an old brownstone filled with antiques. They use to have someone who played the harp during dinner. We no longer live in Houston so haven't been there for a few years but would be worth looking into if you want a quiet dinner. Also, Las Alamedus on the Katy Freeway and Voss has a spanish guitar player on Saturday nights in their bar that is nice to sit and listen to.

I like urban retreat also.

There's a small restaurant called Cafe Montrose and they serve belgian/french cuisine. They serve wonderful mussels.

My favorite spa is Urban Retreat on San Felipe. We love Mark's for a nice, upscale meal - the food is amazing, and the architecture is really neat as it's built in an old church. It's on Westheimer and fairly close to the Urban Retreat location. We like Cafe Annie and the Brownstone too; those seem to skew towards a little older crowd, and Mark skews a little younger so can be a little louder. All good.

I agree with volacongirl (but then again, we really do seem like we like the same things from past posts!). I like Mark's better for food and ambience. A block or so down is Agora - a greek watering hole. They serve nice wines and most of the time have live music - especially on WEdnesday when they (did?) have belly dancers. They do coffees too and some greek desserts.

Here's another vote for Mark's.

I haven't been myself, but understand The Houstonian has a great spa.

Thank you for taking the time to respond! I will post when I return.
Thanks again.

maria, that's funny; you and I really think alike! I always take note of your recommendations because I know I'll love them.

Have fun, kate - hopefully the nice weather will hold out for you guys.

hey volcanogirl, have you tried reef yet? it's mainly a seafood joint in midtown. we had food at open city recently too and the food is good and well priced but it is still at it's early stages and not quite gotten the kinks out. they just started on the dessert menu.

kate, you may want to try those too if you like seafood (reef). Good location because there's a bar upstairs called "roof" and it is a rooftop bar with nice views of downtown.