Ruth's Chris Steak House
This elegant restaurant got its start in New Orleans as a way for a divorced woman to raise her kids. Today, it has more than 100 locations worldwide, and it has always been a trend-setter when it enters a new market. Ruth's Chris broils its prime beef at an astounding 1,800 degrees to sear in the juices for tenderness. Along with a long list of steaks, it also prepares seafood, lamb and chicken entrees. You can top off whatever you order with a bottle of wine from its immense wine list. The ambiance and the food are memorable, but leave room for one of its great desserts.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
6213 Richmond Ave.
Houston, Texas 77057
(713) 789-2333
ruthschris.com/
*17 at Alden-Houston
From the day it open in 2004, *17 has set the standard in Houston by serving the best of American cuisine in a refined, yet relaxing, atmosphere. It's no wonder it was chosen by Texas magazine as the No. 1 place to eat in Houston in its February 2005 issue, just months after it opened. Among the more popular dishes is Australian rack of lamb with arugula pudding, purple potatoes, chanterelle mushrooms and asparagus. Or you can have deconstructed beef Wellington, which is tenderloin with foie gras, bordelaise sauce and mushrooms in a puff pastry. The wine list offers choices that will perfectly set off your meal.
*17 at Alden-Houston
1117 Prairie St.
Houston, Texas 77002
(832) 200-8888
aldenhotels.com
Mark's American Cuisine
There's no question about it: Mark's is the most romantic restaurant in Houston. It's in a renovated church with gold ceilings, hand-painted deco murals on the walls and a lighted candle on each table. Chef Mark Cox has orchestrated culinary masterpieces like grilled Scottish salmon with wok-seared Asian vegetables and pineapple coconut rice, or sesame encrusted shrimp with red curry and wasabi crème fraiche. The wine list has been lauded by Wine Spectator magazine.
Mark's American Cuisine
1658 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas 77006
(713) 523.3800
marks1658.com/
About The Author
Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic." He graduated from the University of Louisville.
