The Best of H Texas 2005

Wining and dining
Best burger
Christian?s Totem 7340 Washington Ave., (713) 864-9744

Best fries
Tony Mandola’s Gulf Coast Kitchen 1962 W. Gray, (713) 528-3474

Best chips and salsa
Maria Selma 1619 Richmond, (713) 528-4920

Best pasta
Fabio’s 212 Westheimer, (713) 528-4212

Best dessert
Dessert Gallery 3200 Kirby Drive, (713) 522-9999

Best barbecue
Hickory Hollow 101 Heights Blvd., (713) 869-6300

Best pizza
Late Nite Pie 502 Elgin, (713) 529-5522

Best fried chicken
Pollo Campero 5616 Bellaire Blvd., (713) 395-0990

Best comfort food
Blue Plate Bistro 1708 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 439-1537

Best health-conscious menu
Baba Yega 2607 Grant, (713) 522-0042

Best Atkins-friendly menu
Annabelle’s Diner 905 Taft, (713) 523-9958

Best natural foods
The Hobbit Café 2242 Richmond, (713) 526-5460

Best seafood
Denis Seafood 12109 Westheimer, (281) 497-1110

Best steak
Vic & Anthony’s 1510 Texas, (713) 228-1111

Best sushi
Azuma Sushi & Robata Bar 5600 Kirby Drive, (713) 432-9649

Best tacos
El Tiempo Cantina 5602 Washington Ave., (713) 681-3645

Best Italian
Palazzo’s 3215 Westheimer, (713) 522-6777

Best Asian
Mo Mong 1201 Westheimer, (713) 524-5664

Best Greek
Niko Niko’s 2520 Montrose, (713) 528-1308

Best Indian
Ashiana 12610 Briar Forest, (281) 679-5555

Best French
Rouge 812 Westheimer, (713) 520-7955

Best Latin
America’s 1800 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 961-1492

Best 24-hour restaurant
Spanish Flowers 4701 N. Main St., (713) 869-1706

Best breakfast
Daily Grind 4115 Washington Ave., (713) 861-4558

Best brunch
The Remington 1919 Briar Oaks Lane, (713) 403-2631

Best power lunch
La Griglia 2002 W. Gray, (713) 526-4700

Best healthy takeout
Whole Foods Market 2955 Kirby Drive, (713) 520-1937

Most romantic
La Tour d’Argent 2011 Ella Blvd., (713) 864-9864

Most creative menu
Café Annie 1728 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 840-1111

Most exotic menu
Rainbow Lodge 1 Birdsall, (713) 861-8666

Most authentic restaurant
Kanomwan Thai Restaurant 1011 Telephone, (713) 923-4230

Best duplicate of the original
Piatto Ristorante 4925 W. Alabama, (713) 871-9722: original 11693 Westheimer, (281) 759-7500: new

Best surprise dining option
Sam Houston Race Park 7575 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. West, (281) 807-8700

Best patio dining
El Pueblito 1423 Richmond, (713) 520-6635

Best new Montrose hot spot
Senor Rita’s 2409 Montrose, (713) 526-7482

Best bargain dining
Cali Sandwich 3030 Travis, (713) 526-0112

Best family dining
Cleburne Cafeteria 3606 Bissonnet, (713) 667-2386

Best kid’s menu
59 Diner 3801 Farnham, (713) 523-2333

Kid’s favorite
James Coney Island 3607 Shepherd, (713) 524-7400

Best coffee shop
Agora 1712 Westheimer, (713) 526-7212

Best martini
Morton’s – The Steakhouse 5000 Westheimer, (713) 629-1946

Best Bloody Mary
Brennan’s of Houston 3300 Smith, (713) 522-9711

Best frozen screwdriver
The Social 3730 Washington Ave., (713) 426-5585

Best beers on tap
Flying Saucer 705 Main St., (713) 228-7468

Best wine selection
ibiza 2450 Louisiana, (713) 524-0004

Best place to smoke cigars
Sambuca 909 Texas, (713) 224-5299

Place it’s cool to be rude
Star Pizza 2111 Norfolk, (713) 523-0800

Best fish market
Captain Henry’s 1419 Lawrence Road, (281) 334-4034

Entertainment
Most lively restaurant bar
Farrago 318 Gray, (713) 523-6404

Best happy hour
Café Adobe 2111 Westheimer, (713) 528-1468

Best place to unwind on a Friday
Onion Creek 3106 White Oak, (713) 880-0706

Best dive bar
Kay’s Lounge 2324 Bissonnet, (713) 521-0010

Best sports bar
The Tavern 1340 W. Gray, (713) 522-8090

Best neighborhood bar
Jimmie’s Ice House 2803 White Oak Drive, (713) 861-9707

Best bar food
Wet Spot 106 W. Gray, (713) 526-9700

Best icehouse
West Alabama Ice House 1919 W. Alabama, (713) 528-6874

Best live music
The Meridian 1503 Chartres St., (713) 225-1717

Best place for a first date
La Carafe 813 Congress, (713) 229-9399

Best singles spot
M Bar 402 Main St., (713) 222-1022

Best place to go dancing
Escobar 2905 Travis, (281) 701-4248

Hottest spot in the ‘burbs
Amerigo’s Grille 25250 Grogan’s Park Drive, The Woodlands, (281) 362-0808

Best liquor store
Spec’s Liquor Warehouse 2410 Smith, (713) 526-8787

Best view
Skyline Bar & Grill 1600 Lamar, (713) 739-8000

Best wine list
Tony’s 1801 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 622-6778

Most unique wine store
Best Cellars 5000 Westheimer, Ste. 210, (713) 840-9463

Best cigar shop
Jeffrey Stone Ltd. 5000 Westheimer, Ste. 610, (713) 621-2812

Best balcony
The Red Door 2416 Brazos, (713) 526-8181

Most unique place to throw a party
Union Station 501 Crawford St., (713) 259-8800

Best family fun
Children’s Museum of Houston 1500 Binz, (713) 522-1138

Best family outing
Six Flags Astroworld 9001 Kirby Drive, (713) 799-1234

Best children’s educational program
Houston Rodeo 8334 Fannin, (713) 629-3700 tickets

Best family workout
YMCA – The Woodlands 6145 Shadow Bend Place, The Woodlands, (281) 367-9622

Best after-church event
Astros game 501 Crawford, 1(877) 9ASTROS

Best family getaway
The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, (281) 367-9797

Best day in the sun
Moody Gardens One Hope Blvd., Galveston, 1 (800) 582-4673

Best city mascot
Clutch of the Houston Rockets 1510 Polk St., (713) 627-DUNK

Best museum
Houston Museum of Natural Science 1 Hermann Circle Drive, (713) 639-4629

Best festival
Greek Festival 3511 Yoakum Blvd., (713) 526-5377

Best parade
Everyones Art Car Parade Allen Pkwy., (713) 926-6368

Best youth group
Second Baptist Church 6400 Woodway, (713) 465-3408

Best New Radio Station
Mega 101, Latino and Proud KLOL, 101.1

Décor
Best décor for a law firm
The West Law Firm 1600 State Hwy. 6, Ste. 450, Sugar Land, (281) 277-1500

Best décor for a doctor’s office
Lucian J. Rivela, M.D., F.A.C.S. 9191 Pinecroft Drive, Ste. 150, The Woodlands, (281) 681-3905

Best contemporary décor
Angie S. Dinh, D.D.S. 3425 S. Shepherd, Ste. 250, (713) 526-0056

Best décor for a restaurant
Café Le Jadeite 1952 W. Gray, (713) 528-4288

Best décor for a boutique
Flounce 1621 Westheimer, (713) 533-9303

Most unique retail location
Harley-Davidson of The Woodlands 25545 I-45 North, (281) 681-0099

Best décor for a hotel
Hotel Icon 220 Main St., (713) 224-4266

Best décor for an architectural firm
Page Southerland Page 1100 Louisiana, Ste. 1, (713) 871-8484

Active Life
Best new gym
Houstonian Lite 711 Louisiana, Ste. 200, (713) 224-5990

Best yoga class
Joy Yoga 1916 W. 18th St., (713) 819-9390

Best pilates
The Good Space 5757 Woodway, Ste. 150, (713) 266-9348

Best kickboxing
Fit 1532 W. Gray, (713) 782-9348

Best public golf course
Memorial Golf Course 6501 Memorial Drive, (713) 862-4033

Best private golf course
Sweetwater Country Club 4400 Palm Royale Blvd., (281) 980-4653

Best skate shop
The Source 2511 Rice Blvd., (713) 520-8980

Best bikes
Bike Barn 6135 F.M. 1960 West, (281) 440-3555

Living
Best lofts
Lofts on Post Oak 1901 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 626-1901

Best new lofts
Alta Lofts One Hermann Park Court, (713) 741-6400

Best condos
Orion Condominiums 8 Asbury Place, (713) 880-1616

Best new apartments
The Calais 3210 Louisiana, (713) 520-8300

Best living outside the loop
Two Waterway Lofts The Woodlands, (281) 528-5638

Best community clubhouse
7575 Kirby 7575 Kirby Drive, (713) 667-7575

Best high-rise
Villa D’Este Houston
1000 Uptown Park Blvd., (713) 877-2000

Most luxurious living
The Royalton at River Oaks 3333 Allen Pkwy., (713) 862-VIEW

Best included amenities
1200 Post Oak 1200 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 622-8080

Best cyber café
Esplanade 1903 Hermann Drive, (713) 807-7777

Most unique in-town builder
HHN Homes 5910 Rose, (713) 526-3060

Best retirement/assisted-living community
Regal Estates 500 Enterprise Ave., League City, (281) 538-5993

Best Suburb
The Woodlands

Best master-planned community
Riverstone

Best new master-planned community
Long Meadow Farms

Best pool in a community
Cinco Ranch

Best marketing campaign
Fall Creek

Best consumer billboard
Trendmaker Homes

Services
Best manicure
Roula’s Nail Spa 3017 Kirby Drive, (713) 528-8500

Best facial
Institute Clarins Saks Fifth Ave., 5115 Westheimer, (713) 623-4893

Best massage
Trellis Spa Houstonian, 111 N. Post Oak Lane, (713) 685-6790

Best new salon
Blu Salon & Spa 3616 Washington Ave., (713) 880-2400

Best caterer
Compleat Cuisine 515 W. Alabama, (713) 524-2788

Best limo service
Everyones Limousine (713) 358-LIMO

Best wedding planner
Sharon Graham, Event Site Inc. 505 Durham, (713) 784-1583

Best place for wedding reception
Crystal Ballroom at the Rice 909 Texas Ave., (713)227-7423

Best florist
Aubrey Sellers 314 Gray, (713) 807-1919

Best music program
Lakewood Church 7317 E. Houston Road, (713) 635-4154

Best place for private/corporate event
Houston Zoo 1513 N. MacGregor, (713) 533-6500

Best corporate retreatM
Del Lago 600 Del Lago Blvd., Montgomery, (936) 582-6100

Best auctioneer
Vikki Vines 10205 Sweetwater Lane, (281) 931-0100

Best interior design firm
Barone Design Group 13831 U.S. 290, Ste. 250, (713) 460-0920

Best architect
BNIM Architects 4203 Yoakum, Ste. 300, (713) 528-4545

Best pool designer
Venetian Pools & Spas 5907 Stirring Winds, (281) 445-0488

Best landscape architect
Exteriordesigns.net 27326 Robinson Road, Ste. 221, (281) 681-8675

Best mortgage company
Memorial Park Mortgage 5900 Memorial Drive, (713) 869-8869

Best picture framers
Dramatika 331 W. 19th St., (713) 868-5050

Best tailor
Duke of Hollywood Tailors (Char Bar) 305 Travis, (713) 222-8177

Best new cleaners
MW Cleaners Multiple locations, 1 (800) 776-SUIT

Best dog trainer
My Dog & Me 2215 Lawrence, (713) 864-3436

Best emergency room
Methodist Hospital 6565 Fannin, (713) 790-3311

Most convenient banking
Amegy Bank Multiple locations, (713) 235-8810 customer service

Best office equipment
Digitec Office Solutions 12503 Exchange Drive, Ste. 540, Stafford, (888) 267-7827

Best way to keep in touch
ev1.net 390 Benmar Drive, Ste. 200, (713) 333-7873

Best wireless carrier
Cingular Multiple locations, 1 (866) CINGULAR

Most upscale drive
Hummer Multiple locations, 1 (800) REAL-4WD

Best car wash
Bubbles Multiple locations, (281) 569-9000

Best lawyer commercial
Christian Hill 1445 N. Loop West, Ste. 900, (713) 862-9990

Best Astros’ promotion
Al’s Formal Wear “Kiss Cam” Multiple locations, 1 (877) 4ALS-TUX

Home and garden
Best accent pieces
Plush Home 2233 Westheimer, (713) 522-5230

Best candles
Olivine 1151 Uptown Park Blvd., (713) 463-7308

Best lamps and light fixtures
Eclectic Home 345 W. 19th St., (713) 869-1414

Best bedding
The Little Cottage 3614 Westheimer, (713) 850-7453

Best pottery
Meli Melo 5617 Morningside, (713) 526-9026

Best vases
Cities 2411 W. Alabama, (713) 528-2662

Best decorative glass
Illuminata Gallery 700 Town and Country Blvd., (713) 467-4494

Best baby cribs
Bellini Baby and Children’s Furniture 1720 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 623-2884

Best children?s furniture
Nest n’ Cot 2542 Amherst, (713) 535-3600

Best aromatherapies
Body, Mind and Soul 4344 Westheimer, (713) 993-0550

Best Texas décor
Courtney and Co. 4950 Terminal, (713) 665-5600

Best Chinese imports
Wind Water Gallery 540 W. 19th St., (713) 426-4885

Best garden tools
Buffalo Hardware 2614 Westheimer, (713) 524-1011

Best outdoor entertaining pieces
Smith & Hawken 3935 San Felipe, (713) 621-9395

Best leather
Urban Leather 6215 Richmond, (713) 432-SOFA

Best patio furniture
Cierra 2418 W. Alabama, (713) 942-9001

Best garden accents
Garden Mystiques 807 W. Gray, (713) 942-0010

Best art
Hanson Galleries 1101 Uptown Park Blvd., (713) 552-1242

Best gallery
Indian Summer Lodge – artgarden 605 Columbia, (713) 869-0444

Best home theater décor
Retro Gallery 1839 W. Alabama, (713) 522-7074

Best antique dealer
Watkins Culver 2308 Bissonnet, (713) 529-0597

Best custom furniture
Azento Home Interiors 701 W. Gray, (713) 528-5498

Women’s fashions
Best jean selection
Get With It 2528 Amherst, (713) 520-8555

Best suit ensembles
BB1 Classic 2001 W. Gray, (713) 942-7565

Best accessory steal
The Noble Lady 2608 Persa, (713) 529-8885

Best evening gowns
Runway Fashion Boutique 1108-08 Uptown Park Blvd., (713) 621-2626

Best aerobic outfits
Lucy 4052 Westheimer, (713) 877-0196

Best handbags
Glo Fashion Accessories 5600 Kirby Drive, (713) 664-6100

Best strappy sandals
Donald J. Pliner 4033 Westheimer, (713) 961-0600

Best maternity clothes
Pickles and Ice Cream 1704 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 623-2229

Best vintage jewelry
Kastafior 3201 Westheimer, (713) 523-6522

Best new boutique
Brown Eyes Blue 2427 Rice Blvd., (713) 520-5577

Best bath products
Indulge 2700 W. Alabama, (713) 888-0181

Best original jewelry
Ann Mac Designs 1807 W. Gray, (713) 529-2280

Best lingerie
La Mode Lingerie 2015 W. Gray, (713) 529-3980

Best tent sales
Miel de Abeja 2815 Westheimer, (713) 522-3025

Children and teenagers
Best infant and toddler clothing
Chase’s Closet 2033 W. Gray, (713) 630-2909

Best girls’ casual wear
Hot to Tot 3733 Westheimer, (713) 599-0003

Best boy’s casual wear
Cotton Tots 2055 Westheimer, (713) 526-8686

Best children’s evening wear
Little Patooties 2608 Westheimer, (713) 520-8686

Best prom dresses
Chick 650 W. Bough Lane, (713) 463-8333

Best toy store
Fundamentally Toys 1963 W. Gray, (713) 524-4400

Best learning toys
Learning Express 2540 Amherst, (713) 529-7498

Men’s fashions
Best suit ensembles
Bill Walker Clothier 1141 Uptown Park Blvd., (713) 871-9811

Best dress shoes
Avventura 5015 Westheimer, (713) 599-0600

Best poker sets
Kuhl-Linscomb 2424 W. Alabama, (713) 520-7691

Best boots
Pinto Ranch 1717 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 333-7900

Best trucker hats Urban Outfitters 2501 University Blvd., (713) 529-3023

Best ties
Norton Ditto 2454 W. Alabama, (713) 688-9800

Best cocktail shirts
M2M Fashion 3400 Montrose, (713) 529-9924

Best briefcases
Unika Deco 4412 Morningside Drive, (713) 522-2216

Best T-shirts
That 70’s Shop 2202 Bissonnet, (713) 874-1970

Best jeans and tennis shoes
Todd’s Place 1151-06 Uptown Park Blvd., (713) 877-8630

Best watch selection
Donoho’s Jewelers 9490 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands, (281) 367-9050

Gifts
Best edible gifts
The Chocolate Bar 1835 W. Alabama, (713) 520-8599

Best girlfriend gifts
It’s All About You 2016 W. Alabama, (713) 524-3056

Best baby gifts
Doodles 2518 Rice Blvd., (713) 528-2900

Best host gifts
The Wine Bucket Boutique and Bar 2311 W. Alabama, (713) 942-9463

Best invitations
More Than Paper 2055 Westheimer, (713) 526-0824

Best stationery selection
Avalon Stationery and Gifts 2604 Westheimer, (713) 528-0052

Best pet gifts
Sasha’s Suds n’ Duds 2418B Sunset Blvd., (713) 533-1117

Best sporting goods
Academy Sports and Outdoors Multiple locations, 1 (888) 9-ACADEMY

Best gift card
Home Depot Multiple locations, 1 (800) 430-3376

Most unique shopping experience
Market Street 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands, (281) 419-4774

Best upscale shopping
Uptown Park 1400 Post Oak Blvd., (713) 297-6282

Best mall makeover
Memorial City Mall 303 Memorial City, (713) 464-8640 H