The Best of H Texas 2005
June 1, 2005 by Assistant Editor
Filed under Edit
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