The early bird gets all the latest news and information.

News

Downtown Variety and Convenience

January 29, 2012

Downtown Houston Presents Great Dining and Entertainment Options with Unmatched Convenience

Hundreds of bars, restaurants and shops are located in the 1.84 square miles designated as downtown Houston, making travel a breeze. Visitors will find most establishments within walking distance, but those who choose to opt for a cab will appreciate the “Six in the City” deal offered by the City of Houston – all cab rides within downtown cost $6, regardless of meter reads or number of riders. For more information on any of the following establishments, follow the links within the text or scroll to the bottom for a complete listing.

Breakfast – Texas is well-known for its deftness with delicious Tex-Mex, and a good breakfast taco is never hard to find. But within the smorgasbord of the Houston culinary scene, that’s true for nearly every kind of morning fare imaginable. Start a busy day of order-writing and networking off right with a solid breakfast or brunch.

Guadalajara del Centro ’s famous brunch starts at 10 a.m. and runs through 3 p.m. every Sunday. The popular restaurant and cantina has a solid reputation for creative and consistent cuisine that ranges from traditional fajitas and enchiladas, to festive seafood dishes with a Southwestern kick.
On Saturdays and Sundays, Mia Bella Trattoria offers a fabulous brunch menu and some great drink specials between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Restaurateur Youssef Nafaa infuses the Italian menu with distinct Mediterranean flavors, creating a unique and exotic dining experience for Expo-goers
And don’t forget the aforementioned breakfast taco! El Rey Taqueria on Main Street was voted as having the best breakfast tacos in the city by the Houston Press in 2010.

Lunch - With the vast amount of busy professionals working in downtown Houston, there is an equally vast amount of restaurants which are affordable, casual and fast. If you’re looking for a quick, delicious lunch during a busy day at the Expo, consider one of the following establishments.

Consider Bombay Pizza Company at 914 Main Street.
Owner Viral Patel combines his love for Italian cuisine with
that of his home country, India, to fuse together a one-of-a-kind product.
Niko Niko’s in historic Market Square Park offers Greek food to go in a charming sidewalk-café style setting. Try their famous gyros or a souvlaki plate with a double-meat shish kabob and yalandji dolmas.
Tejas Grill & Sports Bar has only been in operation on the corner of Lamar and San Jacinto since July 2011, but it’s already a widely popular meeting place – especially when one of Houston’s many sports teams is on television. Be sure to sample their special
made-from-scratch margaritas and Tejas Scorpions –
bacon-wrapped, jalapeno-stuffed shrimp.

Dinner – Like many other metropolises, downtown Houston is not without its complement of well-known, fine dining establishments, well-suited for power meetings and professional networking.

Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse offers world-class dining fare for business professionals, only four square blocks from the George R. Brown Convention Center. This ever-popular hub offers unique entrées such as Szechuan pepper-crusted salmon and organic Colorado lamb chops.
III Forks Steakhouse serves up European-infused cuisine perfect for business meetings and power lunches. In addition to steaks and seafood, the restaurant makes room for local favorites like a sweet honey shrimp salad and roasted chicken with spicy red pepper sauce.
Don’t let the name fool you; although McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant lists more than 30 selections of seafood, the menu also offers a variety of steaks, poultry and vegetarian items. The menu is constantly evolving to bring the freshest seasonal and local ingredients to its patrons year-round.

Nightlife – Houston’s nightlife has rapidly evolved in recent years, from nearly non-existent to one of the cities number one night-time destinations. Grab a $6 cab and check out one of these local hotspots after a long day at the show.

Only four blocks from the convention center, The Dirt on 1209 Caroline Street, is quickly gaining popularity as THE place to be on Monday nights, perfect for Halloween & Party Expo attendees. Have a drink and dance to popular rock music while chatting with the friendly bartenders.
Another increasingly popular location downtown is the new Live! at Bayou Place, located around Texas Street in downtown’s northern-most corner. Live! at Bayou Place actually encompasses four separate locations: Lucie’s Liquors, PBR Houston, Shark Bar, and Chapel Spirits. While these gems are definitely a hot spot on Friday and Saturday, be sure to check hours Sunday and Monday! Although they all operate within Live! at Bayou Place, each establishment has its own unique hours.
For somewhat more “interactive” fun, consider Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar. Request a song and sing along with a live pianist and the rest of the crowd. Just don’t get too unruly, because these professionals know how to seamlessly tie-in a joke at your expense if you’re not too careful!

With so many options within such close proximity, your dining and social activities in downtown Houston are nearly limitless. Be sure to take advantage of the great $6 cab fares around downtown. Visit the links below for more information.

III Forks Steakhouse
(713) 658-9457
1201 San Jacinto St.