Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Houston Intercontinental Airport South, TX

THE HEIGHTS. A casually hip neighborhood restaurant, Shade is romantic but unpretentious thanks to muted colors, clean...

THE HEIGHTS. A casually hip neighborhood restaurant, Shade is romantic but unpretentious thanks to muted colors, clean lines, and broad windows. A menu that revels in flavor and texture pulls guests back again and again, eager to sample dishes like pan-seared red snapper with a wasabi kick, squid salad, rustic baked pastas, creative salads, and pork enlivened with citrus and herbs. Outdoor dining is available, along with a bar, a pleasantly affordable wine list, and service that's attentive without being intrusive.

Hours: Mon 11am-9pm; Tue-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-10:30pm; Sat 10am-10:30pm; Sun 10am-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

DOWNTOWN. Pappas Bar-B-Q, one of the only barbecue dives downtown, is a popular lunchtime destination with everybody...

DOWNTOWN. Pappas Bar-B-Q, one of the only barbecue dives downtown, is a popular lunchtime destination with everybody from cops and construction workers to suit-wearing lawyers and brokers. Portions are Texas-sized, and it's not uncommon for poor souls standing at the back of the line to stare jealously while you start in on a huge plate filled with BBQ ribs, an enormous baked potato, and ranch-style beans. Bring your appetite, and don't forget to ask for extra napkins.

Hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, 10:30am-10pm; Sun 6am-10pm, 11am-9pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

MONTROSE. You can't go wrong with a morning meal at bright, sun-filled Harry's. Frequented by a host of locals, the...

MONTROSE. You can't go wrong with a morning meal at bright, sun-filled Harry's. Frequented by a host of locals, the cafeteria-like restaurant knows how to do down-home food well, and the busy place shows it. At the break of day, you'll find biscuits, Greek omelets, pancakes, bacon and eggs, and French toast. Lunchtime brings out burgers and tasty fare like meatloaf, baked chicken, fried fish, and more, served with delicious vegetable sides. You may even catch up on the latest soccer stats and political goings-on while you dine, courtesy of regulars and downtown business types.

Hours: Mon-Fri 6am-2:30pm; Sat-Sun 7am-2:30pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

RIVER OAKS. A charming dining room with stained glass accents and self-proclaimed "funky gothic" decor welcomes...

RIVER OAKS. A charming dining room with stained glass accents and self-proclaimed "funky gothic" decor welcomes enthusiastic guests to this appealing bistro. Sophistication and comfort mix in the setting and in the food, which is rustic, flavorful, and impeccably prepared. Steak frites is a natural classic, as are roasted chicken with mushroom risotto, grilled ahi tuna, cider-glazed pork chop, and tagliatelle with slow-braised lamb. Desserts keep up the creative theme, and the international wine list is delightfully well priced. A wonderful neighborhood institution.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Sat 5:30pm-10pm; Sun 11am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

MONTROSE. Coffeehouse culture runs strong at Brasil, which mixes artsy and hip sensibilities with aplomb. Original works...

MONTROSE. Coffeehouse culture runs strong at Brasil, which mixes artsy and hip sensibilities with aplomb. Original works enliven the walls, and live music and poetry readings are frequent occurrences, drawing out university folks and others with an affinity for words and rhythms. Along with coffee and tea drinks, wine and beer are served, not to mention sandwiches, pizzas, and quiche. If you're able, claim a spot on the front or back patios ­ favorite haunts when the weather's mild.

Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-Midnight; Sun 7:30am-11pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

RIVER OAKS. For decades now, this diner has been bringing together young and old, traditional and alternative, uniting...

RIVER OAKS. For decades now, this diner has been bringing together young and old, traditional and alternative, uniting them all with the allure of homemade pies and short-order fare. Don't come if you're on a diet, but do show up if you're in the mood to indulge your sweet tooth. Chocolate cream, Dutch apple, coconut cream, and strawberry rhubarb pies are all delicious, but regulars especially adore the Bayou Goo, which features cream cheese, vanilla custard, chocolate chunks, and whipped cream on a pecan crust ­ oh, yeah! Other sugar fixes are available, and delicious breakfast dishes are served all hours of the day. Burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads also satisfy.

Hours: Daily 24 hours

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club

GALLERIA. Designed to look like a building in a 19th-century Western town, Luling City Market cultivates an air of past...

GALLERIA. Designed to look like a building in a 19th-century Western town, Luling City Market cultivates an air of past days. It even smokes its meats over wood for an authentic taste. Inside the place, the rustic theme continues, letting diners feel as if they've stumbled into an age-old dining room. Just like famished cowboys, patrons dive into hearty servings of beef sausages, ribs, brisket, turkey, and chicken, all accompanied by homemade sides and desserts. If you become enamored of the spicy sauce, they bottle it for shipping across the country.

Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun Noon-7pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

GALLERIA. Kaneyama enjoys a reputation as one of the area's more popular eateries, thanks in large part to its terrific...

GALLERIA. Kaneyama enjoys a reputation as one of the area's more popular eateries, thanks in large part to its terrific sushi. Contemporary Asian decor adds character to a sleek sushi bar, comfortable booths, and cozy tatami rooms. An ideal spot for business lunches, Kaneyama, whose name loosely translates as "treasure mountain," serves classics like sea urchin, sashimi, and nigiri. For diners not wanting to go "raw," alternatives like salmon teriyaki are available. Best of all, prices are among the most competitive in town.

Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-10:30pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

WEST HOUSTON. Within its unassuming environs, Pico's delights patrons with authentic regional Mexican cuisine, which it...

WEST HOUSTON. Within its unassuming environs, Pico's delights patrons with authentic regional Mexican cuisine, which it dubs "Mex-Mex" (in contrast to the less inventive "Tex-Mex"). You can, of course, order customary enchiladas and tacos, but why would you want to when fresh ceviches, achiote-marinated chicken, and red snapper Veracruz are available? Broiled steaks, chicken with Oaxacan black mole, and roasted, pork-stuffed poblano peppers with walnut sauce are also fantastic. Outdoor dining and terrific tequilas serve as added perks.

Hours: Sun-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat 9am-11pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express

WEST HOUSTON. Adorned with Indian artwork, textiles, and architectural accents, Ashiana gives fine dining an Eastern...

WEST HOUSTON. Adorned with Indian artwork, textiles, and architectural accents, Ashiana gives fine dining an Eastern edge. Mughalai cuisine is the specialty, and its judicious touch with spices ensures culinary exoticism without overwhelming flavors. The broad menu features tandoori specialties, plenty of vegetarian options, and classics like vindaloo, saag, korma, and tikka masala. Tasting menus provide multi-course pleasures, and the weekday lunch buffet is a delightful bargain. A fantastic wine list is also a boon.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm

Payment Methods: Visa , Master Card , Discover , American Express , Diner's Club