Montrose has dozens of other great eateries. Acclaimed chef Monica Pope,
one of the Southwest's culinary stars, brings great cooking to the
masses at T'afia, a sleek space on the eastern edge of the neighborhood,
where you might feast on such creative, globally inspired fare as
yellowfin tuna with coconut chutney, or buffalo rib-eye steak with a
tamarind glaze. With an ebullient, festive atmosphere but a serious
menu, La Strada serves fine, upscale Italian fare at dinner, including a
signature Italian paella. Ruggles Grille is highly popular with the
queer community, famous for its Sunday brunches and delicious
Southwestern-meets-Mediterranean food.
Mark's is an upscale hot spot in a deconsecrated church, serving
appropriately nonconformist fare like bourbon-glazed pork tenderloin
with molasses, glazed yams, and ginger-apple compote. Mo Mong, a
spare-looking haunt known for great Vietnamese food, happens also to be
a favorite spot for cocktails (especially sake martinis on Wednesdays)
among queers in the know. For stellar, upscale regional Mexican cuisine,
book a table at the hip and high-ceilinged restaurant, Hugo's.
Steps from the Montrose bar strip, Baba Yegas sprawls with sunny dining
rooms and shaded decks, which are constantly abuzz with chatter and
gossip. Decent burgers, many veggie items, and other light dishes are
served. Barnaby's is a down-home diner with a tres gay following and
consistently good, filling fare. And Katz's Deli serves astonishingly
large sandwiches, savory soups, and heavenly cheesecakes in a handsome
dining room that's open 'round the clock.
While Montrose has plenty of great gay-popular eateries, downtown
Houston is where a number of top chefs are operating these days. Among
the neighborhood's most acclaimed dining options, Solero serves
delicious tapas in a sexy environment; and Bank (at the Hotel ICON)
presents the refined, ethereal, Asian-tinted French cuisine of famed
chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Between downtown and Montrose, the
city's Midtown neighborhood has one of the hottest real-estate markets
in the country, as this once virtually deserted area booms with new
condos and town homes. Cool restaurants are popping up, too, such as
Farrago, a dapper bistro serving creative pizzas, affordable pastas and
burgers, and wonderful weekend brunch fare. A more upscale but still
moderately priced option is Gravitas. This slick, beautifully designed
space is known for its terrific wine list and tantalizing American
bistro cuisine - the roasted Texas quail with sweet corn and applewood-smoked
bacon is heavenly. Continue to page
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The Hunk
