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seeking recs for Houston Steakhouse

post #1 of 13
10/13/08 at 11:44pm
Thread Starter 
So we're coming up on out tenth anniversary and a steakhouse is the only option. So, I'm curious who has recs for a fairly quiet steakhouse in or around Houston.

Anyone?
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post #2 of 13
10/14/08 at 4:11pm
I've never been to the Houston outpost, but the Dallas Pappas Bros. Steakhouse is very good. Beef is top quality, all aged USDA prime, sides are luxurious, and the menu is well curated and not needlessly large (a steakhouse should have its priorities in line, after all.) I know little about wine but I can tell you that the list is absurdly massive, well regarded, and not exclusively really expensive bottles.

TX Monthly said it was the best steakhouse in the state.
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post #3 of 13
10/14/08 at 4:35pm
Thread Starter 
We went to C&H a few years back when it had just opened. C&H was or is owned by Pappas but not as ritzy as the PB's location. Mrs. Thomas kind of has a thing against the Pappas chains. Nothing personal, they just put up more of a production than she likes. We're both fairly low-key, low-maintenance, particularly when it comes to food.

I ended up making reservations at Brenner's. Have yet to hear a bad thing about the place.
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post #4 of 13
10/14/08 at 5:04pm
I've been to Brenner's, Smith and Wollensky, Vic and Anthony's, Willie G's, Strip House and Capital Grill. Out of those I'd choose SW first. None of those places are really low-maintenance. They're all kind of an upscale ritzy type place.
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post #5 of 13
10/14/08 at 7:46pm
I tend to go to Del Frisco's when I'm in the mood for steak. However, Brenner's is a better choice for something romantic. I just noticed that they have a second location. Looks like they're in the old Rainbow Lodge location. Which one are you going to?
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post #6 of 13
10/14/08 at 7:51pm
I am writing for the Austin edition of the Fearless Critic guide. You guys should check out the Houston book. The book ranks them as Vic & Anthony's, Lynn's, Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Smith & Wollensky, Brenner's.
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post #7 of 13
10/15/08 at 9:55am
an expose on austin restaurants? i'm intrigued and petrified at the same time. i know some things....
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post #8 of 13
10/15/08 at 10:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaizen View Post
I tend to go to Del Frisco's when I'm in the mood for steak. However, Brenner's is a better choice for something romantic. I just noticed that they have a second location. Looks like they're in the old Rainbow Lodge location. Which one are you going to?

We're going to the Katy Freeway location. It will be a bear to get to, but should be free of the yuppie/oenophile/cigar/BMW crowd which I'd rather steer clear from for this occasion.
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post #9 of 13
10/15/08 at 8:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thomas View Post
We're going to the Katy Freeway location. It will be a bear to get to, but should be free of the yuppie/oenophile/cigar/BMW crowd which I'd rather steer clear from for this occasion.

I've only eaten there once (I do everything I can to avoid all that construction), but they have a nice outdoor area that seems perfect for a romantic evening.
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post #10 of 13
10/15/08 at 8:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaizen View Post
I tend to go to Del Frisco's when I'm in the mood for steak. However, Brenner's is a better choice for something romantic. I just noticed that they have a second location. Looks like they're in the old Rainbow Lodge location. Which one are you going to?

Is Rainbow Lodge no longer around? I had some really nice wild game dishes there.

I used to go to Lynn's since my father worked nearby, and the gumbo was probably my favorite part of the meal. The steaks were good, but they really nailed the sausage and guinea fowl gumbo.

Note that I haven't lived in Houston since 1993.
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post #11 of 13
10/15/08 at 10:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by unpainted huffheinz View Post
Is Rainbow Lodge no longer around?

Looks like they're still around. They moved to a 100 year old log cabin over on Ella & TC Jester in 2006.
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post #12 of 13
10/22/08 at 12:08pm
My wife and I eat at Smith & Wollensky several times a month. That's our favorite steak place in town by a longshot. Sorry for the late post, I hope you enjoyed your night out and would like to hear about your experience wherever you ended up.
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post #13 of 13
10/22/08 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
Well, it was also my father's birthday that same weekend, and my parents felt like we kids just shouldn't be alone on such a special night, so they joined us (grrrr). In response I cancelled the Brenner's reservations (I won't pay for 5 people) and we ended up at Taste of Texas. In all we had a good, relaxed time, the steak was good but mine was poorly trimmed.

My dad remarked that the gent trimming the steaks looked like a rookie (I'm shocked he didn't lose a finger!), and he was right. My t-bone had gristle along the sides - is that still an unforgivable offense? - but the desserts and vino washed away my concerns.

One of these weekends we'll end up at Del Frisco's or S&W or Brenner's.
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