Here’s Where to Dine Outside the Loop

Newly moved from its former Bellaire location, this all-kosher steakhouse isn’t just for diners with dietary restrictions. The worldly menu hops from Mexican ceviche to Hawaiian poke to Middle Eastern dips and shawarma, and that’s just the appetizers. Besides the full steak menu and its famous pecan-smoked beef rib, there’s also a robust selection of shellfish-free sushi.

This stalwart opened in 1980, but it’s as fresh today as it was nearly 40 years ago. In fact, many of our industry pals say it’s among their favorite off-the-clock stops. Why wouldn’t it be, with a menu of classics always prepared just right? Relax into a round leather banquette for a French Dip sandwich served with a meaty jus and fries, but don’t forget to leave room for a brownie sundae.

Not far from the hip food destination of the Heights, James Beard-nominated chef Jonny Rhodes is going his own route. There are only two choices at his restaurant: omnivore and pescatarian versions of his five-course tasting menu. Either way, you’ll be treated to an eye-opening experience that explores the history of African-American cuisine with cultivated takes on dishes like oxtails and red velvet cake.

When it opened, this restaurant’s owners boasted that its double LEED certification made it the most efficient eatery in Texas. It’s also one of the prettiest. The 13-foot-long wood grill is the centerpiece that turns out a menu of grilled oysters (get them with bacon jam and jalapeños), shrimp, pork belly carnitas, and char-kissed fish tacos. After a healthy meal, you’ll feel as light as the airy décor.

You’ve heard about the elegant look of this second location of the Houston classic, but it can be hard to reconcile the light, chic quarters with the rich cuisine. The 230-seat restaurant is designed like a house, with a “den,” “living room,” and study, so make yourself at home for a meal where Italian-American meets Houstonian. Start with lobster tacos before moving on to chicken saltimbocca or cioppino, dense with seafood and spicy pork sausage.

The patio is calling to you, but most likely, so is the international menu. Ceviche, empanadas, and ribeye street tacos with tomatillo salsa are ideal for sharing with a group, but make sure you don’t fill up: a range of flatbreads, steaks, and pastas awaits. All this food requires a cocktail, particularly the Cucumber Pierre, a vodka drink flavored with thyme, lemon, orange water, and elderflower liqueur.

Dining out regularly, one has to be careful to avoid overindulgence. The outsized menu here makes it easy, with tons of choices on the healthy side. New vegan offerings include spicy seitan “beef” tacos and Tuscan Tofu in apricot-walnut-coconut cream sauce. House pickles top many of the dishes—just one appreciated touch from the everything-from-scratch kitchen.