Houston Recommendations

Okay, so you get to Houston for our wedding, but the festivities don't kick off till Saturday evening. It's Friday night. What's there to do? We've compiled a list of some of our favorite things to do here in the city to answer that question.

To get your dose of culture here in the concrete jungle, go check out the beautiful Museum of Fine Arts, the Contemporary Arts Museum, or (our favorite) the Menil Collection. If you have a chance, also visit the Byzantine Chapel near the Menil - it's truly incredible.

If you want to see a movie that you might not be able to find at every other cineplex around the country, check out the Angelika, the River Oaks, or the Greenway theatres.

Catch some sunshine at the Cullen Sculpture Garden, roll down the hill at Miller Outdoor Theatre, or feed the ducks at Hermann Park.

When it comes to food, Houston is world-class but still (relatively) inexpensive. There are, of course, the usual chain restaurants, but there are also many, many local gems. For cheap and fast Vietnamese, head to Mai's or Van Loc in Midtown. For amazing sushi and Japanese ice cream, go for Osaka. If you've never tried a bubble tea (an Asian beverage with tapioca pearls), run over to Teahouse (free wifi too!). Our favorite Indian restaurant is Bombay Sweets - $6.50 for an amazing buffet with fresh naan, and don't forget dessert!

Amazing coffee, cake, fabulous pizzas, sandwiches, and even breakfast can be found at Empire Cafe. Houston's best barbecue can be procured at Goode Company, but don't forget to head across the street to it's sister restaurant, Goode Company Taqueria (one of the best breakfast places around). Mexican food is everywhere, but some places are better than others. For super cheap breakfast tacos, go to Tacos A-Go-Go in Midtown. Taqueria La Tapatia is another great taco joint, but don't forget about the 24-hour Chapultepec, just down the street. Actually, there about a billion good Mexican places in Houston.

Excellent breakfast (all day) can be found at Katz's Deli; amazing French breakfast resides at Croissant Brioche; check out Kraftsmen Baking for fabulous croissant breakfast sandwiches and great coffee. Speaking of coffee, Diedrich's is a great local alternative, but if you want to see something historic, go to the corner of West Gray and Kirby, where two Starbucks oppose each other! On the Italian side, Paulie's is pretty great for big pasta dishes and panini, but check out Collina's too. Star Pizza's deep-dish simply cannot be beat. If you need good ol' classic American fare, hit the 59 Diner.

We could go on and on. Do yourself a favor and check out the restaurant section at houstonpress.com.

Can't wait to see you!