Four Houston restaurants make top 50 new ones in US (Dallas: 2009, hotel)

[AK123]

So I've been to two out of the four, and liked Reef the best.
Opinions?

Four new Houston restaurants make Best 50 list - Houston Business Journal:

Four local restaurants have made Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2009 list of the 50 Best New U.S. Restaurants.

• Feast, 219 Westheimer
• Textile Restaurant, 611 W. 22nd Street
• Reef, 2600 Travis Street
• Voice, located in Hotel Icon

Only one other Texas restaurant, Tei/An in Dallas, made the list.

[travelguy_73]

I'm usually pretty in line with reviews, but I have been to Reef twice and had bad meals there both times. I found it more see-and-be-seen than restaurant. However, I love Feast. It's got terrific ambience and the food is different than what I have experienced in other Houston restaurants. Very unique and I hope they make it!

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by travelguy_73

I'm usually pretty in line with reviews, but I have been to Reef twice and had bad meals there both times. I found it more see-and-be-seen than restaurant.

I've never eaten there myself but that's kind of the impression that I've gotten.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by travelguy_73

I'm usually pretty in line with reviews, but I have been to Reef twice and had bad meals there both times. I found it more see-and-be-seen than restaurant. However, I love Feast. It's got terrific ambience and the food is different than what I have experienced in other Houston restaurants. Very unique and I hope they make it!

Well, I've only been once.
Voice was fine, the one time I've been.
Haven't yet tried Feast or Textile.

[Topaz]

Clearly the key to making Travel + Leisure's list is to have a one word name for your restaurant, with some of them being related to food or eating only in the most obscure way.

[EasilyAmused]

Feast is ok. It's more the atmosphere, and you kinda have to be in the right mood for that kind of meal.........and it definately has to be under 50 degrees outside.
Reef? Nasty. Thank You.

[AK123]

Hmm, perhaps I should know better than to trust Travel + Leisure ratings next time... or...?

[westres1]

I have only been to Voice and it was very nice. Calm atmosphere and attentive staff.

[westres1]

I looked up Reef's website and they have won alot of awards ....after looking at the menu I can see how it may be easy to order "wrong" and get something really off.

Chef Bryan Caswell Named Top 10 Best New Chef by Food & Wine Magazine

REEF Named The #1 Seafood Restaurant in the U.S. by Bon Appetit Magazine

100 Southern Foods You Absolutely, Positively Must Try Before You Die

and REEF's Sriracha Remoulade is on the list

Houston Culinary Awards Winner 2008, My Table Magazine

Restaurateur of the Year Chef of the Year Outstanding Wine Service

Best Of Awards 2008, Houston Press

REEF ~ Best Restaurant 3rd Bar ~ Best Mojito

[TexasTheKid]

Feast is outstanding food, and at around $20 per plate, the price is also nice considering the quality. I'd never before eaten a Brussells sprout I liked until I had some at Feast.