List your favorite expensive restaurants (Bellaire, Post: cost, bars, foods)

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

Actually, the food at Cafe Artiste wasn't very good and the owner was a douche--my boyfriend used to work there. He stiffed the employees and up and moved to Louisiana without paying them.

Dang, I am so out of the loop. I didn't even know it closed. Just read the article on Swamplot. I used to have coffee there with a friend of mine all the time, back in the late 90's, early 00's. Just coffee though, then we'd read and talk and basically p*iss everyone off around us because we were smoking and laughing. Ah, the good ol' days.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Dang, I am so out of the loop. I didn't even know it closed. Just read the article on Swamplot. I used to have coffee there with a friend of mine all the time, back in the late 90's, early 00's. Just coffee though, then we'd read and talk and basically p*iss everyone off around us because we were smoking and laughing. Ah, the good ol' days.

Most people didn't really know that it closed--it really is nestled in the middle of the neighborhood, as a opposed to a major thoroughfare. (That's Houston for ya!) We talked to the owners of the restaurant that's there now (Sophia's) and they say people always come by asking for Cafe Artiste and where it moved. In any case, the customer base for Cafe Artiste has moved to places like Empire Cafe and Inversion Coffee House.

It was one of those classes of restaurants that more than got by, because it DID serve a variety of decent coffee (and had wi-fi). Coffee houses are places where many people find it customary to tip as well, so my boyfriend was raking it in. One also has to admit, non-mainstream coffeehouse options are lacking in this city. I work at Bayou Place Downtown (where Angelika and Hard Rock Cafe are) and I always considering opening a coffeehouse next door, because I KNOW I could make a KILLING! Who's with me?!?!

[AlexTx]

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

Actually, the food at Cafe Artiste wasn't very good and the owner was a douche--my boyfriend used to work there. He stiffed the employees and up and moved to Louisiana without paying them.

I think we are talking about two different places. There is an Artista Restaurant at 800 Bagby St Houston, TX 77002. It's on the 2nd floor of the Hobby Center.

I believe you're talking about a cafe that was on Main Street.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

Most people didn't really know that it closed--it really is nestled in the middle of the neighborhood, as a opposed to a major thoroughfare. (That's Houston for ya!) We talked to the owners of the restaurant that's there now (Sophia's) and they say people always come by asking for Cafe Artiste and where it moved. In any case, the customer base for Cafe Artiste has moved to places like Empire Cafe and Inversion Coffee House.

Is Brasil still open, do you know?

[Malvie]

Tony's
Mark's
Vargos
Perry's


The OP asked for an expensive restaurant for romantic dinner. All of the above provide that (soft spot in my heart for Mark's, but all of them are favourites).

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Is Brasil still open, do you know?

Brasil is still open. I haven't been there in while, I think there were remodeling the last time I was there.

Originally Posted by AlexTx

I think we are talking about two different places. There is an Artista Restaurant at 800 Bagby St Houston, TX 77002. It's on the 2nd floor of the Hobby Center.

I believe you're talking about a cafe that was on Main Street.

I know you're talking about the restaurant in the Hobby Center and that was restaurant I asked you about, but I was talking about another place with TexastheKid--Cafe Artiste. It was a cafe in Montrose.

[ssgmun5000]

Spencer's
Guri do Sul

[TexasTheKid]

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

Most people didn't really know that it closed--it really is nestled in the middle of the neighborhood, as a opposed to a major thoroughfare. (That's Houston for ya!) We talked to the owners of the restaurant that's there now (Sophia's) and they say people always come by asking for Cafe Artiste and where it moved. In any case, the customer base for Cafe Artiste has moved to places like Empire Cafe and Inversion Coffee House.

It was one of those classes of restaurants that more than got by, because it DID serve a variety of decent coffee (and had wi-fi). Coffee houses are places where many people find it customary to tip as well, so my boyfriend was raking it in. One also has to admit, non-mainstream coffeehouse options are lacking in this city. I work at Bayou Place Downtown (where Angelika and Hard Rock Cafe are) and I always considering opening a coffeehouse next door, because I KNOW I could make a KILLING! Who's with me?!?!

I'm all down for a new coffee house (so long as it serves alcohol too), but I think the summer would be a bad time to open one in Houston.

[Over]

Fogo de Chao
Trulucks

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by TexasTheKid

I'm all down for a new coffee house (so long as it serves alcohol too), but I think the summer would be a bad time to open one in Houston.

Yeah, people love their alcohol. And you're right, any other season would probably be better, but people love iced coffee!