Houston's is so good and reliable; if it was more in my price range, I'd eat there all the time. I have loved everything I've tried: the spinach dip, better than others with the addition of artichoke hearts and warm tortilla chips; roasted chicken with skinny fries; a seared tuna salad with pickled ginger, mango and a sweet-spicy vinaigrette; specials like trout with brussels sprouts, a vegetable not often seen on restaurant menus, each delicious and perfectly prepared.
The restaurant itself is dim and cozy -- brick walls, low gleaming-wood walls separating diners, a pianist playing something non-intrusive in the background. Service is professional and also not intrusive.
My only complaint is the crowd. It's no secret that Houston's is great, so it is always crowded. I've gotten lucky several times and snagged a bar table; those are first come first served. They are more private than the average bar table, small booths that are perfect for two people. But when I don't find a seat in the bar section, my average wait time is 45 minutes.
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