The 5 Best Cute Places in Houston for Lunch 

Rosalie Italian Soul is located inside the Baldwin Hotel and has gained a reputation for itself in the community. 

Customers who have dined at Rosalie Italian Soul claim the restaurant is a walk down memory lane through retro Italy in terms of decor and food. Well, at least that’s what we were told. 

We were greeted by a large retro pizza oven display when we walked into Rosalie Italian Soul. 

True to the claims of former customers, all the decor in Rosalie Italian Soul looks like it came from a vintage store with bright, popping colors that could turn anyone’s sad day upside down. 

A host came to us immediately and handed us two menus. She answered all our questions about the menu. 

Although we had to wait for an open table because we didn’t make prior recommendations. So we recommend making recommendations, as this place gets packed during lunch hour. 

Regarding food, we started with the crispy risotto meatballs, which could have been filling on their own, had they not been too salty for our liking. We then tried their mushroom pizza and chicken parmesan. 

As we waited for our main entrees, we noted the manager was going around checking in with customers to see if they enjoyed their food. So we liked how the staff here at Rosalie Italian Soul were accommodating and friendly. 

Upon receiving our mushroom pizza, the crust was crisp on the outside and had just the right amount of dough. But the sauce was a no-go for us. 

The sauce had no flavor and tasted like we were just eating a crushed tomato on top of the bread. As for the chicken parmesan, we liked how it was not overcooked but crunchy.  

We also liked how it wasn’t overpowered by the parmesan cheese or the tomato sauce. Overall, we thought the flavors meshed well together. 

Many raved to us about Traveler’s Table taking them worldwide on a journey through their authentic cuisines. But whether their international foods and flavors were authentic remained to be seen. 

After our experience at Traveler’s Table, we can attest to the fact that Traveler’s Table indeed does offer international foods and flavors, but its authenticity is called into question. 

For starters, we had difficulties parking due to their tight parking lot. So we used their valet parking services, which came with a hefty price tag. 

Upon walking inside Traveler’s table, classic and vintage aviation models adorn the bar’s shelves. 

The main dining room, surrounded by windows opening onto the patio, is made to feel even more spacious by the use of lighting fixtures resembling a collection of tiny sails or parachutes. 

The “traveler’s table” is a 16-seater table that rolls along on wheels like a rickshaw and goes by that name. A glimpse into the bustling action of the large kitchen is available, thanks to the open layout.

The menu, styled like a leather traveler’s journal full of handwritten notes, was a nice touch. Foods from all around the world are included on their menu. 

In addition, the menu was uniquely organized by region, which fits in well with the overall concept of the eatery. Their large cocktail and mimosa menu was another plus. 

When we had some inquiries about the menu, the wait staff was more than happy to answer them. The coconut-flavored rum in our Sunny but Shady cocktails made us feel like we were on a tropical island in the Philippines with an endless supply of coconuts. 

The salmon tartar bits were a disappointing start; the crust was dry and tasted like a cracker. The dough for the dumplings we ordered as an appetizer was as dry as the Sahara. 

Furthermore, the dumplings’ filling lacked any flavor. However, the ribs slathered in The Jungle Curry sauce were tasty and tender to sliding off the bone. 

While we did experience a delectable tour of the world at Traveler’s Table, we did not enjoy the restaurant’s limited ventilation and the resulting heavy smoke. 

By the way, after dinner, we were handed fortune cookies, and the bill was presented in a passport holder. Charming, on the whole!

Before coming to Brennan’s of Houston, we recommend making reservations and checking their online website for their dress code. As when we arrived at Brennan’s of Houston, the dress code was enforced. 

As far as parking is concerned, there is a valet service that only costs $5.The menu is based on the Texas–New Orleans culinary niche. 

The setting was opulent and perfect for conversation. The decor took us to the French Quarter in New Orleans. 

Since we did not have reservations, we had to wait to be seated, but it was not for long. Their menu can be a little overwhelming initially if you aren’t familiar with classy Italian dining. 

If soup is necessary, we recommend the shrimp gumbo over the turtle soup. The shrimp gumbo had a rich roux and a deep rich taste. 

Moreover, the shrimp was cooked just right. We also tried their blue crab and leek pudding and liked the savory, sweet flavors and texture of the pudding. 

We also had the sweet-potato pancakes with their famous caramelized lamb. The mint julep hollandaise provided a touch of sophistication to the somewhat bold earthy-sweet mix.

Unfortunately, the poached flounder and pan-seared redfish filet Haute Creole we ordered arrived overcooked and tasteless. The blue crab stuffing in the flounder was also watery. 

Mad is an upscale restaurant that mirrors a nightclub in Spain; the atmosphere alone makes the food worth the prices. At least, that’s what we heard. 

We recommend making a reservation in advance, for the line was still out the door when we got there on a weekday night. Yet, MAD was an interesting dining experience, to say the least. 

From the virtual wall art to the reflective hallway leading to the washrooms, the ambiance lives up to the comments of others. The menu features various tapas selections, massive plates, and paella dishes, so it is excellent for sharing. 

Regarding cuisine, the duck tongue was flavorful, and the anchovies in dates and roasted eel mix of flavors somehow worked, but we were not a fan of the potatoes on the side. It seemed like they were just slathered with mayo. 

The Serannito we tried was too greasy for our taste, but their Rosemary & Saffron Paella with the Wagyu Beef was tasty and perfectly seasoned. What we didn’t like was that most of the paella ended up glued to the pan, leaving half the dinner inedible. 

As for the Crispy Iberico Prawn soup, we appreciated the flavorful broth, but the meat was tasteless, and it seemed like we were eating pure fat.

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette has a reputation among the community for its chargrilled oysters, wine collection, and cute atmosphere.

When we went to Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette, we had difficulties parking, so we recommend trying their valet or parking at the far end of the strip mall if you can’t find a spot.

First, to avoid a long wait, we made reservations in advance. We found the interior of Liberty Kitchen charming style, the epitome of coastal chic and the seafaring lifestyle. 

While ordering, we were indecisive due to the luxurious meal names on the menu. So, we liked how the server we had was accommodating in answering our questions and making recommendations. 

We started with appetizers and main courses and ordered different sides to complement them. Their coastal board had half a plate of mussels, two grilled clams Aleppo, and two grilled, steamed oysters. 

The raw orders were fresh and didn’t have a fishy aftertaste. The mussels and everything else on the board were salted just right.

We also had some truffle fries, which we felt were undercooked, and they were overwhelmed by the truffle sauce. 

Moreover, the Caesar salad we ate had wilted lettuce, so we didn’t like the freshness of the salad. 

However, our main course, the chargrilled oysters with Parmesan and butter, were delicious and flavorful. Weirdly, for the six oysters, there were just two crostini included.