Pretty soon North Italia will be there in CityCentre. I like Yardhouse, put it on par with Pappasitos. Down a little ways at Gessner and I10 is a Churrascos and a sushi place I really like, but it is expensive. Not sure if they have a lunch special. Also like General Public in CityCentre.

Fine dining....for lunch....solo??????

Fleming's is open for lunch on Fridays this December with an exclusive 2-course lunch menu (dinner menu available as well).

Captain Winky said:

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Does the $35 Sunday Dinner still exist? Was a full-sized pork chop, salad, and dessert.

Edit: just looked it up and they have increased the price to $49. Still a decent deal but at $35 it was pretty awesome.

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The Sunday night pork chop special at Perry's is our go-to. Three courses, and the portions are generous. If you tell them it's your anniversary, you get a free dessert (and end up with a four course meal).

Only downside is it's dinner-only, and reservations don't start until 4. We went at 5 a couple of weeks ago (I really wanted to go at 4 but had to compromise), and I was still full the next morning. And you should make a reservation; The Woodlands location is always packed.

Another good experience we've had lately was ordering appetizers at Whiskey Cake. Everything we got was good, portions were generous, and it was well under $100 (no alcohol) for two people. I think we got 3 or maybe 2 and also an entree that we split, and IIRC, it was in the $70s before tip.

Diggity said:

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Nice that you got to celebrate your 80th in style!

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That's pretty much what my BF said…and he's 9 years older than I am!

Quote:

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Nundini's Chef Table

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Did a Carraba take that place over?

Did I miss something, and Pappas move their location out of Houston. It's still locally owned and as far as the price go "Let's Go Brandon" has caused the prices at every damn restaurant to go through the roof. My back yard is the correct answer for all meals these days, until you look at the price for groceries.

Based on my limited exposure I don't think anyone truly identified "fine dining value". Just a lot of personal preference. All of these places are basically the same from a price standpoint.

None of these places you're getting out for less than $25 with a drink, tax, and tip for lunch and under $50 with a couple alcoholic drinks, tax, and tip for dinner.

Eating out is damn expensive now and it's all places of that level.

You either have to suck it up and pay for it or go lowbrow at some mom and pop place that serves just as good of food but not the atmosphere. And even then it's not that much cheaper.

Now if you want to talk straight value I'll challenge anyone there's not a better value than a steak at Texas Roadhouse. It's not the greatest steak you'll ever get but for the price with their rolls, salad, and a side it's the best value I'm aware of. I've always left there happy relative to what I pay.

I wish they'd let you BYOB wine so you could elevate the experience however much you deemed necessary.

DustysLineup said:

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Quote:

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Nundini's Chef Table

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Did a Carraba take that place over?

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No, but its in the family tree somehow. Don't recall if it is a nephew or cousin, etc.

had never heard that.

Are you thinking of Piatto possibly? I know they're an offshoot of the Carrabba gang somehow.

JC III's brother owns it, right?

JTR has an excellent lunch menu, which also includes an option for an App/Entre combo for $25. If you want a combo of value and fine dining, it probably can't be beat.

2 for $25

Normal Lunch Menu

Chewy said:

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Based on my limited exposure I don't think anyone truly identified "fine dining value". Just a lot of personal preference. All of these places are basically the same from a price standpoint.

None of these places you're getting out for less than $25 with a drink, tax, and tip for lunch and under $50 with a couple alcoholic drinks, tax, and tip for dinner.

Eating out is damn expensive now and it's all places of that level.

You either have to suck it up and pay for it or go lowbrow at some mom and pop place that serves just as good of food but not the atmosphere. And even then it's not that much cheaper.

Now if you want to talk straight value I'll challenge anyone there's not a better value than a steak at Texas Roadhouse. It's not the greatest steak you'll ever get but for the price with their rolls, salad, and a side it's the best value I'm aware of. I've always left there happy relative to what I pay.

I wish they'd let you BYOB wine so you could elevate the experience however much you deemed necessary.

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you can at Pappy's.

$4 marg, 12.99 catfish basket.

cr0wbar said:

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Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Fajita Flats. The only thing that sizzles more than their fajitas is the stereo system blasting Mambo number 5 and the Maquerena.

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Ahh, Flats. Nothin' quite like a pitcher of Especial.

Tell em' it's your birthday! Good people at Fajita Flats.

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Is that place still crazy on Friday nights like in the 1990s?

cab559 said:

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Jack Klompus said:

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B&B Italia on Memorial at Dairy Ashford

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Lol, this will cost you nothing.

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Gonna be able to get a free coat there pretty soon.

P.H. Dexippus said:

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DustysLineup said:

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Quote:

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Nundini's Chef Table

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Did a Carraba take that place over?

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No, but its in the family tree somehow. Don't recall if it is a nephew or cousin, etc.

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Nundini Sr. is from Italy. The one in Europe. I guess it's possible there was some connection later on, but I've never heard of it.

Diggity said:

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had never heard that.

Are you thinking of Piatto possibly? I know they're an offshoot of the Carrabba gang somehow.

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That's John Marion Carabba.

htxag09 said:

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Chewy said:

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Based on my limited exposure I don't think anyone truly identified "fine dining value".

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I think the "fine dining" component left the conversation when the OP's benchmark was Pappasitos....

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Yeah. This whole thread is the perfect definition of TexAgs' loose definitions.

I'm pretty sure I clarified in my first sentence that I don't consider Pappasito's fine dining, but that it is priced that way (hence my original question). Appreciate all the responses! Got a few new places to try out.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

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Hwy30East said:

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Carrabbas - The original one on Kirby.

It's definitely not the chain restaurant.

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No need to drive all the way to Kirby when the one at Voss/Woodway is much closer to City Centre.

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Either OG carrabbas is great. Probably my favorite all timer in Houston.

I've always felt like the Voss location is the more laid back/bring the fam type ambiance and Kirby is the let your hair down on Friday night no kids have one too many espresso martinis type. Prob just me bc I have young kids and live much closer to voss sigh

Embrace food truck options.

I think maybe it's not a good idea to gorge on Mexican food and a couple beers alone and then ask for better options. Eat a sandwich and chug water.

When I first read the OP, I didn't even notice that he'd ordered a family style platter for himself. And two beers. We should've been suggesting buffets. Is there a Dimassi's on that side of town?

B&B Italia at Memorial and Dairy Ashford closed a long time ago funny guy

12thMan9 said:

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Sam's Deli/Diner, Kirkwood/I-10, SE corner.

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Sam's Burgers Pies and Fries is also excellent.