VOLUME SIXTY-THREE
HOUSTON'S
I’m here to give you the best food recommendations in Los Angeles, and sometimes that means we’re going to a chain restaurant. The undisputed king of chain restaurants is a member of the Hillstone corporate family – Houston’s. The best of the best when it comes to upscale-ish dining in Pasadena.
This is where you take your parents, this is where you meet up with friends when you want the dinner to be long and comfortable. This is where I often go for my birthday.
It’s a mecca of precise ambiance, perfect mood lighting, and actually incredible service. Whatever the corporate training program is re: service is flawless. Those consultants did really good work. This is what the Cheesecake Factory or Din Tai Fung wishes it was accomplishing when it comes to attention to detail.
This is also a predominantly booth-based restaurant. I always want the booth. I always want the separation from other dining parties. I abhor being close to someone at open tables and would rather die than share a communal table. Even their non-booth tables are spaced appropriately. I also LOVE that they don’t recommend (or really accommodate) parties bigger than four. Keep it intimate and keep it moody.
I also love that when you order the Spinach & Artichoke dip (and you should) they give you a small amount of chips – not to be stingy - but to allow themselves the opportunity to swoop in just as you grab the last chip and ask if you want more. It’s a well-choreographed dance.
Houston’s food is, you know, New American whatever with a sushi counter thrown in for good measure. It’s going to make everyone very happy. The food is GOOD. The drinks are GOOD. Literally every part of the overall experience is dependably good.
Here’s what to order: For appetizers, get the Spinach & Artichoke dip and the Traditional Salad (if you aren’t doing a salad for your main). Then get a sushi roll to split with your booth-mates. I love the Kyuri Maki Roll or the Rainbow Roll.
Then for your mains… the Crispy Chicken Sandwich is iconic, but I prefer the French Dip out of that sandwich section. If you are a Salad-Main, then get the Grilled Chicken Salad. I’m not lying when I say all the entrees are good, but my picks for a first timer are: the Ruby Red Trout, the Salmon, the Knife & Fork Ribs, and the Hawaiian – a ribeye steak with a pineapple-soy-ginger marinade and a baked potato. They have great sides, and I’ll give a little shout out to the potatoes colcannon – a mashed potato with kale mixed in that’s incredible.
The separate bar is first-come, first-served, which is great because reservations are tough. Also, they do have a dress code, which I also LOVE.
They have a parking lot – and an overflow lot – so easy parking. It’s not super kid-friendly, but they will accept a well-behaved kid.
Google Maps Links:
That’s all. See you next week!