Before you head to bed, dance off all that
food to some blues at
the
Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club (5731 Kirby Drive,
713-523-9999,
www.bigeasyblues.com) or get a
real taste of
Texas and mosey down to Blanco's (3406 West Alabama,
713-439-0072), where you can belly up to the bar for a Shiner Bock
and catch country music in its heartland.
Houston Day Two
Start your day at the
Breakfast Klub (3711 Travis Street,
713-528-8561), where you'll find buttery grits accompanying a true
Southern-fried breakfast. Arguably "lighter" fare is the breakfast
sandwich of bacon, ham, eggs, cheese, and tomatoes on toasted
sourdough.
Shopping is a sport in Texas, and no self-respecting visitor would
go home empty-handed. The suburban
Waterway at Woodlands
Mall, 10 miles north of Houston, (1201 Lake Woodlands Drive,
281-363-3363) is a doable alternative to the small-state-size
Galleria (which could easily eat up your second day in one bite).
Plus, where else are you going to find a 1.25-mile water route that
winds by P.F. Chang's, Barnes & Noble, and the Cheesecake
Factory? But, then, you are in Texas. Another suburban mall, the
Fountains in Stafford (59 South at Kirkwood), has a
boardwalk that links restaurants like Kim Son, Texas Land &
Cattle Company Steak House, and Razzoo's, plus an outpost of
Otto's.
Also worth discovering are the
Funk Yard (7620 Katy Freeway,
713-263-1610), where recycled and found objects become art,
furniture, and jewelry; and
Blossom Street Gallery &
Sculpture Garden (4809 Blossom Street, 713-869-1921,
blossomstreetgallery.com), a must-stop for collectors looking for a
great new piece or two from regional and international artists.
Fine clothier
Norton Ditto (2425 West Alabama, 713-688-9800)
has suited well-dressed Texas men since 1908.
Upon reflection, Day Two could also be referred to as Fried Food
Day - considering the fact that, after your breakfast (assuming you
didn't opt for something lighter), you're going to indulge in some
true Southern-fried chicken.
Frenchy's (3919 Scott Street,
713-748-2233) comes creole-spiced and is accompanied by red beans
and rice and collard greens. Plus, if you're up late (till one a.m.
on weekdays and three a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), you can
satisfy your fried-chicken craving nearly any time of night.