Van Loc

Van Loc is the best Vietnamese I have had in Houston.  It is better and cheaper than Mai's, and it has a better location.

When you go there, you must order Vietnamese egg rolls to start.  Place the piping hot fried rolls in the cool damp lettuce, fill with basil and mint, and wrap like a mini burrito.  Then dip in the sweet and sour sauce, and let the flavors all burst together inside your mouth.  It is perhaps the most delicious appetizer in the whole world.

Everything else I have ever tried on the menu has been good - from the pho to the fried tofu.  I really do not think you can go wrong here, although you are likely to run into someone you know.

Be-Wiched Bistro

This is a first dear friends: I actually ate at a place on my list of places I want to eat!  And listen, I don't want to brag, but I know how to pick restaurants.  

The best part of the meal was the pumpkin lobster bisque.  I know you think I'm just making this up to make me sound like  I'm really great at picking restaurants, but I'm not.  This was probably the best soup I've ever had.  Bright in color, creamy but with a texture.  I've always thought that lobster just tastes like butter, but this bisque taught me that no, lobster tastes like heavy cream.

The sandwich was actually pretty sub-par, but you know, with carbs and all, no one should really be eating sandwiches anymore anyways.  Do the soup with a salad and you have a $9 lunch that is worth every penny.

Cons: no dessert options, at all.

Pros: when you order iced tea, you get your own personal french style glass bottle.  I don't know if french-style is what you call it, but its the one where you clamp down the seal.  Katie, what do you call that?