Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

The Pappas family has excelled in a lot of different cuisines in Houston, from Tex-Mex to seafood. But the Bayou City remains a place for steaks, so it's now wonder that the Pappas crown jewel is a steakhouse that recalls the grand days of fine dining. The décor is classic steakhouse chic: Luxe leather banquets with just a hint of art deco. The menu is filled with classics, too,  including shrimp cocktail and jumbo lump crabcake appetizers, turtle gumbo, Caesar salad, and many cuts of dry-aged steaks - can you handle the 26-oz. Porterhouse? -- with au gratin potatoes or steak fries as a side order. We're full just thinking about it.

Pappas has a wine cellar with access to an inventory of  more than 25,000 bottles, including some rare vintages, and offers cigars in 60 brands and sizes.