Today’s restaurant industry chatter is justifiably tilted in price-conscious, value-driven directions, imposed by fears of inflation. But make no mistake: the big-ticket dining tabs are still being tallied.
Accustomed to roller coaster finances, dictated by the ups and downs of the energy industry, Houston has always made allowances for great luxury, even in times of pinching pennies. There is a perpetual hunger for over-the-top dishes — the more extravagantly plated and outrageously priced, the better. Culinary bragging rights matter in a food-obsessed town.
Not counting chef tasting menus and omakase experiences, which usually command top dollar for multi-course meals, Houston restaurants have much to offer for Midas-minded culinary spendthrifts. Consider this list of some of the most extravagant dishes in town that may in fact break the bank.
$1,600 Steak Sandwich at H Bar
With The Post Oak Hotel, Landry’s CEO Tilman Fertitta was committed to exceeding hospitality expectations at every turn. That’s evident at the hotel’s lobby bar, H Bar, where any assumptions about a steak sandwich are shattered in almost ridiculous fashion. The Black Gold (named for the gold rush that made Houston one of the world’s oil capitals), is a fit-for-Croesus construction, featuring a pound of sliced Japanese A5 Wagyu, seared foie gras, and shaved black truffles on a caviar-infused/gold leaf-crusted bun. It’s served with fries — with truffle aioli, naturally — and a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne. This bling on a bun is a flamboyant indulgence priced at $1,600. 1600 West Loop South, Houston, thepostoakhotel.com
$325 Flaming Tomahawk at Toca Madera
The arrival of this Mexican steakhouse in Houston certainly set tongues wagging and eyes popping, and for good reason. It’s a showy affair, decked to the nines, drunk on swagger, and loaded with head-turning hotties. The menu is no slouch either, with indulgent, pricey nibbles that make it one of the city’s most expensive nights on the town. If that kind of flash is in your budget, opt for the signature Flaming Tomahawk: 40 ounces of American Wagyu that is brought tableside, flagellated with fresh aromatics and then set aflame with a Wild Turkey 101 bourbon baptism. It’s a $325 ritual that has many coming back for more. 1755 Allen Pkwy, Ste. 101; tocamadera.com/locations/houston
$250 Caviar Potato at Tony’s
At Houston’s toniest OG restaurant there’s no such thing as a simple spud. Witness the Caviar Potato, a crisped Idaho beauty saturated with Yukon Gold butter, filled with whipped Robuchon-style potato silk, and a generous ladle of caviar, with the most expensive price point being the $250 Kaviari Oscietra Gold. Sure, Tony’s “Battle Axe” course of twin longbone Tomahawk ribeye steaks is more expensive ($350), but the pearls-bedecked potato reigns as the town’s Spud Supreme. 3755 Richmond St., Houston, tonyshouston.com
$750 Baller Board at Georgia James
If you’re feeling particularly baller, get on board at Georgia James. There was a time when the steakhouse’s signature “baller boards” were an IYKYK, off-the-menu proposition that changed nightly. Today, the baller options are printed on the menu, but at their heart, they remain the same: entertaining, extreme, people-pleasing extravaganzas that inspire shock and awe. Served on massive wooden boards, these lavish constructs of culinary temptation and excess come in two sizes including a spread large enough for 4-6 ($500) and one for 6-8 ($750), and are laden with high-end beef, fried chicken, fish, and sides. 3503 W. Dallas St., Houston, georgiajameshouston.com
$500 Millionaire Fajitas at Guard & Grace
This Downtown steakhouse goes big on the Houston-proud steakhouse routine, and even bigger on the city’s grand tradition of fajitas. The house’s Millionaire Fajitas presentation might be Houston’s most indulgent take on the Tex-Mex staple. A sizzling platter features a whopping 24 ounces of blackened Wagyu skirt steak sidled by twin lobster tails and roasted bone marrow. It also comes with charred peppers and onions, king crab queso, salsa, rice, charro beans, a dozen handmade tortillas, and a hefty shot of what the restaurant calls “sexy butter.” The dish boasts a sexy price tag to match, at $500. One Allen Center, 500 Dallas St., Houston guardandgrace.com/Houston
$350 “Get Chuffed” Presentation at The Marigold Club
Montrose’s jewel box restaurant might be the prettiest place to peck at impeccably presented shrimp cocktail, duck Wellington, Dover sole and caviar nibbles. It’s also the place you can live like Rockefeller with the “Get Chuffed” presentation. Named for the tacos-and-champagne option at Goodnight Charlies (Marigold’s former inhabitant), the menu item offers a dozen oysters paired with a bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee. It’s yours for $350. 2531 Kuester St., Houston, themarigoldclub.com
$130 Turbot Meuniere at Le Jardinier
One of only six Houston restaurants to earn a prestigious Michelin star, this modern French gem is every bit as inspiring and artistic as the museum it calls home. Handsomely set in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Le Jard exudes effortless sophistication. That goes for the menu too, which includes exquisitely plated a la carte dishes as well as a five-course seasonal chef’s menu ($185). For $130, two guests can share one of the signature dishes: Turbot Meuniere, glossed with brown butter and served with seasonal vegetables. Come for the art; stay for the fish. 5500 Main St., Houston, lejardinier-houston.com
$340 Kobe Ribeye at Turner’s Cut
All Kobe beef is Wagyu, but not all Wagyu is Kobe. It’s an important distinction that elite beef enthusiasts are well aware of. They also know that restaurateur Benjamin Berg’s concepts know a thing or two about top meat. Turner’s Cut, Berg’s most lavish concept to date, offers a 6-ounce Kobe ribeye ($340) from cattle raised in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture. As a steak experience, this is stratospheric stuff. You’re already going for broke, so why not gild the lily with decadent add-ons like grilled lobster tail ($49) or Kaviari Kristal Caviar ($80 per half ounce). At Turner’s Cut you’re truly living the high life. 811 Buffalo Park Dr., Ste. 160, Houston, turnerscut.com
$296 Ultimate Seafood Paella at MAD
It’s a mad MAD world. And, foodies are grateful for it. Chef Luis Roger’s masterful tribute to Spanish culinary traditions comes alive at this plush River Oaks District funhouse infused with the spirit of modern Madrid. Of the five house paella dishes (all made with bomba rice cooked over wood-burning live fire), the ultimate seafood version includes scallops, lobster tails, shrimp, octopus, and branzino. At $296, it feeds four. But who says you need a party of four to enjoy? Eat up! Chef Roger also oversees MAD’s sister restaurant, BCN, which is still basking in the glow of its Michelin star. Both destinations offer a true taste of Spain, no passport required. 4444 Westheimer Rd., Ste. C180, Houston, madhouston.com
$180 Matsusaka Wagyu at Katami
Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi has long held Houston dining allegiance for his work at Kata Robata. With this new Japanese pleasure palace, he continues to indulge fans with sterling nigiri, sashimi, and signature makimono rolls, as well as two omakase experiences that can set you back up to $275 per person. It’s also where Japanese beef aficionados can find Matsusaka Wagyu, an ultra-premium variety prized for its tenderness and umami flavor, priced at $180 for 3 ounces. Katami is the only restaurant in Texas serving this delicacy, which can be had robata or tataki style. 2701 W. Dallas, Houston, katamihouston.com
$295 Omakase Platter at Prime 131
In a city that has great enthusiasm for high-end sushi and omakase dinners, Prime 131 combines the best of both worlds with top-tier fish and chef-driven indulgence, in its special Omakase Platter ($295). This singular sushi-palooza boasts 14 pieces of nigiri and guest choice of three of the house’s specialty rolls. It arrives at the table in showmanship fashion with sparklers. And why not? This dish puts the party in party platter. 2505 W. 11th St., Ste. 100, Houston, prime131.com
