After trying for weeks to get a reservation at Rudy & Paco's, I finally booked as far in advance as…read morenecessary to see what all the hype was about--and now I understand why it's so difficult to get a table. The restaurant is small and intimate, with a nice-sized bar near the entrance that makes for a great place to enjoy a drink before dinner. One tip: be sure to pay attention to the dress code. We saw guests turned away for not meeting it, so it's definitely enforced. The service was absolutely spectacular. Everything was perfectly synchronized--from the drinks arriving and set on the table together, to each course being served in unison, to the timely clearing of plates. It's the kind of attentive, polished service that has become increasingly rare. We started with the ceviche, which was incredibly fresh and full of flavor, followed by the empanadas. They were all good, although the shrimp empanada wasn't my favorite. For our entrées, we had the salmon, the filet, and the lamb chops. The salmon was perfectly prepared, the filet was so tender it practically melted in your mouth, and the lamb chops were some of the best my husband has ever had. With exceptional service, outstanding food, and an elegant atmosphere, Rudy & Paco's absolutely lived up to its reputation. We'll definitely be back. Just be sure to plan ahead for reservations--and don't forget to follow the dress code!

For fine dining in Galveston, this restaurant is a can't-miss experience. Reservations are highly…read morerecommended, and there is a dress code, so be prepared, but the service definitely lives up to the expectations. We were there for our 27th wedding anniversary and were pampered by the staff all evening! The cuisine is Nicaraguan-inspired seafood and proteins, which I was not familiar with at all, but everything we had was delicious. The meal begins with fried crispy plantains with two different dipping sauces that are heavenly. We chose the empanadas for our appetizers, then I had the sea scallops while my husband ordered a seafood pasta dish. The restaurant is quiet and elegant, but not at all stuffy. They treated us to cake at the end, which is the only thing I got a picture of (sorry!!) but I so recommend this restaurant!!

This is one of my favorite restaurants in town, specially because I'm from South America and the…read moretaste is splendid and delicious, super tasty. The people that worked there are always super nice, I recommend you to go with no doubt. The whole place is always clean, shining with I love.

Ordered lomo saltado with maracuyá. Both delicious and authentic flavors. Friendly and quick…read moreservice. Welcoming ambiance. I'll definitely come back!

The old phrase "don't judge a book by its cover " fits Saldivia's…read more From the outside, it looks like a little mom n pop place. But from the inside.... I picked up a customer of mine and he said let's go to a small South American place just down the street. From the outside, didn't look like much. From the inside, much bigger and certainly a South American flair. World Cup is going on so all the TVs had that on. Tons of wines sitting out , mostly Malbecs, my fav. Just a great vibe. But on to the main course. We both had the steak picanha. Med Rare. On my. Good Lord. This was awesome. I generally don't eat steaks out as they are overpriced and not cooked to my liking. The chef did an awesome job. Med Rare - spot on. Perfecto. I've been to Argentina many times in business and eaten many great steaks, this can be included in that. I know, I know...people swear by Pappa's Steak or Taste of Texas, but this small, unassuming place tops them all. And a fantastic SA wine list. Please give them a try. Will not be disappointed.

Came here for lunch and got their Monday lunch menu special. While waiting for my soup, I was…read moreserved half of a warm baguette. Yummy! The lunch menu came with a choice of either soup or salad, which I got the lentil soup. The soup was thick and hearty. It was very good. My steak was cooked perfectly and well-seasoned. The sides were well-seasoned too. The size of the steak, to me, was sufficient and considered big for a lunch menu. I had a triple chocolate tres leches after my steak. It was the perfect ending. I received warm and excellent service throughout my lunch. The restaurant is big and suitable for all party sizes. There is plenty of free parking in front of the restaurant, so that is a plus point.

Latin Bites exceeded all my expectations. This is a restaurant I'll definitely be returning to for…read moreauthentic Peruvian dishes. I'm already looking forward to coming back and trying more from their menu. The customer service was excellent, friendly, attentive staff and the food came out in a timely manner. I've tried the Aji de Gallina, Lomo Saltado, Arroz Chaufa, fried yuca sticks, Causa Limeña, and La Regia, and every dish was flavorful and well-prepared. Their drinks are just as impressive, especially the refreshing passion fruit, mango juice, and limeade. Highly recommend.

I love, love, love this Peruvian restaurant in the heart of the Galleria in Houston…read more We walked in without a reservation because it was a late Monday afternoon and we figured it was safe to assume there wouldn't be a large crowd. Fortunately for us, that was the case as it didn't start getting busy until we were leaving. The entire experience was fabulous--including the music and the courteous & timely service! We were a party of four-and-a-half because my daughter was famished, wanting to satisfy her cravings and eating for two! We started with tapas of causa limeña, ceviche, and a baked empanada trio: spinach, cheese & beef. We sipped our drinks and quickly moved on to the main course: Ají de gallina, lomo saltado, arroz chaufa con mariscos and chicken strips from their Kids menu. To top off the amazing experience, we enjoyed tres leches and churros with a couple of cappuccinos; both decaf & regular. In spite of the casual name, Latin Bites Kitchen is a restaurant and bar--also serving sandwiches, soups & salads, family trays, and Wine Wednesdays with 50% off all bottles of wine (check availability). If you're looking for authentic Peruvian cuisine in H-town (Do they still call it that?)--this is it! Check out their online menu: www.latinbitescafe.com

Great place to eat authentic Colombian food! The service was smooth and the server was really nice…read morerecommending us different types of food to try, the place was clean and neat, would definitely come back if we are in the area!

The food is really good!!! The employee is very nice as well. The place is clean good vibe and…read moremusic

First time here. Found it in Yelp as we were driving back from Galveston. Looks small from the…read moreoutside but the inside has lots of space. They also have outdoor patio seating. Our server was very friendly. She gave us extra time to look over the menu and kept our glasses full. We got the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Fish Tacos. Both really good choices. Cooked and seasoned perfectly. The Sandwich came with French Fries and the tacos came with rice and beans. If you're in Texas City swing by and try them out. Easy parking plus they have a full bar.

Opened this summer, Mr. Taco is Texas City's newest Mexican eatery. It's located about a block away…read morefrom the fairly busy Palmer Highway, which makes it a little hard to spot. But once you arrive, you're in for a real culinary trip south of the border. ​I dropped in very eager to try one of their taco plates. While the pictures on the restaurant's Facebook page had already piqued my appetite, I wanted to see for myself if they were the real deal. So, for my first meal here, I ordered the Pastor Street Tacos. ​Like at any good Mexican restaurant, my meal began with chips and salsa. It's an unwritten rule of mine that if the complimentary chips and salsa are good, the main dishes will be just as good, if not better. Fortunately, that rule holds true for Mr. Taco. I tried both the red and green salsas, which were truly spicy--a definite plus in my book. ​The tacos arrived after a few minutes. While the menu said they were miniature--there were four in total--they were a perfect portion. Anchored by marinated pork and topped with fresh onions and cilantro on corn tortillas, the tacos were accompanied by a bean-filled consomme and rice. With just one bite, I imagined myself on the streets of Guadalajara or Monterey; the authenticity was simply evident. ​I occasionally dipped the tacos in the consomme, which I could describe as a bit earthy and salty. Overall, the meal was incredibly enjoyable. This dish is a prime candidate for a go-to order on a return visit. ​I was very well taken care of by our waiter, Samuel. The meal's spiciness had me quickly finishing my water, but he kept the glasses coming without me having to ask. ​While working on the meal, I was parked in front of one of the business's massive TVs, which were tuned to the Astros game. That said, I consider Mr. Taco an ideal place to catch a game. It helps that it's open until 10 p.m.--or 2 a.m. on the weekends--though a staff member told me that's assuming they're not having a slow night. ​Price-wise, I'd say the costs are quite fair. My platter was about $13, which would be roughly three dollars more elsewhere.

First visit to Fusion Peru was a great start. Our server suggested the Chaufa de Mariscos -- sort…read moreof a Peruvian equivalent to seafood fried rice. Delicious, with shrimp, octopus, squid, etc. intermixed with delicious rice. Prices here aren't cheap, but the portion size was very generous -- took my lunch leftovers home and fed myself and my better half for dinner as well. Friendly service, cozy little place. Check it out!

First, the food is authentic. I call Peruvian the first fusion. "Traditional," dishes include…read moremulti-cultural ingredients and cooking processes, like stir frying, adding "French fries," (the potato, though, comes from Peru) and influences from Africa, Asia, and Europe. The staff is friendly and dedicated, and the place has a calm atmosphere for enjoying "gormet street food." My favorites are the ceviche, prepared when you order, the Aji de Gallina, and the Papas Ala Huancayina.

You can't do better than this welcoming, beautiful, light, airy, flower-filled lunch spot. Cozy and…read morebright, the seating is ample and comfortable, accented with authentic woven pillows from Venezuela. The family-owned place serves phenomenal pastries both savory and sweet at amazingly affordable prices. The coffee is perfect. The lemonade tea (i forgot the native name for it) is perfectly balanced and looks like a cocktail. There's lots of easy parking and the Peruvian partner of the chef/owner is friendly and knowledgeable about the menu--and graciously patient while you decide (i say get them all!!) we had an assortment of savories and I can't wait to go back to try the sweets. Just perfect for groups who like to share and individuals who want a quiet place to relax. I hope this beautiful cafe stays open for years and years.

Super cute little bakery and cafe. Lots of comfy seating. Great spot for hanging out and chatting…read morewith friends. The menu is very interesting with lots of different sweet and savory pastries from Peru and Venezuela, along with a few other savory dishes. Great coffee, too, and it's served with adorable china on a fancy tray. Maybe a slight touch of cinnamon in the coffee? It's locally roasted coffee, too. Wonderful service, but if you're in a hurry, it's best to get something already prepared like cake. The other items are cooked to order and served hot and fresh. So take your time and enjoy it. There's excellent artisan cheese in the pastry fillings. Very yummy. We ordered the 5-pack of Tequeños (think pastry wrapped fried cheese sticks taken up a couple of notches) so we could try different flavors. All were delicious. The spicy one was my favorite. There are also pastelitos, empanadas, and even cachapas. Lots of delicious options for filled wheat or corn flour pastries. The corn flour items are made with gluten free ingredients, although they are fried in the same oil as wheat. I love this place. Highly recommended. And don't forget to order the passion fruit topped Basque cheesecake for dessert!

Amazing food. My wife is from Colombia and she 100% approves. The Colombian sausage is spot on…read more Plus they have Lulo juice! You can get it with water(which I prefer) or with milk which the wife likes better( tastes like a milkshake).

DEEELICIOUS. We were one of the two groups dining in, but it took at least 30 min for our food to…read morecome out. Even the tostones took at least 20 min, and that was the app... despite the slow service, the food really hit the spot. The tostones were phenomenal and were served with a tangy, sweet sauce. The bistec a caballo was filling and satisfying. The meat was tender and flavor. The yuccas were crispy. I enjoyed every part of the dish!

I have learned that the places that look a little suspicious from the outside often end up being…read morethe biggest surprises when it comes to food. This place is definitely not located in a fancy area, and I have to admit, I had second thoughts the moment I pulled into the crowded and chaotic parking lot. Located in the heart of Latino Town in Spring Branch, the atmosphere immediately reminded me of back home (Venezuela). The vibe is different, authentic, and familiar in the best way. I trusted the process because this spot had been on my list for a while, and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Once you make it through the parking adventure and walk inside, you are pleasantly surprised by a small, quaint, clean, and charming restaurant. The aroma coming from the kitchen was enough to convince me I had made the right choice. We were seated right away during a busy lunch hour. The staff works together as a team, and the service was efficient and attentive. But, of course, the star of the show was the food. I had a steak cooked to perfection with sweet plantains, and it was absolutely delicious. They offer an extensive menu featuring flavors from Argentina to Venezuela, with plenty of options to choose from. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and in a timely manner. If you are in the Spring Branch area and craving grilled, savory, authentic food, this is definitely a place to check out. I will absolutely be coming back. A true hidden gem!

And we're off! Today we kicked off our "A to Z International Dining Adventure"! We're planning to…read moreeat our way around the world, choosing a different country for each letter of the alphabet at restaurants around town. Houston has an amazing international dining scene and we won't have any problem finding food to match all 26 countries. Today we started with "A is for Argentina" at Pampa Grill & Market in Houston on Hammerly. We were thrilled to start our journey with newlyweds our son and daughter‑in‑law. We all shared freshly baked bread with chimichura sauce and marinated vegetables salsa criolla, delicious empanadas of all sorts, the Argentina Grill parrillada platter, and flan and Nutella crepes for dessert. Pampa Grill & Market is a beloved family-owned neighborhood gem run by Argentine owners. Definitely a fabulous experience all around. Pampa serves wine, but they also allow BYOB, so we brought a delicious 2022 Decero Remelinos Malbec and John and Katherine brought a lovely white blend, also from Argentina. Weare going to have so much fun taking this food journey together! "B" takes us to Brazil in the next couple weeks. Stay tuned!