~ Mark’s, from chef Mark Cox. This is the best restaurant I have ever been to – hands down. Everything from the excellent and constantly changing menu of American cuisine to the great wine list to the old church-turned-restaurant atmosphere makes Mark’s number one in my book. One of my good friends, Emily Resling used to be the wine director at Mark’s, making each visit a even more of treat. On the night Bell and I came in to the restaurant she pulled what we both agree is the best bottle of wine either of us has ever had: a 2004 Joseph Swan pinot noir. Amazing. Emily’s since moved on to a new position in Seattle (the new hometown for both of us), but remains a great wine insider for me.

~ Empire Cafe ranks right near the top of my list of favorite coffee houses. The cafe serves a great breakfast, has excellent coffee and espresso drinks and has nice outdoor patio – a must-have in Texas.

~ The Menil is the home of John and Dominique de Menil’s personal art collection. Two things stand out about the Menil: 1) the range of the art work (Greek antiquity artifacts to Picasso’s and Warhol’s) and 2) the gallery is free to the public. It is pretty amazing to find a museum that is both world class in quality and free.