Thai Spice

This is one of the few restaurants in Houston that offers large portions of authentic Thai cooking, a relaxing ambience and a fairly extensive wine list. Plus, its second-story location gives the effect of dining in a tree house. The kitchen shows some creativity, using basil, pineapple, wine and garlic along with the traditional fiery Thai curries and chilies. A good-value buffet is arrayed at lunch, but of course the best dishes (such as crab cakes, green chicken curry, crusted ginger sesame beef and drunken chicken) must be ordered à la carte.