Most restaurants in Houston take their cues from locally available resources, and the ritzier restaurants are no exception. Classic French cuisine isn't necessary to make an elegant meal, but Creole influences are certainly prevalent. Chefs draw on southern favorites, Mexican flavors, and all-American styles to create an entirely unique gourmet dining experience.

Cafe Annie
1728 Post Oak Blvd
713-840-1111
www.cafe-annie.com

Chef Robert Del Grande is considered a pioneer of gourmet Southwestern cuisine, and Cafe Annie has been his palette for more than 20 years. The restaurant is Houston's number one destination for fine cuisine, known by locals and savvy visitors alike. The seasonal menu takes advantage of the gulf's bounty, as well as farm fresh produce, to create high-end Southwestern specialties. For diners on a tighter budget, try the adjoining Bar Annie, which is slightly less formal and definitely more finance-friendly.

Brennan's
3300 Smith St
713-522-9711
www.brennanshouston.com

For an all-around elegant southern experience head to Brennan's, which has been a staple in Houston for more than 35 years. The prix-fixe jazz brunch served on Saturday and Sunday mornings blend bold Cajun classics with sophisticated touches. Housed in an old mansion, real insiders know that the chef's table can be booked in advance, where up to 10 people can dine in the kitchen.

Mark's
1658 Westheimer Rd
713-523-3800
www.marks1658.com

Mark's is another place where locals go to celebrate big occasions - think anniversaries, meeting the in-laws, birthdays. Executive chef Mark Cox displays a wide culinary range, cooking everything from classic cuisine with Creole touches, to Asian-inspired eats with a Caribbean flair. The ambiance helps make for a religious experience; Mark's is located in an old church, where private rooms and candle-lit tables make for a very romantic evening.

Artista Restaurant
800 Bagby St
713-278-4782
www.churrascos.com

A seafood heavy menu is the center of this fairly new Houston addition, housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. The restaurant is owned by the same folks who brought Latin dining to haute cuisine with Americas, and lives up to its big sister's high reputation. This time around, diners are invited to create their own masterpiece. The menu features three columns: protein, side, vegetable. Innovative combinations (yucca whipped with mascarpone) and local flavors (blend crawfish with Tex-Mex taquitos for the house favorite app) make for a very interesting meal. The restaurant also boasts magnificent views of the downtown Houston skyline, courtesy of floor to ceiling windows. The attentive wait staff will be glad to accommodate any theater diners, too.

Bank
220 Main St
832-667-4470
www.hotelicon.com

World famous restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings the 1920's to life at this glamorous, high-ceilinged dining destination. Located in the Hotel Icon, which itself is a former bank, the space is striking and intimate at the same time, thanks to the many columns that serve to divide it into niches. The sophisticated steakhouse fare is elevated with French and Asian influences but the real star is the wine list.