Karol Watson writes:

“Ba Mien Bistro was a pleasant surprise in northwest Houston. The (restaurant) offers appetizers, noodle soups, vermicelli bowls, rice plates, Vietnamese sammies, desserts and some very special Café Du Monde coffee in its own special coffee press with condensed milk on the bottom. It’s almost like an Oreo coffee dessert drink.
“The décor is delightfully chic, and since the restaurant has no liquor license, we were able to bring in our own wine. Some friends invited us to meet them on my husband’s birthday, and the owners also allowed me to bring in my own birthday cake for our celebration. Oh, and did I mention that the most expensive item on the menu is $7?
“This restaurant will not disappoint you! It’s almost too good to be true.”

Ba Mien Bistro: 5102 FM 1960 W., 281-781-8138


Inside the Saltgrass at Meyerland Plaza.: Michael Paulson
Reader rave
David and Linda Trekell write:

“We love to eat out and recently had two dining pleasures that deserve kudos. Both were for family birthdays. For my husband, we ate at P.F. Chang’s Westchase. What a great meal, atmosphere and waiter! We always find P.F. Chang’s to be a great choice.
“For my birthday, we dined at Saltgrass (Meyerland). That has to have been one of the best customer-service experiences we have ever had. Jason and DeeDee made sure we were treated royally. Problems with a dining card were resolved immediately, service was prompt, and they gave us a loaf of hot bread to take home with our leftovers. We will definitely return to these two restaurants!”

P.F. Chang's: 11685 Westheimer, 281-920-3553
Saltgrass Steak House: 520 Meyerland Plaza, 713-665-2226

Reader to reader
Rebecca Linda Contreras is looking for recommendations. She writes:

“Where is another restaurant that has a salad bar similar to Taste of Texas? Maybe not as pricey, but also a good steak to go along with it. I really miss Steak ’n Ale.”