Blackfinn American Grille, Houston

Born out of the pub culture of England and 20th-century America, BlackFinn American Grille carries on a grand tradition of giving people a comfortable place to spend an evening filled with food and spirits. However, as one of the new generation of American eateries, BlackFinn also blazes its own trail Take the menu, for instance. Classics such as steaks, burgers, and iron-skillet mac and cheese share table space with innovative dishes including Hong-Kong-style Chilean sea bass, shrimp and grits, and spicy jambalaya. Inspired by the nation's love of dining out together, the menu also includes a host of shareable appetizers, which range from seasoned Finn Fries and cheese sticks to blackened brie and crab cakes.

All of BlackFinn's delicious eats pair well with drinks from the amply-stocked bar. The beer list spans the entire spectrum of the brewing world; craft beer aficionados can grab locally produced pints (or growlers) from Houston brewers such as Karbach and St. Arnold, while groups can fuel up for the big game with a 100 oz. tower filled with a favorite domestic. When the tap lines aren't flowing, bartenders concentrate on crafting memorable cocktails out of fresh ingredients and premium spirits. Sporting a base of fresh-squeeze lemonade and sweet tea, the BlackFinn Iced Tea adds a kick to the traditional Arnold Palmer in the form of Ketel One vodka.