Charivari Restaurant, Houston

Charivari head chef Johann Schuster draws on his roots in Romania and Germany to infuse a seasonal menu with flavors from across Europe, earning his fare a top rating from Zagat as well a glowing review in the Houston Press, where they called the atmosphere "...old school," and "...warm and friendly."

The restaurant's name stems from the French for "beautiful good mix," which perfectly describes their bright, expansive space, the staff, and of course, the food. Dozens of wine bottles line a back wall while servers pile black-clothed tables with appetizers such as buckwheat blinis and Russian caviar or Hungarian-style foie gras with brown-sugar-glazed apple slices. Main courses include pork schnitzel, German sausage, and Bavarian-style roasted duck served with potato pancakes.