Serving refined Creole fare with a distinctive nod to Texas, Brennan's is one of Houston's longest-standing fine-dining restaurants. Situated in a handsome stand-alone building – just ignore the incongruous acoustic ceiling tiles – at the edge of Midtown, it might be better than ever, benefiting from the time the matriarchs of its sibling, Commander's Palace in New Orleans, spent here after Hurricane Katrina in late 2005. There was no need to tinker with the elegant turtle soup, which is still the most popular starter if not the most renowned soup in town (and in New Orleans, for that matter). Requisite for a Creole restaurant, all of the seafood is excellent, from the jumbo lump crab cakes and the several shrimp dishes to Gulf fish filets such as the decadent redfish Pontchartrain and the pecan-crusted amberjack in a Creole-style meunière sauce. Meat lovers are not forgotten, with robust and interesting entrées of lamb, pork, beef and veal. Far from resting on its laurels, Brennan's now offers an artisan cheese course featuring high-quality American cheeses and house-made charcuteries (sausages and pâté). The weekend jazz brunch features three courses of New Orleans-influenced food and drink. Named Best Atmosphere in the Houston Press 2007 Best of issue. Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner nightly. Jazz brunch 11 am–2 pm Sat, 10 am–2 pm Sun.