Restaurant Review: Benjy's

The big billboard on Kirby read, "Best Business Lunch." Well, Houstonist had some biznats and we needed some lunch, so off to Benjy's we went. Sandwiched between Antone's and a Scottish pub on the outskirts of Rice Village, Benjy's is in a great space that makes for trendy digs without the hassle of finding parking. Houstonist has been to Benjy's twice before - once for brunch and once for dinner. Both experiences were fairly unmemorable, but we really, really wanted to like this place. So back we went for what is supposedly the 'best business lunch" in town.

Concrete floors, high and exposed ceilings, long windows and aluminum tables create a very cool and light atmosphere. The sunlight through the windows and the sparse decor lowered the reading on our pretentious-o-meter, though we remember a dinner outing at Benjy's when we felt under dressed among fashionable foodies dressed in black. The meal started out fabulous, then faded out to not-so-bad. The crispy flat bread with chick pea puree was tasty and light, eliminating the common mistake of overeating the free carbs that come before a meal. Then there was the strawberry lemonade. Oh, the strawberry lemonade. If we could swim in a pool of this strawberry lemonade we would drown happily: A perfect balance of sweetness and tartness with the refreshing summer taste of fresh strawberries, Houstonist gladly paid the $3.50 for a bottomless glass.

The lunch menu is a mix of modern cuisine with strong asian and southwestern influences, prices range from $9 to $15. Crabcakes were tasty, even if on the thin side. Asian chicken stir fry was full in flavor. Tiger shrimp tacos were eh. Wait staff was hubba-hubba delicious.

Houstonist really wants to loooove this place, but for now, we can't decide if we actually do. Best business lunch spot? It wouldn't be the first restaurant we'd choose for that honor.

The Verdict: Benjy's has all the makings of a great restaurant, but there is something missing for the foodie in us. Regardless, make reservations for brunch, wear black for dinner, and order the strawberry lemonade for lunch. Oh, and check out the hot wait staff.

Benjy's
2424 Dunstan
Rice Village
713-522-7602