Empire Cafe

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1732 Westheimer Houston, TX 77098

713-528-5282

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10 User reviews Write A Review

Houston Press
Recommended

Cuisine(s): Breakfast, Cafe, New American

Hours: Sun-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7:30am-11pm

Price: $, $$

Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards
Attire: Casual

Features: Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Takeout, Private Party, Catering

Serving: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch

Entertainment: Live Entertainment
Reservations: Accepted, Not Necessary

Parking: Lot Available

Description

This place is the overnight epicenter of Inner Loop hipness. In a swell, saffron-hued room right out of L.A., Houston's chattering class congregates for cafe latte, killer handmade layer cakes, verdant focaccia sandwiches and baby pizzas (try the lush mushroom-and-pesto). Baked egg frittatas may sing the dry-texture blues, but hunter's-style eggs make a breakfast worth getting up for.

Vote for Houston's Worst Barbecue; We'll Do the Dirty Work of Eating It

By Katharine Shilcutt | Fri, March 9, 2012

On Monday, we asked our readers to tell us where they've found the worst barbecue in Houston. Rubbery ribs, dry brisket, shriveled-up sausage: We want to know where the truly bad stuff is, so as to be... More »
Yoga Fuel: $5 Bowl of Oatmeal at Empire Cafe

By Christina Uticone | Thu, July 7, 2011

There is something about expensive oatmeal that just makes me cranky. Even steel-cut oats are relatively cheap -- and rolled oats are practically free -- so when I pay $5 for a bowl of oatmeal, no mat... More »
On the Menu: Pesto Chicken at Empire Cafe

By Kristen Majewski | Tue, April 5, 2011

I have long adored the relaxing sanctuary that is the patio at Empire Cafe. I have been there more times than I can count, and I always get a latte and an omelet or sandwich. Since I am leaving Houst... More »
Smoot Operator

By Margaret L. Briggs | Thu, May 06, 1999

It's funny how little it takes to fan a spark of restaurant gossip into a full-blown rumor fest. The latest contretemps started with the removal of the international gallery of Rubenesque beauties from the walls of the Empire Cafe last month. ... More »
Hot Plate

By Eric Lawlor | Thu, February 12, 1998

Don't you love those paintings in the Empire Cafe? They're satirizing something. But what? Rubens's odalisques? Pornography? The female form? It's downright unsettling. Which may explain my passion for the portobello mushroom sandwich. Nothing amb... More »
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Allisen Picos | Houston, TX | 112 Reviews

| Fri, December 18, 2009

Great place sit and catch up with friends over great food and coffee. The cakes and sweets are the best. Huge slices! Seating inside is limited, but on nice days the patio is where you want to be anyway!
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altru28 | Houston, TX | 9 Reviews

| Thu, October 7, 2010

Love the food here, and on a chilly day one of their Irish coffees really does the trick. TIP: Don't sit on the patio near the street if it's been raining...
Like (0) Dislike (0)

deandacatherine | Houston, TX | 24 Reviews

| Mon, November 15, 2010

Best breakfast I have had in a long time! Try the Italian toast with fresh berries or the fruit pancakes!!
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Main Menu

Starters

$6.50

Dips of the World
artichoke spinach, spicy marinara and black bean dips; served with baked pita chips.

$7.95

Mushroom Ripieno
baked portabella mushrooms stuffed with crabmeat and roasted peppers

$6.95

Peanut Grilled Chicken
tender chicken breast strips marinated in balsamic vinegar, peanut oil and crushed peanuts then char-grilled.

Paninis
Your Choice of Ciabatta Or Rustic Italian Bread, Sandwiches Served with Herb Roasted Potatoes. Half of Any Panini and Cup of Soup 7.95

Eggplant
roasted eggplant, caramelized onions, mixed greens, basil pecan pesto

Chicken
baked chicken, red onions, mixed greens and roasted sweet red pepper spread.

Turkey
marinated turkey breast, cucumbers, red onions, sundried tomato pesto.

Portabella
portabella mushrooms, roasted red & yellow peppers, mixed greens, and goat cheese.

Pizzas
Traditional Or Whole Wheat Crust.

$8.95

Margarita
roma tomatoes, olive oil, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil.

$10.95

Americano
italian sausage, pepperoni, red onions, mushrooms, mixed bell peppers, black olives, marinara sauce, mozzarella & parmesan cheese.

$10.95

Greek
fresh spinach, roma tomatoes, fresh garlic, black & green olives, marinara sauce, mozzarella & feta cheese.

$10.95

Nutty Chicken
grilled chicken, cashews, spinach, mushrooms, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

$10.95

Five Cheese
marinara sauce, mozzarella, feta, fontina, parmesan and cheddar cheese.

Soups & Salads

Cup $3.50
Bowl $4.50

Minestrone Soup
hearty italian vegetarian soup.

Cup $3.50
Bowl $4.50

Soup O'day
chef's choice

Small $3.50
Large $4.95

Mixed Green Salad
mixed greens, tomatoes and cucumbers choice of dressing.

$8.50

Pollo Insalata

$8.50

Chicken Pasta Salad
grilled chicken, penne pasta, broccoli, red onions, 8.95 roasted red peppers with creamy rosemary vinaigrette.

$8.50

Tortellini Salad
pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese; tossed with red & yellow peppers, black & green olives and toasted pecans in balsamic vinaigrette.

$7.25

Fresh Seasonal Fruit Platter
with yogurt and sugar roasted pecans.

$7.95

Spinach Salad
fresh spinach, gorgonzola cheese, toasted pecans and blueberries in a creamy barbecue dressing.

$6.50
With Sautéed Portabella & Crimini Mushrooms $7.75
With Grilled Chicken $8.95
With Grilled Shrimp, Roasted Corn and Roasted Red Peppers $9.95

Caesar Salad
crisp romaine, focaccia croutons and fresh parmesan cheese in a mild caesar dressing.

Choice of Dressings

Choice of Dressings
balsamic vinaigrette creamy scallion vinaigrette low fat french ranch, creamy rosemary vinaigrette creamy barbecue blue cheese caesar.

Pastas
Served with a Small Mixed Green Salad Or a Cup of Soup.

$10.75

Napoli
linguini with sautéed shrimp, onions & garlic in pecan sundried tomato cream sauce

$10.25

Rustica
penne with italian sausage, onions, garlic, spicy marinara and fresh basil.

$10.75

Postiano
angel hair with sautéed shrimp and sundried tomatoes in a lemon butter sauce.

$10.75

Fiorenza
fettuccine with grilled chicken and broccoli in a roasted garlic cream sauce.

$9.50

Milano
ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms and goat cheese; topped with a light marinara sauce.

$9.50

Corsica
fettuccine with crimini mushrooms and roasted tomatoes in a light marinara sauce; topped with goat cheese and fresh basil.s

Entrees
Add a Small Mixed Green Salad Or a Cup of Soup for 1.75.

$10.95

Chicken Parmigiana
sautéed italian breaded chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese; served with penne marinara and our vegetable of the day.

$9.95

Eggplant Parmigiana
sautéed italian breaded eggplant topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese; served with penne marinara and our vegetable of the day.

$10.95

Sautéed Italian Breaded Eggplant Topped with Marinara Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese; Served with Penne Marinara and Our Vegetable of the Day.
sautéed chicken breast, grilled ham and provolone cheese served on garlic creamed spinach; served with herb roasted potatoes and our vegetable of the day .

$9.95

Vegetable Griglia
chef’s selection of seasonal grilled vegetables; served with herb roasted potatoes.

$10.95

Chicken Roulade
stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and fontina cheese; topped with a white wine cream sauce; served with herb roasted potatoes and our vegetable of the day.

Desserts

$5.95

Slice of Cake

$1.75

Looking for another city?

Empire Cafe

1732 Westheimer Houston, TX 77098

713-528-5282

Description

Vote for Houston's Worst Barbecue; We'll Do the Dirty Work of Eating It

By Katharine Shilcutt | Fri, March 9, 2012

Yoga Fuel: $5 Bowl of Oatmeal at Empire Cafe

By Christina Uticone | Thu, July 7, 2011

On the Menu: Pesto Chicken at Empire Cafe

By Kristen Majewski | Tue, April 5, 2011

Smoot Operator

By Margaret L. Briggs | Thu, May 06, 1999

Hot Plate

By Eric Lawlor | Thu, February 12, 1998

Allisen Picos | Houston, TX | 112 Reviews

altru28 | Houston, TX | 9 Reviews

deandacatherine | Houston, TX | 24 Reviews

People Who Like Empire Cafe