The warm and inviting Oporto Fooding House & Wine was a brilliant backdrop for dinner on a dreary day in Houston as my friends and I braved the rain in search of a meal that would suit our mixed group of vegetarians and meat-lovers. We decided Oporto not only because of its cozy ambiance, but for its tapas-style menu and wildly flavorful dishes.

Open daily—including Mondays—Oporto offers guests a large variety of distinct, Portuguese-inspired dishes at lunch, dinner and happy hour. From bar snacks to cheese boards, pizzettes to petiscos (that's the Portuguese version of tapas), the abundant selection for vegetarians is not the only reason to venture inside. Craft cocktails, beers, ciders and a long list of Spanish wines specially chosen to pair with the food are excellent accompaniments to your meal.

For those celebrating another Meatless Monday, Oporto offers vegetarian options just as hearty as its seafood and steak dishes (and they're all helpfully marked on the menu with a big V). The queijo de cabra, a baked goat cheese starter with walnuts and tomato basil, is a popular choice for sharing, with a perfect balance between ingredients that makes it a crowd-pleaser. The oportobello, a portobello mushroom loaded with spinach and artichoke dip, is another favorite.

As dishes come out as they are ready, and items are served family-style (for the most part), vegetarians at the table can put in an order of pimentas (blistered shishito peppers with garlic aioli), the insanely delicious batatas (smashed fingerling potatoes with sweet and spicy chutney), a hummus duo, a colorful plate of charred veggies and even a vegetarian pizzette, all without feeling a single drop of FOMO (fear of missing out).

Oporto Fooding House & Wine, 125 W. Gray, Ste. 500, 713-528-0115, oportomidtown.us

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