Houston favorite Thai Gourmet, opened in 1995, is surrounded by lush foliage. The decor is simple, in favor of the restaurant’s true focus: its enticing curries and stir-fried noodles. At lunch, opt for the tangy, nutty pad thai accompanied by a house salad, steamed rice, and a spring roll. For dinner, the garlic okra is an absolute must, and the pineapple curry shrimp is delightful. But beware: Thai Gourmet does not take spice levels lightly. Medium should suffice.