Best Places In Houston

Looking for a great hair stylist can be a real chore. A few bad placed snips and you might end up hiding your head in a cap for a real long time. A great salon in the Greenway/upper Kirby area that is very well reviewed is SOK Salon on Kirby. This salon also offers some before and after photos as well. If your looking for a salon in the Montrose section of Houston, may I suggest another well received salon in Houston:  Cut Loose . People really enjoy the atmosphere and love the menu at this establishment. Looking for hair extensions?  You might want to contact a salon that specializes, such as Hair Xpressions Salon  in the Westchase area  near Fondren and Westheimer. Looking for an upscale salon that won't kill your pocketbook? Try a highly rated salon such as  David Etc , located in the Heights. They even have a price list on their website .  I hope you find this listing helpful. Do you have a favorite Salon? Let us know about it.

Looking for a great nail salon in Houston?  The Upper Hand River Oaks was a 2010 pick for citysearch. Bora Bora Nail Salon in Memorial also got some stellar reviews. Another highly regarded nail salon in the Montrose area is Blue Mambo . If you are in the Galleria and looking for a decently priced nail salon checkout Paris Salon and Spa .If you know of a great nail salon in Houston feel free to share your experiences.

Dentistry can get pretty expensive. From braces to deep cleaning to crowns. Dental work is not cheap even with insurance! The question becomes: where can I get quality dentistry at a price I can afford? I have dental insurance and have gone to a few dentists and after getting the bill my teeth were not the only thing that was hurting. Someone mentioned going to the Dental School in Houston but I didn't feel like being some dentists guinea pig. I spoke to a neighbor who was in the UT Health School of Dentistry and he explained that the professors were around to check all the work and they would have 30 + yrs experience. I decided to give it a try and my wallet thanked me. You should expect things to take a bit longer as paperwork needs to be filled out and their work needs to be looked over. It is time well spent in my opinion as even after most insurance your cost will be 40-60% less. If you are having some major dentistry work you could be saving thousands of dollars. To apply

Looking for blinds or shades for your home? Sure you can go to Lowes or Home Depot or your local shop.The truth is, in Houston the best place to go for blinds is online at Blinds.com . Although located in Houston, they are not a store but an online retailer. Therefore shipping time should be about 1-2 days till you get what you want. They even offer free samples! Their prices are more competitive than the big stores and their customer service is simply fabulous. They even have a guarantee that your blinds will fit (aka sure-fit guarantee). This is one website you must checkout. If you have not seen their latest youtube video commercials you must check them out: click here

Which bike shop is best for you may depend on your needs and expectations. If you are a more serious cyclist or would like to become one, then Daniel Boone Cycles may very well be the place for you. These bikes are certainly not going to be cheap but their staff should be quite knowledgeable and they offer great services. Looking for something less expensive?  Planetary Cycles may be the place for you. They are a smaller store so if  a few people come in at once, be prepared to wait.  If you are the outdoorsy type who loves cycling then REI is the place for you. This is one of the better reviewed stores I've seen and people seem to really love their return policy and service. They do have sales and a membership that can get you a 10% back but it's not cheap.  Another well reviewed bike store that offers fairly competitive pricing is West End Cycles . They offer a nice selection from entry level to higher end bikes. If you have a favorite bike store in Houston, let us know

If you are are in need of physical therapy in Houston , look no further than Dr. Abraham Lieberman PT, DPT of STAR physical therapy. Abraham Lieberman is not just a PT but a Doctor of Physical Therapy which means he has a vast knowledge and knowhow to both treat and diagnose many different disorders . His office is located in the heart of Houston and is available by appointment only.  You can reach him at  1-855-713-7827  or on the web @  http://www.bellairept.com .

The summer is in full swing which means things get pretty hot! Where to go becomes a question many parents grapple with. Here are a few suggestions: 1) Discovery Green: They have a large sprinkler system and fun thing for kids to do and it's free. You can also check out the various parks and see if they have any events going on. 2) Stomping Grounds : Too hot to go outside? Take the kids for some indoor fun and a caffeine boost. 3) Malls: Galleria Mall has some activity centers inside for children and there are ice cream and candy shops.Check out the Build-A-Bear Workshop, a neat place where kids can choose, stuff, and dress custom stuffed animals. The Candy Bar is your source for all things sweet plus fun retro bath and body products that smell like their candy namesakes. Don’t miss the skating rink, which was actually the training home of Olympic star Tara Lipinski. 4) Children's Museum : Rated the #1 Children's Museuem by MSN.com but caution: it is often

It seems like finding a great dry cleaners in Houston is easier said then done. Many have complaints of losing customers clothes or burning them are not unusual. Personally I hate the fact that many press my suit lapels straights down. The better reviewed dry cleaners can be found here: Eagle Express Dry Cleaners , Cindy's Cleaners , Linda's Alterations & Cleaners , Prism Cleaners . They seem to be the best dry cleaners we could find. Do you have a favorite? Let us know!

There are many merchant service and credit card processors in Houston  for a business to choose from. Very few however will advertise: No Contracts, No Monthly Minimums,  No Termination or Set Up fees.( Most companies don't want you to realize how much you are really paying and the contracts will lock you into a 3 yr. commitment ). One of the exceptions to this rule is Prestige Merchant Services . Located right here in Houston, they are committed to giving companies fair and honest pricing on their merchant accounts. The credit card processing industry can be very tricky and few really understand it. That's why Prestige has launched their very own credit card processing blog   in which to educate businesses about merchant services and it's pitfalls. Most businesses don't even realize how much they overpay on their credit card processing as merchant statements are very difficult to understand (there is a reason for that). Prestige offers a free merchant statement anal

Here is a list of a few of the best reviewed parks in Houston:  Hermann Park : Listed as #1 on many website reviews because it offers everything from the zoo to an outdoor theater, a Japanese garden and a golf course. Visitors can enjoy a picnic under the pines, ride the miniature train, rent paddle boats, or simply stroll about and enjoy the scenery. Plus, Houston Museum of Natural Science is within walking distance, as is the Medical Center. Hermann Park is also home to a children's playground, a lovely reflection pool, and a jogging and exercise trail. Discovery Green : Great park with a  great sprinkler and waterfall system. There are free concerts going on and you can rent and race remote control boats. Memorial Park : Memorial Park, a municipal park in Houston, Texas, is one of the largest urban parks in the United States.If you like walking, running or biking this is the park for you. Houston Arboretum : Is a great place to get away from it all as well as a place to tak

A good dentist can be hard to find. You have to trust that the information being given is accurate and the solutions being provided are correct and in your best interest. Some of the best reviewed Dentists in Houston are: Urban Dental , Jessica Meyers , Kathy Frazer DDS , Midtown Dentistry , Dr. GregCarrol DDS , Dr. Ronald Konig DDS . Do you have a favorite dentist? Let us know and why.

My favorite natural or organic store is Whole Foods. They offer a large array of products and the prices are usually better for many organic products than other retailers. I was surprised to find one location that offered baby sitting services free of charge. Simply drop of your little one while you shop! Whole Foods also carries a large selection of kosher products from non-dairy ice cream to their very own kosher chicken broth .

If you are looking for the best Audiologist in Houston look no further than the Center for Audiology . The Center for Audiology is  the premier provider of hearing health care and your source for hearing aids in Houston .  Dr. Nagel is a true and caring professional who tests hearing for people of all ages.  She is great with kids too! If you need a hearing aid or fitting there is no place I could  recommend more. Once you go you will understand why.

The best place in Houston for Ice Cream happens to be kosher ( please ask behind the counter for the kosher flavor book some flavors are not kosher certified) as well: Yougurtland . Granted it's not ice cream but it tastes awesome and has no fat! I have tried all the major brands i.e. Baskin Robbins, ColdStone (in NY), Haggen Daaz. This place is my current favorite, as it has many great flavors that actually taste like the name (try double cookies and cream, it actually tastes like biting into an oreo). It is also self-serve and the price is right: 30 cents an ounce! There are no shortage of toppings both healthy (bannana, mango etc.) or candy and syrups.Check it out, you won't be disappointed. 

Finding the best music store might have a bit to do with the instrument in question. If you are looking for a guitar, I hear Fullers Vintage Guitars is a great place to check out. They offer a great selection and pricing but have better customer service perhaps than big chains like Guitar Center . Guitar center is a great place to shop because they have the  largest selection of instruments and music gear. Other well reviewed guitar music stores include  Infinity Guitars , Great Southern Music  and  Texas Music Emporium . If you don't need your equipment quickly, it's always a  good idea to check prices on Amazon as you can get great deals and save on tax. Another well reviewed music store is  Evan's Music City  .They have a nice selection of various instruments and equipment. If you are in the market for a piano some  piano stores are Houston Piano Co and Sherman Clay .Here are tips on buying a piano .

Motherhood Maternity  and A Pea in a Pod  are some of the more well known chain stores that offer quality maternity wear. There are sales  and sale racks were bargains can be had. Other popular and well reviewed maternity stores are  NINE Maternity , Pickles and Ice Cream  and Kick Maternity  to name a few. Do you have a favorite store? Let us know about it.

There are currently only 2 places for pizza in Houston. Saba's and Aroma Pizza Cafe . Saba's took a bit of a beating in the beginning when Aroma opened it's doors with better pizza (at least I think so) at a lower price ( you can get a slice for only $1.49 if you choose) and much nicer ambiance. Aroma has a great line of desserts that are truly excellent as well as fresh, well made salads. Saba's does have very good sushi a few days a week and does serve excellent falafel, something Aroma does not offer at all.The best Non-Kosher pizza seems to be Spanky's  and Star Pizza .

I think that Amazon is the best place to shop for electronics. However, you may need a last minute item or you can't wait for it to be shipped. In that case it begs the question :what are the best electronic stores in Houston.The best reviewed Best Buy location is in West Oak but most people think it's pretty lousy. Fry's electronics is a much better reviewed store and I've been there a few times and the people are fairly nice and helpful. For computer equipment you might want to check out Micro Center but always stay clear of extended warranties.A good place for bargains on computer parts is Electronic Parts Outlet . When it comes to buying applicances the best thing is first to find the best reviewed model .Then shop around the big stores i.e. Sears, Lowes, Home Depot. Sears is a great bet when they have their big sales. Always do your homework and figure out if an extended warranty makes sense .

Many people in Houston like the Menswearhouse and currently they do offer some great deals currently with buy one get one for $100. Great deals can also be had at Syms Bash, Macy's  and  Jos A Banks during  crazy sales and some also preferring K&G or SuitMart . You can also try your luck at Marshall's and TJ Maxx  but you have to be real lucky to find what you want. Makes me think that one of the best places to look for a great deal on a name brand suit is ebay  although you certainly can't try them on first. If you have a place that offers crazy deals on quality suits please share it with us!

Houston is home to many great museums . Not all are good for children and not all are inexpensive. Personally I find the Children's museum  annoying as it is very often packed with people and makes you feel like you are inside a sardine can (not that cheap either).A diamond in the rough is the art museum which has a free Sunday  at the beginning of every month sponsored by Target . I went there and we had a blast! They had adorable fold-able canvas chairs for the children and pencils and clipboard to look at the paintings and draw to their hearts content. There was a movie for children and even free lemonade (checked the powder they were using-Kosher!). Later they had a singer come in and he did storytelling combined with old folk songs that was excellent. Another great spot is  Discovery Green Park   with their water fountain and playground and Hermann Park with their pedal boats, trails and fishing

For most Houston residents when asked "where are the best kosher bagels in Houston"? The answer is almost always the same: NY Bagels . Looking for great cream cheese without paying a fortune? Check out Randalls assortment of cream cheeses from Lucerne. They are top quality, a fraction of the cost of the bagel stores and come in great flavors! They even come in small one use sizes as pictured.

The best pizza sauce is without question is Don Pepino . It has a new pop top can for easy opening. The crush tomatoes and seasonings make it a perfect sauce for pizza that can't be beat. The only place I have found it in Houston is Kroger  in the Kosher aisle.

City Search has listed the best Gyms in Houston . However if you don't feel like paying a lot of money (costco has a 3 yr membership you can purchase at a great price too) a great gym is 24 hr fitness. They have many locations so if you move around or there is one near your house or work, it is very convenient. Out of all the locations, the midtown location  seems to have the best reviews and is the one of the newer buildings along with the Galleria location . My favorite location is the Westheimer locatio n off the beltway. It is almost never crowded and has towel service and  kid club hours on Sunday. It may not have the newer look or big TV's but I don't really care. I found that wearing a heart rate monitor allows me to get the most out of my workout by utilizing the Tanka formula for fat burning and just general calorie burning. Here is the one I use that has been rated the best in it's category:  UPDATE: Many new gyms have hit Houston. One inexpensive gy

In Houston we have 4 main grocery stores that sell kosher food items:  Kroger ,  Randalls ,  HEB  and  Beldens . Costco  also sells large quantity  kosher food items at low prices. Kroger has a full service kosher Bakery, Deli and Fish (Sushi) department. Randalls has all of this as well but sells other items hot such as burgers for only $4. HEB sells packaged meats and packaged bakery goods. Belden's has a kosher meat department but no kosher fish department. Best Fish Department:  Kroger  . Although Randalls has a nice Fish dept. you seem to  find a greater assortment of kosher fish at Kroger (at least I have). Best Meat Department:  Randalls : Cuts are better than  Kroger  and although Belden's might have even better ones they are  more expensive. Best Wine Department:  Belden's:  I believe they have the largest selection and the runner up is  HEB Best Bakery Department:  Randalls:  bakery goods are always fresh and they

The point of this blog, will be to let everyone know about the very best places for a variety of services and products within Houston, TX. Feel free to email you suggestions to musicperson75[at] gmail.com. Let the fun begin!