Empire Coffee   

Empire Cafe is the sweetest cafe in Houston in part because, though they only serve one type of house blend coffee, they serve it with complimentary butter cookies. On top of that, Empire's cozy urban decor features spiny, star-like lamps and large portrait paintings of circa 1950s pin-up beauties. The front patio, covered and fanned, faces the Westheimer strip, while the back patio is more secluded. Empire opens early for breakfast and serves omelets all day. The lunch and dinner menus offer pizzas and dishes such as Pasta Napoli (linguini with sauteed shrimp) and Pasta Rustica (penne with Italian sausage and spicy marinara). Try a fresh baked focaccia turkey panini (with cucumbers and sun dried tomato pesto) or a portabella mushroom panini (with roasted red and yellow peppers, mixed greens and goat cheese). Save room, because Empire is perhaps best known for its homemade cakes, including the diabolically delicious Tollhouse Crunch. Enjoy a slice with a coffee cordial such as the Cafe Empire (Bailey's, Frangelico, Kahlua, double espresso, steamed milk and real whipped cream) or a Cherry Mocha (chocolate liqueur, cherry brandy, mocha, espresso, steamed milk and heavy cream). Monday is half-price cake night. -- Chase Hamblin