We are often asked...what is your favorite restaurant in Katy...or which is the best restaurant in Katy. Either way the answer is going to depend on what type of cooking or cuisine you enjoy best. For the purpose of this post we are focusing on which restaurant is the best (and by this definition we mean fine dining) in terms of food, atmosphere, wine list, etc...

We have had some new entrants recently in this category and we are still awaiting the opening of Perry's Steak House however based on the writing of this post the finest dining experience in Katy can be had at Bistro 829.

Bistro 829 is open for both lunch and dinner with an eclectic mix of steaks, pastas, salads, seafood, and Appetizers. It is hard to pinpoint a specialty because I have yet to have a bad meal at this restaurant. Bistro 829 has also designed it's seating to give the feel of a small intimate restaurant while still maintaining medium sized private rooms that allow you to book a party or gathering. The wine list is quite extensive and Bistro 829 offers wine dinner nights at very reasonable prices.

Bistro 829 is a restaurant we can recommend to you for anything from an intimate dinner date to a small gathering of friends or family...and they never fail to impress.

Bistro 829 is located on the east side of Mason Rd about one mile south of I-10. It is in the back of a strip mall...so it is easy to miss...but try hard not to miss it!

The website for Bistro 829 is http://www.bistro829.com/

For Reservations Call: 281-646-0829

Not to be confused with Windsor Park Lakes (a luxury community of Spanish flavored homes surrounding man made lakes) Windsor Park Estates seems a world away from the California/Florida inspired lakes section.

The Estate section combines large stunning homes with big lots and custom touches...in fact every home in Windsor Park Estates is a custom built home. Windsor Park Estates has two distinct sections, to the south are the smaller homes and lots (if you feel 3500 to 5000 sqft is smaller). The lots range in size from about 1/4 acre to 1/3 acre. The north section has home from over 4000 sqft to around 8000 sqft and sit on 1/2 acre to around 1 acre lots. The lots have large trees, many with circular driveways, and the homes are not cookie cutter no personality houses.

The mailing address for Windsor Park Estates is West Houston....this is because it is the section of Katy closest to the Houston Energy Corridor. This makes for exceptional commute times while still enjoying all that Katy has to offer.

Windsor Park Estates is located in the award winning KatyISD school district. I is close to multiple area hospitals, shopping, the LaCenterra Mall and Katy Mills Mall, I-10, and the new Westpark Tollway.

Prices in Windsor Park Estates range from about $400,000 to over $1 million.

For information on Windsor Park Estates or any of our other fine Katy area Subdivisions or Master Planned Communities go to www.KatyHomeFinder.com or call us at 281-492-5916.

Mona and Jeff can also be reached by e-mail at jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

Spalato Gelateria is the new Gelato restaurant in the Villagio Town Center on the corner of Peek Rd and Westheimer Pkwy in Katy Texas. We felt the need to try out this new Italian ice cream store so we could report it to our readers :)

Although this is not the only Gelato place in Katy...it will now be the only one we go to. The Gelato was wonderful, the owners greeted us and gave us a little info on their new place...nice people, and they even have a nice lunch menu if you need a fast bite. The European Coffee offerings are also quite good.

Anthony (our 7 year old) loved the place and said it was the best ice cream in Katy.

We have to agree.

Katy Texas and Cinco Ranch have a new Greek Restaurant...and it is called Santorini (after the beautiful island paradise in Greece). The restaurant is located in the Villagio Retail Center on the corner of Westheimer Parkway and Peek Rd in the heart of Cinco Ranch. The best place to park for this restaurant is either around the back or in the parking garage.

Mona, Anthony, and I went on a weeknight to Santorini and we found the restaurant to be quite clean although a few more decorations and atmosphere would help. This is a counter style restaurant...no wait staff (except to bring your food to the table).

We started with an order of fried Calamari...it was quite good and the sauce was very good as well. We also suggest you order the Humus with pita bread. Mona had a Souviaki Beef Plate (they do not offer lamb) and I had the Gyro me Pita Bread. Both were very good, well cooked and a nice sized portion.

Santorini offers a kids menu (smart move in Katy), wonderful Greek desserts, and even beer and wine. If I can convince the owners to offer lamb gyro's and Mousaka (my favorite eggplant dish) Santorini could become a family favorite!

For more info about Santorini or any other restaurants in Katy texas please e-mail jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com or call 281-492-5916

You can also find more info on Katy at our website: www.KatyHomeFinder.com

LifeTime Fitness in Cinco Ranch will be holding a Triathlon on February 22, 2009. The event will be open to both member ($35 fee) and non-members ($40 fee) of the club.

 Here is a link for you to register for the event: http://www.lifetimefitness.com/events/indoor-tri/index.cfm

Mona will be participating in this years event...and I will be cheering her on!!

the event is made up of swimming, biking, and running. You will be timed in all and know what you standing are versus other participants in your age group.

If you would like more info on this or other Katy area events e-mail Team DiMuria at jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

or call us at 281-492-5916

You can also find more Katy info on our website: www.KatyHomeFinder.com

With all the uncertainty about the economy and jobs, it would be refreshing to find a community that would be at least partially immune to many of the down turns in our daily lives.

That community exists in Katy Texas...it is known as Cinco Ranch!

Cinco Ranch is a large Master Planned Community that is a short drive from the Houston Energy Corridor via I-10, Downtown Houston Via I-10, and the Galleria Area via the new Westpark Tollway (a commuter only road that requires a Texas EZ Tag). These short commutes are part of the reason Cinco Ranch is so hot. The five area hospitals (either completed or under construction) have many medical facilities and jobs opening in Cinco Ranch...and has Katy being dubbed Med Center West! You will certainly not need to drive far to find a doctor, dentist, or specialist.

The community was laid out to please your senses...not offend them. The developer left a large percentage of the land for parks (lots of them), recreation (eight area pools, tennis, golf, etc...), and green space. The beautiful lakes that are scattered through Cinco Ranch allow fishing and some allow small recreational boats.

When driving through Cinco Ranch you will notice the commercial and residential areas seamlessly exist in large part because of the unrivaled master plan....you will not see a 200 foot sign screaming out...our business is here. All signs conform to Cinco Ranch code and must be approved by the Cinco Association. The new LaCenterra Mall and Villagio Retail Center offer wonderful shopping options. They were both built to fit into the landscape instead of dominating it.

Main roads in Cinco Ranch are tree lined and bordered with brick fencing. The signiture Crepe Myrtle trees line many of these streets and bloom in the spring bursting with exotic colors.

Prices for re-sale homes in Cinco Ranch run from about $135,000 to well over $1 million. New homes in Cinco Ranch run from just under $200,000 to well over $1 million. The prices and neighborhoods allow for every level of buyer to carve out their piece of this almost perfect community.

For More info on Cinco Ranch and all Katy communities contact the Katy area experts Team DiMuria at www.KatyHomeFinder.com or jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

We can also be reached by phone at 281-492-5916

With all the uncertainty about the economy and jobs, it would be refreshing to find a community that would be at least partially immune to many of the down turns in our daily lives.

That community exists in Katy Texas...it is known as Cinco Ranch!

Cinco Ranch is a large Master Planned Community that is a short drive from the Houston Energy Corridor via I-10, Downtown Houston Via I-10, and the Galleria Area via the new Westpark Tollway (a commuter only road that requires a Texas EZ Tag). These short commutes are part of the reason Cinco Ranch is so hot. The five area hospitals (either completed or under construction) have many medical facilities and jobs opening in Cinco Ranch...and has Katy being dubbed Med Center West! You will certainly not need to drive far to find a doctor, dentist, or specialist.

The community was laid out to please your senses...not offend them. The developer left a large percentage of the land for parks (lots of them), recreation (eight area pools, tennis, golf, etc...), and green space. The beautiful lakes that are scattered through Cinco Ranch allow fishing and some allow small recreational boats.

When driving through Cinco Ranch you will notice the commercial and residential areas seamlessly exist in large part because of the unrivaled master plan....you will not see a 200 foot sign screaming out...our business is here. All signs conform to Cinco Ranch code and must be approved by the Cinco Association. The new LaCenterra Mall and Villagio Retail Center offer wonderful shopping options. They were both built to fit into the landscape instead of dominating it.

Main roads in Cinco Ranch are tree lined and bordered with brick fencing. The signiture Crepe Myrtle trees line many of these streets and bloom in the spring bursting with exotic colors.

Prices for re-sale homes in Cinco Ranch run from about $135,000 to well over $1 million. New homes in Cinco Ranch run from just under $200,000 to well over $1 million. The prices and neighborhoods allow for every level of buyer to carve out their piece of this almost perfect community.

For More info on Cinco Ranch and all Katy communities contact the Katy area experts Team DiMuria at www.KatyHomeFinder.com or jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com

We can also be reached by phone at 281-492-5916

The Willowfork Volunteer Fire Department will have a cadet class on February 3rd. The class will end on May 16th. The class is one to two nights per week from 6-10pm as well as two Saturdays.

The training will include hands on instruction as well as classroom instruction. The volunteers will also have an eight hour class at a fire training field. When recruits complete the class they will become part of a fire service in one of Fort Bend's rapidly growing communities and be part of the Fort Bend County Emergency Services District #2.

Form additional info on becoming a Fort Bend Voluneer Fire Fighter:

Get in touch with Fire Chief Billy Wilson: 281-395-0011 or willowforkchief@yahoo.com

or Get in touch with George Velasquez: 832-455-5508 or gvelasquez97@yahoo.com

For those of you thinking of moving to Katy Texas and looking for an upscale secure subdivision that offers the best of everything...you have found it...and its called LakeForest!

LakeForest is part of the planned community of Kelliwood and is a beautiful subdivision section that offers a 24 hour manned gate, amenities like pool, clubhouse, tennis, lakes, large lots ranging from just under 3/4 of an acre to well over 2 acres, and some of the most beautiful custom home estates available in the Houston Metro area.

Homes in LakeForest range from around 5000 sqft up 10,000 sqft and from just under $1,000,000  to well over 2 million. A few lots are still available for building your custom dream home!

LakeForest is located on Fry Rd about two miles south of I-10. It is convenientlylocated just minutes from the Houston Energy Corridor. The community backs to George Bush Park and reserve land so your private community oasis awaits! The Willow Fork Country Club is just around the corner from this prestigious community with both social and golf memberships available. It is a beautiful facility that can accommodate weddings, parties, and any special occasion.

If you would like more information on LakeForest or any of our many fine Katy area subdivisions and master planned communities please contact Jeffrey and Mona DiMuria at 832-687-0706. You can find us on the web at www.KatyHomeFinder.com or e-mail us at jeffreydimuria@garygreene.com