Overall, the impression is accurate, but I know so much about the topic, I have to add my two cents to this article about Houston just published in the NY Times travel section. I'm going to post this without links to the places I mention, but I will add them later.

NY Times: 36 Hours in Houston, 2010-May-9 by Denny Lee

…in recent years, this Texas megalopolis has been inching back to its urban core. Cool art galleries have sprung up in once blighted neighborhoods. Midcentury modern buildings have been saved and restored. And former factories have been turned into buzzing restaurants and bars. Yes, oil money still reigns supreme, but it now competes with culture.

1. "Park it downtown" is valuable AFTER you've checked in (Discovery Green park and The Grove restaurant are the best), but he skips over how to get there. The drive from the airport to downtown Houston can be extraordinarily ugly for visitors. If you plan your stay in a non-downtown hotel, such as the Hotel Zaza (which he does recommend) or The Houstonian, your arrival in Houston will be much more pleasant.

2. "Gulf of the Tex-Mex" is sharp. I think Caswell should get even more credit for locating Reef in an old car dealership, since Houston is so fascinated with cars.

3. "Slice of Austin" strikes a nerve as a title, but he's talking about funky bars, and we got 'em, too. So point is taken.

4. "Drilling for Art" does not cover MY choice of art galleries, but it's respectable. He's right about the Menil–it's the 'must-do' museum for sophisticated travellers. We have some really great gallery clusters at Gallery Row, and now in downtown that he overlooks.

5. "Global Grills" is very insightful, but if I have to step over tourists at Pizzitola's, I'm going to be pissed.

6. "Pottery to Pinball" is PERFECT item. Agree, agree, agree.

7. "Southwestern Redux" is the proper recognition for one of the founders of Houston's culinary ascent–Robert Del Grande.

8. "Two Dives" I agree about Max's Wine Dive, but Marfreless?! Yes, it's a dive, but I can't imagine it's one that tourists would enjoy. Don't put your hand down on those sofas.

9. "Bottomless Mimosas" It's all about surfing the trends. This guy proves he's plugged in.

10. "Modernist Drive-By" is a fresh way to present Houston architecture. I like it.

11. "Glass Houses" is superb. YEAH!! He should have mentioned all the Surls sculpture scattered around campus right now.

12. I can't believe he recommend Aloft chain instead of native Houstonian Hotel, but he must have been looking for an economical recommendation. Oddly enough, the highest value hotels are downtown: Magnolia, Lancaster, Alden and Club Quarters are all great places to stay if you want to keep expenses down. Galleria area is fun, but it's all about shopping and luxury meals. If you need to be economical in the Galleria, check out the Hotel Derek.

Finally, I have to pitch the Modern B&B. It's charming and homey and you can walk to the Menil Collection.