Vida is located in River Oaks, near the world's best Target (seriously, I love it). The decor is beautiful: jewel tone walls, nude art, and an absolutely gorgeous bar. This is the "sexy" part in "sexy Tex-Mex."
We started with very good/strong margaritas. Us ladies got orchids in ours. Gimmick? Yes. Pretty? Yes.
Our queso, though free, was bland, but my tempura shrimp tacos were very good. The shrimp was crispy and not at all greasy, and served with a nice cool slaw and a cute little mound of brown rice. Pretty to look at too.
The most remarkable thing about Vida is how low the prices are. My tacos were $14, and I got a LOT of very good food in a very nice setting for that money.
So let's see ... beautiful decor, friendly staff, good food, low prices ... and yet Vida was practically empty. It was a Saturday night and only 4 other tables were occupied. I don't get it.
Please, please eat at Vida. I do NOT want to see this place go under. There are plenty of places to get good Tex Mex in Houston, and plenty of places to get upscale Spanish food in Houston, but Vida is filling a unique need: upscale Tex Mex. And they're filling it well. GO!
