Foodie fever in Houston is at an all-time high, with new restaurants opening each week and local chefs gaining national recognition for dynamic fare, and among the don't-miss dining destinations is GreenStreet. This downtown mixed-use destination is surrounded by office buildings and high-rise apartments, and is just blocks from Discovery Green and the George R. Brown Convention Center. For downtown employees, residents and visitors alike, it's easy to turn rush hour into happy hour at GreenStreet — great deals at great prices are just a short walk or a METRO stop away.

Guadalajara del Centro offers happy hour deals from 3 to 7 p.m. daily at its downtown Tex-Mex outpost. Think ceviche nachos, fried avocados, flautas and quesadillas for $5 each, along with $4 bottled beer, $5 house margaritas, $6 hand-crafted mojitos and $7 skinny-ritas and sangria.

For a Spanish spin on tapas, try Andalucia for $4 bites like chicken breast skewers, empanadillas and fried calamari, and affordable wine flights daily from 3 to 7 p.m.

Dine at Mia Bella Trattoria from Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. to get half off appetizers from the dinner menu. Antipasti plates like gnocchi, strudel, risotto and bruschetta cost less than $7 each at this relaxed Italian eatery, and on Tuesdays, Mia Bella offers 20 to 50 percent off of bottles of wine.

Enjoy happy hour every day from 4 to 7 p.m. at III Forks Steakhouse, where $5 martinis pair perfectly with affordable appetizers like Kobe beef sliders, bleu cheese beef croustades and ahi tuna. Or stop by McCormick & Schmick's from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday for bargains on beer, wine and cocktails and a happy hour menu that puts the restaurant's surf and turf specials in the forefront.

Crossroads Restaurant and Bar at the House of Blues showcases American and international dishes created by celebrity chef Aarón Sánchez. Happy hour offerings include pulled pork sliders, street tacos with blackened chicken or char-grilled citrus marinated steak, chicken wings, loaded cheese fries and much more. Enjoy these mouthwatering menu items — plus specials on domestic and import beers, house wine and call cocktails — from 4 to 7 p.m. every day of the week.

For fine dining, check out the venerable music venue's Foundation Room, perfect for a business dinner or a romantic night on the town. House of Blues' hidden gem is participating in Houston Restaurant Weeks with a rich three-course menu through September 1. Prix fixe options include steak tartare, cauliflower tempura, grilled pork chops, roasted chicken and fresh market fish in meuniére sauce with spinach and artichoke.

If you're seeking upscale after-hours entertainment on Wednesday through Saturday, look no further than Pete's Dueling Piano Bar for showtime tunes and signature schooners. Pete's newest cocktail, the All Nighter, is aptly named: Pinnacle Berry Vodka, Blueberry Red Bull Special Edition, 7-Up, Angostura bitters and lemon will cure any nine-to-five blues.

Cut your commute while hitting the lanes at Lucky Strike. Weekday drink specials include $3 Bud Light drafts, $4 premium drafts, $5 house wines and $6 Lucky Shots from 3 to 7 p.m. Stick around for starters like Soft Pretzel Dippers and Momma's Mac N Cheese, customizable to your taste with toppings like truffle oil, avocado, bacon, chicken and slow-braised short rib; or opt for one of Lucky Strike's signature burgers, each served on a toasted brioche bun with a side of crisp, house-made potato chips.

Happy hour deals this good are sure to keep you coming back for more.

III Forks offers $5 martinis and affordable appetizers.

GreenStreet

III Forks offers $5 martinis and affordable appetizers.

GreenStreet is abuzz with energy with locals and visitors flocking to the heart of downtown Houston in search of delicious dining, sophisticated entertainment, retail therapy and live music day and night.

Perhaps it's this rebranded urban destination's proximity to popular venues such as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green, Minute Maid Park, BBVA Compass Stadium, Toyota Center and Market Square Park, in addition to a convenient stop on the METRORail line, that has contributed to its revitalization.

In this adventure (watch the video above), we gallivant to a handful of GreenStreet vendors in search for insider intel.

We begin at Guadalajara Del Centro, a Tex-Mex restaurant where the quality of ingredients has made this eatery a hotspot for corporate clients at lunch time and for dining before and after sports events and concerts at nearby venues. With areas for large gatherings, intimate booths, two bars and a comfy lounge upstairs, this restaurant that's known for strong margaritas and enchiladas offers several dining options to enjoy its comprehensive menu.

"It's a large menu and there're many great items on the menu," general manager Ryan Johnston says. "We do a jalapeno shrimp and grits that is out of this world."

Another tip from Johnston? Always leave room for the red velvet tres leches.

A short walk from Guadalajara del Centro, on the second floor, is a sophisticated fashion boutique that caters to the needs of the modern woman who's looking for outfits that easily transition from professional to evening wear. BCBGMAXAZRIA designs combine classic features with edgy details such as zippers and leather trims to craft wearables that are fun and comfortable.

Floor manager Whitney Myckel is drawn to BCBGMAXAZRIA's accessories and statement pieces.

"By adding one of our statement necklaces, you can elevate any outfit to a completely different level," she says.

A stone's throw away from the BCBG boutique is Lucky Strike, a contemporary, posh entertainment venue that offers premium, state-of-the-art bowling, billiards, a made-from-scratch kitchen, specialty cocktails and craft beers — and there's something happening all the time.

Lucky Strike hosts happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. Lunch menus, offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., start as low as $5. A resident DJ ups the lounge's energy on Friday and Saturday nights. Bottomless bowling is available on Tuesdays from 9 p.m. until close for $15.

"My favorite item on the menu is the chipotle quesadilla,"general manager Luis Rabo says. "It's a warm tortilla filled with white cheddar, Oaxaca cheese and chipotle aioli. I like to top that with roasted chicken and our slow-braised short ribs."

No visit to GreenStreet is complete without stopping at the House of Blues for either good tunes or good grub. Whether you're in the mood for casual dining at Crossroads or fine cuisine at the Foundation Room, this five-year-old Houston institution has you covered. With 300 shows attended by 200,000 guests plus 400 special events that can range from fundraisers to corporate meetings yearly, House of Blues adds tuneful zest to GreenStreet while giving back to the community.

Membership fees for the Foundation Room benefit the House of Blues Foundation, the nonprofit arm that underwrites art and music programs in underserved schools.

"The entire redevelopement is reinvigorating the whole area," marketing and promotions director Terri Norman says. "We celebrated our fifth anniversary last year and hope to see many more here."

Many more merchants such as Andalucia Tapas Restaurant and Bar, III Forks, McCormick and Schmick's Seafood and Steaks, Mia Bella Trattoria, Pete's Dueling Piano Bar and XXI Forever complete this lively getaway.

Discover more online as you plan your next outing.

GreenStreet's proximity to popular venues has contributed to its revitalization.

Photo by Joel Luks

GreenStreet's proximity to popular venues has contributed to its revitalization.

Downtown Houston has a re-energized, mixed-use destination for office, retail, dining and entertainment: GreenStreet, formerly known as Houston Pavilions, has undergone a dramatic 10-month transformation to its 568,294 square foot property and, in the process, created a new linear urban park in the city's premier retail and entertainment center.

"There's no questioning the boom of development and revitalization in downtown Houston, and GreenStreet is proud to play a role in downtown's continuous growth," said Jonathan Brinsden, Midway CEO.

"We've always recognized the tremendous potential a property such as GreenStreet can bring to the downtown community and being given the opportunity to mold it into a new and unique experience for visitors, in addition to knowing the impact it will have on the surrounding area, has made redevelopment of this particular project so exciting," Brinsden said.

Putting GreenStreet on the map

Over the past year, GreenStreet has added new tenants like Salata, a fast-casual new generation salad bar set to open this summer, while continuing to provide quality service to visitors with long term tenants including the House of Blues, a flagship Forever XXI, III Forks Steakhouse and Lucky Strike. All the while, renovations have enhanced the interconnectivity of the three-block development, expanded outdoor dining spaces and improved visitors' overall experience with infrastructure and signage upgrades.

"We are pleased with the progress that has been made at GreenStreet," said Courtney Ray, Midway's marketing coordinator. "With its pedestrian-focused design, unique onsite events program, and prime proximity to major businesses and leisure destinations in the area, GreenStreet has been transformed into an exciting and fun urban retreat, perfect for any resident or visitor who's looking to escape the hustle of a busy downtown environment, or simply wanting a place to enjoy premium shopping and exciting dining and entertainment options."

The last improvement to come is The Lawn, an open green space on the block between Fannin Street and San Jacinto Street that will be activated with vibrant programming for office tenants, downtown residents and day visitors alike. First up on the calendar is the July 4 Concert Series, which features a culturally dynamic line-up of musicians on Thursday, July 3 through Saturday, July 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. — think Mark Towns Flamenco Jazz, classic rock/country tunes from Tommy Rogers Band and The Revelators performing funk/R&B/soul.

Looking for a free and effective way to get your body in gear for swimsuit season? GreenStreet Bootcamp kicks off on July 9 from 6:30 to 7 a.m. and meets every Wednesday morning throughout the month. Classes are open to all skill levels; no equipment is required

GreenStreet also introduces two recurring programs in July. Live music will be offered on The Lawn every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., and Games on the Green — featuring free field games, live music, extended happy hour at McCormick & Schmick's and more on the third Thursday of each month — kicks off on Thursday, July 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. Keep an eye on the Event Calendar for more upcoming events and activities.

More to come

Just as the ground-level improvements are coming to a close, GreenStreet is moving upward — and into the luxury hotel business.

"As renovations to the property near completion, our teams are also excited to begin the next phase to GreenStreet's transformation, which is the addition of a 225-room luxury brand hotel, Hotel Alessandra, slated to be complete by late fall 2016," said Stephen J. "Jamie" Bryant, Midway Executive Vice President. "As the lead developer of this project, our task is to realize our visitor's experience and deliver a unique, urban oasis that brings luxury in downtown to new heights."

Midway has partnered with Valencia Group for Hotel Alessandra, which answers a growing need for hotel accommodations in downtown Houston near the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Toyota Center and Discovery Green. The hotel's design will be contemporary and impactful, with sweeping views of the city and lavish indoor-outdoor spaces.

Welcome to GreenStreet, Houston's downtown mixed-use destination for office, retail, dining and entertainment.

GreenStreet

Welcome to GreenStreet, Houston's downtown mixed-use destination for office, retail, dining and entertainment.