Recs on dinner for 30 near George Brown Conv Center?

I am in charge of organizing a networking dinner for 30 graduate students at a conference in Houston in March. The conference is at George R Brown Convention Center, so it must be very near there. My budget is $1000. That is for food only. Drinks will not be covered. Previous dinners were held at a pizza restaurant in Chicago, so maybe a bbq place for houston?

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

I was looking at The Rustic – any feedback on this option?