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Rainbow Lodge

As part of my mission to eat Burrata cheese at all of these Houston restaurants, I decided to meet a good friend of mine, Paola, at Rainbow Lodge on Sunday for brunch (99 cent mimosas? yes, please). I had never been before, but had wanted to go for ages, so jumped at the opportunity to check it off the list. As I walked in, I felt like I had in fact been there before. I quickly remembered that I recognized the restaurant because I had seen it on photographer Taylor Lord’s blog. She shot a wedding there last year, and I loved every detail. In fact, little did I know at the time, but I would end up in the same Crepe de Chine BHLDN dress! I was grinning ear to ear when I pulled up the pictures again and saw that.

The food was incredible. The Heirloom Tomato Salad was heavenly – the Burrata cheese was perfect, as were the wonderfully affordable mimosas. The 100 year old cabin home turned into hunting-style restaurant is an amazing spot for Sunday brunch or date night. The views are amazing – windows all around. The vegetarian options are definitely limited, but that’s what I expected from an upscale game lodge eatery.

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Best of Houston: Restaurants + Coffee

I found this map by Bonnie Dain online, and I love love love it. It highlights most of my favorite places. I went to Kuhl-Linscomb for the first time on Friday, and I’m seriously obsessed. I’ve embarrassingly never eaten at Da Marco!

I must admit it, I love the Bayou City, so I’ve compiled a list of my favorite restaurants + coffee shops by area, including some brief thoughts about each place. Let me know if you have any other good suggestions – always up for a new culinary adventure!

Email me if you want any specific recommendations! Click here for a Google map of all these restaurants, which helps when trying to pick a restaurant nearby.


Downtown

The Grove – love the views and the fact it’s a part of Discovery Green

The Blue Fish – a perfect downtown spot for a night at the theater – good tofu options for veggies!


Midtown

Sparrow (by Top Chef Monica Pope) – try the brussels sprouts (oh, and everything else)

Barnabys (there are a few around the city) – this is a staple in my life – get the falafel patty

Pass & Provisions – one of the more recent “cool” places to go – formal and casual in one building

Brooklyn Athletic Club – plan on having a fun game night at BAC with amazing food (not typical bar food!)


Montrose/West Gray

Bistro Menil – a pretty little restaurant directly across from the Menil Collection with delicious sangria and quinoa + roasted veggie dish

Indika – amazing Indian fusion restaurant – try the Kale Blueberry Salad

Roost – one of my new favorites – very intimate setting with delicious food (and yes, Brussels)

Cafe Brasil – love this eclectic spot – sit in the back courtyard and eat the Goat Cheese Salad

Uchi – amazing sushi, beware – the wait may be LONG, but the Brussels sprouts are worth it

El Tiempo Cantina – amazing Mexican food – pretty busy on the weekends (warning: strong margs!)

Just Dinner – it’s an old house converted into a BYOB dinner-only restaurant

Canopy – the layout of the place can change and it looks like it’s a canopy – how cool is that?

Black Hole Coffee – totally Austin-like coffee shop – Dell-users would feel out-of-place

Backstreet Cafe – a gorgeous two-story house turned into an absolutely delicious restaurant

Dolce Vita – step into Italy at this intimate restaurant – please, please eat the Brussels sprouts

Baba Yega – a “wholesome vegetarian” menu? yes… please

La Griglia – a big, loud Italian restaurant – worth a visit

Underbelly – not the most veggie friendly place in the world, it’s definitely worth a visit (great wine menu!)

Mockingbird Bistro – more of a fancy, quiet restaurant (for dates!) – the food is phenomenal, as are the cocktails


The Heights

Cedar Creek or Onion Creek – the former feels like it’s in Austin – love both!

El Gran Malo – delicious flavor-infused tequila – grungy garage style, but cool

Cottonwood Club – popular hangout place at night – just north of the Heights (pretty new)

Antidote Coffee – it’s super, super hipster and it’s pretty much awesome (as is the sign)

Glass Wall – go there for a date night – it’s small and tasty and you won’t regret it

Rainbow Lodge – two words: Sunday Brunch, and three more: 99 cent mimosas!


Washington Corridor

Benjy’s (also in Rice Village) – where I go for my birthday every year – Brussels sprouts are amazing!

The Counter – make your own yummy burgers (veggie options too)

Catalina Coffee – best coffee in Houston, hands down

Beavers – not the healthiest option in town, but great food and vibe

Coppa – great wine selection, delicious “bites” and fresh salads (try the burrata cheese!)


Rice Village

Benjy’s – see note above

Black Walnut Cafe – has become a chain but doesn’t feel like it – the Black Walnut Salad is great

Tiny’s No. 5 – sister restaurant to Tiny Boxwoods (below)


Upper Kirby/River Oaks

Tiny Boxwoods – you need to go here – it’s perfect – esp. in the spring – best “ladies who lunch” experience

Haven – organic, delicious, pretty – went there when I got engaged and for the Royal Wedding

Pondicheri – Indian fusion at West Ave – love the big doors when you walk in

Tasting Room – also in Galleria and CityCentre – small bites are amazing (baked brie – eeeek!!) and wine selection is great

Giacomo’s – authentic Italian food – don’t leave without trying the involtini di melanzane alla parmigiana

Corner Table – tucked away off Westheimer, this gorgeous, healthy restaurant has one of the best menus around (try the Earth veggie burger!)

Field of Greens – not a fancy restaurant, but darn good vegetarian and vegan food – Quinoa Delight is unreal

Local Foods – I am seriously obsessed with this place (namely the giant old map of River Oaks on the wall) – try the Fall Harvest Salad or Falafel Sandwich as a salad (+ sangria!)


Galleria/Tanglewood

Adair Kitchen – must go there – it’s best during lunch, but busy – get the Black Bean Quinoa Burger

Relish – gorgeous glass building and amazing light, healthy meals

Kiran’s – delicious Indian food (kind of pricey) – great for a romantic meal or special occasion

Philippe – a great place for a private party or romantic dinner – Quartette of Vegetables, all day long

Dish Society – a relative newcomer, this farm-to-table restaurant will win you over with the quinoa stuffed avocado


Memorial/Bellaire

Barnabys – see note above

Brenner’s on the Bayou – a tucked-away garden with great views, this laid-back version of Brenner’s Steakhouse won’t disappoint (perfect date night spot)

Harvest Grille – all organic – lovely

La Vista – BYOB, down the street from Harvest – amazing portobello mushrooms

Jonathan’s The Rub – the “hidden gem of Houston” – also BYOB – total Memorial crowd

Union Kitchen – do yourself a favor and order the baked brie

Island Grill – hummus, falafel and the best juices and smoothies in town (new location at Bunker Hill/I10!)

Maryz – amazingly authentic lebanese food, with hummus so good, you’ll order seconds

Shri Balaji Bhavan – voted best Indian in Houston by Alison Cook – who am I to argue? Try everything

Latin Bites – attention all vegetarians: order the Quinoa Salad… it’s absolutely phenomenal


CityCentre/Town and Country

Cyclone Anaya’s – try the skinny blueberry mojito – it’s Sasha’s favorite

Ruggles Green – one of my top three regular go-to places – I dream about the Texas Goat Cheese Salad

Zoe’s Kitchen – the only “fast food” worthy of your time (you’ll find others across town as well)

New Houston Favorite: Adair Kitchen

I was meeting two of my best friends for lunch last weekend, and asked my sister where we should eat near the Galleria, since I don’t know that area very well. She suggested Adair Kitchen, and when I told Patrick and Paola, Pat replied, “Oh, my friend owns that.” Huh? Yup, his fraternity brother, Nick Adair, is a co-owner of this delicious new Houston restaurant, located on San Felipe near Sage Rd. I checked out the lunch menu, saw the words “Black Bean Quinoa Burger” and was sold. Most restaurants’ vegetarian options are boring, but that caught my attention. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The setup and decor of the restaurant is gorgeous as well – great lighting, minimalistic but welcoming, and the perfect amount of white. The fonts are amazing – American Typewriter and Despeinada for the menus (yes, I’m a typography nerd). We loved it so much that we ate there again on Thursday night for dinner – this time with McKenzie, who was equally pleased. We had the baked brie to start (melt in your mouth tasty), and I tried the Kale and Quinoa salad – yummm. Looks like I’ve got a new go-to restaurant. Go and try it for yourself!
Adair KitchenTop right picture courtesy of 29-95.com

Feature image courtesy of KiKiMac

Joyeuses Fêtes from Paris

Our last stop on the trip was Paris – one of my favorite places in the world. I had an internship in The City of Lights two summers ago and I fell in love. We only had 25 hours in Paris, so it was a non-stop sightseeing tour of my favorite places. I absolutely adored showing Sasha my favorite vegetarian restaurant (L’As du Fallafel), smoothie place (Le Paradis du Fruit), coffee (Les Deux Magots), neighborhood (Le Marais), museum (Georges Centre Pompidou), and, of course, building – La Tour Eiffel. It’s magnificient.DSC_1802

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In front of Notre-Dame

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Getting Ladurée gifts for friends

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The Louvre

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Les Jardins des TuileriesDSC_1900

Hot wine on Les Champs ElyseesDSC_1916

L’Arc de TriompheDSC_0005

My two favorites (my ring stayed in Texas!)DSC_0006

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