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I Love Roost

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This beautiful, bright wall welcomes you to the intimate Montrose restaurant, Roost. I went two weeks ago to meet one of my good friends, Joy, after having it high on my places to eat forever, and I was not disappointed at all (in fact, we headed back on Saturday for Bryan’s birthday meal!). Joy and I arrived in time for Happy Hour drinks, so got some champagne for an incredible price. I ordered the Brussels Sprout dish (of course), and Joy got the crab cakes. When we went this weekend, everyone raved about how good these two dishes were. While dining with Joy, the Executive Chef, Kevin Naderi, came over to say hello – I hadn’t realized that him and Joy knew each other before, but he was so friendly. The food was seriously phenomenal – I never wanted my dish to end. The place was very crowded when we left around 8:30, and I cannot wait to head back. Roost definitely earned a spot on my Best of Houston list.

Roost

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Featured image and Kevin Naderi photo via Houston Chronicle // Roost pictures via website

Burrata Cheese, Please

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As mentioned here yesterday, I ate the most delicious burrata salad while in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. The first time I ever ate this creamy, melt-in-your-mouth cheese was at our menu tasting. We chose that salad for the wedding, and numerous people commented on how amazing it tasted. Burrata is definitely a guilty pleasure, as it’s made with fresh mozzarella and cream. It sort of resembles an egg, which made me nervous at first, but after my first bite, I was sold. Sasha and I decided that we’re going to try the burrata dishes at the following amazing Houston restaurants. Some of these are even on my Best of Houston: Restaurants and Coffee list, while others we haven’t tried yet. I’m so excited for this endeavor. Have you ever tried burrata cheese?

Da Marco: Burrata di “Puglia”, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Mockingbird Bistro: Local Tomatoes and Burrata Mozzarella Tian

Rainbow Lodge: Heirloom Tomato Salad (with burrata cheese)

Coppa Ristorante: Burrata, campari tomatoes, coppa (order without for veggies!), arugula, olive oil, sea salt

Tony’s: Burrata Carbonara

Backstreet Cafe: Heirloom Tomato Salad, Burrata, Kalamata olives, Basil

Up: Buffala Mozzarella Caprese

Ciao Bello: Burrata Caprese

Sparrow: Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Salad

Photo from A Nutritionist Eats blog

Gallery Walls

I love gallery walls. Like, obsessed. One of the few things left to be done in the Manor is hanging stuff on the walls. For some reason, Sasha is afraid to make holes in the wall, so he’s pushed back on me about all of the prints I’ve wanted to hang. I’ve convinced him to do a gallery wall in one of the guest rooms, and I’ve laid everything out on the floor for another in the study. I’m still not sure it’s perfect yet, so decided to pull some inspiration. My favorites below! What are your thoughts on gallery walls?

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Glitter Guide

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Style Me Pretty

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The Glitter Guide

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Style Me Pretty

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Style Me Pretty

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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)