I know the wedding isn’t until July, but I keep on thinking of little details and getting stressed that I haven’t made decisions about what we are going to do, like, for example, our guestbook. I’ve done some research and found a lot of fun, creative ideas. I have my favorite, but won’t share until after the wedding! Got to leave a little bit of mystery, right?
Sasha and I are having a very low-key Valentine’s Day, which we were both in favor of, given the hustle and bustle of everyday. I got him a very small gift from Etsy (an inside joke) and a card (not featured below). I did some thorough research before getting his card, as anyone who knows me is aware I love, love, love paper. Below are the close contenders. Hope you have a lovely, romantic day – whether or not you are sharing it with anyone but yourself!
Valentine’s Sweethearts – Rifle Paper Co.
Favorite – Sparrow Nest Script
Valentine’s Postcards – Rifle Paper Co.
Valentine’s Wishes – Sugar Paper Co
I Love Your Face – Sweetwater Press (Sasha and I always say this to each other – love it!)
You + Me Card – Sugar Paper Co. (these remind me of our Save-the-Dates!)
Favorite Person – Wishbone Letterpress
Head Over Heels – Parrot Design Studio
I was recently featured in this WordPress blog post about wedding sites, which was a huge compliment. Snapshots & My Thoughts chronicles much more than just wedding details (as mentioned in the post), and we do have an official wedding site that I also created on WordPress. I decided to use the Hatch theme and make it clean, white, and photo-focused, because I love pictures and many of my Scottish relatives have never met Sasha, so it’s nice to be able to share snapshots of us from the last two-and-a-half years. It’s very simple, but I loved making it. I’m going to be helping my sister design their site this week – I’m slightly addicted.
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)
I had another busy house-decorating-weekend filled with multiple trips to Target, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, West Elm and Anthroplogie. We had the Bluestone Console and Coffee Tables delivered on Saturday and bought chairs to go with the bench and Emmerson dining table that we ordered last week at West Elm. Lots of little decorative pieces were also purchased, and the new garage door was finally installed.The Manor will be completely finished on Wednesday, and we’re having a cleaning crew come in to scrub the place down on Thursday. I am so excited for all of the work to be done so that we can begin putting everything together. Almost there! Seems like ages ago that we were here.
PS Have you seen a Nest yet? It’s Sasha’s favorite little toy. Coolest thermostat ever.
1) Willoughy Dining Chair from West Elm, 2) Porter Leather Dining Chair from West Elm, 3) Jade King Shams and Mosaic King Pillowcases from Crate & Barrel, 4) Nest Thermostat, 5) Pottery Barn Malta Lantern, 6) Scroll Tile Runner Rug (2.5×9) from Pottery Barn