Le Peep

Date of Visit: June 12, 2010
$


Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether you are curled up on the couch with a bowl of Cheerios, at work with your Chobani Greek Yogurt (my personal favorite!), or tasting the best Dim Sum you've ever had- it doesn't matter. Nourish your body and fuel your day.

I fell in love with old fashioned Greek Diners a long time ago. When I was a kid our family would visit the Halfmoon Diner on Sundays after church. This place did killer business, especially at that time. Still they managed to serve up gigantic portions of the best French Toast, omelets and Eggs Benedict I'd ever tasted in what seemed like minutes after placing your order. The fast paced atmosphere and the ::clink clink:: of silver against plates didn't phase us a bit. Or any of the other patrons for that matter. Being there with the ones you love after church or at any other time is for some reason comforting. The people serving you aren't just college students trying to make a buck (and believe me there is nothing wrong with that I used to be one!), but you know they are hardworking and real.

In New York it seems like you are never too far from a great Diner. Here in Houston you know its all about the BBQ. I've seen a couple closed down and boarded up buildings that looked like they were once the type of diner I am talking about. Not sure if it was the shiny mirrored exterior that gave it away, but I was sad to see this. Never-the-less the closest thing I have found to my old staple diner, is Le Peep.

A little more corporatized than Theo and Zoe's place but still homey. Clean and well presented. Both times I have dined here the staff exceeded my expectations in friendliness and attentiveness. Also real people working hard for their money, the people and atmosphere are comfortable and honest. The menu has many options which you are sure to find something you love. The Granola Pancakes... amazing! The servings are more than generous so you won't leave hungry either. I couldn't imagine taking down the entire stack of 3 enormous 10 inch cakes. Another thing I love- is the pot of coffee and craft of ice water that stays put on your table. There is no waving down the server, or on the flip side the server racing around to make sure that everyone is topped off. Self service can be the best kind of service. Fresh fruit that is actually fruit and reasonable prices. Le Peep is at the top of my list for breakfast joints to revisit!

Brunch @ RDG + Bar Annie

Date of visit: Sunday, May 23, 2010
$$


One of my all time favorite meals is brunch. Not quite breakfast, and not quite lunch. A careful blend of the two, where sweet flavors of butter and sugar meet the boldness of hearty ingredients more commonly associated with lunch or dinner. It really is the best of both worlds if you ask me.



In every city there are small empires built by entrepreneurs who can't resist the taste of a new business venture. They start with one idea and it quickly grows until they become embedded in the surrounding metropolis. It's inspiring and lovely to see; visions coming to life and dreams being realized. The Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group is one such entity.



There wings stretch straight across Houston, Texas making their presence undeniable. With establishments such as: Taco Milagro, Cafe Annie, Cafe Express, Rio Ranch and The Grove- their newest addition with its ever growing popularity is RDG + Bar Annie.



I plan on dining at each establishment and will complete a separate critique for them all. This particular review is based solely on RDG and the unique brunch experience that they offer.

The atmosphere is definitely sophisticated so dress to impress. Sunday's Best will do, and just so happens I was there on a Sunday. You enter through large glass doors into the mod downstairs bar area. Casual and cute, definitely an after work hot spot to grab a drink and forget about your day. Upstairs you feel like you have entered an entirely different restaurant. Rich fabrics with gold brocade meet spa inspired craftsmanship. Light bamboo ceilings draw you in while dark functional works make a statement. Statues, and indoor garden plants create a space that is undeniably homey, but upper class.

The brunch menu is rejuvenating. Chic, classic and down-to-earth. There is something for everyone. Seafood lovers will feel right at home with dishes such as the smoked fish platter or ceviche. Fresh, tropical ingredients: avocado, jicama, grapefruit all reminisce of dining at a 5-star resort. They don't neglect the obvious either- Tex Mex inspired dishes have a heavy presence. Me being the sucker I am for such, I ordered Mimi's Rolled Taco's : scrambled eggs, with refried beans, avocado and chilies. While I waited for this scrumptious plate, we indulged on the homemade donuts. As a kid my favorite was the sugar donut and I was pleasantly surprised with these little dough balls of heaven. Lightly fried and tossed in cinnamon and sugar. Your mouth will ask for more! The taste of butter and sweetness and the ever familiar crunch of sugar granules. YUM! The perfect appetizer!

The main dish was just as decadent as I expected. Three petite rolled tacos with a side of sliced avocado. Avocado is one of my favorite veggies, and it was refreshing to see it not mixed in to or lost with anything else, but in its natural naked state. A sprinkle of sea salt and it's just Divine! Mimosa's (regular or blood orange) and rich coffee bring this experience full circle. This feast of sweet and spicy is a compliment to any Sunday. Its calming and invigorating all in one happy meal.

Ruggles Green

Date of Visit: Saturday, May 15, 2010
$$

A male co-worker told me about Ruggles Green spouting: "You've got to try it! It's all 'Green', and organic... Its so something you'd like. Even the straws are made of some plant." I guess people really have my MO don't they?

I enjoy the green, organic, and eco-friendly movement... It's inspiring and great for our community and world. There is no bigger turn off for me than mass-produced, over processed food. Or clothing, or anything. If you can make it Green I like it already.

I like to eat healthy, but also consider myself somewhat of a food aficionado. I savor every bite if its delicious, and always give the not so enjoyable dish a fair go as well. One thing I know is you don't need to compromise taste for health ever. Ruggles Green is proof of that.

I decided to make the trip to Ruggles not only for the sake of my curious pallet, but for my friend Cara's as well. Cara is one of my dearest friends from New York. She currently resides in Tucson, Arizona and was in town for a weekend visit. Cara has suffered from a gluten allergy for as long as I've known her. She constantly battles with not being able to enjoy the deliciousness of bread, or anything with bread or flour in it. When I told her that I had heard of this restaurant that has a variety of Gluten-Free menu items she was delighted.

As we approached the door people were spilling out the door. The closer we got though, we realized it was just a large party loitering and saying their Good-Byes, which made the fear of a nasty line vanish. Once inside, we were greeted with clean rustic wooden tables, and friendly earth tones. It was busy, but I could see we would have no problem finding a seat. We took our time looking at the menu and Cara quickly was ecstatic over the number of Gluten-Free options. Pizza! Pasta! You name it! I don't think really knew what to expect, but with such a variety to choose from she decided on a Margarita Pizza. "I never get to have pizza," she said. I ordered a Texas Ceasar salad and the Spicy Shrimp Tacos. Self serve drinks, utensils, and napkins- fine by me. And if your in the mood, you can enjoy a cold beer here too.

We found seats on their enclosed patio. Our food came out fast and hot. What more could you ask for? The ceasar salad was refreshing. The perfect amount of dressing coated the crisp romaine leafs, and tasty caper surprises could be found hidden throughout. The dressing had a slight anchovy aftertaste but was accompanied by a zesty southwestern bite. The shrimp tacos were even more satisfying. Plump shrimp mixed with lettuce, pico de gallo, and topped with a red spicy sauce gave just the right amount of heat. (4) to a plate this is plenty for a meal, and would make a great appetizer to share.

Cara couldn't stop raving about her pizza, and I'll admit it looked pretty damn good. She offered me up a slice from her generous 12'' personal pizza, and I accepted! One-bite and I was sold. Fresh marinara topped with mozzarella and springs of basil. Perfectly crisped crust too! Gluten-Free? You wouldn't be able to tell. I couldn't! For a small girl she took down the whole pizza (minus my slice). She must have told me a hundred times how good that pizza was, and how happy she was that she wouldn't be affected by eating it (as she normally would be with regular pizza).

We left feeling full, and healthy. A clean, and relaxing environment, Overall a great experience at Ruggles Green.