Ack, I shouldn't give up on the blog. Feels too much like work. I was even deleting the food porn photos on my phone recently. Planned a great post about seeking out local food in Jamaica. Alas, alack.

Anyhow. Motivation for posting is Houston Restaurant Month. Last year when they officially went to all month long instead of "oh we're going to extend another week and another week and another week" we went hog-crazy, hitting IIRC nine restarants. Was very, very cool. Best view - Spindletop (food not as good as we like). Most WOW factor: CINQ @ Colombe d'Or. Best food, hard to pick. Perhaps Olivette. Another WOW restaurant. Restaurant you couldn't drag me to again for a million dollars: Ibiza, where a waiter brazenly tried to steal my phone! We also did benjy's on Washington, Brennan's, Frank's Chop House (we didn't like this one so much). One or two others.

This year, hard to nail Scott down for too many work obligations so we only made three.

Americas River Oaks. Wasn't even on my short list abut it was like, Scott you have a night free, we're going. Ss you can see, I got as far down the list as the As. Interesting place. Different. Weird decor. The food was good but too much meat for me. Another problem with this place is the proximity to Brasserie 19 which we like a lot (but are starting to burn out on).

Philippe. Oh, wanted to like this more than I did. Wonderful ambiance and the view is stunning. Noise level *high*. The food was hit and miss. Gazpacho was excellent as was the potted foie gras. Scott my foie gras slut claimed he did not like it as he stuffed his face with it. We were underwhelmed by the waiter. Desserts were meh. Entrees were okay to good. Philippe himself came out to ask how we liked the meal. OMG, he is charming and handsome and French! Delicieux! I may go back to check out the lounge but nothing about the dining room pulls at me.

On the other end of the spectrum, the last place we made this year is Triniti. And WOW. Everything from beginning to end amazed us. (well getting there didn't, being on a busy part of Shepherd, but that's a nitpick). Loved the decor, light and airy and open. The food -- stunning! Stay away if you don't like artsy, froofy food, but it was amazing. I think I said that. I got a wine tasting for $18, three small pours, one for each course. Best Value. We got an amuse bouche, and a mignardese. And some muffins. And the waitstaff was great.  And they have a tasting menu! I gush. I gotta go back.