The Annie Reviews

4.1

228 of 8,566 Restaurants in Houston


Reviews

Not a fan of the scallops

By Sunhine22 |

Loved the atmosphere and the service was great but the scallops were terrible. They paired them with yucca root, which I like generally but it is just not a food that pairs well with scallops. Just a lack of texture and taste. Other than that a good experience.

Very good for drinks on the balcony

By Doug G |

Didn't have dinner just drinks but the restaurant is quite famous in Houston. Drinks and service good and on a lovely day in Houston just before summer hits it was a pleasure to sit outside. Well worth the visit and close to all the shopping in the Galleria area.

Great Happy Hour...that turned into dinner

By Kandice S |

We were enjoying the nice weather on the patio while sipping rose` and wine and with the help of our waiter suggesting things off the menu every now and then we ended up staying for 4 hours. Just a great relaxed vibe and enjoyable view. Don't leave without the bacon wrapped quail, it's perfect every time.

Restaurant weeks lunch

By jsthouston |

Had not been to cafe Annie in more than a year as we don't like the current setting as much as the original one on Westheimer, or the former nearby location on post oak, but have to say that the service and food remain very good. Recognized our server from the prior location and as expected the service was excellent. The tortilla soup was excellent as was my gumbo. The other item were also quite good and for the quality and quantity I have to say that the menu, unlike some restaurant weeks menus, was a bargain while also benefiting a good cause. We will try dinner given this pleasant meal.

Its ok but not worth the price

By AUSAGUY007 |

The steaj was good and tender.... The oysters were ok but not great... The Tortilla soup was good but nedded more of a kick to it. The corn was good but needed more flavor to it .. Or to ve roasted more Average ticket for this was about 90.00

great anniversary dinner

By ElvisTaco |

A beautiful space made warm and inviting by all the staff, from the valets who politely directed us to the self-park area, to the host who made sure we were taken care of, to our great waiter, Edourdo, and his assistants. I have felt like a country bumkin more than once at a swanky Houston restaurant, but this place was casual and friendly, although there was no doubting the serious, 100% focus on food and service. Excellent choice of wines by the glass (when did you ever see Freemark Abbey chardonnay by-the-glass?). beautifully presented, interesting, and tasty food. rabbit enchiladas in mole and a glass of Malbec...heaven on earth...I proposed to my wife all over again!

Good restaurant with a strong wine list

By bentaylor21 |

Went for dinner at Bar Annie whilst over for OTC in May and wasn't disappointed. A great choice of tasty food accompanied with an impressive wine list. I will definitely return when next in Houston.

Solid, but not amazing

By AmySG |

I recently dined at RDG during Houston's Restaurant Weeks-- a time to showcase the best of your menu. The meal was very good and service was absolutely fine, but not enough to warrant a repeat visit for the future. I had a nice sweet potato soup with chili nibs and a red fish for the main entree. Both were nice, yet not exceptional. The creme brulee desert was good, but again, not outstanding. Nice, upscale decor and the clientele seemed to be a mix of old Houston establishment and young hipsters. My dinner companion and I both felt we were being rushed along in preference for non-Restaurant Weeks diners, as each course was swiftly delivered as though it were pre-made. While the Restaurant Weeks fixed price was wonderful to provide us with a sampling of what RDG has to offer, at full rate it would not be my choice in the future.

Great food

By Melanie O |

We were here for a business dinner. The food is really excellent. The rib-eye was simply awesome and I don’t think I will forget this place any time soon.

Pro: Super food, staff and facility! Con: Way too loud.

By Tour115052 |

Superb snapper served expertly and quickly! Kale salad was amazing too and the lemon tart drove it all home.

Women celebrating the 19th amendment on Women's suffrage day

By Dianne H |

Cafe Annie has a wonderful history and has recently reopened their doors in a brand new location. The atmosphere is quirkie elegant and the food is absolutely delicious. We are a fun group of older ladies who celebrate just about anything, so this was a perfect choice during Houston Restaurant Month!

Stinky fish, otherwise good

By terry h |

Had a holiday lunch with colleague. This Is usually a very good restaurant. We had the holiday lunch here last year, too. Somehow , red fish dinner I ordered came with two thin cutout tail pieces instead of one fillet, and tasted fishy in spite of spicy sauce. Tasted a bit old to me. Very disappointing. My other colleague told me he liked the fish. Tortilla soup looked good. My colleagues said so, too. I guess it was only my fish. Beef dish looked well, too. Service was good as usual. We had a good time.

Beautiful Setting for Dinner

By Malinda P |

If you like the lights of the city with great food this is the place! I stopped in after work to meet a friend and it was perfect. The appetizers were so delicious, I almost didn't save any room for dinner. If you work in the area you may run into co-workers because this is the place to meet after work! The crowd filters out a bit after dark. I can't wait to visit again.

Not as good as Del Grande at his peak but still a good choice

By davemh333 |

Robert and Mimi Del Grande have been on the Houston restaurant scene a long time, and have been accused of resting on their laurels, but I think that RDG continues to meet very high standards for food and service. The vibe can be a bit loud and trendy at dinner, but the food never flags. Del Grande is still one of the most talented chefs in a city that grows increasingly competitive. His diverse menu is strong in fish, meat, and has come of the best salads in the city. All in all, an excellent choice for a nice dinner.

Love this spot

By tomdB2732IJ |

RDG is a great place to go for lunch. They have a good lunch menu which consists of salads, a burger, tacos and a few other items all for a reasonable price. The atmosphere is very nice up on the second floor and they have a really cool deck.

Excellent Food served by an Attentive staff (two very recent visits)

By Mike N |

RDG was recommended by an old fishing buddy. My wife and I arranged to meet some good friends for dinner, just for-the-heck-of-it mid-week. Our dining mates, coming from down south, had hit some traffic and were running late. The Bar Annie side of the restaurant has an attractive outside seating area on the 2nd floor balcony where we sat at a quiet table, had a bottle of Far Niente chardonnay, and people watched while we waited. The staff handled our delay with aplomb and put us under no pressure to take our table. When our friends arrived, we were seated at a well situated table with a pleasant view from their cozy dining room. We were assigned a team of waiters that were always close without being too obtrusive. We started off the meal with a crabmeat nacho tower appetizer. It was a tasty pile of avocado, slaw, and fresh crabmeat with MMM sauce and freshly fried nacho chips on the side. It was excellent. Order one, you won’t be disappointed. I generally don’t like a tomato sauce / seafood combination (one exception is Shrimp Creole), I asked our waiter what else they could do with their Gulf Snapper with Veracruz sauce. He offered to have the chef broil the Snapper and serve it with lemon butter sauce, topped with lump meat. Man, I almost licked the plate. I didn’t leave anything behind. The red snapper was local, fresh and perfectly cooked. This was my wife’s first meeting with celery root puree (a family sized side dish). It won’t be her last. We all enjoyed it. 2nd trip – I met a business associate from New Orleans in the bar. What an interesting crowd. After Happy Hour we sat down for another fabulous meal. I had to have the crabmeat nacho tower again. And again it was wonderful. I selected the nightly special of fresh broiled Cobia (also known as Lemon fish or Ling) topped with grilled jumbo shrimp and served with an unusual but very tasty sweet pea, cilantro, chili sauce for my entree. It was fabulous; I used all of my crusty bread to sop up what little sauce remained. RDG is one of the best restaurants that I have dined at in Houston.

Great light lunch

By PhilD614 |

My wife and I visited Cafe Annie for the first time in years. Their new location is very nicely done and exhibits fine dining. We went for a light lunch and had a salad and a prime rib beef sandwich. The bread served was excellent and hard to not eat it all. Excellent waiter and manager. We will return for a dinner.

Excellent Service!

By JD A |

Revisited RDG over the holidays and had a wonderful experience. The food and service were impeccable. It was extremely busy but we still felt pampered. On the downside it was a little noisy but not enough to detract from the overall impression. Highly recommended for a special occasion.

Great food at a high price tag.

By NYFFlyer |

I ate here with some local friends while visiting town recently. While the food was amazing, the prices here should only be charged by the top restaurants in the US. I can't say that this is one of them. The service was a bit hurried and overbearing, the layout over two floors is somewhat inconvenient, and the overall feel of the room is a bit stiff. All that being said, the food was excellent.

Great restaurant

By WpgFoodie101 |

I recently ate at RDG with my family while in e Houston area and it was fantastic. Modern atmosphere with a fine dining feel. Everyone enjoyed what they ate and I felt the portions were good sized and good valu as well. I would definitely recommend anyone to eat at this restaurant!

Busy well appointed restaurant.

By Chris M |

This restaurant was recommended to us as one of the top restaurants in Houston. The food was very good as was the friendly service. The restaurant itself is very smart and is probably one of those places to be seen in. I understand that George Bush was there two days before our visit. Clean, tidy and efficient but rather expensive. The lady owner spent a considerable amount of time talking to us which was a pleasant surprise - she seems a lovely lady. Must save up so that I can visit again.

Nice Restaurant With A Good Atmosphere For Date Night

By CDM49 |

We drove into Houston to meet some friends and decided to have a nice lunch at the RDG. Since we got there early it was not very crowded, we ate inside as it was too damp for the Patio. Our waiter JR was very patient with us as one of our friends ran late. I had the Chicken Breast Paillard w/ Avocado & Tear Drop Tomato Salad | Arugula $18 and my spouse had the Grilled Salmon w/ Roasted Artichokes & Fingerlings Potatoes | Green Olive Sauce $24. Both meals were well prepared and tasty. We would like to go back for an evening dinner and set on the patio enjoying the view and traffic. They have valet parking for $5 or you can park in the rear for free.

There are a handful of Houston

By Joe W |

There are a handful of Houston fine dining restaurants that have been here for decades. Cafe Annie is among them. It has an great location and space after moving. The food has been reimagined in its new location and is a collaboration of Robert Del Grande and Robert Berg. The food is good and interesting and the wine selection well priced and diverse. However, the noise level was painful 😖. I blame the restaurant for too many hard surfaces. My ears are still ringing 30 minutes after leaving. There are better choices in Houston for the same high price. Sorry.

disappointing experience

By Laura N |

While attending a professional meeting recently in Houston, I went to dinner here with a colleague.It was too cool to eat dinner outside, so we ate inside. The service was extremely slow, even though they were not crowded. We finally had to flag down the waiter to get our check. It was a Friday night and the restaurant was not even half full which seemed odd. I was disappointed in the portion size of my dinner for the price. I had the scallops in green mole sauce. While the flavor was nice, I did not think it equaled the $39 price tag. After the $30 cab ride, I did not want to waste additional money on a boring Cesear salad or an overpriced dessert. I would not return.

Good food, nice atmosphere

By MTorre |

This restaurant has a limited but well balanced menu. Some hits and misses. Filet mignon and hamburger were really good. Both potatoes, french fries and herbs were under seasoned. Kale salad on the other side was great, the level of flavor, acidity and bacon were just right.

Excellent Food and Beautiful Decor

By Blimey2010 |

I visited this brilliantly designed restaurant with my husband and a couple friend of ours on mother's day and it was no doubt a great choice. The service was great and the food was spot on. I had the Trout with crab meat and it was divine. Even with all the Mother's day normal restaurant draw, the service was still quick and adequate. I would recommend it to anyone that appreciates fine dinning.

New rendition of an old favorite

By RLION51 |

Cafe Annie has had several renditions over the years, First went to the small place on Westhiemer back in the early 80's. This latest version is on Post Oak in the Galleria area. Very cordial service from staring with the valet parking. Had a reservation and was promptly seated, all be it in the back of the room against the wall near the kitchen. That actually turned out to be a bit of a godsend as it muffled the noise in an otherwise fairly loud room. Once again the service was spot on. Nice selection of wines by bottle and glass (all be it a bit on the pricy side, such as around $20 glasses of wine). The soups (Tortilla and Mushroom) were both outstanding. The grilled quail also flavorful with accompanying grits. Two seafood dishes (salmon and scallops) while good not unique on flavor. Deserts well presented but variable in flavor. All and all a very nice meal, climbing toward the next level.

Wonderful Southwest Cuisine

By Nathan S |

I've been here twice plus one time back when it was Café Annie. I am convinced that everything on the menu is delicious. If you want innovative southwest cuisine, this is the place to go. This is a very nice restaurant and they welcome well behaved kids as well.

The restaurant paid for our entire meal because the guest were so obnoxious.

By Tayler2012 |

My date and I decided to have a nice dinner at RDG. While were in the middle of our 2nd course an obnoxious guest came up to our table in a WAITERS vest and TRAY asking us if we were on a date how we were doing and would we like a drink all while his friend VIDEOED it!! I couldn't believe how rude he was and why in the hell the waiter would give him a jacket and tray to pull off this immature scheme. Anyway, RDG paid for our dinner, thankfully. The food wasnt that great anyway major disappointment. I felt bad for the rest of the staff as the were very apologetic. Sorry to say it'll be awhile before we return.

Upscale feel but ...

By Peter N |

The location is excellent, on Post Oak Boulevard in the Galleria area. The restaurant has a real upscale feel, with interesting colorful decor and luxuriant indoor plants dotting the dining area. It has large glass windows on two sides overlooking the road and a terrace which is nice in good weather. I would have loved better cuisine though. Still, you can sufficiently impress a first-date by taking him or her here.

Still good after all these years

By JohnAndEllenTX |

Have been going to Cafe Annie since the 1980s (wish they had kept the name instead of changing to RDG/Bar Annie, but that's a different history), and decided to look at the other reviews first. I feel that the average of ratings is about right. This is NOT the charming bistro of thirty years ago, but times have also changed. There were only a couple of options for top flight Houston restaurants, I recall Cafe Annie always came in 1st or 2nd. I must admit we now spend a smaller percentage of our income on dining out, but when we do have a "special occasion" Cafe Annie still fits the bill, even if the bill is high. But why only give 4 stars? My opinion is that they could still have some moderately priced wines from which the restaurant could still earn a profitable margin. Does it ALWAYS have to be $100+ per person? Why do they do that? The answer: lots of people are willing to pay the price. So, let's hope they are still here in thirty years, because they have been doing a LOT of things right during the past thirty!

One of the Best in Houston!

By goalee111 |

We went for a birthday dinner. The setting was elegant but playfully decorated for the birthday. Waiter was exceptional in terms of service and friendly as well. Food was incredibly tasty, from soups to appetizers. Fish was a smidge overcooked but plentiful and well accompanied. Delicious desserts!

Limited Menu

By AIWIW |

The choices were limited and very few options for vegetarians.. Service was great initially around 6 pm but around 7pm , the service was extremely slow.

Expected more

By Suzanne W |

The 4 of us dined at Cafe Annie on the HRW menu. I started with a delicious kale salad and followed that with shrimp and grits. I enjoyed the plate with the exception of the sauce. I've had much better. I was sort of bland and tomato-y. I had the lemon curd mousse. I asked to make sure it didn't contain cream and was assured it didn't but it did. Consequently, it wasn't very tart and zing-y. The biscotti crumble and candied grapefruit sprinkled on top were yummy little morsels though. I don't think the decor has changed since migrating from RDG to Cafe Annie. I found it odd that one had to go downstairs to use the ladies room. I know Cafe Annie is an institution but it didn't wow us.

Ambience

By Lulupops19 |

Really nice upscale restaurant with regular dishes served an unusual way. Waiters are cordial and attentive. The tortilla soup is to die for. Really nice

Great resto to seal a deal!

By okidoc808 |

Very upscale and formal. Good for business meetings and to take your client for a good dinner. The service is good. They are very attentive and constantly asks if everything is ok. The wild mushroom soup was very good and the BBQ crab saladwith jicama was excellent. The ribeye has some sweetness on it and I'm not a fan of sugary steaks. But it was very tender and cooked to my liking. The chocolate cake with candied orange is just to die for.

RDG & Bar Annie you have just been "Chopped"

By Teddybear57 |

RDG & Bar Annie have a great reputation for creative dishes. My wife and I had dinner during Restaurant weeks. The salad was delicious but the pork entree was not seasoned and for this reason, I have to chop you Robert and Mimi Del Grande.

very nice and elegant restaurant

By Salvo |

a very nice restaurant elegant and warm atmosphere tables on the terrace overlooking Post Oak may be a good choice excellent service and delicious food

Wow, I'm moving to Houston!

By Mercerbabydrumondco |

What a delightful setting chosen by this Houston landmark to serve remarkable and unique dishes. Featuring multiple settings from covered outdoor patios, bar/grill and white tablecloth casual service RDG does it all very well. The staff is well trained, efficient and readily available. Do not miss the quail even if you don't like quail try it! The crab dishes are superior too. The ingredients are painstakingly sorted with only the best placed before you. The most important quality is that the owners are there underscoring that you are a lot more than a customer, your a friend!

Quiet, romantic, ok food

By Sandy C |

Went for a dinner with a friend. The ambiance is nice. It’s quiet and a good place for a romantic dinner. The service was good. The food was really just ok. Not great, not bad. It was convenient to the Hilton hotel I was staying at, but other than that, there is not another reason I would return.

Scrumptious lunch and nice Prix Fixe

By thescoop01 |

When you walk in be prepared to climb some stairs to get to the host stand. There is an elevator for those who need assistance. They really should put a sign directing you to proceed upstairs as the first time you go there it will confuse you. Service is wonderful! Drinks where always full and the waitstaff where readily available if we needed something. Food was from good - delicious!! I had the lunch Prix Fixe option. 1st course cabbage slaw salad - just okay. Served in a hot bowl. Should have been cold. Needed more dressing or flavor...and that says a lot as I'm the person to always order my dressing and sauce on the side bc I don't like things saturated. 2nd course- ribeye with potato wedges and a smoky cheddar sauce. AMAZING! Steak seasoned perfecrly and very flavorful. It was not a thick cut but it was on point. The potato wedges were crispy and the cheese sauce was sooooo good!! Re-order items for sure! 3rd course - Double Chocolate Brownie. - wowzers. Incredible mixture of ingredients they used as garnish. Olive oil, almonds, chocolate sauce! I would go back just for the dessert! The only thing I will do differently next time is not order tea. I know it's the Galleria but $4.00 for a glass of tea is crazy. Especially when it costs .02 cents a glass to brew. I know...I was in the biz for years. So next time I will skip the tea and pay a few more dollars for a glass of wine. Problem solved! :)

Good food but average service and overpriced

By Surdiplomee |

The ambiance of this restaurant is perfect for business dinner or romantic date. Unfortunately, the wait staff just gave the bare minimum level of service - one of them didn't even wait until I finished my order before snatching the menu off my hands. The portions are small enough that you can't feel full after the meal but the food quality clearly compensated for the quantity. We ordered oysters, salmon, snapper, pecan pie, 1 cocktail, 2 glasses of wine and 1 glass of port - the total bill was about $200.

Upscale but not stuffy, very fun and very delicious

By texastravelers0 |

The new Bar Annie is hip, fun and modern and the food is super good! The old atmosphere was gawdy and old feeling. We had the Asian Nachos and Bar Annie Nachos - both delicious. Skirt Steak and hamburger off the bar menu are also good bets. On the weekends they have live music downstairs and it's in a great location with close driving distance to fun bars. Love this restaurant!

Great place for a special dinner

By Michael L |

My wife and I went for our anniversary and loved it, as always. The food is the best.

RDG, tastefully brilliant for Houston Restaurant Week

By Teddybear57 |

I looked at the menu RDG posted for Houston Restaurant Week and I thought the menu was creative and we wanted to experience the creativity. Our first course was gulf shrimp & watermelon salad with red thai curry dressing, corriander seeds, basil & mint. The shrimp and watermelon salad was a nice change from the standard "lettuce salad" as the red thai curry dressing gave the shrimp a lot of nice heat and the watermelon cooled the heat. We had the seared sea scallops with gulf shrimp and green chile risoto for the entree. This dish was plated beautifully and the green chiles gave the dish a nice finish. Dessert was a nice tasty small pecan pie with a dallop of butter pecan ice cream. The wait staff was very good. The atmosphere was very relaxed. The overall meal was a 96 out of a 100. Great job Chef Del Grande !

Raw chicken

By Edward C |

I was here for a business luncheon. Several of us were served chicken that was completely raw and uncooked. It was masked by a salad on top. We had to send it back. Scary that this happened. Could have been dangerous. Surprising for such an elegant restaurant.

So disappointing!

By Billnhouston2n |

I was looking forward to a visit yesterday at happy hour. The service was mediocre, and when I asked for an old fashioned off the happy hour menu, the server returned and said it wasn’t available but I could order one off the regular menu for about double the price. Bourbon was listed as one of the options for happy hour. Serving was small and not exciting. In my opinion, Cafe Annie is overrated, too expensive, and just a place “to be seen.” I won’t return.

Perfect location for a serious business lunch

By mikeindallas2016 |

Food—-excellent Atmosphere—-very pleasant Service—-the best For a luncheon where the focus is on the meeting Cafe Annie cannot be best. Plus you guests will be impressed by the entire experience. The menu is enticing. The quiet setting conducive to talk. And the food prep,and presentation seals the deal. Add a vert efficient waitstaff and it can’t be beat. Have to add though...if I just was there for a quiet one on one lunch with someone special....for all the same reasons Cafe Annie is THE place

Nice second floor outdoor dining

By kayak-atitlan |

I enjoyed a nice early dinner with friends. We ordered the specials of the day, and were very happy with the selections. The special included three items; a starter soup, a main course, and dessert. We we with older guests who did not like the level of the music inside, but found it better outside.

Maybe happy hour is good?

By Phrogtours |

This is Texas. This is not the place I would go back to for a steak. The steak was overpriced and not great. For what they charge, you can go to the top steakhouses. My husband got a fixe menu and was not thrilled. He wasn’t impressed with the oysters. Dessert was tasty. We loved our waiter! We went for a birthday party. The person picked it because they liked their happy hour. So that may be their strong point. There are way better steak houses in Houston.

Wonderful Experience!!

By downtown075 |

My husband and I had dinner at Bar Annie's/RDG last night and it was an excellent experience. To begin with, our reservation was for 6:30 but we had invited a friend from out of town and his flight was delayed so we needed to delay dinner until 7:30. It wasn't a problem at all and our table was ready for us when we were ready. The bar atmosphere is awesome!! We are dinner in the dining room and again, loved the ambience. The wine list was extensive as was the menu. The romaine salad was fresh and has a lovely blend of flavor. Our filet was cooked to perfection and displayed on the plate beautifully. We didn't save room for dessert, but there's always next time~ and we will be back!! Excellent atmosphere, service, and food and wine!!

OK food

By Michele A |

Not great - not bad - just ok. I won't go back, either will my 2 friends that were with me.

lovely place to dine

By Karen030312 |

I really enjoyed this dining experience with my sisters and mom. I shall never forget the delicious foods and the beautiful dining area. We all had a great time and great food!

Lovely lunch, once you get into the restaurant

By Zamigaos |

In my opinion, it's a bit difficult to understand the layout of the restaurant on your first visit. The only parking, other than walking a block from the parking lot behind the restaurant, is valet service. And...I know...it's the Galleria area. Personally, I just have a "thing" about valet service. Once you enter the front door, you come face to face with a set of stairs. There are restrooms to the left and a sort of seating area to the right and an elevator. But, there is no sign indicating you should go upstairs for the restaurant. Once you know this...it's easy. Just a bit odd. I cannot say enough about the service at Annie's. Just the perfect amount of attention without feeling like you are being rushes or that someone is hovering over you. Wait staff gave good information, kept things flowing well, water/coffee filled and let us enjoy our lunch and conversation. Our table had salads - tuna and steak - and both were excellent. The steak was done perfectly and seasoned exactly as I would want. Size was great for lunch when paired with a glass of wine and coffee. We opted for no dessert, but were served a small plate of cookies with our coffee. Menu had many lunch options including a fixed price three-course meal that looked fun to try. I would absolutely come back here again and would like to try the dinner service.

A Very Classy Favorites, Always!

By Thomas D |

This is our favorite place for celebrations and special occasions. The food and surroundings are first-class, with exemplary servic that is always attentive and courteous. My wife and I have enjoyed this restaurant at least a dozen times (probably more) mostly sitting in the bar area that is much more fun for people watching. We have also been here for a Friday lunch sitting out on the great patio overlooking the Galleria area. We always order the Bar Nachos that are spectacular: for main courses we alternate between meat and fish, and it's always great. The only complaint is once or twice the food has come out the kitchen cold, but there is never a raised eyebrow when they take it back and warm it up. The wine selection is outstanding, and their desserts are also excellent. I would highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion, or showing off for your friends. There are few restaurants in Houston with this type of class.

Good food, but something missing

By Vic777_12 |

My fiancé used to frequent the original Café Annie and raved about it. This was our first time at this incarnation known as RDG Bar Annie. Fabulous contemporary design. Dependable service, although not as attentive as I would have expected. Great wine list with many price points. The downfall came with the menu: The Branzino is listed and the description begins with 'Caramelized Heritage Ham...' The wine choice was based on that description among other chosen items. Branzino is a heavily farmed fish that has become all the rage in high end restaurants over the last couple of years---- there are chefs who wonder what Branzino is, let alone diners. The service lagged after that. While they were fixing the problem, the other dish was taken back to sit under the heat lamp... To top it all off, Chef Roberto del Grande (the RDG in the restaurant name) saw it all happen and seemed to visit every table but ours and we had a special occasion. As my fiancé said, "There are many fine places to dine in Houston," but I doubt we will ever be back to this one. Oh, and the bathrooms are on the first floor while the dining room and bar are on the second. Plus, the martini-style drink glasses are about 2 sip's worth. So, there were several things missing in what could have been a great special occasion.

Very good food, great location near Galleria, a little pricey

By Tim L |

Our group of 6 people was seated promptly upon arriving for our reservation. We had to snake our way through the packed bar that was full of people there for a private party. Fortunately, our table was shielded from the noise in the bar. Our service was very slow for the first 20 minutes or so. However, I give them a pass on this due to the large party in the front of the restaurant. It seemed that once the bar cleared out our server was able to pick it up. The service throughout the rest of the evening was excellent. I had enchiladas with filet. The enchiladas were very tasty and the filet was cooked to a perfect medium rare. All in all, the evening started out a bit shaky, but they pulled it off.

Stunning Houston spot

By Sheila A |

Absolutely beautiful - the outside terrace was packed with a private party, but this would be the top spot in Houston to come for a drink or a gathering. Beautiful comfy seating and view overall. Restaurant is also stunning with a relaxing flow; perfect for an upscale dinner to the more formal side. Creative menu throughout with a fusion of flavors that would please anyone who calls themselves "a true foodie". First course was a black bean with goat cheese dish that was nothing to brag about. Entrees hit it out of the ballpark with the best scallops ever and a skirt steak perfectly cooked with a delicious poblano pepper that beat Mark Miller of Coyote Cafe fame. Dessert selection is wide and we selected coffee sundae that was excellent. The only downside of our evening was the service was not as spot on as you would think for a hip, trendy Houston hot spot. Empty water glasses after two servings and coffee refill not offered. Still, it was a busy place so we will return again.

Disappoited

By Love2GoAnywhere |

My husband and were both disappointed with our meals. The flavors just did not work. After hearing how good this restaurant was supposed to be, this meal fell far short of our expectations.

A Houston Must

By phd2 |

I loved my visit to RDG Cafe Annie, for the food and the atmosphere. The restaurant was full of noisy locals as this is something of a Houston institution, and you can go there to sit on the balcony or eat in the restaurant, at pretty well any time of day and as dressed up as you want to be. I had Southern shrimp paella which was totally delicious, followed by chicken tacos. Far too much food, but irresistible. If you visit Houston go to this popular restaurant, watch the chefs in the kitchen and know that in true US style if you have special requirements (one of the friends I was with didn't eat any dairy) they will do everything to accommodate and nothing is too much trouble.

A Perfect Lunch

By Ssaurage |

My friend and I enjoyed cucumber & fresh mint salad, slow roasted pork enchilada with guajillo sauce & fried egg ‘Santa Fe style’ and a perfect, bite-sized dessert (this was, after all, a Houston Restaurant Weeks menu selection). Cafe Annie always has a stellar selection of menu items...for every palate...yet these items were remarkably flavorful and perfectly prepared. Service was, as always, impeccable, delivered by Enrique.

Expected more. Have had great meals during prior visits

By susansbean |

There were 5 of us dining after a wine tasting event at another location. We were ready for great food about 9:30 PM on a Wednesday evening. The flavors of most of the dishes we ordered were okay -- but not anything special. My entree of scallops was pretty poor - the sauce was so hot, it was not edible. No flavor there than heat. We usually have amazing food here. It was late so we didn't send anything back -- wish I had though.

Special Place for Date Night

By GaritaD |

RDG has a very good reputation and was FINALLY able to go visit this restaurant I'd heard so many good things about. RDG did not disappoint. Hubby and I went for Houston Restaurant Weeks promotion--4 courses for $35 each. We got to sample many things and RDG did not disappoint! Exciting, fresh, interesting combination of flavors and textures. RDG is a little pricey, but worth the occasional splurge. We both had the pan sauteed trout and it was good and not fishy tasting which carries a lot of weight with me! Definitely recommend.

Great Dinner.

By Felipe R |

Had the Bar Annie's Nachos, and the Red Snapper. Both were great. While not cheap, not excessively high priced. Good wine selection.

Beautiful place

By Devon C |

I went there last week Thursday at around 8:30p with my date. When we arrived, valet was $5! To park, I was surprised I thought it would be about $20 and up base on the location. We walked upstairs, and we were greeted by a older host. She was very nice. There was no wait. She quickly found us a seat on the balcony once we requested it. We sat outside on the balcony which was kinda crowded but wasn't too bad. The waiters appeared to be very busy and it took a while in my opinion to get service. Once the waiter arrived , he brought the wine/drinks menu first. I was starving!, I was like, where is the food menu?. Once we got the food menu, I was very disappointed in the selection of foods they had on the menu. Its not like the cheesecake factory restaurant menu. But we made the best of it and enjoyed the night. And yes, I walked out spending over $150. So yes, it's not a cheap place. Overall, I love to beauty of the restaurant and outside scenery. It's a nice place for a date night.

Terrible service, microscopic salmon

By Goguit |

I went yesterday to celebrate a friend's birthday. The waiter from the beginning seemed to be very impatient as it took us some time to look through the menu. We ordered two salmons and a salad. The salad as a decent dinner side but the salmons were a joke taking into account the price. Then we ordered a cake and two cappuccinos. The waiter immediate brought the check and kept on clearing the table. When we asked him to take a picture for us he replied he was busy (there were two other tables left beside ours). He literally stood very close to us like a soldier and he obviously wanted to leave in spite of other customers being still there. We felt the pressure and left as it was uncomfortable to have someone listening to our conversations. We've been customers for over 20 years, and although the decor and ambiance is lovely, we are not coming back.

Great food and service but noisy

By Jeanne J |

Had a fantastic meal - seafood entrees both of us. Staff was attentive but not obtrusive. Bar area, however, is next to the dining room and the noise was distracting during the meal.

Good for groups

By TexasAccent |

10 of us went to dinner here. The large round tables make it perfect for groups so everyone can see/talk to everyone else. Makes it perfect for business or friends. They do have private rooms of you need a private function. The food is good but slightly overpriced. I realize that this is an upscale restaurant and is on the higher end but I thought the portions were smallish considering what you are paying. The taste of the food is better than average but not totally worth 4 stars. The wait staff was attentive but not overbearing. They did a good job. All in all, I would give it 3 1/2 stars but not 4. Personally, I liked this restaurant better when it was known as Cafe Annie. Tip: The restrooms are located downstairs and the tables/bar are all upstairs.

Wonderful experience at RDG

By Allison M |

The staff and food are outstanding. The staff is very attentive and the food is delicious. We never have a bad meal here. It's always a good place for people watching and there's a lively atmosphere.

Good service and a nice vibe in both the bar and restaurant

By Dougie G |

Went for some drinks in the bar and stayed for meal in restaurant. Staff are pretty attentive without being too pushy. Enjoyed the food but found the menu a touch limited if you don't like fish. Overall think I preferred the vibe over the food but food was fine.

A lovely dinner with friends from L.A.

By William D |

Superb dinner. 7 different appetizers to pass around. Very different flavors, tastes and presentation. Entrees were superb. I had the ribeye and it was delicious with a peppercorn finish. Wines were excellent.

Simply wonderful!

By Camila120428 |

I've been here before and last night's dinner was no exception - simply wonderful. The food was great. I had the seafood chowder as starter and the crab tostada as main course - just the right size for me - while our guests and my two colleagues had steaks and burgers. Everybody was happy. Oh, and I love the decor and the lay out of the place.

Special occasion

By Swasserman |

This is one of the best places in Houston. Great drinks and an interesting delicious menu. Went for a special occasion and had set menu of salad ( fresh and tasty), grilled beef which was tender with great flavor and a terrific chocolate cake. Regular menu has a number of interesting dishes. This is the place for a special occasion.

Excellent once again. We have been going here for YEARS.

By Michael L |

I have no idea about the rather mediocre reviews for RDG. We have been going there for many years (since Cafe Annie was in their original location on Westheimer (I think) ) and have never had less than a stellar meal. Last night was our anniversary and we went back and thoroughly enjoyed it. We mentioned on our reservation that it was our special day and they went out of their way to congratulate us. Service was quick and we had our drinks in no time. We ordered and the food came quickly and it was wonderful. For a first course we shared the New Zealand Oysters with crabcake poppers and they were among the best we have ever had. We also had the steak tartare and it was perfect. I had the Branzino fish and my wife had the pheasant. Everything was very well flavored and presented. For dessert we had the lemon cake which was also delicious. In my opinion the servings are not small at all as some of the reviews seemed to indicate. I would say they are actually quite large and we were both full when we left. In terms of expense it is worth every penny! You could pay a lot more at other restaurants in Houston and not be as happy as we were.

Good (Not Great) Food, Very High Prices

By Coralyn G |

I went to Cafe Annie years ago and loved it, so I had high expectations when I went to RDG/Bar Annie. First the good points: the restaurant is lovely...the decor could not be more lovely. The service was excellent, but not particularly friendly or warm. The food was beautifully presented. Much of the food was very good, the rest was good...nothing was poor. The downsides: the restaurant is extremely noisy....I think the sound insulation must be inadequate. We had a table for 5 and could not hear each other from across the table. The waiter was efficient but unfriendly and not particularly helpful with recommendations (e.g., when asked which dishes were particularly good he simply responded that it was all good). And the price tag was frankly too high.....we have received much better meals at Uchi and Underbelly, for example, at much lower prices. So I think it will be a while before we return.

Older favorite in a bustling neighborhood

By kendo226 |

Cafe Annie has lots to offer and happens to be in a great spot. Had steak (of course because it’s Houston), which of course did not disappoint. The ambience was nice, but the interior could use a bit of a makeover given the new neighbors coming into the area. Once known as the Galleria area after the mall there, but now is “Uptown” and has more renovation and upscale restaurants and properties popping up. They’ll need to make a few changes to keep up, and I hope they do. I do really like the area and this old standby eatery.

Good restaurant but rather expensive. Bank on $100 per person.

By greaume |

Went here not having seen the menu ahead of time. My meal was good but pricey. Most of the main courses were priced between $40 and $60 and that's just for the main course. A side is $8 more, starters are $10+ and I had a beer for $7 (bottle). I would bank on at least $100 per person for a full meal. I doubt I will go here again, that's a bit steep for me although I did like the sweet potato fries with mango dip... But it was about $8 for a fairly small order.

Order the cheeseburger!

By TXflyfisher |

That's right, you are clearly at a five star restaurant, it's lunch time, the elite of movers and shakers of Houston are all around you; order the cheeseburger, it is great. Plus, as has been the case for over 20 years, they have the best tortillas soup in town, order it as the starter vs. the usual house salad. Cafe Annie was getting a little old at the old location, well the owner, Robert Del Grande, is also one of the best chefs in Houston famous for his sauces.

Great for special occasions

By acferraz |

Excellent ambiance. The place is sort of divided in three areas. The bar, a more casual dinning and a more formal dinning. Very well decorated making the three areas equally nice. The service was excellent and food was inline with everything else, very nice. We went there for my wife's birthday and when I made the reservation I made some special requests for her food and they took very special attention to my request. I didn't use but saw the group private table on the first floor that looked like an excellent place for a bigger group.

Nice Location

By virginiagamer |

Went to an event held at this location. Appetizers were nice and drink selection was nice. Location was also good. Easy access to a few hotels nearby.

A little disappointing

By Tex-traveler-10 |

The restaurant itself is nice. Not a loud place, but not a quiet dinner either. Service was good, no complaints. The issue is consistency. The shrimp cocktail was wonderful. Didn't care for the cocktail sauce but didn't care with the romalade (sp?) sauce. My creamy onion soup was one of the best soups I have ever eaten. My wife's caesar salad was boring. She only had a couple of bites and got tired of it. I took a bite and had no further interest either. My wife's filet was good, but not any better than any given steakhouse. My fish dish was nothing but boring. I ate about half of it but didn't bother to take the rest home. The spinach side was delicious. The potato and onions side were huge slabs of fried potatoes. It was like eating a baked potato without anything on it. KFC's potato wedges are better. The onions part of the dish were good but didn't do anything to save the potatoes. The dip they had was ok but you needed a lot of it to make the potatoes interesting. We were too full to try dessert.

Great Service and very good food

By freak4travel |

From the valet and hostess to the Sommelier and waiter they have great service. Great atmosphere in the restaurant. Very large wine list with a great selection of inexpensive and expensive wines from all over the globe. We had the Ahi Tuna Sashimi and crab cakes for starters, excellent. We followed that with the Filet Mignon and the pork loin special again very good and cooked to perfection. The wine was a moderately price Barolo that was recommended. Desert was a share of sour cream cake with raspberries, delicious. Would go again!

Was good now average

By AUSAGUY007 |

They need to update there menu it's outdated also the flavor is just not there Think buffalo grill is better for flavor there grits are also too thick Won't return Average ticket for three people 85.oo not worth it

Party

By jry6afe |

Attended a Birthday party on the outdoor patio area and the staff and service were exceptional. The appetizers that were served during the party were great and the staff was very quick to bring out drinks when needed

Good not great

By tctravelgirl |

Recently ate with five friends at RDG. The restaurant is beautiful, and the night we ate there it was empty. The food was good, but I have had better dining experiences for much less money.

After being seated at a table, I had to wait 10 minutes until a waiter brought me a menu. I started with one of...

By JasonTheFoodie |

After being seated at a table, I had to wait 10 minutes until a waiter brought me a menu. I started with one of their signature cocktails, The 'Dr Wu' Smoky Martini. It tasted like it contained 10% gin, 10% liquid smoke, and 80% sour mix. I almost spat it out after the first sip. My first course was their 'Steak & Egg Salad': shaved kobe beef with a poached egg, accompanied by greens tossed in a ginger mustard dressing. This simple elegant dish could have been amazing if prepared by a skilled chef. However, this entire course was a failure. To start with, the egg yolk, instead of being thick and creamy, was so thin that it was almost watery (though oddly enough the whites weren't undercooked). The greens were so incredibly bitter that they shouldn't have even been used in the dish, and if they had to be there, they should have been tossed in a sweeter vinaigrette to offset the bitterness of the greens. And the dish wasn't even plated well... there was vinaigrette splattered on the edges of the plate on which the food was presented. By this time I had also realized that my table was the only one that hadn't been brought a bread bowl. Given the quality of the food so far, I was pretty sure that I didn't want the bread anyway, but even so, it continued to show how poor the service was. My main course was sea bass with crumbled lobster sausage and creamy polenta. The sea bass was fine, though honestly it's hard to screw up sea bass. I'm quite sure the crumbled lobster sausage was actually crawfish. The creamy polenta was cooked well, but it wasn't seasoned at all and thus had no flavor. Since the restaurant was so highly reviewed, I decided to give it one last chance so I ordered the berry cobbler for dessert. It tasted like it came out of a plastic package from a convenience store and got tossed into the microwave for 10 seconds before being slopped onto a plate and brought out to me. After finishing my meal, it took the waiter 15 minutes to bring out my check. I might have given them a by on the poor service if they were busy, but at only 30% capacity, there was simply no excuse.

Great food!

By Oswelia T |

The place is located in a great area. Great atmosphere, food and service. I have been only for drinks and appetizers and also for dinner several times and every time has been great. I recommend it fully.

A Classy Treat

By Schanke |

Wanting to splurge one night in Houston, I chose to go to Cafe Annie. It was everything I had hoped for. A very, very classy place with one large area designed for comvortable sofas/chairs/coffee table and another large area for dining at tables. It was a truly glamorous place with candles, chandeliers, terrific service. It is pricey with appetizers starting at about $15 and main entrees at about $20. They do have a price fix option of 3 courses for $38. Highly recommend if you want to splurge and have a relaxing and very nice evening. We stayed for 3 hours! They take reservations.

Great Food and Bar

By JerryAnnC |

Eating at Bar Annie is great fun and people watching! We shared the rolled tacos and a fried chicken sandwich. Perfect for an evening snack. You can sit at the bar, outside(weather permitting) or in the formal dining room. The food is wonderful in all places and both the bar and dinner, lunch menus are offered. Everyone is polite and helpful.

Very good food and atmosphere

By golfer082 |

Went here with ten people. We all had different items from steak to rabbit, octopus, sea bass. Nice wine list and excellent desserts. Very nice terrace for outdoor dining.

Annie Delivers

By daigdude |

I usually schedule a dinner at Cafe Annies when visiting Houston. Never disappoints. Cool room, excellent service, and fabulous food. Today I had a light lunch, with the Ahi Tuna Sashimi (with truffle oil) as an appetizer and Annies epic Tortilla soup as my main course - one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Leave room for the bread - fantastic.

Excellent Food & Service

By Liz T |

The octopus and crab meat & avocado appetizers were excellent as was the gulf snapper for my main course. The service was very good. We were there for a business dinner - it was nice without being too noisy.

Cafe Annie is back!

By Patricia T |

A Houston iconic restaurant has returned to its roots! Had to go back and celebrate on the first day. Really enjoyed the sushi appetizers and the salads

Excellent!!

By lynncl2004 |

This restaurant was one of the best places i have ever been. So lets start out on the price. It is pricy but well worth every penny. When we arrived there was valet. Walking inside it is very modern. You have to walk upstairs to the hostess. While we waited a whole 5 minutes for our table I got a mohito at the bar and it was great. After we were seated we ordered another drink and it came almost immediately. We had a great dinner with quail wrapped in bacon, steak that was like butter, and dessert to die for. The waiters were very professional. The bar tender was friendly and the hostess was friendly as well. The only bad thing about it was it was a bit noisy (maybe because it was valentie's day). I would give this place 3 thumbs up if you want to spend the money. I know i had a great time.

Excellent for large groups

By letsgo087 |

We held a holiday dinner for 16 in December, and I attended another similar gathering there in April. For the holiday event, the staff made room for us in a semi-private area, even though all the private rooms were booked, and provided excellent service, recommendations for appetizers and wine. The same experience repeated in April at a similar event, with the bonus of the owner/chef making an appearance and preparing an off the menu fish dish that was amazing. The staff seems to really strive to make these special occasion events just that, though don't overlook it for a casual dinner or drinks!

Excellent food, very expensive, service a little bumpy

By tnjgotts |

Went here for a business dinner. For 5 people, with cocktails and a moderate amount of wine (one nice bottle), our bill was over $600. You could certainly eat there for less money per person, but this is not a restaurant for the budget-conscious. The atmosphere is amazing - second floor views of Post Oak blvd, tasteful, modern decor. The location definitely is part of what you pay for. The food was also amazing, we ordered a variety of dishes - beef, pheasant, fish -- everyone raved about the quality. My only minor complaint was the service. For this caliber of restaurant, I expect impeccable service from career waitstaff. Now, the service was actually very good, but there were two strange things that I feel could have been improved. First, we were enjoying cocktails at the bar and had ordered appetizers there, when the hostess inexplicably came and hurried us to off our table. The restaurant was not crowded, so there was no reason to rush us. I would have preferred her to notice that we had just been given plates and napkins for the appetizers and ask if we were ready for the table, rather than just shoo us away from the bar. The look on the barman's face was sheer disappointment that our order would transferred to the restaurant. I took him aside and asked him to bring me the bill for the drinks and appetizers,so that he would get the tip for that --which he appreciated. Second, at dinner, the service was overall very good,but both my salad plate and dinner plates were both removed without asking while I was still working on them. These were minor glitches in service, for sure and I will definitely return to RDG. It would be lovely date night and I would do business here again.

Chic! Wonderful Food, Service and Ambiance

By William D |

Decided on short notice to stop in. We did make reservations, which are highly recommended since this is one of the finest restaurants in the city. We each decided to go with their Restaurant / Food Bank specials. Portions may appear small to some but I was full on a three course meal that included a salad, entree, dessert, wine and coffee. I always find their food to be in the range of American Renaissance filled with flavors and freshness designed with amazing chemistry. The service was very good (ask for Juan) and we had nice conversations with the owners, Mimi and Robert Del Grande. We were there early-on and the restaurant filled quickly. They have a number of areas including private rooms and a nice and comfortable outdoor patio. The noise levels [when the restaurant was quite full] were excellent. Their wine list is exceptional. A perfect venue and bar for one diner or a large group. Highly recommended and worthy of many more visits.

First class service!

By jj5863 |

Had brunch with 3 couples last weekend. Outstanding service and food. Pricey wine list. Ask for the special kitchen hot sauce if you like spicy!

Good food

By Jessica W |

Food was good and waiter was fairly attentive. General design and style of the restaurant seemed a bit unfocused and outdated compared to current restaurant trends. Would have expected a more refined dining experience based on some of the menu prices. I did appreciate them having essentially a bar menu and a more formal dinner menu option. I had the brisket enchiladas, which I would recommend!

We don't each high end often

By Craig H |

We came with a friend who was in town and heard of this place. We are not "foodies". That said, it was one of the best meals I had in years. We paid for the honor but were rewarded. Unfortunately, the one plate that was a disappointment was the coffee-rubbed steak that had brought my friend to this site. My wife and I had two very different meals and we shared two sparse appetizers among three and had a GREAT time.

DelGrande still great

By red1990 |

We had a wonderful dinner with friends the other night and it was excellent. The food and the service were wonderful. Still a great restaurant and you should try it. We will go back. That have a great bar menu and you can get it if you are in the restaurant. Very pretty place.

Pricey but excellent food and service

By wgn |

The food is very expensive but excellent and the service was almost perfect. My only nitpick is that my companion when we were having a drink at the bar before going into the dining room ordered a gin and tonic. The bartender without asking her if she wanted an upgrade poured her a Bombay at of course a premium price.I thought bartender ethics called for asking before upgrading.

Excellent food and decor, but a little pricey

By ACMC75 |

We had excellent food. Ordered a dish collegue had seen featured on Food Network as "the best food I ever ate". It was not on the menu, and turned out to be excellent, but pricey. Waiter recommended an appetizer, also not on the menu, which was overpriced. But shame on us for not asking. Overall the food was great. The decor is beautiful, seems like the kind of place people could come to "see and be seen".

A venerable tradition in Houston

By Gabriel H |

We first visited this restaurant when it was a "hole in the wall" on Westheimer, several decades ago. It later became cafe Annie and more recently, RDG + Bar Annie. The Chef/Owner is one of the founding fathers of Houston culinary excellence and remains one of the icons of fine cooking. Our most recent visit led us to a lovely physical facility, cozy and warm, with just enough background conversation to allow civilized conversation. The decor is attractive, and makes you feel at home. Our reservations were honored on time and our service the whole evening was perfect. There are few places in town where this happens, so we were quite pleased and impressed. Our beverages were excellent, served at the right temperature and care. The octopus appetizer was excellent, although it was a bit chewier than others we had tasted recently in other Houston restaurants. The seaweed aspic was interesting, but not wow! Perhaps our disappointment was related to the large size of the dish. It was enough for two people, and certainly too much for one. Our second appetizer was a Foie Gras Terrine. It was delicious, served with lightly toasted sliced brioche, sliced cashews and dates.. As the minutes passed, the terrine melted, something that should not really happen. My wife's Filet Mignon, was rather large, larger than usual in a fine restaurant. It was perfectly done (medium rare), although it had pockets of fat inside the meat, rather unusual for the cut. My second course was the rack of lamb: I received four rather large lollipops, each about half an inch thick, with a fig mustard sauce, roasted rutabagas and a fig syrup. There was also a green salad on the plate, probably Spring Greens of some sort. The lamb was delicious, although not outstanding, meaning that I've had better in other places in town. More importantly, we were struck by the very large portions that we could not possibly finish. Our plates were oval, not round and reminded me of cheap eateries where quantity is supposed to exceed quality. Of course, without finishing more than half of our dishes, we were unable to have dessert, which, by the way, didn't look fine or attractive: it was rather a recitation of the heavy desserts many of the common Houston restaurants serve. Overall, we felt that RDG was struggling with its identity: should it be a fine restaurant (as its physical surrounding and decor suggest) or a place that caters to crowds that need large amounts of calories at one sitting. It is an existential crisis that only the chef and owner can resolve.

Really great Mexican inspired food

By ATLTraveler89 |

All, this is an upscale Mexican place. Bar food with happy hour drinks by itself is a reason to come. We also had dinner and it was one of the best meals we've had here. Bacon wrapped quail is a must try. Add a margarita and we will be back. Parking is self park in the back or valet at the door. Dress code: pants and polo shirt/ button down for the guys but a jacket would be acceptable here as well. Ladies heels and nice jeans or a casual dress would be good. This is a must try!!

Much improved since last visit

By Retirednhappy |

We took a party of 6 to RDG and must say it was much improved since our last visit 6 months ago. Food quality overall was much better and it was certainly livelier (although it is always amusing how the RDG Bar Annie set always seems to vacate at 9:30pm!). Smoked oysters, crab balls and the bacon wrapped quail were shared and all enjoyed; the Wagyu pastrami was particularly good as was the rabbit - which has disappointed in the past, definite evidence of improved quality and flavor. Flan was an excellent desert and nobody had any complaints. The wine list has some good choices and we had a delightful Willamette Pinot to accompany (several in fact!). Our only note is that although the pheasant was good it never seems gamey enough!

Excelent!!

By nagoga3 |

Fabulous dining experience. Delicious food and good presentation. I definitely recommend going to this restaurant. Will return often for business and special celebrations.

Great food in Post Oak

By Graham H |

RDG Bar Annie is a high quality, fine dining establishment with excellent food and matching service. We have dined here several times, and I'm surprised I haven't reviewed it already. We always enjoy the food, with matching good value wines - try the Bonny Doon from California, "Le Pousseur", Syrah - nice balanced wine, and not a fortune. I'd certainly recommend the restaurant for special occasions. It's easily accessed, with valet or self parking.

Impressed

By drsped |

We were here for an event so we did not get a typical service and therefore I am rating it a 4 to account for that fact. I thought the food was outstanding and the service was terrific. I look forward to going back without an event.

Gorgeous new digs, wonderful food ... Cafe Annie is now RDG

By writergirlHouston |

The old Cafe Annie has moved down the street as the new RDG + Bar Annie. Be one of the beautiful people as you climb the elegant staircase and arrive at the sumptuous 2nd-floor digs ... light wood everywhere, flattering colors, comfortable seating and Robert Del Grande food with a Southwest flair. We were there for Houston Restaurant Week, a special $35 three-course menu benefiting Houston Food Bank. Service was impeccable, martini and wine delectable as was the food. The "old girl" is gone, try the new one!

Great Anniversary Dinner

By StephenDB315 |

My girlfriend and I had our anniversary dinner here last night and it was outstanding! The service was impeccable and the food was super tasty! I highly recommend the coffee crusted filet and pecan pie for dessert!

Very good service and good food

By Springbank_21 |

On business in Houston and spending the evening alone. I decided to skip the sports bar and go to a nice "and casual" restaurant. In retrospect, I would not call this restaurant casual. It is hip, modern, trendy... A good location for a business dinner. I sat outside on the balcony / Patio / Lounge. The restaurant was full but the balcony was relatively empty, which suited me being alone. The service was surprisingly very attentive and knowledgeable. I started off with a gladd of champagne, then had the Texas Quail with bacon which was well served in a dark spicy sauce. I was a bit disappointed by the cheese selection (mostly American and English), but that is a matter of taste. Then had the Alaskan halibut, which was very good. It was served with cashew sauce and hot peppers. The peppers were unfortunately too spicy for the wine and did not quite harmonize. For desert I opted for the cheese cake with a glass of sauterne. The cheese cake was very tasty but perhaps a tad too dry. Nonetheless it was a good choice and the wine was also good. Overall a nice dining experience but it was not exactly cheap.

Still one of the best in town

By mmurphy772 |

We went to Cafe Annie during Restaurant Week. The food as usual, was amazing. The presentation, favors , and combinations are all excellent. The ambiance is wonderful. Make a reservation and try it if you haven't !,

Well prepared expensive food in a huge space, more corporate than foodie

By EvatheDiva |

We had lunch, and while the food was well prepared, the prices were not justified. The menu is huge, with many options, most of them rather standard. The only stand out in terms of gourmet quality were the mushroom/duck prosciutto soup and the crab tostadas. Surprisingly, the restaurant served no bread and none could be ordered; I had to order a side of 2 biscuits, instead, at a whopping $12. The restaurant is located in a huge space: there were several parties at different tables, and it seems it is a popular location for birthday and bachelorette parties. The service was courteous and prompt, all in all, a pleasant but far from outstanding experience.

Consistently Good!

By C B |

The service is superb! The mushroom soup, underwhelming. My daughter loved her sea scallops and I the fish. Good, but not great! But the atmosphere, service and good food keep me returning.

Afternoon Margaritas

By Okie-Babs |

Two great things about this restaurant is the view from the balcony and the crab and avacado nachos! These were delicious! The margarita's were ok. I was quite surprised for such a nice restaurant that the drinks weren't very good! If they worked on the margaritas, it would have been excellent!

Wonderful dinner

By red1990 |

Cafe Annie is still a great restaurant for a wonderful dinner. My wife and I had an excellent dinner here the other night. Excellent service and a wonderful evening. You must try it if you have not been as it is a Houston landmark!

Wifes 40th Birthday

By ryan_dajia |

I gave my wife a surprise 40th birthday party on December 12th and it was awesome. I reserved their wine room for the event and it was the perfect mix of beautiful decor and ambiance. The food was great and the cafe annie nachos that our waiter recommended as an appetizer for the party were awesome. The staff was excellent, and the head waiter was phenomenal!!! I unfortunately do not remember his name but it was his birthday that evening. He was an internal part in helping with the surprise as well. Afterwards we toured the rest of the restaurant which is also wonderful. I would recommend this restaurant for any occasion.

Business lunch, Romantic dinner, late night drinks - RDG does it well

By Karen C |

Ask me my top Houston recommendation for 2015 and I'm leading with RDG. As soon as I drop my car with the valet I'm happy. The interior design is great. It's Houston, TX without any cliche but all luxe, glamour and beautiful materials and lighting. The food is delicious and I always receive wonderful service. The outdoor lounge area is a favorite for a drink before heading out or heading home.

Fine dining - nearly

By 648tonim |

The reception is on the first floor so go up the impressive stairs or walk to the back and take the elevator. The bar area is quite impressive, the dining area less so. The service was friendly and welcoming. The menu is very full and varied. The wine list is expansive and covers primarily US wineries. So far so good, but the food was disappointing, promising much and yet missing the mark on arrival. The salad was heavy rather than refreshing, the meat charred rather than succulent. Frankly I preferred cafe Annie, the implied association is not justified.

The new RDG + Bar Annie is the tops!

By writergirlHouston |

The old Cafe Annie has moved down the street as the new RDG + Bar Annie. Be one of the beautiful people as you climb the elegant staircase and arrive at the sumptuous 2nd-floor digs ... light wood everywhere, flattering colors, comfortable seating and Robert Del Grande food with a Southwest flair. We were there for Houston Restaurant Week, a special $35 three-course menu benefiting Houston Food Bank. Service was impeccable, martini and wine delectable as was the food. The "old girl" is gone, try the new one!

Will never go back. Guys there are so many other better restaurants to take your significant other.

By emry123 |

So I brought my fiancée here for valentines and was very disappointed. The atmosphere was nice but the service and food were terrible. The waiter was semi rude but will excuse because it looked like he had seven tables to cover. He was very slow and at times rude. The appetizers were actually good I got the quail and fiancée got the crab cake gulf shrimp. Mind you these items were like $26 dollar appetizers. So all the entrees were around $50 and you would expect a $50 meal to be good. I ordered the gulf snapper and it came on spaghetti sauce with onions!! It was poor to average. My beer was served warm in a warm glass. I tried my fiancées dinner which was the chicken and it tasted like chicken from heb that has been sitting there under the heating lamp all day. Needless to say I could not keep my mouth shut and pissed off my fiancée when I told her how bad I thought it was. My take home point is this. The meal cost $203 and there are so many other great restaurants in town this is NOT a meal that deserves that price tag. If your looking for a piece of tail at their bar maybe that is a different story but this place is an average meal at best and if you think otherwise you haven't eaten at great restaurants. I just don't want you guys to waste your hard earned money on going to this place when there are so many better restaurants in town. I wish I could write a better review maybe I caught them on an off night.

Wonderful

By redzinger57 |

We had a visit with my mom in Houston. We had a wonderful dinner. The Male wine they suggested was fabulous. The kale salad with bacon and dried apple was the best I have ever had. The house salad was wonderful. The brisket enchiladas were exceptional. For entrees the branzino with grits, duck, chicken fried steak were wonderful. The macarons were better than Landure in Paris. The waiter was exceptional. A wonderful night.

Great food, nice location

By AuntieLuLu11 |

Had dinner this time, previously been for lunch, both times really enjoyed the food. Service very American (they just say the same things to every guest), but ok and efficient. Would go there again and also recommend.

Lots of Business Happens Here

By DilleauxL |

Service is always spot on and food consistently good. At my last visit I had the special, a fabulous fish dish served with asparagus. The waiter brought the perfect glass of wine to pair with the fish. Suits everywhere conducting business and enjoying a meal. Happy day.

Great food, terrible service

By MerryDevil |

We went for Restaurant Week because one of the few RW menus with a vegetarian option for one member of the party, yet that still had interesting food. The cocktails from their list were good but an off-menu strawberry daiquiri was over-sweet from a premade mix, despite strawberries being easily available in summer. At these prices, if you can't offer a quality version, just say you don't have it. There are many options for wine by glass, which was great for a mixed steak/salmon entrees table so some could order red and others white. Nice desserts. The grapefruit soup is tasty but tries too hard with an excessive number of ingredients (could skip the apple). The service not up to level of food and decor. We were greeted well by valet parking & the hostess, but the wait staff mediocre. They asked for our drink order without offering a drink menu, walked away when we said we didn't want to start with wine, & had to be called back to give us the cocktail list we did want. They forgot to bring one person's wine that was ordered to arrive with his entree. And they took 10 min to bring us the check. I'd strongly recommend that the restaurant management remind their waitstaff that Restaurant Week customers are paying customers too, and ones who will come back the rest of the year if they're treated well. We tipped 20% but would have second thoughts about returning due to the poor service.

Great lunch with Clients

By red1990 |

I had lunch here the other day with good friends and clients and it was excellent. Great food and service!

Spam served with great service

By Strick3 |

Tuna was flattened and reminded me of thin sliced lunch meat. The alternative selection was unappetizing and mediocre tortilla soup. For what use to be a great restaurant, my business is gone elsewhere.

Enjoyable Restaurant to take Visiting Guests

By 00HappyBunny00 |

A group of 6 of us went to Bar Annie for dinner on a Friday night (3 visiting from the UK) and we had a lovely time. Started with cocktails at the bar, my Kir Royal was particularly tasty, and then were shown to our table. We had a booth towards the back which actually worked out really well for us because everyone was able to speak to each other without yelling across the table. Had the quail wrapped in bacon (delicious!), and the shrimp balls to start with. I would definitely order both of those again. The main course was a lot of steaks NY strip and Filet Mignon and a couple of orders of rabbit. Everything was gone by the end so I would say they went down very well. After the meal we ordered some coffees and after dinner drinks (a lot of port) and got to spend a while chatting before we were told it was 'last call'. This would be my main complaint with restaurants in the area. Even though it's a Friday night, everyone needs to be out by 12. I suppose we're used to a European style where you can be in a restaurant until 2 in the morning so it's still a bit strange that people seem to leave so early on the weekends. Still, and overall nice experience and the perfect place to take my boyfriend and his parents visiting from the UK. Will be going again.

Delightful

By Ozgur20817 |

I was here for a business lunch and loved every minute of it. Very nice decor, beautifully done. The staff is friendly and the food is beautiful. I had one of my best steak salads here. Menu is extensive and everything looked good. For a business lunch this place was wonderful.

Small meals, big prices

By dstillwell |

I expected more from Cafe Annie. The flavors are not as good as I hoped for at this cafe. The portions are diet size but the price is jumbo size.

Not the former Cafe Annie

By cooper |

We loved going to Cafe Annie when it was in its old location. The food, the service and the atmosphere were truly exceptional. We recently met friends at Cafe Annie in its new location. The whole space felt a bit peculiar. The entry is lovely but you have to walk up a flight of stairs to get to the hostess desk. Seems like most of the area is set up to cater to the bar crowd and the inside dining area seems like an afterthought. I can overlook all that if the food was as creative and outstanding as it once was. Other than the crabmeat tostada appetizer for $28, the food was good but not the caliber I expected from RDG. I'd think twice about going back. I also thought the prices in general were more expensive than other upscale restaurants in the area.

"Overrated"

By cheri F |

Had dinner here on Friday night. Food was tasteless and nothing special. The decor is beautiful and the wait staff was attentive. I had the Pork Loin and that was ok. My girlfriend ordered the rice pudding and it taste and looked like baby food. If this is how "RICH" people eat I will pass and eat where "AVERAGE" people eat.

Great atmosphere and food!

By Carojay |

Loved the food, the ambience...great people watching. Restaurant was very busy. Seems like the place to go for happy hour or a small business gathering.

Favorite of many!

By snippsnapsold |

Electric atmosphere with a great menu. Variety on the menu makes this a great place to take business friends or visiting friends. The food is fresh and prepared with imagination. The wait staff service is excellent. Food and service consistent. This restaurant is a great place for a special get together.

Delicious but expensive

By Susan J |

I had a delicious plate of 3 scallops at a cost of $13 per scallop, with no sides! I looked at the menu online and noticed the description included mashed potatoes and kale but I was asked if I wanted sides at $10-14 a plate! My husband had a delicious filet with spinach, mashed potatoes, 2 popovers and a delicious sauce. The atmosphere and wait staff were lovely but I was disappointed in what I got for $40!

Still Great

By TXflyfisher |

High prices, but worth it.  The food is still some of the best in town.  The new location keeps the very modern look, and the crowd is still the "see and be seen" Houstonians.

Unlimited Concepts and Wonderful Surprises

By L774TRbarbarad |

Shaun Stockton, GM of The Annie, graciously hosted The Houston Concierge Association. The private space was amazing, as is the entire Annie experience. I was delighted by the hidden speakeasy (you would never imagine), and the palm trees throughout The Annie. There are several uniquely beautiful private dining areas. The HCA were treated to warm hospitality, elegant ambiance, incredible service (Danny and Tuan), and delicious food. This is the destination I would choose for a special event, lunch/brunch with girls, after work with friends, and it's perfect for a romantic evening. You can sit at the bar, be seated on the lovely patio, or have a private outdoor Cabana experience. There is no limit to The Annie's exciting concepts. The valet parking is smooth, and there is complimentary self parking behind the building. As Concierge at the Hilton-Americas Hotel I will definitely be guiding guests to The Annie, because I know they will be as wowed as I was.

Timeless Houston Icon

By Stacy S |

Can't say enough positive things about Cafe Annie. Has been one of my favorites for 20+ years. The food, the ambiance, the staff, the owners, the wine list... All impeccable. If you are in Houston, the is a "must experience" place!

Good Food and Service

By Traveling_Lady_2004 |

Had our Holiday luncheon at this restaurant. I think it was Café Annie but the name changed. Restaurant is located in the Galleria area off of Post Oak. On arrival there is valet parking. We were greeted very warmly by a lady upstairs. Food was good I had the Crabs Cakes, I could taste the crab meat. Wine excellent. Service on par with this upscale restaurant. Prices can be high depending on what you order. We had an enjoyable time.

Disappointed

By athomas255 |

My family an I had dinner at the main dinning room. The decor,ambiance and entire settings are top notch. The service was very good, attentive,cordial and non intrusive. The wine list is extensive and with reasonable prices. As an appetizer we ordered Asian nachos and were excellent. The big problems were the main entrees. My wife ordered sea scallops that were simply awful. The only good thing about them is that were so bad that they took them out off the final tab. One of my sons had a nothing special Rib-eye and my other son had a flavorless and dry Guinea hen. On the other hand I ordered a delicious rabbit with a mole enchilada One out of four is not acceptable for an expensive restaurant with a good reputation like Cafe Annie.

Quiet and lovely setting

By MND1344 |

We had a really nice dinner at RDG last night and we could easily hear each other. The room was lovely and the food was very good. I started with the kale salad and loved it. I had the beef for my main and liked it. I wish I had gone with the tuna. On the whole I really liked the restaurant and would return.

Good food, good service!

By okidoc808 |

I'm back at this Resto again because they always meet my expectations. Service is excellent and food is top notch! Waitstaff is always attentive. They're mostly in their late 40s so are seasoned and knows the menu and how to please the clients. The Cesar salad has crumbled bleu cheese which I like. The tortilla soup was nicely presented. The ribeye is too big for me to finish. The sweet glazing is just perfect. The red snapper was cooked perfectly and the red sauce really compliments the fish. The coffee compliments the desert pretty good. There's a ballet but charges $5. Definitely be back.

Fine food-cool menu

By MW3 |

The food here is always really good and the service attentive and professional. Cool atmosphere too. I felt compelled to write a review when I saw this restaurant was rated #300+ in Houston. It would be in any real "Foody's" list of top 5 restaurants in Houston for fine dining. My own personal list of top 5 would also include D'Amarco, Marks, Brasserie 19 and Tony's.

Excellent meal with Excellent Service

By StartYourDay |

Our whole evening was an exceptional experience. The server was extremely polite and knowledgable and our meal was absolutely delicious. We had some special requests due a strict medical diet and the owner was incredibly helpful and obliging to ensure our every need was met. The decor is so lovely and the atmosphere lovely and friendly, but still very private.

Cafe Annie - GREAT choice!

By MichelleVitt |

We had an excellent meal here! Beautiful atmosphere, the service was superb. Interesting tasty choices - we especially enjoyed the rabbit and the pheasant. The desserts were delicious too!

Over priced

By memtxrn |

We went to this restaurant last night with a group of friends. The ambience was great walking in, decor is super cute and people are friendly. We waited 30 mins for an actual menu, not sure if it was intentional or not. My husband and I were a little shocked at the menu prices, but figured that the food must be really good based on the reviews! I ordered the snapper with crab bouillabaisse and my husband ordered the ribeye, and we had a 6 raw oysters ($20 for the oysters-yikes!) The meal was ok. The crab used was claw meat and not lump crab, definitely not worth the price we paid. My husbands steak was good, but again, not worth the pice. In general the waiter was not very attentive. We had to get the surrounding waiters' attention for food items that weren't correct or forgotten. There are better places around houston to spend $300 for 2 people!! We will not be going back.

Excellent Food, Location and Ambiance

By Bob S |

Excellent dining experience. Good food and presentation. Highly recommend going to this restaurant. Will return often for business and special personal events/celebrations. .

Lunch in the trees . . .

By houstontravelingfool |

Had a wonderful lunch experience on their outdoor patio that felt like we were eating in a tree house. Food was filling and delicious and the service friendly and helpful. I'd highly recommend this outdoor experience.

Problems

By josephine99 |

Will not tell one what is in the food preparation so I cannot eat there because of food allergies. Too bad, and surprising in light of their huge reputation. Josephine

Great food and lively athmosphere

By Kladower |

Went for a business dinner and enjoyed a good meal with a good glass of wine. Service was excellent.

Wow best restaurant in Houston!

By Sophia523144 |

Seriously I don't get how this is not number one rated on trip advisor. Paco the General Manager who has been there for years is an incredible host and the service is incredible. Cuisine fantastic. The mushroom soup, scallops, and all of the other entrees and apps are to die for. This place has it's act together and coming to this restaurant feels like a special event. In this day and age it is very hard to feel impressed by a restaurant but whomever owns RDG has taken great care to make every guest feel special. Bravo! We will be back! Our favorite restaurant in Houston! Also one of the most beautiful dining rooms in terms of decor and lighting that I have ever seen or experienced. Wish you would open a restaurant in Austin!

Dissapointing

By Martin L |

I have been a Cafe Annie /Del Grande Fan for a decade.Took my wife for her Birthday and what a disappointment. First we had a drink at the bar and those were just fine. Everything went downhill once at the table. The appetizer portion of ribs were delicious, but the time between the appetizer and service for our entree was extraordinarily long , so much so that the Captan unsolicited gave us an apology and offered free desert. My wife’s Kale salad was bland and totally not tasty. Our red fish for two entree tasted like mud and had a very fishy smell. Nothing I would expect from from Del Grande. The good....Bathrooms are now upstairs

Overpriced, Small portions

By DrEitan |

Came with my wife and 4 year old to try. 16 dollars for pasta! Salmon for 32 bucks! Wow! I ordered the Steak and Eggs and was disappointed- steak was average and had a slight taste of gas, and no sides all for 28 bucks. Service was average and we came on a not busy time at 11:30am on a weekday. The place is nice and ambiance was well done. Food was not wow or of the best value! Spend your money somewhere else.

Beautiful Place, Inventive and excellent food, great service

By Jerry C |

Booking required as it is the place to be. There is valet parking, but if you are staying in the Post Oak area (e.g. the Hilton across the street) you can walk. Very good bar and also inventive "bar snacks". Don't miss the crab tostata- also makes a good starter and save room for dessert. Good wine list, especially from Argentina.

business dinner

By fkher |

at one time this may have been the best restaurant in Texas, let alone Houston. things have changed a bit. the food is not as outstanding as it used to be, the service not quite there. dont get me wrong the food was delicious but not extraordinary and thats what i remember given the price one would expect extraordinary. i will not stop coming for as we know things change

Think twice before going...

By Tmb1021 |

Great location, wonderful ambience but slow service and the food portions are extremely small for the price that you're paying. Not to mention the scallops and asparagus were cold. We had a party of 8 & they refused to do split checks - they screwed up the dollar amounts each of us were charged on our credit cards. I will not be back & I will definitely tell others about my experience.

Pot pie 🥧

By AUSAGUY007 |

As you can see from the but the crust was too and the Rue was not thick enough the pop pie looks good from the outside the salad was also and the bread pudding was average for the prices they charge they should do a better job

Superb fine dining

By Robyn608 |

Excellent menu and wine list plus service. We are never disappointed when eating here. Larger party nunbers well catered for as well as intimate dining.

FANTASTIC

By SibaritaViajeroC |

Loved it, great service, the bar has a great mood. The dessert was my favorite. The atmosphere of the place is great for a nice dinner...

Great place.

By Mary P |

This place is always good. Great selection of food and good service. We went there on for a banking dinner.

Not even close to what it once was.

By Foodie20141980 |

The food was not very good at all. The ribeye was flavorless, the cheesecake was bitter, and the lobster special was terrible. Very, very disappointing for the amount of money we paid for an anniversary dinner. We visited Cafe Annie a few year ago, the food we had last night wasn't even a shell of what we ate at Cafe Annie. I should have realized when the place was empty that the food wasn't going to be very good.

Love the location, food is so-so

By Mrs.Diaz |

This is the new Café Annie's, I love the new location and decor, but the food is a little blah for the price and reputation. The service is outstanding, and so are the desserts!!

Still got it

By AUSAGUY007 |

The salad was good... Service was good... The steak was OK not great... Could not really tell the dry age flavor... But all the steak sauces were great... Lots for flavor... The grits were good but did not have a deep flavor of cheese and beacon... Was it worth 75 bucks... Personally I don't think so

Change can be good..

By C B |

The new and improved Annie is still a wonderful dining experience. Fresh fish, elegant salads make this a most try restaurant in Houston. Restaurants of this caliber often display a pretentious attitude...you won't find that at Cafe Annie. They appreciate your business and aim to make your dining experience the best in Houston. It might just be.....