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RDG + Bar Annie

MY REVIEW: I wasn't impressed.

Although the restaurant is small, the noise level was very high - especially considering it was a week night. The food wasn't bad, it just wasn't anywhere near as good as I was expecting, and the extremely heavy use of jalapeno and serrano peppers in my dishes pretty much numbed my taste buds to other flavors anyway. (I must note we ordered from the "Houston Restaurant Week" menu, not the regular dinner menu.)

I doubt I will return. I didn't think RDG was worth my time or money.

NAME: mcc
SUBMITTED: 8/25/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: Aug 2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I made a reserevation for 6:30 on a Friday night after hearing a rave review from my boss. The decor is beautiful. It is also possible to have a relaxed coversation, unlike the noisy restaurants that are common in Houston. The waiter was very professional and handled all our questions.

My wife chose the rib eye and I chose the redfish with oyster dressing. The redfish was simple and tasty. My wife was thrilled with her steak. She asked for well done and the waiter promised her a perfect, well done, juicy steak. He warned it would take time to slowly cook it right. We enjoyed the warm fresh baked bread until the steak arrived, perfect as promised.

We had saved room for dessert, because they offer a full page of fresh baked temptations. We enjoyed both the pecan tart and fresh berry tart. RDG is a good special occation restaurant with quiet atmosphere and a very professional kitchen. The $100 price of our meal was worth it.

NAME: eng
SUBMITTED: 8/30/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: August2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: My husband and I went to RDG for the first time this past Sunday for our anniversary. The restaurant is very pretty, and it was definitely not noisy as there were only 4 other tables full besides ours. We started with the bacon wrapped quail, which was pretty good. My husband had the steak tartar, and I had the filet mignon with bacon and cheddar sauce. My husband said his steak tartar was okay but that M*x & J*lie's makes it better. My steak was good, but it was the bacon cheddar sauce that really made it. If it didn't have the sauce, it would have been a little bland, but it did have a nice crust on the outside. I'll stick to P*ppa's Steakhouse when I want a good steak that doesn't need a sauce to make it stand out from the rest.

The major disappointment of the night was the cheesecake that I had for dessert. I don't usually order cheesecake, but my husband wanted to share it this time. It was so dry and bland, and I just sat there confused because I thought this place was supposed to have such wonderful food. It was as if Sunday's dessert was leftover from Friday. Now I know also that they have a limited menu on Sunday, but that doesn't mean that you should expect less quality on any given day of the week. It didn't say anywhere on the website that Sunday was a limited menu, but I guess I know now. I would have ordered the apple crepes, blackberry tart, or chocolate cake had they offered those options when we were there.

I could try this restaurant or the bar again some other night, but it will be my last time if the food doesn't improve. For the price you pay, you'd better get nothing short of excellent. Especially considering how many really good restaurants there are in this city.

NAME: Loves2eat
SUBMITTED: 6/16/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: June/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Went for lunch with a guest. The room was lively and perhaps a little noisy. For two people sitting oppisite each other, communication was fine; for a larger group at a table, it might be difficult. We both had fish specials - speckled trout and striped bass. Both were prepared simply without sauce or seasoning or much adornment. We enjoyed the "Community Dessert" of 4 macaroons. I would go back for the scene but would go to M*ckingbird Bistro for lunch for the food and the quieter atmosphere.

NAME: FoodMaven
SUBMITTED: 12/11/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: December 2009
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Strong points: Beautiful restaurant with great ambiance however the bar is too small to enjoy withou being bothered by passing staff or guests being seated.

Weak: The food. I am sure that chef Del Grande has not tried the food being put out or has talked to guests and received feedback. Here is mine:

fried oyster app was bland , no flavor and served crunched up in a bowl .

crab beignets ( crab balls) , just fried and very little crab an ok sauce very very over priced could had better at any seafood restaurant in town.

Rabbit: it had great flavor but no sides, no vegetables, not a thing ! not worth the money. The seabass was excellent but the lobster crepe was bland and the crepe was very " eggy" came with just an ounce of sliced asparagus, again expensive! very poor value for the food served . Desserts: apple crepe ( miniscule) and filled with very salty goat cheese and a little scoop of ice cream .

I do ont understant how a great chef like Del Grande falls into this minimalistic flavorless food that is expensive and with a great lack of presentation and value.

I think this is another M*o's or T*asting Room where it is just see and be seen and thats all. If that is the case then do not go for the food or drinks , jsut go for the "view" and you would have a great time

NAME: HouFoodie
SUBMITTED: 11/30/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/2009
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Went with a larger group, and I do not think anyone liked their food. Bland taste, small portions, and very loud. Very, very unimpressed with the food (although the restaurant is gorgeous)

NAME: Booo
SUBMITTED: 8/25/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: Aug/09
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Amazing new space with great design. Expanded bar seating makes this area much more appealing and comfortable. All of the staff are friendly and welcoming. Paco always makes the experience a pleasure.

The food is reliably great and it's nice to see the return of some classic favorites (coffee bean encrusted filet in particular) as well as some excellent new choices. Sunday dinner has a more casual feel with a special menu - can't wait for the planned Sunday brunch. All in all a fresh update of a Houston classic with a vibrant modern vibe.

NAME: HouTexan
SUBMITTED: 8/15/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 08/09
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

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