the best patio eats in houston

A little over 2 years ago, my girlfriend Dede invited me to lunch with several other local bloggers at her favorite restaurant (and now mine, too), Brasserie 19 in River Oaks Shopping Center. Never having really tasted such authentic French food, I wasn't sure what to expect or if I'd find anything on the menu to my liking. I've never been more pleasantly surprised from the moment we walked in the door- the entire atmosphere of the restaurant gave off such sophistication yet warmth, like visiting an old friend to catch up over tea. It was a blogger's dream: marble table tops, a palm tree lined street out the windows, and a crisp white interior with wooden herringbone floors. Perfection.

Then we got to the menu and I was even more in awe when I realized I wanted to order one of everything: tasty deviled eggs, crispy gulf oysters, tuna tartare, and croque monsieur to name a few. We all ordered different mouthwatering entrees and I knew in that moment I needed to get myself to Paris, rapidement. It only took two years to make it happen, but it did! Thank you, Brasserie 19, for sparking my love of French food. You may have created a monster. ;)

When my Mom was in town last week and we did some shopping in River Oaks Shopping Center, I knew I had to take her to lunch at Brasserie 19. It was also Boone's first restaurant outing and he did amazing, sleeping through the whole thing since the patio was a perfect 70 degrees, music was playing softly in the background, and our waitress was kind enough to talk quietly at our table. It was the perfect lunch and I'm already itching to go back while the weather is so beautiful this spring.

 

photos by Ban Avenue Photography


Y'all know I love River Oaks Shopping Center and frequent the area for kids clothes, gifts, nails, and of course food. All of that shopping works up an appetite and mama has to recharge with some tasty fuel! Some of my other favorite spots to visit with great patios are:
1. La Griglia- Delicious Italian food with favorites such as Stracci, Wild Boar Chop, and Wild Mushroom Lasagna. The patio is really spacious and accommodating for strollers.
2. Epicure Cafe- A bistro style cafe that features fresh food that's made from scratch daily. I always get the Pistachio Cake for dessert- it's delicious! 
3. Perry's Steakhouse- This is a "coming soon" for River Oaks Shopping Center that I'm so excited about! Thinking a date night on the patio is in order once it opens.
4. la Madeleine- I have loved this restaurant for as long as I can remember because it's one of my grandma's favorites. My go-to order is the Quiche Florentine, a house-made egg spinach and Swiss custard baked in a buttery, flaky pie crust.


For other restaurants in ROSC, you can visit the website directory HERE. Bear always requests a pit stop at Marble Slab Creamery, which I never object. We are some serious ice cream addicts with no shame. With all the Marble Slab I consumed the last 9 months, I have no doubt Boone will be an ice cream lover soon, too.

Thank you for stopping by! If you're a fellow Houstonian, have you tried any of these spots in
River Oaks Shopping Center? I'd love to hear your favorite dining patio spots.
And happy first official day of Spring!
xo, Britt


*This post is sponsored by River Oaks Shopping Center however all thoughts and opinions are my own.