Category Archives: Brunch

Date 10 – Blacksmith

Where: Blacksmith, 1018 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
When: March 9, 2013

In search of a new breakfast joint, I suggested we go to the recently opened Blacksmith. I’ve been a fan of Erin Smith’s work and I was excited to try this out. Tagging along on this date was a special guest, Brenden’s friend Mars.

We arrived and stood in line to place our order. The line was confusing and in the way of the patrons and servers, which was annoying, but typical of a coffee shop. I ordered a latte and a croque madame, Mars ordered a tea and a croque madame and Brenden a cortado a sausage biscuit sans egg. The man doesn’t like eggs. I just can’t comprehend.

We thankfully found a table (the place was packed) and soon after got our food. Brenden looked down and his and said, “really?” I rolled my eyes, I mean, if you order something with a main ingredient missing, yeah, it’s going to look small. The biscuit was supposed to be the draw anyhow and Brenden did not seem impressed.

I highly enjoyed my sandwich, especially the perfect bechamel. Mars liked his as well, but seemed most impressed with the tea. Determined to make Brenden like this place, I went to the counter to get another latte and ordered him a croissant with marmalade.

When that came, Brenden again shrugged (he was in a mood) but his eyes lit up after the first bite. He loved it. What we didn’t love? The prices. But we’ve been back a few times since.

Date 8 – Beaucoup Bar & Grill

Where: Beaucoup Bar & Grill, 3102 Old Spanish Trail, Houston, TX 77054
When: February 24, 2013

This was a highly anticipated brunch date. I had been introduced to Beaucoup at the 2012 Houston Rodeo’s Best Bites, where they won. My coworker also mentioned liking to brunch here, so I could not wait to surprise Brenden with this date. We actually drove past it twice – it’s really hard to find! It shares a small parking lot with a meat market. Have no idea how people park when it’s busy.

We arrived on a warm Sunday morning to their restaurant, which was extremely dark and dank. This was definitely more bar than restaurant. There was a large, rather loud table seated inside already and jazz music was playing. The hostess asked if we’d like inside or outside seating and we opted for outside considering the weather. That might’ve been a mistake. It looked like the patio hadn’t been cleaned from the night before. The stale stench of beer and liquor and who knows what else lingered in the air. 104.1 KRBE was cranked up and we sat alone outside, in very unpleasant conditions. We weren’t completely alone though, a fluffy kitty sat in a chair next to us. The server apologized for the cat’s presence, saying that it was Wangs, the bar cat, which they took care of at Beaucoup. We are fond of cats and we assured the server we didn’t mind Wangs joining us for brunch at all. He looked like Brenden’s cat Wendy.

We ordered coffee. The menu called said it was French Press but it tasted burnt. Brenden opted for the wangs and waffles and I had The Big Easy sandwich. I also ordered a waffle. We suffered through KRBE commercials and watched someone wash down the tables from the night before. Everything seemed so… hungover.

When our food arrived, Brenden asked for some butter and syrup for his waffles. The server brought back a to-go container of syrup and some single servings of Country Crock, which upon opening were congealed, as they had been previously melted. We then asked if they had any real butter for their waffles – the server replied they did not. We were completely perplexed. “No butter… not even in the kitchen? What do you cook with?” The server responded that they did cook with butter but it was only melted. Which made zero sense. We left it alone.

Our meal was so disappointing. My sandwich was sloppy, the crushed croissant didn’t hold it together and it had a piece of processed American cheese on it. The waffles were even worse, soft and soggy and made out of a cinnamon batter. I think I only had a few bites before I gave up on it. Brenden said his wings were only ok, but also did not like his waffle.

I think Beaucoup does their non-breakfast food well. Everyone seems to rage about their crawfish bread. And they can obviously throw a party. Brunch, however, is not their forte.