VeniVidiEdi

Champagne-fueled concept. Have you heard of anything more enticing? I couldn’t wait for this weekend to try this place. Shawn Virene, one of the guys behind another awesome restaurant that we frequent – Brasserrie 19, founded this gem. It boasts of more than 1000 wines on the list and 250+ of sparkling wines. With this nugget of info, me, Dave and our livers were set to go.

I ordered this a’Bouzy Mule while waiting for D to order wine. It takes him a long time to pick wines. To be fair, he did have a thousand to go through.

This is his winner. I know little about wines but I know enough that you cannot go wrong with a 2009 Bordeaux.

Tuna Watermelon Sashimi—Ahi Tuna, spicy soy caviar, watermelon,
avocado mousse

Baked Oysters —
Tomato, onion, pesto, parmesan, bacon, aromatic rock salt

Seared Diver Scallops–
Baja diver scallops, shrimp, clams, braised Swiss chard,reduced seafood broth, basil lemon oil, grilled bread

Prime Tenderloin Filet–
Prime beef center cut Filet Mignon, horseradish mashed
potato, green bean medley

The restaurant lived up to the hype. It was already very crowded when we left. The noise level, was kinda high. All the champagne being popped certainly made the atmosphere very festive. We realized as we left that we had three different kinds of booze and none was champagne….Clearly we need to go back!!!

The food was really good. I was already expecting that because of our really good experiences at Brasserrie 19. The drinks really floored us, though. So many good selections and really affordable. As we got home, D already looked at the wine list online that knew what bottle he was going to try next!

a’Bouzy , 2300 WESTHEIMER HOUSTON, TX

I had a wonderful start to my Sunday as we tried this great restaurant offering the most quirky and delicious soufflés. This is the first environmentally conscious salon de soufflé that I’ve been to, utilizing renewable cork flooring, using drinking glasses made from recycled wine bottles.  The “serviettes” or napkins are one-of-a-kind antique linen, made from pre-industry flax and hand-embroidered with family initials. All of the flatware is an eclectic mix of antique silver plate utensils from France.

This is the greeting I had as I sat on our reserved table. This is for the second anniversary of my blog. Aint that sweet?

This bread cutter is the bomb. It’s available for sale. Naturally, we bought one for home.

Marshmallow Soup! It is actually tomato bisque with goat cheese marshmallow and pesto sauce drizzle.

D had Bordeaux vs. California Reds. A very interesting mix. The winner? Bordeaux (of course)

As you get to the middle, the smell of truffle assaults your senses in the most amazing way.

Look how dense it is, yet it is still light as air.

My dessert flight — Moscato (Piedmont), Suterne (2011), 20year old Tawny port, and and amazing Spanish dessert wine that I really have to read up on because it has become my favorite thing.

As we paid the bill, we were already planning on what to get the next time we come here. That’s how good it was. Presentation was excellent, ingredients were topnotch and fresh, service was impeccable and execution was above par. Those are my 4 criteria for a good restaurant and Rise no 2 got it all.

Rise n°2 Salon de Soufflé and Wine bar, 1700 Post Oak Blvd #290, Houston