Restaurant
Review: Grille 5115, Houston
I recently had a near perfect
meal at Grille 5115.
It started with their Traditional
Caesar Salad ($6.25), a simple creation
of crisp, tender, baby romaine, topped with
shaved Parmesan and a very good dressing
– not too creamy, not too oily, just
enough oomph. A wine that turned my following
week into an obsessive, and eventually successful,
scavenger hunt accompanied this first course.
The 1996 Frogs Leap Zinfandel. Rich
and smooth-spicy, with incredible prune
and vanilla flavors, it was a highlight.
Good luck finding any, but if you do, buy
all you see.
Anyway, the main course was
an off the menu pecan crusted lamb chops
in a perfect reduction sauce, served with
garlicky mashed potatoes and a mix of carrots
and green beans. ($19) Heaven. The lamb
chops were so thick and tender, you would
not believe it. And with the Frogs Leap…
well, my dining companion and I were emitting
embarrassingly loud moans of ecstasy. Embarrassing
to the people around us. We were oblivious
as we polished off every last bite.
An outstanding apple spice
cake, served a la mode topped off the
fabulous meal. Rich, not too sweet, and
with just the right amount of the cinnamon,
nutmeg, clove combo, it was perfect with
good strong coffee. The dessert tray itself
is a little miracle. It's hard to believe
they can get that many desserts onto one
tray. It's overwhelming.
Other favorites, sampled over
several evenings: Corn chowder with roasted
corn and crab salsa ($5). Chicken breast
stuffed with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes
in ancho chile cream and red wine sauce
($16). BBQ glazed wild salmon filet over
roasted corn and black bean salsa with jumbo
shrimp ($20). Additionally, we tried some
off the menu pork chops, as well as a seared
tuna steak. Both were outstanding.
The room is soothing and sleek.
A neutral palate of white and gray and warm
lighting contributes to the glamorous serenity
of the place, with tables mercifully spaced
to allow for private conversation. Grille
5115 is owned by Bruce Molzan, who started
with Ruggles (a long time Houston favorite)
and is quickly taking over the entire city
restaurant scene.
The wine list is heavy on
California choices and fairly reasonably
priced, given that the mark-ups are closer
to twice rather than three times the retail
price. I find myself wishing there were
more selections under $30, but the select
list does beautifully match the style of
the food. Sadly, I know they are sold out
of the 1996 Frogs Leap (did I mention it
became an obsession?), but there are plenty
of other excellent California choices of
all varietals.
Grille 5115 is the perfect
choice for an excellent dinner (avoid lunch
-- too many ladies who shop can make it
a little intense) in a beautiful setting.
They even take reservations -- how refreshing!
I know the memory of that perfect meal will
pull me back many times. (october 1999)
5115 Westheimer
(Westheimer at Post Oak)
Houston, TX
(713) 963-8067
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm
Friday, Saturday: 11am - 11pm
Closed Sundays
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