Burger Chic

There are two ways to enjoy the RDG Burger at RDG + Bar Annie (1800 Post Oak, 713-840-1111): alone ($15) or as part of a lunch special ($19). Do yourself a favor and go for the special, which you can get with Robert Del Grande's incredible wild mushroom soup and a rich, gooey, chocolate cookie that may just be the best you've ever tasted. As for the burger, it's cooked to your specifications — rare is not a problem. The half-inch, hand-formed USDA-Prime burger, served with lettuce, tomato, pickles and cheese, is tall and sleek-looking, sort of like Del Grande himself. Three ramekins of ketchup, mustard and mayo sit on the side. The accompanying crispy, thin-cut fries, which have grated cheese slowly melting over the top of them, are served in nothing less than a silver cup.