Toulouse

Toulouse Café & Bar is located at 4444 Westheimer in the middle of the bustling River Oaks District in the Uptown/Galleria area. The Lombardi Family Concepts casual bistro is beautifully decorated with art deco wine posters and dark woods, and the dining room opens up to a perfectly manicured promenade. The menu is a delight, featuring mostly French fare with the exception of smoked salmon latkes, crab cakes and calamari. The beef bourguignon, made with braised boneless short ribs and homemade pasta, is outstanding. The soufflé with Grand Marnier sauce is the sweet way to go. Unfortunately, the diver scallops tasted a bit fishy and one of the three plated was entirely too rare. The charcuterie plate was not the best choice, but the cheese plate was very good. Toulouse is a nice place to meet up with friends for a cocktail at the bar or for people-watching. Ask for the happy hour menu, which features several $7 petites bouchées and boissons (mini pastries and drinks).