The legendary Cafe Annie didn't close, it just moved down the street to a glamorous building with a second-floor patio and sublime lighting. It is now called RDG, which are the chef's initials.\r
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Texas Monthly magazine named RDG the best new restaurant in Texas. Forbes magazine and Gayot/MSN named RDG as one of the Top 10 New Restaurants. \r
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Chef Robert Del Grande, who is RDG, has received numerous culinary awards and honors including:\r
• Food & Wine – Best Restaurant Houston 1999\r
• Food & Wine – Best Wine List Houston 1999\r
• America's Top Tables – Gourmet 1999, 1998 and 1997\r
• Chef of the Year – 1998 Culinary Award\r
• The DiRoNa Award – Distinguished Restaurants of North America 1997\r
• The James Beard Award 1992\r
• The Ivy Award – Restaurant and Institutions 1992\r
• Fine Dining Hall of Fame - Nation's Restaurant News\r
• Who's Who of Cooking in Texas\r
• Honor Roll of American Chefs – Food & Wine \r
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He also was featured in the PBS ""Great Chefs"" series with Pierre Franey in 1992. Del Grande also appeared in the 1994 PBS production ""Cooking with Master Chefs,"" featuring Julia Child.\r
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My old Cafe Annie favorite was the crabmeat tostadas; now, RDG reinvented it to ""Gulf Crab & Haas Avocado w/ Watercress & Apple Slaw Tortilla Chips"". I miss the rabbit enchiladas, but there are so many other delectable items to choose from, I'll live.\r
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The bar is still called Bar Annie, and it is hopping on Thursday nights. They have special lighting that makes everyone look younger. I have friends who go to power lunches all day and love to people/fashion watch here. \r
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Most of the staff has been there 20+ years and are practically family. One can still see Mimi Del Grande, Candice Schiller, and Lonnie Schiller, the other owners there, on most nights. VIP customer service is a tradition here.\r
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It is expensive, but don't feel guilty eating here. The Del Grandes and the Schillers contribute frequently to Houston's non-profits. These two special families also started Cafe Express and Taco Milagro.
Pros: Chef Robert Del Grande; location
Cons: Prices for a 5-star establishment
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