Did that gorgeous bowl of mussels (moules) stop you in your tracks? You can enjoy this delectable dish and more at Etoile Cuisine et Bar!

Tucked in a corner of bustling Uptown Park, Etoile is not a new restaurant in Houston, but it has held it’s own and continues to please after 5 years! It’s a sophisticated French eatery with a modern farmhouse interior boasting chandeliers, gorgeous wood accents, and a muted color palatte, and serving traditional & seasonal French fare. There is also a nice patio area to dine on when the weather permits, like the day we were there. While all the new restaurants in town are getting mentioned on blogs and websites I thought that Etoile Cuisine et Bar deserved a little “re-recognition” too 🙂

The Story…

“The owners of Etoile, Chef Philippe Verpiand and Monica Bui, have created an inviting, warm European environment where fine French food is front and center. “We want to dispel the notion that French food is heavy and pretentious,” says the team, recently transplanted to Houston from San Diego, where they owned the famed Cavaillon restaurant. Everything about Etoile, from the inviting outside facade to the intriguing interior design to the high quality service, is meant to convey a feeling of truly being in France. With Chef Philippe’s take on a seasonal menu using a French technique, it’s a place where fine food lovers come together, not on a special occasion, but to enjoy every day.”

I recently met my good friend and fellow blogger Bridgette of A Color Pop Life at Etoile in Uptown Park for a girl’s lunch while the kids were at school. Besides being good friends, Bridgette and I are partners at To Be Simply Happy blog.

Bridgette and I had a delightful lunch laughing and talking, as we always do, catching up on life: our kids, upcoming vacations, our aspirations, our blogs… We also enjoyed some delicious food!

It was très bon! I will definitely go back for a date night with my hubby when we want to have a great French dinner close to home.

Merci Etoile!