I love Upper Kirby for its location, it’s shopping, and area eats. Now a new flavor in town to add to the “must dine” list and to spice up Houston! If you have not experienced Ruggles Black it’s time to make your reservation. Restraunteur Neera Patidar (former owner of NOSH) has teamed up with Chef/ Co-Owner Bruce Molzan to create a restaurant bar only the two of them could pull off with flying colors! Consider cuisine influenced by India/China/France/America all compiled into one! The menu items appeal to all palettes and the dishes will WOW you with every bite! Caution, you may drool!
Recently my friend Lori and I dined here for dinner. We had a reservation; we were greeted with a smile, and seated immediately. Although just the two of us we ordered enough food for a group of four! It was really hard to resist the choices. Just to give you an idea, menu items include: angry shrimp, curry mussels, crab tower, pork belly beet salad, Paleo veggie tacos, pistachio encrusted snapper, crunchy kale salad, Tandoori chicken flatbread and lamb flatbread. Plenty of sweets too but we did not make it that far! My favorite dishes were the angry shrimp and curry mussels. Take a look at the size of the mussels too! Size does matter in my book (we’re talking mussels here) and I always ask my waiter to bring out a sample before I order them. (There is a particular popular restaurant in mind which always disappoints, but I will not throw them under the bus….today!).
Now let’s talk ambiance. This is a wonderful date place! The setting is small and quaint offering a more intimate dining experience. I prefer to sit in a booth next to the window, if I do get to choose my spot. There is outdoor patio space as well. The bar area is a bit crowded but once you have some good wine and apps, who cares! The space offers a modern casual and earthy feel. I don’t feel like I am in Houston, except for the fact I may know some of my fellow diners that evening!
In all, I have put this place in the Top 5 of my restaurant list. It’s trendy décor, intimate crowd, great service, and most importantly the food and wine; it hits all of my sweet spots! I will be back again, again, and again.
Ruggles Black is located at 3963 Kirby Drive. They are open for lunch and dinner. A reservation is recommended but not required. Check out their website at www.rugglesblack.com . While you are there, say hello to Neera and let her know “Trende Brende” sent you! She is not hard to miss in her oh-so-fashinably-fabulous ensembles!
