Sunday, December 12, 2010

Barnaby's Cafe

4 out of 5 Stars
 
Montrose / River Oaks
1701 S Shepherd Dr
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 520-5131
 
Galleria
5750 Woodway Dr # 174
Houston, TX 77057-1500
(713) 266-0046
 
In light of summer, I've been craving lighter foods. Generally not a big salad girl, I'm always on the lookout for greens with a certain "Je n'ais sais Quois".

Enter Barnaby's - the posh but causal neighborhood eatery welcoming pooches (via patio) and their masters alike.

Barnaby's doesn't know how to make a lame salad. Barnaby's doesn't know how to serve a salad with less than 5 ingredients. But Barnaby's definitely knows how to turn a salad into a party (yes, I've just referenced The Hills).

I've enjoyed the Salsalito Crunch, Chinese Chicken, Lebanese Fattoush and Mediterranean Salad for years and they always impress.

Its funny - about a year ago, I thought I had sworn off Barnaby's. While they have a large menu, and I'm not very picky, most dishes did not stick out to me and I'd always settle on a burger. And while I adore their fries, the burger was always a little too dry and the bun was a little too wheaty.

Being on my salad kick has reunited me with my old friend Barnaby "and it feels so good".

What's so great about their salads? First - THEY ARE HUGE! You can actually split a salad and still take home lunch for tomorrow. $9 goes FAR.

Most salads come with grilled chicken (I always ask for the shredded form to compliment the cool and crisply chopped lettuce). But they are happy to top any of their salads with chicken / tuna salad and salmon as well (for an extra charge). As I mentioned, their salads come perfectly chopped - no cutting up massive lettuce leaves. This gives you the pleasure of tasting every FRESH ingredient in each bite.

My only issue with Barnaby's is their menu. Sure they list the salads, but could it kill them to describe the salads underneath???  I've only been to Salsalito once and can't imagine it in salad form, sorry!

JUST A TIP: Don't attempt to save $$ by doing the half order salad. They only take about $1 off so you might as well have salad that will last you another meal or 2.

Bonus: they give you insanely generous amounts of dressing in to go ramekins (so you don't have to worry about soggy salad). That's what's up!

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