"The first thing the staff at the mostly French restaurant A’Bouzy in River Oaks puts on your table when you sit down is a paper bag full of warm, salty popcorn. Talk about priming the pump. As a half-restaurant, half-wine bar known for having an extensive champagne and sparkling wine list, the folks at A’Bouzy aren’t being subtle about suggesting you order a bottle of bubbles, like, right the hell now. Once the server pops that bottle—upon which the staff yells, “A’Bouzy!” in unison—and you cram a handful of popcorn into your mouth, you’re sold. photo credit: Becca Wright The entire experience, no matter whether you sit indoors or outside on the umbrella-covered patio, is fantastic, from the food to the service to champagne. Add on a charcuterie board, some spicy beef tartare, moules-frites, or braised veal with pasta, and it’s as though you slipped through the looking glass into French bistro heaven. Nothing at A’Bouzy is particularly fancy, apart from the place being in a fancy neighborhood and serving champagne. But once that silver ice bucket slides onto your table and someone mutters French-nothings in your direction, it’s like you can’t even see the construction along Westheimer anymore." - Chelsea Thomas
