bar annie

1728 post oak blvd @ san felipe

stopped in for a quick bite to eat tonight between social engagements at bar annie, the bar at cafe annie. it was 8:30pm on a saturday night. the tables in the bar were all full, but we managed to find 3 seats next to each other at the bar itself. the service was friendly and expedient. we were given the main dining room and the bar menus to order from. this is what we ordered:
steak tartare - on both menus, $16. good quality beef. raw chicken egg yolk on top. little piles of chopped shallots, deseeded jalapeno, sea salt, capers, dijon mustard, and also something red (some kind of dried pepper) on the side. we mixed everything together and the result was oversalted. toasted french bread slices provided. it was decent, not great. we expected more flavor and heat. my friend and i agreed that the steak tartare is better at capital grille (no longer on the menu, but can still be special requested).

fried shrimp w/ lobster roe tartar sauce - bar menu, $14. this dish made the houston press best of 2007 list for best fried shrimp. served with coleslaw which was a little too vinegary for my taste. the tartar was nothing special. the fried shrimp was good, but to be perfectly frank, i like the ones at barbeque inn better. i would easily order it again but with fries next time.

roast suckling pig - dining room menu, $29. coconut pineapple broth, sliced roasted pineapple, yucca mash. amazing dish. the pork was very tender. i wish the pork skin was a bit more crispy, i will request this next time.

seared ahi tuna w/ chorizo & radishes - dining room menu, $34. i only had a bite of it and it tasted dull and bland to me. however, my other dinner companion enjoyed it.
onion rings, bar menu $6. yummy, although the "ketchup" they provided was too runny and sweet. very similar to a tempura batter.

great experience there tonight w/o breaking the bank. i definitely recommend sitting at the bar for a more casual experience. i look forward to trying the famous black bean terrine there on my next visit and it will be hard to convince me to order something other than the roast suckling pig which is now easily one of my favorite dishes in houston.