WISE GUY | march 2010

A GUY’S GOTTA EAT

Hello, fellow wise guys, plus new and regular readers of this column. I am writing this piece the day after the Super Bowl and the last thing I want to think about is food after stuffing myself on hamburgers, queso, ribs and ginger beer. But, in the days to come, things will get back to normal, and I (and you) will need a good place to take a client, loved one or friend to lunch. That’s why I’m here with the answers.

As far as Houston’s premier lunch spots are concerned, there are a few big guns in our local food arsenal. Two of the most powerful are Tony’s and RDG/Bar Annie. Don’t be put off by their stellar reputations or what you read in the gossip columns…both have an incredible lunch deal that’s guaranteed to impress your guest while not deflating your wallet (which should be, of course, a wallet by local designer Alexandra Knight, she of the exotic skins and endless customization: alexandraknightonline.com).

So, Tony’s. If you haven’t been in the past few or 10 years, you wouldn’t recognize the place. Well, first of all they moved to Greenway Plaza, and second of all they’ve lightened up the joint, filled it with Rauschenbergs and other art, and expanded the menu considerably beyond Continental fare. Lunchtime brings the “Tony’s Greenway Express” for only $17. Hell, you’d pay that at Houston’s. The Greenway Express is three courses of Tony’s signature excellence and service – including the hungry-man-pleasing Chicken Involtini – stuffed with spinach, sundried tomatoes and fontina cheese. Delicioso! Plus, the people-watching is great. You can see grizzled oilmen cutting deals, while plucked and pulled ladies who lunch push their salads around their plates.

Cut over to Post Oak and you’ll find the newish home of RDG/Bar Annie, formerly Café Annie when they were farther up the boulevard. The Schiller/Del Grande Group has outdone itself on this modern, light-filled yet clubby space. Bar Annie is the place to be for lunch, and ask to sit in Adrian’s station. Their “Lunch Hour” special is just $19. You can get the famous RDG burger or my recommendation, the Bar Annie Taco Salad (miles away from that of Taco Cabana), plus soup or salad and dessert. On any given day, you will see business and social titans dining on the fine fare created by Robert Del Grande. Hands down, RDG/Bar Annie is the winner in the lunch wars. It’s so damn fun, you never want to leave, which is fine, because you can move your lunch downstairs at 2pm to BLVD Lounge. Your clients will love you!

KICK IT UP

You can’t be all business. That’s why you need to head over to The Tipping Point on Main Street (thetippingpointstore.com). Inside downtown’s historic Humble Oil building, this sneaker lifestyle shop sells limited edition and exclusive designs from some of the sneaker business’ biggest names. You’ll find shoes that your more mainstream friends (read, non-Wise Guy) won’t discover until next year from Converse, Reebok, Adidas, Puma, Asics/Onitsuka Tiger, Nike and Vans. Besides a selection of clothing, books and music, various fashion, art and lifestyle events are held in partnership with local nonprofit organizations throughout the year. Find your classic 95 Nike Air Max here! My one complaint: limited large sizes.

LEAN OUT WITH LAYN

“Since this is the travel issue, I thought I’d give you Wise Guys some tips for working out in your hotel room using ordinary items:

Inverted bicycle: Start out by lying face up in bed or on the floor, legs lifted straight up at a perpendicular angle to your torso. Begin “pedaling” your legs, bicycle style with wide circles, for two to four minutes.

Squat-reaches: Plant your feet on the floor, shoulder distance apart. Squat down as low as you can go without falling over, touching the floor or your ankles if possible. Rise all the way up onto the front balls of your feet, heels raised off the floor, then return to the squat position. Repeat ten times, times three sets.

One-leg squats: Stand at the side of your bed, facing away from the bed. Lift your left leg from the floor and extend it straight back onto the bed such that you are putting most of your weight on your right leg. Slowly lower your whole body on the right leg, maintaining an upright torso. After reaching the lowest level, rise up again. Repeat ten times on both legs, times three sets.

By Tim Moloney | Illustrations by Jade Emanuel