Monarch Restaurant in Houston

 
Birthday Lunch at Hotel ZaZa

I was blessed with Birthday Weather on my 68th birthday! That's the kind of weather that feels like a true gift! It was perfect for a birthday picnic.

I thought about it, but decided to go for lunch at Hotel ZaZa's Monarch Restaurant. I love eating on their open air terrace. It feels a little like a sidewalk cafe in Paris.

The Warwick 1926

​This is how  Hotel ZaZa looked when it opened as The Warwick, in 1926.

It was one of the first luxury hotels in Houston. Bob Hope was a fan. Princess Grace was a guest.

Modern Additions

The hotel went modern with a big renovation in 1964. I'm not sure when the addition (with the rounded portion) was added. Probably when it became Hotel ZaZa in 2007.

On my birthday, we dined in the round, terrace section. 

Festive Meet Up 

In the past decade I've had memorable meals with good friends and family in the comfy-classy restaurant. It's always fun to start with a little wandering in the hotel.

It's a 30 minute drive from our house, so not exactly convenient. 

But it's always worth the drive. Plus it's close to the museum district and zoo, so you can make it more than a lunch outing.  

Hermann Park

The hotel looks out over Hermann Park. The park and the Sam Houston Memorial are older than the Warwick. 

The elephant on the grass, (looking towards Sam) just arrived a week before my birthday.

The Great Elephant Migration

That lone elephant was crafted from the invasive weed, lantana camera. He was one of 100 life-size elephants created for a traveling art installation. We found the others further back in the park.

A morning strolling through this incredible display, was the real focus on my birthday. It was the only thing I really wanted to do to celebrate. But we added a little lunch for fun!

​Lobby

It was about noon when we left the park. We greeted the hotel's valet parking staff and entered through the hotel's revolving doors.

We passed Frank Sinatra's mugshot and some interesting celebrity photos.

We wandered past the photo display and paused to study a large piece of art, with some busy characters in colorful clothes!

Below the art was a koi pond that was also entertaining.

Recalling The Warwick

The hotel was pretty quiet on a Wednesday. We decided to do a little exploring to see if we could find the rooms where we once dined,  25 years ago. 

We paused in an elegant space beneath a sparkling chandelier. I was tempted to play that shiny grand! I wasn't bold enough for that, but I did test out one of the upholstered chairs. Zoom in on those amusing faces! One cat and one dog!
 
Hints of Old Warwick

We moved further on and found some hints of the original hotel's style.  

I looked at the beautiful arched doors and found myself confused. Where did we eat with the kids, when we came for an elaborate Easter brunch in  1999?  

New Year's Day 2000!

We took a peek through another set of doors and spotted magnificent wood paneling and a marble fireplace.

It was set for a meeting, but we recognized it as the Hunt Room, where we had dined with my brother and his wife, on the first evening of the millennial!

1960s?
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I think I remember lots of plaid, but maybe I'm wrong. This vintage photo shows a formal yet cozy setting, with lots of red.  

I remember such a peaceful, relaxed dinner. Mom was baby-sitting our kids and we enjoyed an elegant meal. We toasted with a bit of humor, to the fact we made it into the next century without some wild Y2K bug drama!

Hungry

After Elephant time and hotel exploration, it was time for lunch! 

We headed down a snazzy hall with more entertaining art!

We peeked into the restaurant and lounge. Surprisingly empty.

I liked the zebra, but longed for an elephant!

​The Terrace

​We passed the test with the host. Gotta love a flashy sign to remind guests about their attire. "Monarch Stylish... Sensual and Dignified...So are you... Appropriate Dress Required"

The Terrace was also very quiet, which worked just fine for us!

Quick Trip 

I made a dash to the Women's Room to wash up. I do love a bathroom that with curious decor.

Black toilet and shiny green wallpaper with alligator bumps! Love it!

Lunch to Amuse!

I ordered the same fried chicken sandwich that I enjoyed on my last visit.

I hoped it would be as comically large (and tasty) as before!

Yes!

My sandwich was impossibly hard to eat, but worth the struggle! Caesar Salad was very yummy.

I failed to get a photo of Don attempting a bite of his bacon burger. It was crazier than mine! Both tasty and both happy. 

What a wonderful meal, following a leisurely morning at the park. I'm sad to realize I'll never be able to enjoy that perfect Elephant/Monarch combo again.
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