We Tried out the Brand New Sunday Brunch at Santé

We stopped by the swankiest lounge in Upper Kirby to check out their brand-new brunch menu. This is our experience trying the Sunday brunch at Santé.

It’s a bright Sunday morning, and there’s no better way to soak in the heat than by heading over to Santé. Santé? You might be asking. Isn’t that a cocktail lounge? Yes sir it is, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make a mean cheeseburger. For one day a week from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., some of the best food in the city is getting served up at the most unassuming of spots. They’ve got class-ics like the Deviled Egg Trio and class-acts like the Salmon Pockets. There really is no way to go wrong.

Now don’t get me wrong, Santé is best known for their drinks, and that for sure doesn’t change just because the sun hasn’t gone down. The cocktails were the standout of our entire experience and thankfully there were many to choose from. They pulled out all the stops for Sunday brunch at Santé pulled out all the stops and we couldn’t be more grateful. This is something you don’t want to miss.

The Atmosphere

The vibes here are immaculate, especially on the outdoor patio, where a rich floral environment is crafted through wooden seats, overarching canopies and lush greenery on every table and backdrop. Elements of the Santé’s traditional European aesthetic are present beyond the interior. They are especially noticeable when you observe the craftsmanship of the building that is left of the patio and that beautiful door. Everyone that came to brunch was taking pictures, and honestly, we couldn’t blame them.

At night, Santé could easily be compared to a sunset, with its dark oranges and candlelit rooms. Everything blends together in the dark, but if you visit the lounge during the day, you can see all the small, intentional pieces that make the Santé unique. The lounge feels more intimate in the morning, like it’s just you out there enjoying what they have built.

The Food

We started off the tasting side of things with the Steak Tartare, a small-plate that included Japanese Wagyu filet in the tartar and a quail egg on top, an addition that broke up the spice of the dish and made it a little more breakfast-y. We also got the Fromage et Fruits, a board that consisted of homemade greek yogurt, spiced granola, chocolate shards, fruit and cheese. The cheese and fruit selection is seasonal, so I think we got lucky with pineapple and bread on the board.

On the entree side, the favorite would have to be the aforementioned cheeseburger, aptly named the Santé Burger. There is nothing crazy there ingredient wise, the burger is traditionally a traditional grilled to order patty between your typical brioche bun, but man they put everything together perfectly. The burger is juicy, the bun has just the right amount of crunch and none of the veggies is soggy. The Lobster Roll was amazing as well, and I loved how they put little Tobiko caviar on top to take the dish to the next level.

Dessert was where it was at. I knew the last thing I was going to order at Santé the second I took a look at the menu for the first time. Call me basic, but no way was I going to pass up the chance to try their Dubai Chocolate Croissants, and yes, they were just as good as they sound. Santé’s instagram-worthy pastries were light and crunchy, with a strong pistachio interior and dark chocolate drizzle. Find me something better. You can’t.

The Drinks

The stars of the show have arrived. Santé is considered one of Houston’s best new cocktail bars, so I went in with high expectations for these drinks. They did not disappoint. Our waitress recommended we try out the Tulum Dream and Sunflowers in Spring. The Tulum Dream was a passionfruit and pineapple mimosa that took us straight from inner Houston to a beachside resort. It was fruity and light, the perfect drink to start us off.

Sunflowers in Spring were unique. It tasted like a carrot-flavored orange creamsicle, if that makes any sense. Ketel One Vodka, carrot juice, coconut cream and ginger are not normally things I would assume go well together, but here it worked.

I chose to get the Cucumber Kiwi Fizz off the menu for the simple fact that it was described as “effortlessly cool.” It gets hot outside in Houston, go figure. Thankfully, the Cucumber Kiwi Fizz did exactly what it was supposed to. The tequila and topo chico went down smooth as ice. It was, in fact, effortlessly cool.

Final Thoughts

We had a great time checking out the new sunday brunch at Santé. The food was elevated while still maintaining that classic flavor we all know and love. The drinks were top of the line and just what you would expect of an esteemed cocktail bar. The atmosphere perfectly matched the vibe of the cuisine and cocktails. Every aspect of Santé came together to create an unbeatable experience that is totally worth the repeat visit. Even if you’ve been to Santé before, the brunch is worth heading back for seconds.

Santé may be known for their late-nights, but we implore you to see what their daytime menu has to offer. The drinks and food are exclusive to Sunday brunch, so you better get out there as soon as possible. We know you will love their refreshing cocktails and masterful eats. Just make sure you bring your camera to take pictures!