West Houston, dubbed the Energy Corridor because it is home to many of the nation’s oil and gas companies has a new nickname to contend with – “The French Corridor.” Rouge Wine Bar, Le Mistral Restaurant and Foody’s Gourmet make up the trio of French inspired eateries in the French Corridor.

“We are located in the heart of the Energy Corridor, so we thought it would be great to nickname ourselves the same way,” said Rouge Wine Bar owner Gaby Matta. “All three businesses have a very French vibe with the food, wine and pastries.”

Rouge is beautifully decorated with striking paint colors and beautiful chandeliers – perfect for a wine with friends or a romantic date. There is an area to lounge in along with traditional seating and an outdoor patio.

“We get people from all over – happy hour is full of people who work nearby, but then the second crowd comes in from everywhere,” said Matta.

All of the food at Rouge is created by Chef David Denis and the wine selection is curated by his brother Sylvian Denis, both owners of Le Mistral and Foody’s. Along with all of the breads and pastries, Chef David’s pizzas are made in house on a wood burning pizza oven. I tried the Farmer’s Pizza which had a perfectly light crust and was topped with pancetta, brie, caramelized onions and olives. It had a wonderful flavor, but again was so light that I didn’t feel like I was eating too much. The charcuterie boards are also wonderful. All of the meats are freshly cut in house and come with varied combinations of cheeses, olives, radishes, pickles, artisanal butter and even honeycomb – simply divine.

Everyone has their preference of wine, but I highly recommend going into Rouge and asking to try a few. Their wine list is vast and they will have something that will pair nicely not only with your food or dessert, but also with your mood. White or red, buttery or dry, sweet or sparkling – they’ve got you covered and if you are a wine connoisseur you can join Rouge’s Club for extra perks. Members of the Wine Club get wine discounts, member’s only wine tastings with distributors and access to the beautifully appointed private wine room, as well as a private wine locker with a personalized name plate.

Houston is a vast oasis of restaurants to choose from, but why not head over to the French Corridor; the ambiance, food, wine and dessert will leave you coming back for more.