My husband and I are flying to New York this week, to spend Christmas with my family. I do most of the cooking. One of the things I've picked up in Texas is candy making. It's not something that is really prominent in New York, at least not in my family, so I'm looking forward to preparing some of these recipes for them. Of course I'll also be making a big batch of my famous Jack Daniels slushies. Enjoy, be safe, and have a Happy Holiday -- I'll be back in 2011!
Christmas Trash (my nephew Grant's favorite)
You'll need: 1 box of golden grahams cereal
1 cup chopped almonds
1 lb white chocolate almond bark coating
1 large glass jar of unsalted peanuts
1) Melt the almond bark coating according to package directions.
2) Mix all the other ingredients in a large bowl. Pour the coating over the mix.
3) Place wax paper on the counter tops. Pour the mixture onto the paper and spread it out as much as possible.
4) Let cool/set for at least an hour before breaking it into chunks. Store in an airtight container.
Rana's Sandwich Cookies (my husband's favorite)
You'll need: 1 box of Ritz crackers
1 jar of smooth peanut butter
1 pound of milk chocolate almond bark coating
1) Spread the peanut butter on the crackers, and press them together to make "sandwiches".
2) Melt the almond bark coating according to the package.
3) Cover counter tops with waxed paper.
4) Using tongs or a slotted spoon, dip the sandwiches into the chocolate, coating each completely. Place them on the waxed paper to cool.
5) Allow them to sit for an hour to cool/set. Store in an airtight container.
Jack Daniels Slushies (my grandma's recipe)
1) In a large bucket (margarita buckets work well), mix together equal parts prepared/cooled black tea and orange juice.
2) Stir Jack Daniels into the mixture. How much depends on how strong you want them -- I say 1 part JD to every 2-3 parts tea/juice, but it's up to you.
3) Place the bucket in the freezer for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.
4) To serve: scrape a large cupful of the mixture into a glass (a ladle works well for this). Top with either Sprite, Ginger Ale or Mountain Dew and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Special Out of Town Edition: Hut's Burgers
Hut's Hamburgers is an Austin staple. I was surprised to find that one reviewer said it did not have "an atmosphere to impress", because I thought this place was pretty chic for a dive. A stuffed long-horn head, lots of sports banners and bumper stickers (particularly the Atlanta Braves -- must have a fan on the staff) and signed photographs of musicians hang on the wall, pretty much imploring you to have a good time.
We went with burgers because you practically have to. I got the Hut's favorite, which happens to include all of my favorites too: mayo, tomato, lettuce, bacon and American cheese. My husband got the Alan Freed, which has BBQ sauce.* We also ordered a half order of fries and onion rings.
The burger was very good: juicy, salty and savory with fresh toppings and a nice toasted bun. I thought it was refreshing that Hut's offered a burger with ONLY my favorite toppings on it; for once, I didn't have to ask them to hold the onions or pickles. The fries were also very good.
The big disappointment was the onion rings. These rings were just too big, meaning that the onion inside was practically raw. The breading was thick and tasteless, until you bit into one of the (many, large) pieces of black pepper, in which case your entire mouth would be coated in that taste. Not my cup of tea.
Service and prices at Hut's were exactly what you would expect: competent and low, respectively.
Was Hut's the best burger I've ever had? No. That honor still belongs to Dubl-R in Waco. After that, I would say Lankford Grocery followed by Hut's, Hubcap and Kitok closely tied for third. If you're in or near any of those establishments this Christmas, or any time of year, hit up those places. Your arteries might not appreciate it, but your taste buds will.
*Word to the wise: Hut's lists all of the toppings for each burger on the menu. If it isn't listed, and you don't ask for it, you won't get it. My husband mistakenly thought that the Alan Freed would include typical burger toppings, such as lettuce and onion, even though they weren't included in the burger description. It didn't, and he was disappointed.
We went with burgers because you practically have to. I got the Hut's favorite, which happens to include all of my favorites too: mayo, tomato, lettuce, bacon and American cheese. My husband got the Alan Freed, which has BBQ sauce.* We also ordered a half order of fries and onion rings.
The burger was very good: juicy, salty and savory with fresh toppings and a nice toasted bun. I thought it was refreshing that Hut's offered a burger with ONLY my favorite toppings on it; for once, I didn't have to ask them to hold the onions or pickles. The fries were also very good.
The big disappointment was the onion rings. These rings were just too big, meaning that the onion inside was practically raw. The breading was thick and tasteless, until you bit into one of the (many, large) pieces of black pepper, in which case your entire mouth would be coated in that taste. Not my cup of tea.
Service and prices at Hut's were exactly what you would expect: competent and low, respectively.
Was Hut's the best burger I've ever had? No. That honor still belongs to Dubl-R in Waco. After that, I would say Lankford Grocery followed by Hut's, Hubcap and Kitok closely tied for third. If you're in or near any of those establishments this Christmas, or any time of year, hit up those places. Your arteries might not appreciate it, but your taste buds will.
*Word to the wise: Hut's lists all of the toppings for each burger on the menu. If it isn't listed, and you don't ask for it, you won't get it. My husband mistakenly thought that the Alan Freed would include typical burger toppings, such as lettuce and onion, even though they weren't included in the burger description. It didn't, and he was disappointed.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Cadillac Bar
An annoying thing happened to me on the way into Cadillac. I wanted to go to Spaghetti Western, which is located next door to Cadillac in a not-so-nice area of town. My husband and I parked in a large lot between the restaurants, which has three signs: "Cadillac Bar", "Saltgrass" (located across the street) and "Parking." Notably, there is no sign stating that the parking is for the Cadillac Bar only. However, the rent-a-cop who stopped us as we walked across the lot told us that it was, and we could either eat at Cadillac or move our car.
A couple of points here:
1) These pathetic parking lot Nazis weren't doing a very good job. The parking lot was full; Cadillac was not.
2) Normally this kind of behavior totally turns me off to a restaurant. However, I'm on medication this week that makes me feel sick to my stomach. Eating helps. I was very hungry and not feeling well, and rather than drive around the block another two times searching for somewhere to park where our car wouldn't be stolen, we decided to eat at Cadillac.
The food at Cadillac was fine. Generic Tex-Mex. I had the Cadillac burrito, which is stuffed with ground beef, beans, lettuce, and tomato and covered with melted cheese.
It was big, filling and tasted good, but it wasn't anything special. My husband had the carnitas, and he reported that they were a little gristly but fine.
We also had tres leches cake, which was delicious.
The staff -- except for the wanna-be law enforcement in the parking lot -- were all friendly, though service was a little slow. This wasn't a BAD place, but it was no Cafe Adobe either; it's not going to become a favorite of ours. And the way the evening started didn't help. Being chased down by two "security professionals" in a golf cart doesn't set a place up for a good review.
I have no problem with a place wanting to reserve parking. But let's be sensible about it: put a "_____ Parking Only" sign up. Don't chase people down like it's the end of the world that they parked there (particularly at 8:00 at night, when the dinner rush is more than over). And do a good job -- the last thing I want to be is harassed, only to later find that the restaurant is practically empty, and the lot is not. Otherwise you're going to offend potential customers before they even walk through the door.
A couple of points here:
1) These pathetic parking lot Nazis weren't doing a very good job. The parking lot was full; Cadillac was not.
2) Normally this kind of behavior totally turns me off to a restaurant. However, I'm on medication this week that makes me feel sick to my stomach. Eating helps. I was very hungry and not feeling well, and rather than drive around the block another two times searching for somewhere to park where our car wouldn't be stolen, we decided to eat at Cadillac.
The food at Cadillac was fine. Generic Tex-Mex. I had the Cadillac burrito, which is stuffed with ground beef, beans, lettuce, and tomato and covered with melted cheese.
It was big, filling and tasted good, but it wasn't anything special. My husband had the carnitas, and he reported that they were a little gristly but fine.
We also had tres leches cake, which was delicious.
The staff -- except for the wanna-be law enforcement in the parking lot -- were all friendly, though service was a little slow. This wasn't a BAD place, but it was no Cafe Adobe either; it's not going to become a favorite of ours. And the way the evening started didn't help. Being chased down by two "security professionals" in a golf cart doesn't set a place up for a good review.
I have no problem with a place wanting to reserve parking. But let's be sensible about it: put a "_____ Parking Only" sign up. Don't chase people down like it's the end of the world that they parked there (particularly at 8:00 at night, when the dinner rush is more than over). And do a good job -- the last thing I want to be is harassed, only to later find that the restaurant is practically empty, and the lot is not. Otherwise you're going to offend potential customers before they even walk through the door.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Auntie Chang's Dumpling House
My husband's wonderful secretary is good at many things, including recommending restaurants. When she said she enjoyed Auntie Chang's, I knew it was worth a look. My husband and I had dinner in the very nice dining room (which is complete with a neon dragon on the back wall) on a Sunday afternoon, and we were happy to see that many of the other families eating there seemed to know the waitstaff and the menu well. Repeat customers and recommendations from friends usually means that the food is good.
That said, I wasn't blown away by Auntie Chang's. The dumplings were fantastic. We tried the fried pork, and what arrived were 8 very tasty little morsels (accompanied by maybe half a dozen various sauces to dip them in). We gobbled those up too quickly and wished we had ordered more.
I decided to try Firecracker Shrimp from the specials menu. Unfortunately, my shrimp were overcooked to the point of almost being inedible, and though the sauce contained many pieces of jalapeno, the dish wasn't at all spicy. I threw out the leftovers I brought home.
My husband got the crispy tea flavored duck off of the regular menu. I don't love duck, but the bit of skin I tried was very crunchy and not at all bad. Maybe I should start following his lead when it comes to ordering, since it seems like he usually chooses better than I do.
As you'll note from the website, Auntie Chang's is authentic; English is not the first language spoken by most of the waitstaff. However, the language barrier is easily overcome by the friendliness of everyone who works there. Auntie Chang's gets an A+ for service, if not for cuisine.
Bad Chinese food is not the end of the world. The disappointment with Auntie Chang's wasn't that the entree was unbelievably bad, but that it came on the heals of something that was really good -- the dumplings. My suggestion is to abide by the restaurant's name. Get the dumplings, many of them, and enjoy. Be careful if you order anything else.
That said, I wasn't blown away by Auntie Chang's. The dumplings were fantastic. We tried the fried pork, and what arrived were 8 very tasty little morsels (accompanied by maybe half a dozen various sauces to dip them in). We gobbled those up too quickly and wished we had ordered more.
I decided to try Firecracker Shrimp from the specials menu. Unfortunately, my shrimp were overcooked to the point of almost being inedible, and though the sauce contained many pieces of jalapeno, the dish wasn't at all spicy. I threw out the leftovers I brought home.
My husband got the crispy tea flavored duck off of the regular menu. I don't love duck, but the bit of skin I tried was very crunchy and not at all bad. Maybe I should start following his lead when it comes to ordering, since it seems like he usually chooses better than I do.
As you'll note from the website, Auntie Chang's is authentic; English is not the first language spoken by most of the waitstaff. However, the language barrier is easily overcome by the friendliness of everyone who works there. Auntie Chang's gets an A+ for service, if not for cuisine.
Bad Chinese food is not the end of the world. The disappointment with Auntie Chang's wasn't that the entree was unbelievably bad, but that it came on the heals of something that was really good -- the dumplings. My suggestion is to abide by the restaurant's name. Get the dumplings, many of them, and enjoy. Be careful if you order anything else.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Pie in the Sky
I like desserts. Cakes, pudding, ice cream and especially pie. Pie in the Sky is a sweet little eatery in the Heights that offers lots of delicious pies as well as some pretty decent meals.
Pie in the Sky is a very small place. The dining room can only hold 50 customers, The parking lot is far too small to accommodate that many, even if everyone carpools. Unfortunately, the space is not utilized well -- half of the store is taken up by a retail area with cookbooks, cooking utensils and other items. We didn't have to wait for a table, but the potential for a back-up is great.
Once we found a parking spot and a table things started really looking up. I was having a strange vegetable craving, so I got a fried chicken salad with ranch dressing. It wasn't anything particularly special, but it was a very pretty and tasty salad -- and big enough for two (though my fat butt didn't share).
My husband had the strawberry spinach salad, and he says it was something special. He ate every bite of it (and this is not a boy who loves vegetables). That alone is quite an endorsement.
We took the menu's advice and saved room for pie. The selection is a little overwhelming, but I would definitely recommend the vanishing blueberry we tried. It's called vanishing, I think, because that's exactly what it does -- it vanishes into your belly!
The staff at Pie in the Sky deserve a Nobel Peace Prize, they're so nice. We got the pleasure of sitting next to what can most politely be described as a "problem customer." She was (unsurprisingly) alone, taking up an entire table for over an hour while she chatted on her cell phone. She complained about her bill (I don't know why -- the prices are all very reasonable and listed on the menu); complained to a busboy about her server, who was also our server and was nothing but friendly and competent; and, to add insult to injury, she ate an entire tray of free samples left on the counter. However, I never once saw any of the staff lose their temper or even throw her a nasty look. That alone is enough to insure that they received a good tip (from us; I'm sure she didn't leave one at all) and that we will be going back.
Pie in the Sky is a very small place. The dining room can only hold 50 customers, The parking lot is far too small to accommodate that many, even if everyone carpools. Unfortunately, the space is not utilized well -- half of the store is taken up by a retail area with cookbooks, cooking utensils and other items. We didn't have to wait for a table, but the potential for a back-up is great.
Once we found a parking spot and a table things started really looking up. I was having a strange vegetable craving, so I got a fried chicken salad with ranch dressing. It wasn't anything particularly special, but it was a very pretty and tasty salad -- and big enough for two (though my fat butt didn't share).
My husband had the strawberry spinach salad, and he says it was something special. He ate every bite of it (and this is not a boy who loves vegetables). That alone is quite an endorsement.
We took the menu's advice and saved room for pie. The selection is a little overwhelming, but I would definitely recommend the vanishing blueberry we tried. It's called vanishing, I think, because that's exactly what it does -- it vanishes into your belly!
The staff at Pie in the Sky deserve a Nobel Peace Prize, they're so nice. We got the pleasure of sitting next to what can most politely be described as a "problem customer." She was (unsurprisingly) alone, taking up an entire table for over an hour while she chatted on her cell phone. She complained about her bill (I don't know why -- the prices are all very reasonable and listed on the menu); complained to a busboy about her server, who was also our server and was nothing but friendly and competent; and, to add insult to injury, she ate an entire tray of free samples left on the counter. However, I never once saw any of the staff lose their temper or even throw her a nasty look. That alone is enough to insure that they received a good tip (from us; I'm sure she didn't leave one at all) and that we will be going back.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Table Seven
My husband and I hit up Table Seven on a Tuesday night. Turns out that was a great decision, because all bottles of wine are half price on Mondays and Tuesdays. Yes, you read that right. That's an amazing deal, and I have no idea why this place wasn't packed, but it wasn't.
The atmosphere at Table Seven can best be described as jazzy -- cranberry red walls, modern art, and pretty chandeliers. Our server was competent and sweet, though very young and a little green. He made good suggestions, though, particularly on the dessert (but more about that later).
We started with the Spinach and Artichoke dip, which was 1/2 price during happy hour. The dip itself was pretty standard stuff, but the little toasted squares of naan it was served with elevated it from a TGI Friday's quality appetizer to something much better. The portion was perfect for an appetizer too -- it was enough to get us excited about eating more, but not enough to leave us full.
Since the flatbread was so tasty with the appetizer, I decided to make a meal out of it and ordered a buffalo flatbread. Patties of ground buffalo meat, lettuce, onion and some kind of sauce arrived stuffed into the very good bread. Although it was all yummy, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. For some reason I thought it would taste more like a gyro than a burger, so I was a little disappointed. The ingredients were all good individually, and the fries on the side were nice, but it isn't something I would likely order again, if for no other reason than it wasn't exactly what I wanted in that moment.
Our waiter suggested we have a brownie with caramel ice cream for dessert. I liked the idea of caramel ice cream. Turns out, I also liked the way it tasted. The brownie was nothing special, but the ice cream made the dessert. I would eat a pint of this stuff, right now. Seriously.
Our entire meal, including our amazing half-price bottle of wine, was only $68. That is an exceptional value considering the amount and quality of the food we ate. I simply cannot understand why the restaurant was less than half full with prices like that. My husband has been to Table Seven for lunch before and said that service was slow, but that wasn't an issue the night we had dinner; everything was delivered promptly and our waiter was friendly as could be. PLEASE go to Table Seven. I do not want to see this place go under, if for no other reason than the caramel ice cream.
Please people. Think of the ice cream.
The atmosphere at Table Seven can best be described as jazzy -- cranberry red walls, modern art, and pretty chandeliers. Our server was competent and sweet, though very young and a little green. He made good suggestions, though, particularly on the dessert (but more about that later).
We started with the Spinach and Artichoke dip, which was 1/2 price during happy hour. The dip itself was pretty standard stuff, but the little toasted squares of naan it was served with elevated it from a TGI Friday's quality appetizer to something much better. The portion was perfect for an appetizer too -- it was enough to get us excited about eating more, but not enough to leave us full.
Since the flatbread was so tasty with the appetizer, I decided to make a meal out of it and ordered a buffalo flatbread. Patties of ground buffalo meat, lettuce, onion and some kind of sauce arrived stuffed into the very good bread. Although it was all yummy, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. For some reason I thought it would taste more like a gyro than a burger, so I was a little disappointed. The ingredients were all good individually, and the fries on the side were nice, but it isn't something I would likely order again, if for no other reason than it wasn't exactly what I wanted in that moment.
Our waiter suggested we have a brownie with caramel ice cream for dessert. I liked the idea of caramel ice cream. Turns out, I also liked the way it tasted. The brownie was nothing special, but the ice cream made the dessert. I would eat a pint of this stuff, right now. Seriously.
Our entire meal, including our amazing half-price bottle of wine, was only $68. That is an exceptional value considering the amount and quality of the food we ate. I simply cannot understand why the restaurant was less than half full with prices like that. My husband has been to Table Seven for lunch before and said that service was slow, but that wasn't an issue the night we had dinner; everything was delivered promptly and our waiter was friendly as could be. PLEASE go to Table Seven. I do not want to see this place go under, if for no other reason than the caramel ice cream.
Please people. Think of the ice cream.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Special Out of Town Edition: Caffe Capri
This weekend was our friend Ramblin' Stew's birthday, so we headed up to College Station and had a nice meal at Caffe Capri. I thought that maybe some readers will be travelling to, or through, BCS for the holiday this week, so this trip and this review might be timely.
Caffe Capri is located downtown. The space is small, but it doesn't feel crowded, just cozy. We waited about 20 minutes for a table, which was very manageable, considering we showed up without reservations on a Friday night (and were told we would have to wait an hour by the borderline-incompetent hostess). Our waitress was a sweet college-age girl with a high tolerance for our rowdiness.
The birthday boy handled the wine selection, since he knows a lot about such things. We ended up with two nice bottles of white wine off of their very user-friendly list. We also had some very good calimari, which I would absolutely recommend.
I went with the seafood ravioli. I wish I could say more, but the wine was working at that point. I know the food was good, because I ate most of it. There was plenty of crabmeat and lobster in it, and a thick cream sauce, which is always a good thing. I can't say I would recommend it (since I can't 100% remember it) but I can't say I didn't like it either.
We told the waitress is was Stew's birthday, so she brought out a dessert. She didn't tell us what it was, but looking at the menu, I think it was the chocolate toffee mousse with kahlua. It was very good -- creamy, rich and perfect for sharing. Much better than a plain old piece of birthday cake.
We had a good experience at Caffe Capri. A lot of it has to do with the company we had and the occasion (not to mention the bottles of wine). However, the food -- or what I can remember of the food -- was very good, and the atmosphere was lovely. If you're headed that way this weekend, give it a try. And let me know how it goes -- maybe it'll trigger my memory.
Caffe Capri is located downtown. The space is small, but it doesn't feel crowded, just cozy. We waited about 20 minutes for a table, which was very manageable, considering we showed up without reservations on a Friday night (and were told we would have to wait an hour by the borderline-incompetent hostess). Our waitress was a sweet college-age girl with a high tolerance for our rowdiness.
The birthday boy handled the wine selection, since he knows a lot about such things. We ended up with two nice bottles of white wine off of their very user-friendly list. We also had some very good calimari, which I would absolutely recommend.
I went with the seafood ravioli. I wish I could say more, but the wine was working at that point. I know the food was good, because I ate most of it. There was plenty of crabmeat and lobster in it, and a thick cream sauce, which is always a good thing. I can't say I would recommend it (since I can't 100% remember it) but I can't say I didn't like it either.
We told the waitress is was Stew's birthday, so she brought out a dessert. She didn't tell us what it was, but looking at the menu, I think it was the chocolate toffee mousse with kahlua. It was very good -- creamy, rich and perfect for sharing. Much better than a plain old piece of birthday cake.
We had a good experience at Caffe Capri. A lot of it has to do with the company we had and the occasion (not to mention the bottles of wine). However, the food -- or what I can remember of the food -- was very good, and the atmosphere was lovely. If you're headed that way this weekend, give it a try. And let me know how it goes -- maybe it'll trigger my memory.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Special Out-of-Town Edition: Cowboy Chow
Cowboy Chow in Dallas, Texas is an amazing place. Its decor is best summed up as "modern Western fun." Above the bar/"wedding chapel" there are a pair of stuffed buffalo heads, appropriately dressed as a bride and groom. The check is delivered to the table folded into an empty playing card box. Even the bathroom sports some Old West charm: there's a hog's head in the ladies room that looks cool, but is a little uncomfortable to urinate next to.
I have been to Cowboy Chow a handful of times, and every time I get the same thing. This meal is perfect so I don't feel the need to experiment. I always start with a carafe of watermelon sweet tea, which is not-too-sweet and delicately flavored, like the end of a perfect summer's day. Then I move on to a Navajo fry bread appetizer.
The spicy and piping-hot fried tortilla is served with sweet honey and mashed black beans for dipping. The contrast between the saltiness of the bread and beans and the sweetness of the honey is very appealing, and there is always more than enough bread to share. This is a very unique appetizer that should not be missed.
For my meal, I always get a cowboy parfait. The parfait is layers of mashed potatoes, brisket, corn, tortilla strips and shredded cheese, all served in a glass jar. Meaty, savory, satisfying and fun, this is the kind of food that will fill you up for the trail ahead -- even if that trail is just a highway headed back to Houston.
Cowboy Chow is a fun, funky little place in the Deep Ellum section of Dallas. There's really no way to categorize the food and the experience except as enjoyable. If you are travelling to or through Dallas for Thanksgiving, or any time of the year, try it. You won't be disappointed.
I have been to Cowboy Chow a handful of times, and every time I get the same thing. This meal is perfect so I don't feel the need to experiment. I always start with a carafe of watermelon sweet tea, which is not-too-sweet and delicately flavored, like the end of a perfect summer's day. Then I move on to a Navajo fry bread appetizer.
The spicy and piping-hot fried tortilla is served with sweet honey and mashed black beans for dipping. The contrast between the saltiness of the bread and beans and the sweetness of the honey is very appealing, and there is always more than enough bread to share. This is a very unique appetizer that should not be missed.
For my meal, I always get a cowboy parfait. The parfait is layers of mashed potatoes, brisket, corn, tortilla strips and shredded cheese, all served in a glass jar. Meaty, savory, satisfying and fun, this is the kind of food that will fill you up for the trail ahead -- even if that trail is just a highway headed back to Houston.
Cowboy Chow is a fun, funky little place in the Deep Ellum section of Dallas. There's really no way to categorize the food and the experience except as enjoyable. If you are travelling to or through Dallas for Thanksgiving, or any time of the year, try it. You won't be disappointed.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Pappas Brothers
We all know that Pappas is a huge chain; the company owns Pappasito's, Pappadeaux's,Yia Yia Mary's and lots of other restaurants all over Texas. However, there are only two Pappas Bros. Steakhouses (one in Houston and one in Dallas). We had a WONDERFUL meal at the Houston steakhouse this weekend, and I feel compelled to write about it, corporate chain or not.
Let's talk about ambiance and service first. Both are exemplary. Pappas is modeled after a 1940s steakhouse, with dark wood paneling and waiters in black ties. In the front there's a piano bar, where we enjoyed drinks as we waited for our table. Everyone -- the bartenders, the hostesses, and especially our waiter -- was friendly and professional. We were in a good mood when we sat down.
Our waiter suggested we try the chef's special appetizer, braised bone marrow. I've never had bone marrow before, but what we got was very special: savory, salty and totally satisfying. Our waiter claims that the waitstaff convinced the chef to try that recipe. If that's true, the chef should be listening to his servers a lot more, because this was delicious.
For dinner, I had the filet duo: two filets, one topped with red wine sauce and a shrimp and the other topped with cracked crab. The filets were wonderfully tender. The seafood was tasty, although my shrimp was a bit overcooked. We had two family style sides: mashed potatoes and mac and cheese with crab. We didn't actually order the mac and cheese (my husband is allergic to shellfish) but the waiter brought it out accidentally and let us keep it for free. We were happy to have it. Both sides were fantastic.
At the end of the meal we declined dessert, as our stomachs were seconds from popping. Our sneaky waiter asked us what we had been thinking of, and then brought it up out to us for free for my husband's birthday. It's little things like that which make a meal special. And the creme brulee we got was one of the best desserts I've ever had. Creamy, cool, rich and fantastic. Get it, even though you'll probably have to pay for it.
Pappas is a special-occasion place. Our meal took 3 hours and cost us over $200. That's not a bad thing. It's nice to have a great meal every once in a while. And everything about Pappas was great -- the service, the atmosphere, the food and wine. If you have a special event coming up, give Pappas a try. Don't let the corporation behind the place scare you off; Pappas is special.
Let's talk about ambiance and service first. Both are exemplary. Pappas is modeled after a 1940s steakhouse, with dark wood paneling and waiters in black ties. In the front there's a piano bar, where we enjoyed drinks as we waited for our table. Everyone -- the bartenders, the hostesses, and especially our waiter -- was friendly and professional. We were in a good mood when we sat down.
Our waiter suggested we try the chef's special appetizer, braised bone marrow. I've never had bone marrow before, but what we got was very special: savory, salty and totally satisfying. Our waiter claims that the waitstaff convinced the chef to try that recipe. If that's true, the chef should be listening to his servers a lot more, because this was delicious.
For dinner, I had the filet duo: two filets, one topped with red wine sauce and a shrimp and the other topped with cracked crab. The filets were wonderfully tender. The seafood was tasty, although my shrimp was a bit overcooked. We had two family style sides: mashed potatoes and mac and cheese with crab. We didn't actually order the mac and cheese (my husband is allergic to shellfish) but the waiter brought it out accidentally and let us keep it for free. We were happy to have it. Both sides were fantastic.
At the end of the meal we declined dessert, as our stomachs were seconds from popping. Our sneaky waiter asked us what we had been thinking of, and then brought it up out to us for free for my husband's birthday. It's little things like that which make a meal special. And the creme brulee we got was one of the best desserts I've ever had. Creamy, cool, rich and fantastic. Get it, even though you'll probably have to pay for it.
Pappas is a special-occasion place. Our meal took 3 hours and cost us over $200. That's not a bad thing. It's nice to have a great meal every once in a while. And everything about Pappas was great -- the service, the atmosphere, the food and wine. If you have a special event coming up, give Pappas a try. Don't let the corporation behind the place scare you off; Pappas is special.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Recipe: Better Than Almost Anything Cake
Since it's looking like I may not go to a restaurant this week, I thought I would post a recipe instead. This cake really is better than almost anything. I believe this recipe came from my mother-in-law, Miss Rana Ball, but I'm not 100% sure.
Ingredients:
Box of chocolate cake mix (cheap is fine b/c we're going to dress it up)
Small can of sweetened condensed milk
Jar of caramel ice cream topping
Cool Whip
Bag of Heath Bar pieces
Directions:
1) Bake cake according to recipe on box.
2) Remove cake from oven and using the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes in the hot cake.
3) Pour the milk and caramel topping over the cake. They will soak into it as the cake cools.
4) When the cake is completely cool, frost using the Cool Whip. Pour Heath pieces on top.*
5) Refrigerate and enjoy!
Makes about 10 servings.
* There will come a point when you wonder, is this too many Heath pieces? No, it's not. That's because you can NEVER have too many Heath pieces. Pour the whole bag on there!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Les Givral's Kahve
This is pho.
Pho is complicated stuff. It's a Vietnamese soup/stew comprised of clear broth, rice noodles, meat, onions and various aromatic herbs. Don't let that simple description fool you; there's a lot going on in a good pho. And the pho at Les Givral's on Washington is great.
First, a note on atmosphere. Les Givral's is eclectic. There's just no other way to put it. Take, for example, this thing built around the doorway separating the dining room from the counter:
I don't know what this is, but it's there and it works. That's kind of how the food is too.
I don't know what exactly goes into the broth that the pho is built on. It smells slightly like nutmeg. The soup is served with a large plate of extras, some that I recognized: basil, cilantro, lime, jalapeno, bean sprouts. I decided to go for it and chucked a bit of everything into the bowl. What resulted was a beautifully synchronous chaos. Any given bite might be spicy, or sour, or savory, but together it was all very tasty.
Pho is also surprisingly filling. I ate a little over half the bowl before I felt full. My only complaint is that the sliced chicken that they use in their pho is a little hard to eat. Shredded chicken -- the kind used on the sandwiches -- might be easier to eat with a spoon. That minor complaint aside, you're not going to find such a satisfying and nutritious meal for $6.45 anywhere else in the city.
My husband had a sandwich with barbecued pork. Like the pho, the sandwiches are packed with fresh ingredients (carrot, cucumber, hot peppers) and are very affordable ($2.75 ... I'm not kidding). However, they're a little dry for my American/must-have-mayonnaise taste, so I'd rather stick with the pho.
Les Givrals is a must-do if you're on Washington Avenue around lunchtime. Word to the wise: if you're going for lunch, go early. We arrived at 11:40, walked up to the counter, and had the food delivered to our table fresh and hot in ten minutes. When we left at 12:30, the line for food was literally winding out the door. People are starting to catch onto this little gem of a place.
Pho is complicated stuff. It's a Vietnamese soup/stew comprised of clear broth, rice noodles, meat, onions and various aromatic herbs. Don't let that simple description fool you; there's a lot going on in a good pho. And the pho at Les Givral's on Washington is great.
First, a note on atmosphere. Les Givral's is eclectic. There's just no other way to put it. Take, for example, this thing built around the doorway separating the dining room from the counter:
I don't know what this is, but it's there and it works. That's kind of how the food is too.
I don't know what exactly goes into the broth that the pho is built on. It smells slightly like nutmeg. The soup is served with a large plate of extras, some that I recognized: basil, cilantro, lime, jalapeno, bean sprouts. I decided to go for it and chucked a bit of everything into the bowl. What resulted was a beautifully synchronous chaos. Any given bite might be spicy, or sour, or savory, but together it was all very tasty.
Pho is also surprisingly filling. I ate a little over half the bowl before I felt full. My only complaint is that the sliced chicken that they use in their pho is a little hard to eat. Shredded chicken -- the kind used on the sandwiches -- might be easier to eat with a spoon. That minor complaint aside, you're not going to find such a satisfying and nutritious meal for $6.45 anywhere else in the city.
My husband had a sandwich with barbecued pork. Like the pho, the sandwiches are packed with fresh ingredients (carrot, cucumber, hot peppers) and are very affordable ($2.75 ... I'm not kidding). However, they're a little dry for my American/must-have-mayonnaise taste, so I'd rather stick with the pho.
Les Givrals is a must-do if you're on Washington Avenue around lunchtime. Word to the wise: if you're going for lunch, go early. We arrived at 11:40, walked up to the counter, and had the food delivered to our table fresh and hot in ten minutes. When we left at 12:30, the line for food was literally winding out the door. People are starting to catch onto this little gem of a place.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Porch Swing Pub
Yet another place I wasn't planning on eating ...
A small group of friends and I went out on Saturday night, looking for another bar that I had visited once before. Unfortunately the parking situation around that place was no good, so we headed to the Porch Swing Pub.
The seating at Porch Swing can't be beat. Outside there are two large, semi-covered patios with at least 4 big screen TVs. Inside, there is a very nice bar with some tables, pool tables, and more TVs. Even the ladies room was large and clean. This was definitely one of the nicer sports bars I've ever been to.
My girlfriend and I both had grilled buffalo chicken sandwiches.
The chicken was all white meat, with a slightly spicy sauce that was cooled down by lettuce, tomato and blue cheese dressing. Everything tasted fresh and well-cooked, and the fries were nice and crispy. Was it anything special? Not really. Was it good bar food at a very decent price? Yes.
Our server was a friendly college-age girl who was doing a very good job handling a large crowd. Everyone seemed well-meaning and happy, even when it started to lightly rain. My only complaint is that Porch Swing delivers exactly what it advertises: every TV had a college football game on, and therefore my husband and my friend's boyfriend were pretty much MIA the entire time. Overall, Porch Swing is a very nice college/sports bar with great outdoor seating, but it's probably not the place to go if you want to spend any time with your men.
A small group of friends and I went out on Saturday night, looking for another bar that I had visited once before. Unfortunately the parking situation around that place was no good, so we headed to the Porch Swing Pub.
The seating at Porch Swing can't be beat. Outside there are two large, semi-covered patios with at least 4 big screen TVs. Inside, there is a very nice bar with some tables, pool tables, and more TVs. Even the ladies room was large and clean. This was definitely one of the nicer sports bars I've ever been to.
My girlfriend and I both had grilled buffalo chicken sandwiches.
The chicken was all white meat, with a slightly spicy sauce that was cooled down by lettuce, tomato and blue cheese dressing. Everything tasted fresh and well-cooked, and the fries were nice and crispy. Was it anything special? Not really. Was it good bar food at a very decent price? Yes.
Our server was a friendly college-age girl who was doing a very good job handling a large crowd. Everyone seemed well-meaning and happy, even when it started to lightly rain. My only complaint is that Porch Swing delivers exactly what it advertises: every TV had a college football game on, and therefore my husband and my friend's boyfriend were pretty much MIA the entire time. Overall, Porch Swing is a very nice college/sports bar with great outdoor seating, but it's probably not the place to go if you want to spend any time with your men.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Daily Grill
I didn't really want to have dinner at The Daily Grill. We were in the Houston Galleria on a Tuesday night, and the restaurant I wanted to eat at was empty. For some reason, being the only person in a restaurant makes me uncomfortable, so we sought out food elsewhere and kind of stumbled upon Daily Grill.
I started my meal with a pomegranate martini. My drink tasted more like juice than alcohol, but it must be loaded with it, since it cost $13. To pay that much for a mixed drink you have to be a little tipsy. Fine drink, but not worth it.
My meal was far better. I was craving fish, so I got the fish and chips.
The fish was lightly breaded and fork-tender. It was served with lemon wedges and vinegar (which I didn't even have to ask for) and serviceable french fries. Very satisfying meal. My husband had a ribeye and he was very happy with it as well.
We decided to have a dessert at our waiter's suggestion. We shared the strawberry shortcake. The chef was very generous with his strawberries and real, fresh whipped cream, but the real standout of the dish was the extremely flavorful strawberry syrup that lined the bottom of the bowl. Truly heavenly, it more than made up for the fact that the biscuit was a little too thick and too dry.
Service at The Daily Grill is exemplary. Our server was attentive and helpful without being pushy. There were a lot of little touches we weren't expecting: the server scraped bread crumbs off of our table with a knife, the manager came by to check on how we were doing, the bus boys quickly moved used and empty plates almost as soon as we were done with them. As far as service was concerned, The Daily Grill is more like a fine dining restaurant than a place in a mall.
Unfortunately, The Daily Grill also forgets that it's in a mall when it comes to prices. Everything was just a little too expensive (except, of course, for my $13 drink, which was MUCH too expensive). Don't get me wrong -- the food here is good. I just don't think that The Daily Grill will be my first choice from now on when I'm shopping and need something to eat. Chances are, if I'm in the mall, I've probably spent too much already to afford a pricey meal. And at $13 a pop, I'll NEVER be able to drink enough to justify it to myself.
I started my meal with a pomegranate martini. My drink tasted more like juice than alcohol, but it must be loaded with it, since it cost $13. To pay that much for a mixed drink you have to be a little tipsy. Fine drink, but not worth it.
My meal was far better. I was craving fish, so I got the fish and chips.
The fish was lightly breaded and fork-tender. It was served with lemon wedges and vinegar (which I didn't even have to ask for) and serviceable french fries. Very satisfying meal. My husband had a ribeye and he was very happy with it as well.
We decided to have a dessert at our waiter's suggestion. We shared the strawberry shortcake. The chef was very generous with his strawberries and real, fresh whipped cream, but the real standout of the dish was the extremely flavorful strawberry syrup that lined the bottom of the bowl. Truly heavenly, it more than made up for the fact that the biscuit was a little too thick and too dry.
Service at The Daily Grill is exemplary. Our server was attentive and helpful without being pushy. There were a lot of little touches we weren't expecting: the server scraped bread crumbs off of our table with a knife, the manager came by to check on how we were doing, the bus boys quickly moved used and empty plates almost as soon as we were done with them. As far as service was concerned, The Daily Grill is more like a fine dining restaurant than a place in a mall.
Unfortunately, The Daily Grill also forgets that it's in a mall when it comes to prices. Everything was just a little too expensive (except, of course, for my $13 drink, which was MUCH too expensive). Don't get me wrong -- the food here is good. I just don't think that The Daily Grill will be my first choice from now on when I'm shopping and need something to eat. Chances are, if I'm in the mall, I've probably spent too much already to afford a pricey meal. And at $13 a pop, I'll NEVER be able to drink enough to justify it to myself.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Taco Milagro
I wanted to try Taco Milagro because to its name alone. Miracle Taco? Really? That takes cojones. I was all for it.
The outside seating area at Taco Milagro is fantastic. There are tons of tables arranged around a very nice pool. Unlike most other outdoor eateries this time of year, we had no trouble finding someplace to sit. It was a beautiful Friday night, and all kinds of people were there: men in business suits; families with small children; nervous-looking first dates. The people watching and fabulous weather alone were worth the price of dinner, which is a good thing, since the food wasn't.
Let's start with the margaritas. Taco Milagro has a full bar inside, but if you order a margarita with dinner, it comes out of a big vat behind the counter, the kind that other places use to serve sweet tea. I went in with the belief that the best margaritas were usually made, at the very most, by the blender-full. I left with that belief intact. My margarita just wasn't very good.
My husband ordered a mango margarita. I made fun of him for it, but his drink was actually much better than mine (and prettier too):
For dinner I went with one of my staples, bean burritos. This is what I got:
Nice to look at, but unfortunately these tasted exactly like the burritos I make at home (when I spread canned refried beans on tortillas and microwave them). The rice and beans on the side were very good, but let's face it -- no one goes out to dinner just to have rice and beans. It just felt like very little effort went into the food at all, from conceptualization to the actual ingredients, and that's always disappointing.
Overall, this was the kind of Mexican food you might get in the "Mexican Village" section of an amusement park. It was edible, but it wasn't authentic, and it certainly wasn't memorable. In a town full of great Tex-Mex, those kind of offenses are pretty much unforgivable. The only real stand-out here was the Mango Margarita, which hinted at how good this place could be, if only they would try just a little harder.
The outside seating area at Taco Milagro is fantastic. There are tons of tables arranged around a very nice pool. Unlike most other outdoor eateries this time of year, we had no trouble finding someplace to sit. It was a beautiful Friday night, and all kinds of people were there: men in business suits; families with small children; nervous-looking first dates. The people watching and fabulous weather alone were worth the price of dinner, which is a good thing, since the food wasn't.
Let's start with the margaritas. Taco Milagro has a full bar inside, but if you order a margarita with dinner, it comes out of a big vat behind the counter, the kind that other places use to serve sweet tea. I went in with the belief that the best margaritas were usually made, at the very most, by the blender-full. I left with that belief intact. My margarita just wasn't very good.
My husband ordered a mango margarita. I made fun of him for it, but his drink was actually much better than mine (and prettier too):
For dinner I went with one of my staples, bean burritos. This is what I got:
Nice to look at, but unfortunately these tasted exactly like the burritos I make at home (when I spread canned refried beans on tortillas and microwave them). The rice and beans on the side were very good, but let's face it -- no one goes out to dinner just to have rice and beans. It just felt like very little effort went into the food at all, from conceptualization to the actual ingredients, and that's always disappointing.
Overall, this was the kind of Mexican food you might get in the "Mexican Village" section of an amusement park. It was edible, but it wasn't authentic, and it certainly wasn't memorable. In a town full of great Tex-Mex, those kind of offenses are pretty much unforgivable. The only real stand-out here was the Mango Margarita, which hinted at how good this place could be, if only they would try just a little harder.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Berry Hill
Berry Hill's original location is located within walking distance of our home, but that's not why I love it. I love it because of this:
Berry's Hill Original Fish Taco is not the best fish taco I've ever had. It's the best taco, period. It's about as simple as you can imagine: two flour tortillas wrapped around battered fish, shredded red cabbage, cilantro and a "special sauce" that may or may not have addictive properties. Be forewarned: if you order one, you'll be back for more. Pair it with a beer, or one of Berry Hill's very decent margaritas, and you have the best little meal you could ask for.
Berry Hill has lots of outdoor seating on a very nice covered patio (with plastic walls that pull down when it rains). Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of seating inside, and there's sometimes a funky sewage smell that lingers around. Nothing that prevents you from eating, but in the interest of full disclosure, I felt like I would put that out there.
Berry's Hill Original Fish Taco is not the best fish taco I've ever had. It's the best taco, period. It's about as simple as you can imagine: two flour tortillas wrapped around battered fish, shredded red cabbage, cilantro and a "special sauce" that may or may not have addictive properties. Be forewarned: if you order one, you'll be back for more. Pair it with a beer, or one of Berry Hill's very decent margaritas, and you have the best little meal you could ask for.
Berry Hill has lots of outdoor seating on a very nice covered patio (with plastic walls that pull down when it rains). Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of seating inside, and there's sometimes a funky sewage smell that lingers around. Nothing that prevents you from eating, but in the interest of full disclosure, I felt like I would put that out there.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Counter
The Counter is a brand-new burger joint in the building where my husband works. The concept seems to be a futuristic diner. The walls are white and light blue, with stainless steel tables and chairs and round hanging lights. A very inviting bar takes up a large portion of the front of the room, and there is a small patio outside (although on a beautiful day like today, you probably won't be able to find a seat on it).
The ordering process at The Counter is clever. After you're seated, the hostess gives you an order form to fill out, and then you hand it to the waitress. They call it "BYOB: Build Your Own Burger", and the selection of toppings and sauces is huge.
The possibilities for building your burger are pretty much endless, but I wanted to taste (and review) the burger, so I kept my toppings simple: bean sprouts, mayonnaise, tomato and lettuce on a multigrain bun.
Let me start by saying that I made two mistakes here. First, I ordered my burger cooked medium, and the center was so pink that I didn't feel comfortable eating it. My husband ordered his medium-well and the color was much more appetizing.
Second, I didn't order a regular hamburger roll. My roll was too thick and tasted like it wasn't quite fresh. Not stale, but not the soft roll I was expecting. Again, my husband went the sensible route here and got a regular hamburger bun, which was a much better choice.
That said, I didn't love this burger. It wasn't juicy at all, which didn't help the bun. I couldn't eat a large portion of the middle because it was undercooked. The sides of the burger, which were well cooked, were tasty, but I didn't feel the love in this burger. It wasn't terrible. But it just ... wasn't great.
In a way, The Counter reminds me of something I saw on Top Chef a few years ago. It was restaurant wars, and one of the teams decided to do a "high class diner" featuring "the best burger you've ever had." The judges didn't think that their burger was the best burger they had ever had. You know why? Because the best burger you'll ever have won't be cooked in a trendy, clean, high-concept place in a brand-new building. The best burger you'll ever have will be cooked on a dirty griddle in the back of a little shack in a small town somewhere.
The concept and styling of The Counter are very cool. But the food can't live up to the concept, and that's never a good thing.
The ordering process at The Counter is clever. After you're seated, the hostess gives you an order form to fill out, and then you hand it to the waitress. They call it "BYOB: Build Your Own Burger", and the selection of toppings and sauces is huge.
The possibilities for building your burger are pretty much endless, but I wanted to taste (and review) the burger, so I kept my toppings simple: bean sprouts, mayonnaise, tomato and lettuce on a multigrain bun.
Let me start by saying that I made two mistakes here. First, I ordered my burger cooked medium, and the center was so pink that I didn't feel comfortable eating it. My husband ordered his medium-well and the color was much more appetizing.
Second, I didn't order a regular hamburger roll. My roll was too thick and tasted like it wasn't quite fresh. Not stale, but not the soft roll I was expecting. Again, my husband went the sensible route here and got a regular hamburger bun, which was a much better choice.
That said, I didn't love this burger. It wasn't juicy at all, which didn't help the bun. I couldn't eat a large portion of the middle because it was undercooked. The sides of the burger, which were well cooked, were tasty, but I didn't feel the love in this burger. It wasn't terrible. But it just ... wasn't great.
In a way, The Counter reminds me of something I saw on Top Chef a few years ago. It was restaurant wars, and one of the teams decided to do a "high class diner" featuring "the best burger you've ever had." The judges didn't think that their burger was the best burger they had ever had. You know why? Because the best burger you'll ever have won't be cooked in a trendy, clean, high-concept place in a brand-new building. The best burger you'll ever have will be cooked on a dirty griddle in the back of a little shack in a small town somewhere.
The concept and styling of The Counter are very cool. But the food can't live up to the concept, and that's never a good thing.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Hickory Hollow
I grew up in a town of 1500. My husband was raised in a trailer-house in East Texas. We met at law school in Waco, which is great town, but is not exactly the cultural center of the Western world. We are not fancy people; we are most comfortable at county fairs, pancake breakfast, and Coffee Stop in Crawford. That said, we felt at home at Hickory Hollow.
Atmosphere wise, Hickory Hollow can't be beat. The space is huge. The entrance is decorated with historic photographs, and the rest of the restaurant is decorated with neon signs and local artwork. There's an indoor gazebo and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. If you want a beer or a glass of wine, you help yourself from the large cooler before ordering at the counter. If you want a sweet tea, you'll drink it from a Mason jar. As soon as we walked in I told my husband that I really didn't care what the food tasted like, this place was perfect.
I guess I was having a bit of a premonition.
We went to Hickory Hollow on the advice of one of my husband's co-worker, who recommended we try the steak. We should have known better, since the menu is mostly composed of BBQ and fried items, but we went with the ribeye platters. We also got to help ourselves to the salad bar, which consisted of mixed greens, cheese, cucumbers, jalapenos, and two kinds of dressing. Not exactly gourmet -- and not exactly sanitary looking -- but not un-tasty either. We ate our little salads, drank our beer, and then the steaks were ready. This is what I got.
The good news: it didn't taste nearly as bad as it looked. The bad news: it didn't look too good. The steak was a well cooked, medium rare ribeye that had way too much gristle. My husband got the same platter, and his steak was much meatier and much more flavorful, so I guess it's hit or miss. The potatoes were serviceable but they didn't stay warm, and cold white gravy just isn't appetizing. My husband got the baked potato, and it was very good, so perhaps I just made a bad decision in a side dish. At the end of the day, this meal wasn't worth the $15 we paid for it.
Service was decent. The girl running the cash register seemed a little frazzled and may have overcharged us, though neither of us felt like arguing about it. You have to go get your food at the counter, but they do bus your tables for you, so that's a nice touch at a casual place like this.
I wouldn't discourage people from trying Hickory Hollow. The BBQ is supposedly very good, and the atmosphere is wonderful and welcoming. I just would discourage them from trying the steak. And the health department may discourage them from trying the salad bar.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Grand Lux Cafe
Grand Lux Cafe advertises having "something for everyone." It's true. We have been there three or four times; the first meal I ate in Houston was at Grand Lux. The size and scope of the menu is easily matched by the size of the space. Grand Lux is huge, glitzy, bordering-on-chintzy, fun and impressive. It can also be a little bit loud and a little bit crowded, especially on a weekend night. Weekday evenings are better -- with less people in the dining room, you can better enjoy the ambiance and the usually fabulous service.
One of the best things about Grand Lux is that whatever you're craving, you can probably get it. The night we went, I was thinking Asian, which can be a challenge if you're not eating at an Asian restaurant. We started with the Duck Pot Stickers.
These were actually really good. The outside of the potstickers were crispy, and not nearly as greasy as they photographed -- it was the perfect amount of greasiness. The filling was a savory, satisfying mixture of duck and mushrooms, which paired well with the warm hoisin sauce they were served with. Very nom.
I ordered the Crispy Caramel Chicken. The menu said the dish was Thai inspired. I don't pretend to be an expert on Thai food, but I've never seen anything like this at a Thai restaurant:
That said, it was really pretty good. The chicken was not nearly as sweet as I feared; it was reminiscent of General Tao's. A really good General Tao's. Would I order it again? Probably not, but that's not because it wasn't tasty. It's just with a menu so big, I imagine there's probably something better I could try.
I wasn't feeling particularly well that night (no worries--just tired, nothing to do with the food), so we skipped dessert. In the past we've tried the Molten Chocolate Cake, and it was AMAZING. You have to order it 20 minutes in advance because they make it fresh, and you can taste that. Definitely worth the extra time.
One of the best things about Grand Lux is that whatever you're craving, you can probably get it. The night we went, I was thinking Asian, which can be a challenge if you're not eating at an Asian restaurant. We started with the Duck Pot Stickers.
These were actually really good. The outside of the potstickers were crispy, and not nearly as greasy as they photographed -- it was the perfect amount of greasiness. The filling was a savory, satisfying mixture of duck and mushrooms, which paired well with the warm hoisin sauce they were served with. Very nom.
I ordered the Crispy Caramel Chicken. The menu said the dish was Thai inspired. I don't pretend to be an expert on Thai food, but I've never seen anything like this at a Thai restaurant:
That said, it was really pretty good. The chicken was not nearly as sweet as I feared; it was reminiscent of General Tao's. A really good General Tao's. Would I order it again? Probably not, but that's not because it wasn't tasty. It's just with a menu so big, I imagine there's probably something better I could try.
I wasn't feeling particularly well that night (no worries--just tired, nothing to do with the food), so we skipped dessert. In the past we've tried the Molten Chocolate Cake, and it was AMAZING. You have to order it 20 minutes in advance because they make it fresh, and you can taste that. Definitely worth the extra time.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Cafe Adobe
Cafe Adobe claims to have the best margaritas in Houston. I haven't had enough margaritas here to verify that claim, but I can say that their margaritas are very good. And very strong. My husband and I ate outside on a Friday evening, and between the heat, the booze, and the fact that we hadn't had much to eat during the day (we skipped an appetizer to get a dessert, and the dessert ended up being another margarita), we left there feeling no pain.
First, a note about atmosphere. We sat out on the patio, next to a fountain and some potted plants. The garden accessories helped to block out the traffic and it was easy to forget that we were on a busy road in a major city. It was sunny and warm but not unbearable, and the other people were having a good time but not loud or distracting. Pretty much a perfect outdoor dining experience.
We decided to have a little fajitas with our alcohol. I smelled steak on the way in, and that's what I wanted. What arrived was a delightful little platter of grilled flank steak, well made guacamole and salsa, lettuce, grilled onions and jalapeno peppers. The tortillas were warm, with little black marks that indicated they were probably homemade. We each got two fully assembled fajitas, as well as a bit of extra goodies we made into "fajita salad", out of one large order. I can't pretend that I can remember much of what they tasted like, but I think that they were good. Not as good as the margaritas. But then again, not much could have been.
First, a note about atmosphere. We sat out on the patio, next to a fountain and some potted plants. The garden accessories helped to block out the traffic and it was easy to forget that we were on a busy road in a major city. It was sunny and warm but not unbearable, and the other people were having a good time but not loud or distracting. Pretty much a perfect outdoor dining experience.
We decided to have a little fajitas with our alcohol. I smelled steak on the way in, and that's what I wanted. What arrived was a delightful little platter of grilled flank steak, well made guacamole and salsa, lettuce, grilled onions and jalapeno peppers. The tortillas were warm, with little black marks that indicated they were probably homemade. We each got two fully assembled fajitas, as well as a bit of extra goodies we made into "fajita salad", out of one large order. I can't pretend that I can remember much of what they tasted like, but I think that they were good. Not as good as the margaritas. But then again, not much could have been.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Red Lion Pub
Full disclosure: I really like Red Lion. We've been there twice, and I already feel like it's my home pub. The people are friendly and the atmosphere is homey and welcoming. So if you expect this review to be anything close to unbiased, you're going to be quite disappointed.
As you might imagine, the food at Red Lion is mostly British pub favorites, with a heavy Indian influence. My husband and I enjoy making meals out of appetizers. Last time we were at Red Lion, we ordered two dishes off their "Nibbles" menu, the samosas and the baked tandoori chicken quesadillas. Thank goodness my husband didn't let me talk him into ordering three things, as the size of these "appetizers" was generous, to say the least.
The samosas were not as good as the one we tried at Blue Nile. The crust was different -- where the crust at Blue Nile was a flaky pastry, the crust at Red Lion was crunchier and deep-fried. The filling at Red Lion was also a lot spicier. Like I said, the portions were gigantic, making the samosas difficult to eat. I couldn't exactly identify what was in either of the dipping sauces, and I didn't love either of them. The samosas weren't horrible, but I probably wouldn't order them again.
The quesadilla was something we were ordering for a second time. We love the fact that this enchilada is built on a crispy pita instead of a tortilla, and the spicy tandoori chicken filling pairs so nicely with the carrot and cucumber "salsa" on the side. This is a very successful melding of Tex Mex and traditional pub cuisine. And it's more than enough for two.
We paired our nibbles with a delicious Belgium white beer on both visits. And on both visits we were treated to excellent service at the bar and in the dining room. Prices are a bit steeper for appetizers than at other places, but so are the portions. Red Lion is worth a little extra. It's an authentic, friendly, fun place that makes you feel right at home, no matter where you're from.
As you might imagine, the food at Red Lion is mostly British pub favorites, with a heavy Indian influence. My husband and I enjoy making meals out of appetizers. Last time we were at Red Lion, we ordered two dishes off their "Nibbles" menu, the samosas and the baked tandoori chicken quesadillas. Thank goodness my husband didn't let me talk him into ordering three things, as the size of these "appetizers" was generous, to say the least.
The samosas were not as good as the one we tried at Blue Nile. The crust was different -- where the crust at Blue Nile was a flaky pastry, the crust at Red Lion was crunchier and deep-fried. The filling at Red Lion was also a lot spicier. Like I said, the portions were gigantic, making the samosas difficult to eat. I couldn't exactly identify what was in either of the dipping sauces, and I didn't love either of them. The samosas weren't horrible, but I probably wouldn't order them again.
The quesadilla was something we were ordering for a second time. We love the fact that this enchilada is built on a crispy pita instead of a tortilla, and the spicy tandoori chicken filling pairs so nicely with the carrot and cucumber "salsa" on the side. This is a very successful melding of Tex Mex and traditional pub cuisine. And it's more than enough for two.
We paired our nibbles with a delicious Belgium white beer on both visits. And on both visits we were treated to excellent service at the bar and in the dining room. Prices are a bit steeper for appetizers than at other places, but so are the portions. Red Lion is worth a little extra. It's an authentic, friendly, fun place that makes you feel right at home, no matter where you're from.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Labor Day Special: Uncle Buck's
My friend Amy got married this weekend in Grapevine, Texas, so that's where this review is coming to you from. It's nowhere near Houston, but it's Labor Day weekend, so maybe you're travelling. Or maybe you're starting to plan your holiday trips, and you're going to be flying out of DFW. Either way, the Embassy Suites on Bass Pro Drive and the attached Uncle Buck's restaurant are worth a look-see.
The hotel and restaurant are attached to an impressive Bass Pro Shop, so therefore the entire place has an outdoorsy theme. We ate at the bar, located upstairs from the restaurant. Going up we noted big vats of Uncle Buck's home brewed beer. The seats were fashioned out of plastic deer antlers, and the Dallas Cowboys game was playing on several large-screen TVs. As someone who loves the outdoors, I felt right at home.
I had to try a home-brewed beer. I went with "Buck Naked", a light beer advertised as a "gold medal winner" (who or what is awarding those medals remains to be seen). Buck Naked was good but not great. It's taste and consistency were much like a Bud Light.
The food sticks with the outdoorsman theme. Lots of game meats and fried foods. My husband and I shared the venison stuffed mushrooms and a Big Sky burger. The mushrooms were stuffed with ground venison and cheese. They would have been delicious, but were served too hot for my little mouth and I scalded myself. Thankfully I had a giant glass of beer to cool my burns and ease my sorrows.
The burger was more successful. It was made out of bison meat, which is similar to beef in flavor but much leaner. Bison can tend to be a little dry, but the very good barbecue sauce lent this burger plenty of moisture, while french fried onions gave it a little crunch. Overall, a decent meal at a very affordable price.
Our bartender acted as our server, and he did a good job. He was available but not pushy and everything arrived quickly from the kitchen. Overall, Uncle Buck's is decent food for the traveller who wants something other than Whataburger on the road. It's low priced, accessible, and filling. Worth a trip to Grapevine? No. Worth it if you're in Grapevine, particularly if you're staying at the Embassy Suites? Buck Yeah.
The hotel and restaurant are attached to an impressive Bass Pro Shop, so therefore the entire place has an outdoorsy theme. We ate at the bar, located upstairs from the restaurant. Going up we noted big vats of Uncle Buck's home brewed beer. The seats were fashioned out of plastic deer antlers, and the Dallas Cowboys game was playing on several large-screen TVs. As someone who loves the outdoors, I felt right at home.
I had to try a home-brewed beer. I went with "Buck Naked", a light beer advertised as a "gold medal winner" (who or what is awarding those medals remains to be seen). Buck Naked was good but not great. It's taste and consistency were much like a Bud Light.
The food sticks with the outdoorsman theme. Lots of game meats and fried foods. My husband and I shared the venison stuffed mushrooms and a Big Sky burger. The mushrooms were stuffed with ground venison and cheese. They would have been delicious, but were served too hot for my little mouth and I scalded myself. Thankfully I had a giant glass of beer to cool my burns and ease my sorrows.
The burger was more successful. It was made out of bison meat, which is similar to beef in flavor but much leaner. Bison can tend to be a little dry, but the very good barbecue sauce lent this burger plenty of moisture, while french fried onions gave it a little crunch. Overall, a decent meal at a very affordable price.
Our bartender acted as our server, and he did a good job. He was available but not pushy and everything arrived quickly from the kitchen. Overall, Uncle Buck's is decent food for the traveller who wants something other than Whataburger on the road. It's low priced, accessible, and filling. Worth a trip to Grapevine? No. Worth it if you're in Grapevine, particularly if you're staying at the Embassy Suites? Buck Yeah.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Brown Bag Deli
Let's get the bad out of the way first: Brown Bag Deli has outgrown its Westheimer location. The mirrors on the back wall don't belie the fact that this place is tiny. Though there are plenty of tables, a couple of them are literally right up against the food line, meaning that if you sit there you will likely be jostled by a purse, a tray, or even another person. Therefore, no one sits there, and there aren't enough seats. If you're a little bit claustrophobic (like I am) these sort of things are a major problem.
Now on to the good: the food at Brown Bag is fantastic. You order by filling out an order sheet printed on a brown paper bag. You check off what meat, cheese, bread, and toppings you want and hand the form to the girl behind the counter, greatly cutting down on wait-time and eliminating the need to yell your order at her. Why every restaurant doesn't have you order that way is beyond me.
I went with the roast beef on wheat bread with lettuce, mayo and tomato. Nothing fancy, but Brown Bag doesn't do fancy. The most exotic thing they offer is jalapeno-cheddar rolls. What Brown Bag does is simple sandwiches very well. My bread was still warm, slightly sweet and very soft. The roast beef was perfectly cooked, without an ounce of gristle. All of the toppings were fresh, crunchy and flavorful. This was as close to a perfect sandwich as you could get.
Houston has some great sandwich shops. I've been to Potbellies over on the Southwest Freeway, and they do a good job (for a corporate place). I've been told our Which Wich is pretty good too. But Brown Bag is different; it's a local place, with only 4 locations, all in Houston. It has a local feel. It sounds cliche, but the food at Brown Bag is made with love. That isn't something you get at Subway.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Lankford Grocery
I enjoy burgers. I've blogged about Hubcap before. I've blogged about Christian's Totem. But last weekend I went all out and had my first burger from Lankford Grocery. Lankford is the stuff of legends: rated in the top 5 by Texas Burger Guy and featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Needless to say, I had high expectations, and I wasn't disappointed.
Let's start with the seating. One of the coolest things about Lankford is that you don't have to wait on line to order a burger or get a table. All you do is sit down and wait and the waitresses find you. I recommend eating outside, if the weather's nice. With shaded picnic tables and coolers full of coke in abundance, the outside seating at Lankford's is reminiscent of a backyard cook out.
But with better food.
I kept it simple and went with a bacon cheeseburger and onion rings. My burger was perfectly cooked, thick and very juicy. Unlike some other Houston burgers I've tried, this burger had just the right amount of salt. The toppings were all very fresh, but if I had one complaint, it would be that there was too much bacon. That's right, I said it. You can have too much bacon. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE bacon and this was quality stuff, but it overpowered the flavor of the burger and threw the balance of the other toppings off. Easy solution though: just pull off a little bit of the bacon and eat it later, maybe coupled with an onion rings.
The onion rings: normally I think of side dishes served with burgers as throw aways. I'll try them, but I don't ever expect them to compete with the burger, and I've never tried one that's been better than the burger. These rings weren't necessarily better than my burger, but they were really really good. Very crispy, very large, and a tad bit sweet, I managed to wolf down quite a few before my stomach started threatening to explode.
Service at Lankford isn't exactly fast, but the waitresses are very friendly. One word to the wise: you don't wait for your check. Just go inside and tell the man at the counter your name and that you were on the porch, and he'll give you your total. This seems counter-intuitive when everything else has been served to you at your table, but now you know.
So you might be wondering at this point, whose burgers do I like better: Hubcap, Christian's or Lankford? Hard call. The burgers at all three of these places were really good. If I were judging on food alone, I would probably say Hubcap. However, if you factor in service and atmosphere, I'm going to have to go with Lankford. As the cooler days of fall (hopefully) approach, sitting on the porch at Lankford will only become more appealing ... and the food ain't half bad either.
Let's start with the seating. One of the coolest things about Lankford is that you don't have to wait on line to order a burger or get a table. All you do is sit down and wait and the waitresses find you. I recommend eating outside, if the weather's nice. With shaded picnic tables and coolers full of coke in abundance, the outside seating at Lankford's is reminiscent of a backyard cook out.
But with better food.
I kept it simple and went with a bacon cheeseburger and onion rings. My burger was perfectly cooked, thick and very juicy. Unlike some other Houston burgers I've tried, this burger had just the right amount of salt. The toppings were all very fresh, but if I had one complaint, it would be that there was too much bacon. That's right, I said it. You can have too much bacon. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE bacon and this was quality stuff, but it overpowered the flavor of the burger and threw the balance of the other toppings off. Easy solution though: just pull off a little bit of the bacon and eat it later, maybe coupled with an onion rings.
The onion rings: normally I think of side dishes served with burgers as throw aways. I'll try them, but I don't ever expect them to compete with the burger, and I've never tried one that's been better than the burger. These rings weren't necessarily better than my burger, but they were really really good. Very crispy, very large, and a tad bit sweet, I managed to wolf down quite a few before my stomach started threatening to explode.
Service at Lankford isn't exactly fast, but the waitresses are very friendly. One word to the wise: you don't wait for your check. Just go inside and tell the man at the counter your name and that you were on the porch, and he'll give you your total. This seems counter-intuitive when everything else has been served to you at your table, but now you know.
So you might be wondering at this point, whose burgers do I like better: Hubcap, Christian's or Lankford? Hard call. The burgers at all three of these places were really good. If I were judging on food alone, I would probably say Hubcap. However, if you factor in service and atmosphere, I'm going to have to go with Lankford. As the cooler days of fall (hopefully) approach, sitting on the porch at Lankford will only become more appealing ... and the food ain't half bad either.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Blue Nile
I decided I wanted to try Ethiopian food after it was featured on a recent episode of Top Chef. A competitor from Beaumont claimed she didn't know a lot about Ethiopian food since there are no Ethiopian restaurants in Dallas or Houston. I knew that couldn't be true, so I did a little Google search and found Blue Nile.
Blue Nile is located in a store front in an area which needs, shall we say, a little revitalization. As soon as you step through the front door, however, you know you're in for a treat. The restaurant is decorated with straw baskets and Ethiopian artwork, and each table is boasts a single rose. No table has silverware, and none is offered, as you're expected to eat with your hands. The waitresses, all Ethiopian immigrants, couldn't have been more friendly or more patient with us; they made suggestions on what to order and explained how to eat it. For the first time in a long time we were completely outside of our element, and it was more than a little fun.
We ordered vegetarian sambusa as an appetizer. We were treated to a freshly fried pocket filled with a spicy lentil mash. One was enough for both of us to try, and it was a nice start to the meal.
For the main course, I ordered Yebeg Tibs, a lamb dish sauteed with onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and a spicy sauce. Our waitress recommended it. My husband ordered the Goden Tibs, beef cubes cooked with hot pepper and onions. It all arrived on the same plate, along with a red sauce, some kind of slaw made with cabbage, and a green salad (which I believe was added for American palates, as it didn't seem to fit with anything else). Never seen Ethiopian food before?
Now you have.
Everything was served with injera, a spongy flat bread made with the extremely nutritious teff grain. Alone, injera tastes a little bit like sourdough, but it pairs well with just about anything. What you do is tear off a piece of injera and use it to scoop up and eat the various other components on the plate. And though it might not look like a lot of food for two people, it fills you up quickly.
My lamb was well prepared, and not nearly as spicy as one might imagine. However, the real standout on the plate for me was the red sauce. It tasted like something I enjoyed eating as a child, although I couldn't really place it. At the end of the meal I was using the injera just to scoop up the sauce and eat it alone.
Not only was this a very filling and tasty meal served by some very nice people, but it was cheap too -- each entree was under $15, and the sambusa was only $2.75. You probably can't do better than that for a nutritious sit-down dinner .
Blue Nile is located in a store front in an area which needs, shall we say, a little revitalization. As soon as you step through the front door, however, you know you're in for a treat. The restaurant is decorated with straw baskets and Ethiopian artwork, and each table is boasts a single rose. No table has silverware, and none is offered, as you're expected to eat with your hands. The waitresses, all Ethiopian immigrants, couldn't have been more friendly or more patient with us; they made suggestions on what to order and explained how to eat it. For the first time in a long time we were completely outside of our element, and it was more than a little fun.
We ordered vegetarian sambusa as an appetizer. We were treated to a freshly fried pocket filled with a spicy lentil mash. One was enough for both of us to try, and it was a nice start to the meal.
For the main course, I ordered Yebeg Tibs, a lamb dish sauteed with onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and a spicy sauce. Our waitress recommended it. My husband ordered the Goden Tibs, beef cubes cooked with hot pepper and onions. It all arrived on the same plate, along with a red sauce, some kind of slaw made with cabbage, and a green salad (which I believe was added for American palates, as it didn't seem to fit with anything else). Never seen Ethiopian food before?
Now you have.
Everything was served with injera, a spongy flat bread made with the extremely nutritious teff grain. Alone, injera tastes a little bit like sourdough, but it pairs well with just about anything. What you do is tear off a piece of injera and use it to scoop up and eat the various other components on the plate. And though it might not look like a lot of food for two people, it fills you up quickly.
My lamb was well prepared, and not nearly as spicy as one might imagine. However, the real standout on the plate for me was the red sauce. It tasted like something I enjoyed eating as a child, although I couldn't really place it. At the end of the meal I was using the injera just to scoop up the sauce and eat it alone.
Not only was this a very filling and tasty meal served by some very nice people, but it was cheap too -- each entree was under $15, and the sambusa was only $2.75. You probably can't do better than that for a nutritious sit-down dinner .
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Laurenzo's On Washington
** Sorry -- I forgot to bring my camera today!! So no pictures! **
We went to Laurenzo's for lunch today. It's a cozy little place off the beaten path on Washington Avenue. The walls are a punchy yellow color, with leather seats and pretty Tiffany lighting. The hostess seemed like she was in desperate need of a cigarette break (my husband actually whispered to me "I'm sorry we ruined her day by showing up"), but our server was competent and friendly. Right away I felt like I was going to like this place.
The menu is pretty impressive. I noticed the Ox Tails first, but decided to pass since it seems like more of a dinner dish. Instead I chose to go with their vegetarian "burger". What arrived was a slice of portabello mushroom on a sesame seed bun, dressed with lettuce, onion, grilled green tomatoes, red pepper, and lots and lots of goat cheese. Lots. I love goat cheese, and I loved this sandwich, but it was messy -- certainly not something you would want to order on a first date or a power lunch with your boss. About halfway through I wimped out and started eating it with my knife and fork, but I still ate every bite. It reminded me of my favorite kind of pizza on a bun.
The hubs got the "famous" French Dip. He didn't say much about it, because his mouth was full. I think that's a pretty good review. He did mention that his fries could have stood to have left the deep-fryer a few minutes earlier than they evidently did, but I like my fries a little crispy, so I have no complaints.
Bottom Line: Laurenzo's is good. It's a little pricey for lunch (our two sandwiches, plus cokes and the tip, came to $45), and a little out of the way, but it's worth both the drive and the money. I'll be going back for the ox tails (and something off of their impressive drinks menu) for dinner soon, and hopefully you'll be there too.
We went to Laurenzo's for lunch today. It's a cozy little place off the beaten path on Washington Avenue. The walls are a punchy yellow color, with leather seats and pretty Tiffany lighting. The hostess seemed like she was in desperate need of a cigarette break (my husband actually whispered to me "I'm sorry we ruined her day by showing up"), but our server was competent and friendly. Right away I felt like I was going to like this place.
The menu is pretty impressive. I noticed the Ox Tails first, but decided to pass since it seems like more of a dinner dish. Instead I chose to go with their vegetarian "burger". What arrived was a slice of portabello mushroom on a sesame seed bun, dressed with lettuce, onion, grilled green tomatoes, red pepper, and lots and lots of goat cheese. Lots. I love goat cheese, and I loved this sandwich, but it was messy -- certainly not something you would want to order on a first date or a power lunch with your boss. About halfway through I wimped out and started eating it with my knife and fork, but I still ate every bite. It reminded me of my favorite kind of pizza on a bun.
The hubs got the "famous" French Dip. He didn't say much about it, because his mouth was full. I think that's a pretty good review. He did mention that his fries could have stood to have left the deep-fryer a few minutes earlier than they evidently did, but I like my fries a little crispy, so I have no complaints.
Bottom Line: Laurenzo's is good. It's a little pricey for lunch (our two sandwiches, plus cokes and the tip, came to $45), and a little out of the way, but it's worth both the drive and the money. I'll be going back for the ox tails (and something off of their impressive drinks menu) for dinner soon, and hopefully you'll be there too.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Avalon and 59 Diner: A Tale of Two Breakfasts
I love diners. New York is full of them; every small town has at least one, and Albany has three. So far we've found two in Houston: the Avalon Diner, located just a few blocks from our house, and the 59 Diner, located a bit further away. While you might be saying, "So? A diner's a diner", a brief recap of breakfast at both shows that these two places couldn't be more different.
First, we went to Avalon. We arrived early on a Saturday, and the place was crowded. This had happened once before, and one of the waiter had asked us to share a table for four with another couple we didn't know. We passed on that. This day we got our own table, but not because anyone seated us there. Instead, the older lady behind the counter said nothing to us as we entered; no "how many", no "seat yourself", not even a grunt or a nod. So we assumed it was seat yourself, and sat down.
Our waiter was in his early teens and very busy texting on his Iphone. He might have also been busy experiencing the effects of some sort of chemical substance, since he seemed unable to remember anything. He mixed up our drinks on the short trip to the soda fountain and back. He handed us the menu, and then asked us what we wanted to order before we had a chance to open it. After we got our food, he forgot to check in even once to make sure it was right or we were happy -- even though he was waiting on the table right next to ours. Something was clearly lacking in the service.
The kicker is, the food was OK. I got the breakfast wrap with eggs, cheese, and bacon wrapped up on a flour tortilla. It wasn't spectacular, but it was certainly filling, and had the experience been different (ie: decent service, clean silverware, a hostess who spoke to you -- or at least made eye contact -- when you walked in or went up to pay your bill), it may have been worth the $7.25. It's a shame it wasn't, since it's so close to our house.
The 59 Diner is a whole 'nother animal. Some may say it's more corporate. Unlike Avalon, which has only 2 locations in the Houston area, 59 has 5. Not exactly a chain restaurant, but not a family owned place either. Normally I would deduct points for something like this, but if "corporate" means clean silverware or decent service, I'm all for it in this case. I had a classic diner breakfast: a BLT with a fried egg, and homefries. The food was about the same as at Avalon. My egg was cooked over-medium, with a little run to the yolk, and the bacon was crispy and tasty. In the end, however, diner food is diner food. I like it just about anywhere. It was the service -- or lack thereof -- which made 59 the clear winner over Avalon.
First, we went to Avalon. We arrived early on a Saturday, and the place was crowded. This had happened once before, and one of the waiter had asked us to share a table for four with another couple we didn't know. We passed on that. This day we got our own table, but not because anyone seated us there. Instead, the older lady behind the counter said nothing to us as we entered; no "how many", no "seat yourself", not even a grunt or a nod. So we assumed it was seat yourself, and sat down.
Our waiter was in his early teens and very busy texting on his Iphone. He might have also been busy experiencing the effects of some sort of chemical substance, since he seemed unable to remember anything. He mixed up our drinks on the short trip to the soda fountain and back. He handed us the menu, and then asked us what we wanted to order before we had a chance to open it. After we got our food, he forgot to check in even once to make sure it was right or we were happy -- even though he was waiting on the table right next to ours. Something was clearly lacking in the service.
The kicker is, the food was OK. I got the breakfast wrap with eggs, cheese, and bacon wrapped up on a flour tortilla. It wasn't spectacular, but it was certainly filling, and had the experience been different (ie: decent service, clean silverware, a hostess who spoke to you -- or at least made eye contact -- when you walked in or went up to pay your bill), it may have been worth the $7.25. It's a shame it wasn't, since it's so close to our house.
The 59 Diner is a whole 'nother animal. Some may say it's more corporate. Unlike Avalon, which has only 2 locations in the Houston area, 59 has 5. Not exactly a chain restaurant, but not a family owned place either. Normally I would deduct points for something like this, but if "corporate" means clean silverware or decent service, I'm all for it in this case. I had a classic diner breakfast: a BLT with a fried egg, and homefries. The food was about the same as at Avalon. My egg was cooked over-medium, with a little run to the yolk, and the bacon was crispy and tasty. In the end, however, diner food is diner food. I like it just about anywhere. It was the service -- or lack thereof -- which made 59 the clear winner over Avalon.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sambuca
Sorry it's been so long, blog fans. There was an unexpected death in my family, so I had to head to NY for a few days. I'm home now, and it's time for the next installation: Sambuca. My husband and I stopped in for dinner before a show, and we were on a tight schedule. Add to that the fact that we stopped in 20 minutes before 6:30 PM, when happy hour (and the half price drinks and appetizers that come with it) ends, and you can probably understand that we were pretty anxious to get our order in quickly.
Which is why it's a shame that we sat for ten minutes without anyone saying a word to us. No hello from a waiter, no water and bread from a bus boy, not even a second glance from the hostess who seated us. Just when my husband was pulling out his cell phone to look for another restaurant, our waiter arrived.
We quickly put in an order for martinis and escargot. The drinks and appetizer were all $9 apiece, but since we got our order in and actually received our drinks several minutes before happy hour was supposed to end, we figured it didn't matter. The escargot was served with lemon and garlic butter, topped off with spinach with gouda and puff pastry. The dish never really came together for us; it seemed like it was two very good dishes (spinach dip, and snails in butter sauce) stacked on top of each other. Either would have been great on its own, but in putting them together, each lost something. Still pretty to look at though:
Dinner was less impressive. I ordered the lobster enchiladas. This is what I received:
Ugh. Where do I start? White rice? Chewy, overcooked lobster? Half of an avocado slapped unnecessarily on top? No, no, no. This meal cost $23.75. It was worth about $7. I've had better food, served quicker and for less money, at Ninfa's. My husband reported that his steak was not much better.
I don't know what possessed us to order dessert after a meal like that, but I'm glad we did. The creme brulee was actually very well done. Did it make eating at Sambuca worth it? No. But wait, it gets better...
When our waiter (finally) showed back up with our bill, the drinks and appetizers we ordered and received before the end of happy hour were full price. Apparently, at Sambuca, you have to PAY before 6:30 in order to receive the special price, or something. We didn't have time to argue. At this point, we already had to run to make our play -- which, for the record, was wonderful. So after a very full friday evening, my final message comes down to this: Go to the Hobby Center. Don't go to Sambuca. The end.
Which is why it's a shame that we sat for ten minutes without anyone saying a word to us. No hello from a waiter, no water and bread from a bus boy, not even a second glance from the hostess who seated us. Just when my husband was pulling out his cell phone to look for another restaurant, our waiter arrived.
We quickly put in an order for martinis and escargot. The drinks and appetizer were all $9 apiece, but since we got our order in and actually received our drinks several minutes before happy hour was supposed to end, we figured it didn't matter. The escargot was served with lemon and garlic butter, topped off with spinach with gouda and puff pastry. The dish never really came together for us; it seemed like it was two very good dishes (spinach dip, and snails in butter sauce) stacked on top of each other. Either would have been great on its own, but in putting them together, each lost something. Still pretty to look at though:
Dinner was less impressive. I ordered the lobster enchiladas. This is what I received:
Ugh. Where do I start? White rice? Chewy, overcooked lobster? Half of an avocado slapped unnecessarily on top? No, no, no. This meal cost $23.75. It was worth about $7. I've had better food, served quicker and for less money, at Ninfa's. My husband reported that his steak was not much better.
I don't know what possessed us to order dessert after a meal like that, but I'm glad we did. The creme brulee was actually very well done. Did it make eating at Sambuca worth it? No. But wait, it gets better...
When our waiter (finally) showed back up with our bill, the drinks and appetizers we ordered and received before the end of happy hour were full price. Apparently, at Sambuca, you have to PAY before 6:30 in order to receive the special price, or something. We didn't have time to argue. At this point, we already had to run to make our play -- which, for the record, was wonderful. So after a very full friday evening, my final message comes down to this: Go to the Hobby Center. Don't go to Sambuca. The end.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Christian's Totem
For a self-proclaimed dive bar, Christian's Tailgate (formerly Christian's Totem) sure gets a lot of good press. It's listed on Playboy.com's A-list for America's Ten Best Burgers. It was also highly rated by the Texas Burger Guy. To say we went in with high expectations would be quite an understatement.
The first thing I noticed was that Christian's is surprisingly large, clean and well-lit. We've eaten some of our favorite meals at some pretty questionable establishments (anyone ever been to Cupp's in Waco?), so this was a little disconcerting.
The second thing I noticed was that they got our order wrong. Not stunningly wrong -- my burger had the wrong type of cheese, and they gave us fries instead of onion rings -- but since all we ordered were two burgers, one side, and 2 serve-yourself drinks, this also didn't bode well.
What a surprise then that the food was everything we were hoping for. I had a cheeseburger (American, though that wasn't my choice) with lettuce, tomato, mayo and mustard. The patty was a 1/3 pounder, thick and delightfully salty. It wasn't quite as juicy as I had hoped--I like a little ooze in my burger--but the meat was very good quality and all of the toppings were very fresh. I managed to eat the whole thing, but it wasn't easy, and I didn't feel like eating anything else for the rest of the day. Super-filling and super-tasty for only $7 a pop.
The fries weren't anything to write home about, but that may have only been my disappointment at not getting my onion rings clouding my judgment. I'm willing to forgive mediocre fries for a fabulous burger; in fact, I pretty much expect mediocre fries, which is why I don't usually order them. How can a couple of fried potatoes live up to 1/3 pound of American Angus on a bun? Now fried onions, well, that's a whole 'nother story.
One note about atmosphere: we went to Christian's on a Wednesday around noon, and it was so crowded we ended up sitting at the bar. We weren't drinking -- although the set up is fabulous, if you care to do so -- but the dude next to us was. Heavily. About a pitcher of Bud Light in, he started hitting on the bartender, who wasn't interested and wasn't afraid to show it. Though it sounds funny, it was really just kind of awkward and sad. From the look on the bartender's face, you could tell this kind of thing happens to her a lot, so prepare yourself if you decide to sit at the bar.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tommy Bahama
Before we begin the review, let me cut you off at the pass here and make two points:
1) Yes, I know Tommy Bahama is technically a chain restaurant, and I'm supposed to be blogging about more regional and eclectic places. But the restaurant in The Woodlands is one of only 12 nationwide, and the only one in Texas, so I'm making an exception.
2) OK, yes, it's in The Woodlands (located about 30 minutes outside of Houston). But if Houston Craigslist can cover both the city and the surrounding areas, so can this blog. Plus it happens to be where the Hubs and I were on Saturday, so deal with it.
Now onto the meal: we started off with the "drink of the month", a citrus gin fizz recommended by our (very friendly and competent) server. The drinks tasted a lot like a mixture of lemonade and ginger beer, and very little like alcohol, making them particularly dangerous for those of us drinking on an empty stomach. They were good but not worth $10 apiece -- a price we didn't realize we were paying until the bill arrived. The server also brought us complimentary bread with the drinks--probably to soak up the alcohol--which was quite good, as free bread goes. The sweetened butter that came with it was a nice touch.
Both of us had a cup of soup. Hubs tried the tortilla, and I had the crab bisque. It was a bit sweet and very hot, but I ate every bite of it, so I suppose I can't complain.
My dinner was a real treat. I am a sucker for tuna, so I decided to try the Tahitian Tuna Salad. It would take a while to express in words how pretty the plate presented to me was, so here's a picture:
It tasted just as good as it looked. The salad consisted of spinach (not arugala, as stated on the menu, which is fine as I like spinach more) dressed in a slightly spicy vinagrette. The tuna was seared very rare with a peppercorn crust. The dish was served with soy sauce and a bit of wasabi on the side, but I didn't find it necessary; between the crust on the tuna and the dressing, the meal was just spicy enough. The texture of the tuna was perfect and the aioli it was dressed in, though a bit heavy, nicely balanced the dressing on the salad. I ate all of the tuna and would've finished the entire plate, but I was saving room for dessert.
Turns out that was a good decision too. We decided to share the pineapple upside down cheesecake. Once again I don't feel words can do it justice, so here:
Yes, that is a layer of candied pineapple at the bottom of that cheesecake. And yes, it was heavenly. We couldn't finish it -- the buttons on our pants were already screaming in fear -- but we did the absolute best we could, and it was totally worth it. The coffee was decent too.
So, yes, maybe I did compromise my ideals a teensy bit this week by eating at a "chain" restaurant. But you know what? Tommy Bahama was really good. Not just really good for a chain, but really good period. The service was good, the food was good, and the atmosphere was good. They even had a really good house band who played several of my favorite songs (Neon Moon, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, and, in a moment of complete coolness, Under the Milky Way).I liked Tommy Bahama, and even though it was a little bit pricey, I would definitely eat there again. And I don't feel as ashamed of that as I thought I would.
1) Yes, I know Tommy Bahama is technically a chain restaurant, and I'm supposed to be blogging about more regional and eclectic places. But the restaurant in The Woodlands is one of only 12 nationwide, and the only one in Texas, so I'm making an exception.
2) OK, yes, it's in The Woodlands (located about 30 minutes outside of Houston). But if Houston Craigslist can cover both the city and the surrounding areas, so can this blog. Plus it happens to be where the Hubs and I were on Saturday, so deal with it.
Now onto the meal: we started off with the "drink of the month", a citrus gin fizz recommended by our (very friendly and competent) server. The drinks tasted a lot like a mixture of lemonade and ginger beer, and very little like alcohol, making them particularly dangerous for those of us drinking on an empty stomach. They were good but not worth $10 apiece -- a price we didn't realize we were paying until the bill arrived. The server also brought us complimentary bread with the drinks--probably to soak up the alcohol--which was quite good, as free bread goes. The sweetened butter that came with it was a nice touch.
Both of us had a cup of soup. Hubs tried the tortilla, and I had the crab bisque. It was a bit sweet and very hot, but I ate every bite of it, so I suppose I can't complain.
My dinner was a real treat. I am a sucker for tuna, so I decided to try the Tahitian Tuna Salad. It would take a while to express in words how pretty the plate presented to me was, so here's a picture:
It tasted just as good as it looked. The salad consisted of spinach (not arugala, as stated on the menu, which is fine as I like spinach more) dressed in a slightly spicy vinagrette. The tuna was seared very rare with a peppercorn crust. The dish was served with soy sauce and a bit of wasabi on the side, but I didn't find it necessary; between the crust on the tuna and the dressing, the meal was just spicy enough. The texture of the tuna was perfect and the aioli it was dressed in, though a bit heavy, nicely balanced the dressing on the salad. I ate all of the tuna and would've finished the entire plate, but I was saving room for dessert.
Turns out that was a good decision too. We decided to share the pineapple upside down cheesecake. Once again I don't feel words can do it justice, so here:
Yes, that is a layer of candied pineapple at the bottom of that cheesecake. And yes, it was heavenly. We couldn't finish it -- the buttons on our pants were already screaming in fear -- but we did the absolute best we could, and it was totally worth it. The coffee was decent too.
So, yes, maybe I did compromise my ideals a teensy bit this week by eating at a "chain" restaurant. But you know what? Tommy Bahama was really good. Not just really good for a chain, but really good period. The service was good, the food was good, and the atmosphere was good. They even had a really good house band who played several of my favorite songs (Neon Moon, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, and, in a moment of complete coolness, Under the Milky Way).I liked Tommy Bahama, and even though it was a little bit pricey, I would definitely eat there again. And I don't feel as ashamed of that as I thought I would.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Recipe: Lemon Pie Cake
I don't normally post recipes, but a friend shared this one with me today and it's delightful. If there are any budding pastry chefs in the crowd, you'll want to try this one.
Oh, and no, that's not a picture of the actual pie I cooked. Most of the pie I cooked is gone!
Sippity Sup's Lemon Pie Cake
Cook Time: 40 min
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted organic butter, melted
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
Pinch of salt
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 2 lemons
3 organic eggs, seperated
1 1/4 cup milk
Premade piecrust
Directions
1) Preheat oven to 375. Put premade piecrust into a greased pie pan and crimp edges
2) Stir the butter and sugar together. Add dry ingredients, zest and juice.
3) In a seperate bowl, beat the egg yolks and milk together. Add to the lemon mixture.
4) In a standing mixer (or with an electric mixer), beat the egg whites until they hold firm but moist peaks. Fold into the lemon mixture. Be careful not to mix them too much!
5) Pour the filling into the crust and bake for about 40 mins, or until the top is browned and the center only slightly jiggles when the pan is gently shaken. Cool before serving.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tinto's
Last night my husband and I had dinner at Tinto's Spanish Restaurant and Wine Bar. The restaurant was pretty crowded, and once again, we had to get comfortable with our neighbors. This time we were surrounded by a James Cameron look-alike who was chatting about the BP oil spill and an awkward first date who were chatting mostly with the waiter. Oh well ... it still beats talking about discovery.
We decided to do tapas and a bottle of wine. Both menus are impressive, with a huge range of flavors and prices. We settled on a $38 bottle of Spanish white wine (good choice!) and 4 different tapas (varying ... see below).
First we tried the carpaccio. I order this pretty much everywhere, with my gold standard being the one at Capital Grille in Washington DC. The carpaccio at Tinto's doesn't top that one, but it's a close second. They ODed on horseradish, but the meat was extremely tender and the little salad on top was lovely. Definitely a win.
Next we had the Campinones al Ajillo (mushrooms in spicy garlic sauce). The mushrooms were crimini and button, served warm in an oily and very spicy sauce. Everything was well done and it was tasty, but nothing special. The best part of this dish was sopping up the sauce with the complimentary bread.
We also had the Caricoles Anduluces (snails with roasted artichoke). I love snails, and these little guys certainly did not disappoint. However, the real standout of the dish was the artichoke. Drenched in the slightly sweet goat cheese sauce, the pungent artichoke provided an amazing balance, and I wish they were a dish all on their own. Totally worth the price of admission.
Finally, we had the empanadillas. The crust on these little babies was a lot flakier than on other empanadas I've tried, and the filling was serviceable, if a little bland. Not a total score like the artichokes, but I'm glad we tried them.
For dessert we settled on churros with chocolate dipping sauce. My husband was a churro virgin and he really liked them. The chocolate dipping sauce was a real treat -- I only half joked about drinking it straight out of the bowl after the churros ran out. Ok, I licked some of it off my fingers. Our only complaint is that we wish the churros hadn't been drizzled with caramel -- we felt like it took away from both the crispy texture of the pastry and the amazing flavor of the chocolate. Still a very successful dessert though -- leave room for it!
Tintos is a little on the pricy side. It's not terribly fancy, but not an everyday choice. We enjoyed the tapas concept -- nothing is more fun than making a meal out of appetizers -- and we wished our table and our stomachs were a little bigger, so we could sample more. My best advice is to try and stay away from anything you could have anywhere else (ie, the mushrooms) and go for the more "exotic" offerings (ie, the snails). The small portions mean that you won't have to taste anything you don't like more than once, and chances are you'll find something you love.
We decided to do tapas and a bottle of wine. Both menus are impressive, with a huge range of flavors and prices. We settled on a $38 bottle of Spanish white wine (good choice!) and 4 different tapas (varying ... see below).
First we tried the carpaccio. I order this pretty much everywhere, with my gold standard being the one at Capital Grille in Washington DC. The carpaccio at Tinto's doesn't top that one, but it's a close second. They ODed on horseradish, but the meat was extremely tender and the little salad on top was lovely. Definitely a win.
Next we had the Campinones al Ajillo (mushrooms in spicy garlic sauce). The mushrooms were crimini and button, served warm in an oily and very spicy sauce. Everything was well done and it was tasty, but nothing special. The best part of this dish was sopping up the sauce with the complimentary bread.
We also had the Caricoles Anduluces (snails with roasted artichoke). I love snails, and these little guys certainly did not disappoint. However, the real standout of the dish was the artichoke. Drenched in the slightly sweet goat cheese sauce, the pungent artichoke provided an amazing balance, and I wish they were a dish all on their own. Totally worth the price of admission.
Finally, we had the empanadillas. The crust on these little babies was a lot flakier than on other empanadas I've tried, and the filling was serviceable, if a little bland. Not a total score like the artichokes, but I'm glad we tried them.
For dessert we settled on churros with chocolate dipping sauce. My husband was a churro virgin and he really liked them. The chocolate dipping sauce was a real treat -- I only half joked about drinking it straight out of the bowl after the churros ran out. Ok, I licked some of it off my fingers. Our only complaint is that we wish the churros hadn't been drizzled with caramel -- we felt like it took away from both the crispy texture of the pastry and the amazing flavor of the chocolate. Still a very successful dessert though -- leave room for it!
Tintos is a little on the pricy side. It's not terribly fancy, but not an everyday choice. We enjoyed the tapas concept -- nothing is more fun than making a meal out of appetizers -- and we wished our table and our stomachs were a little bigger, so we could sample more. My best advice is to try and stay away from anything you could have anywhere else (ie, the mushrooms) and go for the more "exotic" offerings (ie, the snails). The small portions mean that you won't have to taste anything you don't like more than once, and chances are you'll find something you love.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
BRC Gastropub
Oh, hello. My name is Jessica and I love to eat. Back when I lived in Waco I would occasionally help my friend Ross with his food blog, and now that I'm in Houston, I've been inspired to start my own. For our inaugural entry, I'm going to write about one of my favorite places in Houston, The BRC Gastro Pub.
Let's get one thing out of the way: yes, BRC does stand for Big Red Cock. And there's a fine specimen of one right there in the driveway. The inside of the restaurant is decorated eclectically, with red felt wallpaper and a really cool chandelier made out of wrought-iron baskets. Seating is tight, so you better get comfortable with your neighbors, or at least have a good sense of humor. My husband and I were seated next to a pair of very self-important lawyers who insisted on talking loudly about discovery requests and electronic filing. I'm sure they would be thoroughly disappointed to learn that my husband and I were both trained as attorneys and were therefore quite unimpressed with their conversation; however, they were fun to quietly mock.
The best thing about BRC is the rotating menu. The main categories of food remain the same, but the ingredients change weekly. For example, the menu might say "macaroni and cheese", but one week the mac and cheese might include lobster, and the next week it might include jalapeno. This concept keeps the menu fresh and fun no matter how often you go. It also provides the waiter with a lot to talk about at the beginning of the meal.
The day that we were there the chowder was made with shrimp and bacon jam. All I needed to hear was "bacon jam" -- what it was spread on or in was pretty much irrelevant. The chowder was well-made, with large chunks of shrimp and carrot, but something was off; it was just a little too sweet, and not thick enough. As for the bacon jam, there just wasn't enough of it. Another tablespoon of the stuff would have gone a long way to make this whole dish better.
My husband ordered a Dr. Pepper-glazed quail dish from the appetizer menu. This is not a rotating dish; it's always made the same way. I didn't try it -- quail is not my favorite fowl -- but from what my husband told me, it's a good thing that it's always available, because he wants it again.
It was lunchtime, so we didn't have any desserts or alcoholic drinks. Our waiter told us the frozen Snickers beignets are to die for. And I thought the white-wine mojito sounded lovely.
BRC is a special place with an amazingly creative chef. Service is fast and friendly, and the prices are reasonable. Although the rotating menu means that the dishes can be a little hit-or-miss, the misses are rare and not disastrous, and the hits are absolutely wonderful. I would recommend BRC to anyone -- but if you're bringing your kids or your grandma, maybe decline to explain the name. Or how it's related to that thing in the driveway.
Let's get one thing out of the way: yes, BRC does stand for Big Red Cock. And there's a fine specimen of one right there in the driveway. The inside of the restaurant is decorated eclectically, with red felt wallpaper and a really cool chandelier made out of wrought-iron baskets. Seating is tight, so you better get comfortable with your neighbors, or at least have a good sense of humor. My husband and I were seated next to a pair of very self-important lawyers who insisted on talking loudly about discovery requests and electronic filing. I'm sure they would be thoroughly disappointed to learn that my husband and I were both trained as attorneys and were therefore quite unimpressed with their conversation; however, they were fun to quietly mock.
The best thing about BRC is the rotating menu. The main categories of food remain the same, but the ingredients change weekly. For example, the menu might say "macaroni and cheese", but one week the mac and cheese might include lobster, and the next week it might include jalapeno. This concept keeps the menu fresh and fun no matter how often you go. It also provides the waiter with a lot to talk about at the beginning of the meal.
The day that we were there the chowder was made with shrimp and bacon jam. All I needed to hear was "bacon jam" -- what it was spread on or in was pretty much irrelevant. The chowder was well-made, with large chunks of shrimp and carrot, but something was off; it was just a little too sweet, and not thick enough. As for the bacon jam, there just wasn't enough of it. Another tablespoon of the stuff would have gone a long way to make this whole dish better.
My husband ordered a Dr. Pepper-glazed quail dish from the appetizer menu. This is not a rotating dish; it's always made the same way. I didn't try it -- quail is not my favorite fowl -- but from what my husband told me, it's a good thing that it's always available, because he wants it again.
It was lunchtime, so we didn't have any desserts or alcoholic drinks. Our waiter told us the frozen Snickers beignets are to die for. And I thought the white-wine mojito sounded lovely.
BRC is a special place with an amazingly creative chef. Service is fast and friendly, and the prices are reasonable. Although the rotating menu means that the dishes can be a little hit-or-miss, the misses are rare and not disastrous, and the hits are absolutely wonderful. I would recommend BRC to anyone -- but if you're bringing your kids or your grandma, maybe decline to explain the name. Or how it's related to that thing in the driveway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)