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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Alto Pizzeria
I'm a fan of Ava Kitchen and Whiskey Bar (the sister restarurant downstairs). Alto Pizzeria, the newest addition to the Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group, finally opened a few weeks ago (a couple of months after Ava). While Ava is a little more buttoned up, Alto is more casual. The decor is similar in both places, but again, Alto is a touch more laid back (in a very nice way, no dive atmosphere here).
Next, we sampled two pizzas: Margherita with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil ($12) and the Chicken with artichokes, fontina, and pine nut pesto ($14). We like the Margherita a great deal. The tomatoes were whole cherry tomatoes, not sliced larger tomatoes (like a Roma). And, they had a great baked, roasted essence that bursted with flavor when I bit into them. The pizza crust was chewy, yet crispy and thin. Excellent. Very delicious.
The Chicken Pizza with artichokes? Hmmmm...not so much. This pizza was a direct contrast to the excellent flavor combination of the Margherita The chicken pizza flavors not only didn't compliment each other, they worked against each other. Fontina and artichoke do work well together (see the Fonduta above), but not on this pizza. And, pesto as the sauce is usually an great addition. But not on this pizza. Too salty? Too lemon-y? Odd flavors we couldn't pin point, but knew were not working for our palattes.
Next up, a pasta: Fettuccine with chicken, leeks, steamed garlic, lemon zest, and fontina (apparently, Alto likes their fontina!). ($13). The pasta grew on us the more we ate. The cream sauce thickened with time and the flavors became more balanced. The chicken was moist and tender (though, the pieces should've, could've been bigger). The pasta was a light dish. I'd order it again.
Finally, our sweet finish. Not many dessert options on the Alto menu, but the Sourdough Doughnuts (served with Nutella) called my name. Whether you call these doughnuts or beignets, these fried dough balls rolled in sugar were soft and warm. Thick sour dough that sunk our teeth into. The Nutella was a great addition for dipping these babies. And, at only $5, the dessert was a generous portion.
So to sum up: I have mixed thoughts on Alto. Our server was friendly and nice, but service was slow the entire night. I'm still a little annoyed they couldn't substitue another similar priced-point sparkling wine for me or at least care to try. But most of the food was pleasant. And, I do like the atmosphere. You can check it out and let me know what you think!
Alto Pizzeria
2800 Kirby (at Westheimer)
Houston, Texas 77098
713-386-6460
http://www.avaalto.com/
Bar at Alto Pizzeria
My first impression (aside from liking the place visually) was that the service was S-L-O-W (also very loud and a tad warm in temperature). It took a very long while for anyone to come on over and say hello, let alone bring us water. It was busy? New kinks to work out? But just as I want to cut them a break, I feel again like they just don't seem to care: Alto has 4 bubbles by the glass listed on their wine menu. I ordered the $10 Proscecco (cheapest glass on the list and I like Prosecco). They were out of that bottle. Next price point upwards was a $16 Tattinger. That's fine, but I asked our server since they were out of the $10 glass, if I could have a similar $10 glass of something else -- even $12 or so. I mean $6 more per glass when they were out of their listed glass is a big jump. The answer: No. Apparently, he even asked his manager who said, "no, unless I wanted to have a sweet Prosecco." Well, no I don't want a sweet Prosecco. I wanted a dry one. No big deal, I moved on and enjoyed my $16 glass. However, I'm pretty annoyed at that exchange. Apparently, making the customer happy isn't part of their mantra.
Dining Room at Alto
Service is already off to an iffy start. But what about the food? The menu isn't extraordinary long, but full of great options from a vegetable platter to fried squid to open face meatball sandwich to pizza, of course. Our table started with the Artichoke "Fonduta" with Fontina and Pecorino ($12). Traditional Fonduta is an Italian style fondue made of Fontina cheese and served over toast or polenta. Alto's funduta not so much a fondue or dip as a creamy sauce poured over artichokes. But, very good! The artichokes were very tender. The sauce had a tasty kick of something. The bread served with the funduta was soft, fresh, and warm.
Artichoke Funduta with Fontina and Pecorino
Next, we sampled two pizzas: Margherita with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil ($12) and the Chicken with artichokes, fontina, and pine nut pesto ($14). We like the Margherita a great deal. The tomatoes were whole cherry tomatoes, not sliced larger tomatoes (like a Roma). And, they had a great baked, roasted essence that bursted with flavor when I bit into them. The pizza crust was chewy, yet crispy and thin. Excellent. Very delicious.
Margherita Pizza
The Chicken Pizza with artichokes? Hmmmm...not so much. This pizza was a direct contrast to the excellent flavor combination of the Margherita The chicken pizza flavors not only didn't compliment each other, they worked against each other. Fontina and artichoke do work well together (see the Fonduta above), but not on this pizza. And, pesto as the sauce is usually an great addition. But not on this pizza. Too salty? Too lemon-y? Odd flavors we couldn't pin point, but knew were not working for our palattes.
Chicken Pizza with artichokes, fontina and pine nut pesto
Fettuccine with chicken, leeks, steamed garlic, lemon zest & fontina
Finally, our sweet finish. Not many dessert options on the Alto menu, but the Sourdough Doughnuts (served with Nutella) called my name. Whether you call these doughnuts or beignets, these fried dough balls rolled in sugar were soft and warm. Thick sour dough that sunk our teeth into. The Nutella was a great addition for dipping these babies. And, at only $5, the dessert was a generous portion.
Sourdough Doughnuts with Nutella
So to sum up: I have mixed thoughts on Alto. Our server was friendly and nice, but service was slow the entire night. I'm still a little annoyed they couldn't substitue another similar priced-point sparkling wine for me or at least care to try. But most of the food was pleasant. And, I do like the atmosphere. You can check it out and let me know what you think!
Alto Pizzeria
2800 Kirby (at Westheimer)
Houston, Texas 77098
713-386-6460
http://www.avaalto.com/
Thursday, June 2, 2011
French Gourmet Bakery and Cafe
How many times have I driven past both locations of the French Gourmet Bakery? And never stopped? Well, you know where this is going -- yesterday I stopped for lunch. The eatery is definitely themed in a French way, but more like 1990's french country, minus the antiques and simplicity. This is not a "Guy's Place." I only saw one man, and he was getting something to go. And, the customers are definitely an older crowd. Hip and young this place is not; however, the service was great, friendly, and quick.
Their menu is small and simple. And, I actually like that. Stay focus. Stay on message. Stay a French Bakery. Breakfast consists of pastries (no hot dishes, but sausage and cheese kolaches on weekends). The lunch menu is made up of sandwiches and salads. And, with a name like "French Gourmet Bakery," they truly do offer many bakery items from cookies to cakes to breads.
I opted for the Chicken Salad Sandwich on Tuscan bread (kind of cross between white and wheat) ($5.95, no sides, just the sandwich). Yum. Yum-o. Yummy. I liked their Chicken Salad. I liked it a lot. I'm not a real fan of fillers in chicken salad. No fruit or nuts for me. Just give me the good stuff. The real deal. Give me the actual chicken salad. And, the French Gourmet Bakery did just that. Creamy. Moist. Flavorful. Delicious Chicken Salad. The bread was very fresh and soft. The kind of bread that your teeth just sink right down into. The partnership of the soft, fresh bread, and the fresh, flavorful chicken salad was perfect.
What is a visit to a bakery with out a sweet treat? So, I ordered some cupcakes. Well, yes, "some." I didn't see just single cupcakes so I bought a six pack. I know. I know. But, I did share later on at home. The cupcakes were excellent. The icing was thick and creamy with a great buttery flavor. The cake portion was very dense, yet very moist. It truly melted in my mouth. The icing and cake together was an excellent combination working well in perfect flavor harmony. ($8.99 for 6 cupcakes).
My experience as the French Gourmet Bakery was a good one. I'll go back.
French Gourmet Bakery and Cafe
2250 Westheimer Road 12504 Memorial Drive
Houston, Texas 77098 Houston, Texas 77024
713-524-3744 713-973-6900
www.fgbakery.com
Their menu is small and simple. And, I actually like that. Stay focus. Stay on message. Stay a French Bakery. Breakfast consists of pastries (no hot dishes, but sausage and cheese kolaches on weekends). The lunch menu is made up of sandwiches and salads. And, with a name like "French Gourmet Bakery," they truly do offer many bakery items from cookies to cakes to breads.
French Gourmet Bakery
I opted for the Chicken Salad Sandwich on Tuscan bread (kind of cross between white and wheat) ($5.95, no sides, just the sandwich). Yum. Yum-o. Yummy. I liked their Chicken Salad. I liked it a lot. I'm not a real fan of fillers in chicken salad. No fruit or nuts for me. Just give me the good stuff. The real deal. Give me the actual chicken salad. And, the French Gourmet Bakery did just that. Creamy. Moist. Flavorful. Delicious Chicken Salad. The bread was very fresh and soft. The kind of bread that your teeth just sink right down into. The partnership of the soft, fresh bread, and the fresh, flavorful chicken salad was perfect.
Chicken Salad Sandwich
What is a visit to a bakery with out a sweet treat? So, I ordered some cupcakes. Well, yes, "some." I didn't see just single cupcakes so I bought a six pack. I know. I know. But, I did share later on at home. The cupcakes were excellent. The icing was thick and creamy with a great buttery flavor. The cake portion was very dense, yet very moist. It truly melted in my mouth. The icing and cake together was an excellent combination working well in perfect flavor harmony. ($8.99 for 6 cupcakes).
Vanilla Cupcakes
My experience as the French Gourmet Bakery was a good one. I'll go back.
French Gourmet Bakery and Cafe
2250 Westheimer Road 12504 Memorial Drive
Houston, Texas 77098 Houston, Texas 77024
713-524-3744 713-973-6900
www.fgbakery.com
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Star Pizza
It's hard to find excellent pizza in Houston. I mean, there's some good pizza in a lot of places, but New York and Chicago we are not. No offense guys. You know I love Houston! But, its just tough to find delectable pizza -- New York Style or Chicago. However, I do think our Star Pizza is on to something. I do think Star Pizza is pretty dang good. With two locations in town, both do a great job baking up a pizza pie.
Star Pizza offers more than just pizza -- the menu includes various entree salads, pastas, and sandwiches. But its the pizza that keeps me coming back. With both New York/Hand Tossed and Chicago Style Deep Dish (oh, and a Focaccia Pizza, too), my kind of pizza is freshly made within these walls.
First up, The Veggie. I know, I know, for you meat lovers, a veggie pizza is, well, just, um, wrong. But, to me, a great veggie pizza hits the nail on the head. When the veggies are fresh and cooked perfectly, they are a great accompaniment to a perfectly crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and melty mozzarella. Their Veggie includes mushrooms, onions, green pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and sprouts. Slap all that on a deep dish whole wheat...and .................Yum. Star Pizza really piles on the veggies and cheese. The veggies were very crunchy and juicy. The crust was thick, yet crispy (Large 14": $19.25).
Next, The Margarita. This time we went with the New York Hand Tossed. Loaded with roma tomatoes, garlic, basil, cheese, and olive oil, this pizza pie was just as delicious. The tomatoes were juicy and fresh and the basil was freshly picked (also $19.25 for a 14" Large).
Not only does Star Pizza bake up truly excellent pizza, but the service is top notch, quick, and friendly, too. The staff truly anticipated our needs. Don't need a whole pizza? You can get pizza by the slice for $3.50.
Star Pizza
2111 Norfolk 77 Harvard
Houston, Texas 77098 Houston, Texas 77007
713-523-0800 713-869-1241
www.starpizza.net
Inside Star Pizza - Harvard Location
Star Pizza offers more than just pizza -- the menu includes various entree salads, pastas, and sandwiches. But its the pizza that keeps me coming back. With both New York/Hand Tossed and Chicago Style Deep Dish (oh, and a Focaccia Pizza, too), my kind of pizza is freshly made within these walls.
First up, The Veggie. I know, I know, for you meat lovers, a veggie pizza is, well, just, um, wrong. But, to me, a great veggie pizza hits the nail on the head. When the veggies are fresh and cooked perfectly, they are a great accompaniment to a perfectly crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and melty mozzarella. Their Veggie includes mushrooms, onions, green pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and sprouts. Slap all that on a deep dish whole wheat...and .................Yum. Star Pizza really piles on the veggies and cheese. The veggies were very crunchy and juicy. The crust was thick, yet crispy (Large 14": $19.25).
Large Veggie Whole Wheat Deep Dish
Next, The Margarita. This time we went with the New York Hand Tossed. Loaded with roma tomatoes, garlic, basil, cheese, and olive oil, this pizza pie was just as delicious. The tomatoes were juicy and fresh and the basil was freshly picked (also $19.25 for a 14" Large).
Large Margarita New York Style
Not only does Star Pizza bake up truly excellent pizza, but the service is top notch, quick, and friendly, too. The staff truly anticipated our needs. Don't need a whole pizza? You can get pizza by the slice for $3.50.
Star Pizza
2111 Norfolk 77 Harvard
Houston, Texas 77098 Houston, Texas 77007
713-523-0800 713-869-1241
www.starpizza.net
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Becks Prime
I love Becks Prime. I have been a fan of Becks Prime since the mid-1980s. As high school kids, my friends and I would go there for "off campus" lunch. Then way later in life, I frequented the eateries a great deal when I was pregnant (Hello - iron and dairy, of course! ...important components for a growing baby!). And MANY, MANY times in between and since. I am sure that Becks Prime is not perfect (no place is), but I truly don't remember having a bad experience at any of their locations. This trip was no exception.
First up, the Cheeseburger ($7.95). I'm a pretty much a traditionalist. I love the plain, simple American Cheeseburger. And, the Becks Prime Cheeseburger never disappoints. Great char-grilled flavor. Moist and juicy. Not greasy. Cooked medium. Good seasoning. Crunch from the veggies, extra flavor from the mustard and ketchup, soft bun, a cooked to order patty. This burger makes me happy.
My dining companion ordered Bill's Burger ($8.95). Sauteed onions, cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, jalapenos, and Prime Sauce. He echoed all the sentiments of my description above. He scarfed his burger down. Another happy customer.
Clearly, a burger requires a side -- we ordered a side of the Hand-Cut Idaho Fries ($2.55). Yum. Delish. A good fry. Soft inside. A little crunch on the outside, with skins. The perfect amount of salt. Loads of flavor. Yum. Delish.
I got a little crazy this visit to Becks and tried the Parmesan Crisps ($3.25). They were good. Loads of garlic flavor. Crispy. Crunchy. Light. While they aren't really a "burger side," they would be fantastic accompanying a salad or other light dish. So, while a thumbs up, I wouldn't order them again with burgers and fries.
My sweet finale -- The Chocolate Shake. Heavenly. I love their shakes. Soft. Cold. Creamy. Silky. And, the best part is that Becks Prime offers "Dessert Portions." ($2.75). It's perfect....allowing you to have a big taste, without ordering a whole shake (unless you want a bigger shake, of course!).
As usual, I left Becks Prime a very happy and satisfied camper. Always consistent in quick service, fresh food, and perfectly prepared dishes. Its no surprise that Houstonians named Becks Prime their Favorite Burger in the 2010 Houston Culinary Awards.
Becks Prime
2615 Augusta
Houston, Texas 77057
713-266-9901
(Becks Prime is located in 11 Houston locations)
www.becksprime.com
Becks Prime - Augusta Location
First up, the Cheeseburger ($7.95). I'm a pretty much a traditionalist. I love the plain, simple American Cheeseburger. And, the Becks Prime Cheeseburger never disappoints. Great char-grilled flavor. Moist and juicy. Not greasy. Cooked medium. Good seasoning. Crunch from the veggies, extra flavor from the mustard and ketchup, soft bun, a cooked to order patty. This burger makes me happy.
Cheeseburger
My dining companion ordered Bill's Burger ($8.95). Sauteed onions, cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, jalapenos, and Prime Sauce. He echoed all the sentiments of my description above. He scarfed his burger down. Another happy customer.
Bill's Burger
Clearly, a burger requires a side -- we ordered a side of the Hand-Cut Idaho Fries ($2.55). Yum. Delish. A good fry. Soft inside. A little crunch on the outside, with skins. The perfect amount of salt. Loads of flavor. Yum. Delish.
Hand-Cut Idaho Fries
I got a little crazy this visit to Becks and tried the Parmesan Crisps ($3.25). They were good. Loads of garlic flavor. Crispy. Crunchy. Light. While they aren't really a "burger side," they would be fantastic accompanying a salad or other light dish. So, while a thumbs up, I wouldn't order them again with burgers and fries.
Parmesan Crisps
My sweet finale -- The Chocolate Shake. Heavenly. I love their shakes. Soft. Cold. Creamy. Silky. And, the best part is that Becks Prime offers "Dessert Portions." ($2.75). It's perfect....allowing you to have a big taste, without ordering a whole shake (unless you want a bigger shake, of course!).
Dessert Portion of the Chocolate Shake
As usual, I left Becks Prime a very happy and satisfied camper. Always consistent in quick service, fresh food, and perfectly prepared dishes. Its no surprise that Houstonians named Becks Prime their Favorite Burger in the 2010 Houston Culinary Awards.
Becks Prime
2615 Augusta
Houston, Texas 77057
713-266-9901
(Becks Prime is located in 11 Houston locations)
www.becksprime.com
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Little Bitty Burger Barn
Another trip for gastronomical indulgence. I had high hopes for this little burger joint in Northwest Houston. I needed - yes needed - a cheeseburger, so off we went to check out the Little Bitty Burger Barn.
The place is a stereotypical dive. Small. Not fancy. A few tables inside. Additional picnic table seating outside. Order at the counter. You know the type. Little Bitty's does actually offer many ordering options from the Basic Burger (of course!) to wings, salads, sandwiches, etc. Again, what you'd expect from a place that has "Burger Barn" in the name.
I tried the 1/4 lb. Cheeseburger ($5.25). That's all I have to say. Yes, that is about the extent of my thoughts on it. The lack of exciting descriptive language might give a hint that I found the burger to be, well, pretty boring. No pizazz. No juiciness. No flavorful seasons. Just dull. The Onion Rings were just as disappointing. The batter didn't crunch. And, the Rings didn't have that great sweetness that I love in an onion ring.
My dining companion tried out the Ultimate Jalapeno Cheeseburger ($6.25). Although the burger was indeed spicy, his sentiments matched mine. Disappointing burger. He ordered a side of the Cajun Fries, and while they had more flavor than the regular fries, tater tots, and onion rings, the fries were still limp, no zest, no crunchiness. Just so ho-hum. Disappointing for home-cut taters.
Let me end on a couple of higher notes. First, the Big Dog ($4.25) was big, beefy, and juicy. It was really good! We enjoyed the dog more than anything else we tried (even if the regular fries were a let down).
Okay, so the other high note worth mentioning about Little Bitty Burger Barn is (okay,well, it's two): Charlie's 5 Alarm Fire Burger ($7.95) and the Little Bitty Double Dare ($24.95). The Double Dare contains 2 lbs patties topped with cheese, jalapenos, bacon, and BBQ Sauce. If you eat the whole thing, you get a t-shirt and your picture taken for their wall.
Little Bitty Burger Barn
The place is a stereotypical dive. Small. Not fancy. A few tables inside. Additional picnic table seating outside. Order at the counter. You know the type. Little Bitty's does actually offer many ordering options from the Basic Burger (of course!) to wings, salads, sandwiches, etc. Again, what you'd expect from a place that has "Burger Barn" in the name.
Menu Board
I tried the 1/4 lb. Cheeseburger ($5.25). That's all I have to say. Yes, that is about the extent of my thoughts on it. The lack of exciting descriptive language might give a hint that I found the burger to be, well, pretty boring. No pizazz. No juiciness. No flavorful seasons. Just dull. The Onion Rings were just as disappointing. The batter didn't crunch. And, the Rings didn't have that great sweetness that I love in an onion ring.
1/4 lb. Cheeseburger and Onion Rings
My dining companion tried out the Ultimate Jalapeno Cheeseburger ($6.25). Although the burger was indeed spicy, his sentiments matched mine. Disappointing burger. He ordered a side of the Cajun Fries, and while they had more flavor than the regular fries, tater tots, and onion rings, the fries were still limp, no zest, no crunchiness. Just so ho-hum. Disappointing for home-cut taters.
Ultimate Jalapeno Cheeseburger with Cajun Fries
Let me end on a couple of higher notes. First, the Big Dog ($4.25) was big, beefy, and juicy. It was really good! We enjoyed the dog more than anything else we tried (even if the regular fries were a let down).
Big Dog with French Fries
Okay, so the other high note worth mentioning about Little Bitty Burger Barn is (okay,well, it's two): Charlie's 5 Alarm Fire Burger ($7.95) and the Little Bitty Double Dare ($24.95). The Double Dare contains 2 lbs patties topped with cheese, jalapenos, bacon, and BBQ Sauce. If you eat the whole thing, you get a t-shirt and your picture taken for their wall.
Order the 5 Alarm Fire Burger, and you get a hat!
Even more impressive is the....Fire Burger. The 5 Alarm Fire Burger even comes complete with a siren sounded upon the delivery of the burger and a fireman's hat. We actually sat next to a guy who ordered this insane burger. In fact, it was so hot, he couldn't even finish it. It ripped his stomach. Two of his friends, who had also tried the Fire Burger previously, said it was THE hottest thing you can imagine. And, from the looks of the guy eating today -- they were right. This guy looked like he wanted to die. So, for the non-faint-of-heart, go check out the Fire Burger. The burgers may not be fantabulous at Little Bitty Burger Barn, but I guess if you want to challenge your gastrointestinal power, it doesn't really matter what the burger tastes like, you are just surviving!
Little Bitty Burger Barn
5503 Pinemont Drive
Houston, Texas 77092
713-683-6709
Thursday, May 19, 2011
W Grill
Have you seen this little place as you drive down Washington Avenue? I've driven by it a gazillion times (yes, I've counted -- a gazillion times) but never stopped. Back when I was in high school (forever ago), Bambilino's Pizza was there. We'd regularly stop for a slice of pizza and their yummy lemonade. Ahhhhh...the memories.
Okay, so anyway, today I decided to check out W Grill. There are a couple of picnic tables out in front, but really, this little building only provides food (and "grown up" drinks -- beer, wine, and margaritas - made with wine) to go. And, actually,their menu is pretty diverse ranging from Omelet in a Cup ($2.95) to Salmon BLT ($9.25) to wraps, salads, and 3 Mahi Mahi Taco ($9.25).
Driving up to the drive-through menu/speaker put the pressure on me to order quickly (self-induced pressure, not W Grill's fault). I hastily ordered a Cheeseburger (Cheddar Cheese) and Onion Rings (burger $7.25 + $.75 for cheese; Onion Rings: $2.25).
The burger was actually moist, but there was no seasoning on this patty. None. Pretty darn bland. No pop of flavor. I enjoyed having my burger on a wheat bun (instead of a standard white -- the choice is offered at W Grill). However, the bun wasn't anything special and sure did not compensate for the sad tasting burger. Furthermore...note the fries in the above picture. As mentioned previously in this post, I ordered the darn Onion Rings!! But got the Steak Fries ($2.00). The server (who was very nice and friendly) bragged about how great the Onion Rings were -- Plus, I LOVE Onion Rings. So if seeing the Fries wasn't bad enough, the fries weren't even yummy. If you are gonna mix up my order, serve me somthing amazing! The fries, of frozen origin, were limp, but fresh out of the fryer...they were hot! But nothing special.
This cute little To-Go concept left me disappointed. I miss Bambalino's.
W Grill
4825 Washington Avenue
Houston, Texas 77007
713-861-9933
http://www.wgrilltogo.com/
Okay, so anyway, today I decided to check out W Grill. There are a couple of picnic tables out in front, but really, this little building only provides food (and "grown up" drinks -- beer, wine, and margaritas - made with wine) to go. And, actually,their menu is pretty diverse ranging from Omelet in a Cup ($2.95) to Salmon BLT ($9.25) to wraps, salads, and 3 Mahi Mahi Taco ($9.25).
Driving up to the drive-through menu/speaker put the pressure on me to order quickly (self-induced pressure, not W Grill's fault). I hastily ordered a Cheeseburger (Cheddar Cheese) and Onion Rings (burger $7.25 + $.75 for cheese; Onion Rings: $2.25).
The burger was actually moist, but there was no seasoning on this patty. None. Pretty darn bland. No pop of flavor. I enjoyed having my burger on a wheat bun (instead of a standard white -- the choice is offered at W Grill). However, the bun wasn't anything special and sure did not compensate for the sad tasting burger. Furthermore...note the fries in the above picture. As mentioned previously in this post, I ordered the darn Onion Rings!! But got the Steak Fries ($2.00). The server (who was very nice and friendly) bragged about how great the Onion Rings were -- Plus, I LOVE Onion Rings. So if seeing the Fries wasn't bad enough, the fries weren't even yummy. If you are gonna mix up my order, serve me somthing amazing! The fries, of frozen origin, were limp, but fresh out of the fryer...they were hot! But nothing special.
This cute little To-Go concept left me disappointed. I miss Bambalino's.
W Grill
4825 Washington Avenue
Houston, Texas 77007
713-861-9933
http://www.wgrilltogo.com/
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Haute Wheels Houston: The Food Truck Festival
The Haute Wheels Houston - The Food Truck Festival - is running today and tomorrow.
Beautiful weather, many food options, fellow Houstonians, wine, beer, what could be better? I was so in!
First up, Bernie's Burger Bus. I have been wanting to try Bernie's for months! I kid you not. I just couldn't get my schedule and their schedule to jive. So, upon entering the Festival...Bernie's was the absolute first place I went. I made a beeline...And, I was not disappointed at all. The food lived up to all of the hype.
I tried the "Pre-Schooler" -- slider with Texas cheddar, ketchup, pickle and mustard. This burger was Incredible (with a capital "I"). Moist. Flavorful. Very flavorful. Extreme flavor. Cooked medium. Not the least bit overcooked. The bun was soft. And, the fries...they were just as tasty. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Excellent potato flavor. Sea salt sprinkled on the outside. I love salt, so the amount of salt made me happy, but if you aren't quite as much of a salt-oholic as I, then the fries might be too salty. But, seriously, don't let that deter you. The fries were Fabulous (with a capital "F"). And, the ketchup is made in-house. The burger was divine. I was so, so, so happy with Bernie's Burger Bus. So happy. (Side note, how long until Bernie's Burger Bus has a bricks and motar location? The food is too delicious to last too long before investors line up).
Next up, Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen's No Border Bus.
I ordered the Beef Fajita. Yum. Yes, that sums it up. Yum. The meat was very tender. I mean, melt-in-my-mouth tender. Nice marinade. I ordered it all the way with raw onions, cilantro, and salsa (which was more like a sauce). The fajita was not too spicy, but a baby-kick worth of hotness for flavor. I ordered it on a flour tortilla which was soft and perfect. Excellent fajita.
Then, over to The Rolling Hunger truck. I loved the name....had to try it!
I ordered the Korean Beef taco. Although, I had to wait forever to receive my order, it was worth it. This taco was delectable. Ground beef with Asian flavors, and a touch of sweetness and spice (I ordered it with pico de gallo). Served on a corn tortilla. Fabulous. Very tasty.
Okay, now for the sweet treat trucks: first up: MMM Cupcake. I ordered the Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cupcake with chocolate frosting. Pretty good. The cake was moist. Yipppeeee....A moist cupcake (too many bakers make dry cupcakes. Ugh). The cake was courser, but not crumbly or dry. Great chocolate flavor. I loved the chocolate chips inside the chocolate cake. I did not like her frosting. It reminded me of a chocolate cream cheese, although I was promised there was no cream cheese in it. Also, the frosting-to-cake-ratio too low. The confection needed more icing.
Finally, Angie's Cake.
Angie is the Queen Cake Ball Extraordinaire. Seriously. Cake balls are all that she makes, and she is very good at it. I tried three flavors: Peanut Butter (because ANYTHING Peanut Butter is heavenly), Lemon (because it is always refreshing), and Vanilla (because basic vanilla is a great standard by which to judge,er, uh, I mean, compare, cakes). All three were very good. I wish the peanut butter one had been more peanut butter-y. The Lemon was indeed refreshing, light, and easy to eat. The vanilla was light and airy, and extremely subtle with the flavor. All the cake balls were very moist and very easy to pop in my mouth and eat, savor, and love! I wish the flavors had been a little stronger, but let me not complain. The cake balls were yummy, delicious,delectable!
Well, that is the end of my taste testing food trucks at the food festival. I was out of money ($16 tickets to enter and then the food purchased at each truck added up!), and my tummy was full. But the real reason I stopped eating was due to the LONG lines. Seriously. It was ridiculous. I do realize the success of the food truck phenomenon is because of the fresh, made-to-order food, but for a festival - when all there is to do is eat at food trucks - exceptions need to be made. Maybe some pre-prepared items and a smaller menu. The lines were continuing to grow when I left....
I do wish that I had tried the Good Dog Hot Dog Truck, Eatsie Boys, and Fusion Taco. I'll have to find these trucks out on the streets one day. But my favorite named truck (that I didn't get to try) was Hit n' Run: Killer Street Food. Love it!
The Haute Wheels Houston Food Truck Festival (the first) was a success in my eyes. Aside from the very long lines (pack your patience and grab a drink....), the vendors provided some great food. The weather was beautiful, and all the attendees looked to be having a good time (although I did see some patience being tested). I look forward to the next Haute Wheels Houston!
Beautiful weather, many food options, fellow Houstonians, wine, beer, what could be better? I was so in!
First up, Bernie's Burger Bus. I have been wanting to try Bernie's for months! I kid you not. I just couldn't get my schedule and their schedule to jive. So, upon entering the Festival...Bernie's was the absolute first place I went. I made a beeline...And, I was not disappointed at all. The food lived up to all of the hype.
Bernie's Burger Bus
I tried the "Pre-Schooler" -- slider with Texas cheddar, ketchup, pickle and mustard. This burger was Incredible (with a capital "I"). Moist. Flavorful. Very flavorful. Extreme flavor. Cooked medium. Not the least bit overcooked. The bun was soft. And, the fries...they were just as tasty. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Excellent potato flavor. Sea salt sprinkled on the outside. I love salt, so the amount of salt made me happy, but if you aren't quite as much of a salt-oholic as I, then the fries might be too salty. But, seriously, don't let that deter you. The fries were Fabulous (with a capital "F"). And, the ketchup is made in-house. The burger was divine. I was so, so, so happy with Bernie's Burger Bus. So happy. (Side note, how long until Bernie's Burger Bus has a bricks and motar location? The food is too delicious to last too long before investors line up).
Bernie's Burger Bus' Pre-Schooler
Next up, Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen's No Border Bus.
No Borders
I ordered the Beef Fajita. Yum. Yes, that sums it up. Yum. The meat was very tender. I mean, melt-in-my-mouth tender. Nice marinade. I ordered it all the way with raw onions, cilantro, and salsa (which was more like a sauce). The fajita was not too spicy, but a baby-kick worth of hotness for flavor. I ordered it on a flour tortilla which was soft and perfect. Excellent fajita.
No Borders' Beef Fajita
Then, over to The Rolling Hunger truck. I loved the name....had to try it!
The Rolling Hunger
I ordered the Korean Beef taco. Although, I had to wait forever to receive my order, it was worth it. This taco was delectable. Ground beef with Asian flavors, and a touch of sweetness and spice (I ordered it with pico de gallo). Served on a corn tortilla. Fabulous. Very tasty.
The Rolling Hunger's Korean Beef Taco
Okay, now for the sweet treat trucks: first up: MMM Cupcake. I ordered the Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cupcake with chocolate frosting. Pretty good. The cake was moist. Yipppeeee....A moist cupcake (too many bakers make dry cupcakes. Ugh). The cake was courser, but not crumbly or dry. Great chocolate flavor. I loved the chocolate chips inside the chocolate cake. I did not like her frosting. It reminded me of a chocolate cream cheese, although I was promised there was no cream cheese in it. Also, the frosting-to-cake-ratio too low. The confection needed more icing.
MMM Cupcake's Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cupcake
Finally, Angie's Cake.
Angie's Cake
Angie is the Queen Cake Ball Extraordinaire. Seriously. Cake balls are all that she makes, and she is very good at it. I tried three flavors: Peanut Butter (because ANYTHING Peanut Butter is heavenly), Lemon (because it is always refreshing), and Vanilla (because basic vanilla is a great standard by which to judge,er, uh, I mean, compare, cakes). All three were very good. I wish the peanut butter one had been more peanut butter-y. The Lemon was indeed refreshing, light, and easy to eat. The vanilla was light and airy, and extremely subtle with the flavor. All the cake balls were very moist and very easy to pop in my mouth and eat, savor, and love! I wish the flavors had been a little stronger, but let me not complain. The cake balls were yummy, delicious,delectable!
Angie's Cake's Chocolate, Lemon, and Vanilla Cake Balls
Well, that is the end of my taste testing food trucks at the food festival. I was out of money ($16 tickets to enter and then the food purchased at each truck added up!), and my tummy was full. But the real reason I stopped eating was due to the LONG lines. Seriously. It was ridiculous. I do realize the success of the food truck phenomenon is because of the fresh, made-to-order food, but for a festival - when all there is to do is eat at food trucks - exceptions need to be made. Maybe some pre-prepared items and a smaller menu. The lines were continuing to grow when I left....
Never ending line at a food truck (pack your patience!)
I do wish that I had tried the Good Dog Hot Dog Truck, Eatsie Boys, and Fusion Taco. I'll have to find these trucks out on the streets one day. But my favorite named truck (that I didn't get to try) was Hit n' Run: Killer Street Food. Love it!
Hit n' Run -- Killer Street Food
The Haute Wheels Houston Food Truck Festival (the first) was a success in my eyes. Aside from the very long lines (pack your patience and grab a drink....), the vendors provided some great food. The weather was beautiful, and all the attendees looked to be having a good time (although I did see some patience being tested). I look forward to the next Haute Wheels Houston!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Le Mistral Restaurant
Le Mistral is always high up on the list of extraordinary restaurants in Houston. I thought it was long overdue time to check it out.
Le Mistral is owned by two brothers, Chef David Denis and General Manager Sylvain Denis. David Denis came to Houston in 1995, and few years later, the brothers opened up Le Mistral. The Denis Brothers are from the Provencal Region of France, so the menu reflects that, but it also represents all French Regions.
The restaurant itself is light and open with great visual complexities. High ceilings, rounded walls, funky light fixtures. Different patterns and textures: stone wall with suede chairs. Soft butter colors contrasting with dark wood grain wall.
The Chef started us with his Pork Rillette amuse-bouche, a preparation of meat, similar to pate and traditionally made with pork. The Rillette was on top of a crispy crouton with a baby pickle slice topping off the tasty bite. The contrasting textures were excellent -- soft rillette with crusty crouton and a crunchy, salty pop of pickle. An excellent way to start!
Okay, so down to business, what did we order and how was it? Well, our group ordered several items. I'll hit high points.
A favorite starter was the Salade de Bucheron -- baby spinach, warm goat cheese, caramelized pecans, and pear vinaigrette ($12). The greens were fresh and contrasted well with the warm, creamy goat cheese. The dressing was light, but held up well to the substantial cheese. The pecans added some crunchy contrast to the soft salad. Excellent starter. And, check out that slab of goat cheese. Ahhhhhh....heavenly!
A favorite entree was the Duo de Canard Confit et Roti ($32). This dish was a duck duo: one deboned leg confit and one caramelized breast served with squash risotto, green asparagus fricassee, and grand marnier orange sauce. The duck was moist and tender and paired well with the light orange sauce. However, the risotto was dry -- not creamy at all. And, risotto HAS to be creamy.
I'll touch more on other appetizers and entrees later in the post, if you are interested in more. Unfortunately, our reviews are pretty mixed. Some dishes were good (yes, good, not great, not amazing, but good). Others were disappointing. But before that, let me talk about....Dessert!
If souffle is on the menu, its a given I will order it. Love me some souffle! Seriously, a light, airy souffle with some killer sauce makes my heart pound...fast and furious. Sadly, this souffle didn't do it for me. The souffle flavor was Bailey's, which sounded fabulous, but I had wished for a little more Bailey's zest. However, the sauce was not a deal breaker as much as the pasty, which I thought was too dense and too eggy. ($11).
I had...and yes, "I had," to order the Fondant au Chocolat with Kahlua cafe-infused shake ($9). Chocolate Fondant makes my heart flutter almost as much as souffle. This dessert dish was excellent. The chocolate fondant (aka "chocolate lava or molten cake" in American speak) was dense and chewy, yet soft and light at the same time. It had a very pleasant chocolaty sauce, not quite fudgy, but not thin and runny. Very nice. The chocolate was a magnificent contrast with the tart raspberry. And, on the side, a shot glass of vanilla ice cream layered with Kahlua. Hello My Love!
Other tasting notes: French Onion Soup: no zing. Poulet Fermier Roti au jus (Airline chicken breast with mashed potatoes): the chicken was way dry and so were the mashed potatoes! Ugh. However, the Filet Mignon Poele was tender with a savory flavor. This steak dish also had mashed potatoes, but these were creamy and buttery. Where is the consistency? Hello? The Escargot were gritty, chewy, and not garlic-y enough. Humpf. New York Steak au Poivre, though, had excellent Au Poivre. Great, great, delicious pepper coating and the asparagus tempura beignets, on the side, were DIVINE. Yes, the asparagus were a high point: tender asparagus with a delicious batter. These puppies melted in my mouth. Yummy! Yummy! The Foie Gras was excellent. Cooked properly with a nice combination of flavors between the pears, golden raisins and port wine reduction.
I could go on, but this post is long enough. My closing thoughts on Le Mistral: Not consistent. Some dishes were delightful, others disappointing. The wine selection is inconsistent, as well, in that their wine list does not necessarily match what is in their inventory. Service was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. But for all my high expectations, I think I was a little disappointed. And, I'm really disappointed that I was disappointed. I want to be blown away by Le Mistral.
Le Mistral Restaurant
1400 Eldridge Parkway
Houston, Texas 77077
832-379-8322
http://www.lemistralhouston.com/
Le Mistral is owned by two brothers, Chef David Denis and General Manager Sylvain Denis. David Denis came to Houston in 1995, and few years later, the brothers opened up Le Mistral. The Denis Brothers are from the Provencal Region of France, so the menu reflects that, but it also represents all French Regions.
The restaurant itself is light and open with great visual complexities. High ceilings, rounded walls, funky light fixtures. Different patterns and textures: stone wall with suede chairs. Soft butter colors contrasting with dark wood grain wall.
Main Dining Room - Le Mistral
The Chef started us with his Pork Rillette amuse-bouche, a preparation of meat, similar to pate and traditionally made with pork. The Rillette was on top of a crispy crouton with a baby pickle slice topping off the tasty bite. The contrasting textures were excellent -- soft rillette with crusty crouton and a crunchy, salty pop of pickle. An excellent way to start!
Pork Rillette Amuse-Bouche
Okay, so down to business, what did we order and how was it? Well, our group ordered several items. I'll hit high points.
A favorite starter was the Salade de Bucheron -- baby spinach, warm goat cheese, caramelized pecans, and pear vinaigrette ($12). The greens were fresh and contrasted well with the warm, creamy goat cheese. The dressing was light, but held up well to the substantial cheese. The pecans added some crunchy contrast to the soft salad. Excellent starter. And, check out that slab of goat cheese. Ahhhhhh....heavenly!
Salade de Bucheron
A favorite entree was the Duo de Canard Confit et Roti ($32). This dish was a duck duo: one deboned leg confit and one caramelized breast served with squash risotto, green asparagus fricassee, and grand marnier orange sauce. The duck was moist and tender and paired well with the light orange sauce. However, the risotto was dry -- not creamy at all. And, risotto HAS to be creamy.
Duo de Canard Confit et Roti
I'll touch more on other appetizers and entrees later in the post, if you are interested in more. Unfortunately, our reviews are pretty mixed. Some dishes were good (yes, good, not great, not amazing, but good). Others were disappointing. But before that, let me talk about....Dessert!
If souffle is on the menu, its a given I will order it. Love me some souffle! Seriously, a light, airy souffle with some killer sauce makes my heart pound...fast and furious. Sadly, this souffle didn't do it for me. The souffle flavor was Bailey's, which sounded fabulous, but I had wished for a little more Bailey's zest. However, the sauce was not a deal breaker as much as the pasty, which I thought was too dense and too eggy. ($11).
Bailey's Souffle
I had...and yes, "I had," to order the Fondant au Chocolat with Kahlua cafe-infused shake ($9). Chocolate Fondant makes my heart flutter almost as much as souffle. This dessert dish was excellent. The chocolate fondant (aka "chocolate lava or molten cake" in American speak) was dense and chewy, yet soft and light at the same time. It had a very pleasant chocolaty sauce, not quite fudgy, but not thin and runny. Very nice. The chocolate was a magnificent contrast with the tart raspberry. And, on the side, a shot glass of vanilla ice cream layered with Kahlua. Hello My Love!
Fondant au Chocolat
Other tasting notes: French Onion Soup: no zing. Poulet Fermier Roti au jus (Airline chicken breast with mashed potatoes): the chicken was way dry and so were the mashed potatoes! Ugh. However, the Filet Mignon Poele was tender with a savory flavor. This steak dish also had mashed potatoes, but these were creamy and buttery. Where is the consistency? Hello? The Escargot were gritty, chewy, and not garlic-y enough. Humpf. New York Steak au Poivre, though, had excellent Au Poivre. Great, great, delicious pepper coating and the asparagus tempura beignets, on the side, were DIVINE. Yes, the asparagus were a high point: tender asparagus with a delicious batter. These puppies melted in my mouth. Yummy! Yummy! The Foie Gras was excellent. Cooked properly with a nice combination of flavors between the pears, golden raisins and port wine reduction.
I could go on, but this post is long enough. My closing thoughts on Le Mistral: Not consistent. Some dishes were delightful, others disappointing. The wine selection is inconsistent, as well, in that their wine list does not necessarily match what is in their inventory. Service was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. But for all my high expectations, I think I was a little disappointed. And, I'm really disappointed that I was disappointed. I want to be blown away by Le Mistral.
Le Mistral Restaurant
1400 Eldridge Parkway
Houston, Texas 77077
832-379-8322
http://www.lemistralhouston.com/
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Cafe Lili
I ate at Cafe Lili for the first time a few days ago. While the atmosphere and food were fine, I was a little underwhelmed and just haven't been motivated to even post on it. The eatery fell somewhere between not really boring, but no pizazz either.
I had two friends recommend this spot. The inside of the restaurant was clean and the service was excellent. Not much energy, but when I left at 1:30, the place was still totally packed. So, obviously, many folks do like Cafe Lili. I think it is a comfort spot.
We started with the Veggie Plate ($10.79), which included 3 cold appetizers. We sampled humos, tabouli, and baba ghanouj. The humos (pureed chick peas and tahini sauce) was pretty good. At first I thought it lacked flavor, but the more olive oil I added, the better it got. And, it was creamy. Good texture and consistency. Next the tabouli salad (chopped parsley, cracked wheat, green onions, tomatoes, lemon and olive oil dressing). It was very light and fresh. Very heavy on the parsley. I like the flavor of parsley, so I was fine with that. A little of this tabouli salad, though, went a long for me. Finally the baba ghanouj (grilled egg plant puree). It too was creamy and light. And, it did have a nice delicate and flavorful finish.
For my main dish, I had the Grilled Kabob Chicken Salad -- romaine, feta, green onions, tomatoes with Lebanese spices and house dressing ($11.99). The chicken was moist and tender with a great fire-grilled flavor. The ingredients were very fresh. The tomatoes were delicious. But was the salad extra special? Maybe not. But, it was still a very nice grilled chicken salad (and I have had many a grilled chicken salads in my time!).
One complaint, the pita bread was chewy and dense, not light and airy. I didn't like it. Okay, so would I go back to Cafe Lili? Yes, I would go back. The service was quick and friendly and the food was fresh. But, of all the great Houston restaurants, would I recommend it? I don't know. Like I said initially, no pizazz. But, sometimes that is what you need: fresh ingredients, dependable service, and a safe, comfortable experience.
Cafe Lili Lebanese Grill
5757 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77057
713-952-6969
www.cafelili.com
Cafe Lili
I had two friends recommend this spot. The inside of the restaurant was clean and the service was excellent. Not much energy, but when I left at 1:30, the place was still totally packed. So, obviously, many folks do like Cafe Lili. I think it is a comfort spot.
Inside Cafe Lili
We started with the Veggie Plate ($10.79), which included 3 cold appetizers. We sampled humos, tabouli, and baba ghanouj. The humos (pureed chick peas and tahini sauce) was pretty good. At first I thought it lacked flavor, but the more olive oil I added, the better it got. And, it was creamy. Good texture and consistency. Next the tabouli salad (chopped parsley, cracked wheat, green onions, tomatoes, lemon and olive oil dressing). It was very light and fresh. Very heavy on the parsley. I like the flavor of parsley, so I was fine with that. A little of this tabouli salad, though, went a long for me. Finally the baba ghanouj (grilled egg plant puree). It too was creamy and light. And, it did have a nice delicate and flavorful finish.
Veggie Plate: Tabouli Salad, Baba Ghanouj, and Humos
For my main dish, I had the Grilled Kabob Chicken Salad -- romaine, feta, green onions, tomatoes with Lebanese spices and house dressing ($11.99). The chicken was moist and tender with a great fire-grilled flavor. The ingredients were very fresh. The tomatoes were delicious. But was the salad extra special? Maybe not. But, it was still a very nice grilled chicken salad (and I have had many a grilled chicken salads in my time!).
Grilled Kabob Chicken Salad
One complaint, the pita bread was chewy and dense, not light and airy. I didn't like it. Okay, so would I go back to Cafe Lili? Yes, I would go back. The service was quick and friendly and the food was fresh. But, of all the great Houston restaurants, would I recommend it? I don't know. Like I said initially, no pizazz. But, sometimes that is what you need: fresh ingredients, dependable service, and a safe, comfortable experience.
Cafe Lili Lebanese Grill
5757 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77057
713-952-6969
www.cafelili.com
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