A Valentine’s day Worthy Dinner

 

Biga on the Banks was enjoyed while in San Antonio recently. While it sits on the Riverwalk it’s far from the kitschy tourist type place that inhabits the area.

For starters we had the salmon nachos and the squid ink pasta & chicken fried oysters. Both exquisite. The entire table seemed to agree  that the oysters were perfect .Far from the “Southern soul food” that most things with “Chicken Fried” incite, this was a tender bite that didn’t have breading overshadowing the salty flavor. Still don’t understand the pasta sauce, but whatever that was, continue it! Buttery without being heavy, it made for a nice contrast.

The Cuzco salad earned top marks for me. A perfectly balanced salad of hominy, avocado, sweet potatoes, tomato, onion, jalapeno and butter lettuce. It was enough to not even require the dressing, which was a lovely pickle vinegar that the onions had soaked in. Gorgeous all the way around.

For entree, I enjoy the mahi mahi with braised cabbage (instead of baby carrots) and their roasted fingerling potatoes. Perfect all the way around. The crab and lobster with pico de gallo that accompanied my fish was spot on, nothing overwhelming, but adding a nice spice to all of the pieces on the plate. 

The service here cannot be beat, some of the best I’ve had in the city. Very attentive without protruding, I was amusing myself towards the end with a bit of napkin folding, my waiter, Orlando, chimed in with the perfect napkin fold for Thanksgiving – I’ll put that to use soon!

Biga on the Banks - http://www.biga.com/ - 210-225-0722

 

Rating: fork, spoon & knife: definitely a celebration, even when there’s nothing to celebrate.

Excellent Find!

  

This was a great before the movie place. I’m still shocked that during happy hour they were empty except for us and a few folks at the sushi bar. The place is immaculent, well appointed, has a designated hibachi and sushi area (I hate when the smoke permeates the place and you can’t breathe) and the service was attentive and even put in my order early so it would ready and waiting for arrival.

We had the Tuna Roll, Spider Roll, California Roll, Vegetable Roll, Chef’s Special Roll and a Texas Express roll. Everything was super fresh if not a little big for being sushi! Rolls never fell apart, everything had an abundance of fillings. I’m usually a bit picky about my vegetable roll. This may have been a slight disappointment, I had alot of avocado and peanuts, but no discernible crunch of a carrot or cucumber. The tuna roll was spot on, fishy but not overly so – just a hint of sea. Both the spider and texas express rolls were presented beautifully and either could have been paired with soup for a light lunch.

I enjoyed a few glasses of the house white wine, $4 at happy hour, and it was a fantastic end to a rough work day. The service was immediate when we needed something, stayed out of your area as conversation was going on. When we ordered another two rolls towards the end, it was prompt and polite. Everything was easy about this meal as it helped send us off to the theatre not needing popcorn!

Tao Japanese - http://taojapanese.com/ - (281) 277-2877

Rating: spoon, fork & knife: they’re on a roll!

A Mighty Fine Experience

 

  A burger with everything except lettuce – which meant a generous helping of what Mighty Fine calls Red, Yeller and White – ketchup, mustard and mayo to us city folk. The fries were good, hand cut crinkle fries – they weren’t the steak fries your mama might be able to turn out but they were good.

Admittedly I’m a burger snob. It’s gotta be good. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it can still come in the greasy bag just as this one did. But it has to have a bit of messy quality while the bun doesn’t fall apart and above all, it has to taste like beef, not some “beef product”…and this definitely lived up to it’s name!

On first sip the milkshake (vanilla!) was a bit thin, but proved to have standing power as I had my first few sips! I despise a too thick milkshake, if I didn’t  want to drink it, I’d have gotten a sundae! Sadly Mighty Fine doesn’t serve up onion rings, but if you’re going to do something – do it right – and so if they’re omitting them because lack of talent – then my hats off to keeping the burger fabulous!

 

 

Mighty Fine Burgers – www.mightyfineburgers.com - (512) 524-2400

Rating: spoon, fork & knife – it lived up to it’s name!

My First Taste Ever

 

The first time I had Indian food was at India’s restaurant. I’ve been several places since then, and will honestly say I can’t find another one like it. Another trek from my suburban home, India’s provided me a new cooking genre from my first bite. Admittedly, for those with sensitive stomachs, this might not be the first choice of venue. When approaching their lunch buffet, which I highly suggest over dinner just to allow your soul and digestive tract time to absorb it, it looks a bit like mash and sauce. Take your time, take small bites, this is spice art.

Rather than highlighting every dish there, I figured I’d take you through a few of my favorites that might spark your interest in visiting yourself. I’ll start with a few beginner dishes for you first – timers. Butter chicken is a mild curry, tomato and cream based over chicken and eaten with rice. Not alot of spicy going here, but enough to show you what curry can be – consider this dipping your toe in the pool. I usually side this with a bit of saag paneer, which literally means spinach cheese. This is India’s answer to creamed spinach. A light amount of spice here, the brown color from cooking may be a turn off, but continue through. I usually sop this, along with whatever remaining sauces are on my plate, with the puffy buttery naan bread that India’s brings to the table.

For those a little more adventurous, the lamb curry is top notch here, spicier and contains bones, but really, no knife needed, I’ve always found that it falls right off. Traditional pappadum and relishes are served here – a crispy “corn tortilla” like chip made of   lentils, chickpeas and rice. They are much lower calorie. The salad is much like Mexican Pico de Gallo and there’s a lovely raita made of yogurt and cucumber to help cool off the curries you pick up. They usually have a vegetable curry or gobi masalaon the buffet as well – gobi masala is cauliflower curry. You will also see a traditional Chicken Tikka Masala – sometimes this can be a bit more medium on spicy level, but fantastic.

For the fire breathers in the audience, let’s talk vindaloo. They have it. I’ve rarely seen it on the buffet. But it’s there. and my god. If you want your hair on your feet remove, proceed…but with caution. I’m a curry fanatic, and I LOVE theirs, but be wary. It’s great.

To cool me off and finish, I always love their jalub gamun and kheer. The little doughnut like balls of pastry in syrup and the rice pudding with pistachio confetti make for a sweet ending.

India’s - http://www.indiasrestauranthouston.com/index.html - (713) 266-0131

 

Rating: spoon, fork & knife – good atmosphere, good trip off the regular plate and fantastic service

Good for Business

  I went on a business luncheon recently to Fratelli’s. While the location isn’t supremely convenient, it’s worth the drive. I had the Tagliatelle con Ragu Bolognese –  it was fresh hand made tagliatelle pasta with ragu Bolognese meat sauce. I’ve only shared my meat sauce recipe with one other person on this earth, so that said, I understand how hard it is to get this right.

They do a great job of it. Amazing in fact so much so that I overlooked the somewhat stale bread. The salad is typical greens, the balsamic isn’t necessarily a vinegarette, but a heavier dressing where I think the heft isn’t needed. The pasta was cooked perfectly though and the meat sauce isn’t overwhelmed by any of the spices, as I find alot that meat sauces do.

The atmosphere is homey, with a touch of class. I found myself staring at the oddly arranged palm tree orchid “garden of Eden” like center of the restaurant, thinking that another table could fit there, but besides that the service is tops, and I never want for more, they refill and check in periodically, always ready to lend a hand. Definitely recommended for a business lunch, I can always hears the people I’m with and there’s no clanging pots or noise issues.  Although busy, there never seems to be a wait either, a big plus in my book!

Fratelli’s -http://www.fratellishouston.com/ -  (713) 957-1150

Rating: Spoon and  Fork – good, but could be better!

It’s the Place I go to Think

 

Empire Cafe is a meaningful place to me. You ask me where I want to be on a weekend morning, that’s usually my answer. The food is excellent. The people and staff know their customers. The coffee is fill on your own, no waiting and comes with two shortbread cookies that when I first bite into them, just feel like home cooked breakfast is about to begin.

It has seating out back, in front, and inside. They have coffee to sangria on a weekend brunch morning. I recently had their Eggs Benedict with Creamed Spinach and I believe the phrase is, “And I saw the light….”. They generally have healthy choices as well – granola, eggs over easy with toast, fruit trays and the like.  One of my favorites that I’ve forgotten to order lately is their polenta with milk and cream. The carb load is so sweet with a nutty taste of almond sprinkling it just beckons to be crowned “the new oatmeal.”

They are also home to cake. Not just cake. But cake. The typical slice could easily make 3 people happy. Or one birthday girl overjoyed. I’ve had their peanut butter chocolate – a favorite of mine – and it’s as if a peanut butter cup had a love affair with betty crocker’s chocolatier. It’s gorgeous. Moist, without being sticky – the kind of cake that you’d assume sat out too long still retains it’s bounce without having a crumbly bite. The icing could be cloyingly sweet if it weren’t for the perfected thinness between the multiple layers.

The Empire Cafe is people watching at it’s finest. The hungover 20 and 30somethings who come in to get the edge off. The families who bring their children to meet up for play dates and have a stack of Italian toast. The couples coming in who still haven’t woken up all the way just to beat the rush. The Sunday morning paper readers. It’s lovely to see this mix of city dwellers. I wish I had the guts to photograph it.

Empire Cafe - http://www.empirecafe.com/ - 713-528-5282

 

Rating - spoon, fork and knife – it’s king of the world---empire.

A Lady Who Lunches

 

I was a lady who lunched. I treated myself recently to a lunch at the Carillion Center Forno’s. I had the insalata caprese to start – which disappointed a bit as the tomato was accompanied by an “ok” mozzarella rather than a nice fresh slice of a round mozzerella. The toasted bread that accompanied it was made up for by the by the fresh bread and butter on the table.

I ordered off the menu for lunch, simply the fettuccine alfredo. Now, that said, I’m a dieter. I work out every day, I eat properly as much as my soul can take it, which is pretty regularly. This dish came to the table piping hot, and it was fantastic. It was a good portion, the noodles cooked perfectly al dente and no over hinting of pepper. The extra sprinkling of parmesan added that nice little after bite that should occur after this dish. For me, alfredo should not just be a creamy sauce, it needs to taste of parmesan, have the texture of a good pasta, it needs to be perfect and unseparated in it’s mouthful. This accomplished that perfectly.

The restaurant was lovely for a business luncheon, had a good amount of patrons, but not loud, and not overly packed. It’s also a nice place for a romantic dinner, a bit mobster-Godfather styling, and the white tablecloths give me the feel that I’ve treated myself well, but not at the price of a mortgage payment.

Forno’s - (713) 789-5552

  Rating: spoon & fork - a little dicey on some of the food, but simple food was perfection!

A Book Not by It’s Cover

 

Ah! Cafe Pita Plus. The only Bosnian restaurant in Town. When originally driving up to this spot to celebrate my “half birthday” for fun, it was taken as a “what the….” place. Admittedly, it has a “pizza” sign blinking in the window and the liquor store donning burglar bars next door doesn’t help “set the scene”. Inside, is MUCH better. While cramped with their kitchen, the small space is done up nicely, albeit for a large screen TV with sports. It’s clean, it’s decorated, sometimes crowded and loud, most of the time I’ve found it generally sparse and quiet.

They serve “Mediterranean like” food. They really serve Bosnian, but this is the best as I can explain to someone who hasn’t had it. They have fried cheese the likes of which you’ve never had. Forget prefrozen sticks of “melted on the outside, icy in the middle” mozzarella. These are triangles of homemade farmers cheese in a light breading served with a perfect pepper relish that makes it heaven. Order their version of “mezze” and start your evening off with salumi, olives and cheeses that make you swoon for more.

They too, have a combination platter. Roast chicken and beef kebabs that are perfectly tender with rice. Lovely meatball pieces that melt and the crown jewel of their restaurant cevap. These are sausages that look much like breakfast links. But forget what you know about them, these are perfectly crisp outside, done middle bites of spice and beef. They are accompanied by a lepinje bread that makes you ache for more on your return visit.

I lunch here and the cevap and bread are served as a sandwich.  It’s a must during the week!

 

Cafe Pita Plus – no website - (713) 953-7237

Rating: spoon, fork & knife – forget the exterior, the taste makes you forget where you are!

Getting A Regular Meal

I went to Luby’s  last night. I’ve gone to Luby’s since I can remember. The other thing I can remember…since I can remember…is eating the exact same meal. Since I can recollect teeth and the ability to chew I have eaten the LuAnn platter of fried fish (with tartar sauce), corn and macaroni and cheese. I remember later adding two small side cups of pico de gallo, which I think subliminally makes me feel like I’m getting vegetables in this very monochromatic meal.

Sometimes a salad. Sometimes not. Usually a dinner roll. No butter. Sometimes dessert – home to the best tapioca pudding out there.  Now, I’m usually a mix it up kind of girl – who gets something new at the same place. Not here. I’ve had bites of mom or dad’s liver and onions, chopped sirloin, things like that. But nothing comes near the perfection that this trifecta holds.

 

I know. I know you’re wondering, why the big deal over such a meal that costs less than the amount of change I can find in my couch? I don’t know. The nostalgia? The idea that I’m “so old” at the ripe age of 31 that I still remember when they used to have the drink cart lady with the silver coffee pot who used to serve my parents coffee. This place used to be “uptown” – at least in my head.

I remember my sister getting the two bowls of macaroni and cheese and then the blue or green jello. That was dinner. I’m assuming at this point my parents were really seeking respite and didn’t mind for one night what we ingested. I remember as a small child wearing a mink stole (something that my dad had brought home I believe) to dinner. With my best dress. and getting a rash from the heat, but the mink stole was elevating the experience for me. I wore it anyway. I remember my mom pinning my hair up nicely even. I knew that fine dining had to be in my future.

It’s odd that Luby’s is a southern favorite as I wasn’t exposed to Southern Food there the way that I know it now, but that said, it was my childhood memory that continues to keep me loving it there. and I’ll continue to eat the same thing and hopefully my kid will too.

Luby’s – various locations – www.lubys.com

Rating: Spoon & Fork : it’s not overwhelming, it’s nostalgia