Dish-Houston

One of Houston's best culinary secrets is known worldwide and is also expanding for those of us who need to get in and out for lunch within an hour...Tiny Boxwood's newest location is in Rice U!

The second location, Tiny’s No. 5, has more tables, more parking and is the former home of West U’s JMHgrocery store. There is some really neat history in the building as well!! The 5th store in the JMH chain was originally owned by the Tiny Boxwood's sous chef’s grandparents! Keep it in the family!!

There is such wonderful whimsey to this new/old space...The original roof sign will stay...a very nice touch since Houston is famous for eraticating all touches of it's history... There is a striped awning and a really cool row of vintage bikes for whimsey! Plus...just for the adorable factor...the men’s and women’s restrooms are labeled William and Kate.

Being described as a Chef driven cafe, the cafe will also feature homemade bread and will grow it's own herbs! Another fun feature will be an electric car that can take up to six customers to and from the restaurant! SO DISH!

Tiny’s No. 5
3636 Rice Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005
Open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday, 5 – 9 p.m.
Lunch service begins in late August

Houston will welcomed a touch of New York’s West Village with an exciting, new restaurant: Trattoria Il Mulino. An off-shoot of the famed Il Mulino New York, Trattoria Il Mulino offers a casual, family-friendly dining experience in a lively atmosphere with a menu emphasizing classic Italian cuisine from the Abruzzi region of Italy while incorporating the bounty of Texas culinary products available for the kitchen. Some of the most popular dishes at Il Mulino New York are featured, along with the more traditional pizzas, pastas, and lighter dishes. Trattoria Il Mulino offers an extensive wine list along with an outstanding bar menu and an array of specialty cocktails.

The interior design of Trattoria IL Mulino, as its’ name implies, creates a fun, come as you are atmosphere for guests. The open concept design with pickled cedar, natural red brick, large exhibition kitchen and four private wine rooms adds an element of elegant contemporary Italian design. Custom-designed wood dining tables, sans table cloths, add to the sense of authentic old-country ambience and cuisine. The Bar area creates an intimate, sensual mood with a large contemporary backlit bar and comfortable leather bar stools.

At Trattoria Il Mulino, Executive Chef Michele Mazza embraces the Abruzzi tradition of “la panarda,” a decadent feast sometimes lasting up to 24 hours in the old country. Since the 16^th Century, the Abbruzi region has been celebrated throughout Europe for its superior culinary tradition. Notorious sticklers for freshness and simplicity, Abruzzi chefs have been sought after by aristocrats the world over for their savory recipes and abundant portions. Staples of Abruzzi cuisine include olive oil, tomatoes, lamb, and hot peppers, as well as a variety of cured meats, goat’s milk cheeses and superbly textured pastas.

Trattoria Il Mulino Trattoria will offer its guests a superior dining experience centered around the finest Abruzzi cuisine. A wide array of elegantly presented dishes will be served in a lively bistro environment with a superior level of customer service.

 To keep the menu fresh and in season, dishes are changed regularly and reflect local culinary influences. Choose appetizers, pizzas, pastas, entrees or desserts from the extensive menu. The authentic Abruzzi recipes are prepared in a traditional open kitchen with only the finest ingredients and an incredible eye for detail. The charcoal grill and wood-burning pizza oven make for a cozy ambience and an array of delicious aromas. The Italian wine selection is extensive, featuring moderately priced offerings as well as more exclusive vintages. With its teeming bar, communal tables and exposed brick walls, the Il Mulino Trattoria exudes a lived-in, casual grace with an undertone of sophistication.

But what really sets Trattoria Il Mulino apart from other bistros in their price range is the food. From the eggplant caponata to the veal chop with sage and garlic, each dish is prepared with a commitment to superior quality, presentation and taste. Simple favorites like the rigatoni bolognese redefine Italian comfort food, while the savory nuances of dishes like the seared red snapper with cherry tomatoes, garlic, pancetta and white wine over broccoli rabe befit a more sophisticated palate.

One of the specialties of the house at Trattoria Il Mulino is the house-made Grappa which has been a tradition in Northern Italy for centuries utilizing recipes handed down through the generations. Trattoria Il Mulino uses those recipes to create a variety of house-made, infused grappas such as Pear, Blueberry, Strawberry, Fig, Raspberry, Apricot, and Raisin.  The process consists of taking the distilled spirit and fermenting it with the fruit of your choice.   We allow time, Mother Nature, and a little love to create these delectable digestifs.  As a finale to your meal, we serve a complimentary pour of house-made Limoncello.

Trattoria Il Mulino t the new Westin Houston Memorial City will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 945 Gessner at I-10. For reservations, please call (832) 358-0600.

AND DISH IS A JUDGE!!

Join DISH and Mike Cortez of Bite Me Houston THIS Saturday March 12th for the public tasting and competition at the 2011 Texas Tequila Throwdown. The event will take place at Momentum BMW Southwest (10002 S W Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074) from 8pm-11pm.

Each Texas Tequila company is hoping to be awarded the best Tequila in Texas for 2011...who do you think will win???

The Texas Tequila Throwdown is a free event and is open to the public 21 of age and up. We are asking attendees to donate canned goods and nonperishable items for the Houston Food Bank. Nothing more wonderful than having a great time while building the local businesses and helping the local community!! TRIPLE WIN!!

El Gran Jubileo Tequila (La Grange), Toro de Lidia Tequila (Laredo), Cavalino Tequila (Katy), Tequila Ambhar (Austin) Riazul Tequila (Houston), Dulce Vida Tequila (Austin), Pepe Z Tequila (Austin), Tequila 1921 (San Antonio) and Sangre Altena Tequila are just a few of the Texas companies that are looking forward to this year’s event all in hopes to be awarded the best Tequila in Texas.

Each company will feature their Blanco, Reposado and Anejo and a winner will be selected from each category. This will be a blind tasting and the tequila will be rated on a points scale according to appearance, aroma and flavor by a mixed panel of judges....Including yours truly!

Bite Me *Houston* is a local blog written by Mike Cortez featuring Houston businesses for their food and drinks. Striving to set himself apart from the other foodies in Houston, Mike is always looking to support local companies and is giving back to the city. AND DISH LOVES HIM!!

www.BiteMeHouston.com

The award-winning Sullivan's Steakhouse, known for the finest steaks, savory seafood and great live music, has recently been named to Tom Horan's America's Top Ten Club as one of the Top Ten Texas Steakhouses, announced Zaidi Syed, General Manager of Sullivan's Steakhouse Houston.

Former restaurateur Tom Horan, who has authored dining guides for Houston Metropolitan Magazine, Houston City Magazine, Inside Houston Magazine and the Houston Chronicle, created the America's Top Ten Club to recognize the best in culinary excellence. The lists are created solely on quality, reputation, food and service, price value and, most importantly experience.

Rated the No. 2 steakhouse in Texas, Sullivan's cuisine, inspired and created by Executive Chef Teli Trikilis, features an array of the finest cuts of meat and expertly prepared seafood. Sullivan's is a traditionally styled American steakhouse with classic dark wood inspired furniture and steakhouse fixtures throughout.  The Ringside jazz lounge boasts great live music Wednesday through Saturday and is accentuated by a beautiful baby grand piano outside the entrance in the main bar where local musicians entertain guests throughout the evening.

"Sullivan's has been a local mainstay for more than 10 years. We pride ourselves on serving the finest and freshest cuts of meat and seafood. Being named as of one of the Top Ten Texas Steakhouses is a testament to our high quality of food and service and is much appreciated," said Syed.

Sullivan's is joined on Horan's Top Ten list by other renowned steakhouses, including: The Steakhouse, Galveston, TX; Bohanan's Prime Steaks & Seafood, San Antonio, TX; Killen's Steakhouse, Pearland, TX; Lisa West' Double Nickel Steakhouse, Lubbock, TX; Mo's...A Place for Steaks, Houston, TX; III Forks, Houston, TX; Cattlemen's Steak House, Fort Worth, TX ;Trio Steakhouse, Houston, TX and Vince Young Steakhouse, Austin, TX.

Bravo's sweetest show comes to Houston looking for it's newest competetors! Do you have the best desserts? It's time to show your sweet culinary talents!

$10, 10 days, 1 great restaurant, 1 great cause—Katz’s Deli & Bar is celebrating their 10 year Houston anniversary with a 10 day extravaganza October 1-10, 10am to 10pm, with 10% of the proceeds benefiting the Houston Police Department’s Positive Interaction Program.

Katz’s will be running special anniversary prices on some of Katz’s favorite items as an appreciation for 10 great years in Houston . Below is the $10 list for each day!

October 1^st – 2 orders of Fried Pickles

2^nd – 2 Cheesecake Shakes

3^rd – 2 Signature Fresh Salads

4^th – 2 Rueben Sandwiches

5^th – 2 Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

6^th – 2 Bagel with Lox

7^th – 2 Yankee Pot Roast Sandwiches

8^th – 2 Hotdogs with 2 Sides

9^th – 2 Brownie Boats

10^th – ALL of the Specials from 10am – 10pm!

On Sunday October 10^th Katz’s will also have a $1000 Pickle Eating Contest! There will be a special booth set up from 10 am – 10 pm where anyone can participate in the contest! How fast can you down 10 Katz’s Pickles?? The patron with the best time wins $1000!! Participants get a commemorative t-shirt while supplies last. Proceeds from the $10 registration will go straight to charity.

Houston Police Department’s Positive Interaction Program:

The education of the citizens of Houston on how their police department functions is essential to the PIP program. Once a citizen understands how the police department does its job, that citizen can better relay to the police department their neighborhood needs. The free flow of information and ideas gives us both a better understanding of each other's needs and expectations. This fosters trust and friendship between citizens and the police department that serves them. Cooperation between the Houston Police Department and the citizens is imperative in the reduction of crime and enhancing the overall quality of life in their neighborhoods.

What great news DISHIES!!!!  Due to popular demand, Houston Restaurant Week has been extended through Labor Day, Sept. 6th.
Restaurants extending the event will continue to donate funds to the Houston Food Bank for every special Houston Restaurant Week lunch & dinner menu sold through 9/6.
(Note: All are serving dinner. Not all are serving lunch.) Thank you!

See below a list of restaurants that have committed to the extension.

For most updated list of extending restaurants visit  CLICK HERE

. Preliminary Extension List (90+ committed so far):

Come on DISHIES! You know you want it and now you can have it "Just the way you like it"!

TUESDAY JUNE 22, 2010 Stop by any Whataburger for a free breakfast!!

The free Breakfast on a Bun event is part of Whataburger Serves. It's all about building employee team spirit and morale, customer appreciation fun moments with free food and community builders that support groups in need.

Did you know that WHATABURGER is Texas based??

It's soo true!! Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi , Texas!!

Dobson gave his restaurant a name he hoped to hear customers say every time they took a bite of his made-to-order burgers:  “What a burger!” Within the first week, people lined up around the block for his 25 cent, all-American beef burgers served on five-inch buns. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio , Texas , with more than 700 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $1 billion annually.

Now THAT'S a success story DISH can take a bite out of!!

When trying to woo a media person here is lesson number one. FEED THEM! Regardless of which kind of media they are in, tv, radio, print or online food will always win them over for a minute or two. THUS the brilliange behind Katherine Orellana at Studio Communication and Crave Cupcakes! Apparently it's RODEO time in Houston...in case you were under a rock somewhere and were unaware, so they brilliant minds and chefs brought DISH some RODEO Cakes! Chocolate on Chocolate, Vanilla on Vanilla and Red Velvet! Normally DISH shares with others but this time...well...there just wasn't enough time!

Thank you CRAVE!

Weingarten Realty Investors (NYSE:WRI) announced that award-winning restaurateur, renowned chef and HOUSTONIAN Michael Cordúa will open a third Américas restaurant in the River Oaks Shopping Center in the fall of 2010.

Américas River Oaks Ltd. (ARO, Ltd.) will own and operate the new restaurant, which embodies the culinary contrasts that Cordúa is famous for – authentic Latin ingredients from the Americas paired with classical and contemporary culinary techniques.

The River Oaks Américas will be a second-floor, 9,150-square-foot restaurant, featuring an elevated bar area and private event spaces. It will be a highlight of the newly redeveloped northwest corner of the center, located at the intersection of Shepherd and West Gray. The new venue will continue the design partnership between Cordúa and acclaimed architect Jordan Mozer, creator of some of the world’s most photographed restaurants and hotels.

Restaurateur and chef Michael Cordúa is a past recipient of the Robert Mondavi Award for Culinary Excellence. Américas has garnered accolades from Food & Wine, Esquire, Texas Monthly and Continental magazines.

“Cordúa’s restaurants are some of the most innovative and beloved in all of Houston,” said Patty Bender, senior vice president for Weingarten Realty. “We’re thrilled they have chosen to open their third Américas location at River Oaks Shopping Center.” “River Oaks Shopping Center continues to be one of the city’s most favored neighborhood shopping and entertainment destinations. Over the past few months, we’ve unveiled a number of exciting changes to further enhance the experience for our tenants and shoppers, including the completion of our northwest corner redevelopment, the opening of Barnes & Noble as well as a number of other new retail stores in the center,” added Bender.

 Welcome Americas!!

It’s been five short and delicious years since Strip House opened its doors in Houston. This formerly quiet pocket on the east end is now one of the city’s most bustling areas with Discovery Green, Toyota Center, the GRB and Houston Pavilions just steps away.  Strip House is thrilled to celebrate this milestone with Houstonians; therefore, they are introducing a five-course anniversary menu, masterfully created by executive chef, John Schenk.

The five for $55 menu will be available for lunch or dinner starting January 5^th through February 28^th (not available on Valentine’s Day). The menu features some of Strip House’s most celebrated dishes, including:

-        lobster bisque cappuccino, with chopped lobster and chives

-        grilled tomato and bufala mozzarella salad, with balsamic glaze and basil

-        seared sea scallop, with edamame succotash, black truffle butter, corn broth

-        filet mignon, with black truffle creamed spinach and goose fat potatoes

-        Strip House profiterole, with espresso and chocolate ice creams, hot fudge sauce

Strip House is located at 1200 Mc Kinney. For reservations, please call 713.659.6000

Forget the Holiday spirit, apparently even the spirit master was asked...ever so unceremoniously, to leave Tony's. One of Houston's most exclusive restaurants is apparently not beyond a shake up and proved it by the recent firings of the Exec Chef and Sommelier!

When a member of the news media called for comment regarding the firing of the Exec Chef,  Tony Vallone's only response was to ask why the story was considered news worthy. He did add that things ended between them in a positive and friendly manner. The chef could not be reached for comment.

Vallone also fired sommelier Jonathan Honefenger after a disagreement over the wine inventory and the young man's passion for his job. Honefenger said the restaurant's general manager called him on his day off to give him the news. Classy! Nothing like a face to face conversation!

Honefenger defended his work ethic and love of his work! He was named one of 2009's best young sommeliers in Wine & Spirits magazine, and won a third place at the Texas Sommelier Conference's best sommelier competition this summer.

Here's to hoping the best and good things for these wonderful and talented folks....especially during this Holiday season.....Tony, SHAME ON YOU!