Dish-Houston

Sitting down to a meal is a wonderful experience in general. Sitting down to a meal with a latin family it's a tradition. Sitting down to a meal with Michael and David Cordua is a culniary and flavor adventure glazed with love and chimichurri sauce culminating in sweet plantain empanadas sprinkled with some of the funniest stories you've ever heard.

When DISH was invited to a taste test of the new menu we thought, naturally, that it would be an in and out of all of Houston's media through out the day but no! We were treated to a private one on one with the two Cordua chefs being treated to their very favorites on the menu!

They of course have their signature Churrasco that melts in your mouth but the menue is broken down my meat rather than by course so it's easy to make decisions.

We sampled the skinny fish tacos, the fish is grilled making this a lower fat dish. They come with jalapeña tartar sauce, crunchy cabbage & pico de gallo, cilantro rice, black beans, maduros and vegetables escabeche.

The chicken puffy tacos are what knocked me off of the stool! Pulled roasted chicken, cheese, guacamole and crema fresca on light and airy puffed tortillas...the flavor explosion hits every part of your palate.

They still have their famous burger, thankfully, with the sweet bun if casual latin flavor isn't your bag.

Then there are the desserts. The one and only Cordua Tres Leches is here and present in a different way! It comes in individual cups so it's more moist than the other restaurants in the family and a bit sweeter! Absolutely a must have. Also on the must have list is the table top s'mores. It's perfect for the kids or the kid in you! 

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!!