Houston is chock-full of some of the greatest food experiences in the world! There are so many opportunities for an amazing culinary experience every night so the FOOD DISH was created to help spark inspiration for your evening!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entries in dishhouston (38)

Ava Takes You Away

By DISH Contributor: Robin Reimer
With new restaurants opening in H-town almost every day, it seems as though the
vernacular is always shifting. That being said…there is a new sheriff in town!

Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar: Located in the new West Ave in the Upper Kirby District.

It is Houston's most seductive new restaurant with a NYC vibe. Floor to ceiling windows
overlooking the new lights of the city, the new 2727 skyrise…and the oncoming luxury traffic of the Upper Kirby District.
Owned by the renowned Schiller/Del Grande Restaurant Group you sould of course assume greatness and creativity. Ava is downstairs and meant to be in conjunction with Alto Pizzeria which hasn't opened as of the writing of this story.

We couldn't help but let you know what we indulged in on our server's small plate suggestions:

Gulf Crab Meat Cocktail $18
w/ Tomatoes & Avocado Creamy Avocado Sauce


Roasted Stuffed Squid $12
w/ Shrimp Sausage & Mediterranean Salsa Verde

Ceviche of Yellowtail $14
w/ Mango | Jicama & Fresno Chile

And the most heavenly indulgence of all was the dessert:

Chocolate Profiterole
w/ Candied Hazelnuts

Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar is Houston's hottest place to be, and has found a new forever home…in Houston...to stay!!!

Texas Tequila Throwdown!!

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

Sullivan's Hits the Top 10!

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.

Posted on Monday, March 7, 2011 at 12:39PM by Registered CommenterDISHhouston in , , , , , , , | CommentsPost a Comment | EmailEmail

Just Desserts!

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!

 

 

The competition series, “Top Chef Just Desserts,” a spin-off of the Emmy and James Beard Award winning "Top Chef” will be returning for a second season. The series consists of pastry chefs

 

competing against one another in a series of challenges. Open calls for pastry chefs, as well as

 

the previously announced “Top Chef” season nine series, will be held in cities across the country

 

starting on February 27 HERE IN HOUSTON!!

 

For additional casting information and to download an application www.BravoTV.com/casting

It's happening at Mark's American Cuisine Sunday Feb 27 from 10 am - 2 pm!

Tell your friends and get to creating! See you there DISHIES!

Katz's 10 Year Anniversary!

$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 1st – 2 orders of Fried Pickles

2nd – 2 Cheesecake Shakes

3rd – 2 Signature Fresh Salads

4th – 2 Rueben Sandwiches

5th – 2 Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

6th – 2 Bagel with Lox

7th – 2 Yankee Pot Roast Sandwiches

8th – 2 Hotdogs with 2 Sides

9th – 2 Brownie Boats

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

 

On Sunday October 10th 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.

 

Chefs Under Fire!


Although the weather is cooling down, things are still heating up in Houston because the Chefs Under Fire 2010 Houston Area Regional Competition is less than a week away and you won’t want to miss it.

Five up and coming chef contestants from the Houston Area will have a chance to prove what they’re made of to a Local Celebrity Chef Judges panel, including:
  • Chef David Grossman, Branch Water Tavern 
  • Chef Jonathan "J.J." Jones, Beavers Restaurant
  • Chef Monica Pope, T'afia Restaurant & Green Plum Catering
And leading the evening is special guest emcee:
  • Jonathan "J.R." Cohen, YMKM Agency
Now, if Top Chef Masters contender Chef Monica Pope doesn’t know a thing or two about heated competition, we don’t know who does! These contestants will be fighting for a chance to compete at the Chefs Under Fire 2010 Final Competition against the other Texas Regional winners - Chef Juan Rodriguez of Reata Restaurant (Fort Worth) and Chef Erica Beneke of MAX’s Wine Dive (Austin).

Get your tickets now and enjoy a night that includes:

Houston Area Regional Competition
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sysco Houston, Inc. – 10710 Greens Crossing Blvd., Houston TX
7:00pm
Tickets $35

Tickets are limited, so secure your spot at the event now!


The Chefs Under Fire Team

Chefs Under Fire™ 2010
hosted by Keeper Collection, LLC

"Like" us on Facebook
Follow us Twitter @chefsunderfire

Buy tickets now!

HRW Extended thru Labor Day!

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):

*17, III Forks, 51Fifteen, Americas Post Oak-The Original, Amerigo's Grille, Arcodoro, Arturo's Uptown Italiano, Au Petit Paris, Backstreet Cafe, benjy's in the Village, benjy's on Washington, Bistro Catron, Bistro Des Amis, Bistro Don Camillo, Branch Water Tavern, Brasserie Max & Julie, Brennan's of Houston, Brenner's on the Bayou, Brenner's Steakhouse, Cadillac Bar Houston, Cafe Moustache, The Capital Grille, Catalan Food and Wine, Cava Bistro, Cavatore, Cielo Mexican Bistro, Cullen's Upscale American Grille, Damian's Cucina Italiana, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, Downtown Aquarium, Frank's Chop House, Glass Wall, Grotto Westheimer, Grotto Woodlands, Haven, Hearsay Gastro Lounge, House of Blues Foundation Room, Hugo's, Ibiza, Joyce's Seafood & Steaks, Julia's Bistro, Kona Grill - Galleria, Kona Grill - Sugar Land, La Colombe d'Or, La Griglia, Le Mistral, Masraff's, Max's Wine Dive, McCormick & Schmick's - Downtown, McCormick & Schmick's - Town & Country, McCormick & Schmick's - Uptown, The Melting Pot - Westheimer, Merlion on 4th, Michelangelo's, Mockingbird Bistro, Noe @ The Omni Houston Galleria Hotel, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Ocean's, Olivette at the Houstonian, Ouisie's Table, Palm Restaurant, Pappas Bros Steakhouse, Pappas Grill, Perry's Italian Grille, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille - Champions, Perry's Steakhouse - Clear Lake, Perry's Steakhouse - Katy, Perry's Steakhouse - Memorial City, Perry's Steakhouse - Sugar Land, Perry's Steakhouse - Woodlands, Pesce, Polo's Signature, Post Oak Grill, Pradaria Steaks & Churrascaria, Prego, Prime Time Steakhouse, Quattro, Rainbow Lodge, Rattan Pan-Asian Bistro, Ray's Grill, Ruth's Chris, Saffron, Sage 400, Straits, Strata, Sullivan's, Trio Steakhouse, Vic & Anthony's, Willie G's, Yelapa, Zushi Japanese Cuisine.

FREE FOOD!!!

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!!

Eat out to Support Health!

DISH Craves CRAVE!

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!

America's Coming to River Oaks

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!!

The Strip House Goes Full Monte

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 5th through February 28th (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

 

Oh Tony! At Christmas??

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!

La Strada Takes it's Salida 

After years of speculation, rumor and termoil the lower Westheimer institution, La Strada finally shut it's doors. There have been problems but the worst of them have been since the 2002 fire which closed the location for over a year.

Some people feel the feeling and spirit of the place burned out with the fire. Instead of a happy place for folks to gather, patrons feel that it became too 'up-scale".  Everyone one knows you can't be what you aren't and the original La Strada was an accepting melting pot for all types. La Strada basically started Sunday Funday.


Online a former parton lamented:

 "Used to love Sunday brunches there! Tossing Jell-o shots and flying paper airplanes made from gay porn magazines along with spontaneous line dancing and roundhouse showtune chorales. Now it is a morgue."


In 2004, a B4-U-Eat reviewer had this to say about the post-fire Sunday brunch scene at La Strada:

"Remember when Sunday was La Strada? Remember when the bellinis flowed, the beads flew and the crowd was as colorful as the confetti? The bellinis are now in plastic, the beads are outlawed and the channel was changed from Queer as Folk to Sex in the City. What fool decided to "straighten" out Sunday?"

Of course it's no secret they didn't seem to be trying to bring themselves back. Houston have been opening new restaurant after new restaurant almost every week for the past half year at least and they didn't come out with even one new dish. They just didn't keep up.


La Strada opened in 1986. Ten years later, owner Aldo Catania opened a Galleria-area location, which closed in 2007. In 2002, a fire closed the Montrose location, and it didn't reopen until 2004. Last March, the Montrose location declared for bankruptcy over taxes owed to the state, citing assets of less than $50,000 and debts of one to ten million dollars.

The owner could not be reached for comment.

How Exotic is YOUR Dinner?

Well apparently not enough! However, never fear!!! Sushi Raku is here!!

Swanky meets sushi at a new restaurant nestled in the heart of Midtown. Sushi Raku combinings age-old cooking techniques and modern day ingredients with flair and creativity. Sushi Raku, which means “happy” in Japanese! We all know DISH loves nothing more than HAPPY things!!

 

“We are thrilled to open Sushi Raku in midtown" said Patrick Chiu, owner. "We have always wanted to bring the Raku concept to Houstonians; the area of midtown is an extremely dynamic and invigorating destination and we look forward to being a part of the energy and creativity here."

 

Keeping it all in Texas, Sushi Raku was designed by Austin’s Michael Hsu Designs! The interior has been described as dynamic and sexy while it playfully engages with classic Asian design from a previous era with a modern update. The 6,800 square-foot restaurant features two opposing design themes: one stylish and contemporary with heavy use of red mosaic tile and white oak décor; and the other traditional with life size samurai warriors and drums. Much of the artwork will be created on-site, by a local artist who will entertain guests nightly with his canvas drawings. One stylistic detail, new to Houston, is 60,000 pounds of red, nylon rope that took one week to install.  Imported from Japan, the layers of three-inch wide rope drape the ceilings and walls of Raku’s 1,200 square feet bar area. Other stand out features include, twenty-five foot high ceiling and grand windows; banquette seating throughout; sushi and tempura bars; and three individual ‘dining spaces’ all connected by flowing curtains, that provide guests with privacy.

Executive Taka Sekiguchi brings his mastery of the cuisine to the Raku kitchen, with more than 15 years of experience in Japanese and Pan-Asian cooking. Taka honed his culinary skills working in Japan at traditional Japanese restaurants including Sankafu and Shokudo En. Taka approaches traditional Japanese dishes as if they were works of modern art and efforts are always made to use local produce. Raku seafood will be shipped in daily; and on Friday’s, Raku will feature a “today’s special” with fish that is flown in every Friday morning from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji market.

 

“Chef Taka will bring the captivating Japanese culture alive with his amazing creations and presentations of Japanese cuisine blended with Texas flair,” said Chiu. Taka’s Texas fancy is evident in creative dishes, such as: Warm Tomato Water Soup ,with kabocha pumpkin, lump crab, osaka seaweed and mitsuba leaf; Texas Mesquite Smoked Scottish Salmon, with boursin cheese, watercress, orange marmalade salad, salmon roe and chive oil; Texas wagyu beef, with roasted pear tomato, scallion, whipped kabocha, star anise  and aged sake demi glaze; and Tontoro, a 12 hour slow braised Berkshire pork jowl, with  lady apple comport, reduction of au jus and candied Texas pecan.

  

The Raku bar menu features an extensive list of Sake, that has been carefully selected by Chiu in conjunction with specialty importers. Raku will also feature fruit-infused sake; wine list, and specialty cocktails using distinctive ingredients.

 

 

 

Sounds like a DISH party is on its way!!!