222 replies to this topic

[jscarbor]

Update on Matamoros Meat Market on Washington Ave, it is now El Tiempo Meat Market. The tacos are still very good and the "dining" area is better..

[jscarbor]

Awhile back my family and some friends went to Airirang for korean bbq. It was very good chow with about 5-6 side dishes. The regular meat was my favorite and the seafood pancake was very good. The only dissapointment was the squid, it was tough to cook, I tried cooking it for 1 minute, then 2, then 10 and all turned out more rubbery than we would have liked. The squid dish at Ko MArt was much better.

[jscarbor]

I made it over to Bob's Steaks and Chops this past saturday. I'm normally not a go out for steak kind of guy but I couldn't think of anywhere else that my company might want to go. The food was good, but why would I pay for a $40 steak when I can get as good as beef at HEB for $20 and drink a great $75 wine that would be well into triple digits at a restaurant. Anyway, it was good but unless someone else WANTS to go and is paying then I can't see myself there anytime soon.

[jscarbor]

i can't believe I have never been to Khyber on Richmond until today? Short story short, I now know why! What a complete waste of calories and $15 for the buffet. Sure the buffet is not the best of what a restaurant has to offer but really? This was not very good at all. The one highlight was the cocunut almond rice pudding. t would have been a great way to calm the spice of the food but there wasn't any spice. Himalay doesn't have a buffet but the $8 lunch plate has more than enough food and the quality is so much better.

Edited by jscarbor, 11 July 2007 - 05:37 PM.

[jscarbor]

Vietnam Restaurant in the Heights on 19th is decent enough vietnamese food. The bu lac luc(grilled beef dish) is very good. Tender tasty chunks of beef in a light coating of brown sauce and the lime pepper dipping sauce on the side. I had the black pepper chicken which was merely fried chunks of chicken over onions and garlice with the same lime/pepper dipping sauce. I really wasn't a fan of the dish. On another visit someone told me to get the black pepper shrimp which is the same as the chicken dish only shrimp of course and it was pretty good. Go figure?

[jscarbor]

I hit Cafe Pita last week for Bosnian food. I split the HUGE pita with cheese. Its a pastry filled with beef, spinach, potatoes or cheese and served with a side of what seemed to be a sour cream cheese? The pastry was excellent. Also split the beef sandwich which was served with a bun that almost resembled a large english muffin. It was pretty good, I got the stuffed kind.
Its run by some very nice folks that seem very interested in pleasing the customer. Located on westheimer just west of beltway 8.

[tatiana]

Check out the newly opened wine bar - Sovino across from Dolce Vita on Westheimer

Extensive wine list (you can also buy bottles at a discount), excellent food, upscale ambiance, good service.

I had a fresh arugula and baby lettuce salad with tangy goat cheese, pistachios, and a bright vinaigrette. Excellent. The duck cognac pate was tasty, two spicy mustards , and crunchy cornichons. The beef tenderloin was TENDER, easily cut with a knife (almost no pressure applied), a high quality piece of meat.

However, the bread is not great - stale french baguette. Maybe they'll improve on it.

Second beware, potentially long food waits as Sovino is working out the kinks in their first month. The steak entree took more than an hour to exit the kitchen. But in the meantime we were treated to a glass of wine to compensate and multiple apologies.

Ambience is glitzy wine bar: antique persian rugs on the walls, boughs of flowers, wood bar, and a private dining area. Wine is served in Riedel stemware. Unfortunately, with no sound paneling I'm not sure what the noise level will be when packed, but I'm going to go back and find out.

[FoodMan]

I hit Cafe Pita last week for Bosnian food. I split the HUGE pita with cheese. Its a pastry filled with beef, spinach, potatoes or cheese and served with a side of what seemed to be a sour cream cheese? The pastry was excellent. Also split the beef sandwich which was served with a bun that almost resembled a large english muffin. It was pretty good, I got the stuffed kind.
Its run by some very nice folks that seem very interested in pleasing the customer. Located on westheimer just west of beltway 8.

Man, I so want to try this place since I read about it in both the Chronicle and the Press. Seems like a true original and unique new joint. Problem is, it's so damn out of my way.

[MarkinHouston]

I hit Cafe Pita last week for Bosnian food. I split the HUGE pita with cheese. Its a pastry filled with beef, spinach, potatoes or cheese and served with a side of what seemed to be a sour cream cheese? The pastry was excellent. Also split the beef sandwich which was served with a bun that almost resembled a large english muffin. It was pretty good, I got the stuffed kind.
Its run by some very nice folks that seem very interested in pleasing the customer. Located on westheimer just west of beltway 8.

Man, I so want to try this place since I read about it in both the Chronicle and the Press. Seems like a true original and unique new joint. Problem is, it's so damn out of my way.

No problem, Elie! On your way out to Phoenicia Market, stop in for a quick taste.

[tetsujustin]

So as I've had all eyes out on the Houston Soup Dumpling watch, after being horribly underwhelmed by Robb Walsh's recommendation of FuFu's Cafe's soup dumplings (the dumplings were way too big, skins too thick, flavor was so so.) A few doors down from there in the Dun Huang center, across the street from Sinh Sinh, like a block down from beltway 8 and bellaire, there's a place called Paradise Cafe.

I was first drawn to the place because they had a picture of a guy stretching a mainland china specialty (I think) called lai mein (or beef la noodles on the menu), or hand stretched noodles that result in bucatini-like doughy noodles served in a thick, beefy broth. I ordered those and noticed that the soup dumplings were on the menu too (disguised as pork bun w. juice) The noodles looked nothing like on the picture outside, but the soup dumplings had a porky center and a nice gingery, exploding broth to it. Plus if you have a big enough mouth the whole thing can fit in unlike the ones a fufu.

As an overall restaurant, fufu is better, but for just soup dumplings, give paradise a chance.

[Kent Wang]

Justin, I'm going to try out both of those places when I am next in Houston. Please continue to keep us informed on the soup dumpling watch.

[jscarbor]

I had the steamed buns at Xiongs the other day because I was trying to find soup dumplings and I had heard they were hidden at Xiongs by the Steamed Bun name. Not really knowing what I was lookinh for with the exception of seeing them on some tv shows I would have to say that Xiongs does not have soup dumplings. It was basically a steamed dumpling with pork but no broth? Still Xiongs is awesome for the cilantro/chive dumpling and the cucumber pork noodles!

[neverfull]

this discussion topic is a great idea. after some careful thought, i compiled a list of of restaurants i have been meaning to try:

himalaya
polonia
chez georges
charivari
kanomwan
arirang
VIN
tacambero taco truck

i have himalaya tentatively scheduled for lunch next week. i'll report back.

[tetsujustin]

this discussion topic is a great idea.  after some careful thought, i compiled a list of of restaurants i have been meaning to try:

himalaya
polonia
chez georges
charivari
kanomwan
arirang
VIN
tacambero taco truck

i have himalaya tentatively scheduled for lunch next week.  i'll report back.

Note that if you have himalaya scheduled for lunch next week, you're going to want to go back again and again over the next several days until you've tried the entire menu.

So far, the only thing I've had that was just okay is the saag paneer.

Just saying, maybe you should keep your schedule open.

you can go try, but I don't thin arirang is really worth your time. The korean restaurants down on longpoint/gesser area are much better.

[tetsujustin]

I had the steamed buns at Xiongs the other day because I was trying to find soup dumplings and I had heard they were hidden at Xiongs by the Steamed Bun name. Not really knowing what I was lookinh for with the exception of seeing them on some tv shows I would have to say that Xiongs does not have soup dumplings. It was basically a steamed dumpling with pork but no broth? Still Xiongs is awesome for the cilantro/chive dumpling and the cucumber pork noodles!

Xiong's I do not believe has them. Classic kitchen right next door (owned I believe by the same people) does.

[jscarbor]

I had the steamed buns at Xiongs the other day because I was trying to find soup dumplings and I had heard they were hidden at Xiongs by the Steamed Bun name. Not really knowing what I was lookinh for with the exception of seeing them on some tv shows I would have to say that Xiongs does not have soup dumplings. It was basically a steamed dumpling with pork but no broth? Still Xiongs is awesome for the cilantro/chive dumpling and the cucumber pork noodles!

Xiong's I do not believe has them. Classic kitchen right next door (owned I believe by the same people) does.

There is family teahouse or something that is next door that actually has a little opening in the middle that would enable someone to pass an item over to the otherside. I didn't notice Classic Kitchen though.

[jscarbor]

I hit Chicago Beef on Airline today for a Chicago Italian Beef. Pretty good job bringing the IB to town. The gadinera was ok and the bun a little big for my taste but overall it would hang with an avg IB in Chicago say a Prtillos, not the best (chicago)still worth eating. Also they have real fresh cut french fries and they are fried pretty well.

[jscarbor]

this discussion topic is a great idea.  after some careful thought, i compiled a list of of restaurants i have been meaning to try:

himalaya
polonia
chez georges
charivari
kanomwan
arirang
VIN
tacambero taco truck

i have himalaya tentatively scheduled for lunch next week.  i'll report back.

I don't know if this was just a bad day but I was at Farmers Mrkt today and Tacambaro was not there! Lets hope it is a vacation thing.
Jarro's on Gessner has some great tacos as well. No Sweetbread ones though.
Himalaya is great, I had it twice in 4 days recently. My waistline already shows it.

Edited by jscarbor, 18 October 2007 - 10:38 AM.

[neverfull]

the tacambero truck wasn't there last month either when i went by. yes, hopefully they have just been taking some time off lately.

[neverfull]

i don't know if my waistline can handle multiple visits next week, but i'm excited that everyone is so delighted with himalaya. plus, it's a fairly far drive for me. thanks for the tip on the saag paneer. i probably would have ordered it.

and thanks for the suggestion of skipping arirang. i'll try komart first and then maybe seoul garden or korean garden for a proper dinner. do you have any suggestions on must-orders? i love spicy food. btw, i was very happy with the tofu soup and BBQ short ribs at tofu village and have been their twice in the last month. the side dishes were unexceptional though.

Edited by neverfull, 18 October 2007 - 12:43 PM.

[jscarbor]

I like Komart but I don't know if you will get the korean bbq experince there? If you do go the 3rd stall from left has some really good spicy squid.

At Himalaya if you are going with a few people just have Kaiser suggest some dishes for you.;. He aways does a good job.

[FoodMan]

I hit Cafe Pita last week for Bosnian food. I split the HUGE pita with cheese. Its a pastry filled with beef, spinach, potatoes or cheese and served with a side of what seemed to be a sour cream cheese? The pastry was excellent. Also split the beef sandwich which was served with a bun that almost resembled a large english muffin. It was pretty good, I got the stuffed kind.
Its run by some very nice folks that seem very interested in pleasing the customer. Located on westheimer just west of beltway 8.

Man, I so want to try this place since I read about it in both the Chronicle and the Press. Seems like a true original and unique new joint. Problem is, it's so damn out of my way.

No problem, Elie! On your way out to Phoenicia Market, stop in for a quick taste.

Just got back from lunch at Cafe Pita!! So glad I managed to make it there with a couple of friends. We had the Mezze sampler plate (loved the Soujuk and the feta on it most). The eggplant dip was also very good, smoky and fresh. The one appetizer that exceeded my expectations was the fried anchovies. These beauties were awswome! Not a hint of fishiness on them. Just crispy fresh fish flavor.

For main dishes we got the lamb shank and the ground beef paties. Both very good and worht another visit, especially for the price. I'd love to try some more savory pastries next time. We also shared a rice pudding with caramel for dessert.

I'd like to also give props to the extremely friendly, knowlegable and efficient waitress (not to mention cute) Viviana. At a place like this sometimes service suffers. Not here though.

We all drank the Shockta soda. Pretty good, tasted like Lychee. Was it Lychee??

I did notice that the spicing is very mild. I would've loved a spicy pepper paste with those ground beef patties.

[jscarbor]

If Vivian is the same girl we got then yes she is really a breath of fresh air in service. Its not contrived, its genuine. She will also really try to help out with the menu. The owner is also a nice host, it seems like the whole staff enjoys themselves.
You have to try the Pita next time, its really good.

[jscarbor]

On the heels of the Press review of Gerrardos Market I had to stop by for some grub at this nort side market/taqueria. It was a friday so not all the special dishes were available. We tried about a pound of carnitas and a half pound of sweetbreads. The carnitas were good, not a bunch or crispiness but they were tender. The side salsas added a great bit to the carnitas, one was a bright red jelepneo HOT sauce and the other was a green semi tart sauce. I added both. The sweetbreads weren't as good as Tacambaro but proved to be tasty enough. All this and some quac and cokes was like $15.
As I was leaving one of the guys that runs the place came out to the parking lot and gave me a sample(about a 1/4 pound) of the borrego, a steamed mixture of lamb and goat. It was awesome. I had inquired about the borrego earlier but it isn't "ready" until saturday. I had told the guy it would be hard to get by on sat for it so I guess he felt bad I hooked me up? I assume it was for saturday and not the previous weekends borrego but it was great nonetheless. I will certainly make a trip on weekend for the borrego again. If I were in town I wouldn't have a problem with stopping by for the other stuff but the borrego, that is why you go.
Gerrardo's is on Patton near Fulton.

[jscarbor]

I know this is probably stretch for most people to go to but a new Thai restaurant just opened in Greatwood a couple months ago. It occupies a spot that many other restaurants have, each as egually avg/bad as the next execpt....
I have had a few dishes here and feel that this might be the best Thai in the Sugar Land area. I know thats not saying much but it is saying something. So far I have had the chicken Laarb, another laarb like dish made with pork, penang curry and volcano chicken(fried chicken and peppers in a tamarind glaze. I struck up a conversation with the girl up fron and told her that I really think she is doing a great job. I told her I thought the food was better than it probably needed to be considering the clientele but she said why serve junk when serving good doesn't take much more effort. We talked little about what she does and it got to the fact that she shops for fish almost daily from a friend who has a fish place. If she runs out then the dish is not served. she told me I had to get fish next time which I will. Its calle Bangkock Cheg. The chefis the girls dad.

[jscarbor]

this discussion topic is a great idea.  after some careful thought, i compiled a list of of restaurants i have been meaning to try:

himalaya
polonia
chez georges
charivari
kanomwan
arirang
VIN
tacambero taco truck

i have himalaya tentatively scheduled for lunch next week.  i'll report back.

I don't know if this was just a bad day but I was at Farmers Mrkt today and Tacambaro was not there! Lets hope it is a vacation thing.
Jarro's on Gessner has some great tacos as well. No Sweetbread ones though.
Himalaya is great, I had it twice in 4 days recently. My waistline already shows it.

I had someTacambaro friday so its still open!

[Morgan_Weber]

Went to the Tacambero Taco Truck for lunch today with a friend of mine. We had the sweetbread tacos which were delicious. Also thought the market itself was awesome. I like that its only 10 minutes from my office. Thanks for the suggestion!

M

Edited by Morgan_Weber, 03 December 2007 - 12:35 PM.

[Morgan_Weber]

On Saturday my wife and I were planning on going to Cafe Pita. Since this was the last time we'll be able to go out till after the new year, she talked me into going to Mark's. We haven't been there in almost two years--the last time was semi memorable, but some friends had gone there a couple of weeks ago and raved about the food.

We didn't have a reservation and ended up sitting at the bar tables. We started with some butternut squash flan, which was one of the better single dishes that I've ever had at a fine dining restaurant in Houston. For entrees, she ordered duck breast & duck confit with a raspberry glaze, and I had veal medallions (I hate that name...medallions...is it supposed to make me feel fancy?) and also a braised veal shortrib. More or less, the entrees were good. If I were to be picky, I'd say that my wife's duck could have been better. I love duck confit and really enjoy it with a sweet-ish sauce, but the raspberry glaze that accompanied it, was mostly just a raspberry reduction--sweet and syrupy. I felt that the dish needed some more savory and acidic compenents to balance it out. Desserts were forgetable. I had eggnog creme brulee, which was what one would expect from such a dessert--nothing to complain about. My wife had some lemon pound cake with cranberry compote and cranberry ice cream. It sounded good, but ended up being something that one would order at say, Houston's...not Mark's.

All in all, it was one of the best fine-dining experiences that I have had in Houston. It probably wouldn't be a destination place for someone vacationing in our city, but it sadly might be among the best fine-dining we have available.

Also to note, although the house drinks are mostly vodka based (a lot of Charbay infusions) they have a nice selection of spirits & liqueurs (also fresh juices) and if you know what you like, chances are that you can order a well made drink. YMMV.

Edited by Morgan_Weber, 04 December 2007 - 09:35 AM.

[Morgan_Weber]

On a place I went to a couple of weeks ago. It was sooo memorable that I forgot to post about it. The joint looked like it had a lot of potential.

Lucky Burger on Richmond near Maria Selma's.

Possibly one of the worst burgers I have ever had. Tiny, thin, dry patty. Crappy frozen fries. Just awful.

[jscarbor]

I have recently been stopping by Guadalahara Bakery for tacos due to the proximity to my office and the fact there aren't long lines like at Taquaria Laredo. I had always thought this place was closed until I read that the Ultimate(chron) breakfast taco was to be had here. I haven't made it for breakfast but the lunch tacos are very good. You walkup to a steam table counter and a lady eventually comes out and asks ,"How many", meaning how many tacos are you having. You reply and she disappears only to return with fresh flour tortillas in hand. There are usually 5 choices at the table including, barbacoa, pork in red sauce, chicharrone, picadillo, desebrada one time, chicken mole and usually one egg dish still hanging around at lunch. If I had to choose a favorite it would have to go to the pork in red chile, but I also like the barbacoa...I like them all really.
Its a simple place that is destined to succomb to higher taxes. It usually looks closed from the outside. Its on Washington near Waugh.