greensNbeans
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Posts posted by greensNbeans
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Guys? - it's pizza.
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I'm from San Antonio, but my family and I will be in Houston next weekend and they put me in charge of finding a "nice place to eat". With very limited research, it looks like Laidback Manor and t'afia are the top two contenders so far.
First of all, I'd ask how these two restaurants compare directly to one another, although I imagine this is the kind of question that is asked on these boards quite often, and perhaps a little more research can help me out with that.
I was also curious how much "The Treatment" menu is at LM? The 10-course menu seems reasonably priced to me (someone who cut his fine dining teeth in NYC, so thankfully there is not much sticker shock here in TX
), and "The Treatment" really sounds like an amazing experience. Has anyone had the opportunity to try that menu yet? How was it? How long did it take? Also, has anyone sat at the chef's table? As an avid home cook (yes, an eG member who loves to cook...shocking, I know
), I definitely look for any and every opportunity to watch the kitchen in action. Chef Rucker, perhaps you might even have a different suggestion as to how one might best experience what your restaurant has to offer. There are so many variables that are going into choosing this restaurant (3 big eaters versus one small appetite....3 that enjoy "fine dining" versus one that has yet to be introduced to it, etc) that I just want to be sure I am making the right choice.
P.S. Any other advice to help me plan out a wonderful meal for my family and I would be greatly appreciated. I know San Antonio and NYC extremely well, but the Houston dining scene is totally foreign to me. Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Monica and I have two different restaurants. Tafia is known for their un-tampered with cuisine and me on the other hand, I love to tamper! The menu selection here is simple. For dinner there are 4 options, a la carte, 5 course menu $45, 10 course $70, and my chef's table is $135. I like to think the best way to enjoy my place is to do the tastings. The chefs table is a great way to dine. Its fun and private and the kitchen serves you. I hope to see you this weekend! Cheers!
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Spectacular report, Corinna! I believe you nailed the various aspects of El Bulli that make it so wonderful. It is amazing that they can approach food the way they do and be so great and so comfortable and unpretentious at the same time. Your menu looked sensational.
I wonder if all of you realize how lucky you are to have eaten such thoughtfull food! I was recently invited to the congress in NYC where Albert is doing a demo and I can not wait to grace these guys presence! Im pumped to say the least, but I want to thank all of you who have shared your dining with us! I dig! I must say one thing - watch out Spain, here comes Texas!!!! At the same time, thanks! I am in total ahhhhh!!!!! The Spanish have it all figured out, I wish I had time to get away, but reality is sitting in and I have to make bread for brunch! Doc, your the man - and I hope to see you in Texas!!! laidbackmanor.net
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The New York Times raves over Le Reve.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/28/dining/2...&pagewanted=all
wow, what a great article! Congrats to Andrew. I heard only wonderful things about his restaurant.
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Can you go to t'Afia for lunch tomorrow (Friday)? That 3-course menu is always great and you can get in easily. You could also go the Farmer's Market there on Saturday AM and have the chilaquiles (sp) that the chef prepares for people to eat or her scones, biscuits, or egg sandwich.
I haven't been to LM, but it's next on our list for big dining night (after Chez Nous tomorrow!) but I have had the tasting menu at t'Afia 2X and I am always not totally happy with the wine pairings (they are all from Texas, keeping in the theme). Some are fairly good but a couple are always not that good. The food has always been dynamite, though.
Beans, are reservations hard to get at LM?
we have been working very hard on the wine list and now have a very nice selection of American, Spanish, and French wines... come check it out - PLEASE
when any of you call for reservations, please let the person you speak to know that your a member of egullet. Its always nice to know
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Can you go to t'Afia for lunch tomorrow (Friday)? That 3-course menu is always great and you can get in easily. You could also go the Farmer's Market there on Saturday AM and have the chilaquiles (sp) that the chef prepares for people to eat or her scones, biscuits, or egg sandwich.
I haven't been to LM, but it's next on our list for big dining night (after Chez Nous tomorrow!) but I have had the tasting menu at t'Afia 2X and I am always not totally happy with the wine pairings (they are all from Texas, keeping in the theme). Some are fairly good but a couple are always not that good. The food has always been dynamite, though.
Beans, are reservations hard to get at LM?
Not hard to get, but the weekends can fill up quickly. We always have chef's tables on the weekends and I tend to leave a few spots open in case in gets real busy. We are a small restaurant with a small staff and I dont ever want to extend ourselves. Tuesady through Thursday we always have available tables, plus its a bit slower so I can interact with the guests more. Hope to see you all very soon!
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I'm headed to Houston this weekend, and my wife is pushing hard for Laidback. We haven't been there before, and I'm curious if it really does live up to the hype. A quick menu browse on their website sounds quite a bit along the lines of Keller, Achatz, et al. Having dined at Alinea (Achatz) twice, I would be very impressed if Laidback does manage to pull it off.
Anyone care to comment?
well take care of you, come on in!
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Anyone following the opening of Craft at the W Hotel? Gonna be HUGE.
who's running the kitchen?
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Looking for the "make-up" of the sandwich? Traditional to un-conventional?
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Classic Club Sandwich on croissant: thin sliced ham, roast beef, turkey, bacon, swiss cheese, with vine-picked tomato slices, bib lettuce, and Hellman's mayonnaise - 19th Hole, Pebble Beach Golf Course.
I'll take one of those, too!
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Soft shell crab on good French bread with dollop of tarter sauce and Romaine . . . and nothing else. So good it is foolish to try to improve on it.
I'll take one!
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outstanding post - Ive waiting for some pics of Graham's food for a long time now. Cheers!
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Chef GEB is the man - I only wish I lived closer!
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Food Arts has a wonderful peice on Gilt this month - check it out!
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Oh yeah, did anyone see the latest "Houston, modern luxury" magazine? They did a peice on me in the back and they asked me about my "hots & nots" and I listed egullet.com as a "hot" on my list - check it out!
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Actually, to add a counterpoint, when we went there in March the miniature Monte Cristos were a standout, perfectly, delicately crisp. My eyes lit up when they said they do a little plate of these for lunch. And, too, the sous vide(sp?) fish we had was delictable and moist.
But, good on you, Chef Rucker, for taking these comments in stride and taking steps to put the matter right.
I feel that I have no other choice. I feel that it simply one person's opinion, who happens to write for the fourth largest city in the nations highest circulated publication in the city, but that's it!
Thanks for the support, Kevin!
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Cheers everyone! Nice to hear. Fry-o-later is on hold for a while, or at least till we figure out how to fry???????????? Im glad to hear this great opinions of the reveiw and of the restaurant. Hope to see yall soon!
ps- The Grand Wine & Food Festival was great last night, tons of people! My favorite quote of evening, and I heard it a lot, "wow, that actually taste great!" I served milk chocolate & foie gras "milkshakes", licorice smoked atlantic salmon w/ vanilla foam, LN2 frozen watermelon-aged maple syrup-extra virgin olive oil on a stick! It was a lot of fun!
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airline seafood on Richmond has it sometimes, but I have never tried it there
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Im thrilled with the review! Nobody is perfect, and we only strive to get better everyday. The only item that I found a little far fetched was the comparisin to large budget restaurants like Alinea, Avenues, and wd. Im just a small town kid doing what I believe in!!!!! I look forward to her return! Don't worry about us, we are all smiles!!!!!!!!
ps - we are making t shirts with a "no fryolater" symbol on the back and a "teddy bear" on the front ...anyone interested?
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The service at El Bulli when I was there was exactly described in this excerpt. It is nice to see that at least in my experience their objectives were fully met.In fact, I have never had a more relaxing service experience anywhere. This started the moment we entered the door of the restaurant.
This is too cool, I wish I had more time to write! Gotta make my orders!
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I can think of one, but you will be in good shape w/ the ones listed above!
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Well done - gentlemen! Plan on visiting Texas anytime soon?
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congrats to chef and his crew
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For Mexican, Polvo's on S. First is a must-try.
They have excellent frozen house margaritas (I'm usually an on-the-rocks guy, but I get the frozen here). There's lots of patio tables to enjoy this weather and the laid back Austin pace, even if the patio isn't all that pretty (it has South Austin charm
).The fajitas al guajillo are hands down my favorite fajitas in Austin.
Also great are the nachos with chicken fajitas. This is not your typical chicken fajita....it has been marinated in some sort of recado lending it a great orange color. An order of these plus a side order of guacamole was plenty to fill up three of us during happy hour last Friday.
Also, if you go, they will bring chips to your table, but not salsa...the salsa is at the salsa bar inside the restaurant...help yourself.
For garden fresh cuisine that is authentic - Zoot or Wink is at your feet
For sushi - Uchi is tops for us!
Driskell - Chef Bull is said to be the MAN!
[Houston] Dolce Vita
in Texas: Dining
Posted
Allow me to clarify what I "was trying" to say for those of you who did't understand. LDLee seems to understand what I was refering to, but all I was saying is Dolce Vita is a place for casual dining, authentic food and wine and meeting place for people who enjoy those things. I dont think Matt is trying to preform the quality of service that one may recieve at Marks but one that matches the concept. I always have great service there and I am sorry that others have not had such a great expeirence but I also think if you were unhappy with your service - go back and give em another shot. Its the best pizza in this town! Like I said, "Guys? - it's pizza"
clear?