The Ladies Who Lunch (Part 2)

[robirdstx]

One of my lady friends and I had lunch at Tookie's Seafood in Seabrook a couple of weeks ago. This fairly new restaurant just recently added lunch to their hours. On that occasion we both ordered fried seafood - she had the platter and I had the shrimp. We were both happy with our food but neither of us thought to take any photos!

 

Anyway, we returned to the restaurant again today and this time we ordered grilled seafood and I remembered to take photos!

 

My girlfriend had the Grilled Tilapia with rice and vegetables.

 

 

And I had the Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, also with rice and vegetables.

 

 

And my meal came with the added surprise of a Seafood Empanada! The pastry was hot and crispy and the filling was full of shrimp. Yum!

 

 

Edited October 6, 2016 by robirdstx (log)

[Anna N]

Looks fantastic. Love seafood. 

[robirdstx]

I do love grilled shrimp!

 

 

After birding on Galveston Island for several hours this morning with our Audubon group, my lady friend (who now has a working fridge) and I dined at Waterman's. We both ordered the grilled shrimp with asparagus and roasted potatoes. Below is the view from our table. Fun day!

 

 

[Anna N]

Today we headed off to a neighbouring town, Milton, for a little retail therapy at a discount store and a thrift store. On the drive there we explored possibilities for lunch and had pretty much settled on an Italian restaurant which had a rack of lamb on the menu. But as we were leaving the thrift store I asked the clerk where she would eat in Milton if she could eat anywhere at all. She responded with Rad Brothers and waxed poetic over what I thought she said was rack of lamb.  As we left the parking lot Kerry felt obliged to disabuse me of any idea that it was a rack of lamb but rather a wrap of lamb.  She knew I was not a huge fan of wraps but I suggested we try it anyway. After all I could ditch the wrap if I wanted. 

 

Rad Brothers turned out to be a sports bar, not our favourite type of venue for lunch. However all the large TVs were muted, our server seemed pleasant and genuine  and we decided we would enjoy our lunch no matter what. 

 

While we contemplated the menu  we were served our drinks, tea for Kerry  and a wheat beer for me. 

 

 

 

We decided we would share four appetizers since a lamb option was among them. We settled on this combination:

Lamb skewers

Mussels

Firecracker shrimp

Calamari

 

When our server returned and we started to place our order she informed us that they no longer serve lamb in anyway shape or form. Their supplier had changed and they were not happy with the quality of the lamb being delivered. This was only the beginning of our disappointment. We suggested that she go away again while we re-thought our order.  

 We replaced the lamb dish with something called a sizzling dip but when she returned to take our revised order and we reached the mussels she told us their delivery has not arrived!  

 

 I said earlier that we were determined to enjoy our lunch no matter what.  We did not bother to replace the mussels with anything but settled for three appetizers.

 

 

The sizzling dip. The garish coloured chips were somewhat off putting and the meat was beginning to burn in the screaming hot cast-iron pan.  Kerry stirred it to prevent any further charring and eventually asked for some sour cream which did little to mitigate the rather disappointing dip.

 

 

The calamari, supposedly made from fresh rather than frozen, were perfectly adequate if not the best we've ever had.

 

 

Firecracker shrimp.

 

Perhaps the Italian restaurant might have been a much better choice but we still  enjoyed ourselves so what the heck.

 

 

Edited October 20, 2016 by Anna N (log)

[robirdstx]

Today my friend and I rode the ferry from Galveston to the Bolivar Peninsula and had our lunch at Stingaree in Crystal Beach. The restaurant is located on the second floor and situated on the intercoastal waterway, offering excellent views of the surrounding area. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a shot of the view, but I did get photos of our meal. Again, we both ordered the same dish, so I only had to take photos of my food!

 

After placing your order, they bring you a bowl of their fresh cole slaw, which comes with every meal.

 

 

And surprise, surprise, we had the Charbroiled Shrimp with French Fries. The shrimp are separated by a slice of onion, which is just as tasty as the seafood!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 21, 2016 by robirdstx (log)

[robirdstx]

After our birding field trip this morning, my friend and I lunched at Gaido's on Galveston's Seawall Blvd. We had a window table with a fabulous view of the Gulf of Mexico. Fun times!

 

She had the Shrimp Salad, which did not get photographed, and I had the Crawfish Fettuccine, which got photographed only after I had started to eat. I will be having the leftovers for dinner tonight.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 27, 2016 by robirdstx (log)

[Shelby]

1 minute ago, robirdstx said:

After our birding field trip this morning,  my friend and I lunched at Gaido's on Galveston's Seawall Blvd. We had a window table with a fabulous view of the Gulf of Mexico. Fun times!

 

She had the Shrimp Salad, which did not get photographed, and I had the Crawfish Fettuccine, which got photographed only after I had started to eat. I will be having the leftovers for dinner tonight.

 

 

 

 

OMG I'm drooling over this.  I need to make this.  Now.  I have some frozen crawfish tails.......

[Anna N]

 It was a cold, rainy, blustery day and we both came to the same conclusion regarding lunch… Only pho would  check all the right boxes.  

 

 

Summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce.

 

 

Chicken and beef for Kerry. 

 

 

Rare and well-done beef for me. 

 

And the plate of garnishes. The basil was so fresh I was tempted to raid their walk-in to take some home with me.  On a day like today it just spoke of summer so loudly.

 

We forgot to take a photograph of my Vietnamese iced coffee and Kerry had tea as usual.

 

@robirdstx

 Your lunch is always look fabulous and it is so good to see you participating. Kerry and I can get pretty boring at times!

 

 

[Smithy]

3 hours ago, robirdstx said:

After our birding field trip this morning, my friend and I lunched at Gaido's on Galveston's Seawall Blvd. We had a window table with a fabulous view of the Gulf of Mexico. Fun times!

 

She had the Shrimp Salad, which did not get photographed, and I had the Crawfish Fettuccine, which got photographed only after I had started to eat. I will be having the leftovers for dinner tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We roll along Seawall Blvd roughly twice a year on our travels.  Since we're always towing a Large Trailer we've never tried to stop, but I always have the idea that I could eat myself silly for at least a week without repeating a restaurant.  You're helping confirm that impression.

[Shelby]

1 hour ago, Anna N said:

 It was a cold, rainy, blustery day and we both came to the same conclusion regarding lunch… Only pho would  check all the right boxes.  

 

 

Summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce.

 

 

Chicken and beef for Kerry. 

 

 

Rare and well-done beef for me. 

 

And the plate of garnishes. The basil was so fresh I was tempted to raid their walk-in to take some home with me.  On a day like today it just spoke of summer so loudly.

 

We forgot to take a photograph of my Vietnamese iced coffee and Kerry had tea as usual.

 

@robirdstx

 Your lunch is always look fabulous and it is so good to see you participating. Kerry and I can get pretty boring at times!

 

 

@Anna N and @Kerry Beal

 

You guys could show me pictures of the same Pho....or whatever you have every day and I would be drooling.  I LOVE seeing what you guys have to eat.  For this girl....waaaaay out in Kansas that never hardly leaves her house..it's a mini vacation

 

 

[Kerry Beal]

9 minutes ago, Shelby said:

@Anna N and @Kerry Beal

 

You guys could show me pictures of the same Pho....or whatever you have every day and I would be drooling.  I LOVE seeing what you guys have to eat.  For this girl....waaaaay out in Kansas that never hardly leaves her house..it's a mini vacation

 

 

Come visit us - we'll take you to lunch!

 

[suzilightning]

On ‎10‎/‎27‎/‎2016 at 8:52 PM, Smithy said:

 

We roll along Seawall Blvd roughly twice a year on our travels.  Since we're always towing a Large Trailer we've never tried to stop, but I always have the idea that I could eat myself silly for at least a week without repeating a restaurant.  You're helping confirm that impression.

 

I foresee a field trip back down to south TX.............

[Katie Meadow]

PHO NOTE

 

For those of us who order rare beef pho (or rare beef in combo w/ other cooked beef) I learned a great trick last year. I've been eating pho for many many years. Sometimes the beef really is rare, other times it isn't. If the kitchen doesn't get it out to you quickly it will no longer be pretty in pink.

 

Sitting at a neighboring table was a couple ordering pho. They both asked for the rare beef on the side. I watched as they were served a lovely platter of thin slices of raw beef. They dropped in a few slices as desired--you get the picture. It only works if your soup is truly hot when they bring it to the table, so hopefully you know whether your fave pho place routinely serves it steaming. Love pho even mo"!

[Anna N]

 Today we had appointments to keep so not a lot of time for just chilling out.  We decided to have lunch at Hakka Fresh on our way back to my house as we were running very short on time. 

 

 

 The deep fried cauliflower was as excellent as always.

 

 

 Crispy sesame beef 

 

 

Hakka chicken fried rice. 

 

 

 Plain basmati rice.

 

 

[MelissaH]

You always make me soooooo hungry when I read this topic, @Anna N!

[rotuts]

ditto the above.

 

at least The Lunch Ladies didn't have Fried Calamari , tentacles included today !

 

These Days , one can cherish very small rewards.

[Anna N]

1 hour ago, MelissaH said:

You always make me soooooo hungry when I read this topic, @Anna N!

 I try hard to steer clear of restaurant reviews but I feel I really the need to say that only the cauliflower sang. The crispy sesame beef was the strangest thing.  There wasn't the slightest hint of a beef flavour and yet it was addictive -- sort of like eating potato chips.   And the fried rice was just bland. 

Edited November 4, 2016 by Anna N (log)

[Anna N]

 Kerry Beal is flying off to Seattle early in the morning so today we did a bit of last-minute shopping before looking for a place to have lunch. Last time we were out we went to Hakka Fresh and noticed a Greek restaurant and wine bar (Mythos) right next-door. Today we decided to give it a chance. We opted for a few  shared appetizers.

 

 

 Trio of dips with some pita bread. Taramasalata, tzadziki, and chef's dip. The latter reminded Kerry of pimento cheese. 

 

 

 Moroccan spiced octopus.

 

 

 Spanakopita.

 

 

 

Edited November 9, 2016 by Anna N (log)

[rotuts]

well , nice .  looks nice too .

 

Id like to hear more on the Octo

 

if your are willing to share.

[Anna N]

2 hours ago, rotuts said:

well , nice .  looks nice too .

 

Id like to hear more on the Octo

 

if your are willing to share.

I keep doing my best not to try anything along the lines of a review. But let me say that, as the bill arrived, Kerry said with some seriousness in her voice, "So where should we go for lunch?"  

[MetsFan5]

On November 4, 2016 at 2:34 PM, rotuts said:

ditto the above.

 

at least The Lunch Ladies didn't have Fried Calamari , tentacles included today !

 

These Days , one can cherish very small rewards.

 

 Aren't the tentacles the best part? They are for me! 

[Anna N]

 So today we had errands in Waterdown and decided to give Angels Diner a chance to show their stuff. And they didn't disappoint. From the 50s style decor  to the chatter of the staff bossing around their regulars this place ticked all the right boxes. And the food was comfortingly familiar. 

 

Kerry's beef barley soup

 

 

and her hamburger steak.

 

 

And my Liver Lover's Delight (a lunch time special).  The liver still had the faintest hint of pink. 

 

Say what you will, diner food rarely disappoints. 

[Tri2Cook]

55 minutes ago, Anna N said:

 

Say what you will, diner food rarely disappoints. 

I agree on the diner food... but "no, thanks" on the liver.

[Anna N]

1 hour ago, Tri2Cook said:

I agree on the diner food... but "no, thanks" on the liver.

 I am happy to give you a pass on the liver.   What I find hard to take is that it almost never appears in the supermarket anymore.  And it has always struck me as somewhat odd that almost any diner has liver on the menu. I suspect it really, really dates the patrons.

Edited November 16, 2016 by Anna N (log)

[Tri2Cook]

50 minutes ago, Anna N said:

 I am happy to give you a pass on the liver.   What I find hard to take is that it almost never appears in the supermarket anymore.  And it has always struck me as somewhat odd that almost any diner has liver on the menu. I suspect it really, really dates the patrons.

 

It's strange to me that liver is that rare in larger population areas. I don't love it but I know a lot of people do. Way up here in Santa's south 40 where we can't get a large percentage of things usually easy to find in most areas, our little grocery store always has liver and tongue and frequently has kidney and tripe. Unfortunately, I've tried all four of those and tongue is the only one I can live with. I wanted to like liver, it always smelled good cooking with the onions when my grandmother cooked it for my grandfather, but I just don't. I've tried liver from beef, pork and bird and didn't like any of them. Not even foie. Can't even sneak it past the taste buds as pate. I've just accepted that I'm not going to like it no matter how hard I try and quit worrying about it.