Food Media & News DIGEST: Texas 2005

[FoodMan]

Houston Press' Dining Section

Tandoori Enchiladas

Tandoori Enchiladas , typically that menu item alone would have me running out the door. However, Robb Walsh finds that fusion is done right at Café Monsoon, just grab a beer and enjoy.

Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide

Don't let looks fool you

When it comes to ‘cue Alison Cook finds out that you really cannot read a book by it’s cover, or a ‘cue shack by it’s exterior. Pizzitola’s sounds like a must visit TX barbeque joint.

There's more to dining out than a menu

Ever notice the lighting in a restaurant? If you say no, that’s probably a good thing. Dai Huynh explains why restaurant owners spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on lighting.

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.

[FoodMan]

Houston Press' Cover Story

Chefs Rule!

Brian McManus reports on how to earn your stripes in a restaurant kitchen, it boils down to: “If you can't stand the sight of lopped-off digits and the smell of your own flesh burning, get out of the kitchen!”

Houston Press' Dining Section

Cyclone Season

Robb Walsh reviews Terlingua Texas Border Café, the latest from 2 sons of Cyclone Anaya, the wrestler turned restaurateur.

Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide

The Best of both worlds

Dai Huynh reports on a new fusion concept taking off in Houston, Indian-Chinese.

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.

[FoodMan]

Houston Press' Dining Section

Past Its Prime

Robb Walsh reviews “Taste Of Texas”. Politics and food commingle in this sharp critique of a joint well past its prime.

Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide

Blending Middle Eastern Tradition with Ingenuity

Alison Cook reviews “Mary’z”, a Lebanese family run place that seems worthy of a try or more.

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.

[FoodMan]

Houston Press' Dining Section

Reggae Buffet

Robb Walsh reviews “Tropical Grill”. Jamiacan is a very underrepresented cuisine in our fair town, Walsh seems to have found the real deal in this unassuming joint.

Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide

A tasty blend of cultures

By Alison Cook. Pearland barbecue joint melds touches of Southern style, soul food and Cuban flavors

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.

[FoodMan]

Houston Press' Dining Section

Spy Vs. Spy

Robb Walsh reviews “Gravitas”, gets "busted" and conducts a little experiment about the value of anonymity. Discuss the article and the subject in this thread

Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide

A romance rekindled

By Alison Cook. The Chronicle's critic regains her head-over-heels love for Houston's Brennan's

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[Kent Wang]

November 11, 2005

Austin Chronicle

Interior Designers by Claudia Alarcon

Fonda San Miguel founders Miguel Ravago and Tom Gilliland, pioneers of interior Mexican cuisine, are publishing Fonda San Miguel: Thirty Years of Food and Art, written by Austin Chronicle's Virginia B. Wood, as they're celebrating their 30th anniversary.

"To cap an amazing anniversary year, Ravago and Gilliland plan another first for Fonda: They will be open on Thanksgiving from noon to 7pm, featuring a Mexican Thanksgiving menu ($38.95), as well as their regular menu."

Austin American-Statesman

Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que by Dale Rice

Review of classic, famed BBQ joint in Central Texas.

"Pork and beef ribs and chicken are just some of the meat sold by weight in the no-frills joint, a longtime tradition in Llano."

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.

[Kent Wang]

November 18, 2005

Austin Chronicle

Fino, Finally by Virginia B. Wood

Review of new Mediterranean venture, Fino, by Asti chefs W. Emmett and Lisa Fox.

"The menu encompasses influences from around the Mediterranean, featuring dishes from Nice to Morocco, Italy to Athens to Valencia, ably executed by chef Tristan White and his team... Regular dining at Fino is a fine choice. The Foxes' second effort is another definite winner."

Austin Chronicle

Starlite by Claudia Alarcon

Review of Starlite after their recent move to downtown. Seasonal New American cuisine. Now open for lunch, but brunch is no longer offered.

"Although on both our visits we waited considerably between ordering and service of the first course, the staff is courteous and knowledgeable, and dining at Starlite continues to be a pleasure."

Austin Chronicle

T's Cafe by Mick Vann

Review of Nigerian cafe in Pflugerville.

"We enjoyed the experience and definitely want to return for some of the other dishes, such as Owo (a salt cod stew from the south), Egusi soup (a melon stew), Epuru (a stew with yam, plantain, and chicken), and the elusive Congo meat!"

Austin American-Statesman

Our favorite soups by Dale Rice

Survey of soups from eight Austin restaurants, inculding Eastside Cafe, Asti, Castle Hill, Chez Nous, Sweetish Hill.

"Soup here is an afterthought in way too many restaurants, where the cooks are more likely to open a can or reconstitute a packaged mix than make a time-consuming pot from scratch. That's in sharp contrast to the North I grew up in. Soup — often a meal unto itself — was as important as any other dish on the table, something to relish, a bowl of pride."

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[Kent Wang]

November 25, 2005

Austin Chronicle

Harvesting History. An appreciation of the pecan. by MM Pack

History of pecan cultivation in Texas, an Austin-area pecan farm, pecan trees planted in city parks.

"The pecan, the Texas state tree since 1919, has been an integral part of the state's culinary and economic heritage for millennia. You can buy freshly harvested local nuts, you can plant trees in the yard to gather your own, or you can simply head to the parks and alleys of Austin to pick up the pecans just lying there waiting for you."

Austin Chronicle

Nuts to You by Staff

Favorite pecan recipes, including Sweet Pecan Tea, Caramelized Sweet-Spicy Pecans, Pecan Tamales, Pecan Pie, Pecan Pralines.

Austin American-Statesman

Romeo's by Dale Rice

Review of revamped Barton Springs Italian restaurant Romeo's.

"One of the most important criteria for categorizing eateries is a restaurant's aspiration, what it is trying to be. And, after a meal's worth of observation, Romeo's appeared to be a restaurant that was aiming to be more than a casual eatery."

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[Kent Wang]

December 9, 2005

Austin Chronicle

Giveable City. The treat of Austin eats. by Virginia B. Wood

Variety of holiday gift suggestions.

"We've checked out area farmers' markets, local independent specialty retailers, cooking schools, and Web sites searching for the most delectable and unique gift ideas."

Austin American-Statesman

Fleming's by Dale Rice

Review of upscale chain steakhouse.

"Because the meats, service and ambience are so good, and because the appetizers and sides of the second meal were delightful, I'm going to let Fleming's retain its three stars — just barely."

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.

[FoodMan]

Houston Press' Dining Section

Suburban Import

Josh Harkinson reviews Kiran’s Indian gourmet and Wine Bar, and writes a jumbled up report that includes an odd attack at Alison Cook!

Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide

Good then, Better Now

Alison Cook has never written such a passionately positive review. At least none that I’ve read. It is clear in this long writeup that she is in love with the new Tony’s that has all the positives and none of the negatives of it’s former self.

More than Just Barbecue

Mary Vuong informs us about Korean bibimbap that offers versatile, elaborate rice-based combinations

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.

[Kent Wang]

December 30, 2005

Austin Chronicle

Sparkling Examples. It's that time of year again. by Wes Marshall

Guide to sparkling white wines for New Years.

"Champagne is the single most adaptable wine on the planet. Need the perfect aperitif? How about a wine with shellfish? Or how about something to frame the earthy aromas of truffles? Need a wine to blunt the fire from your favorite Thai or Indian cuisine? Perhaps a gentle companion for a delicate sashimi? Or the perfect wine for chocolate? Champagne even makes a hot dog taste better."

Austin American-Statesman

Koreana by Dale Rice

Review of upscale restaurant offering Korean, Asian and sushi items.

"When I dined at Koreana on a weeknight five years ago, the eatery was relatively busy. On a Saturday night this month, the restaurant was quiet, with only a handful of tables occupied.That's a shame. Koreana is as good now as it was then. "

This thread is for food media DIGEST entries. If you want to discuss one of these news items, please start a separate discussion thread.