Inside My Table #58 | Contents
ExcerptOn the coverAllison Merriweather’s dreamy folk-style paintings are instantly recognizable and highly collectible. See more of her work locally at the Screen Porch in The Village (713-523-1020), at Galleria Ortiz in San Antonio (210-225-0731) or online at www.merriweatherart.com. This is her third cover for My Table magazine. |
28 REHASHED: A BUNCH OF FRUITS
Dried fruits star in the sweet holiday desserts and breads of many culinary traditions. Extravagance with carefully preserved food is a measure of celebration the world over, and you’ll find many fruits and precious spices are incorporated in these three holiday treats from local restaurant chefs.
Recipes by Tommy Child, Ruben Ortega and Alberto Baffoni
Photos by Kim Coffman
32 MILES OF AISLES
Houston supermarkets range from the merely functional to the exotic to the elegant. Many have banks, ticket agencies, pharmacies, jewelry kiosks, cooking schools and many more non-food features. This past summer and fall, our intrepid grocery shoppers visited seven of the city’s most exciting markets to do a little comparison shopping.
Research by Maida Asofsky, Paula Murphy and Teresa Byrne-Dodge
34 COVER STORY: BAR-O-RAMA
When you recall great American bar towns, you probably think San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New York, New Orleans. But Houston? Our writer has some thoughts on Houston’s saloon scene and why, sadly, we cannot count ourselves among the first level of gin-joint giants. Then, to make up for the bashing, he offers a few choice bars that allow you to absorb history and local culture along with beer and a chaser.
By George Alexander
Illustration by Allison Merriweather
64 JUST DESSERTS: CANNED MUSIC
When our correspondent sat down to eat, Frank Sinatra (through the miracle of electronics) was crooning. When she left the restaurant an hour and a half later, Sinatra was still crooning … the same song set. Is anybody listening? Does anybody really know what refrain this is?
By Janice Rossen
9 TABLE TALK
9 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
10 HOUSTON BITES BACK
Includes Letters to the Editor, Tasting the Town, Noteworthy Openings & Closings, On the Road, At Table with Annie Cater, Edible Etymology, Man About Town & more
24 MR. ANON’S TURKEY AWARDS 2003
40 WINE & SPIRITS
More Bubbly, My Dear?
42 ¡SALUD!
A toast to Raymond, Gladys & Bridget Haak
44 GREAT CULINARY MOMENTS
Of Goats and Ships and Animal Fat, of Coffee Beans and Kings: A History of Coffee, Part 1
48 WHAT’S BUZZING IN THE KITCHEN WITH …
Martha Wong
50 LISTINGS
Wonder Bars: Great Bar Food
52 RESTAURANT REVIEWS
Le Mistral
Brenner’s Steakhouse
Rouge
53 ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
60 THE EATER’S DIGEST
Restaurant reports from our correspondents in Austin, San Antonio and Fort Worth
