A La Carte
"Heard Over Brunch"
- Rene Zamore, executive director of the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, and husband Brett welcomed their first child, son Eli Vincent, on March 7.
- Between the pouring and tasting of all 2007 championship wines at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ International Wine Competition (see From The Wine List), attendees tasted and cast their votes for the tastiest treats in the Best Bites Competition. Here are the winners:
Restaurant Category
First Place: Carol’s at Cat Spring
Second Place: Maggiano’s Little Italy
Third Place: Masraff’s
Institution/Catering Category
First Place: Bon Appétit/Eurest Dining
Second Place: Demeris Catering
Third Place: Taverna Estate Winery and Catering
- Mango was revealed to be the secret ingredient recently as Noé Executive Chef Robert Gadsby battled Iron Chef Mario Batali on Food TV’s popular “Iron Chef America” program.
To celebrate Gadsby’s appearance as the first Houston chef to compete on the show, the restaurant is offering a special “Iron Chef America” tasting menu during the month of March featuring the same mango-themed recipes he presented to the panel of celebrity judges. Price is $65, not including cocktail pairing.
Noé (at the Omni Houston Hotel) was recently dubbed one of the top 57 restaurants in the country in the March 2007 issue of Robb Report. The restaurant is launching a new menu format to keep things fresh. The new à la carte menu features “first plates” and “main plates” ranging from $9 to $32.
- Local chocolatier Heidemarie Vukovic participated in the recent Austin Chocolate Festival (of which proceeds went for the Susan G. Komen affiliate for breast cancer), and won first place. You can sample her chocolates and pastries at Path of Tea on West Alabama and Cricket’s Creamery & Cafe on 19th Street in the Heights. You can also special order chocolates, pastries and cakes by calling 713-553-8883.
- Do you know a budding, young artist? There is still time for kids 12 and under to enter Sweet Tomatoes’ coloring contest for kids.
Children ages 12 and under are encouraged to create a special drawing inspired by the contest theme, “For All The Times Mom Made You Eat Your Veggies,” using the vibrant colors of their favorite vegetables. One grand prize winner will be drawn and will receive 10 complimentary dining passes, each good for a one free lunch or dinner (beverages excluded) at Sweet Tomatoes, and have a chance of their winning artwork being featured on Sweet Tomatoes’ 2007 Mother’s Day Gift Card.
In addition, Sweet Tomatoes will make a donation of $2,500 in the artist’s name to one of nine eligible local non-profit organizations, chosen by the winner. Deadline for contest entry is March 31, 2007. No purchase necessary. Official entry forms are available at all four Houston-area Sweet Tomatoes locations: 8775 Katy Freeway, 713-365-9594; 17240 Tomball Pkwy., 281-890-1133; 12540 Sugardale Dr. in Stafford, 281-240-1400; and 1717 Lake Woodlands Dr. in The Woodlands, 281-292-0556.
For complete contest rules, visit www.sweettomatoes.com/houstoncoloring.
- The 3rd annual Empty Bowls Houston, benefiting Houston Food Bank, was a huge success, raising $37,905 for the non-profit organization, which helps feed more than 80,00 people each day. For more information and to check on the 2008 event date, visit www.emptybowlshouston.org. If you missed the event and would still like to purchase a bowl, they remain on sale at the Houston center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main, until this Friday, March 16.
- For the first time since the ‘70s, Ninfa’s Catering is back home, with all cooking and delivery exclusively done out of the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation kitchen. Direct to your door, Ninfa’s will handle all your breakfast, lunch and dinner fiestas. To order, call Ninfa’s on Navigation at 713-977-4000.
- Restaurateurs John Watt (Prego) and Tracy Vaught (Prego, Backstreet Cafe and Hugo’s), who are also operators of Trevisio and Waterside Court in the Texas Medical Center, have opened a new concept called Mah Jong, serving delicious Pan-Asian Cuisine, in the TMC food court. The menu includes freshly prepared Noodle Bowls, Combo Plates, and a variety of lite items. The restaurant is open Monday-Friday for lunch and can also cater on the TMC campus. For more info, visit www.watersidecourt.com
- Looking for a convenient way to have great tasting, fresh and nutritionally balanced meals delivered right to your door? Owner/chef Patti Ramsey’s Epicurean Lite, formerly Living Lean, recently updated the company name to reflect the expanded scope of menu items. Offerings now encompass a wider range of nicely packaged comfort foods for a variety of nutritional and dietary preferences, from low-fat and low-sodium to vegetarian and low-cholesterol. As always, the dishes are prepared in her local catering kitchen using the freshest possible ingredients. For menus and ordering, visit www.epicureangroup.net or call 713-860-0041.
Culinary Calendar
"Calendar Quickies"
- TONIGHT! Experience Vine Wine Room’s Rockin’ Wine Dinner, Thursday, March 15th at 7:00 p.m. California vintner, winemaker and musician Spencer Clark of Amizetta Vineyards hosts the evening. Between describing five wine and food pairings from his award-winning Amizetta Vineyards, Spencer entertains with his unique rock & roll sound. Azzarelli’s will cater this event. Vine Wine Room Rockin’ Wine Dinner is $70.00 per person. RSVP’s required; call 713-463-8463 to make your reservation. Location is 12420 Memorial Drive.
- Relax and recharge for the week ahead at Vine Wine Room on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a light brunch of mimosas and muffins. The ala carte menu features muffins, bagels, cream cheese, capers, smoked salmon and gourmet yogurt parfaits with fruit and granola. Mimosas arrive individually, or by the carafe. Vine Wine Room is located at 12420 Memorial Drive, 713-463-8463.
- In honor of the 75th Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo™, the Hilton Americas Houston Hotel Culinary Team has created a “Wild West” vignette made entirely from chocolate (300 pounds of dark chocolate and 200 pounds of white chocolate).
Through March 20, as guests of the hotel enter the lobby rotunda, a deliciously visual scene for their viewing pleasure will greet them. The elaborate display was designed and crafted by head pastry chef Glenna Artripe and her staff.
To highlight Texas’ heritage, Artripe’s team designed a Wild West vignette. The picture perfect scene intended to remind someone of an open prairie, encompasses a cowboy, cowgirl, barb wire fence, oil derrick, pheasants, and wagon wheel.
The cowboy is wearing a blue jean jacket with silver buttons over a red long sleeve shirt. His left leg is resting on a tree stump which has been carefully carved. The cowgirl is dressed fully in western style complete with a blue jean skirt which has red fringe on the bottom. She has one leg kicked up as she reaches for her leather boots. From the clothes on the cowboy and cowgirl to the barb wire fence, the design is so intricate that it’s hard to believe it’s made entirely from chocolate.
The Hilton Americas Houston is located downtown at 1600 Lamar. Phone is 713-739-8000.
- March 31 Movie for Children with Special Needs. Movie-going is a magical experience, the opportunity to be transported from reality to an enchanted theater for several hours, which many people take for granted. Children with special needs often do not have the movie-going opportunity because of their conditions. Studio Movie Grill launched a Special Needs Program in which children with disabilities, such as autism, are invited to share the big screen during a private viewing. The experience has been heart-whelming, tear-shedding and eye-widening, for the parents and children alike. The program is complimentary to children and available monthly. The next Special Needs Program is Saturday, March 31. Tickets are $5 for adults and can be purchased the day of the show at the Studio Movie Grill Box Office in Copperfield located at 8580 Hwy 6 North (at West Road). For more information, please visit www.studiomoviegrill.com or call 832-593-6684.
- For more events, check the latest Calendar of Culinary Events from My Table by clicking on Calendar
My Recipe
"Ceviche Clasico"
Makes 5 cups
1 pound fresh snapper, halibut or other meaty fish, cut into ¼-inch thick by
½-inch long strips
1½ cups lime juice
1 medium white onion, chopped into ¼-inch pieces
1 pound ripe plum tomatoes, chopped into ¼-inch pieces
2-3 serrano peppers or 1-2 jalapeños, finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup mananillo olives
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 large or 2 small ripe avocados
Tostados
In a large bowl, combine the fish, lime juice and onion. You will need enough juice to cover the fish. Allow to marinate for 3 hours in refrigerator. Drain juices and combine with remaining ingredients and garnish with slice of avocado and cilantro sprigs and serve with tostadas.
From the Wine List
"Bucking The Trend"
At a time when too many wine tastings and competitions are still stuffy affairs with formal rows of tables and zillions of glasses, Houston’s premier wine competition offers a much more casual environment with gobs more fun.
The fourth annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ International Wine Competition took place at Reliant Astrodome on Feb. 26, where 1,580 entries from 443 wineries in 16 countries competed for top honors. In case you missed it, 24 Texas wines received Champion, Reserve Champion and Texas
Champion awards during the Show’s Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup and Best Bites Competition. The event is known for awarding its popular prize saddles and belt buckles rather than traditional wine medals.
Claiming its fourth consecutive win, Messina Hof’s 2005 Angel Late Harvest Riesling was the Top Wine of Texas and the Double Gold Champion. Messina Hof won a total of eight Champion recognitions. This is the first fourth-time win in the history of the competition for the Bryan, Texas based winery owned by Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo.
Other Texas wineries earning Gold Champion and Gold Reserve Champion in the international rounds were Chisholm Trail Winery’s Belle Star 2005, Haak Vineyards & Winery’s Blanc du Bois 2005, Piney Woods Country Wines’ Blueberry Wine 2006, and Kiepersol Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo competition boasts one of the nation’s highest-earning wine auctions with proceeds directed to the mission of the Show to benefit youth, support education and facilitate better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Such a mission is only fitting for the nation’s fifth largest wine producing and wine consuming state. Texas currently has over 120 wineries in operation with several more in the approval process.
Here’s a list of all the Texas winners. (NV stands for non-vintage).
Becker Vineyards Fume Blanc, 2005
Becker Vineyards Prairie Rotie, 2005
Becker Vineyards Provencal, 2005
Becker Vineyards Reserve Cabernet-Syrah, 2004
Becker Vineyards Riesling, 2005
Bruno & George “Other Than Standard” Raisin Wine, NV
Chisholm Trail Winery Belle Starr, 2005
Haak Blanc du Bois (semi-sweet), 2005
Happy Dog Sweet Red, NV
Kiepersol Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004
Llano Estacado Winery “Mont Sec Vineyard” Cellar Reserve Chardonnay, 2005
Llano Estacado Winery Cellar Reserve Merlot, 2005
Llano Estacado Winery Chardonnay, 2005
Llano Estacado Winery Signature Rhone Style Red, 2004
McPherson Cellars Sangiovese, 2004
Messina Hof “Reflections” Private Reserve Meritage, 2004
Messina Hof Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Reserve, 2005
Messina Hof Gewürztraminer, 2006
Messina Hof Ivory Port of Call, NV
Messina Hof Muscat Canelli, 2006
Messina Hof Paulo Merlot, 2004
Messina Hof Paulo Port, 2002
Messina Hof Sweet Riesling Late Harvest Angel 2005
Piney Woods Country Wines Blueberry Wine, 2006
And here are the top overall winners:
Grand Champion Best of Show: Clos du Bois Marlstone, Alexander Valley, 2003
Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show: Rodney Strong Vineyards Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2002
Top Texas Wine: Messina Hof Sweet Riesling Late Harvest Angel 2005
Top All-Around Winery: Kenwood Winery
Top Winery Outfit: The Foster’s Wine Group
Top White Wine: Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Top Red Wine: Penfolds Bin 2 Shiraz Mourvedre, South Australia, 2003
Top Value Wine: Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Red 2005
Top Sweet Wine: Hopler Noble Reserve, Burgenland, 2001
Top Sparkling Wine: Gruet Blanc de Noir Sparkling, New Mexico, NV
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Copyright My Table magazine, 2008
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