A La Carte
"Heard it through the grapevine..."
Contratulations, Bayou City. ForbesTravel.com has selected Houston as the sixth best restaurant city in America. Those beating out Houston for the top five positions were New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.
According to The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C., Cereality, a cereal bar and cafe, will open its second franchise this year in Charleston. The chain, based in Chicago, offers 30 cereals and 40 topping options, plus smoothies, yogurt parfaits, and other items—all served by “cereologists” in pajamas. We wonder when such treats will be coming to Houston so insomniacs can stop by in their PJs.
Are you a “locavore?” According to The Buffalo News (NY), the newly coined term “locavore” is being used to describe a person who eats mostly local, or regional foods. Food contamination scares and environmental awareness are two factors prompting a greater interest in locally grown or locally produced ingredients.
The Detroit Free Press recently noted that American food companies are responding to the nation’s increasing appetite for Hispanic flavors by adding them to more staple foods. Examples include Sargento’s chipotle-seasoned cheddar, Wrigley’s Orbit chewing gum in mint mojito and tortillas flavored with spinach and sun-dried tomato. No surprise to the Bayou City!
Per Nation’s Restaurant News, Dallas-based Baker Bros. American Deli has signed a development deal with Nitin and Sue Tarte to open 10 units in Houston during the next five years. The company’s eateries serve gourmet pizzas, salads and sandwiches made with artisanal breads.
We hear that Bennigan’s Grill & Bar will soon launch a new sports-bar format to extend its brand. The first Bennigan’s Sport, which will feature new menu items and a wood burning oven for pizzas, is set to open in the Dallas area May 20. Maybe Houston will be next.
Culinary Calendar
"On the Horizon"
Don’t forget to make your reservations for Mother’s Day brunch/lunch/dinner on Sunday, May 13. Here are some restaurants that have let us know that they are having special dining for Mother’s Day.
Backstreet Café, 1103 S. Shepherd, 713-521-2239
Chef Hugo Ortega will offer a special three-course menu from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $39 per person, plus tax and gratuity. A children’s menu is available for $10 per child. Live jazz by Bob Chadwick. Reservations highly recommended.
Hugo’s, 1602 Westheimer @ Mandell, 713-524-7744
Celebrate Mother’s Day by enjoying the bounteous brunch buffet of Authentic Regional Mexican cuisine at Hugo’s. Cost is $39 for adults and $10 for kids, plus beverages, tax and gratuity. Live music by Viento. Reservations recommended.
Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar, 1985 Welch, 713-533-0200 Though usually closed on Sunday mornings, Mockingbird Bistro will open for brunch especially for Mother’s Day. The restaurant will serve their award-winning Texas Provencal cuisine 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Regular menu plus daily specials. Reservations recommended.
Omni Houston Hotel, 4 Riverway, 713-871-8181
The five-diamond Omni Houston Hotel, located in the Uptown/Galleria area, will feature a lavish brunch buffet that will take place in all of the hotel’s dining establishments: Noé Restaurant, Palm Court and Cafe on the Green. There will also be a specialty buffet for children. Cost is $59.95 for adults, $29 for children ages 5-11, and complimentary for children under 5. Brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with seating on the half-hour. Credit card required to secure seating, and any cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance. Complimentary valet parking; live music on the baby grand piano by John Cline. Reservations required.
PK’s Blue Water Grill, 6401 Woodway 713-339-3663 PK’s Blue Water Grill has recently added an exciting South Texas-style Sunday brunch to its bill of fare, served Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations recommended.
Prego, 2520 Amherst, 713-529-2420 For Mother’s Day, Chef John Watt will offer a three-course menu for $44 per person plus tax & gratuity at this restaurant in Rice Village. A three-course children’s menu is also available for $12. Live jazz guitar during Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; open for dinner until 10 p.m. Reservations recommended.
Trevisio, 6550 Bertner (at the corner of Moursund in the John P. McGovern Texas Medical Center Commons, 6th floor); 713-749-0400
This Mother’s Day the restaurant will serve a special three-course menu. Prices are a la carte. Children’s menu: $12 for entrée and dessert. Live jazz with singer Mickey Moseley and guitarist Ray Wilson. Large parties welcome. Brunch served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations recommended.
VIN, 530 Texas Avenue in Bayou Place, 713-237-9600 Enjoy a Mother’s Day celebration amid the warm, dark-wood accents, plush red leather booths and dramatic modern light fixtures. Executive Chef Jared Estes will offer a pre fixe, four-course menu from just $45 plus tax and gratuity. The restaurant will be open for Mother’s Day hours will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations accepted.
On Tuesday, May 22 Noé Restaurant, located in the Omni Hotel Houston at 4 Riverway, will present an exciting evening of food and wine featuring the award-winning cuisine of Executive Chef Robert Gadsby paired with wines from acclaimed Saddleback Cellars of Napa Valley, California.
- Saddleback owner/vintner Nils Venge will attend this special dinner and personally present and discuss each of his featured wines. Venge has the distinction of producing three wines that have received the perfect score of 100 from the esteemed wine critic Robert Parker, Jr.
- The nine-course dinner will be preceded by a reception at 7 pm, with seating at 7:30 pm. $110++ per person. For more information and reservations, call 713-871-8177
Sometimes feel like popping your cork? Well, you can join others in doing so at the Tour de Champagne Houston on Friday, June 1 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Hotel Derek. The event will feature over 20 brands of Champagne (yep, the real stuff) and cuisine from some of Houston’s best chefs. A silent auction benefiting Angel Flight will occur during the event as well as a raffle for a pair of tickets to Paris on Air France. Angel Flight helps people in need of free air transportation for medical and humanitarian purposes.
- Dress is cocktail attire with black tie optional. General admission tickets are $100 by May 18 ($115 after) and limited VIP tickets are $135 by May 18 ($150 after). VIP tickets include access to the hospitality suite, complimentary valet parking, a pre-event reception hosted by the Consul General of France, a special gift bag and the “fin de soiree”: a tasting of cognacs, more Champagne, and crepes and desserts from Bistro Moderne. General admission guests may finish their evening with specially priced cognacs and cocktails. You must be 21 or older to attend. For more information email information@tourdechampagne.com and to purchase tickets go to www.tourdechampagne.com
For more events, check the latest Calendar of Culinary Events from My Table by clicking on Calendar
My Recipe
"Just Peachy"
From April through July, Texas produces some of the best peaches in the nation. Just take a drive to Stonewall/Fredericksburg or Wichita Falls to see for yourself and grab a peck or two. Thanks to Steve and Jan Young of Young’s Orchard near Wichita Falls and the courtesy of the Texas Department of Agriculture, here are some great snacks made with delicious Texas peaches.
Peach Cobbler
4 cups peeled and sliced peaches
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup sugar water (3/4 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar)
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup milk
Cook peaches in sugar water. Melt the butter in a 9 X 13-inch pan while preheating the oven at 350 F. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking power, salt and milk. Beat well. Pour the cooked and drained peaches into the buttered pan. Pour the batter over the hot peaches. Bake at 350 F for one hour or until brown on top.
Serves 12-16
Peach Ice Cream
1 quart fresh peaches, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup sugar
2 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
2 12-ounce cans cream soda
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Mix ingredients and pour into a 4-quart ice cream freezer. Add milk to freezer “fill” line. Freeze with chipped ice and rock salt according to manufacturer recommendations.
From the Wine List
"Summertime Sippin' Whites"
As summer approaches, consider something different for your white wine collection. Instead of the look-alike Chardonnays and Pinot Grigios that are on every market’s shelves, take a fling and expand your wine horizons. Here are some candidates to get your started.
Albariño: this wine is made from the white grape of the same name and comes from the northwest region of Spain called Rías Baixas (REE-ez BUY-shez). The wine is aromatic and crisp, creamy yet light, with tropical fruit flavors and a good dose of acidity to keep it refreshing. It pairs extremely well with seafood.
Alvarinho: this wine is made from the same grape as Albariño, but comes from the Minho region of northwest Portugal, just south of the Rías Baixas region of Spain. The flavor profile is similar to its cousin above. It is believed that these grapes, in both Spain and Portugal, may have originally come from Germany.
Chardonnay: What’s new here? This wine is made the grape of the same name and is extremely popular in the U.S. It offers ripe apple and pear flavors. But instead of another bottle of oaky California or $8 Australian Chard, consider a Chardonnay-based wine from France or Washington State. In France, the wines display crisp acidity and minerality (Chablis) or soft, round, fruitiness with earthy flavors (Burgundian wines such as Meursault and Pouilly-Fuissé). Also try a Chard from Washington where much good quality/low price wine is produced. All pair well with chicken and other fowl dishes as well as various seafood.
Gewürztraminer: this wine is made from the grape of the same name (ge-VURTZ-tra-meaner) and hails from Germany, the Alsace region of northeastern France, and California. Its name means “spicy Traminer,” Traminer being the name of another grape variety. It has significant floral aromas, and spice and sweet white fruit flavors. It pairs well with Asian and Indian cuisine.
Pinot Gris: also known as Pinot Grigio(both names mean “gray pinot”), this wine is made from the eponymous grape and, as Pinot Grigio, has become the number one imported white wine in America. Produced as Pinot Grigio in northeastern Italy, it also comes from Oregon (Pinot Gris), California (Pinot Grigio), and the Alsace region of northeastern France (Pinot Gris). It is often bland when from lesser producers, but exhibits great white fruit flavors and good acidity when well made. Try one from Oregon or Alsace to get a different flavor profile than you’re probably used to. Pinot Gris pairs well with appetizers and light foods such as salads, as well as seafood and chicken. It also is a great easy-sipping wine.
Sauvignon Blanc: this is one of the great workhorse wines of the world, made from the same-named grape. It hails from the Bordeaux region (white Bordeaux) and the Loire Valley (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) of France, California (Fumé Blanc), Chile, and New Zealand, among other producing areas. It offers crisp acidity and light white fruit flavors. It is often mixed with the Sémillon grape to soften its tartness in Bordeaux and California. The New Zealand versions have received fame for their citrusy, grassy, and herbaceous flavors. The wine goes extremely well with oysters, shrimp, and other light seafood.
Viognier: made famous in the Rhône Valley of France by the wines Condrieu and Chateau Grillet, this wine from the eponymous grape has tropical fruit flavors and a medium-full body that is soft and appealing on the palate. If it has a minor fault, it is the lack of sufficient acidity to make it crisp and mouth-cleaning. Good, however, with chicken and tropical fruit-flavored dishes. Try one from California or the Texas Hill Country.
You’ll be able to find several of these “different” whites at Houston’s better wine merchants and upscale grocers. Try a bottle of each, then stock up on your favorites for summertime parties and relaxing quaffs. And, as always, enjoy your wines—responsibly.
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