fredeatshouston's Profile
Houston's the restaurant
No discounts. No coupons. And they are not bashful about their prices.
Houston's is not for everyone, but each item on the menu is made from the freshest and best available ingredients or it isn't served. And the continuous re-investment in the stores is amazing. No resting on their laurels.
The Preston Center store is beautiful, by the way.
Plonk Bistro (HOU)
Today they are having tailgate party. This Wednesday they are having a spaghetti night and the next week they are doing Cuban Pork BBQ.
Great place.
Plonk Bistro (HOU)
I spoke to the chef, Michelle Salek, today. She said they had a steak night last night and it was a big success. She also said the kitchen should be ready this month.
I am going tonight to check it out.
What's up with Houston nachos?!?
You're kidding, right?
"Pile-Of-Crap." "Pile-Of-Goo." We're not feeling a little self-righteous are we?
Thanks for the lesson on how to eat.
BTW - That is the second time you've linked to that article in this thread...
What's up with Houston nachos?!?
I love the piled up nachos. When we make them at home we don't paint each one like a canvas.
A single nacho with a bit of melted cheese with two chunks of fajita versus a plate of hearty nachos layered with beans, meat, cheese, and veggies. A nacho lasagna! No contest.
Service Difference Between Alcohol an no Alcohol Ordered
After spending the last twenty years working in restaurants, I see it this way:
Waiters would rather wait on "diners" than "eaters."
Diners are folks who have come to enjoy the entire restaurant experience - from the food to the atmosphere to the service. Diners appreciate the service they receive and tip better.
Eaters are people just out for a meal. Their main concern is placing their order and getting it the way they ordered. Ambiance and subtleties of service are often lost on these folks. And the generally adhere to a standard tipping ratio.
Alcohol service is not the sole factor in determining who is and who isn't a "diner." But, more diners enjoy alcohol with their meal than "eaters."
best high end food in houston
While I never had my servers quote prices unless asked, I think some things go beyond the pretentious notion that asking for prices makes a guest cheap or poor.
Great dining is not exclusive to the ultra-rich. If it were, many of your favorite spots would be going out of business.
Today, folks of all economic levels are becoming diners and are learning to experience the finest foods Houston's chefs have to offer.
DaMarco last year had a pasta special that was $85. That is a bit over the top and your average guest would be shocked at that price for a pasta. White truffles or not.
Fine dining and pretense no longer go hand in hand.
best high end food in houston
Mark's is my favorite. Great food, great atmosphere and great service.
What's up with Houston nachos?!?
Had Nachos like that at Cantina 1308(El Tiempo) the other night. I agree, I don't like this style. It seems like a rip off. Just enough cheese and meat to cover each chip. With a little lettuce, tomato and pico in the center. In fact their Nachos are priced by the chip. 10 chips is one price, 16 is another.
Try Maria Selma on Richmond near Montrose. Great Nachos. They have a huge plate of chips piled with a ton beef and guacamole, lettuce, cheese, tomato, jalapenos, etc. Fantastic nachos!
Happy Birthday Too You....While Dining
I am against it.
It takes service away from all of the other guests as their server is required to participate.
It is obnoxious and overbearing.
What is a "food snob"?
Lately it seems I find people calling themselves food snobs as if that were a badge of honor. But, I am not exactly sure what that term means.
I love food. All food. From the greasy spoon to haute cuisine.
So what is a food snob? What does it mean to you? What makes a food snob and is it good to be one?
Favorite Italian Restaurants in Houston
Prego on Amherst in The Rice Village is excellent. Kathy, Marvin, Luis, Raphael all make you feel like family. This folks that own this restaurant are part of the family that owns Hugo's, Trevisio and BackStreet Cafe, as well.
Definitely my favorite Italian spot.
But my favorite Italian dish is at Carrabba's on Kirby. The pasta Tagliarini Picchi Pacchiu is unbelievably delicious and simple.
Good Cajun
Went to the boiling crab in Houston. And had a similar experience. Thought the flavors were great, but I got a dungeness crab and it was missing 3 legs and one claw. Obviously the cooks knew what they were serving. Ordered a bowl of gumbo and there were only two shrimp. Same with my wife. Rip-off. Don't like the way the food comes in bags. Liquid rolling off the table, etc. Also, the young staff was more concerned with each other than the guests. When we were seated the hostess did not show us to a table, she pointed to an area and told us to "take whatever is leftover back there." while she was busy telling her friends how she goes to Dave and Buster's all the time and gets a "hook-up" on free drinks from the bartender. Though she was clearly underage. Offensive. And definitely not worth $100.
One bright spot - Tsingtao beer was $3.
Great flavors, but I'd skip it.
HOU - Hilton Americas on Lamar - walking distance eats?
Huynh is a great spot if you like Vietnamese. It's about a 10 minute walk from the Hilton. 912 Emanuel Street.
Calliope's PoBoy's is a bit further. 20 minute walk maybe. 2130 Jefferson. Worth a cab ride.
Otto's at 500 Dallas is the favorite burger and BBQ of many a native.
Best Houston Burgers
Gravitas also has a great burger. It is served RARE so be sure to specify if you have a preference, but the beef is delicious.
[HOU] Java Java Cafe on 11th st.
I have lived down the street for a couple of years. It's a five minute walk. Tops. We have given the place several opportunities, but have been consistently disappointed whether dining in or getting food to-go.
The graffiti wall outside is pretty neat. My kids like that.
I have a feeling that when Lola opens up at 11th and Yale, it will put a hurt on Java Java.
Best Houston Burgers
Barnaby's is excellent. I have never had a bad burger at any of their locations.
The new Rare Bar that opened at 700 Shepherd has great burgers(their specialty is a 14 ounce monster) and sliders as well as Block 7 which is just across the street at 700 Shepherd. Great burgers and cheap wine.
Houston's has a fantastic fresh-ground chuck burger, also. The chili burger (Saturday's only) is about the best in town.
MAX's Wine dive has a Kobe beef burger. It is awesome, but it is $18.
Food & Wine Scene in Houston
Catalan is a great place on Washington to dine, as well as Benjy's if you are going to be in the area. There are several great wine bar/ restaurants on Washington and around the area like Block7(720 Shepherd), Cova(tapas) and Max's, as mentioned above. Max's can be hard to get into when it's busy.
In the Rice Village, try Benjy's or Prego, a fantastic Italian place. Either way, call ahead. There is a Cova in the village, as well.
BackStreet Cafe and Mark's are two of the cities finest restaurants, as well. Enjoy.
