pyescamilla's Profile
Restaurant near the Houstonian
Philippe is a great French with a Texas twist. The Houstonian is close to the Post Oak/Galleria/Uptown area. Here's some suggestions.
TexMex - Sylvia's Enchilda Kichen on Woodway
Steakhouse - Papa's on Westheimer
Brazilian Steakhouse - Chama Gaucha on Westheimer
Delicatessan - Kenny & Ziggy's on Post Oak
Continental - Masraff's on Post Oak
Closest alternative to Commander's Palace Brunch
Thank you for the note. We were in NO yesterday and had brunch at Ralph's. Unfortunately, it wasn't as positive of an experience as w had hoped. Though my reservations had requested that we be seated in the main room, when we arrived they stated the only table available was in the bar area right next to the piano. The service was much more casual than I expected and I believe our waitress might have been stretched. I had to request a spoon for my coffee twice to her and once to another server before receiving one. The food was fine, but nothing memorable. My daughter thougt her crab meat omelette to be slightly overcooked as it was dry.
My biggest suprise was in the dress of the other diners. I wasn't expecting male diners dressed more appropriately for breakfast at Denny's in jeans, flip flops, shorts, and t-shirts. One diner who seem to be friends with several of the restaurant staff kept his baseball cap on the entire time. When we arrived for our 11:30 reservation, I'd say more than half the men were in jackets or button down shirts. By the time we left around 1:30, that had switched to less than a third of guests.
Maybe we just hit them on an off day.
Closest alternative to Commander's Palace Brunch
Thanks, everyone. We've had dinner at Brennan's a few times so think I'll make reservations at Ralph's. Looking at the menu, she wants to try their version of chicken and waffles.
We were wanting a place with a dressier feel. Glad to know we won't be out of place.
Closest alternative to Commander's Palace Brunch
My daugher and I will be in NO for one night after visiting colleges. Before heading home, I wanted to take her to Sunday Brunch at Commanders' but they are booked. What would be the closest altenative with similar level of service, elegance, and over all experience.
I was wanting to try Ralph's as I haven't been there yet. What is the level of dress for their Sunday brunch?
We also don't want buffet style, so Court of Two Sisters isn't an option and neither is the Crystal room.
Thanks for any advice.
Headed to Houston for Final Four. What's worth hitting and what's worth skipping?
My favorites right now when higher end are Haven and Branch Water Tavern.
If you've never experienced a Brennan's of New Orleans restaurant, try Brennan's in Houston, especially their brunch. Hugo's also has a great brunch.
If you like Asian and can't get authentic in your area, then I recommend a trip to Houston's Chinatown in southwest Houston, FuFu's Cafe is our favorite for dumplings and hot and spicy chicken. We also like Que Huong for Vietnamese.
Bombay Pizza is great fusion.
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Que Huong Restaurant
8200 Wilcrest Dr Ste 27, Houston, TX 77072
Branch Water Tavern
510 Shepherd, Houston, TX 77007
Looking for something simple, but impressive.
Crapitto's on Mid Lane has a nice ambiance and a lovely patio for outdoor dining. Lots of under $25 entrees. Two Saints in the Memorial area is very good and is BYOB and you can easily stay under $100 for two.
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Crapitto's Restaurant
2400 Midlane St, Houston, TX 77027
Thanksgiving Angst
Not sure how many your feeding or your family's favorites, but here's some ideas.
Plan to shop on the Sunday before, but since you are don't plan anything that requires super fresh ingredients. Suggestion is Turkey, dressing/stuffing, make ahead mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, gravy, store bought cranberry sauce, and roasted brussel sprouts or asparagus. Or another green veggie suggestion is overnight green beans cooked in a crockpot with bacon, apple vinegar, and brown sugar.
If making stuffing/dressing, wash and cut up your veggies on Sunday. Wash all your veggies before storing.
On Tue evening, make a pumpkin or pecan pie, they'll be fine until Thur, though may not be as fresh for Friday left overs. Or make a carrot cake, one of our family tradiions because its actually better after its set for a day. Bake your cornbread (if using conbread for dressing) or tear up your stale bread.
On Wed, mix up your stuffing. Cut up for veggies for roasting. Start the green beans if doing those. Start brining turkey if you brine.
On Thursday all you have is putting the turkey on, cooking your roasted vegies, making the gravy, and the mashed potatoes
Bad Brisket at Kreuz's Today
We hadn't been to Kreutz's in a while but stopped in on June 14 and found the same as you. The brisket was way to salty. The smoked ham was the best on the plate.
We still really like Black's and Smitty's.
rehersal supper in Houston
I attended a private function at Bistro Le Cep. It would be about a mile west of the beltway on Westheimer. We were in a dining room that held around 40 people. I think you could manage around $35-$40 per person for 3 courses here. They also have a reasonably priced wine list. With its rustic French bistro look, I think it would be pretty for a winter rehersal dinner.
http://www.bistro-lecep.com/
Another option is Cantina Laredo which would be in the same area. I believe they have private rooms available.
Little bit further out Westheimer at Kirkwood is Piatto, a Carraba's family restaurant. Rioja Spanish Tapas is also at Westheimer and Kirkwood. I haven't been in a year or so, but they had great tapas and paella. It's in a strip center and not much to look at from outside, but the interior decor was very nice.
Rec please: Monday night dinner CBD or FQ with 2 teens
My sister, BIL, husband, and 2 kids will be in NO for 3 nights. We need a recommendation for Monday night and preferring a classic Creole moderately priced, i.e under $25 for entrees. Its been years since either of our families frequented NOLA, but used to enjoy Bon Ton, Mr. B's and some of the other classics. Other nights there, we're hitting Cochon and Cafe Degas.
Dinner this week
Here's some nice and easy alternatives...
Joe's Special... Brown Italian turkey sausage (mild or hot), add some garlic, red bell pepper, and sliced mushrooms mushrooms. Saute for 1 min then add chopped kale and cook covered 3 min. Whisk up 2 or 3 eggs and season with thyme. Pour into sausage and kale and stir until eggs are cook. Serve with roasted potatoes and cornbread.
Pasta Sorta Puttenesca... Cook penne pasta. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil then add 2 or 3 anchovy fillets and cook until disoved. Add a 1/2 cup of chicken or seafood broth, add a cup of diced tomotoes and saute for 2 min. Take off heat and add capers and fresh grated paremesean. Season with S&P and toss with pasta.
Chicken Lime Soup.... Buy a rotteserie chicken and dice up breast meat. Save remainder for another use. Cook a cup of brown rice. In a large pot, saute onion, green peppers, and garlic. Add couple cans of chicken broth,a can of tomotoes and green chiles, cumin and chili powder to taste. Cook for 10 min. Add a cup of frozen or fresh corn and some diced squash. Once rice is cooked, add to pot with diced chicken. Before serving, squeeze a lime into soup. Can top each bowl with diced avocado, shredded cheese, and tortillia strips if you'd like. For low fat tortillia strips, spary corn torillia with cooking spray. Slice into strips, and cook on sheet in oven for about 5 to 10 min until crisp.
party for 25-30...should i be worried?
Hire the help anyway. I was having a sit down, 4 course dinner for both sides of our family which ended up totaling 24. I received tons of "ribbing" from both sides because I hired someone to help with the set up, clearing of plates, and cleaning. Everyone said it would make them "uncomfortable" having someone wait on them at a family event, or "its just a waste of money and we can do it", or flat out comment like "who are you trying to impress".
After dinner was over, they all shut up and ended up asking if they could contribute to the cost of the help and wanted to make sure we had the help at all future events. You've obviously been gracious enough to offer to host this event. Make it easier on you by getting the help for a few hours. Not having a dirty kitchen from all of the trays, serving spoons, dishes and cookware at the end of the night will be a huge blessing. And guest won't feel obligated to get in the kitchen with you to help with the clean up.
I would also suggest reducing your number of hors d'ouerves. The hummus and a beautiful cheese tray with some fruit would be sufficient considering your serving a full meal. I'd also remove the potatoe salad and instead do the couscous and the grean salad. Or if you area really set on the boccocini/tomato/basil skewers, instead make that into a salad to serve with the lasagna course.
On storage of the food, borrow large coolers from friends and store your salads and vegetables. Leave the ice in the bag and then when you set the food out, you can use the extra ice for drinks. I also set up a roaster in my utility room and use it to keep hot items warm until serving. I'll cook the lasagna 2 ahead, take out and stack the pans in the roaster, turn it on to warm, and it stays great until ready to serve. This makes cutting easier and frees up my oven. If you don't have a roaster, you can use a cooler to keep warm items warm, or I've wrapped casseroles in heating blankets.
Playa del Carmen-5 nights
We're back from the Quinta Roo area. In Playa, our favorite was Casa Meditterean off of 5th Avenue. Exceptional homemade pasta. We were also a fan of Carbonocitas off of 5th. We also tried Ah Cacaos which only serves chocolate, but I recommend skipping. Dry brownie, overpriced drinks for the quality.
