What's Cookin' in Cutie's Kitchen Tonight- Chicken Masala w/Carmelized Cumin Carrots & Mushrooms

Tonight I wanted to try an Indian inspired dish that was not too terribly complicated and tasty. I landed on a great recipe for Chicken Masala. The only difficult thing about this recipe is actually finding the Garam Masala spice at the grocery store. Take a walk down the ethnic isle of your local grocery store and you are bound to find it, if that doesn't work just ask. OK, here is the play by play.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garam masala*
• 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
• 1 large garlic clove, pressed
• 1 4- to 4 1/2-pound roasting chicken, cut into 8 pieces, backbone removed
• 2 small onions, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Get the party started:

Mix yogurt, chopped cilantro, olive oil, garam masala, salt, and garlic in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Add chicken to marinade, 1 piece at a time, coating all sides. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.

Position racks in top third and bottom third of oven; preheat to 400°F. Arrange onions in thin layer on large rimmed baking sheet to form bed for chicken. Top with chicken pieces in single layer, spacing apart for even roasting (chicken will still be coated with marinade). At this point, I sprinkled a little cayenne pepper, salt and masala on top of the chicken before putting it in the oven. Discard remaining marinade.

Put the carrots and mushrooms on a shallow cookie sheet lined with foil, and pop those in the oven as well.

Roast chicken on top rack until cooked through and juices run clear when thickest portion of thigh is pierced with knife, about 1 hour. Serve chicken atop onion slices. Spoon pan juices around.

I am serving this dish with rice flavored with a little lime and cilantro. Bon Appétit!

Deliciously Yours,

The Culinary Cutie

Ruggles Green

The newest location of Ruggles Green located in the City Center is a certified green restaurant. This means that they are always incorporating organic, hormone free, natural and preservative free products on the menu. What this means to you is better ingredients equals better taste. I can definitely tell a difference, especially in fruits and produce.

Ruggles Green has a very diverse menu with something for everyone, so I tried everything for someone. Don't judge. Items on my list and on the table were Ruggles Green Classic Crab Cake, Hummus, Organic Spinach Dip, Chef Bruce's all Natural Chicken Sandwich, Honey Fried Goat Cheese Salad, Pink Velvet Cake, and my favorite Pan Seared Chicken. I do all these things for you, my avid readers, who never know what to try because everything looks so good. I took one for the Culinary Team and nearly died of a food overdose. Anything for you guys.

I would suggest you try the Crab Cake. It is huge, so definitely enough to share as an appetizer or make into a meal with a small salad. If you are teetering between the Hummus and the Spinach Dip go for the Spinach Dip. The Chicken Sandwich had too many flavors and was VERY messy. If you are going to Ruggles Green on a hot date, it may turn into a hot mess after you try to pick up this sandwich. I nearly ruined my Sunday's best as I watched all of the insides fall and splatter onto my plate. The Honey Fried Goat Cheese Salad was a bust; with only arugula and no other mixed greens, this salad was very bitter in taste.

If your not lucky enough to get one of the coveted booths, expect a cramped dining room unless you opt to sit outside on the patio. Ruggles Green was a fulfilling experience to say the least.

Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie

Ruggles Green
801 Town And Country Blvd. 1B
Houston, Texas 77024
713.464.5557
http://www.rugglesgreen.com/

Ni hao and Konnichiwa from the Ginger Cafe



My objective this week was to find a Chinese or Japanese restaurant with an elegant atmosphere and good food.  I found both options at Ginger Cafe, So it is only right that I say hello in both languages. Not only will you find yummy restaurants to go to in the Houston area, but you will broaden your otherwise limited Japanese and Chinese vocabulary just being a Culinary Cutie fan.

The ambiance and decor is beautiful, it is not over done or tacky. You will notice a very attractive sushi bar and lounge area where you could dine alone or meet some friends for sake, sushi, and cocktails. I ordered a dish from the Japanese and Chinese menu. To start I had the Szechwan dumplings with a “spicy” glaze that wasn't spicy. They were a little doughy in my opinion. I would have preferred them pan fried. Sometimes it doesn't pay to try to be healthy.

The second dish I ordered was better than the last. The Texas beef roll. The seared beef rolls were wrapped around green onions with a tangy glaze brushed on top. Pretty tasty. My entree was a house specialty according to the waitress, so I had to try it along with their house special -flower tea. I don't know what kind of flower it was and neither did the waitress, but if I did I would grow a whole garden of them. The tea was my favorite part of the dinner.

If you are searching for a place to go with well-designed decor, soft lighting and music wafting in the background, look no further. This is not an experience that will go down in the history books as the best, but not bad at all.

Mata Hanashite (talk to you soon)

-The Culinary Cutie

1952 W. Gray

                                  Houston, TX 77019

                           http://www.cafegingerhouston.com/

Cutie at the Capital

Greetings my little cuties, I know it has been a while since you have read my words or had me on your foodie radar. I am back and ready to get on my hungry high horse and express my inner foodie feelings. I have missed you all dearly.

Now it's time to give you what you came for, my rendezvous to The Capital Grille. The Capital Grille is known for their in house dry aged steaks and extensive wine list which was enough to entice me.

If you're thinking "the last time I went to Capital Grille, I thought I was at a blue hair convention", this time is not far from the last. The crowd is definitely more "seasoned" and not in a spicy sassy way. You will see mostly business men having meetings over dinner, a couple sharing a romantic celebration, or a group of ladies that lunch circa 1969.

I am sorry to say that I did have a preconceived idea of what my dining experience was going to be before I walked through the revolving door. The Capital Grille is part of the Darden Company and shares a platform with other chain restaurants such as Olive Garden and Red Lobster, so I wasn't expecting too much. I had a gift card with nothing to lose. Thank goodness to the Gods of seared beef and butter poached lobster I was wrong.

My meal started with the soup of the day, lobster bisque. The consistency was thick and creamy, but there was something missing in the flavor of the dish, it actually was little ordinary. I would have liked to taste a splash of Cognac or Sherry along with a dash of hot pepper sauce. The next item up for grabs was the entree of a filet mignon and butter poached lobster with a side of sautéed spinach with garlic and lobster mac and cheese. Spinach check, lobster mac and cheese...not so much. It was too sweet and not savory enough, nice concept just not well executed.

Left with a full belly, but I wouldn’t come back to fill up.
Raise your walkers to The Capital Grille.

Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie

5365 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
713-623-4600

Restaurant week 2010- In the Beginning, there was Brennan's...

Wow, where do I start? I am going to describe Brennan's to you just as I described it to my friends and family after I left Saturday night. Brennan's is bomb. Like seriously. Everything about this place exudes excellence.


Brennan's of Houston located on 3300 Smith Street, was my first stop at restaurant week. This was the perfect place to start, not only did it set the bar for the other restaurants to follow suit; it exceeded my expectations of what "The Brennan's" was going to be.

I have talked to girlfriends who had their rehearsal dinner, anniversary, baby showers and every other milestone at Brennan's, but I didn't truly understand the magic behind its restored walls. First on my list are the people. You can have a simply amazing venue, view, food and ambiance, but nothing can replace good quality people. When you walk in to Brennan's, you will be greeted by the valet attendees who give you a warm smile and tell you to enjoy your dining experience. Now your inside and you may be greeted by one of the hostesses Claire, who is equally as sweet. If you have time, make your way to the bar to say hi to another integral piece of the Brennan's team Adam. Adam-man who creates liquid heaven. (that is his Indian name).

After a drink or two or three of Adam's, I thought it would be a good idea to have a little snack before I came back for dinner in a couple of days. I had the 1-1-1 soup appetizer, this is great for those who are indecisive when it comes to food (me). You will get to try 3 different types of soup including their most delicious turtle soap spiked with a splash of sherry if you like. We also tried the chef’s playground, instead of getting sweaty on a merry-go-round at recess, you get to relish in the delightful tastes of venison and foie gras.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Chef Danny who is down to earth and very personable. You can tell that he is passionate about his food and wants you to feel warm and fuzzy after you leave. What I noticed most about Brennan's is everyone that works there wants you to have a memorable dining experience, from our waiter Jon, to the management team, to the other waiters who weren't even assigned to our table.
Eating at Brennan's will make you want to make your next reservation before you even finish dessert. Speaking of, do yourself a favor and order the after dinner coffee, you can see it in my video. The epitome of a night cap.
Nighty Night Brennan's, see you at Sunday Brunch

Deliciously yours,

The Culinary Cutie

Brennan's of Houston
3300 Smith Street
Houston, TX 77006
713-522-9711

Straits- City Center

Straits Houston is the fifth of its kind, with others being located in San Francisco, and Atlanta. This restaurant is quite the place to be even on a Thursday. It feels more like a club than a restaurant, with an amazing DJ that will have you singing the latest songs, and reminiscing on the old ones. I choose to sit outside for dinner in one of the highly sought after cabanas. This area is great for a large party of friends that want to enjoy the scenery and have some good wine and small plates.

The food at Straits is a Singapore fusion that marries savory and sweet flavors together to make a happy long lasting relationship. The Spring Rolls with prawns and Chinese sausage were first on my list. The addition of the sausage was a nice surprise. Next, I had Grilled Grape Leaf Beef. These were served similar to a lettuce wrap with the beef being the star of the dish and the butter lettuce and carrots taking the crown as best supporting condiment.

After you finish your first cocktail and small plates outside, make your way back to the bar where they had drinks specials going on all night. This is where the real party is, some of the best people watching in the City Center, not to mention the best music. I would definitely recommend going to Straits on a Thursday night to get your weekend started right.

Dress is Jazzy, but the casual folk are welcome too. If you have a large party and want to ensure a table, call ahead and make a reservation. Open until 2:00am Thursday-Saturdays.

-Head "Strait" to the bar

Straits
800 West Sam Houston Parkway Suite 940
Houston, TX 77024
713-365-9922

Pork Chops for dinner with the Culinary Cutie

Rub ingredients:
-Adobo chili powder
-Brown sugar
-Sea Salt
-Black pepper
-Cumin
-Coriander

I made up this rub of some of my favorite spices, I didn't measure anything so you will have to freestlye it. That is what makes cooking fun! I used brown sugar as the base, and used equal parts of all the spices, then season with a little salt. Apply the rub to the pork chop. I actually pack it on until I have a nice crust. Heat a saute pan with olive oil and sear the pork chop on both sides. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 and finish the pork chops in the oven for 20 mins. Sorry, no picture for this one, by the time I realized I wanted to share this creation with you, it was half eaten.

Enjoy!

Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie

The Culinary Cutie and Chef Randy of Haven

In honor of restaurant week coming up on Aug 1, I thought I would post the link to my first Culinary Cutie show with Chef Randy of Haven who will be featured in the Houston Restaurant week 2010.

I will be visiting several restaurants during this time and posting interviews and experiences on my preferred restaurants. If you are a food lover and would like to accompany me to one of the restaurants, feel free to post the restaurant of your choice and we will make it happen! Can't wait!

Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie

The Egg and I- Dallas TX

So your in Dallas, and you have a hankering for some breakfast, and you want your tummy and your wallet to be full after leaving. I say to you my cheap and greedy friends, go to The Egg and I. The Egg and I is a  quaint and causal restaurant where my party was seated by the extremely chipper manager . We had a group of twelve with no reservation, and we were accommodated without a lot of hassle. I ordered the special of the day which was an omelet with bacon, avocado, and cheddar. I ordered mine with egg whites and opted for the raisin toast. This was just what I needed and only set me back around 10 bucks.

The Egg an I was pleasant and just what I expected. Nothing over the top just good ole fashioned breakfast.

The Egg and was eggcatly (sorry, I couldn’t resist) what I needed. A hearty breakfast before hitting the road.

15203 Knoll
Dallas, Tx
469-375-0750

Canopy

The Culinary Cutie loves to enjoy brunch at Shade in the heart of the heights. So when I heard that the owner/chef of Shade, Claire Smith, was opening another restaurant called Canopy located on Montrose, I had to stop in a check it out. I know what you’re thinking, Geez Mrs. Cutie, Canopy has been open for quite some time. First I say to you, SO? Second of all I tried to go when it first opened on a Sunday, and I am guessing they were about to close since the young women at the front ignored me until I left. I didn’t let that experience stop me from bringing my little food lovers the greatest and sometimes not the latest delicious treats.

The feeling of Canopy is an open and airy vibe with a simple earthy twist. The crowd at Canopy was young and vibrant filled with lots of lively chatter. Our waitress greeted us after we were seated and took our drink orders. I had the Montrose Queen which consisted of Campari, Orange Bitters, and Champagne. It had a refreshing a crisp taste.

For my appetizer, I had the crab cake with fried green tomatoes. This was absolutely delicious. The tomatoes added such an element of surprise to the dish which was well appreciated. I try crab cakes everywhere I eat and I think that the execution of the crab cake presentation and preparation was top notch.  We also tried the quail which my husband thoroughly enjoyed.

For my salad course I chose the Tomato Salad with pumpkin seeds, and feta cheese. What a great course to whip up at your homes for the summer. So far I give my visit an 8 on a scale of 1-10.

My entrée, which was my least favorite, was the fried pork cutlets. I choose the dish because the waitress made the suggestion and the sides sounded so well put together I couldn’t say no.  Unfortunately the breading was more of a shell than a coating, which caused the golden casing to break away from the meat leaving only the thin piece of cutlet to fend for itself, all by its lonesome.

To end on a positive note, I had the lemon ice box pie for dessert. If you are not careful it would be easy to become addicted to this dessert. With all of the right flavors interacting with one another it couldn’t be wrong eating two slices in one sitting. I digressed and only had one. 

Whatever you are in the mood for, Canopy has you covered.

www.thecanopyhouston.com

3939 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006

Travel editon continued: Mama's Fish House in Maui

After a day of zip lining, the first thing I was looking forward to was dinner. A local in Maui recommended we go to Mama's Fish House for some fresh fish and delicious fare. We took his suggestion and made early reservations. (808-579-8488).

Mama's Fish House has been on the island since 1973, making it Maui's very first fresh fish restaurant. Mama's ambiance is nothing short of a beach themed post card, but instead of being a still image on 5x7 glossy, the view of the ocean and sand is forever etched in your mind and heart.

I was so famished I didn't know where to start. I decided to take a bit of the edge off from our zip line adventure and enjoy a cocktail at the bar The drinks are deliciously refreshing but it will leave your wallet feeling stale. Fifteen bucks for a martini is a long shot even for me, but hey you're on vacation so who cares.

My appetizer came again from another recommendation from our attentive waiter. I was torn between Mama's Macadamia Nut Crab Cakes with fire and ice relish, Wild Shrimp Won Tons, and Seared Beef Polynesian in a grilled papaya. We settled on the later two items. The Shrimp Won Tons were presented in a way I was not expecting, which was a nice surprise from the norm. The Macadamia dipping sauce made the dish that more more interesting. It added a sweet and tangy flavor with the crunchy texture of the Macadamia nuts.

Shrimp Won Tons with Macadamia dipping sauce and Seared Beef Polynesian in a grilled papaya

For dinner I had the special for the day, which may not be available for you when you visit, since the menu changes daily. The fish is so fresh, they tell you the fisherman's name and where it was caught. My Mahimahi was caught by Shawn Boneza along the north shore of Maui. The fish was stuffed with lobster, crab, and sweet Maui onions. When you visit this restaurant be prepared to spend around $200 for two people with drinks, appetizers, entrees, and dessert. I know your probably full at this point, but don't skimp on the dessert. Banana Macadamia Nut Crisp with homemade vanilla ice cream. Enough said.

Banana Macadamia Nut Crisp

On a side note, Maui has some of the most strict liquor laws in the mainland. If you buy a bottle of wine, and want to cork it and take it back home with you, forget about it. Have a seat and chug a lug, you're not going anywhere.  

Mama's Fish House gets the Culinary Cutie's kiss of approval.

Mahola Mama's!

Mama's Fish House

799 Poho Place

Paia, Hawaii 96779

808-579-8488

http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/

Deliciously Yours,

The Culinary Cutie

Aloha from Kauai Day 1- Travel Editon

 The Kilauea Lighthouse

Welcome to the first travel addition with The Culinary Cutie! I must first paint a picture for those who have not yet been to Kauai, home of the sky scraping cliffs of the Napali Coast. Imagine indigo blue waters on your left and lush, tropical vegetation on your right. With views like this you will never want to leave. My travels landed me at the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville. Although my arrival at St. Regis was at 1:00am, the hospitable staff were still wide awake. You will be greeted with leis and fresh squeezed strawberry and papaya juice. We made our way to the ocean view room that we were upgraded to due to our vacation package through LuxuryLink.com.

 Our view for breakfast after the rain.

Our stay included breakfast for two each morning which turned out to more of a savings then we would ever know. You can easily spend $60 for a breakfast for two at the Makana Terrace. Choose to sit outside on the terrace for the best breeze, view, and bird watching. My first meal of the trip was the lobster omelet with chicken mango sausage and a frothy cappuccino. You will have to excuse the picture of the half eaten omelet, it was so good I almost forgot about my cutie foodies.

Lobster omelet, butter gold potatoes, and chicken mango sausage

In all fairness I feel that I must mention that the service at Makana Terrance was not always consistent. Our first waiter was so amazing and attentive. By the fourth day on the island the service was sub par which resulted in free appetizers and champagne at their elegant fine dining restaurant, the Kauai Grill. 

http://www.stregisprinceville.com/dining/makana-terrace/

Duck Spring Rolls with Plum Mandarin reduction

Dinner will be well spent at a Luau for your first night on the island. I chose to visit the Luau Kalamaku. This Luau had an option to enjoy the owners dinner where your meal is served in the plantation home on site. This option is more expensive then the $99 traditional adult buffet. The Plantation Owners evening includes a four course dinner with a champagne reception with premium reserved seating at the luau. This will run you $135 per person with an open bar when you arrive at the theater. For the dessert be sure to pick the tropical trio of sorbets, the chocolate decadence is very dense and too rich. 

 

If you want to top your evening off with some delicious bubbly, you can get a decent deal on the ever so popular Veuve Cliquot for $90 rather than paying $250 for it at the hotel restaurant.

http://www.gaylords.biz/

Mahalo,

Deliciously Yours,

The Culinary Cutie

Café Rosé

I recently visited Cafe Rose located on the ground level of Hotel Sorella in the City Center. This quaint cafe is stylishly decorated, with lots of open air and space. The menu is limited in selections, but the items that they did have available were acceptable. The wine list was rather sparse, but I did not expect them to have a cellar of stellar wines to begin with. I came to enjoy lunch on a Saturday afternoon, and there were no other patrons at the cafe except myself and a dear friend.

I placed my order for chicken salad sandwich accompanied by a petite spinach salad comprised of gala apples, spiced pecans, blue cheese crumbles, red shaved onion tossed with a spiced cider vinaigrette. This salad was light and refreshing, perfect for a hot Texas summers day. I would have liked to see a different type of bread on the chicken salad sandwich. White bread seemed a little blasé for a French inspired cafe. Perhaps a crusty toasted baguette would have been the "it" factor it needed.

I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again, but If I happened to be in the area, I might give it another try. For those that speak a little French...


Manger at Cafe Rose


800 W. Sam Houston PKWY
Building 9 / Houston,TX 77024
713-827-3545
www.bistroalex.com/cafe-rose/




Deliciously Yours,


The Culinary Cutie

The Branch Water Tavern

Wow it's loud in here. What? I said Wow, it's loud in here. I can't hear you. Never mind. Man it is really loud in here. That is what I said. What?

This will be the first 10 minutes of your conversation at Branch Water Tavern located on 510 Shepard. Executive chef and owner David Grossman puts a unique twist on traditional pub food. The duck fat popcorn was first on my list to try. It sounded so savory and indulgent I could not resist. I am glad the I didn't. The fusion of the duck fat with the popcorn created a rich flavor far more delicious than it's bland cousin. I could have ate it until closing time at 2:00 am (Saturday).

As some of you may of you may know I like to call myself a crab cake connoisseur. So of course I had to try the Branch Water's take on the ever so popular dish. I would give it a 7 on a scale 1-10. Do not misunderstand, that is a very good score, I grade crab cakes like a college professor who never gives an A.

On a Saturday night I would suggest making reservations. If you are looking for a romantic spot to gaze into your lovers eyes and whisper sweet nothings, keep driving. If you are looking a for a place to hang with your boys or your gal pals, pull up to the complementary valet and hop out. If the air outside is not too humid, grab a seat outside for a few cocktails.

Say it again Sam...no really, say it again Sam. At Branch Water Tavern.

510 Shepard
Houston, TX
713-863-7777
http://branchwatertavern.com/

Deliciously Yours,

The Culinary Cutie

At home with The Culinary Cutie: Chipotle Burgers & Southwest Home Fries

I whipped up this yummy dish in less than 45 minutes. You too can make a tasty dinner for your family that they will love.


Your ingredients:

- 1lb of ground turkey
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- 2 TBSP of chopped chipotles
- 1 chopped green onion
- 1 diced garlic clove
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 wheat buns
- 3 medium sized tomatillos
- 1 avocado smashed
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 4 TBSP of reduced fat mayo

First place ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add the next 5 ingredients and mix thoroughly. Form meat into 4 burger patties. Be sure not to compact them too much, to ensure the maximum juiciness! Place the patties on a plate and put in the fridge until you are ready to grill them.


For the home fries, you will need the following ingredients:
- 8-10 small butter gold potatoes
- olive oil
- cumin
- lime
- salt
- pepper
- garlic powder
- red pepper flakes


Preheat your oven to 375. Cut the potatoes into wedges. Put in mixing bowl and toss with olive oil, about 2-3 TBSP. Squeeze the juice of 1/2  lime on the potatoes and sprinkle the remaining ingredients on the potatoes and toss to coat. Place these in oven for 30 mins.

Remove your patties from the fridge and prepare your grill. I choose to use the good old George Foreman to save time. Place the patties on the grill and cook until juices run clear. While the burgers are cooking, squeeze the remaining lime on the avocado mash and stir. Slice tomatillos and toast buns. Top with lettuce, avocado mash, two slices of the tomatillos along with the turkey burger and enjoy with a side of your hot Southwest home fries! 


 Bon Appetite!

Enjoying Shade on a Sunny Sunday

It's 12:00 pm on a Sunday and you are leaving church, what is next on the agenda? Brunch obviously. This Sunday we went to Shade, a great little restaurant in the heart of the Heights. I have been to Shade many times, and I keep coming back because I am never disappointed. The food is consistently mouthwatering. When you visit Shade you can expect to leave feeling satisfied, without peering into an empty wallet. The quality of food is quite fresh. At Shade, you can order anything from grilled pork chops to waffles with apple wood smoked bacon.

We both opted for the grilled pork chops served with a pepper jelly, sauteed broccolini, and bacon and Gruyere cheese macaroni. ($14). After we finished our entrees, my husband and I had a look of disbelief and sadness on our faces. This moment was bitter sweet for me. Our meal was so good, I didn't want it to end, but I could see it rapidly approaching with each bite I savored. The only thing I could think  to make us feel a little better was a Blackberry Butter Brown Tart. This little piece of heaven came to us in the form of a light, refreshing treat with sweet creamy ice cream to top it off. The tangy blackberries with a buttery crust along with ice cream made this indulgence even better. I expect to see you next Sunday at Shade.


-Have it made in the Shade


Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie


250 West 19th Street
Houston, TX 77008-4010
(713) 863-7500

CRAWFISH SEASON!! FRESH CATCH SEAFOOD!!

Fresh Catch, located at 9210 Highway 6 has  to have some of the best crawfish in Houston. This crawfish boil is not your run of the mill bland, barely seasoned dish. Trust me when I tell you, the flavors will leap out of your mouth if you're not careful. With hints of garlic, lemon, and hot pepper spiciness, I couldn't get enough. You can also add some scrumptious additions to this dish, I chose everything they had including sausage. 


As you will see in the pic below, these things looked like mini lobsters they were so big. 
Now for the down side. If you are looking for ambiance and a lively atmosphere. Keep your motor running, because you might want to take your meal to go. The restaurant is in a strip center, and you would probably miss it just driving by. On a side note, the booths were a little dirty as well. I would definitely take my next order to go and hit the park with yesterdays paper under my arm. Don't waste your time on the fried catfish. Stick with the mud bugs.


Your lips will be tingling at Fresh Catch. Burn baby burn.


Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie


Fresh Catch Seafood
9210 Highway 6 S # A
Houston, TX 77083-6385
(281) 879-8500

Is there meat in it? No Honey, you don't need any.

Saturday brunch at home. What can I whip up in a jiffy? Did I just use the word jiffy? Yes, yes I did. Mrs. Cutie's Breakfast Hash! Very delicious and nutritious, made with egg whites and plenty of diced veggies. You can use any type of vegetable you like. I chose to use diced potatoes, broccoli, red and green bell peppers, scallions and a hint of sun dried tomatoes. Sprinkle on Monterrey Jack cheese and let it melt. Top with sliced avocado. A couple dashes of tabasco and your brunch is complete!

My husband says Babe, this looks good, is there meat in it? I reply "No Honey, you don't need any". You won't either. :)

Happy Hashing

Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie

Anvil bar & refuge -A Surprise in Every Sip

Air Mail, El Diablo, and Satan's Whiskers. No, these aren't names of bad foreign flicks. They are the names of the creative cocktails at Anvil bar & refuge, located at 1424 Westheimer Rd. Anvil has over 100 different cocktails encompassing ingredients like house made bitters, egg whites, and sodas that can show up in your cocktail on any given day.

There is always a loud buzz from the artsy and eclectic patrons of Anvil.Take a chance on a cocktail you have never tried before. It won't be difficult to find one that is unheard of. Maybe the Diablo, which is made with ginger beer and tequila. Bring a jacket, it is as cool as a meat locker inside.

Raise your glass to Anvil.

Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie

http://www.anvilhouston.com/

Anvil Bar & Refuge


1424 Westheimer Rd. Ste. B

Houston, TX 77006

p. 713-523-1622

A Date night at Oporto Food and Wine Bar

When you go to a wine bar you expect a stellar wine list, and if they choose to go outside the the box and serve eats other than cheese, it usually comes across as mediocre and contrived at best. This is definitely not the case when it comes to Oporto Food and Wine bar. The small bites here rival any full fledged tapas joint. You can tell that the craftsmen who developed this menu took time to make each item unique and unexpected. From the Clams Alentejo ($10) to the Crab and Avocado Crostini ($9), you can't go wrong.


I started with the Piquillo Pepper Rellanos. These delightful little gems were filled to the brim with shrimp and crawfish stuffing and were finished with a spicy yet tangy Romesco sauce topped with melted cheese. This dish is not what you would expect from the average wine bar, which was almost as refreshing as the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that they were paired with.


My husband, who is just starting his foodie plight selected our next treat, Spicy Pork Bocadillas. These flavorful pork sliders came out to us in a party of 3. I wanted to arm wrestle him for the last one, but I refrained. These too were quite good, the zesty dill pickle made an appearance, which is what you would expect in this dish, but definitely necessary.  There were a few bites that may have been a little dry, but who is splitting hairs?


The last item on my list was the Crab and Avocado Crostini. Sounds quite simple, yes? This is the part you will enjoy the most. The texture of the creamy avocado with the crusty baguette and the slightly salty lump crab was to die for.


I give Oporto my solid stamp of approval.


Drink-Eat-Savor at Oporto


Deliciously Yours,


The Culinary Cutie


Oporto Food and Wine Bar
3833 Richmond
Houston, Texas 77027
713-621-1114
www.oporto.us

What's next on the menu?

Tell me where you want me to go!

Deliciously yours,
The Culinary Cutie

Sunny Weekend....Patio anyone?

Saturday with a high of 83 degrees, a light wind and no cloud in the sky. A girl couldn't ask for anything more. Unless you asked this girl. She would tell you to add a delicious cocktail that involved lots of ice and refreshing ingredients like cool cucumber and mint.

Everyone is driving with their tops down, or their sun roofs open. We stroll into Smith and Wollensky's in Highland Village on Westhimer Road. Let me start with the positives first, since it is kind of down hill after that. The atmosphere of the Boston based restaurant was open and airy. We sat in the bar area which was practically outside. Our server came to take our drink order soon after our hot rosemary rolls were placed on the table.

Now let's get down to the food, I told the waitress I wanted a cocktail that was refreshing with cucumber and pineapple. She brought me back her rendition of the ever so popular Mojito. Scale of 1-10, I would give it a 7. For lunch I ordered the Blackened Yellowfin Tuna sandwich with sweet onion relish and a mango chili garlic sauce. It left something to be desired after the meal. The sandwich was accompanied by french fries and creamy bland coleslaw. No Bueno.

All in all I would give S&W another try, I would just do without the over priced tuna burger.

Deliciously Yours,
The Culinary Cutie