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