I visited Latin Bites in their original location a year or so ago.  I really liked it.  The food was great and the small, crowded, cramped little hole in the wall in the Warehouse District in Downtown Houston added to the character and charm of this place.  Now, they have relocated to the complete opposite part of town — the very residential, high end Tanglewood area (Woodway and Chimney Rock).  

Latin Bites Cafe

The food was just as great at the new location as the old.  But the atmosphere is 100% different.  I miss the old location.  I miss the character.  I miss the charm.  The new location seems sterile and boring.  On paper, describing the interior design would fit my normal “love” description — bright, light, hues of green, blue, and white, clean lines, simplistic, open kitchen.  But somehow, it just didn’t work for me here.  Even my dining companion felt it was a little clinical.    I don’t think the location is all that great, either.   And, the parking — or lack there of — stinks.  I arrived at 11:30.  And while the restaurant was relatively empty at that early hour, the parking lot was already full.

And, inside Latin Bites

All that said, the food was very good.   Peruvian cuisine meets Asia.   Cuban sandwiches, fish and seafood, Peruvian Style Fried Rice, wok and sauteed dishes.   A great many choices on the cocktail menu as well. 

I ordered the Pollo Saltado ($15.00) — sauteed chicken, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, snow peas, carrots, peanuts, soy sauce, green onions, bean sprouts, bell peppers, garlic, ginger — served with fried potatoes and rice.  Is there anything in here that isn’t YUM?  It was all fabulous and fantastically prepared.  The vegetables were cooked perfectly crisp tender.   The chicken was super moist and tender.  The rice was cooked to excellence.   The dish was fresh.  The dish was great.  I liked it very much.

Pollo Saltado

My dining companion ordered something similar — Lomo Saltado ($17.00).  Traditional Peruvian sauteed beef tenderloin, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, soy sauce, oyster sauce, red wine, red vinegar, and garlic, served with fried potatoes and rice.  Our dishes were akin, kindred spirits - -and both were really good.  Her beef was also very tender and all veggies cooked perfectly.  We did not like the potatoes.  They left a little bit to be desired.  They were not crispy or seasoned.   A little blah.  But otherwise everything else on our plates were delightful and delicious.

Lomo Saltado

Latin Bites is well known for their food.  And, I think their food is great!  It is an artistic representation of the Peruvian food culture.  The food is cooked well and presented beautifully.  I do miss their old location, and the parking in the new location stinks.  But I really do hope they are successful in their new location!

Latin Bites Cafe
5709 Woodway
Houston, Texas 77057
713.229.8369
www.latinbitescafe.com

Tango & Malbec is indeed what I expected — fun, vibrant, and yummy.  Tango & Malbec offers South American Food, with a pinch of Italian (think pizzas and pastas mixed in with milanesas, empanadas, and chivitos).   The decor is rich and vibrant — red walls, exposed brick, dark wood floors, red leather chairs, and red table cloths.  And an open kitchen.  And, the bar actually has a pass through to the dining roomwhich I thought was pretty cool.   I liked the atmosphere and our server was very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly.

Tango & Malbec 

As soon as we sat down, great homemade potato chips hit our table.  They were thick, yet crispy.  And, very addictive.  The chips were served with a chimichurri sauce which was also delish.

I ordered the Ensalada Ceasar Patagonica ($8.00 + chicken $5.00).  As you’d guess, this dish is a Caesar Salad with a twist of mango and goat cheese (and chicken).  It came deconstructed.  I normally do not like to have deal with cutting up big old whole Romaine leaves, but I was okay with it this time.  Maybe because the plate was large enough to allow me to cut without my lettuce flying everywhere.  I hate that.   The chicken was cooked spot on perfect.  Tender.  Moist.  Great compliment to the crisp, cold, fresh romaine leaves.  I didn’t dig the mango addition, but I did love the goat cheese twist.  Great substitution to a caesar  salad.  Yum!  The salad was complimented with little, crispy, light toasts which were perfect for smearing the goat cheese on.   I’d go back for this perfect little salad.

Ensalada Ceasar Patagonica

My dining companion ordered the Pork Chop ($18.00).  Sunny side up egg with french fries and sauteed peas and onions.  The pork was very tender.  Cooked very well.  The egg pairing was okay, not our favorite (maybe just a personal preference).  The onions were excellent, crisp, tender, and sweet.

Pork Chop

Tango & Malbec has style, pizzazz, and a great menu.  I liked the location (in the Galleria Area), the prices, and the whole package.  I’m going back to watch their live Tango dancers and eat Camila (warm chocolate souffle with mini chocolate shake and chocolate truffle.  I mean, that description alone warrants heading back soon).

Tango & Malbec
2800 Sage Road A-100
Houston, Texas 77056
713.629.8646
www.tangomalbec.com

The Union Kitchen has been open in Bellaire for a while, and we lucky folks in Memorial recently had The Union Kitchen move into our neighborhood.   Their concept is “Global Cuisine with Southern Hospitality.”  I like that.  I do think the menu is more American-ized ethnic foods (Hummus, Hawaiian Tostada, Risotto), but they are comfort to us now, nonetheless, and presented in a way that screams “Come on in and enjoy.”   I was expecting a very casual diner, but it was actually nicer than I had imagined.  Lots of rich wood and candlelight.   A grown up neighborhood eatery with a great many choices that make you feel at home with an ambiance fit for wine and conversation.

The Union Kitchen Menu is the best of all worlds.  From comfort foods to pastas to pizzas to a big old hamburger that I heard was fantastic.  The Union Kitchen has something for everyone.  The menu lists a good number of “Small Plates.”  And, I pretty much like all the offerings.  I could go back and sample a new plate each day for a for a week…with a glass of wine, of course…and be super happy.   Oh, and, the wines are affordable, too.

I ordered the Truffled Chicken Breast la Tala ($18.00).  Pan seared chicken breast and thigh over Baby Arugula Salad with capers, Parmesan, and sauteed mushrooms.  The chicken was very tender and moist.  The arugula salad was very fresh with a light, lemony vinaigrette dressing.  Nice dish.

Truffled Chicken Breast la Tala

My husband ordered the Scottish Salmon ($20.00).  The fish was cooked well.  Flaky.  Moist.  Not fishy tasting, just super fresh.  As a matter of fact, he said it was one of the best Salmon dishes in town. 

Scottish Salmon

Let me just comment on the Kid’s Mac and Cheese.  I don’t normally eat my kids food, and I especially do not comment on it, but The Union Kitchen Kids Mac & Cheese was really good.  Rich, creamy.   Penne pasta, not traditional Macaroni.  I would order this for myself!

Mac & Cheese

I liked The Union Kitchen and am happy they are so convenient.  The service was slow and our server had a few serving issues.  But, other servers were fantastic and I chalk up our table’s problems to a new restaurant working out its kinks.   I look forward to going back.  Welcome to the Hood!

The Union Kitchen
12538 Memorial Drive
Houston, Texas 77024
713.360.2000
www.theunionkitchen.com

Triniti is the new-ish restaurant from Ryan Hildebrand, Executive Chef, and other fantastic chefs.   Triniti’s name salutes sweet, savory, and spirits.  The restaurant has an airy, artistic, peaceful feel.  Open floor plan, open kitchen, light floors, light floors, walls of windows allowing for natural light, clean lines.  The restaurant has super cool, custom chandeliers.  And the restrooms, even they are hip with a bubbly, light, happy feeling.  My friend and I joked that we wanted to just sit in there and drink wine.  Very relaxing!

Triniti’s clean lines and beautiful interior are the perfect backdrop for the great creative dinner, lunch, and cocktail menus.  Locally provided ingredients allow for flavorful, fresh, and innovative menu choices.

I had the soup of the day, Carrot Soup ($8.00).  It was creamy, but only from a touch of cream.  Mostly broth based, leaving it not too rich.  The soup had thin fried carrot strips on top, which added the crunchy texture to the creamy soup.  And the fried carrot was delish.  How yummy would fried carrot sticks be as a side dish?  Just a suggestion for anyone out there.  The soup’s subtle carrot flavor made the dish very refreshing and not over the top.  Savory, not sweet.  I liked it!

Carrot Soup

I also ordered the Greens & Palm Salad ($8.00).  Long beans, hearts of palm, cucumber, pinenuts, and goat cheese.  Yum.  Again.  The hearts of palm were nestled on the bottom, and they were grilled.  My first for grilled hearts of palm.  I am now a fan.  They were tastey and balanced well with the crispy beans.  Lots of flavors and textures in this salad.  Dried pear slices were cut paper thin and full of flavor.  I loved their perfect sweetness.  The sweet pickle was crispy and was such a nice accompaniment to this complex salad.  Fresh and light.  I would definitely order this dish again.

Greens & Palm Salad

My dining companion had the Tortolloni with spinach, ricotta, bacon, and parsnips ($15).  Tortolloni is a larger, square version of tortellini.   Here is what she said about her dish:  “chunks of thick cut bacon pan fried with parsnips and carrots- spinach ricotta tortolino tossed in the bacon fat with hints of white and black pepper!  Topped with watercress!  Very good!  Smaller Lunch portion would work well with soup or salad.”    I tasted it, too, and it was delish!  Nice al dente pasta.

Tortolloni

I liked Triniti.  A lot.  I loved the feel, the vibe, that atmosphere.  Classy. Sophisticated.  A refreshing, creative place that takes food seriously.  I am definitely going back.  Hint:  if you do go, it is hard to see as there is not a huge sign, but look hard.  It is next to Starbucks and across the street from the Houston Wine Merchant.  It is worth finding!

Triniti
2815 S. Shepherd
Houston, Texas 77098
713.527.9090
www.trinitirestaurant.com

Yes, it did.  Yes, Underbelly lived up to my high expectations.  I waited for my dining companion in the bar, which was a smaller, intimate area with concrete mixed with raw wood (recycled from the previous building) contrasted with metal and honed wood.  Loved the feel.  I also loved the bartender.  I wish I knew his name.

After sipping my glass of bubbles, I moved down a short hall to the main dining area, which was huge.  I was surprised after the smaller bar — the dining room was expansive with high ceilings and exposed duct work (love that).  But they captured a small town feel with canned veggies on the wall (which are for sale — their own pickled deliciousness), wooden chairs, and a ceramic crock in the center of each table, utensils intact. 

So, the menu: very focused.  No salads, no extraneous stuff.   Priorities are set.  Eat meat.  Underbelly is locally sourced, locally grown, locally provided.  Chris Shepherd showcases Houston.  I LOVE that!

We started with some warm Rye Bread with Charred Spring Onion Butter ($5).  It was good.  Rye bread is normally a pretty strong flavor for me, but I thought this bread was great!  Warm  Soft.  The butter had the perfect meltiness upon slathering it on.  I wish I could have tasted the charred spring onion better (due to that strong Rye taste), but it was still yummy.  Onion taste, but subtle.  Creamy. 

Rye Bread

Entree:  Braised & Seared Beef Rendang, Crispy Coconut Rice ($24).  And worth every penny.  Worth every bite.   Delicious.  Captivatingly good.   Beef Rendang is a spicy meat dish from Indonesia, usually served for special occasions and festivals.  And, in 2011, CNN’s ”World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods List” listed Beef Rendang as #1.  I totally see why.  This dish rocked!   The meat was fall-apart-tender.  The curry sauce served with the dish was spicy and perfect for the beef.  The Rice cake was an excellent crispy contrast to the tender meat.   Loved.  This. Dish.

Beef Rendang

Finally, the Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie with Caramel Popcorn ($9).  Creamy Peanut Butter icing with salt atop a sweet, fudgy brownie.  Then, add in the crunch for the perfectly caramelized corn.  This dessert was complex, delicious, and marvelous.  This was so yummy.  Close to Heaven.  A perfect ending.  I might go back just to get this dessert again.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie

Underbelly
1100 Westheimer
Houston, Texas 77006
713.528.9800
www.underbellyhouston.com

Unfortunately,  I haven’t had the opportunity to try too many new eateries recently.  And, I’m pretty sad about that.  I have a very long list of restaurants, wine bars, and food trucks that I’m dying to try.  But, in the meantime, I’ve been reading — and not just The Hunger Games (no pun intended), but my last foodie book was by one of my favorite writers — Robb Walsh.  His latest is titled Texas Eats:  The New Lone Star Heritage Cookbook.

Texas Eats: The New Lone Star Heritage Cookbook

I love Robb’s books.  While they are officially categorized as “cookbooks,” and do include many recipes — authentic, researched recipes — it is Robb’s history in these books that make me read zealously.  I love the rich food history of whatever his subject matter is — barbecue, cowboy cooking,  Tex-Mex (The Tex-Mex Cookbook is my favorite, by the way), and now his Texas Eats.

Texas Eats is an over-all, larger context view of Texas food.  Its a great primer and an enjoyable, historical read.  As with all of his books,the recipes greatly add to the in depth knowledge and detail of his information.  Curious what Puchero is?  The recipe is in a book.  Apfelkraut?  It’s in there, too.  Maybe you just want to know how to make Felix’s Chile con Queso.   It’s provided.  You can read, in detail, the  ingredients and cooking methods traditionally used in the foods in which he describes.   I love that.  I have to admit, I haven’t yet tried a recipe from any of his books, but I can promise I have read every recipe he includes.

I’m personally interested and vested in this book as my Daddy’s name is mentioned.  I’m very proud of what Sonny Look brought to the National, Texas, and specifically, Houston restaurant and hospitality scenes.  He’s mentioned on page 185.    Robb doesn’t go into detail about steakhouses in Texas.  I’m not sure why.  Steak seems to be a huge part of our heritage.   But, I did spend many dinners at Maxim’s, which is detailed at length in the chapter “Fancy French Restaurants.”  I always loved Maxim’s. 

“When he (Camille Bermann) opened Maxim’s, the most popular restaurant in town was
Sonny Look’s Sir Loin, a cavernous steak house.”

I recommend Walsh’s latest book.  The book is another wonderful, historic account of Texas food.  Maybe his next book will be on Texas Beef and Steakhouses!

Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar opened in The Heights this past Fall, and I’ve been waiting for my opportunity to go.  And, I finally got it!  I loved this place upon entering.  Owned by the guys at BRC, it has the same comfortable feel as BRC, with pops of hipness.  For example, Liberty Kitchen has cement floors, but two beautiful crystal chandeliers above a table.  Love the contrast, the ying and the yang.  Shiplap/beadboard walls.  Metal table tops.  Old school chairs.  Some cool lighting elements.  Very open kitchen.  I loved the feel.  I loved the energy.  The hostess and my server were very friendly and nice. 

Liberty Kitchen and Oyster Bar

The menu was full of fabulous choices — from fish and oysters (of course) to deviled eggs, fried chicken, sandwiches, salads, and mac & cheese skillets.  (Liberty Kitchen also serves Slow Dough Bakery Breads — is there a restaurant in Houston who does not?  Glad to support a great hometown bakery.  Slow Dough makes good stuff!).  A truly good old fashioned comfort type of  place, Liberty Kitchen is sleek and fun.  Clean and simple in design.

First up: Charcoaled Chicken-Corn Bone Soup, lime, tortillas ($5).   I’m not sure where the “bone” comes from.  Our server insisted there were no bones in the soup, nor was the soup cooked with bones.  So, I’m puzzled.  Old fashioned “Bone Soup” is made using any kind of old bones to give it flavor.  So, maybe this soup was too?  Either way, it did have excellent flavor.   A broth based soup, it was super fresh and light.  Full of chunks of white meat chicken, corn, and pico de gallo.  Really delish.  I wanted more salt and pepper (and I added it), but that was my only complaint.

Charcoaled Chicken-Corn Bone Soup

Next up: American-aged Cheddar, American cheese with buttered crumb crust Mac & Cheese skillet ($8.50).  Of course, Jus Mac, also in The Heights, has been serving their mac & cheese skillets, but I always welcome another!  This dish was very creamy, but not cheesy.  Where was the Cheddar cheese?  Where was the American cheese?  The crumb top was crunchy and flavorful and a nice contrast with the creamy mac.  But we wanted cheesiness.  We wanted the Ooey gooey. 

Mac & Cheese Skillet

My dining companion ordered the Skirt Steak Salad – blue cheese, egg, cherry tomato, maple bacon, avocado, and pickled veggies ($13.00).  The salad was very fresh and very huge.    The meat was extremely tender, however, it lacked flavor.  It was bland.  Sadness.  The pickled veggies were excellent – green beans and okra.  They packed a huge pow of flavor.  They were the best part of the salad.  The dressing was an olive vinaigrette and also delicious.  Lots and lots of chopped olives…almost like a tapenade. 

Skirt Steak Salad

So, in summary, the place was great, the service was, well, mostly good — our server seemed to have forgotten about us at the end — the food was good, but lacked some good old fashioned flavor.  I will definitely go back.  I loved the energy, the vibe, the menu, and ambiance, I’ll just take my salt and pepper with me!

Liberty Kitchen and Oyster Bar
1050 Studewood
Houston, Texas 77008
713.802.0533
https://www.facebook.com/LibertyKitchen#!/LibertyKitchen?sk=wall

I’ve been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the newest Three Brothers Bakery to open down the street.  And,  yes, the day came!  I am already a fan of Three Brothers (original location on Braeswood between 610 and Stella Link).  You probably are, too.   They have received numbers awards and honors.  Most recently: The Knot Best of Weddings 2012 Pick, Houston Culinary Awards Pastry Chef of the Year 2011, and Houston Culinary Awards Favorite Bakery 2011.

They opened a week ago near Memorial City Mall, and I was finally able to go check out the newest digs yesterday.  Lots of natural light, sleek interior, clean.  Much space to sit at a table and share a cupcake or relax on a sofa.  I went at 4:00 in the afternoon and the bakery was pretty busy with people picking up sweets and breads or snacking on an after school treat.

I tried several items, really because I just couldn’t decide on one!  Lots of yummy choices!  Let’s start with my favorite of the items I tried:  the Reese’s Cupcake.  It was HUGE!  And, every bit as delicious as it looks.  Maybe even more delicious.  The chocolate cake was moist and dense.  A devil’s food scrumptious-ness.  The Peanut Butter Buttercream was spot on perfect.  Excellent texture.  Light and fluffy, but still substantial.   The little baby Reese’s on the top gave a little bit of crunchy contrast to the soft moist cupcake. 

Reese’s Cupcake

Next, the Hostess Cupcake.  Is it really possible to improve on a childhood favorite?  Well yes.  Yes it is!  The same great chocolate cake as above with smooth, silky chocolate ganache on top.   Of course, once you biteinto it, you see the yummy buttercream.   A great re-invention of a classic.

Hostess Cupcake

Cookies.  The cute smiling face with his tongue sticking out, well, he just made me happy.  So, I bought him, and well, then ate him, too.   He was good.  The cookie contained cinnamon.  And, it was crunchy, yet soft.  Not crispy, just not too chewy.  The buttercream on top was creamy and sweet.  A good combination with the cookie.  The dinosaur sugar cookie was light and simple.  It would be excellent with hot tea.  It reminded me of an English biscuit!

Cookies

And, finally, The Cinnamon Roll (with Raisins).   Oh. My. Gosh.  Fabulous!  Gignormous.  Moist.  Very moist.  So many cinnamon rolls are dry.  You know what I mean.  They look all sinful and full of gooey love, and then you bite into it and its all dry and awful.  You know.   But not Three Brothers Cinnamon Rolls!  The CR here was delish.  Very cinnamon-y.  Thick, dense dough.  Plump raisins.  The icing was a great compliment.   The cream cheese was ever so subtle, making the icing still sweet, but not over the top.  Move over Cinnabon, Three Brothers rocks.

Cinnamon Roll

I love having Three Brothers Bakery down the street.  While they are not perfect (I do not like their bagels), they are pretty close to amazing on everything.   They are consistent in product, consistent in good service, and consistent in a variety of offerings.  Love me some Three Brothers!  Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Three Brothers Bakery – Memorial
12393 Kingsride
Houston, Texas 77024
713.464.2253 (cake)
www.3brothersbakery.com

Brasserie Max & Julie (which is neither owned by Max or Julie, but is owned by Chris Paul who also owns the yummy Cafe Rabelais in the West U Village).  As soon as we walked in, I loved the atmosphere of Max & Julie.  Quaint, comfortable, simplistic, authentic, intimate. I did not feel that I was in the middle of Houston, but instead felt I could have been in the country of a French village. Wooden chairs. Wooden floors.  Lace Curtains. Old charm feel.  Not fancy, but full of character.

Brasserie Max & Julie

I started with one of my all time favorites…Soupe a l’Oignon, or that good gooey stuff, French Onion Soup (the word ”French” is probably redundant in this situation).  ($5.95).   As expected, it was HOT!  I’ve learned to be patient with my onion soups so that I do not burn my mouth so badly that I’m healing for days.  My patience was worth it.  Yum.  Cheesy top.  Tender onions.  More mellow than some other onion soups, but I appreciated the mildness.  A cozy soup for a cozy place.

Soup a l’Oignon

Main entree:  Boeuf Bourguignon ($19.00).  Traditional  Burgundian Beef Stew (aka in American lingo, Beef Burgundy, as the dish originated in the Burgundy Region of France).  Substantial.  Hearty.  Great beef broth flavor.  Mmmmmm.  The beef was tender, as were the potatoes and carrots included in this stew.  What can I say?  A great beefy meal.  Little veggies, big on delectable meat.

Boeuf Bourguignon

So, for dessert, what else, but, you guessed it, a souffle!   I might be bold enough to say that a souffle is my favorite dessert in the world.  The Souffle Maison for our visit was Vanilla ($9.95).  Pretty good.  Puffy and light.  A little eggy for me, but still delicious flavor.  Good custardy, vanilla sauce.   Even though it was not my very favorite souffle ever, my only complaint was that I wished for a bigger souffle! 

Vanilla Souffle

I really enjoyed my visit to Max & Julie’s (long over due, it has been on my “list” forever!).  Great food.  Excellent service.  Wonderful atmosphere.   A great experience.   I look forward to going back! 

Brasserie Max & Julie
4315 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77006
713.524.0070
http://www.maxandjulie.net/Brasserie/Home.html