17th Annual Crawfish

7th Annual Crawfish Boil VIP Crawfish Cruises

April 14, 2013 @ 12:00 PM Live Music. Live Boiled Crawfish. Live Fun! All-You-Can-Eat from 12:00pm! Tickets are $30 per adult, $10 per child!

Contact Details

Visit Our Business Directory Listing: Landry's Seafood Restaurant

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Inner Loop Dunkin’ Donuts

Coming Soon: Inner Loop Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts is about to fill a hole inside the Loop.

A pink and orange sign outside the former Arby’s location at Shepherd Drive and Fairview indicates the chain will be opening soon. For now, the closest Dunkin’ Donuts to Loop 610 is at 5406 Bellaire Blvd. about a mile outside the Loop.

The location will be one of 16 Houston-area stores announced as part of an expansion last year.
The chain is hoping to get a bigger piece of the market, which is dominated by Houston-based Shipley Do-Nut. You don’t have to drive far to find one of Shipley’s 115 locations across the Houston area.

Plus, Colliers International’s Houston office just reported a lease for Dunkin’ Donuts – Baskin Robbins store at 4130 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena.

If you’ve seen a new location around town, add it to the comments below.


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Easter dining 2013

Easter dining 2013: deals, meals and other hare-raising fun

No bunny does Easter brunch like these Houston-area restaurants.

These meals and deals are available March 31. Prices are exclusive of tax and gratuity (which can be as much as 22 percent in some cases). Restaurants are strongly advised. Some restaurants may require at deposit when you make your reservation.

strawberry shortcake as served at Brennan's of Houston.: Courtesy photo

Table service

Backstreet Cafe: Three course menu with options such as roasted asparagus and crabmeat salad, Grilled Rainbow Troute with avocado-tomato salad and corn pudding and Butterscotch Bread Pudding. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $45 ($12 for ages 10 and younger).
1103 S. Shepherd, 713-521-2239

The Bird & The Bear: A la carte menu highlights include Wild Boar Sausage Omelet ($18), seafood paella ($25) and braised herb-crusted quail ($24). Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
2810 Westheimer, 713-528-2473

Bistro Provence: Three course menu with options such as fava bean soup, chicken with crawfish cream sauce and rice pilaf and lemon meringue tart. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost: $44.
13616 Memorial Dr., 713-827-8008

Brennan's Houston: Three course menu. Highlights include BBQ Breaux Bridge Crawfish Enchilada, Lamb Debris with Sweet Potato Waffles and strawberry shortcake. Open: 10 a.m. Cost: $55. Also live music and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
3300 Smith St., 713-522-9711

Read Full Article

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

tequila bar on Main Street

Heugel & company to open tequila bar on Main Street

Bobby Heugel of Anvil Bar likes to share.

His latest “news release” is a letter outlining his and his associates’ plans. Most of the news includes a name for his growing company/business ties -- Clumsy Butcher -- and a new concept, a mezcal and tequila bar coming in late summer/fall to Main Street.

Bobby Heugel: Johnny Hanson : 29-95

 

His lengthy letter was addressed to "Social Butterflies & Press." If you self-identify, you can read the rest for yourself.

Dear Houston Social Butterflies & Press:
It’s been four years since March 2009, when Kevin Floyd and I opened Anvil Bar & Refuge. Since that time, with the addition of our partner Michael Burnett, we’ve opened: The Hay Merchant; partner Chris Shepherd’s restaurant, Underbelly; Blacksmith Coffee Shop (with partners David Buehrer and Ecky Prabanto); and The Original OKRA Charity Saloon (with a group of friends and partners). We’ve also announced plans to open a cocktail bar called Julep with Alba Huerta. In our spare time, we’ve taken over operations of the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation and Antone’s. What started as a small cocktail bar has grown into a small company, one that’s focused on supporting talented folks and on generating concepts that play a respectful role in the Houston community.

Read Full Article


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Watercolor on display at biggest event of year

Some Houston galleries pride themselves on severe editing, hanging exhibits with fewer than a half-dozen works of art.

Not the Watercolor Art Society-Houston, whose walls are chockablock during its biggest event of the year, the 36th annual International Exhibition. Ninety paintings were accepted into the juried show. Most are for sale, and Saturday the society’s parking lot will be filled with bargain buys created by area watercolor artists.

Read Full Article

More Information

36th International Exhibition
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, through April 4; annual Outdoor Art Fair 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Watercolor Art Society-Houston, 1601 W. Alabama
Tickets: Free; 713-942-9966, www.watercolorhouston.org

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Meet the pitmasters of Houston BBQ Fest

Meet the pitmasters of Houston BBQ Fest

The first Houston BBQ Festival, which will be March 24, will include Blake's BBQ, The Brisket House, Brook's Place BBQ, Burns BBQ, CorkScrew BBQ, Fainmous BBQ, Gary Burns Old Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Q, Gatlin's BBQ, Gerardo's, Lenox Bar-B-Que, Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue, Ray's BBQ Shack, Tin Roof BBQ, Virgie's Bar-B-Que and Killen's BBQ. 

Houston BBQ Fest (Photo Gallery)

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

James Beard award nominations

Houston well represented in James Beard award nominations

Houston chefs Hugo Ortega and Chris Shepherd have made the final cut of five finalists for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Southwest award.

Ortega, of Hugo's, and Shepherd, of Underbelly, will compete for the 2013 title against Bryce Gilmore of Austin's Barley Swine, Jennifer Jasinski of Denver's Rioja, and Kevin Binkley of Binkley's in Phoenix. The winner will be announced at the Beard Foundation's annual awards gala, to be held at New York City's Avery Fisher Hall on May 6, with actor/director and cookbook author Stanley Tucci as emcee. The awards are considered to be the most prestigious in the American food world.

Chronicle critic Alison Cook again has been nominated as a finalist for the Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award. Other top critic finalists were Patric Kuh of LA Magazine and Tejal Rao of Village Voice.

Read Full Article

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Tom Wilson-designed River Oaks home

Tom Wilson-designed River Oaks home boasts acre-plus lot

On more than an acre, this imposing River Oaks estate is surrounded by towering trees and pristine grounds.
Listing agent Jeanne Turner of Greenwood King Properties Kirby office described the Tom Wilson design as sophisticated boasting extraordinary attention to every detail inside and out.
With more than 11,000 square feet, the two-story home offers numerous memorable appointments throughout its thoughtfully designed floor plan.
The entry foyer with its staircase sets the tone for the magnificent trim work and detail found throughout the home, which features mahogany trim, hardwood and limestone floors, and beamed ceilings.

Read Original Article

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Patrick's Day in Houston 2013

St. Patrick's Day in Houston 2013: Find your party spot

There are plenty of places to party on St. Patrick’s Day, but one of the more special celebrations is at The Harp.

The pre-party is Saturday night when representatives from Jameson’s Irish Whiskey and SportsRadio 610 will be on hand with drink specials and giveaways from 8-10 p.m. Then, on Sunday, it’s a parking-lot party starting at noon. Festivities include Irish dancers, bagpipers, live music, food and drink specials. 1625 Richmond, 713-528-7827

Of course, the party has been going on all week at Griff’s. In its 48th year, Griff’s celebration continues Thursday with the crowning of the bar’s St. Paddy’s Day Queen. On Saturday, the day begins with a caravan to the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Back at the bar, there will be Irish stew and chili cookoffs. On Sunday, the day begins early with live music and features green beer and a “lot of shenanigans.” Admission on Sunday is $10. 3416 Roseland, 713-528-9912

Celtic Gardens and its sister bar, Pub Fiction, will team up for two days of St. Patrick’s hijinks. Doors open at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday; live bands will play on two stages both days, green beer and freshly grilled party fare will be available. 2300 Louisiana, 713-900-2500

Another tag-team celebration includes Lucky's Pub and Cork Soakers in EaDo. Doors open at 9 a.m. for this huge parking-lot party. Fifteen bands will perform, as well as bagpipers. And organizers are promising the world’s largest Harlem Shake. Advance tickets are $10; a VIP ticket good for private bars, restrooms and complimentary snacks is $50. Purchase tickets online at luckyspub.com. 801 St. Emanuel, 713-522-2010.

Lucky’s-Heights (2520 Houston, 713-862-2400) and Lucky’s-Cypress (27126 Northwest Freeway, 281-758-2514) also will be hosting large St. Patrick’s celebrations.

Read Full Article

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Houston Barbecue Festival

Sunday 24 March 2013 from 1pm-5pm at the Bayou City Event Center for a celebration of Houston barbecue and the people who make it.
Participating Houston barbecue joints:

• Blake's BBQ • The Brisket House
• Brooks' Place BBQ • Burns BBQ
• CorkScrew BBQ • Fainmous BBQ
• Gary Burns Old Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Q
• Gatlin's BBQ • Gerardo's
• Lenox Bar-B-Que • Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue
• Ray's BBQ Shack
• Tin Roof BBQ • Virgie's Bar-B-Que

• Limited availability

• All tickets sold in advance

• No sales at the door
Houston Barbecue Festival

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Waterway Cruisers

Waterway Cruisers

 

The Woodlands Waterway Cruiser (formerly known as Water Taxis) —A fun way to get around The Woodlands Town Center.

For those who want to have a relaxing ride and take in the scenery, you can take a boat tour on a Waterway Cruiser along The Woodlands Waterway®, a 1.4 mile long corridor.

We have six Waterway Cruisers that travel along The Woodlands Waterway providing the perfect way to explore all the amenities that the Waterway has to offer. Along both sides of the corridor are businesses, restaurants, office buildings, hotels and urban residential. The east end of the corridor is anchored by The Woodlands Mall and the west end is anchored by The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and Town Green Park.

Plato Papas Marina
1100 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Phone: 281-367-1151

HOURS OF OPERATION*

Friday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (The last round trip starts at the mall turn at 8 p.m.)
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (The last round trip starts at the mall turn at 9 p.m.)
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (The last round trip starts at the mall turn at 7 p.m.)

COST

A general public day pass with unlimited rides on the cruisers is $5.
Youth (12 and under), Seniors (65 and older), and Disabled pay $2.50.

Tickets can be purchased when you board the Waterway Cruisers with cash or credit. The Waterway Cruisers are wheelchair accessible.




Route Map (PDF)

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Live at Night at Waterway Square

Live at Night at Waterway Square

March 16, 2013 @ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

People of all ages are invited to “Live at Night” as it returns this Spring to Waterway Square in The Woodlands with live outdoor music every Saturday March 2 - April 27, 2013, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The backdrop for this Woodlands live music event are the beautiful Fountains at Waterway Square.
This is a family-friendly, free event that showcases local bands.

Band: Jesse Roach

Live At Night


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Astrodome Glory Days

The Astrodome (Photo Gallery)

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Java Central

Java Central: 10 places that make the Heights THE place to get a cup

Long term residents of the Heights area don’t have to probe far into our little grey cells to recall a time when, true or not, the common lament was “The Heights is nice and all, but there are just no restaurants over there.” I was thinking of that just this morning as I was considering my now-plentiful options to get some coffee.

That gripe was always overblown, in my opinion. I’ve lived in the Heights since 1988, and predating me is Someburger, Spanish Flowers, Andy’s, the old 11th Street Cafe, Texas Cafeteria, Tampico Seafood and so many other small and large places too numerous to mention.   I’m not saying the neighborhood was chock full of places to eat, but it wasn’t exactly the wasteland that so many thought.

Well, much has been written about how the Heights is now something of a restaurant Mecca, with more quality establishments opening all the time along the main arteries of White Oak, 11th Street, Studewood and West 19th. The Heights is also becoming more and more well-known as Hamburger Central, with amazing fare coming from the previously-mentioned Someburger, the Creeks (Onion, Dry and, slightly to the west, Cedar), Hubcap Grill (also slightly to the west of the Heights) Beck’s Prime, and more. (I stop this list here not because I’ve run out of options but because there are simply too many to mention. Seriously, type in “hamburger” and “The Heights” in Urbanspoon, Yelp or whatever your restaurant app of choice and marvel at the list.)

But let’s begin again with the coffee.  Back in 1998, on the morning of my fourth of four Heights area moves, I went out to get some of the brown elixir vitae for everyone helping us settle in. As I drove out from our West 23rd renovation job (at that point, more after-the-fall Osgiliath than Rivendell), I realized that there was nowhere for me to go in the neighborhood.  So I settled on heading south to the End of the Universe on West Gray at Shepherd, choose from one of the two Starbucks there and headed back to the neighborhood wondering, as so many of us did at that time, how much money could be made by opening a simple coffee shop in the Heights.

Read Original Article

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Guide helps you navigate rodeo traffic

Whether this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which starts Monday, is your first or 81st, getting around can be difficult, and traffic can certainly take longer than eight seconds.

Driving: Getting to Reliant Park is a matter of taking Loop 610, or Texas 288. Key intersections include Kirby Drive and Old Spanish Trail.

Parking: There are three public parking lots with access, via shuttles or Metrorail. One lot is on Old Spanish Trail, one is on Main and another is south of Loop 610, accessible off Bellfort. Prices vary based on the lot. A second Old Spanish Trail lot will open for the Spring Break Stampede.

Horse: I don’t recommend traveling by horse, but it’s a rodeo. Do what you need to do.
The solution, for some buckaroos, might be to take a shuttle or train.

Shuttles: Metro is offering shuttles from area park and ride locations. Prices are $4 or $6.50 round-trip, depending on which park and ride you choose. The Rodeo Express also ferries people back and forth.

Train: Metrorail runs later, and connects downtown with Reliant.

Parking Lot Map (PDF Doc)
Parking Cost
Houston Metro
Houston Metro Poster
Houston Metro Rodeo Express


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

How to make a Texas diet more Mediterranean

The big diet news this month is the Mediterranean diet, which is being touted as heart-healthy thanks to its use of healthy, vegetable-based fats instead of other fats that can cause heart disease.

In a five year study in which some participants at Mediterranean diets and others ate standard low-fat diets, those who ate Mediterranean diets had a 30 percent lower combined rate of heart attack, stroke and death from related causes.

And, those on the Mediterranean diet were actually able to eat more fat.

"It's very important to note that the fats in a Mediterranean diet are typically what we refer to as healthy fats — unsaturated oils like fish oil, olive oil, and seed oils like canola, soybean or flaxseed – which studies have shown may have a protective effect on the heart," said Dr. Sharon Robinson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension nutrition specialist.

Read Full Article

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Mesquite-smoked Texas Whiskey

Mesquite-smoked Texas Whiskey

Where there’s smoke, there’s … Ranger Creek Rimfire.
The San Antonio-based Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling, producers of handcrafted beer and bourbon, is set to release a single malt whiskey aimed deep in the heart of Texans: a mesquite-smoked hooch.

Called Ranger Creek Rimfire, the scotch-style whiskey is lightly smoked with mesquite sourced from a local farmer. Fewer than 500 cases of Rimfire were produced and will released throughout the state this month. Ranger Creek reps will be holding a tasting at Spec’s on Smith from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 29. The 375 ml bottle sells for $34.99.

Ranger Creek describes Rimfire as a smoky whiskey similar to Caol Ila. “Smoked whiskeys were popularized through products like Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg from the Islay region of Scotland,” the company’s press release states. “Rimfire is their less intense Texas cousin. Instead of Scottish peat, Ranger Creek hand smokes their malt with Texas mesquite.”
The “brewstillery” also makes a smoked beer called Mesquite Smoked Porter.

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Downtown Macy’s to close on Saturday

Downtown Macy’s to close on Saturday

Officials with the Cincinnati-based retailer have confirmed the store will close March 9. Earlier this week, the retailer said that date was flexible and depended on the amount of merchandise remaining by this weekend.
The store has been holding a storewide close-out sale since announcing in January that it would be leaving downtown.

City boosters have been hopeful they could find another location for Macy’s, whose lease is about to expire. Mayor Annise Parker announced a downtown retail task force to research options for Macy’s and other retailers that may want a downtown presence.
The 791,000-square-foot building at 1110 Main has been around since 1947. Many Houstonians remember it as a Foley’s. Here’s its history.


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

The new cuts of this Mexican steakhouse

The new cuts of this Mexican steakhouse

La Casa del Caballo is bringing 
a different vision for beef and 
south-of-the-border fare to the table.

Photo Gallery

La Casa del Caballo's


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

sights of Azalea Trail

The beautiful sights of Azalea Trail

Read Original Article with Photo Gallery

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

The Woodlands CrawPHish Festival

The Woodlands CrawPHish Festival

Saturday, March 23, 2013, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The Woodlands CrawPHish Festival was created to raise awareness for Pulmonary Hypertension, hence the “PH” in the name, and money to find a cure. The festival is hosted annually in Town Green Park for a day of family fun with live music, kids activities, authentic Louisiana crawfish, BBQ (for those that do not care for crawfish), networking and more. While we have continued to grow over the last few years, our one day festival brings in more than 3,000 people from all part of the country. In the past, people have traveled from Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Maryland, Tennessee and numerous other states to attend the CrawPHish Festival. We look forward to growing the Festival in the years to come and raising money for such a worthy cause.

Cost: Tickets are available at $25 per person for ages 11 and up – to include one plate of food and two drink tickets (alcoholic or non-alcholic beverages available for those 21 and over); $15 for 10 and under – to include one plate of food and one drink ticket; entry for ages 4 and under are free. Pre-purchased tickets are strongly encouraged. Limited tickets will be available the day of the event at an increased cost.
 
Phone: (281) 367-2222
 
Event url: woodlandscrawfish.com/


Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Houston Rodeo

2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Photo Gallery)

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/

Rodeo food

Wacky treats you may find at the Houston Rodeo

Photo Gallery

Visit my Food Blog at http://southerncookingwithtodd.blogspot.com/