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.

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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


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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.

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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.

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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.


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