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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

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

backyard barbecue spot


It’s less than 48 hours before Christopher Williams plans to open his latest venture: U.S. Smith’s BBQ, Beer and Garden and he’s still tweaking the menu.
“That needs a bit more sugar,” he says as a visitor takes a fork to the Fennel Cole Slaw that accompanies Williams’ 11 Dollar Hot Dog.
Nearby a bevy of construction works toil over what soon will be an outdoor serving station. Williams motions to the spot where a smoker eventually will be built.
Ready or not, U.S. Smith’s will open on Thursday, Nov. 29 in the backyard of Lucille’s, Williams’ sexy salute to southern cooking. It joins a handful of two-for-ones in Houston that include Pass & Provisions, Haven and Cove and Philippe’s and Phil’s Wine Lounge.
As the name implies, U.S. Smith’s will serve far less fussy fare than its sister operation. On the menu: baby back ribs, burgers, grilled corn on the cob, baked beans and grilled oysters on the half shell.

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Iconic Felix sign is up for sale on Ebay

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A relic of Houston’s past goes on the auction block this week.
The iconic neon sign that welcomed visitors to Felix’s Mexican Restaurant for more than 50 years is being sold on eBay.
Executive Chef Tyson Cole, who opened Uchi Houston in the Westheimer space that housed Felix’s, has targeted all the proceeds from the auction to the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to honor Felix’s late owner Felix Tijerina. Tijerina served four terms as president of LULAC.
"Our Uchi family is proud to offer this iconic sign up to benefit Mr. Tijerina's favorite charity, LULAC, an organization he led, supported and believed in for so many years," Cole said.
The auction, which went live Monday, will continue through Dec. 2.
The porcelain sign is being auctioned it three parts, each with a starting bid of $1,500.

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Friday, November 23, 2012

7 new stores to check out


Houston appears to be booming with new stores. Here’s a quick list of ones opening this week and/or recently:

PBTeen (Pottery Barn Teen) at the Woodlands Mall. Opens Saturday. This is one of only eight stores in the country. It has great gifts for boys and girls, as well as home accessories.

Charming Charlie at City Centre. The go-to spot for inexpensive jewelry and accessories has opened a new store at City Centre, located at I-10 and Town and Country Blvd.

Ulta at Centre at River Oaks, 3025 Kirby Drive. Opens today (Friday). Features more than 20,00 beauty products. Grand opening weekend treats: First 10o guests each day through Sunday get free gift certificates valuing $5 to $100 or a free salon service. Free makeovers and consultations.

Biscuit, 2608 Westheimer in Avalon Center. Home goods and treats.

HomeGoods in Pearland. My favorite off-price store for home fashions opens a new store in Pearland at 8 a.m.  Sunday. The 25,000 square-foot store is located Silverlake Village, Highway 288 and FM 518.

Makeup2 beauty boutique, 2015 W. Alabama. Makeup artist Tanisha Burr opens her beauty boutique with a beauty bar and will offer makeup demos on Saturday.

OshKos B’gosh at Houston Galleria in the lower level in Nordstrom wing opened this week. Check out the popular children’s and baby line.

Happy shopping!

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

On to the next Holiday Event

I am hoping that everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving with family and friends. so now that that one is over it on to the Christmas season. so here are a few things to keep in mind for hosting the most anticipated holiday season:

Getting your home ready for the Christmas Season

Decorating your home for the holidays goes hand-in-hand with getting ready for guests – whether those visitors are planned or impromptu. So, as you start to consider your décor themes, think about updates that can be made around the house to make your guests feel even more at home.

Keep this checklist in mind as you get started:

* Give your decorations a checkup. By pulling out your holiday decorations well ahead of time, you can save yourself the stress of last-minute surprises like broken platters or light strings with half the bulbs burnt out. If you find items that are broken or in disrepair, don’t throw them out - make a few quick fixes instead. Repair broken items with reliably tough adhesives like Gorilla, which come in a variety of formulas, from clear-drying epoxy to wood glue and more. Replace burnt out bulbs individually, rather than buying entire new strands.

* Stock your pantry. During every holiday this season, food will be a major focus. Be prepared for the biggest days by having all the ingredients you need in your pantry, freezer and - closer to the actual events - your refrigerator. From spices to stock to sweet treats, it’s better to have everything on hand rather than risking the chance of the grocery store being closed or dealing with the long, hectic holiday lines. It’s also a great opportunity to make sure that you have enough supplies on hand to feed guests who stay for a few days at a time, from breakfast to dinner and dessert.

* Freshen your linens. Guest rooms often go dormant during the quieter seasons of the year, and need a bit of airing out before the hosting season. Keep a few sets of linens freshly laundered - one on each bed and a couple in the closet - to avoid stale smells. Make sure you also have a few extra blankets clean and ready to use as throws, and don’t forget to vacuum or clean window treatments, where dust easily collects.

* Get in the spirit. Add to your home’s seasonal spirit by making a few crafts or gifts to decorate the main rooms, as well as guest rooms. Get creative with craft store items, or try “up cycling” thrift store or yard sale finds into holiday décor that’s uniquely yours. Visit www.pinterest.com/gorillaglue for project ideas and www.gorillatough.com for a guide to which glues work best on a variety of materials, from ceramics to plastic to paper.

* Be ready to entertain. Being a good host means being prepared for last-minute fun. After the big meal is finished and everything is cleaned up, you and your guests will have time for some extra fun. Set out DVDs, board games and books that will keep guests of all ages entertained.
One of the best parts of celebrating the season is the opportunity to spend time with loved ones. Getting your home ready for guests will make them feel more comfortable when they arrive  and give you a new sense of holiday cheer.



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