Farmers Markets in Houston

There a two good ways of really controlling what you eat. 1 - Cook it yourself and 2 - Know the source of the ingredients.  The art of cooking is a topic for the future.  Controlling what you CAN mean going to your local mega supermarket and pluck those wonderful "seasonal" vegetables all season.  Ever wonder why there doesn't appear to be a season anymore?  Today's path from farmer to grocery store in a global journey.  Not to say that putting the U.N. on your plate everyday is a bad thing, it's just not very natural.  So what's the alternative?  One fine option is to buy your fruits and veggies frozen.  Today's methodology of flash freezing (thank you Clarence Birdseye) vegetables as soon as they are picked maintains most of the nutrients of it fresh cousin.  Unfortunately, the selections can be limited and the vegetables still could taste like they came from a huge commercial farm.  For those of us who have actually raised fruits and vegetables before - you know cucumbers are not that green for example.

Houston is blessed with a lot of great farmers markets because Houston is sourced from a lot of surrounding small farm towns like Hempstead, Magnolia and the entire East Texas Pineywoods.  So where are these bastions of goodness.  Unfortunately, many come and go over time.  However, at this time try these as a first taste of what real food could taste like:

1. Houston Farmer's Market - West University
2. Central City Co-Op in Montrose
3. Radical Eats - Southwest
4. Pearland Farmers Market - Grand Blvd in Pearland (if you're looking for a complete meal including bread and meet)
5. Canino Produce Farmers Market - The Heights
6. Humble Farmers Market - Main St in Humble

Thanks to Yelp for their valuable contribution.

Crawfish Season Ending

Another crawfish season is coming to a delicious end.  It is amazing how something so incredibly tied to Bayou country can be enjoyed by so many folks. One must only wonder what next season might bring us.

Top Fried Chicken Restaurants in Houston

The fine folks at KHOU http://www.khou.com/news/local/b11-Best-Fried-chicken-in-the-Houston-areab-93061184.html conducted a viewer poll as to the best fried chicken in Houston.  Their top 11 (that's original) includes all variations of the bird including beef such as chicken fried steak and steak fingers.  Not trying to be too judgemental, here's what those fine folks think are boss birds:

1. Frenchy's- 3919 Scott (heck yes)

2. Barbeque Inn - 116 W. Crosstimbers

3. Popeye's - everywhere

4. Church's - everywhere

5. Kentucky Fried Chicken - everywhere

6. Chicken Plus - 6210 N. Wayside Dr.

7. Raisin Cane's - 12201 Westhheimer
8. Hartz - everywhere
9. Mel's Diner - Tomball
10.Timmy Chan - don't know where
11.BRC -Gastro Pub - 519 Shepard

Lagniappe:
a. Sambura - 909 Texas St
b. Mockinbird Bistro - 1985 Welch St.


This is a topic that I will put our crack review team on. More to come in the coming weeks to validate or crush this list.

Top Steakhouses in Houston

Want a steak? Forget Outback and Golden Corral (ugh). I'm talking aged prime beef.  Dark, rich and so, so flavorful.  Live in Houston area and got AT LEAST $50/person to spend.  Welcome to royalty.

A few words of caution.  Come hungry.  Dress nice. Call ahead for reservations.

My personal favorite cuts are New York strip and rib eye. 

From the folks at Gayot mixed in with my personal preferences, here's are the top Steakhouses in Houston in no particular order.  Enjoy. 

Brennan's of Houston (personal choice)

3300 Smith St. (Stuart St.)

Houston, TX 77006

713-522-9711

Brenner's Steakhouse

10911 Katy Fwy.

Houston, TX 77079

713-465-2901

Fogo de Chão Steakhouse

8250 Westheimer Rd.

Houston, TX 77063

713-978-6500

Morton's The Steakhouse Steakhouse (personal choice)Centre at Post Oak
5000 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77056
713-629-1946

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Steakhouse (personal choice)
5839 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77057
713-780-7352

Ruth's Chris Steak House Steakhouse (personal choice)
6213 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77057
713-789-2333

Spencer's Steakhouse
Hilton Americas-Houston
1600 Lamar St.
Houston, TX 77010
713-577-8325

Truluck's Steak & Stone Crab Seafood
5350 Westheimer Rd.
Houston, TX 77056
713-783-7270

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse Steakhouse
1510 Texas Ave.
Houston, TX 77002
713-228-1111

Have any to add?

Winner of 2010 NBA Finals .... Los Angeles Lakers

No, I'm not talking out of both sides of my mouth.  Predicting the future is risky business.  Many turns and missteps lead to a untold number of possible outcomes.  What I'm attempting to do is sort through the clutter of possibilities and clear the fog for the future.  Make no mistake, the Lakers are favored by every legal betting service outside of New England. 

However, here's how their championship parade could get cancelled.

The Lakers will loose if these things happen:

1 - Kobe gets seriously hurt.  No brainer.  He is the best player on court and it's money time.

2 - The bigs (Odom, Gasol and Bynum) average less than 15 points or 15 rebounds - COMBINED!

3 - Ron Artest has a Pacer flashback and goes gangster for the series - underperforming and being a team distraction.

The Winner of 2010 NBA Finals ... Boston Celtics:

Of course no one know's who is going to win this game.  If  you do several fellows who call Las Vegas home would love to speak to you ... privately. 

When you look back at this post, here's who will win:

If Boston Celtics win, this will happen:

• Rajon Rondo - will lead the team in assist all games
• Kevin Garnet - will average 15+ points per game
• Kendrick Perkins - will have not foul out of any game

In Search of Soul Food in Houston

Soul Food - What is it? Country cooking with a twist of love.  Primal.  All about the taste giving no consideration of fat, calories, carbs, etc.  Remember, life for the average person eating this incredible style of cooking at the time of it's creation.  They were hard working manual laborers.  They needed something filling, that tasted good, made from food others didn't want or they could easily grow. 

The Houston metro area of 4+ million folks.  There must be an impressive lineup of potential hall of fame Soul Food Restaurants out there.  I want to find them all.  The art, the craft, the tradition must be supported.  Here's a starter list that will be reviewed in more detail in the weeks to come.  Help me add to the list.  Let's keep hope alive!

 

1. This is It - 207 Gray Street.  Of course this institution belongs on any 'best of list'. 
2. Yo Mama's Soul Food - 5332 Arizona Dr.
3. Just Oxtails - 4207 Reed Rd
4. The Kitchen - 9381 Richmond Ave
5. Esther's Cajun Cafe and Soul Food - 5204 Yale St
6. Alfreda's Cafeteria 5101 Almeda Rd