Archives for March, 2008

Steak night at Ernie’s

Ernie's on BanksIt’s 6pm on a Thursday night and I’m driving home to an empty house with an empty stomach. Sounds like a good time to stop and eat at a place where everyone knows my name. I drive south on Montrose, just past US-59 and turn right. There it is: Ernie’s on Banks.

“A martini. Gin, of course,” I say as I ease into the barstool at the end of the bar.

The bartender’s name is Danny and he’s friendly enough. “A special gin?” he asks.

“What’s the house?”

Danny shows me a bottle of Taaka.

“Oh, yeah, I’ll need the Tanqueray, please.” Taaka is cheap stuff at six bucks a bottle. Not tonight, thanks.

Danny shakes me a great 3-to-1 martini and I settle into my seat.

American Standard Dry Martini
3 ounces gin (always use the best gin you can find)
1 ounce dry vermouth
shake, serve up with a single olive

I’m a purist when it comes to my martinis. The drink is mostly gin, so scrimping there doesn’t make sense. And the vermouth is critical: too little or too much and the drink loses its appeal. Shake mine, please, don’t stir. I like to drink my martini while it’s still laughing at me.

There are five or six people at the bar and two more at the dart board. None of them know my name and that’s alright with me. I’ve only been here once before, on my way to some museum event a month or so ago.

As I finish my martini I realize that my empty stomach won’t go away by itself. I stopped in tonight because Thursdays are $10 steak nights.

“Danny, I’ll have a steak, well-done.” I motion to him that I’ll be at the table closest to the door. I’ll be able to watch the TV and the crowd from there.

The steak arrives quickly enough and it’s just the meal I needed.

Ernie’s On Banks
1010 Banks Street at Montrose
Houston TX 77006-6112
(866) 464-9251
www.erniesonbanks.com

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03/20/2008 | Spirits | No Comments

Dining Out Club at Steamboat House

May 31, 2008

Dining Out Club at Steamboat HouseLove eating out? Looking for new places to try and new people to share the experience?

I’m the organizer for Dining Out Club/Houston! We’re a growing bunch of dedicated foodies, all wanting to find exciting places to meet and eat. Once or more each month we go to different restaurants somewhere in (or near) Houston. I’m anxious for you to join in the fun!

  • There are no club fees!
  • Each attendee pays their own food bill.
  • Meetings start at 7:00pm in a restaurant somewhere in the Houston area and last an hour or two.
  • Some people stay around after the meal to enjoy the venue and the company.
  Interested? Sign up and RSVP for our next meeting. Come every meeting or come when you can!

FYI: We use www.meetup.com as our RSVP/Membership tracking tool. It’s free for you!

This Meeting

Steamboat House, the Great Texas Steak House, a Tribute to Sam Houston and Texas Heroes! Steamboat House is both a great steakhouse and a great Texas history museum. Proudly serve premium beef seasoned with our own special blend of seasoning and spices that have our customers saying time after time, “Best Steak I have ever eaten!”

In addition to great steaks Steamboat House brings in fresh seafood that is crafted by our chef’s staff into entrees normally found only in the finest seafood houses. On the weekends we feature mouthwatering specials you and your guests are sure to love.

Steamboat House has a well stocked full service bar and bartenders that can make your old favorite drink or the new fashionable ones. In addition Steamboat House has an excellent selection of red and white wines from California, Washington state, Texas, Chile, France, Germany, Australia, Italy and Portugal.

Dinner entrees from $25-37.

Sam Houston “Steamboat House” Steak House
8045 North Sam Houston Parkway West
(near the horse race track)
Houston TX 77064
(832) 912-1845
www.steamboathousetx.com

03/14/2008 | Events, Food | No Comments

Dining Out Club at Brennan’s of Houston

April 26, 2008

global_3006555.jpgLove eating out? Looking for new places to try and new people to share the experience?

I’m the organizer for Dining Out Club/Houston! We’re a growing bunch of dedicated foodies, all wanting to find exciting places to meet and eat. Once or more each month we go to different restaurants somewhere in (or near) Houston. I’m anxious for you to join in the fun!

  • There are no club fees!
  • Each attendee pays their own food bill.
  • Meetings start at 7:00pm in a restaurant somewhere in the Houston area and last an hour or two.
  • Some people stay around after the meal to enjoy the venue and the company.
  Interested? Sign up and RSVP for our next meeting. Come every meeting or come when you can!

FYI: We use www.meetup.com as our RSVP/Membership tracking tool. It’s free for you!

This Meeting

People just love to watch chefs work.

Which is one of the reasons for the immense popularity of the Brennan’s Kitchen Table, situated right in the heart of the kitchen.

The Kitchen Table is a private dining room that seats up to ten and offers a ringside seat of the kitchen action. Brennan’s chefs will prepare tastes from their menu custom for “Dining Out” guests.

$75/person fixed price tasting menu

Brennan’s of Houston
3300 Smith Street
Houston TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
www.brennanshouston.com

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03/14/2008 | Events, Food | No Comments

Dining Out Club at Cafe Red Onion

April 15, 2008

global_3464447.jpgLove eating out? Looking for new places to try and new people to share the experience?

I’m the organizer for Dining Out Club/Houston! We’re a growing bunch of dedicated foodies, all wanting to find exciting places to meet and eat. Once or more each month we go to different restaurants somewhere in (or near) Houston. I’m anxious for you to join in the fun!

  • There are no club fees!
  • Each attendee pays their own food bill.
  • Meetings start at 7:00pm in a restaurant somewhere in the Houston area and last an hour or two.
  • Some people stay around after the meal to enjoy the venue and the company.
  Interested? Sign up and RSVP for our next meeting. Come every meeting or come when you can!

FYI: We use www.meetup.com as our RSVP/Membership tracking tool. It’s free for you!

This Meeting

Café Red Onion has one of Houston’s unique culinary concepts with its “LATIN FUSION” of flavors. Offering you a non-smoking environment, Caribbean decor, rave reviews, top ten chefs and professional staff, it’s a perfect setting for a memorable culinary experience.

Our creations are a fusion of flavors from the blue waters of the Caribbean to the rich fruits of Latin America. Inspiration of the Chef to bring exotic dishes to our guest. Skilled cooks and professional staff will be be here to show you why our guest say “WOW” when dining at Cafe Red Onion.

Bar: Full
Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AmEx
Moderately priced, entrees range from $17 to $31.

Cafe Red Onion
3910 Kirby Drive
Houston TX 77002
(713) 807-1122
www.caferedonion.com

03/14/2008 | Events, Food | No Comments