Archives for July, 2008
Dining Out Club at Inka Restaurant
| August 5, 2008 | ||
Love 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.
- This meeting starts at 7pm and lasts about two hours.
- Some people stay around after the meal to enjoy the venue and the company.
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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
Entrees from $12/person.
Inka is a Nuevo Latino cafe with a casual vibe and some really outstanding cooking. Chef/owner David Sanchez, a Culinary Institute of America grad, describes the fare as “South American-inspired,” but his Nuevo Latino menu aims for excitement over authenticity. Try some ceviche or one of the excellent seafood dishes.
On Westheimer, outside the Beltway and way outside the loop!
Chef David Sanchez (formerly of Artista, Julia’s Bistro, Grotto & Ninfa’s/Antone’s) has now incorporated an American touch to the already tasty cuisine. This sparked the adaptation of spelling to the name INKA. INKA Restaurant’s refreshed take on all Latin Cuisines has proven to be the next evolution of culinary experiences.
Inka South American Cuisine
12225 Westheimer Rd Ste A
Houston TX 77007
(832) 379-1717
www.inkahouston.com
Bobby’s on the Bayou is No More
Bobby’s on the Bayou was one of my favorite places in Houston. “Officials suspect arson in fire that left no injuries.”
Bobby’s on the Bayou
2622 Greens Road
Houston TX 77032
(281) 442-1777
Two buck beer and the best burgers on the north side of town. I hope they rebuild.
Eggs and Andouille and Cops at Mena’s
It’s early morning on day three of Tales of the Cocktail 2008. Last night I did the “Spirited Dinner” at Bourbon House, hosted by LeNell Smothers of NYC fame. Now, I’m looking for a nice quiet breakfast so I walk out of the Hotel Monteleone and turn toward Canal Street. When I get to the corner, I turn left and walk one block to Mena’s Palace.
Mena’s Palace
200 Chartres Street
New Orleans LA 70130
(504) 525-0217
www.menaspalace.com
Calling Mena’s a “palace” is typical New Orleans bragging. Anywhere else it would be Mena’s Cafe and Bar.
I arrive at 6:58am. I know it’s 6:58am because the door is still locked, but there are people sitting at the tables inside. Mena’s doesn’t open until 7am.
I know if I stand by the door politely they’ll let me in to sit and drink a cup of coffee. Yup, Margaret is opening the door now.
There are only a dozen or so tables in the whole place. I walk to a table near the back and sit so I can look out at the street. Margaret brings me a cup of coffee and I wait for Mena’s to be officially open.
At about 7:15am Margaret comes back and asks: “What’ll you have, dear?”
“Two eggs over medium. Hash browns. Toast. And a side of andouille sausage.” (I am in New Orleans, after all. I can get bacon or ham anywhere.)
“The andouille will be extra,” says Margaret. “Is that okay?”
“Sure.” It’s five bucks for the eggs and $3.50 for the andouille. Still a great price compared to the higher prices at the white tablecloth restaurants back on Royal Street.
I settle in with my coffee and go back to reading the copy of USA Today that I bought along.
Quickly enough Margaret brings my order. First the eggs and hash browns then, a few minutes later, a rather large andouille sausage. It’s the same kind of breakfast you could get at any cafe in any small town in America. Except for that andouille.
As I enjoy my quiet breakfast the free show starts up right outside Mena’s front window.
There’s a motorcycle cop slowly riding by, trying to get past first an even slower-moving bicycle and then a young couple walking in the street.
It all seems normal enough.
Until the guy on foot takes a cigarette out of his mouth, throws it to the ground and takes off running.
I’m not completely sure what happened next — since the show exited stage left — but in a minute or so the cop has the poor guy’s face pressed against the window at Mena’s and the cuffs are going on.
Two lessons to learn here:
- 1. Never draw unwanted attention to yourself –and–
- 2. Always order andouille sausage when you’re in New Orleans.
Tales of the Cocktail 2008
My wife and I went last year and had the spirited times of our lives.
This year, I’m going alone (since my wife has other out of town obligations). I’m on the “Founder’s Day Pass” so I’ll be able to attend all the big events.
I’ll be posting regularly on my twitter feed. Follow me at http://twitter.com/jm9900.
