Happy Fourth, America!
And happy birthday to myself this month as well. And not just any birthday, but a milestone birthday. At least that’s what everyone is dishing. I’m a believer in age is nothing but a number. And for me, that number is a reminder of passing time. It doesn’t help that my profession requires me to work months in advance. Well, this year I’m taking my time back! Taking things one day, one moment at a time. Relishing in the little things, not sweating the small stuff and hopefully, as they say with this birthday, having the “necessary wisdom to make important decisions in life.” Scary! For now, I decided to eat on the lighter side this month. I finally “pulled the trigger” on a dish I’ve been wanting to taste, had a real bite of summer seafood, changed my life with a vegetable, had a surprise delivery plus discovered a unique experience in Houston.
What took me so long!
Canopy
3939 Montrose Blvd. 713.528.6848
After a couple visits and toying with the idea of ordering their crab remoulade and heirloom tomato salad, I FINALLY “pulled the trigger.” And I have no CLUE what took me so long. Lumps of crab are mixed to make a crab salad sitting atop toasted rustic bread and greens with a refreshing mix of heirloom tomatoes, red onion slices, cucumber, French feta, sprinkles of pumpkin seeds and basil, all drizzled in olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and sea salt. It is going to change your life! It’s the perfect summer dish.
Summer Seafood Delight
Shandy’s Café
5814 Memorial Dr. 713.426.2675
It’s warm (to be nice about it) outside and the last thing I want to do is fill up on super-heavy foods. (Nothing like being sweaty, swollen and full.) Shandy’s Champeche is just the thing to feel like I had a substantial meal without weighing me down. Shrimp and avocado chunks swimming in spicy sauce are served in a cocktail glass, plus Sassy chips for dipping. I ordered their Mediterranean hummus, a creamy mix of white bean and chickpea with garlic served with cold veggies and pita – a meal that’s light but flavor fulfilling.
Life-altering Brussels
Uchi
904 Westheimer 713.522.4808
Speaking of life-altering meals, if you haven’t been to Uchi then your life has not changed. You must include their tempura Brussels sprouts in your order. Often imitated but never duplicated, these crispy Brussels sprouts in a lemon chili are a crunchy, savory, sweet, rich, intoxicating treat. Order them extra spicy for a kick. Cool off with their Yokai berry. Atlantic salmon, dinosaur kale, Asian pear and yuzu are artfully arranged to be enjoyed in one mouth-watering bite. One bite is hard to master so I generally have to shove the pear in my mouth first.
Special Delivery
Convivio
700 South Durham Dr. 832.360.1750
Convivio is the coolest. After reading our new restaurant write-up, they dropped by our offices with our two favorites: Albondigas convivio and Tortilla de patatas. In an XL version! Equally as delicious as its smaller tapas counterpart.
Forget America – HOUSTON Has Talent!
Fox Hollow
4617 Nett Street 713.869.2117
Behind the Strings on Wednesday night gives you an original open-mic night feel with local talent belting out original music plus a few covers here and there. That’s right, you can’t get up on stage and sing. It’s NOT karaoke/open-mic night. It’s REAL, RAW talent. Break out of your usual rut with this unique experience.
