SEPTEMBER IS HERE!
Always an odd month for me. We get our last holiday before Thanksgiving, nothing really eventful occurs, I’m waiting for it to cool off so it actually plays the part of fall… I digress. I’m basically anxiously awaiting the arrival of October for HALLOWEEN! It begins the holiday season in my house. Decorations go up, holiday mugs come out, mom starts having candy and cookies around her house; I think this “bug” bites everyone around this time. It’s exciting and awful. Because then comes the realization: I HAVE 30 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT MY COSTUME AND MAKE IT! Or in my case, my super crafty sister makes it while I scrounge up all the proper materials to make it come to life. So maybe I’ll spend September drafting my costume…In the meantime, I might have indulged too much. From feeling like I was on a European vacation, to an Italian favorite, to a nostalgic sandwich, to tasting a new “game” and almost having to roll myself out of a restaurant, this month’s lineup left me clocking extra hours at the gym.
Epicure Café
2005C W. Gray 713.520.6174 www.epicure-café.com
Escape for lunch to this cute café reminiscent of something you’d find in Europe. They offer a numerous amount of fairly healthy options. Among those you’ll find a quiche; this one is a spinach and mushroom version, with a side salad. I like to get a bit of quiche plus a bit of salad all in one bite. It’s crunchy, cold and savory all at once. If you want a sandwich, their tabouleh and feta is light and exciting with the addition of lettuce, tomato and oregano on whole wheat.
Einstein Bros. Bagel
5300 Kirby Dr. 713.528.1992 www.einsteinbros.com
There are few things I miss from working in retail: the discount and lunches at Einstein. Located across the street from my former retail job, I used to eat here almost twice a day. My favorite is the veggie bagel sandwich. Ordered on an Everything bagel, they smear on veggie shmear and layer sprouts, tomato, red onion, lettuce and cucumber. The shmear is what makes the sandwich. I don’t want to think of the calorie count. It’s all veggies anyway, right?!
Coppa Risotorante
5555 Washington Ave. 713.426.4260
www.copparistorante.com
I will want to eat here after typing this. A favorite this month is the burratta salad (I actually like this one ALL the time) a – chunk of burratta cheese is served with a mound of arugula, campari tomatoes, coppa toasted bread, all drizzled in olive oil. Basic but beautiful. The semi-new pizza, with pesto sauce, cheese, fennel, zucchini and mint is mind-blowing. I would never think to combine those elements but it’s genius. And a classic masterfully executed cacio e pepe. Three to four three-foot long strands of pasta make up this dish with just butter, cheese and pepper. It is imperative that you do NOT leave without ordering their Zeppole for dessert. These fried Italian donuts are amazing. Not too sweet, dusted in powdered sugar with berry conserva and melted chocolate sauces for dipping.
Hotel Icon/Line & Lariat
220 Main St. 713.224.4266 www.hotelicon.com
Under new direction, this restaurant is serving up Texas delights. From pimento cheese to antelope, Line & Lariat is looking to tug at your heart string and spread the Texas love to visitors. Speaking of antelope, it was my first time to try it and it is perfection. Not gamey in the least – tender, a beautiful piece of meat, prepared equally so. An ideal spot for dinner, drinks (the bar is amazing), any occasion. Tonight is the perfect occasion!
Carrabba’s
3115 Kirby Dr. 713.522.3131 www.carrabbas.com
It’s not the healthiest of meals but it was the most decadent! We started with goat cheese medallions in marinara sauce with toasted, buttered bread for dipping. If you find that overwhelming, order some bread sans butter. It’s just as amazing. We split classic pasta Carabba because really, you just should if you don’t want to pass out at the table right afterward. Fettucini is mixed with chicken, peas and mushrooms in a rich alfredo sauce. Yeah, mind-blowing, pant-busting deliciousness. As if that wasn’t enough, we topped it off with ice cream in a caramel sauce with candied pecans. Needless to say not everything was consumed, otherwise you might find me still there, one with the floor.
By Beatrice Allen
