Sushi Deliciously Decontructed at Seaside Poke

When I was invited to try some dishes at a poke place within walking distance of my house, I was already sun-weary but still hot to trot. Seaside Poke  had received generally very positive reviews and I was eager to see not only if it lived up to the hype, but also if it had the potential to distinguish itself from the plethora of other poke places in town.

The first good sign was that even though Seaside Poke, located in EADO a few blocks down from the soccer stadium, provided ample parking that I was able to access easily despite large crowds for a Dynamo and an Astros game. Yes, I have wonderful timing.

Fish collage highlighting local people and institutions.

I found more things inside to like, such as the vibrant wall collage of fish shields featuring local persons of note and institutions, as well as tidy jars of accoutrements for garnishing your bowl.

I will take double ito togarashi, please.

And what I ate was even more exciting: an invigorating salmon ponzu roll, sweet and piquant from the inclusion of orange slices and toasted garlic to dress the tender chunks of salmon. I also enjoyed its heavier, richer counterpart, the tuna aioli, laced with rich pepper mayonnaise, thai chilis, shallots, and some cucumbers to cut the heat, all abed a fluffy mound of white rice.

But it's eclectic bowls like the truffle yellowtail whose disparate but yet harmonious flavors and textures from the shoyu, truffle, crackly puffed rice, airy cilantro, and searing threads of ito togarashi that will enable, IMHO, Seaside Poke to endure.

That and the ube rice krispie treats. Wish I had those at my elementary school bake sales.

UPCOMING: Burger Bash At Karbach Brewery (Tuesday 10.18.2016)

Does the idea of eating burgers created by some of Houston's top chefs and drinking beer for three hours make you want to click your heels with glee? Well, that's what I did when I was invited to this upcoming burger competition hosted by Pat La Frieda and Food Fanatics. 

Yes, there are THREE cronuts on that middle shake.

(Well, honestly, I get giddy whenever I am invited to any "VIP" food event. Yes, it is that easy to flatter me.)

If the prospect of eating my way through the burger entries wasn't sufficiently enticing, I recently confirmed that milkshakes garnished with multiple baked goods will be on hand.

UPCOMING: Barry Farm Dinner with Harold's In the Heights

Talk about farm to table. Talented Chef Antoine Ware of Harold's in the Heights will be hosting a five-course agrarian feast in collaboration with The Barry Farm at 5:30pm on Sunday, October 23rd, 2016. 

Check out the menu:

Passed Appetizer:
Chicken liver mousse on crostini with pickled vegetable
Steorra Brut Sparkling, Russian River Valley
First Course:
Crispy pork rillette with apple butter & jalapeno, apple salad
Pratsch Gruner Veltliner, Austria
Second Course:
Tasso ravioli and shrimp raviolis filled ricotta, spinach, mushrooms, tossed with lemon
basil pesto
Elouan Pinot Noir, Oregon
Third Course:
Peri peri chicken with roasted Atkinson farms vegetables
Beran Zinfandel, California
Fourth Course:
Whole roasted lamb, smashed sweet potatoes and garlic rosemary sauce
Campo Viejo Rioja Rererva, Spain
Fifth Course:
Chocolate molten cake
Taylor Fladgate 10 year Twany Port, Portugal

Tickets ($100), which include food, wine, tax, and gratuity, are going fast. Get yours online at Harold's reservation page or by calling the restaurant (713-360-6204). 

HIGHLIGHTS & UPCOMING: Tony Vallone's Regional Italian Cuisine Series

Last Thursday I was the guest of Ciao Bello for a dinner as part of their Regional Italian Cuisine Series hosted by the legendary Tony Vallone.

In the case of this dinner, the pictures are not only worth 1000 words, but also conjure roughly as many pleasant memories. We feasted on olives stuffed with ground beef, braised octopus, lamb shank, and one of the most tender, rich white sauce spinach lasagnas I have ever eaten in my life.

Complementing these well-curated culinary treasures was fantastic conversation and truly generous pairings of Garofoli varietals.

If you missed this dinner, stop your your regretful sobbing. Another dinner is scheduled for October 5th and tickets will be available soon.

UPCOMING: National Lasagna Day (Friday, July 29th)

Oh, who doesn't love a good food holiday? Not this girl. 

This coming Friday, July 29th is National Lasagna Day and I can think of no better way of celebrating the end of the long work week and kicking off the start of the weekend by enjoying a large delicious piece of homemade lasagna.

Scratch that--yes, I can: if said lasagna was made in someone else's home and I can focus my efforts on curating the perfect Sopranos episodes to pair with my dinner.

Grazie a dio, Damian's, one of my favorite Italian restaurants, is offering their lasagna bolognese (made using Mama Mandola's recipe) as a special to-go item.  A half-pan ($75) serves 8-19 and a full pan ($150) serves 16-20.*

*Humans. Not Garfield who eats double.

Hungry yet? Call 713-522-0439 to place an order.

UPCOMING: Flanagan Wine Dinner at Harold's

FYI, you've got plans now for Tuesday, April 26th.  Why? Because that is when Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Terrace will be hosting a wine dinner featuring Flanagan Wines.  As many of you may know, Harold's is home to one of my all-time favorite dishes: crispy duck parts. After perusing the menu for this six-course dinner, I predict Chef Antoine Ware's glazed pork belly with root beer may also be joining that list.  

This special wine dinner costs $125 per person plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant at 713-360-6204.

UPCOMING: Duchman Family Wine Dinner at Harold's

Mark your calendars, folks! Harold's in the Heights will be hosting a wine dinner featuring selections from Duchman Family Winery on Wednesday, March 2nd at 6:30pm.

Based in Driftwood, Texas, Duchman Family Winery  has received numerous accolades for their wine and this dinner presents a terrific opportunity to sample a spectrum of their varietals. 

Also, there will be pork ribs. And chocolate cake. And, I hope, then even more pork ribs.

Russian Night at Genesis

This past weekend I went to Genesis Steakhouse & Wine Bar for Russian Night, a theme culinary event they hold on a semi-regular (but not often enough IMHO) basis.  Well-crafted vodka cocktails are on offer; however, if you really want to keep the spirits flowing and your own spirits up, opt for bottle service ($100).

Salmon Roe, Toast, Egg, Red Onion, and Sour Cream

A special menu or classic Russian dishes was served including such highlights as salmon roe on toast with red onion, egg, and sour cream and pelmeni, sickle-shaped beef dumplings resting in a meat broth and dressed with dill.

Pelmeni

The aforementioned represent only a fraction of the decadent dishes on hand, so I highly recommend going in a large group to sample everything. Also, who wants to do shots of Stoli alone? :-)

UPCOMING: Russian Night At Genesis Steakhouse and Wine Bar

They had me at caviar.

Russophiles rejoice! This Saturday, February 20th is Russian Night at Genesis Steakhouse and Wine Bar. To say the menu is drool-worthy is perhaps the understatement of the year:

Caviar

Salmon Roe, Toast, Egg, Red Onion & Sour Cream

25

Beef Shish Kebabs

Dipping Sauces

18

Salad Olivier

Chopped Potato, Carrots, Pickles, Onions & Salami

12

Roasted Eggplant Salad

Roasted Eggplant, Walnuts, Raisins, Parsley & Olives

12

Blinchiki

Chopped Beef Rib, Eggs, Caramelized Onions wrapped in Crêpe

14

Golubtsi

Cabbage stu ed with Ground Beef & Veggies

14

Tsyplionok Tabaka

Half Cornish Hen Split & Seasoned with Black Pepper, Salt & Garlic

15

Dressed Herring

Lemon, Red Onion, Parsley, Dill & Bread

12

Pelmeni

Ground Beef, Broth, Sour Cream, Vinegar & Chopped Dill, Parsley & Garlic

12

Tabouli, Matbucha, Babganoush, Hummus Platter

Homemade Pita Bread

15

Assorted Pickled Vegetables

Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Pickles & Beets

9

Bottle Service

Upon Request

100+

UPCOMING: Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Wine Dinner at Durham House

WHAT: A Five-Course Wine Dinner with Château de Pibarnon wine pairings, featured for the first time in Texas.

WHERE: Durham House

WHEN: Thursday, December 10th, 2015

THE DEETS, PLEASE:

First Course: Geoduck with lemon oil, citrus, pomegranate gastrique and micro cilantro
Domaine Turenne, Côte de Provence Cuvée Antoine Blanc, 2014

Second Course: Alligator Tamale with caramelized fennal masa, green mango salsa and sassafras leaf
Château de Pibarnon, Bandol Blanc, 2014

Third Course: Razor Clams or Mussels with white wine, marinara, chorizo and red pepper flakes

Château de Pibarnon, Bandol Rosé, 2014

Fourth Course: Venison Pot-Au-Feu with carrots, onions, turnips, potato, brussels sprouts, cornichons, mustard and sea salt
Château de Pibarnon, Bandol Rouge, 2011

Fifth Course: Mille Feuille with coconut crème, braised pineapples, tarragon pecan crumble and shaved coconut
Domaine Vordy-Mayrannes, Languedoc Muscat, 2014

The Durham House will also be offering a fine selection of French spirits after dinner

BRIDEY NOTE: Tell me where else in town you can eat a "1000 layers" of French pastry and an alligator tamale.