Weekly Favorites 07/15/18 to 07/21/18

Another new batch of favorite food and restaurant articles!

Easy Protein Pancakes - via Maune Legacy

Don't get me wrong, I love pancakes for breakfast, especially smothered in whipped cream, macerated strawberries, and maple syrup. But sometimes, I think it would be nice to get a little bit more nutrients out of them. This pancake recipe, packs an extra punch of protein!

Need healthy breakfast recipes? I’ve finished my series of 12 healthy #protein #breakfast recipes and these easy protein pancakes are a favorite! Check them out here >>> https://t.co/zQTrxfhIW7<<< #healthyrecipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Foodie #recipeblog #foodblogger pic.twitter.com/kDnNDhkHNy

— Jennifer Maune (@jennifer_maune) July 18, 2018

Foodie Girl Chicago - via Kitchen Thyme

At first glance, I was drawn to the idea that this is a blog featuring bloggers, kind of like what I'm doing here! But then, I looked at the recipes Foodie Girl Chicago is writing. These all look amazing! The Lamb Meatball Gyro Bowl and the Mexican Street Corn Pasta were instant winners for me! I'm going to be back, visiting Foodie Girl Chicago's page to look for more!

Today's featured Kitchen Thyme Food Blogger is Kathryn from @UrbanFoodieKtch! Check out her recipes! #foodblogger #recipes
https://t.co/B5IKHnNpeZ pic.twitter.com/b2o6tXDho2

— Kitchen Thyme (@kitchenthyme1) July 17, 2018

Couscous Salad with Mixed Beans, Feta Cheese and Olives - via Green Lentil

I really need to start eating better. The trouble is, a lot of healthy food just doesn't sounds good to me, most of the time. This Couscous Salad on the other hand, sounds like something I could without hesitation. Maybe it's the fact that the salad in the picture is smothered in feta, a small weakness of mine. Either way, I am going to be eating this!

Our recipe for couscous salad with mixed beans, feta cheese and olives is now on the blog, https://t.co/ULuM5OPWoY #recipe #food #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #foodlover #foodblog #foodblogger #vegetarian #delicious #yum #hungry #lunch pic.twitter.com/bomxRUm1u2

— Green lentil (@green_lentil_uk) July 17, 2018

Tomahawk Steak - Reverse Sear - via Shakey Eats

Look, if you haven't tried out the reverse sear method for grilling steaks, you need to stop waiting on get right to it. I was hesitant at first. Steaks are expensive, and I really didn't want to through money away with an unfamiliar cooking method. As long you as you a decent grasp of grilling meat or cooking them in a pan over the stove top, it's hard to mess this up. It's all about indirect heat anyway. Shakey Eats even gives it an added shot of butter if you needed any extra coaxing!

How I reverse seared a tomahawk steak.https://t.co/35F1hBOUf9#tomahawk #steak #meat #reversesear #Foodie #food #Londonfood #foodblog #blogger #londonfoodie #foodblogger #ukblogger #foodiechats @BloggersTribe @QualityBlogRT #bloggersblast #loveblogs #BBlogRT #keepdining pic.twitter.com/9GObPBaxu1

— Steve Shakeshaft (@ShakeyEats) July 22, 2018

 Saint Arnold Beer Garden Now Open for Houston Brewery Tourists - via Ronnie Crocker

This is cool. I've been a fan of these guys for as long as I can remember. Opening their new location was a big deal back in 2009, and they have continued to grow it. Now, with another expansion with a beer garden right next door, this is just another reason beer travelers and tourists to stop by and check out the brewery!

#BeerTourism is a thing. I visit breweries when I travel. This new beer garden puts @SaintArnold into an elite league. https://t.co/eRYBLmaLN0

— Ronnie Crocker (@rcrocker) July 22, 2018

Houston Essential Restaurants 2016

This is the first of what I hope to make an annual list of my top 10 Houston Restaurants. The choices and opinions are purely my own and are not meant to rule out any particular restaurant as not being great. Who knows, if a restaurant doesn't make it on this list, there is always a future list. This list is not concerned with category or genre, and my tastes may overlap with a few restaurants. I am however, working on a few Best Of categories.

When I set out to compile this list, I had one requirement. These restaurants have to be completely unique to Houston. They can't be franchises or a concept of a larger corporation. If a Houston restaurant sold its rights, they still count, just not the corporate edition. I wanted to capture the Houston experience, not the Houston experience you might experience somewhere else. Some of these restaurants I have a long history with. Others, I'm, just getting to know. 

The Original Carrabba's on Kirby

Rosie Carrabba's on Voss

As the name would imply, this is the original. It's also the original restaurant where I fell in love with the Houston food scene as a young boy. I go here, and Rosie Carrabba's on Voss as often as I can, usually for lunch. The staff is always on point, providing a solution to any situation with ease. The smell of wood oven baked pizzas and breads fills the air from the open kitchen as food is prepared. If you're lucky, there's a chance Johnny Carrabba will be there greeting each of his guests as if it was still the first day of business, 30 years ago. I still need to get over to Carrabba's newest offerings, Grace's and Mia's Table. My favorite dish: Pappardelle Campagnalo

Barnaby's

Barnaby's Cafe

Named after a childhood dog, this cafe has multiple locations with a laid back vibe. The patios are dog friendly and some locations even offer Frosty Paws for for your four-legged friend. One of my favorite things about Barnaby's is that the menu covers almost all food genres. Salads, Lasagna, Burgers - I can't make a stop there without some Sweet Potato Fries with Barbecue Sauce! There's always house made fresh lemonade and don't forget about the fresh desserts! As far as my favorite, Barnaby's one of favorite places to get a burger.

Mai's

Mai's Restaurant

Years ago, my fellow Starbucks baristas and I, would all gather after our shifts and make a late night drive down to Mai's Restaurant. We'd wind down after a long shift over some Vietnamese coffees and, one of my favorites, probably a vermicelli bowl. Sadly, years later Mai's fell victim to a fire. Taking the opportunity to rebuild, Mai's has a modern look and an updated menu. My favorite: Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio (Vermicelli Bowl with Grilled Pork and Vietnamese Egg Rolls).

El Rey

El Rey Cuban and Mexican Cuisine

El Rey combines Mexican and Cuban Cuisines, which are two of my favorites. Both cuisines make a perfect street food, a vibe I get from going in and sitting at the counter as the food is prepared right in front you. El Rey is big on flavor. Citrus marinades and spices make these delicious foods. A can't miss is the creamy Cilantro Dressing. It goes great with chips and on tacos. I always like the Tacos al Pastor or the Shrimp Tempura Taco, and the Cuban Sandwich is a must try. But my favorite is the Havana Plate, pork marinated in lemon garlic sauce (Mojo), with rice, black beans, and plantains.

Pizzitola's Barbecue

Pizzitola's Barbecue

Originally known as Shepherd Drive Barbecue, Pizzitola's is an unassuming building that hides some of my favorite barbecue in the city. The food is simple, just salt and pepper rubs over a Texas hickory fire for flavor. I always start off with a few ribs and go in for the brisket and sausage plate with some beans and coleslaw. I'm still a bit upset that they took rice off the menu. You can't beat the fresh lemonade either! Be sure to check out the fresh desserts, especially the Banana Pudding!

Saint Arnold

Saint Arnold Brewing Co

I've always loved Saint Arnold, but lately it has become a favorite for lunch. They are doing some really great things in the kitchen, mostly German inspired, but with some interesting additions. For instance, a Ginger Wurst with Fried Wontons and Kim Chi. Lunch features a daily special with two courses, served from 11 to 2, and their Wurst of Der Week. They also have the typical pub fare, including bratwursts, fried chicken, and burgers. And don't forget, your meal meal comes with all you can drink root beer!

Petrol Station

Petrol Station

I don't remember exactly how I found Petrol Station, it's tucked away nicely in the quiet neighborhood of Garden Oaks, but I do remember falling in love almost instantly. In the back is quiet patio, surrounded by trees. You almost forget you're in the middle of the city. The food here is pretty straight forward, although I would call it above average pub food. My go-to menu items include the Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich, and The Rancor, a 1/2 lb Angus beef patty, topped with bacon, cheddar, fried egg, lettuce tomato, red onion, pickle, and mayo!

Christian's Tailgate

Christian's Tailgate

I first fell in love with Christian's Tailgate in its original incarnation as Christian's Totem, a dive bar on Washington Avenue. Over the years, the restaurant was updated and new locations have been added. Thankfully, the food has always stayed the same! They've added a few things since the simple hamburger and patty melt days too! Be warned if you have an adventurous side though. The double burger, now called The Giant is a full 1 lb. of beef. I was surprised when I ordered it to find myself removing the bun and eating just the beef!

RA Sushi

RA Sushi

I've always been a sushi fan. The only tricky thing is trying to avoid being hungry again in an hour, without dropping $100! So when I discovered happy hour at RA Sushi, I couldn't pass it up. They have select Appetizers and Sushi from $3.49 to $8.99! Be sure to check out the Crunchy Calamari Roll and of course the Viva Las Vegas Roll!

Star Pizza

Every best restaurant list needs a pizza place, especially in Houston where there so many good pizza options. All it took for me was one trip to the original location of Star Pizza, and I was hooked! The Garlic Bread with Cheese and a side of Marinara will definitely leave you wanting more, just in time for your Starburst pizza to arrive, with its ground beef, sausage, pepperoni and veggies! Whether you go to the original location or the new one on Washington, you won't leave disappointed!

Happy eating!