Friday, August 31, 2012

First Time Roast

I have never made a roast before, but I figured in the crock pot would be a great place to start. I love how simple and easy crock pots are and how they make your house smell amazingly delicious! Really anyone can use a crock pot because you throw together the ingredients and turn it on...not too much cooking involved. I found this recipe on Pinterest from crock pot pot roast and gave it a try. You can find the full recipe on my Pinterest board or on crepesofwrath.com. This is a simple but homey dish and just makes you feel good.

First you make the broth, put in half the cut up veggies, place the roast on top, layer the rest of the veggies on the roast. The key is to make sure that the roast is in the broth so that it stays moist. Turn it on for 8 to 10 hours. This recipe calls for 2 to 3 stems of fresh rosemary and I used 3. I would cut it back to 2 because the rosemary flavor was very prominent. It had a great flavor and at the end of the cooking time, the meat literally fell apart. It was packed with flavor and would be perfect for a cold fall evening. As a first attempt at cooking a roast, I think it turned out pretty well. So when the air begins to get a bit nippy be sure to try this out.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

White Oak Kitchen + Drinks


I get very excited when I get the opportunity to see a good friend and doing that over a great meal is even better. For this occasion, we chose to try White Oak Kitchen + Drinks for Houston Restaurant Weeks. This is a new restaurant that is run by Westin Galleria that has a modern but intimate ambiance. First, we were started with an absolutely amazing sesame croissant. It was warm, crunchy on the outside, and soft and delicious on the inside. It was by far some of the best and most unique bread that I have had in a long time.


For the first course, we decided to try the hummus and the chicken tortilla soup. The hummus, which was slightly spicy from the cayenne pepper, was served with pita, carrots, and olives. The only thing I would say about that is that the pita was a bit on the chewy side... not the best pita I have had, but the hummus was good. The chicken tortilla soup was simple and perfect for the onset of fall. 












Next it was time for the main dish. I opted for the mahi mahi and got to try the Spanish skirt steak. The mahi mahi was served with two grilled shrimp, grilled veggies, and a sweet relish. I have never had mahi mahi before but it was delicious. It was mild and light and the sweetness of the relish paired well with the fish. The veggies were flavorful and simple. The naturalness of the dish was refreshing and surprisingly filling. The Spanish skirt steak was served with a chimicurri sauce and potatoes. It was well-seasoned and the chimicurri sauce added an additional pop of flavor. 











When it came to dessert, I found myself wanting to skip the other courses and just eat three courses worth of dessert. Sadly, I didn't get to do that so I had to make a decision between s'mores bread pudding or haute haute donuts. Since I order bread pudding recently, I opted for the donuts. However, these weren't like the donuts that you eat for breakfast. They were lightly fried, warm, and rolled in powdered sugar. They were served with three sauces: chocolate, raspberry, and caramel, which were so good! The sauce soaked in to the donut and gave it a completely different flavor with each sauce. Chocolate is chocolate and is just delicious in general. The raspberry sauce wasn't unnatural tasting and the caramel sauce didn't weigh the dessert down. The bread pudding was a play on one of my childhood favorites and was super yummy!

This is a great place to go to relax and unwind after a long day. It was delicious and when I go back, I want to try the macaroni and cheese. Be sure to try this out and enjoy all their great menu offerings. Thank you for such a wonderful meal and another opportunity to support the Houston Food Bank by eating for a cause. 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Glass Wall

Let me just first start off by saying that the Glass Wall is an absolutely fantastic place! The ambiance it cozy, relaxing, and modern. There are tons of candles mixed with shades of cream and aqua. It is a fairly small place, but it doesn't feel crowded. I am so glad that I got to try here for Houston Restaurant Weeks! I started off with a chicken and tarragon ravioli. It was served with fennel and snap peas in a prosecco and herb butter broth. It was light and buttery, there were tons of textures going on, and the sauce didn't overwhelm or overpower the dish. It was delicate and the perfect way to whet your appetite for the rest of the meal to come. Since I went with a friend, I also got to try the crab cake which was served with house made potato chips, and coleslaw. The crab cake wasn't too dry and the chips added the perfect crunch to the dish. The sauce was a peach aioli which I would have never thought to pair peach and crab. But I guess that's why I just enjoy the dishes that someone else creates!

I tried a Black & Blue martini that was a combination of blueberry, cherry, and vanilla vodka and served with a slice of orange. It was a little bit like a slushy because there was a tiny bit of ice in it. The orange add a slight citrus zing to it, creating a full developed palette of flavors.

For dinner, I ordered a corn flake crusted chicken fried steak. First, let me just say that I have never order this type of dish before, but it was such a creative dish that I just had to try it. It was accompanied by a corn relish and cheesy mashed potato goodness. It had a delicious gravy that had a faint bit of heat and helped to add the extra oomph the dish had. The crust was crispy and the mashed potatoes were amazing... sad to say that they are one of my food weaknesses. For not having tried may chicken fried steaks, I would have to say that there are very high expectations now.

Last, but certainly worth the wait, is dessert. I opted for a cherry and chocolate bread pudding drizzled with chocolate sauce and freshly whipped cream. The bread pudding had a nice texture where the bread and the custard melted together so that it didn't feel like you were eating cubes of bread. The cherry added a deep fruit flavor and the whipped cream added a touch of sweetness. The tiramisu cheesecake was topped with a cappuccino cream molded perfectly to the shape of the spoon.

Overall, this was an absolutely amazing meal and I can't wait to go back and try it again. If you haven't had a chance to stop in, be sure to do so! Just a heads up, they aren't open on Sundays, so don't wait until then. Let me know what you think when you try it out. Houston Restaurant Weeks, benefiting the Houston Food Bank, will be ending soon so don't delay anymore. Try something out before it's too late!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Cookie Challenge

I try to be open and up to any challenge. Food challenges are no exception. This one was to make a vegan, gluten free cookie for a friend. So we found a recipe that had only five ingredients: raw honey, coconut oil, salt, almond extract, and gluten free flour. The recipe called for blanched almond flour, however, Whole Foods didn't have any...which was weird. Also, they only had a giant bottle of almond extract, so I will be making a lot of recipes with almond extract. Anyways, back to the recipe. All you do is mix the ingredients together until a creamy dough forms. Pop the cookies on a cookies sheet and bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. Take them out and cool completely.
While the cookies are baking and cooling, you make the icing. It uses raw honey, coconut oil, almond extract, lemon and lemon zest. Again, Whole Foods failed and didn't have lemons. The icing was good, but unfortunately there wasn't much of a lemon flavor. Mix together and chill in the refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Spread on the cookies and then enjoy! Honestly, I had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be like a shortbread. The consistency was a crust on the outside and a somewhat crumbly texture. The icing really kicked up the flavor, so I would say it is a must. The best part about these cookies is that they had no flour, sugar, or eggs, so they were pretty healthy. I am glad that I tried them and was pleasantly surprised. Don't be afraid to try something new. You never know what you will get.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Oh Fall, Where Are You?

Table Top
I am officially done decorating for fall. Like I said, not that much room to decorate, so it's pretty easy to do. Though I love the wreath that I made, I don't really get to enjoy it since I usually inside, not outside. However, I have recently discovered how much I enjoy candles and knew that I wanted to use them in my fall decor. There is something about the flickering flame and the relaxing aromas that just makes the world seem simple. Plus it makes the space feel cozy, homey, and warm...the perfect adjectives for fall. I found this really fantastic pine cone spray at Hobby Lobby and knew it would go well on the top of my table. I have a round table, so unfortunately I can't really do a long display (which can be really amazing). This spray had leaves, nuts, berries and because I do like a little bit of shine, tastefully glittered pine cones. I bought three small glass votives that I randomly (but strategically) placed within the spray. The candles were apple fig tart scented and they smell beyond amazing! I anchored the display with an ivory candle that also happens to smell spicey and very fall like.
Coffee Table
Last year I used apothecary jars filled with dried beans, popcorn kernels, and nuts. I like the layered look that it makes, but wanted to do something different. I found this really fun vase filler at Hobby Lobby that was different sized mini pine cones and glittered acorns in orange and gold. The glitter is done in a sophisticated manner and adds a nice pop of color. I put this in a medium vase and tied a piece of raffia around it. I used a smaller bowl and filled the bottom with white popcorn kernels and used the leftover leaves and acorns from the wreath on top of that. That created a nice blend of textures and colors that coordinated with the other vase. The magic number in decorating is three so I did a high vase that I layered with more kernels and small dry red beans. I used the green leaves off the reddish/orange/yellow mum flowers I bought and then added the flowers. This way I can always enjoy the flowers without them dying. The trick to creating a visually appealing grouping is to use things with various shapes, sizes, and heights, but to use things that tie them all together. When you use small elements and carry them over that creates the cohesive look that makes it all come together.
I had some of the dry red beans and popcorn kernels leftover, so I decided to use the polka dot votives I bought from One Kings Lane (see One Kings Lane post) again. I told you that they were very versatile and could be used all year round. I divvied up the filler between the three and then placed one of the apple fig tart votives on top. If you have votive holders that are too tall for the candles you have, this is a great way to fix that. Just make sure that you are using something that won't catch on fire. So now I am officially ready on the inside for fall, but I am just waiting on the weather to catch up with me. Let me know how you get your home ready for fall and what great ideas you have in store.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Falling in Love

I can't believe that Labor Day is right around the corner, but it's still 90 here. Nonetheless, I figured that is was the time to break out the fall decorations. I don't have much room to decorate, but I still like having something. I had made a beautiful fall wreath last year, but due to some unforeseen circumstances I needed to make another one. After making a (dangerously tempting) trip to Hobby Lobby, I ended up with ribbon, a twig wreath, some flowers, and a pine cone spray. Usually when I start a craft project I have an initial idea and part way through I begin to realize that it is taking a different direction. I learned that it works out better to embrace the change and realize that my creative "juices" have set in, rather than trying to stick with my original idea.
The sprays I bought were leaves and acorns. I decided to start with the leaves and add the acorns later. I removed the leaves from the branch and then began hot gluing them to the wreath. The leaves were shades of red, orange, green and a deep bronze. Making the wreath isn't a hard task, (though there is some danger when using a glue gun) it is just somewhat time consuming. The trick is to hot glue the stems to the sticks of the wreath so they are weighted. There can sometimes be quite a bit of wind outside and so you want to make sure that the leaves aren't getting ripped off.

Another thing to remember is that you want the direction of your leaves to follow the curves of the wreath. When you change the direction of the leaves, don't worry if it looks a little weird. It will be hidden by the bow. I would suggest holding the wreath up every once in a while to see how the leaves are laying. You don't want to stick a leaf in and then see it sticking out.

On a side note, don't be afraid to make florist bows. They are much simpler than you would think. All you do is start with a tail and make and initial loop. It's better to leave the tail longer because you can always cut it. Continue making loops on one side and then the other, while pinching the center together. When you are done take the tail and tie it in a knot. Fluff and hot glue the bow in the center and you are good to go.

I wanted to keep the wreath simple and natural looking. I left the acorns off and used them as a vase filler. I know that wreaths can sometimes be overwhelming, but when you make your own you don't have to worry about seeing it on someone else's door. Beside by premade wreaths can be expensive. I usually go for ones that end up being about $75 and up so I figured I should try to make my own. Stay tuned for my other fall decoration projects. If you need any advice on your wreath or are looking for someone to make a custom one for you, please let me know ad I would be more than happy to help!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

LBC

So we all know about the infamous LBD (little black dress) that every woman needs to have in her closet. But what about the LBC...little black cardigan? I think that it is another essential piece that all women should have. I adore cardigans! Not only are they versatile in that they can help with temperature changes, but they are a great layering piece and can totally change the look of an outfit. I was walking through Marshalls and found this precious little cardigan. The subtle sparkle of the gold sequins gives it a dressier feel and a bit of sophistication. It is lightweight and had gold and black buttons. I already feel like this will be a great addition to my fall wardrobe. Now if only it would just start to get cooler...

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Mint Delight

I know that I have talked about Skinny Cow and healthier desserts before, but to be honest I wasn't exactly blown away by the cookies and cream ice cream sandwiches I bought. However, the weather has still be pretty toasty around here so sometimes a little ice cream goes a long way...(even though there have been all these recent news stories about how "diet" ice cream isn't really all that healthy and contains more unhealthiness that you think.) I would have to say that mint chocolate chip ice cream ranks as one of my top five ice cream flavors, so when I saw this at the store I get very excited. These were much, much better than the cookies and cream ones. The mint flavor tasted natural and had a nice freshness to it. Though the box said that this was a limited flavor, I really hope that's not the case. This one was definitely a winner in my book and something that I would buy again. If you have a chance to try these out, I recommend it. They made not be healthy, but at least the fact that it is an ice cream sandwich and not a pint helps with portion control.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

KOOZA

Picture Courtesy of cirquedusoleil.com
I love Cirque du Soleil! There is nothing like witnessing the abstract stories, taking in the music in their made up language and watching the performers do things that blow me away. I had the opportunity to see the show KOOZA under the Big Top at Sam Houston Race Park. This show is about finding your place in the world and that how no matter how alone you feel, there will always be the perfect place for you. This action packed show features tightrope walkers, a unicycling duo, a man who balanced on mile high chairs, contortionists, a master hula hooper, and a group teeter totter act. Some of these things may sound simple, but I assure you that is not the case! It is actually quite hard to put the magic of Cirque du Soleil into words. All I can say is that everyone should go and see it for themselves once in their life. It's not for everyone, but I think that everyone appreciates the mind blowing tricks that the human body can perform. KOOZA will be in Houston until September 9, so be sure to get your tickets today!


Monday, August 20, 2012

Rolling to Cadillac Bar

Next stop on the Houston Restaurant Weeks Tour - Cadillac Bar. The Mexican gem on Shepherd was definitely worth the trip. It started off with a frozen sangria swirl margarita that was full of fruit that balanced well with the zip of the lime in the margarita. For the first course, I chose a shrimp and scallop ceviche. I have tried ceviches, but have never ordered one so this was a first time for me. This one had onions, pico de gallo, and avocado. The cool avocado and the fresh tomato cut through some of the acidic of the seafood marinade. The dish had great flavor, but I am not sure if I would order it again...Mainly because it's a weird texture and sometimes that really bothers me. It came with chips, but I had a few of those before the ceviche came so I tried not to eat too many more.
I do like faijitas, but usually they are too big for one. This time I decided to go for it. It was a combination of chicked, bacon wrapped shrimp, and ribs. You are probably thinking ribs at a Mexican restaurant? I know it was a bit surprising, but they turned out to be very good. The chicken had a great smokey flavor to it and the bacon wrapped shrimp (which turned out to also have a little bit of cheese with it) were amazing! Not the epitome of a healthy meal, but hey there were only two of them and I am not eating them every day. This was served with rice, beans, corn tortillas, sour cream, and my favorite...guacamole.
What Mexican meal would be complete without a nice piece of Tres Leches? However, I have noticed that throughout Houston Restaurant Weeks, that it has been a popular option. This was a bit fancier than some of the other ones I have had, but honestly it wasn't the best. It had a nice texture and the cake held together very nicely. The topping was a bit heavy and tasted a little too much like a whipped topping. I am more of a whipped cream girl to begin with. The cookie banner was really good though and provided a little bit of crunch for an otherwise untextured dish.

If you haven't tried out Cadillac Bar, then you should stop by. Plus I heard that they have a great brunch. Don't forget that Houston Restaurant Weeks supports the Houston Food Bank. So for all you foodies out there, keep eating for a cause!
 
 

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Ouisie's Table

Ouisie's Table is a quaint little place on San Felipe, tucked away behind trees and twinkling lights. Known for it's upscale southern cuisine, this was a must stop place on my Houston Restaurant Weeks tour. We sat on the cozy little porch that felt like it was pulled out of a magazine from the East Coast. The meal starts with bite size muffins-gingerbread, jalapeno, and bacon and chive corn muffins. Then we tried a very lovely Pinot Grigio by Bottega Vinaia. It was crisp and light with aromas of pear and citrus. A great summer wine that was easy to sip on and went well with the meal.
The first course was mini crab cakes with a corn relish served with a jalapeno tartar and house cocktail sauce. The crab cakes were moist and well seasoned. The breading had a nice crunch to it, but still allowed the crab to shine without being too fishy. The corn relish added a bit of sweetness and the sauces was an extra burst of flavor.
Next was the entree course. There are very few times that I will eat or order red meat. However, I was feeling adventurous and decided I should break my mold and order something different. Besides when it is served with lobster risotto, who would turn that down?...definitely not me. This piece of beef tenderloin had a demi-glace sauce that kept the meat tender and added an extra layer of flavor. The green beans were well cooked so that they still had some snap to them. The lobster risotto was creamy and had large pieces of lobster in it. The texture contrast through the dish was delightful.

Last, but certainly not least, came my favorite part of the meal - dessert. It was a tough choice between the tres leches and the strawberry ice cream profiterole. A profiterole is like a cream puff, except that it is larger and this one was filled with strawberry ice cream. It was then given a healthy coat of chocolate, so that it was almost like eating a chocolate covered strawberry. Though it was a little awkward to eat, it was delicious. The tres leches didn't disappoint either. It was very light and not overly sweet. The texture of the cake was very fine and held up well by not turning into mush. The topping was heavenly and the fresh berries added a nice touch. It was definitely one of the best tres leches I have had! 

If you haven't made it to Ouisie's Table or any where for Houston Restaurant Weeks, you should! Plus they are extending the event until September 3! Check houstonrestaurantweeks.com for those places that will be extending their offering. Don't forget that when you participate, you are eating for a cause and get to have some delicious cuisine, so there is really no downside.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Sweet Pop

Ok ok...I know that I just recently blogged about popchips, but I had to tell everyone about this one! It's a sweet potato popchip. This tasty little snack is something that you are always going to want to have around to munch on. The natural sweetness is balanced with the touch of salt that each chip has. The earthy and deep flavors that are packed into each little chip is amazing. For me, I think that these are slightly addictive. Plus since they are made with sweet potatoes, I like to think that they are slightly better for you than the regular popchips. Don't get me wrong though, I am pretty sure that even the regular potato popchips are better for you than regular chips. Bottom line... the predicted rain for this weekend means that this is the perfect movie snack for all the movies you will probably be watching. So hop on over to the store and pick yourself up a bag (or three) and munch away!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Just a Little 'Taste'

 Houston Restaurant Weeks is one of the most awesome things that takes place in Houston. When a friend called me and wanted to do an impromptu dinner, of course we wanted to go somewhere for Houston Restaurant Weeks. This time took us to The Tasting Room in City Center. This was my first time out to City Center and boy was I missing out. There are tons of shops and restaurants.... it is a place to see and be seen. Their cozy atmosphere and impressive wine list compliment an absolutely delicious menu. I started off with some mini grilled cheese sandwiches and some parmesan truffle french fries. The fries were served with a garlic butter dipping sauce. (So unhealthy, but so good!) The grilled cheese was made with goat cheese and topped with a tomato jam. The jam helped balance out the saltiness of the cheese. It was melted and gooey, like a grilled cheese should be. 


Next came a chicken tortilla soup. It was served in more of a puree style in that there was a slight bit of texture to it. It was topped with a pinch of cheese, a drizzle of avocado cream, and a few tortilla strips for crunch. It wasn't too terribly spicy, but would be perfect for a cold fall evening. (I know, I know. Keep dreaming.) Up next was a garlic and sage chicken served with cippolini onions, spinach, and potatoes. The sauce was a pan gravy so it had all the flavors of the dish soaked into it. The onions were a bit sweet, the spinach wasn't too terribly soggy, and the potatoes still had their shape. This dish was earthy and comforting, moist and full of a ridiculous amount of flavor. I have to be honest though. By this point, I was getting pretty full, however, I have never turned down a dessert. I know that there is a first time for everything, but this was not going to be that time. 


 Finally, it was time for dessert. Since I was with a friend, I had the opportunity to actually taste two desserts. I ordered a pistachio pound cake and she ordered zeppoles with raspberry and chocolate dipping sauces. Zeppoles are sort of like doughnuts holes, but have a slightly different texture. They weren't all that flavorful plain, but add the sauces and it was a whole new world. The pistachio pound cake was a Bon Apetit editor favorite and it was probably one of my new favorite desserts. It wasn't too sweet, there was crunch from the pistachios, and sweetness from the honey and cream it was topped with. The pound cake was delicious the cream was whipped to perfection. It was like eating a cloud (though I haven't actually done that). The Tasting Room was an amazing choice and I will put it on my list of places to go back to! I am so glad that I was able to try it out and definitely enjoyed what I ate. Be sure to let me know where you go for Houston Restaurant Weeks!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Super Simple Seafood Supper

I am a little bit picky about my seafood, mainly just because I don't like when it tastes fishy, so I don't usually tend to cook it at home. However, I was ready for something different. During one of my recent visits to Pinterest, I found this recipe for spicy shrimp on Cooking Melangery. It is simple and fresh and takes about 5 minutes to make.
The ingredients you need are shrimp, olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper, lemon juice, white wine, and salt and pepper. The directions are pretty easy. Saute the garlic and red pepper in the olive oil. Add the shrimp, lemon juice, and white wine. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the shrimp turn opaque and begin to curl. That's it...seriously. I don't know how you could not want to make this. This is definitely a keeper recipe! The shrimp had a nice spice to them from the red pepper and soaked up the cooking broth, so they were moist and delicious.
I got some rather delicious garlic basil pasta from Trader Joe's that I served the shrimp with. I paired it with some homemade garlic bread and a salad. It was a super healthy and fresh dinner that took less time to make than it did to eat. Now that's what I call a simple supper that is easy to entertain with. You can find the full recipe at http://www.melangery.com/2012/01/shrimp-with-garlic-and-parsley-best.html or on my Pinterest board. Try and see for yourself how simple and yummy it is!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

It's Tuesday, So Raise Your Glass!

It's Tuesday, so why not celebrate? Time to pop the cork and enjoy a great glass of vino. I am a fan of white wine, but I am trying to be more open to red wines. I decided to try a red and a white wine this time. I have not had a Chateau Ste Michelle wine, so I picked up a bottle of sauvignon blanc to try.  It was a bit acidic and earthy, with a slightly fruity note. It was very clean and bright...perfect for a summer's nights. This was a great buy for under $10. I also got to try a merlot from Bay Bridge. This merlot was surprisingly mellow, had light tannins, and a great cherry flavor. It was a bit easier for me to drink than some other red wines, so that was a nice surprise. These were two great wines, so be sure to try them out. You don't need to have a specific reason to celebrate, so cheers to Tuesday!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Crock Pot Chili

I have a crock pot, but don't really use it all that often because I don't have that many recipes. I found this recipe for chicken taco chili on Pinterest. It's super simple and really yummy. The best part about crock pot recipes is that you put in all the ingredients and then just let it cook away. Plus, it starts to release all these delicious aromas and makes me feel really cozy. The recipe is available on my Pinterest board, but here's what you need to know.



 Ingredients:
1 can of black beans
1 can of kidney beans
1 bag of frozen corn
1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes (I used no salt added tomatoes)
1 16 oz. can of tomato sauce
3 boneless chicken breasts, frozen
1 tbsp chili powder
Either 1 packet taco seasoning or spices to taste (cumin, oregano, salt, pepper)

Directions:
Put all ingredients into the crock pot and cook for 6 hours on high or 10 hours on low. Once it's done, shred the chicken and mix in. Top with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, avocado, lettuce, tortilla strips or guacamole.

Dig in and enjoy! Try it out and let me know what you think. If you have any great crock pot recipes, post them so I check try them out.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Tila's

I hope you have heard, but if not August 1-31 is Houston Restaurant Weeks. This started off as a one week event where restaurants created special lunch and dinner menus where a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Houston Food Bank. However, it became so popular that it turned into a month long event. The meals come with two to three courses for lunch and three to four courses for dinner and is affordably priced at $20 for lunch and $35 for dinner. A friend and I decided to try out Tila's for some Mexican cuisine. We were started off with tortilla and plantain chips with green tomatillo salsa and a red sauce. The green tomatillo salsa was fresh and mild and the red sauce was spicy, but not one of those that kills you with spice.

Next I had guacamole, but I was surprised to find that it was not what I usually got when I ordered guacamole. It was more of a deconstructed guacamole. It was actually chunks of avocado, tomato, chopped jalapeno, onion, and lime. It was delicious nonetheless and perfect for a hot summer's day. I decided to try one of there signature cocktails called the Paloma. This was mainly tequila and pink grapefruit juice. It was tart, but subtly sweet from the grapefruit. It was not a drink for people who like super sweet drinks, but it was very refreshing.

Time for the main dish. I opted for chilaquiles, served with black beans and grilled vegetables. Chilaquiles is a Mexican casserole with chicken, green tomatillo sauce, corn tortillas and is topped with sour cream and mozzarella cheese. It's basically like a Mexican lasagna. It was spicy, but the sour cream cut the heat and created a balance. The layers melted into each other and created a symphony of flavor in every bite. The black beans were served in a refried fashion and topped with a pinch of queso fresco. The grilled vegetables were carrot, squash, and zucchini. They had a nice crunch to them were definitely representative of seasonal summer veggies.

Fortunately, Tila's was offering a three course lunch so we also go to try dessert. I chose a Mexican key lime pie. Most of the time when I think of key lime pie, an image of a graham cracker crust filled with a bright green filling with whipped topping pops into my head. This was definitely not the case. There were layers of cookie in it that were covered in the filling. The lime was refreshing and the strawberries were fresh and sweet. I also got to try the cheesecake which had a light glaze on it and was also served with strawberries. These were both really delicious. 

There are more participating restaurants than you can imagine, so check out the whole list at houstonrestaurantweeks.com. You need to make a reservation and the instructions are listed on the website. Mention that you would like the HRW menu and you are all set! It couldn't be easier to eat for a cause, so be sure to take advantage of this offer as many times as you can. Come back and post where you tried and go eat and help support the Houston Food Bank!