By Jim Ayres June 20 through September 19, 2024, minus a four-day “shore leave” in which I prematurely told MONTROSE STAR I was back and ready to roll. How long is that? Three months, give or take. That’s how long I was at Houston Methodist, Buckingham inpatient physical therapy, Memorial Hermann Katy, and Memorial City

By Jim Ayres The first time I visited Tarka Indian Kitchen, a few years ago, it was a beautiful afternoon. Listening to Lana Del Rey’s latest (brilliant), I felt like I was in Austin. Fitting, as I was heading to a late lunch at the fast casual Indian-inspired spot on 19th Street. Tarka is an

By Jim Ayres  When I’m hungry for nostalgia, I like my retro food to be cooked as intended. And nostalgia is alive and well, tasting better than ever, at Barbecue Inn.  Of course, who among us doesn’t already know the legend of Barbecue Inn? It’s been in business for more than 70 years (though the

By Jim Ayres   Wait a minute. Wasn’t poké trendy a few years ago? Is it still popular?   Immensely! There are a few reasons why people have become so fond of poké bowls.   • Healthy and Customizable: Poké bowls are generally seen as a healthy meal choice. They feature fresh fish, which is packed with protein

Killen’s in the heights hits all the right notes By Jim Ayres Call this place Killen’s Greatest Hits, if you will. Ronnie Killen, one of the Houston area’s best-known (and most handsome) chefs, has launched several highly-rated restaurants since his eponymous Steakhouse opened in Pearland in 2006. I raved about Killen’s Barbecue, also in Pearland,

By Jim Ayres The night I visited Hamsa was the night I fell in love.  Not with my dining companion (it wasn’t a date.) And not with anyone else. It was with this jewel of an Israeli restaurant, its ambience and charming service, and amazingly good food.  You’ll find Hamsa on that storied block of

By Jim Ayres  I’m writing you a love letter, of sorts. To tell you I love your food and service.   But I’m also writing with love in my heart to get something off my chest. Or my butt, if I’m honest.   You see, Kâu Ba, those brightly colored, low to the ground, heavy, hard to

By Jim Ayres   Remember Miami Subs? In its 1990s heyday, its South Beach-inspired pastels and pink and blue neon lights and interiors were seemingly everywhere. Miami Subs did, indeed, serve submarine sandwiches, but also cheesesteaks, burgers, chicken, wraps, and salads.  But after a disastrous merger with Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips in 1998, Miami Subs’ quality

By Jim Ayres Recently I read an online “best in your state†slideshow listicle that declared Home Slice Pizza to be Texas’ best. Critics have written that this Austin import has some of the most legendary pizza in that city, and now Houstonians can get it in Midtown. But is it really that good? I hate to

By Jim Ayres  I always thought, and still do, that Hugo’s on Westheimer has the most decadent weekend brunch in town. Buffet tables surround the vibrant dining room, overflowing with Chef Hugo Ortega’s succulence.  But my recent birthday dinner proved there’s more to Hugo’s than a splurge-y hangover cure. Hugo’s is highly popular any time