By Jim Ayres It seems Tilman Fertitta has his hand in everything these days. But I’m particularly happy about his latest project. A collaboration between King Ranch and the Fertitta family, King Ranch Texas Kitchen opened in November 2020 in the space formerly occupied by Willie G’s (which has gone uptown to the Post Oak

By Jim Ayres Happy Holidays, MONTROSE STAR readers! I hope you all had a filling Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the year-end observances. We’ll be staying in and away from each other, so don’t underestimate the value of a phone call to someone you might not have talked with for a while. Normally, I’d

By Jim Ayres Happy Thanksgiving, MONTROSE STAR readers! I’m writing this at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. That means shortly afterward, we’ll either still have much to be thankful for, or a whole bursting-at-the-seams horn o’plenty to rejoice and be thankful for. Just a few notes about dining around town as I gear up

By Jim Ayres I was so hoping it would be over with. This summer, as you may know, I was stuck in the hospital for a month recuperating from a nasty foot infection. Twice-daily IV doses of Vancomycin would surely erase everything. Perhaps it did, but another toe became infected recently. As I write this,

By Jim Ayres Hello, MONTROSE STAR readers! I’ve missed you. A month in the hospital took me out of the loop, but COVID-19 has taken everyone else out of it, too. I was in a post-op facility after being discharged from Methodist. The staff and facility at Houston Transitional Care couldn’t be lovelier, but their

Dine out while staying in By Jim Ayres What’s a dining writer to do when there’s nowhere to dine? These are tough times, and the hospitality industry is taking the biggest economic hit. Here are three ways you can support your favorite bar or restaurant, even if you can’t do it in person. Order to

By Jim Ayres Houston’s East Village, that is. The recently christened entertainment district borders St. Emanuel and Polk on one side and BBVA Compass Stadium on the other. It’s where you’ll find such trendy bistros as Nancy’s Hustle and Rodeo Goat. Right in the center of it all are a trio of eateries operated by

By Jim Ayres Costco, you’re better than this “Effective March 16, 2020, an active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from our food court,” the sign reads. “You can join today. Please see our membership counter for details.” Yes, Costco’s food court, the home of cheap and decent hot dogs and cheap

By Jim Ayres I was late to the party, but I’m glad I went. After all, it wasn’t – and never will be – “on my diet.” But I couldn’t resist temptation, and finally tried Popeyes Chicken Sandwich! And I can recommend it to you wholeheartedly. I think. Read on. You know the backstory. Popeyes

| Has Houston Gone MAD? By Jim Ayres Tucked into the darker, backside of River Oaks District, the asylum awaits. Once inside, you need a minute to prepare yourself. The velvet curtain opens, and it hits you: the lunatics have taken over. And you go MAD. MAD is a delicious mix of over the top