By Jim Ayres I still remember four years ago when I wrote these words, intended humorously, for the Montrose Star: “I’m breathless about Cleburne Cafeteria’s million-dollar makeover. New ambient lighting, tables and terrazzo from Italy, all to spotlight the nouveaux creations of Chef… Oh, wait a minute. I must have drifted to another universe! Cleburne

By Jim Ayres When I visited Doris Metropolitan recently, I was reminded that the space used to house Triniti, an haute cuisine favorite for several years. I became curious about chef Ryan Hildebrand’s next venture. It’s called FM Kitchen and Bar, it’s located just north of Washington off Shepherd, and it is glorious. Not in

By Jim Ayres When I learned I’d be dining at Doris, I immediately popped in my Pillow Talk DVD. I saw myself as Rock Hudson in a killer black suit/skinny tie/crisp white shirt ensemble. I shook a martini to bossa nova and imagined driving up in my Imperial convertible, there to meet Doris Day in

By Jim Ayres I begin this column not in Houston, but in a remote corner of Arlington, Texas where I’ve spent much of the past two weeks tending to affairs after a death in my family. It was a somber time, but also uplifting as I reconnected with family. We toasted my sister at a

By Jim Ayres Let’s step away from the new and trendy for a moment. Two of Houston’s biggest names in old school comfort classics are opening new locations. One makes me very happy. The other saddens me a little bit, but I understand completely. A recent Sabbath saw me celebrating Sunday Funday in Montrose. That’s

By Jim Ayres There’s a lot to love about Austin: The smell of cedar in the Hill Country air. Relaxing Barton Springs, amped up 6th Street. An affinity for blue. And, of course, the food. So, when an Austin-based restaurant sets up shop here, expect Houstonians—whether actual Austin expats or not—to line up around the

By Jim Ayres I’m so glad the Astros made the World Series! By the time this column hits the streets, we’ll know if the Astros won it all, but the night I visited Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, the Yankees were having none of it. Seated at the very last available table, I had a grand

By Jim Ayres You’ve been to Pepper Twins. I’m fairly sure of it. Most everyone I know has eaten there. I hadn’t, until recently. For a weekday lunch, I psyched myself up. I was going to conquer this fear. With all the bravado I could muster, I walked into the storefront on West Gray. I

By Jim Ayres If only self-driving cars were available now. From my home, I’d set a course for a scenic cruise down Kirby Drive through River Oaks, and on to the twists and turns of Allen Parkway. A right at Taft, a left on Dallas. In truth, my own car already knows that route by

By Jim Ayres It’s funny how a simple fact about my life can change in the blink of an eye. I started the last edition of Foodie Diaries by saying I rarely venture downtown. After Hurricane Harvey, that changed. I’ve been downtown a lot lately, mostly dropping off donations and offering a comforting word or