![A three-panel image showing a Cobb salad, a steak, and a martini with a cherry garnish.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
This and That Starting 2020 off right
By Jim Ayres “Low-Carb and Loving It!†I think that was the name of the Food Network show that aired about 15 years ago. Well, I’m resurrecting it in 2020!
FOODIE DIARIES
![Image split into two parts. Left: A restaurant dining area with neatly arranged tables and chairs. Right: Close-up of hands serving food from a wooden platter filled with a variety of meats and sauces. Central logo reads "Georgia James.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Foodie_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Foodie_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Foodie_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Foodie_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Foodie_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
MEET GEORGIA JAMES | Ready for the big league, high rollers?
By Jim Ayres Happy holidays, MONTROSE STAR readers! Every year, around this time, I tell you about an extraordinary Houston dining experience. This year is no exception! In the last
![A spread of various tacos on the left, a bowl of soup with toppings in the middle, and a taco meal with rice and beans on the right.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/PD_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/PD_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/PD_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/PD_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/PD_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Tacodeli’s ‘Austinity’ delights Houston
By Jim Ayres There’s a lot to love about Austin. A blue oasis in the heart of Texas (though I think the oasis is expanding this way, too). And, of
![A collage showing a GrubHub food bag, a DoorDash delivery driver, and a cartoon image of a green pizza delivery car against a checkered tablecloth background.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
DISCOVERING DELIVERY: Too busy to Eat?
By Jim Ayres Anyone who’s ever known me, and many who don’t, know my lament by heart. I am tied to my desk during July, August, and September. The third
![A modern restaurant interior with orange bar stools along a counter, tables with black chairs, menus, and table settings. The kitchen is visible in the background.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-1-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-1-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Candente, New Ninfa’s Back in the Treacherous Tex-Mex Vortex
By Jim Ayres Of course, it wasn’t my fault. Dinner invites happen, and I’m never one to decline simply because of venue. A few columns back, I mentioned that I
![Exterior view of Seasons 52 Fresh Grill restaurant with illuminated signage and landscaped surroundings.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Fresh and light every week of the year
By Jim Ayres I was always curious about Seasons 52, a local outpost of the upscale “low calorie†chain. It’s part of the restaurant group that includes Eddie V’s and
![A food dish featuring a bowl of tomato-based curry with herbs and a side of rice. The text reads "Tarka Indian Kitchen.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-1-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-1-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Tarka makes a journey to Houston
By Jim Ayres It was a beautiful afternoon. The temperature was climbing, but in September the blue sky already had an autumnal cast. Listening to Lana Del Rey’s latest (brilliant),
![Sign reading "Gus's Fried Chicken World Famous" with a chicken silhouette, against a yellow background.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Gus’s World Famous Hot Fried Chicken coming up
By Jim Ayres If I’ve ever had better fried chicken than I experienced at Gus’s World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken, I certainly don’t remember it. And I’m sure
![A platter of nachos topped with melted cheese, ground meat, avocado, and diced tomatoes, with a pan of cooked meat and vegetables in the upper left corner.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-1-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-1-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
The End of an Affair: Goodbye, Tex-Mex!
By Jim Ayres So long my dear, caseoso, borracho, caliente friend. It looks like our 50+ year refried kind of love affair is ending. It’s your fault, of course. I’m
![A dish containing avocado, halved boiled eggs, tomato pieces, and two crispy bacon strips, all garnished with chopped chives, served on a white plate with a knife.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
When It’s Hot, Five summer salads
By Jim Ayres If you work from home (as I do) or have been sick lately (as have I) you may only have a fleeting knowledge that the height of