![A modern restaurant interior featuring a long bar with barstools, tables with chairs, hanging lights, and decorative wall art. The space has high ceilings and large windows allowing natural light.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-1-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-1-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Great Seafood in Clear Lake: Take a drive down to Tommy’s
By Jim Ayres Many Houstonians have a favorite spot for oysters, casual seafood, cold beer, and live bands in the bay area, south of town. I’m thinking about Gilhooley’s and
FOODIE DIARIES
![A busy restaurant with people dining at tables, wooden flooring, and a bar area on the left.
.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Ritual & Dish Society, Do you really ‘gotta have a gimmick’?
By Jim Ayres “Get yourself a gimmick…and you too can be a star.†Veteran burlesque performers sang this showstopper in Gypsy for a skeptical Louise as she learned the finer
![A neon-lit restaurant with people dining on the left, and a close-up of a plated dish on the right.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-1-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-1-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Is it Sci-Fi? No, it’s The Rice Box!
By Jim Ayres A spacecraft has settled on South Shepherd, the third such landing in Houston. Passing drivers gawk at the bright splashes of neon (which could be hazardous as
![Close-up of a blue shirt with a noticeable stain labeled "STAIN" on a yellow tag. The background has an orange gradient effect.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
A foodie and his money…
By Jim Ayres Are soon parted. Isn’t that how the adage goes? Happy Pride, everyone! As Houstonians and visitors gather to celebrate the 50thanniversary of Stonewall, I’m sure many of
![A restaurant named "Squable" with people dining inside, accompanied by a stylized logo with the name "Squable" and abstract scribble designs.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/foodie_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/foodie_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/foodie_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/foodie_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/foodie_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Fight in The Heights? No, just a Squable
By Jim Ayres I hear fighting words around Shepherd Drive and 19th Street these days. La Lucha (the fight, or the struggle), has a new challenger across the street: Squable.
![A modern, well-lit bar interior with numerous bottles displayed on shelves, plush blue bar stools, hanging light fixtures, and a TV screen behind the counter.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Taste Bar + Kitchen | Houston’s Most Decadent Restaurant
By Jim Ayres Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not at Waffle House anymore! Well, if you, Dorothy, Toto or anyone else stumbles upon Taste Bar + Kitchen, a new restaurant in
![Close-up of a hamburger with a beef patty, lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion, and sauce on a plate.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-1-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-1-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Burger Mania: Burgers from the most unexpected places
By Jim Ayres Occasionally, I crave a burger. Imagine that! Most of the time, I head to Houston’s well-known burger joints such as Mia’s, Rodeo Goat, Bellaire Broiler Burger or,
![A busy restaurant with diners seated at tables, a large counter in the foreground, and white floral arrangements. The name "Relish Restaurant & Bar" and "Est. 2016" are displayed at the top right.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Relish: Think of it as a verb
By Jim Ayres I wasn’t particularly stressed when I went to dinner at Relish, located in that kind of Upper Kirby/River Oaks zone. Still, any agita I might have been
![Collage of four images featuring dishes from Gloria's Latin Cuisine and Rodeo Goat restaurant, including fried fish, a vegetable soup, beverages, and a cheeseburger.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/FOODIE_image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
On the Houston comfort trail
By Jim Ayres Stockyards have never been my thing. Fairground food annoys me. Houston’s steer wrestling and bull riding are certainly world-class, but TGRA is more fun and just as
![A plate with an omelet and slices of toast topped with mashed avocado, garnished with parsley and dill.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FOODIE_image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FOODIE_image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FOODIE_image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FOODIE_image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FOODIE_image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Vibrant: New-style cooking on Fairview
By Jim Ayres I love the food at Vibrant, the next-wave, labels-don’t-really-apply eatery on Fairview. I recommend that you try it at your earliest opportunity. When I hear of a