![A plate with grilled steak garnished with parsley, a dish of cooked broccolini with lemon zest, and a side of mashed potatoes topped with chopped green onions and bacon bits.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Website_foodie-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Website_foodie-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Website_foodie-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Website_foodie-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Website_foodie-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Café Annie: This (Del) Grande Dame is still hot!
By Jim Ayres I can confirm that Houston socialite extraordinaire Becca Cason Thrash is stunning in person, taller than I had guessed, and looks great in Alexander McQueen. How did
FOODIE DIARIES
![Image of a Superica restaurant sign alongside a margarita and a plate of Mexican food including a taco, rice, and beans, with the restaurant name "SUPERICA" in bold letters overlaying the picture.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-1-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-1-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-1-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Superica: New Tex-Mex in the Heights
By Jim Ayres Last fall, I had a lovely lunch at Chapultepec Lupita with my good friend Carlos. I hadn’t visited in a while, and we enjoyed the fun same-as-it-ever-was
![A plate with fried chicken pieces and a side of seasoned rice garnished with chopped herbs.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Even Fried Chicken? Al Aseel’s Mediterranean delights
By Jim Ayres Over the last couple of years, Houston “bear-tender†Aaron LaTour has been pleading with me to try Al Aseel, a Mediterranean restaurant at Richmond and Dunvale. LaTour
![A collage of various dishes, including a salad with deviled eggs, a pastry, a burger, a meat dish with a drink, and an assortment of appetizers, overlaid with the word "FAVORITE.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/FOODIE_Image-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/FOODIE_Image-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/FOODIE_Image-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/FOODIE_Image-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/FOODIE_Image-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
A few of my favorite things
By JimAyres Looking back at 2018, one thing became immediately clear. I ate really well. In between healthier everyday meals and RX Bars (the ones with the recipe on the
![A plate of seafood in sauce with toast, a dessert topped with ice cream and nuts, and a plate of fried food.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Foodie-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Foodie-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Foodie-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Foodie-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Foodie-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Eunice: Where Your Seafood Dreams Come True
By Jim Ayres When I think of “Eunice,†one character comes to mind: Carol Burnett’s Eunice Higgins who, along with dim-witted husband Ed (Harvey Korman) and cantankerous Mama (Vicki Lawrence),
![Baked cheese on a black platter]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/FOODIE-1-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/FOODIE-1-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/FOODIE-1-475x251.png","width":475,"filesize":0}})
BB Lemon: Comfort food with a pedigree
By Jim Ayres B & B Butchers, an instant hit with the steakhouse set when it opened in 2015, now has a less pricey, but no less inspired, sister restaurant
![A modern restaurant bar with colorful tiled walls, wine shelves, and a row of bar seating. Three staff members are behind the bar, and tables are set with menus and place settings.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Foodie-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Foodie-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Foodie-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Foodie-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Foodie-1024x434.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
‘Sing’ a song of spicy joy
By Jim Ayres Doesn’t the word “sing†instantly brighten your spirit? Music and songs have an innate power to make people happy, energized and renewed. Sad or rueful, as well,
Is AI taking over the food world?
By Jim Ayres I noticed something strange at the airport on my recent trip to New York City. (Oh, glad you asked. It was wonderful. Beautiful sunny fall weather and
![A cozy, well-furnished room with a large plant in the center and sunlight streaming through the windows. Inset images show a dish of mac and cheese with corn and a plate of fish garnished with herbs.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE_La-Lucha-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE_La-Lucha-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE_La-Lucha-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE_La-Lucha-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE_La-Lucha-1024x362.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Loving La Lucha: Nothing to fight about here
By Jim Ayres Make no mistake. Hunky Dory and Bernadine’s did not flop with critics or the public. Their closing just 18 months after opening reflected shady fiscal mismanagement more
![A blue wall with the word "CLASSIC" in large, white, and 3D block letters.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/FOODIE-1024x362.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
‘Classic’ doesn’t mean ‘old fashioned
By Jim Ayers I found a fun online discussion recently: “Which words and expressions from the past do you still like to use today?†I have some favorites and I’m
![Two images side by side: the left shows an uncooked ham with scored skin, while the right shows a cooked, browned ham with charred edges, garnished with rosemary.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/FOODIE_WatermelonHam-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/FOODIE_WatermelonHam-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/FOODIE_WatermelonHam-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/FOODIE_WatermelonHam-878x415.png","width":878,"filesize":0}})
This and That
By Jim Ayres Props to Postino I’m thrilled that Postino is making its second Houston home at the site of the former Montrose Mining Company (805 Pacific). For months the
![The image shows the exterior of a building with the name "Poitan" displayed on a sign. The area around it is illuminated by string lights, and there is a tree on the left side.]({"jaw_blog-16_9-small":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Poitin-xtr-170x95.png","width":170,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-middle":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Poitin-xtr-270x152.png","width":270,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Poitin-xtr-475x267.png","width":475,"filesize":0},"jaw_blog-16_9-big":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Poitin-xtr-878x494.png","width":878,"filesize":0},"large":{"file":"https:\/\/montrosestar.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Poitin-xtr-1024x361.png","width":1024,"filesize":0}})
Poitin: Sophisticated, but where’s the wow factor?
By Jim Ayres Bread service in American restaurants is different than elsewhere in the world. Here, the bread basket entices famished diners to butter up and chow down before ordering