We were supposed to be in Fredericksburg for the weekend. There is a Light the Night Parade that we were looking forward to witness. But you know how it is, “we plan, God laughs”. The rain was incessant. We decided to sit this one out in fear of flooding and getting us stranded as it has happened before.
I had no plan B (not very smart; I already know about how bipolar the weather is here in Texas), so I left D to think of what to do with this rainy and gloomy Saturday. As always, we turn to food. He picked Seasons 52. Never heard of it but online menu looked good. Beans opted out, choosing to sleep all day. He is growing to be more and more like me…
Interior is good. I like good (flattering) lighting on restaurants. Having lots of wood paneling makes it all cozy.Cocktail list included a bramble (my favorite!) and D had his usual petite syrah.If you noticed that most of my pics shows me holding a drink, it’s because I always order a cocktail drink. I’m not a soda nor ice tea type of person. D, on the other hand, will always have some sort of red (syrah or malbec). His cocktail of choice is always a Manhattan.The waiter suggested this blackened steak and blue cheese flatbread for appetizer. It was amazing. It’s crunchy enough without falling apart when you bite.Seafood paella!!! I did not expect and entire lobster tail for this entree, yet there it is!D had a crabcake sandwich which turned out pretty good too. I like how they put the pickles in a teeny tiny mason jar. Nice touch.All their desserts come in this tiny shot glass. Like they already know that you don’t have any extra calories to spare after all the courses. Haha. D had a raspberry canoli and I had the pecan pie in a glass.. Both were amazing
This restaurant reminds me of Houston’s, also on Westheimer, except not as swanky. Food quality is solid and, considering that this is located in River Oaks District, reasonably priced too.
We went to Spec’s for some wine and cheeses, then to Trader Joe’s for a seasonal brandy cake. Our activities are usually food-themed, I know. I wish I could tell you that we did anything else. But like I said before, quoting Julia Childs, “People who love to eat are the best people”.
A friend asked if I would ever do a restaurant review of vegetarian cuisine. The answer to that would be …uhh, never! Just kidding. I did have a great meal at Udipi. It’s Indian cuisine at Sugar Land and was actually featured by Anthony Bourdain. But that review would have to be at another time. It’s holiday season so it’s the peak time for foodies. I will concentrate on the calorific and carnivorous cuisine which is another name for American holiday spread (isn’t it?).
A good place to start would be Steak 48. It’s wonderfully situated at River Oak District. This is where I want to live when I grow up…it would be a parallel universe where I will be shopping all day and dining all night without getting fat nor broke…ahh dreams…Anyway, location is great. This steakhouse ranked highest among its class for November’s Thrillist, so naturally, we had to try it. Like I always said, steakhouses in Houston are really competitive. Each time one opens, it always offers some sort of innovation. This time, steaks are wet aged for 28 days,as opposed to the usual dry aging process.
Started with pull apart bread and River Oak Rita. D had his usual Manhattan.Appetizers – Rhode Island Calamari and Shrimp with Cherry Peppers. Batter is so light and crisp, absolutely delicious!I had a New York Strip which was done a perfect medium rare. I love cutting a good piece of beef and its almost quivering, so nice and red inside, perfectly seared in the outside.D had his usual filet mignon. He still prefers Vallone’s I have to agree.
The yellow squiggly things on the side is the mac n cheese.
For dessert we had vanilla caramel cake. It was surprisingly good.
Overall, it’s everything we hoped for. Is it the best? I would still go with Vallone’s. But service is impeccable and wine list is very comprehensive. If you’re ever in the area, and you still have a bunch of cash burning a hole in your pocket after having gone shopping (unthinkable!), then this is the place to be.
For us, it was a good date night while we wait to pick up Beans from marching band. It was also a good excuse to check out how the city is already preparing for the holiday season. There’s nothing like a good meal and company to usher in a time for, well, good meals and more good company!
