Splendora Cafe: Splendora

Today, I find myself in Splendora, Texas.  Located about 45 minutes north of Houston, this little cafe tempted my taste buds after reading the reviews online.  Located in a strip shopping center just North of FM 2090, I walk into a large non-descript room booming with business and patrons.  You seat yourself, and you are promptly greeted by the nicest wait staff ever.  A few other words come to mind: bubbly, energetic and attentive.

Today is Friday, and I have a feeling I am about to be VERY bad.  They have fried pickles, fried mushrooms, fried this and that, but I perplexed by the Queso DipnSides: as described by my waitress, "chunks of yellow cheese rolled into tri-colored tortilla chips, fried and served with Ranch."  Wow, that sounds great, but so do the fried pickles.   Luckily, I didn't have to make too much of choice since I could order the Mixed Appetizer:  Fried Pickles and Queso DipnSides.

OK, the fried pickles were very good, though the fluffy batter was slightly too salty for me.  The real hit was the Queso DipnSides.  OMG.  It was like queso just melting in your mouth.  There was some jalapenos rolled in the batter too.  They were to die for, and the Ranch dressing tasted like homemade Hidden Valley.  Yummy. 

I knew I was being bad, so I went for the worse thing on the menu for my arteries and my main meal.  I chose the Lunch Portion of the Chicken Fried Steak.  The 8 oz sirloin came with a choice of side (Cole Slaw for me) and a salad from their salad bar (I skipped the only healthy thing of my meal).  You could also chose white or brown gravy.  As soon as it came out, I asked for a to go box. 

The lunch portion was huge; but then again, I am sure the Fried Pickles and Queso DipnSides had nothing to do with it.  The Cole Slaw was good- not too sweet and not too tart.  It actually tasted like the kind that comes right out of the bag- I really like that kind since that's the kind my mom used to make.  Back to the CFS though, the batter is the same fluffy batter from the fried pickles, but the meat has a taste that I can't figure out- it's a VERY good thing.  It tastes almost like they soaked it in white wine.  It was super tender and just amazing.  The gravy was just fair, but it didn't matter- that meat was just superb. 

If you are ever on your way North from Houston, stop in and try Splendora Cafe.  The food and the staff will not disappoint.  In fact, add thoughtful to the description of my waitress.  She brought me out an extra large tea to go on this hot afternoon.  Splendora Cafe was packed from the time that I got there at 12:45 to an hour later.  They definitely have something good going on!

Splendora Cafe and BBQ
13817 Hwy 59 #F
Splendora, TX 77372
281/699-1650

Domenic's Pizza Connection: Brenham

With Brenham being the closest town to us, the eating establishments are some what to be desired for a town this size- Bada Bing.  Each week, Domenic's Original Pizza advertises in the local paper pushing their New York style pizza.  Of course, I have been wanting to try this place because I Luva Gooda Pizza Pie, and tonight was the night- husband working late (and, I don't feel like cooking).  I called in some pies to be picked up.

Domenic's serves either New York style or Chicago Style.  Their pizza comes on a wheat crust with their own special sauce, a Parmesan cheese blend and fresh toppings.  You can build your own or chose from the 8 specialty pizzas.  You can also pick up a variety of 6 different kinds of 9 inch frozen baked pizzas.

Tonight, I wanted to try a cheese pizza, and I wanted to try the "Kitchen Sink" which includes ground beef, pepperoni, sausage, green peppers, onions, sliced tomatoes, and black olives.  Both pizzas in New York style (ie. thin crust).  I've spent some time with East Coast Italians, so let's see how this Brenham to New York connection is working....

Of course, I knew that I would try a piece of the cheese before I made the 20 minute drive back home.  I had to make sure the crust was crisp since it gets so soggy just sitting in those to-go boxes.  When I opened the box, alarms went off.  The redness of the sauce was overwhelming, and the cheese just reminded me of something not good.  

First of all, the crust was not very thin.  It wasn't light.  It didn't have that crispy, bubbly texture.  The cheese tasted like Mr. Gatti's blend.  In fact, this pizza reminded me of Mr. Gattis, but it was different.  The sauce was the culprit.  It was so thick and tart- it had to be one thing: alot of tomato paste.  When I first tasted it, the first thing that crossed my mind was "I bet I have heartburn tonight!"  This cheese pizza had definitely lost it's signal because there was New York connection.

After the 20 minute drive home, it was time to try the "Kitchen Sink."  All I can say is SERIOUSLY!

This is the medium, and I just want to say "Can we skimp on the toppings a little more?"  You can count those tomatoes on one hand- sliced tomatoes--- with a knife maybe.  In fact, they skipped the ground beef too.  The sausage is not even good- super salty and greasy.  For $16, this pizza is not worth it- the ingredients are lame and lacking, and the size is too small for a medium.  What a disappointment- once again, no connection.

I hate to sound so negative, but Domenic's really failed me.  There was definitely not any Bada Bing.  It just did not connect to New York or Italy or me.  I guess the positive is that Brenham has a Pizza Hut.  So, if you find yourself in Brenham and you want to try Domenic's Pizza Connection, I would say "Fugeddaboutit!"

Domenic's Pizza Connection
1122 S Market Street
Brenham, TX 77833
979/830-1133
http://www.nypizzaconnection.com/

JW's Steakhouse: Carmine

Located in the heart of Carmine, Texas, JW'S Steakhouse is a family owned restaurant that specializes in country cooking.  Right off of Hwy 290 between Brenham and Giddings, JW's Steakhouse features mesquite fired steaks, certified Angus beef, seafood, burgers, daily specials, including lunch specials, and homemade desserts.  But, more important, they have a nice wine selection too.

On this day, we order off the menu though the daily lunch specials of fried fish or creamy chicken enchiladas are tempting.  I decided on the Chicken Tender Plate while my husband sticks to the Bone-In Ribeye.

These chicken tenders are amazing.  They are HUGE long strips of white breast meat.  The batter is so light that it is almost non-existent.  The tenders are cooked perfectly and extremely juicy.  The french fries are your typical bagged version, but they are fried to a crisp, golden color.  The gravy today is missing the mark.  I couldn't put enough pepper in it to get it to taste like anything.  Overall, these tenders are enough for two people and unlike any other tenders that I have had before.  Definitely, a winner!

The Bone-In Ribeye rocked.  According to the Carnivore, "It melts in my mouth."  Cooked to perfection and well seasoned, the ribeye comes with your choice of sides (sweet potato fries shown), a salad, and homemade toast.  This meal will definitely fulfill any Carnivore's cravings. 

Overall, JW's Steakhouse is a great place to stop.  The chicken fried steaks and burgers are good bets, but the Chicken Tender Plate and Bone In Ribeye are Great bets.  With friendly service and a great bar, JW's Steakhouse has something for everyone including Maddie the Mad Dog who definitely enjoyed her doggie bag.

JW's Steakhouse
122 S Hauptstrasse
Carmine, Texas
979-278-4240

Hill Country Steakhouse: Barton Creek Resort, Austin

The Hill Country Steakhouse is a luxurious AAA Four Diamond-rated formal dining experience that overlooks the stunning Fazio Foothills golf course at Barton Creek Resort and Spa.

On this celebratory evening, the Chef has created a goat cheese leek spread served with homemade potato chips. The dip was really good, but the chips were the stand outs. Who doesn't love home made potato chips?  In addition, we decided to split the crab cakes served with pickled cucumber relish. The cakes were light and filled with crab meat. The pickled cucumber relish was incredible.

The Hill Country Steakhouse uses only the top 2% quality USDA Midwestern beef known as “Prime Grade Black Angus,” and their steaks are aged up to four weeks for flavor and texture. The steaks are broiled to seal in the flavor. My husband ordered the 12 ounce New York Strip ($40) which he swears was the best steak he has ever eaten, and trust me, he has eaten a lot of steak. I ordered the 10 ounce Bone In Filet ($44). Personally, I didn't care for my cut even though it was well seasoned and quite tender. The problem was that the bone was the majority of the 10 ounce filet.

For sides, we shared the Wild Mushrooms which were sauteed in olive oil and herbs- they were good. However, the scalloped potatoes missed the mark completely- the potatoes were still raw, and the taste was bland and unimpressive. We were really looking forward to the potatoes since our server went on and on about how good they were- well, they weren't.

For dessert, we shared the Triple Layer Decadent Chocolate Bombe: Layers of black velvet cheesecake, milk chocolate mousse, and orange ganache. It was really quite heavenly.  In addition, Barton Creek provided some chocolate truffles for our anniversary. They were really good, but don't ask the husband because he didn't get any!

Service was impeccable.  Be prepared to drop some money.  Actually, for that kind of money, I wish the Steakhouse was a separate dining area rather than the same large room where we ate breakfast.  Overall, our anniversary dinner was very nice- so nice that my husband wants to come back again for that New York Strip steak.

Hill Country Steakhouse
Barton Creek Resort and Spa
8212 Barton Club Drive
Austin, Texas 78735
1-800-336-6157
www.bartoncreek.com

Hut's Hamburger: Austin

Hut's Hamburgers is always a stop for this girl when staying in Austin.  This Hut's location originally started in 1939 as Sammie's Drive In.   It has been Eli's Lounge and Picante Mexican restaurant.  But, in 1969, Homer "Hut" Hutson moved in with Hut's Hamburgers.


At Hut's, they have every and any kind of burger you can desire- in fact 20 listed on the menu ranging from the Tuby's Tickler to the Boodieburger to the Theta Special.  Located on West 6th Street, this place is packed at all hours.


For starters, we ordered a half order of onion rings.  Their onion rings are HUGE, thick cut onion slices tossed in a black pepper batter.  You can make a meal out of these alone- especially when they are dipped into their homemade ranch dressing.

Today, our burgers were just OK.  They didn't seem to be the usual Hut's Hamburger.  The burgers are filled to the brim with fresh lettuce, onions, tomatoes and pickles.  The patties are 1/2 inch thick and seasoned well.  The meat is fresh never frozen from Johnny G's Meat Market in South Austin.  The fries rock especially when dipped into that homemade ranch.


Overall, Hut's Hamburgers still rocks.  If you are not in the hamburger mood, they have daily blue plate specials, buffalo from Thunderheart Bison Ranch, longhorn from Bandera Grasslands, chicken and if you must, veggie burgers.  If you find yourself on 6th Street, wonder on down to Hut's Hamburgers.  You can also visit their sister restaurant, Frankie and Angie's, for pizza.  Neither will disappoint!


Huts Hamburgers
807 West 6th Street
Austin, TX 78703-5403
(512) 472-0693
www.hutsfrankandangies.com

Funky Art Cafe: Brenham

Funky Art Cafe is one of my favorite places to eat in Brenham.  It sits in back of The Pomegranate shop.  It has a seasonal menu.  It is just funky, and in a good way.

Today we started with a Curried Chicken Artichoke Spread.  The spread was actually a non-event. The curry was overwhelming for someone who likes curry, the artichokes were non-existent just like the almonds that were supposed to be on top it.  The Pita triangles were cold, and they should have been toasted.  This Spread just sounded better than it tasted, and it should be passed on.

This was true for the Texas Wildflower tea.  The tea was pale yellow that looked more like lemonade than ice tea.  And, it tasted more like water than tea.  Skip it if its offered. 

My sister decided to have the Tri-Salad Plate: pimento cheese salad, fruit salad, and FAC chicken salad.  The fruit and lettuce looked old and unappealing.  The pimento cheese was dry.  She said overall, it was just mediocre.

I had the Sound of Music Salad.  Two pieces of baked goat cheese placed on top of mixed greens with dried cranberries, purple onion, and toasted walnuts.  This salad is served with their Black Forest Maple Vinaigrette.  Though my lettuce seemed old, the maple vinaigrette rocked just like the goat cheese. 

I know we all have off days, and I hope this is true with the Funky Art Cafe.  I will give it another try in the future since I have had many more good lunches than today's lunch. 

Funky Art Cafe
979-836-5220
202 W Commerce St
Brenham, TX 77833
www.funkyartcafe.com

Shady Grove: Austin

Shady Grove is my favorite place to eat in Austin.  It is so hippie, so Austin, yet so comfortable.  It was a Thursday night, and they were having a lawn concert.  You can eat either outside among the trees or inside. 

Tonight, I decide to move beyond my normal hamburger and fries, and go with the 100% ground sirloin meat loaf with a twice baked jalapeno potato.  But, first, we start with chips and queso and salsa roja.  Their queso just rocks- its a cheesy blend of incredible ooze!  It's a must try.

My meatloaf was interesting.  The actual loaf was quite spicy.  It was covered in a tomato sauce more like salsa.  Overall, it was pretty good, but a little too spicy.  The twice baked jalapeno potato was good, but I think they put all of the jalapenos in the meat loaf.

If you get a chance, check out Shady Grove.  It will not disappoint!  Word of Caution: their wine list is a 4x6 piece of paper whipped out of the waiters pocket.  Plus, on nights of lawn concerts, only plastic cups are used.

Shady Grove
1624 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-9991http://www.theshadygrove.com/