Benjy's - 2424 Dunstan (near Rice
Village) - 713.522.7602 G O U
At times Benjy's can be snooty, but overall I think it is pretty gouda. I hav
e heard that it is important that you know what to eat before you come to this place,
since not all the food is equally gouda. So, what would I recommend? MOS DEF the pec
aaaaaan crusted chicken. I call it fancy fraaaaaaad (fried) chicken. It comes over m
ashed potatoes and is decorated all pretty. Perfect for a southern girl who is trying
to get some class.
Chocolate Bar - 1835 W Alabama St - 713.520.8599 G O U D A
If I could choose only one thing to eat before I died it would have to be the
"Creamy Dreamy Chocolate Truffle" icecream from the Chocolate Bar. I love taking peop
le here for the first time and see their jaws drop to the ground when they take their
first bite of this amazing dessert. Simon now knows where to take me when he is in re
al trouble. Enough said ...
Churrascos - 2055 Westheimer at Shepherd - 713.527.8300
*UPDATE* I think the food has gone down a notch, so I am going to have to downgrade a point. Still great food, but it's missing what the french call "an I do not know what" G O U D
This is Simon's favorite place. We find any reason to come here... in fact we
will make up a reason just to eat here! Fernando believes I have no right to claim t
his as one of my favorite restaurants in Houston, since I will not eat churrasco. But
hey, I LOVE the chicken! And, they have the best dessert known to the human race. T
heir chocolate tres leches!!! Now anyone who knows me knows that I know my chocolate
(enough knows for you), and this is the supreme dessert. So moist, so chocolately, so
divine...
Divino - 1830 W. Alabama -
713.807.1123 G O U D A
So, it is true that Simon and I fight over which is better Divino or Churrasco
s, but since this is my website I get to choose - DIVINO!!! The chicken marsala canno
t be beat! It comes with amazing carmelized carrots and honestly the best mashed pota
toes EVER!!! And, let me tell you, I know my mashed potatoes! Joanna swears by their
porcini mushroom dish, so if you are a vegetarian you should check those out!
Lemongrass - 5109 Bellaire Blvd - 713.664.6698
*UPDATE* We have now been there more than once and love it even more! G O U D A
Yes, I have only been here once. But, it has made it to my list. Let's just
say that this has to be the best 'Thai' place in Houston. I say Thai in quotes cause
this is a fusion thai place, but it is a good type of fusion. Let's just say mangos i
n spring rolls make mili really happy!!! They also have a good coconut chicken soup w
ith PORCINI and SHITAKE mushrooms!!! BIG FAN. And, pad thai... now, normally I do n
ot like pad thai but this was amazing... they put it in a scrambled egg kinda like an
omelet. It was creative and tasty. Now, I will save the best for last... the chocola
te molten cake. It was just that - HOT chocolate goo that spreads out when you cut i
nto the cake.... don't you just want to go now and have one. Even though it is in Bel
laire, it is worth the drive...
Max's Wine Dive - 4720 Washington Ave # B - 713.880.8737 G O U D A
OK, Simon and I have a new FAV -- Max's. We have been here 4 times in 4 weeks. There signature dish is Fried Chicken with Champagne... How could you go wrong with that? I am LOVING it. So, we met this mahhh guy and he said you have to be dressed all in black and it's always packed. All, i have to say to that is can you imagine simon dressed all in black? And, has noone heard of a reservation? GOOOO!!! You won't be dissapointed!
New York Pizzeria (HOLCOMBE) - 2250 West Holcombe Blvd - 713.432.1121 G O U D
If this yellow old skul beemer is outside of the Holcomb
e location, you are going to have a FANTASTIC pizza! WARNING: only eat pizza at a NY
PIZZERIA if this car is outside. ONCE AGAIN: ONLY if this car is outside. It is necessary and sufficient for a GOUDA pizza!
!! So, how do we know this? Everytime Simon goes to this place when the car is NOT th
ere, the pizza is mediocre. If the car is there, it is the best
pizza in town. LEGEND has it that one nite 10 mins before closing Simon went there t
o pick up a pizza. Only the owner of this location and this car was there. For 20 mins, he explained his passion for the ULTIMATE pizza finally sen
ding simon home with his PERFECT carry-out pizza. Needless to say I was pleased or so
the legend goes....
Nga's - 2929 Milam St - 713.528.6055
*UPDATE* Sad to say that the quality of this place has deteriorated fast. I would NOT recommend now. G
The truth is I am addicted to this place! I have to go once a week for the sp
ring rolls and chicken vermicelli bowl. I remember the first time I came here I felt
high after I ate the food. And, now I am TOTALLY hooked. They must put something in
the food! That or my body is probably just needing all the vegies and gouda healthy st
uff they have in their food. Perfect for those people on the 'half-diet'.
Thali - 6855 Southwest Fwy - 713.722.0084 G O U D
The only Indian restaurant I know of that is even a little close to cooking li
ke my mom. And, let me tell ya... there ain't no one who can cook like MY mom!!! Wit
h unlimited gurdi rotli, naan, and puri's how could anyone NOT want to come here. Sit
uated in the Ramada Inn of the brown ghetto, it is a bit hard to find. Just ask your
favorite guju and she'll show you the way...
This is IT! - 207 W. Gray - 713.659.1607 G O U
It is true that Simon has begged me not to go to this restaurant after Jesse a
nd I saw a 'domestic spat'. However, I am a southerner and this is a SOUL food place.
So, I think the incident just added to the charm. Jesse has a theory that a gouda s
oul place has to have grit on the floor and my qualification is that it has to have SW
EET tea. And, this place has BOTH. Plus they know what 'grit' is and when you ask fo
r tea it is automatically sweet. Thus, there is a reason why this place is called 'th
is is it' because it truly makes you 'SOOOO FULL' (soulfull).
