Subject:

Joanna O'leary

  • Blogs

    May 15, 2013

    Grown-up Fun With Easy Bake Oven

    Having recently achieved a major life goal, I decided to buy myself a present. The latest Apple invention? A designer handbag? A well-aged Merlot? Not for this thirty-one-year-old woman. A used Easy Bake Oven off of Amazon was my reward. I didn't own an Easy Bake Oven as a kid but my best pal Ashl ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 8, 2013

    Top 5 Snail Dishes in Houston

    Next year I should give up shelled creatures for Lent, so strong is my liking for crabs, lobster, oysters....and snails! Escargot isn't exactly something you can pick up at the market, so I'm always on the lookout for restaurants with interesting land mollusk options. Here are five that have caught ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 14, 2013

    Cafe Pita: Pedestrian Name, Food With Panache

    Katharine Shilcutt's list of the Houston Restaurants Every Out-of-Towner Should Visit should go to 11. Because if you come to Houston and do not visit Cafe Pita, you are not just missing the opportunity to try Bosnian food (period) you are missing your opportunity to relish terrific Bosnian food (ex ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 9, 2013

    Celebrate National Apricot Day with Kolaczki

    As you might have guessed from my nostalgic post about new year's traditions, I'm on a bit of a Polish kick. I put Krakow on my 2013 travel wish list (key word "wish") and I have started experimenting with Polish cuisine. (My husband, incidentally, is obsessed with cooking Korean food right now so ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 29, 2012

    Election 2012: Vote With Your Sweet Tooth Not Your Heart

    Looking to advertise your political views in a consumable form, specifically circular baked goods? You are in luck this election season. Two Houston bakeries are not only offering themed Republican and Democrat cookies but are also tracking their sales: What better way to cater those debate-watch ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 23, 2012

    Party Like It's 1799: The Rienzi Punch Party

    When I was first approached with the opportunity to cover the MFAH's second annual punch party, I had my doubts about the quality of the libations. As a card-carrying Victorianist, I'm pretty much professionally obligated to scoff at the so-called merits of other historical eras in favor of promoti ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 23, 2012

    Top 5 Pumpkin-Flavored Grocery Store Foods

    In years past, I've had much fun scouring Houston for pumpkin dishes at local restaurants. Many are available again this fall if you're intent on going out to get your squash on. For homebody pumpkin lovers (or just people fascinated by seasonal products), I offer these top five pumpkin-flavored foo ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 25, 2012

    Sylvia Casares Showcases Versatility at Inaugural Comida Con Vino

    You don't have to ask me twice to attend a wine dinner, and when I heard that Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen was hosting its first-ever comida con vino, I was eager to see what Casares had in store. Well, more specifically, I wondered if there would be anything else besides enchiladas. Not that I don' ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 18, 2012

    Kraft-Crayola String Cheese Sticks

    I don't know why I can spend an inordinate amount of time examining nutrition labels but I can't take 30 seconds to look more closely at a package of cheese. Ever susceptible to the lure of special-edition products, I noticed what appeared to be a package of string cheese sticks colored and shaped ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 11, 2012

    Top 5 Food Products Whose Containers Are Better Than Their Contents

    When I was a tween, I had a weird fixation with Snapple bottles. I thought the label design was cool, and I liked the way a whole row of empty bottles of different varieties (including the abandoned line of sodas) looked lined on my bedroom window pane. Exciting times, let me tell you. I've since gi ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 23, 2012

    The Pleasures of Edible Flowers and Other Lessons from Martha Stewart

    When certain friends visit me in Houston, we're all about Going Out To Eat. The itinerary revolves around much-anticipated dinners at fancy restaurants, leisurely cafe lunches and decadent brunches at The Breakfast Klub. With other visitors, however, it's all about What To Cook. My dear friend Soph ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 22, 2012

    Restaurants Weeks Dinner at Backstreet Cafe Derailed By Lobster Addiction

    I had my choices all picked out before I even stepped foot in the restaurant. Backstreet Cafe was offering FOUR different Restaurant Weeks dinner menus, and I had a lofty goal of sampling two or three of them (on separate occasions). When a friend requested Backstreet as the location of her belated ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 30, 2012

    2nd Annual Margarita Fest at El Pueblito

    Last Thursday, July 26, 11 tequila purveyors went head to head at El Pueblito for their second annual margarita festival. Think the Olympics inspire intense competitors? Those athletes have nothing on the ferocity of brand representatives, each determined to produce the best margarita for what appe ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 30, 2012

    A Roman Repast at Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

    When I told my husband I wanted to go to the May Roman Feast at Giacomo's Cibo e Vino, he responded: "Will there be a vomitorium?"* "Good God, I hope not," I said. "Though its presence might actually suggest people were really enjoying the food." And they were. Light tones and merry laughter circ ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 24, 2012

    How Do You Eat Your Cupcake?

    It has come to my attention that there is more than one way to eat a cupcake. Two, three, even five ways, in fact. This shocking realization occurred during a recent family gathering, when I watched my relatives consume chocolate-frosted birthday cupcakes...all using different techniques. My niece ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 7, 2012

    The Global Burger: Argentina

    I love a good burger. While I always enjoy the regular patty on a bun with cheese, lettuce, tomato and ketchup (as long as it's cooked at least medium rare), sometimes I like to put a twist or two on tradition. In this series of posts, I'm globalizing the burger by revamping it according to other co ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 25, 2012

    Revising A Classic: Seven-Layer Bars

    "Seven layer bars," also known as "magic bars," are one of my favorite baked goods, falling just behind chewy chocolate chip cookies. You may wonder why, then, I would ever mess with the traditional recipe, which calls for butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, coconut, nuts (usually walnuts), sweeten ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 12, 2012

    Yasso Greek Frozen Yogurt

    After recently blogging about Ben & Jerry's Greek Frozen Yogurt, a representative from Yasso contacted me to request I try their version. Now, I can't give you an exact side-by-side review of the two products, as that's an oranges-apples comparison: B&J's offers its Greek frozen yogurt in pints, wh ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 2, 2012

    What I Want In My Easter Basket

    In one of his stand-up routines, Jerry Seinfeld has a terrific bit on Halloween, in which he says the "only clear thought" he had in the first 10 years of his life was: "Get candy." Hmm. "Get candy" still dominates my psyche 30 years later...and counting. Which is probably one of the reasons why H ... More >>

  • Blogs

    March 27, 2012

    Hits and Misses at Nabi

    A reunion with some old friends prompted a dinner at Nabi. Having recently tried some smashing Korean Fried Chicken at Bon Chon in Virginia, I was eager to try Nabi's version as well as some of their small plates and sushi. Never has a restaurant inspired such ambivalence. The morning after, I c ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 23, 2012

    Experiments En Croute

    "En croute" is the most beautiful two-word phrase in the French language ("service compris" being a close second). I came to this realization while recently perusing the online menu of Le Refuge, which I hoped to visit during a trip to Old Town Alexandria. Among the restaurant's many old-school, alb ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 13, 2012

    Top 5 British Food Traditions To Embrace Now

    As mentioned in an earlier post, I recently returned from London, where I was celebrating the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens and stuffing my gob with vittles. Houston stole my heart with its diverse food scene, but London, despite being bloody expensive, still has a certain something, or, rather ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 1, 2012

    UPDATE: Food Maneuvers That Only Work On Television: Drinking Directly From A Straw Stuck In An Orange

    When I blogged last week about five food maneuvers that only work on television, Nicholas L. Hall and Dave Lieberman corrected my assertion that drinking out of a straw stuck directly in an orange couldn't be done in real life. Furthermore, they offered some tips as to how to do so: "The trick ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 24, 2012

    Pillsbury Special Edition "MegaChip" Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Damn you, Doughboy. You pop that hip and giggle and pose with giant cookie, and suddenly I'm $3.39 poorer. I didn't even notice until I was at the checkout that you were proffering "special edition" baked goods, which in my mind is dangerously close to that siren call phrase, "limited edition." Whi ... More >>

  • Blogs

    December 7, 2011

    Grand Opening Party at Torchy's Tacos

    Photo by Joanna O'LearyParty swag included bumper stickers, temporary tatoos, and a t-shirt I plan to wear every day until my husband complains.​As of 7 a.m. today, Houston officially had a branch of Torchy's Tacos, the Austin-based chain of eateries known for their creative taco fillings (e.g ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 24, 2011

    10 Pumpkin Dishes to Try in Houston: #1 Pumpkin Trio at Ninfa's On Navigation

    In 2010, I had a grand ol' time scouring Houston for outstanding pumpkin dishes. One year later I'm older, definitely not wiser, and still in love with orange squash. So from now until Thanksgiving I've been counting down (again) 10 Pumpkin Dishes to Try in Houston. Forks at the ready! #1 Pumpkin ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 22, 2011

    Warming Up to Down House

    I first visited Down House to vet the Pumpkin Phosphate during my search for great pumpkin dishes in Houston. I was heartily impressed with the phosphate but still a bit wary of the food. The restaurant, as Katharine Shilcutt has pointed out, has some identity issues, and I wondered whether the ent ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 9, 2011

    Luis' Migas at My Fit Foods

    Photo by Joanna O'LearyBefore: Uhhh....what?​A few months ago, I received a coupon for a free entree from My Fit Foods in a road race swag bag. I resisted redeeming it for a while, because I wasn't really interested in any of their menu options. But one morning after a longish run, I had a ... More >>

  • Blogs

    November 9, 2011

    Limited Edition Nestle Oatmeal Scotchies

    Photo by Joanna O'LearyYes, those are dark chocolate Milky Ways lurking in the background.​Between October and December it's rare to find a "limited edition" food product that doesn't have something to do with the impending holidays. That's exactly why I gravitated toward the new "Oatmeal Scot ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 26, 2011

    Top 5 Seasonal Commercial Halloween Snacks

    Photo by Joanna O'LearyBoo! I'm orange.​Since Halloween is my favorite holiday, I'm more than thrilled that what was once a one-day celebration has now become a whole season in its own right. Despite my usual aversion to processed food, I'm also tickled pink (orange?) by the plethora of Hallow ... More >>

  • Blogs

    October 5, 2011

    Recipe: Almond Coconut Candy Fudge

    On a cloudy weekend afternoon, I felt like baking, but the cupboard held everything but flour. To save myself a trip to the store and an overheated kitchen, I settled instead on making fudge. Chocolate was the favor I craved, but since I was having Caribbean cocktails later that evening, I though ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 29, 2011

    Whole Wheat Couscous Pudding with Dried Cranberries and Honey

    Reading about Mark Bittman's savory oatmeal inspired me to try a similar flavor reversal with couscous. I love the texture of couscous, especially the whole-wheat variety, which is nuttier and more filling. After some online research and small-batch experimentation, I settled on a semi-healthful re ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 21, 2011

    Five Lemonades To Try in Houston

    Joanna O'LearyConey's Frozen Cherry Lemonade​In triple-digit temperatures, a frosty glass of tangy lemonade can really hit the spot after walking across death valley (re: your office parking lot). And if it's made with real lemons, lemonade is also a good source of Vitamin C and thus a great w ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 13, 2011

    Perky Eggplant, Smoked Salmon, and Gorgonzola Pizza at Piola

    Joanna O'LearyIs that an eggplant on your pizza or are you just happy to see me?​I predict this post's title will elicit two responses: 1) Why perky? or 2) Ew. That topping combination couldn't have been good. To the first reaction, I say, "See picture." I have no idea how or why that one egg ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 12, 2011

    Expedition Egg Salad: Barnaby's Cafe

    Joanna O'LearyBacon. Who knew?​I've become obsessed with egg salad, which is a little weird, because I can remember a time in my life when I hated both eggs and mayonnaise. Go figure. My post on The Far Down at The Hobbit Cafe prompted a reader tip about Nielsen's, purveyor of another praisew ... More >>

  • Blogs

    September 8, 2011

    Gingerbread Breakfast Cupcake at Crave

    Joanna O'LearySugar-Capped Gingerbread Mountain​It's not so shocking that I walked into Crave Cupcakes last week intending to purchase two cupcakes and exited instead with three. What's (pleasantly) surprising is that Cupcake #3 cost me nothing. Earlier this year I wrote about unexpected fr ... More >>

  • Blogs

    August 17, 2011

    Pimped Out S'mores

    Joanna O'LearyI don't think I could fit a whole one of these in my mouth.​Since the beginning of summer I've consumed an inordinate amount of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, most often in the form of Campfire Bars. And I since I so worship this glorious trifecta, I can't believ ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 28, 2011

    Comment of the Day

    ​Today Joanna O'Leary listed five features that redeem a restaurant with mediocre food, like good service and extended hours. But a couple EOW readers thought she'd missed an important one. Wrote CB: Surely Alcohol comes top of this list. If the drinks are strong it usually gets the nod over ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 27, 2011

    Comment of the Day

    ​Today Joanna O'Leary named her top five politically incorrect food icons. Some readers wrote in to add to the list, while others said political correctness has gone too far. But it was this anonymous comment that caught our eye: See the Land O' Lakes woman's knees? Back in my best days I rem ... More >>

  • Blogs

    July 25, 2011

    Comment of the Day

    ​Today Joanna O'Leary listed five celebrity chefs she'd like shipped to Mars, and the comments section turned into a discussion about boobs. Anyway, commenter Ali had an actual addition to the list: That dude on Meat and Potatoes. Ram Faamma or some shit. He's so annoying. He's like a super-n ... More >>

  • Blogs

    June 23, 2011

    Comment of the Day

    ​Joanna O'Leary wrote about her favorite retro sodas, inspiring readers to chime in with their own picks. We found one comment, from Bibulb, especially intriguing: While it's not THAT retro (although it's been fifteen years now...) and it never made it to Houston, I enjoyed OK Soda. While I l ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 30, 2011

    Dinner at Fratelli's

    Joanna O'LearyCalamari Fritti​When I lived in Boston, the proximity of the North End to my apartment meant I ate Italian food fairly regularly. I gnoshed on arancini during street festivals, savored truffled risotto at some high-end joints, and devoured slices loaded with sausage and peppers a ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 30, 2011

    Comment of the Day

    ​Joanna O'Leary had a delicious Italian meal at Fratelli's and decided that the restaurant was worth driving outside the loop for. Which gave commenter Laurie pause: Heaven forbid! Outside the Loop! Joanna get over it. It is all of 5 min outside the Loop. A majority of Houston lives outside ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 26, 2011

    Quail with (Four) Sweet Potato Fries at Indika

    Joanna O'Leary​A few days before I skipped town for the summer I finally went to Indika. God knows what took me so long, considering the restaurant's consistently positive reviews and my love of all things curry and masala. Around 9 p.m. on a weekend night, the restaurant was swarming with la ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 11, 2011

    A First Dinner at (New) Mai's

    Joanna O'LearyLotus Root Salad​By the time I heard about Mai's , it no longer existed. As a relative newcomer to Houston, I asked a colleague to recommend a good Vietnamese restaurant. "Mai's is terrific," she said. "I mean, was terrific. [Pause]. It burned down." (Leave it to a drama student ... More >>

  • Blogs

    May 6, 2011

    Double-Thick Campfire Bars

    Joanna O'LearyCampfire Bars​The impending summer makes me think of camp, which makes me think of plaintive letters home, moody counselors, and delicious s'mores. Since right now I am sans grill and have a shitty gas stove, I cannot roast marshmallows over on open flame and therefore am unable ... More >>

  • Blogs

    April 7, 2011

    Eating on the Go: Revival Market Blueberry Muffin

    ​One side-effect of a two-person family functioning with one car in this city is the necessity to occasionally eat in the car. Frankly, I don't enjoy eating in the car, but on those days when I have to take my husband to work so I can use the car, I sometimes clock up to four hours (or more) ... More >>

  • Blogs

    February 10, 2011

    Off the Wall: An Anonymous Apple Pie a la Cheese

    ​There were many inspiring comments from last week, but none better than the one from the ever popular and nameless Anonymous, in regards to Joanna O'Leary's post "Kraft Singles, Not Cool-Whip, On Pie." "I've never tried it, but my Grandfather from Chicago used to say 'apple pie without chee ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 24, 2011

    Comment of the Day

    ​Today Joanna O'Leary discussed an issue close to her heart, the difference between a cinnamon roll and a sticky bun, which inspired commenter Ziggy Smogdust to up the bizarre factor on EOW: I can't ever think about sticky buns without thinking of one my favorite "The Young Ones" episodes. ( ... More >>

  • Blogs

    January 10, 2011

    Comment of the Day: Those Crazy Brits

    ​The things you can learn from reading the comments section on EOW. Joanna O'Leary wrote about five fascinating nursery rhyme foods, and commenter Trisch chimed in with the weirdest tidbit we've seen all day: On a recent transpacific flight, I watched a show where blackbird pie was on the men ... More >>

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