Mandy Oaklander

The Eating...Our Words 100: Kaiser Lashkari, Owner and Chef of Himalaya Restaurant in Houston's Mahatma Gandhi District

Those people I know who are nuts about South Asian cuisine fall into two camps when it comes to Himalaya Restaurant. Half call it the best Pakistani restaurant in the city. The other half say that even if it's not the absolute, platonic "best," it's always worth a visit for a chat with owner and che ... More >>

Ken Tanagi Joins the List of Houston's Biggest Food Personalities

I'm loathe to say that Houston has any "soup Nazi" type characters dominating its dining rooms or kitchens -- only because I hate to start any post off with Godwin's Law. Instead, I prefer to think of people such as the late, great Darawan Charoenrat of Kanomwan (a.k.a. the Thai Nazi) as Houston's b ... More >>

The Rest of the Best: Houston's Top 10 Coffeehouses

Photo by Kevin O'MaraA reminder of what our No. 3 pick used to look like.​For the next 20 weeks, we'll be rounding up the runners-up to our 2011 Best of Houston® winners. In many categories, picking each year's winner is no easy task. We'll be spotlighting 20 of those categories, in which the ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Sophie Elhage of Skewers Mediterranean Café & Grill

Fresh from chef chat parts one and two with Sophie Elhage of Skewers, welcome back to the best part of chef chat: part three, the food. We begin our culinary journey through Sophie Elhage's Lebanon with a spin-off of a dish she created in college: lamb meatball pasta. The new menu item is already a ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Kaiser Lashkari of Himalaya Restaurant

Photo by Mandy OaklanderLashkari's "Special"​ This week we have been talking with Chef Kaiser Lashkari of Himalaya Restaurant (see the rest of our chat here and here). served up the special: a cafeteria tray-sized portion of several entrées.

Chef Chat, Part 2: Kaiser Lashkari of Himalaya Restaurant

Photo by Mandy OaklanderKaiser Lashkari works out of his delicious Indo-Pak restaurant.​Between disappearing into the kitchen and answering phone calls at his prominent desk, owner and chef Kaiser Lashkari continues our chat from yesterday about Himalaya Restaurant. EOW: When you go home, do ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Susan Molzan and Liz Walsh of Petite Sweets

Photo by Mandy OaklanderAssorted happiness on a plate.​My personal circle of life is made out of sugar, and Petite Sweets -- helmed by Susan Molzan and Liz Walsh from chef chats 1 and 2 -- seems to agree. Clockwise from the lime green circle, here's a pistachio macaron, lemon cake ball, peanut ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 2: Susan Molzan and Liz Walsh of Petite Sweets

Photo by Mandy OaklanderLiz Walsh arranges a tray of red velvet macarons.​Today, we continue our chat with Susan Molzan and Liz Walsh, the sugar queen chefs behind Petite Sweets. EOW: So, is it better to bake or be baked for? LW: I think it's better when you bake it yourself and then eat it ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Susan Molzan and Liz Walsh of Petite Sweets

Photo by Mandy OaklanderSusan Molzan tends to a hot pot of fudge.​Susan Molzan stirs a bowl of thick chocolate cooking over low heat in the back of Petite Sweets, a new bakery in Upper Kirby. Co-chef Liz Walsh sorts a tray of red velvet macarons. Like everything else at this miniature-minded b ... More >>

Going Vegan in Houston: Where to Get Your Grub

Earlier this week, we featured some stunning vegan donuts from local vegan and gluten-free baker Jodycakes. Even in a carnivorous city like Houston, eating vegan can be done -- and done surprisingly well. Jodycakes isn't the only vegan baker in town; Sinfull Bakery's vegan cookies and other sweet t ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Nicole Hudson of Conscious Cafe

Photo by Mandy OaklanderToasted avocado sandwich​We're back today at Conscious Cafe (be sure to check out part 1 and part 2 of our chef chat), but enough talking. Time to start eating.

Comment of the Day: When Is It Okay to Call a Place a "Vegetarian Hangout"?

​Here on Eating Our Words, the commenters absolutely make the blog, and our Comment of the Day honors the best of the bunch. Every day, we read you guys and pick the commenter, or commenters, who made us laugh, cry, salivate over something delicious, or think about things in a new way. In r ... More >>

What's the Opposite of Homosexuality? "Holysexuality," Says "Pray the Gay Away" Group

Photo by Mandy OaklanderProtesters say you can't pray gay away.​Outside of the Sugar Creek Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon, about 70 protesters lined the service road waving rainbow signs. Cars honked along with their chants of "We are holy, we are queer!" A dozen protesters were students ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Hicham Nafaa of Majorca Bistro & Tapas

Let the tapas begin... Photo by Mandy Oaklander​After our chef chat (see parts one and two), Hicham Nafaa of Majorca Bistro & Tapas first whips up a mix of Majorcan tapas -- warm, open-faced baguettes topped with vegetables (left), Moroccan sausage, and shrimp (right). The vegetarian slice i ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 2: Hicham Nafaa of Majorca Bistro & Tapas

Photo by Mandy OaklanderMajorca Bistro & Tapas​Today, we continue our conversation with owner and executive chef Hicham Nafaa of Majorca Bistro & Tapas (see part one here). The beautiful tapas joint just opened last week. Majorca stays open late -- on the weekends, it'll be serving until 4 a.m ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Hicham Nafaa of Majorca Bistro & Tapas

Photo by Mandy OaklanderHicham Nafaa, owner/chef of Majorca Bistro & Tapas​The walls of Majorca Bistro & Tapas are deep red, accented with hand-painted bullfighting frescoes. Soft flamenco music pulses through the low-lit dining room. Majorca is Midtown's brand-new tapas restaurant, and from t ... More >>

Ramadan Iftar, Sponsored by the City, Draws Hundreds of Muslims

Photo by Mandy OaklanderMayor Parker backed Saturday's citywide iftar. ​Sealed bottles of water sit on the white-clothed tables before the crowd of thirsty fasters. It's Ramadan, so for one month, observant Muslims like those gathered here at the downtown convention center will abstain from ea ... More >>

Gov. Rick Perry May Have Used Taxpayer Dollars To Promote "The Response", Says ACLU

Photo by Mandy OaklanderReverend Barry Lynn and Terri Burke are protesting The Response​Diversity-minded, Constitution-abiding folks are pissed at tomorrow's one-day Jesus camp called "The Response." Governor Rick Perry, of course, is the belle of the ball. It's a little complicated since he' ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Matti Merrell and Rodney Perry of Green Seed Vegan

Photo by Mandy Oaklander​Forget fat-bubbly steaks and cheese-drenched crab enchiladas. If there was one cuisine in Houston I had to dine on for the rest of my life, it would come from Green Seed Vegan. If you're just joining us, check out our chat with vegan chefs Matti Merrell and Rodney Perr ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 2: Matti Merrell and Rodney Perry of Green Seed Vegan

Photo by Mandy OaklanderGreen Seed Vegan serves very vegetarian nosh.​In the sweltering Houston heat, we continue our chat about all things raw with Green Seed Vegan-ators Matti Merrell and Rodney Perry. Eating Our Words: Are most people who come here vegans? Matti Merrell: No. Most of our c ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Octavio Madrigal of Theo's Restaurant

John K. is everyone's favorite waiter.​John, the lovable and sometimes cantankerous waiter who's worked at Theo's/One's-A-Meal for 28 years, remembers everyone who's ever walked through the doors. Either that, or he's great at faking it with warm handshakes. Today, he serves up some of Chef O ... More >>

SlutWalk Spills Stripper Heels, Rape Victims Into the Streets

Photo by Mandy OaklanderAllies and victims of sexual assault whored it up for SlutWalk.​Houston woke up to a parade of fishnets, taped nipples, and self-proclaimed sluts Saturday morning. Almost 100 allies and victims of sexual assault snaked through Montrose for SlutWalk, dropping jaws and st ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Anthony Davis of Reggae Hut

Trio of samples.​Whenever a new guest comes to Reggae Hut, Davis offers samplings of some of his most popular dishes: oxtails (bottom), jerk chicken (top left), and curry goat. The goat, good enough to make anyone a believer, is coated in a mild green curry. The thick, stew-like curry is delic ... More >>

Chef Chat Part 2: Anthony Davis of Reggae Hut

Photo by Mandy OaklanderReggae Hut is a vibrant island paradise.​Amid the strums of a soft guitar, we continue our chat with Reggae Hut's chef Anthony Davis. EOW: When you were growing up, did you ever cook at home? AD: Oh, yeah. My great-grandmother, my father, and my mother could cook. My ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Anthony Davis of Reggae Hut

Photo by Mandy OaklanderAnthony Davis, chef of Reggae Hut​Reggae Hut, the colorful joint on Almeda Road in the Third Ward, serves up delicious Caribbean fare. Customers gobble up oxtails to the sounds of Bob Marley, his lyrics painted elegantly across the walls. Anthony "Tony" Davis is the man ... More >>

Prime Suspect: Everyone's a winner, reader says.

Inmates Diss Web Dating

Closing of Independence Heights Pool Will Leave Some Kids Desperate

Photo by Mandy OaklanderThe Independence Heights pool is closed for business. ​Off of 35th and Main lies the heart of Independence Heights, a historically black neighborhood that's getting screwed by the mayor's proposed budget. If all is passed according to plan, the community center and the ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Happy and Mike Tsai of Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine

Photo by Mandy Oaklander​This week, we've been catching up with Happy and Mike Tsai, owners of Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine. You can catch more of this interview in Part 1 and Part 2 of our Chef Chat. Pepper Tree's popular $9.99 buffet is a main draw among lunchgoers. With both a raw food bar a ... More >>

Charles in Charge

Readers debate the real Mayor of Montrose.

Chef Chat, Part 1: Happy and Mike Tsai of Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine

Photo by Mandy OaklanderHappy and Mike Tsai helm Pepper Tree.​Like so many delicious Texas institutions, Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine is tucked in a cozy little strip mall. But inside, it's a zenned out vegan refuge. We caught up with Happy Tsai, the owner of Pepper Tree, over a glass of de-chl ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 3: Ray Busch of Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack

Mandy Oaklander​A steaming hot plate of barbecued meats arrives at my booth. It's covered in a velvety blanket of red sauce. Hard to recall the last time I was offered something so sexy. I dive in at the left with Ray's favorite, his homemade pork and beef sausage. Words can hardly do this fl ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 2: Ray Busch of Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack

Photo by Mandy OaklanderMaxine Davis and Ray Busch are co-owners of Ray's.​Yesterday, Ray Busch told us how he got his barbecue start by sampling food trucks outside of nightclubs. After setting up a truck of his own at his friend's car wash almost two decades ago, he opened a restaurant 100 f ... More >>

Clarence Brandley: Demanded, Denied Compensation for Decade on Death Row

Photo by Mandy OaklanderClarence Brandley remains uncompensated.​It's hard to put a price on ten years wrongfully spent in prison, but Texas won't even try. Clarence Brandley, once the janitor at Conroe High School, spent a decade on Death Row after being wrongfully convicted of the 1980 rap ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Ray Busch of Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack

Photo by Mandy OaklanderRay Busch mans the barbecue pit.​Houston's most aromatic gas station is the Shell on Old Spanish Trail in Central South. It's right next door to Ray's Real Pit BBQ Shack, a brand-new restaurant that's been pumping out mouthwatering smells and authentic Texas barbecue si ... More >>

Suits and Sneakers Descend on New Downtown Walking Path

Photo by Mandy OaklanderSuits and sneakers populated National Start Walking Day.​Though it may be an artery-cloggingly delicious way to live, make no mistake. Heart disease is still the number-one killer of Americans. And according to the American Heart Association, almost 67 percent of Texans ... More >>

Top Five Cowboy Moments at RodeoHouston

Mandy OaklanderBobby Mote, bareback rider.​We've spent the past few weeks inhaling the smell of urine-soaked haybales, watching cowboy balls get trampled by bulls, and fielding accusations that we only picked the sexy cowboys to interview. (We didn't. All cowboys are, by definition, sexy.) But ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Isaac Diaz -- Brokeback Floridian

Mandy OaklanderIsaac Diaz, saddle bronc​​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Dusty Tuckness -- Bullfighters Are More Athlete Than Clown

Mandy OaklanderDusty Tuckness, bullfighter​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will ... More >>

Cowgirl Diaries: Tana Renick -- Tames Wild Manes by Day, Wild Mares by Night

Mandy OaklanderTana Renick, barrel racer​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will sp ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Bee Jay Scott -- Prays for a Good Bareback Bucking

Mandy OaklanderBee Jay Scott, bareback​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will spot ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Steven Peebles -- Clearing The Bad Cowboy Name

Mandy OaklanderSteven Peebles, bareback​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will spo ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Casey Colletti -- Bareback Riding Does Not Squeeze Horses' Balls

Mandy OaklanderCasey Colletti, bareback​​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Tyson Durfey -- Roped Sedated Calves At Age Four

Mandy OaklanderTyson Durfey, Tie-down roper​​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls w ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Yvan Jayne -- Gave Up His French Accent To Be A Cowboy

Mandy OaklanderYvan Jayne, bareback​True cowboys and cowgirls are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will spotlig ... More >>

Cowboy Diaries: Bobby Mote -- Ripped Abdominals? No Problem, That's What Pills Are For

Mandy OaklanderBobby Mote, bareback​True cowboys are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest rodeo in the world, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will spotlight one person ... More >>

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Jolanda Jones says never talk to HPD

The Cowboy Diaries: Lose a Car, Ride a Bronco

Mandy OaklanderJace Garrett, Saddle Bronc​True cowboys are hard to find, but not at the Houston Rodeo. Life on the road leads them here this time every year for the biggest competition in America, where they'll ride and wrangle livestock for cash and glory. Each day, Hair Balls will spotlight ... More >>

Transgendered Woman Jenifer Rene Pool Announces Her City Council Candidacy

Mandy OaklanderJenifer Rene Pool announced her city council candidacy.​City council hopeful Jenifer Rene Pool, clad in a black blazer with a hint of a hot pink blouse peeking out from under it, conversed with a supporter upstairs at One's A Meal in Montrose yesterday afternoon. The subject: how mu ... More >>