Mike Potowski

Ribs and Ramen Reign Supreme at the 2nd Annual Go Pig! Or Go Home! Suckling Pig Throwdown

There are pig parties, and then there is Go Pig! Or Go Home! The second annual charity throwdown event last night at Kata Robata was every pig lover's dream -- and then some -- with Houston's top chefs throwin' down everything from traditional roast suckling pig to cochinita pibil to oysters topped ... More >>

The Second Annual Go Pig! Or Go Home! Throwdown is Coming This April

"Go pig! Or go home!" That is the gauntlet that has been thrown, and the challenge, the question, the machismo duel that will pit 23 of Houston's most prominent chefs in a challenge to create Houston's most supreme incarnation of a suckling pig. The second annual event is scheduled for Sunday, Apr ... More >>

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Top 10 restaurants on Washington Avenue

Top 10 Restaurants on Washington Avenue

After last week's Top 10 Restaurants in Rice Village kerfuffle, we've made extra-double sure that this week's list is wholly and completely intact. Now, that doesn't mean your favorite restaurant necessarily made the cut -- that's a whole other conversation for the comments section. What did make t ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Chris Nemoto of Zushi, on Training with a Sushi Master

Chris Nemoto Zushi Japanese Cuisine 5900 Memorial Drive 713-861-5588 www.zushihouston.com This is the first part of a three-part chef chat series. Look for Part 2 and Part 3 in this space Thursday and Friday. Last month, I visited Zushi Japanese Cuisine for the first time, enjoying one of the best ... More >>

Go Pig or Go Home: How Things Went Down at the 1st Annual Suckling Pig Throwdown

Check out our slideshow of the Suckling Pig Throwdown. Leave it to Kata Robata Executive Chef Manabu "Hori" Horiuchi to assemble a cast of chefs worthy of an Iron Chef all-stars competition. Because that's what happened on Sunday night at the 1st Annual Suckling Pig Throwdown, when 13 of Houston's ... More >>

Upcoming Throwdowns, Who's Hungry?

Chefs in Houston love each other, right? Let's test that theory and pit them against each other. Coming up in the next few weeks are two throwdowns fit for true foodies. And trust me when I say, you won't want to miss either of them. Kiss My Grits: A Gulf Coast Throwdown First up on Thursday, Apr ... More >>

Texas on Washington

The second benjy's location serves low-key local foods.

Chef Chat, Part 3: Mike Potowski of benjy's on Washington

​This week, we caught up with Executive Chef Mike Potowski of benjy's on Washington. Check it out here and here. Today, we sample some of his creations. The tasting provided a glimpse of Chef Potowski's broad culinary range. After hearing about his sushi background, I was pleased he broug ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 2: Mike Potowski of benjy's on Washington

​Yesterday, we caught of up with Executive Chef Mike Potowski of benjy's on Washington. We discussed a little of his past and his experience on Iron Chef America. Today, we talk benjy's. EOW: Could you describe the menu for someone who has never been to benjy's on Washington? MP: It is Ame ... More >>

Bivalve Throwdown: Oysters With a Side of Intrigue at Stella Sola

Photos by Katharine Shilcutt​In the heat of battle last night, the oysters -- and the chefs -- kept their cool. The fourth such event organized by Jenny Wang and the Houston Chowhounds, the Bivalve Throwdown at Stella Sola on Sunday afternoon saw 11 of the city's best chefs compete to create ... More >>

Benjy's On Washington

Brain Food

You may puzzle over the menu at Robert Gadsby's Noé, but you'll love the clever chow

Fantastic Fusion

Mantra's Mike Potowski seems to delight in turning culture clashes into culinary fashion statements

Charity Cases

Nonprofits chase the younger set in the search for new blood

Claire Smith: Change of Venue

Daily Review Cafe's executive chef takes to the road