Fledgling restaurant Davis Street at Hermann Park, 5925 Almeda, proved to be a big fish in a big sea of 91 competitors last night when it scored three awards at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Best Bites Competition.
More specifically, it was a big shrimp that landed them both the Trailblazing Appetizer award and second place in the People's Choice category. Their Crispy Thai Shrimp, in a crispy coating, scored an impressive win for a place that opened less than three months ago. There were a few different sauces included: one made from Sriracha, honey, fresh squeezed lemon and a touch of Apple cider vinegar; a jalapeño cilantro cream; and a Sriracha aioli that's made in-house at Davis Street on a daily basis. Additionally, their booth design scored them a second place in the Showmanship category.
Joyce's Seafood & Steaks also walked away with more than one award last night. Their silky, balanced White Chocolate Bread Pudding scored both the Grand Champion nod for Best Bites Tasty Traditions as well as the second place spot in the Two-Stepping Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award category.
The reserve champions in the Trailblazing Appetizer category were the meaty crabcake from Brio Tuscan Grill and a classic that Houston's been in love with for a long time: the turtle soup from Brennan's of Houston.
Other big winners of the night:
Mostly Chocolate & Catering hit the right note with its dark chocolate truffle filled creamy goat cheese and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt and was named Champion in the Two-Steppin Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award category.
Taste of Texas used its certified Angus beef tenderloin to wow judges and land the Reserve Champion spot in Tasty Traditions.
Sweet got the Best Bites Rookie Award for their S'mores Mini Pies.
Two companies were took the top slots this year in the same categories they placed second in last year. Royers Cafe at 105 Main in Round Top, which is nationally acclaimed for their stellar pies, landed top honors in the Popular Choice category. It is a category they've placed in four out of five years now.
Gourmet cookie specialist Mr. French won first place in Showmanship after placing second last year. Their booth had a topiary and was also adorned with big, light-up state of Texas fixtures and teddy bears. Best of all, it was filled with candy and cookies.
Here's the full list of winners by category:
Popular Choice
- 1st: Royers Café, Round Top
- 2nd: Davis Street at Hermann Park
Two-Stepping Bread/Cheese/Dessert Award
- 1st: Mostly Chocolate & Catering, Goat Cheese Truffle
- 2nd: Joyce's Seafood & Steaks, White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Trailblazing Appetizer/Entrée Award
- 1st: Davis Street at Hermann Park, Crispy Thai Shrimp
- 2nd: Brio Tuscan Grille, Crab Cakes
- 3rd: Brennan's of Houston, Turtle Soup
Showmanship Award
- 1st: Mr. French's Gourmet Bakery
- 2nd: Davis Street at Hermann Park
Tasty Traditions Award
- 1st: Joyce's Seafood & Steaks, White Chocolate Bread Pudding
- 2nd: Taste of Texas, Certified Angus Beef Tenderloin
Rookie Award
- Sweet, Mini Pies
