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Kevin Shalin

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What a Crock: Spiced Apple Iced Tea

By Kevin Shalin
May 9, 2011

This time of year in Houston is perfect for picnics or relaxing on the patio. Enjoying a nice beverage such as this one only adds to the experience. The rundown Do remember in the '80s, when the big rage was setting your massive jug of tea in sun? It was...
Chef Chat, Part 3: Jerry Jan of RA Sushi in City Centre

By Kevin Shalin
May 6, 2011

This week, we caught up with Chef Jerry Jan of RA Sushi in City Centre. Check out our conversation here and here. Today, we do a little sushi sampling. But first, I started off with a tasty cocktail. The Baby Tsunami Punch is a delicious combination of Southern Comfort, Amaretto,...
Chef Chat, Part 2: Jerry Jan of RA Sushi in City Centre

By Kevin Shalin
May 5, 2011

Yesterday, we caught up with RA Sushi's Jerry Jan about all things sushi. Today, we focus on his kitchen and life at RA Sushi (CityCentre). EOW: How long has this RA Sushi (at CityCentre) been open? JJ: This one opened in July 2009. EOW: Can you tell me a little...
La Plaza's Huevos Rancheros

By Kevin Shalin
May 5, 2011

Have you really ever eaten bad huevos rancheros? I haven't. It typically comes down either a "very good" or "damn fine" ranking. La Plaza Mexican Restaurant's take on this Tex-Mex classic falls into the latter category. For around $5, you get the picture above--two eggs over-easy, topped with that heavenly...
Chef Chat, Part 1: Jerry Jan of RA Sushi in City Centre

By Kevin Shalin
May 4, 2011

This week, we catch up with Chef Jerry Jan of RA Sushi in the beautiful CityCentre on all things sushi. EOW: How long have you been with RA Sushi? JJ: Almost six years now. EOW: What are some characteristics of a good sushi chef? JJ: You definitely have to be...
Talking Culinary Creations with Quiznos' Zach Calkins

By Kevin Shalin
May 2, 2011

This week's Fast Times takes us in a different direction. Typically, a fast food product is consumed and you get the gist of my experience. This week, we sat down with Zach Calkins of Quiznos, to find out how some of these items are created.EOW: What is your formal title...
Favorite Three: Pizza Places

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 29, 2011

Picking a favorite pizza place is a hot-button topic. Let's see which places showed up on our lists. John Kiely 1. Dolce Vita Pizzeria & Enoteca 2. Russo's Coal-Fired New York Pizzeria 3. Pizza Hut John's Take: The worst pizza I've had was in Italy, so authentic isn't always better,...
Mandola's Deli Hits Home

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 28, 2011

Mandola's Deli is more than 30 years old, but I bet many of you reading this article didn't even know it existed. Don't feel bad, I didn't either. It's an east downtown neighborhood spot, located near the University of Houston and about a minute off I-45. For years, the casual...
Top 5: Food Streets

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 28, 2011

When it comes to food, all streets are not created equal. These are the five best in Houston. 5. Airline I really wanted to put Airline higher on the list, but truth is, it just edged out Montrose to land in the top five. Granted, this street is top-heavy, with...
Food Fight: Beef Steak Nachos

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 28, 2011

For this week's Food Fight, we pit two Houston Tex-Mex heavyweights against one another. We've got El Real Tex-Mex Cafe, the young, scrappy newcomer, against Teotihuacan Mexican Café (4624 Irvington), the cagey veteran. Will youth overpower age, or will the consistency of a Houston institution take down the rookie? We...
Strip House Celebrating National Prime Rib Day

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 26, 2011

I bet you had absolutely no idea this Wednesday, April 27, is National Prime Rib Day. If you did know it, chances are you're either a complete loser, or morbidly obese, or a combination of the two. If you're up for celebrating this joyous occasion on Wednesday night, the fine...
What a Crock: Baby Back Ribs

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 25, 2011

Crock-potting some baby back ribs isn't the most authentic way of doing things, but it's fast, easy, and usually turns out pretty tasty. Let's see if this recipe does the trick. The run-down All you need is a standard rack of baby back pork ribs and a few other simple...
Favorite 3: Chain Restaurants

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 22, 2011

Lauren Marmaduke 1. Chipotle Mexican Grill 2. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 3. Armadillo Palace Lauren's Take: I have a hard-on for foods that come wrapped in tortillas and flatbread. The compact cylindrical packaging makes Chipotle's burritos an ideal lunch option for busy days when you have to do...
Chef Chat, Part 3: John Schenk of Strip House

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 22, 2011

This week, we caught up with Executive Chef John Schenk of Strip House. Check out our conversation here and here. Today, we try some of his menu items. I started out with the roasted bacon salad. Calling this dish an appetizer is like referring to Yao Ming as smallish. I...
Chef Chat, Part 2: John Schenk of Strip House

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 21, 2011

Yesterday, we chatted with Executive Chef John Schenk of Strip House about overseeing so many kitchens. Today, we take a look at what's going on in them. EOW: What is the toughest part about cooking a top-notch steak? JS: For me, when I'm working the broiler, it's keeping it all...
Top 5: Food Head Scratchers

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 20, 2011

The world of food and drink can at times be puzzling. Here are five things we wonder about the Houston food scene. 5. Jus' Mac: Is it? I don't have a problem with Jus' Mac's food. I'm not a big macaroni and cheese guy, but their product (on my only...
Chef Chat, Part 1 : John Schenk of Strip House

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 20, 2011

You think it's tough overseeing one kitchen? Try running six, all scattered around the country in such places as Houston, Las Vegas and New York City. Welcome to Strip House Executive Chef John Schenk's life. We caught up with him on his last visit to Houston. EOW: What's it like...
Off the Wall: A James Coney Island Chicago Dog

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 19, 2011

Katharine Shilcutt's article on Sonic's version of a Chicago dog inspired many readers to weigh in on the American classic. Here's the ever-popular Fatty FatBastard, on what James Coney Island was serving up: "I keep telling you to go to James Coney Island for their Chicago dog. It is EXACTLY...
Fast Times: Turkey Cranberry Panini at Murphy's Deli

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 19, 2011

After last week's caloric debacle, I promised to give my heart a break for this installment of Fast Times. I headed to one of my favorite fast food sandwich spots, Murphy's Deli, and ordered the Turkey Cranberry Panini. It looked a lot healthier than my usual--the Club Supreme. Sorry, no...
What a Crock: Marinated Mushrooms

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 18, 2011

I love mushrooms. This, my friends, is a darn good mushroom recipe. The rundown I look for any excuse possible to work mushrooms into my culinary mix. What makes this recipe so special is its versatility--serve these warm, cold, over steak, on top of burgers--it really doesn't matter. The taste...
Benjy's $10.99 Tax Day Relief

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 15, 2011

Both benjy's locations (5922 Washington and 2424 Dunstan) are offering a little lunch time relief to diners on Monday, April 18--this year's extended tax return deadline date. For $10.99 (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity), benjy's will be serving up a three-course, prix-fixe meal. Start off with either the Chilled Avocado...
Favorite Three: Desserts

By Kevin Shalin
Apr 14, 2011

I asked my fellow food bloggers to choose their three favorite desserts in Houston. Let's take a look at what they said. Geri Maria Harris 1. Churros and Hot Chocolate from Hugo's 2. Flan from El Rey 3. 5 Nut Brownie from Hillstone (formerly Houston's) Geri's Take: It is rare...

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Kevin Shalin