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A Food
Drink focus issue.
Saturday, March 19, 2016 • Page 1B
Taking a look at the best spots for brunch By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com
Talk to some of our local restaurant owners and many of them can probably describe the Houston brunch scene with one word – hot. The context of the word references the demand for new, inventive brunch menu items and for some restaurants, developing an entire brunch menu from scratch has been at the forefront to keep up with the trend. Here’s a few neighborhood suggestions that are new, up and coming and on our radar.
A full service bistro + bar, casual eatery and patio upstairs and a market to shop from. See more in Urban Eats’ feature.
6. Hunky-Dory Tavern
Photo by Christina Martinez Hunky Dory’s Lamb and Sausage brunch entrée.
Photo by Christina Martinez Down The Street’s Egg on an Island brunch entrée.
1. Down the Street
5746 Larkin St. We have some true hidden gems and Down the Street is certainly on that list. When the sun is out and the weather nice, the garage style doors are released and the bar opens into a concept that truly maximizes the space. The menu has something for the egg lovers and even the sweet toothed. The Space City Hash is a top contender that just can’t be denied. The hash is a mix of potatoes and veggies, served with braised pork, a fried egg on top and sriracha aioli drizzled on top. The French Toast takes a non-traditional approach with a soaked baguette, seasonal jam and powdered sugar. From the bar, their frozen Ruby Red Bellini is a must try or see if Tinn Chim will make one of her famous Berry Root Fiz’s.
1801 N Shepherd Dr. The British-American style tavern has taken a casual pub approach to their menu and this reveals itself on their brunch menu. The first item listed on the menu should be ordered for the table – the scones. The scones are served warm with house made jam and clotted cream cheese. You’ll need a few minutes with the menu to go over each option, but my first go-to is the lamb sausage and beans. The sausage is served with white beans in a warm sauce and hints of what seems like pickled tomatoes, topped with a fried egg. Ciabatta bread is served with the portion, as well. Fan favorites have also polled for the Smithfield and Spitalfield Breakfasts; both excellent for a biting pallet. The drink menu features a Daily Inspiration choice, definitely ask the waiter about the day’s inspiration.
Urban Eats serves up barbacoa brunch By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com
For me, when I think of barbacoa, I think of my father and an old classic blues song that pays homage to home – Barbacoa Blues by Randy Garibay. The Chicano blues man talks about his eager search of good ol’ barbacoa with a big red on the side in San Antonio. Like Garibay, Urban Eats’ owner and culinary director, Levi Rollins, shared a similar quest during his travels in Europe. “Before opening Urban Eats, I traveled often for work, finding myself frequenting Europe and South Asia,” Rollins said. “I was often in Paris and during these travels I enjoyed the search for some of my favorite dishes like beef cheeks or steak frites. There were brasseries dedicated to meals like this and there is where I found inspiration for a couple of our menu items here at Urban Eats.” Venture upstairs to the restaurant on the weekend for brunch and on the menu you will find Rollins’ Europe influenced brasserie dish – Brasserie Eggs Benedict. The dish splits a savory biscuit, topped with slow roasted barbacoa, creamy brie, sunny side up eggs and topped with smoked paprika béarnaise. “The barbacoa is delicately, slow cooked,” Rollins said. “We took that aspect and applied it to the eggs benedict dish, [and] even one of our sliders.” Rollins’ menu inspiration comes from his travels, but also pays homage to his family. Coming from a family of self-taught chefs, he spent much of his time in his family’s restaurants where he learned time-honored recipes from his mother and grandmothers. This set the stage for his never ending love of sharing great food with friends and family.
Photo by Christina Martinez The Brasserie Eggs Benedict at Urban Eats, located at 3414 Washington Ave.
“Urban Eats is the implementation of my dream: a comfortable and friendly environment where everyone is welcome to experience an amazing meal – be it with us or on the go,” Rollins said. A goal of Rollins’ was to support his community when he embarked on Urban Eats. That goal, he said, has turned into a passion. At Urban Eats, Rollins says you’ll find local vendors like Kraftsmen Baking, Angela’s Oven, Houston Dairymaids and Cloud 10 Creamery. Through a recent partnership, Urban Eats will start offering delivery next week through DoorDash Restaurant Delivery, a locally run restaurant delivery service in the neighborhood. See Barbacoa P. 3B
7. Black and White
1001 Studewood New to the crew, Black and White has boasted a Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. An immediate standout menu feature is the Green Chilaquiles with Carnitas and Eggs. The pork is slow-
2. The Barking Pig
2307 Ella Blvd. As soon as you walk onto The Barking Pig’s beautiful dog-friendly patio, you’ll find affirmation of your choice. The bar and eatery serves brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mimosas are a fan favorite here, with $4 single pours and $15 pitchers. Bloody Mary’s, and Mary’s sister, Marie – served with tequila instead of vodka – are nicely priced at $6, along with Micheladas. From the menu, the Heights breakfast sandwich is a must try or the tostada for egg lovers looking to try something new. Also on tap, find Katz Coffee’s cold brew on a nitro tap.
3. Town In City Brewing Co.
Contributed photo Black & White’s Chicken & Waffles brunch entrée.
cooked with roasted poblano peppers, cheese, onions, cilantro and, the best part – garnished with tomatillo-chile sauce. Red Velvet pancakes can be found on the menu for sweet tooth lovers or the Serrano Cheddar and Cheese Waffles and Fried Chicken for a merry of sweet and salty. Black and White features Houston Dairymaids cheese.
8. Kraftsman Baking
Contributed photo The Barking Pig’s brunch cocktail lineup, with their mimosa, bloody mary and sangria.
611 W 22nd St. Ste. A Located in a 19th century textile mill in the Heights, Kraftsman offers many mainstays that you can’t go wrong with. You can find breakfast tacos, a build your own omlette, griddle cakes and a few other items. My choice would be the Be All you Can Be Bagel - with two eggs, red onion, smoked salmon, capers, dill, served on a bagel. Kraftsman is in the dry area of the Heights, but is always BYOB. You can get creative and make your own style of mimosa.
1125 W Calvacade St. An unlikely spot for brunch, the Heights brewery has established an on-site food truck that’s making a name for itself. See Jonathan Valadez’s op-ed on page 2B for an inside look.
5. Urban Eats
3414 Washington Ave.
350 W. 19th St., Houston, TX 77008 | 713.360.6204 | Haroldsheights.com
Join us for Easter Brunch
March 27 • 10am-3pm Four Course Brunch
4. Harold’s
350 W 19th St. Harold’s is a destination that has undeniable patio views overlooking 19th Street. From the brunch menu, Chef Antoine Ware has put together something that resembles a stroll down his Southern roots. The New Orleans Style Beignets immediately jump out at you from the menu, demanding to be ordered for the table. The Big Damn Breakfast is served with eggs cooked any style, bacon, house made sausage, roasted potatoes, a biscuit and seasonal fruit jelly. The restaurant is preparing for their upcoming Easter brunch and it looks like a complimentary mimosa is given to all of their patrons.
Restaurant | Bar | Terrace
Includes
Contributed photo The Durham House’s Benedict, with Anson Mills blue corn grit cake, housemade andouille, poached egg and sriracha hollandaise.
9. The Durham House
1200 Durham Dr. Currently on our radar, Chef Mike McElroy is at the head of the kitchen with the newly revamped Durham House, previously Woodrow’s Heights. The Durham House has been hot on foodie radars and serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Complimentary Mimosa Mini Beignets for the Table Appetizer Choice of Entrée & Dessert Visit haroldsheights.com for complete menu Try our Big Nasty Biscuit one of our many great entrée options.
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