Taste Magazine May Issue North Houston

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Taste Magazine Have You Got TASTE?

Food | Fashion

Mexican Eateries | Wine | Accessories In this issue: Doneraki Cisco’s Salsa Company Viva Itacate Wahoo’s Fish Taco Santa Fe Flats Yucatan Taco Stand Gringo’s Tex Mex Guadalajara Hacienda GenuWine Summer Shoes & Bags High Heel Junkie Girls With Taste Available Pets Mexican Vs. Tex-Mex And much more…

May 2012


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Taste Magazine

Mexican Eateries Doneraki 26 Cisco’s Salsa Company 6 Viva Itacate 19 Wahoo’s Fish Taco 37 Santa Fe Flats 11 Yucatan Taco Stand 40 Gringo’s Tex Mex 30 Guadalajara Hacienda 15 Mexican vs. Tex-Mex 33

Wine GenuWine 44  Top Wines of 2012 47 Wine & Shoes Pairing Event 10

Accessories High Heel Junkie 49 Summer Shoes & Bags 52

In Every Issue Girls With Taste 25 Available Pets 61 Coming Next Month 63

May 2012


Letter from the Editor.. Taste Texas Magazine is the next great thing to find the best restaurants, wine bars, sports bars, night clubs and fashion boutiques in the area. Our first edition came out February 1, 2012. The magazine covers The Woodlands, Conroe, Magnolia, Spring, Tomball and the FM1960/Champions Forest area. We plan on adding a separate magazine for Sugarland and Katy later this year. Our digital magazine features great venues and boutiques for you to check out each month. The magazine also has information on great chefs, food related books and products, new trends, date night ideas and much more. Our fashion section highlights fashions of the season and great accessories. If you dine or shop at one of our featured businesses please let them know you saw them in Taste!! Thanks,

Wendy

http://tastepublications.com 832-620-6280 info@tastepublications.com

Editor-in-Chief: Wendy Anderson For advertising info or if you would like to be featured in one of our issues please email us or call: 832-620-6280


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Restaurant Profile

Cisco’s Salsa Company Address: 209 Commerce St. Tomball, TX 77375 Phone: 281-351-7572 Website: http://www.ciscosalsa.com/ Facebook: http://on.fb.me/uNxOSZ Hours: Sunday: 10am–4pm Monday: 11am–8pm Tuesday–Saturday: 11am–9pm Price Range: Appetizers: $4.25 - $11 Entrees: $8.75 - $16 Company Slogan: “Eat Fresh, Live Well, And Stay Thirsty!”

CISCO’S SALSA COMPANY GRILL & CANTINA – FRESH BAJA MEXICAN FOOD IN TOMBALL Article written by: Nick Rama http://diningoutwithnickhouston.com Cisco’s Salsa Company was started in 1971 in Southern California by Bob Wilson, Sr. Mr. Wilson is the father of Bob Jr. and Laura Wilson the owners of Cisco’s in Tomball, TX. It has been family owned and operated for 40 years. Cisco’s prides itself on preparing the finest, freshest, award-winning Mexican Cuisine, good margaritas and a great atmosphere. Cisco’s commitment to freshness is showcased in recipes that are prepared daily using quality


ingredients such as USDA Prime beef, the freshest seafood, and the finest hand-selected produce available. The Cantina style area features offering such as fresh-squeezed, hand shaken margaritas and a stellar tequila selection. Cisco’s also has a brunch menu on Sundays 10am-2pm. Surprisingly Cisco’s also has this diner’s favorite burger in Tomball. I had the chance to sit down with Laura, who also serves as the Cisco’s Tomball Location manager and talk about everything Cisco’s has to offer. What can somebody expect on their first visit to Cisco’s? We have a really cool atmosphere, awesome margaritas, and much more than authentic Baja Mexican dishes; we also have steaks, sandwiches, salads and soups. We like to be the absolute best at what we do. We have a great patio and a friendly staff. What are some of your specialties at Cisco’s? The number one seller is our Fish Taco and all of our seafood dishes do really well. Seafood Diablo is a new customer favorite. We always look to see what our customers prefer on the menu, so that we can adapt our specials to their tastes.


Cisco’s has a unique happy hour, tell me about it? At our “Two O’Clock Anywhere” Happy Hour (Mon – Fri 2-5pm), we have $2 house margaritas, $2 house wines, $2 well drinks, $2 beers and $2 appetizers, and you can sit anywhere inside or out on our exceptional patio area to enjoy them. Our “Top Secret” happy hour continues with the same prices at the bar only till 7pm. What made you open in Tomball, because Cisco’s is a hidden gem and off the beaten path? My husband Dennis and I came here twenty years ago and loved Old Town Tomball. My brother came out to visit last year and we were driving through the area and saw this space for lease. Old Town Tomball is a unique area and we wanted the locals to have a community hang out with a family atmosphere but a place that is still nice enough for a date. We have been open since August 2011 and are expanding our outdoor seating area. Our opening coincided with the redevelopment of Old Tomball, and we consider Cisco’s to be the first step in this city’s push to have more of a night life.


I noticed you have a banquet room next door; tell me about that. The room can accommodate groups of up to 100 people and we do private parties, birthdays, wedding events and office parties. The choices of a full bar, a traditional Mexican menu, or alternative menus to fit any occasion provide options for everyone. We even have an area of the restaurant that is an old train caboose that can be used for smaller events. 5 words that describes Cisco’s Salsa Company Grill and Cantina? Cool (Hip), Fresh, Fun, Vacation and Unique.

Photos by: http://johnwadephotography.net



Restaurant Profile

Santa Fe Flats Address: 21542 Hwy 249, Suite 5 Houston, Texas 77070 Phone: 281-655-1400 Website: http://santafeflats.net/ Facebook: http://on.fb.me/IVtLfL Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11am-9pm Friday & Saturday: 11am-10pm Price Range: Starters $4 - $11 Entrees: $7 - $16

Tyler Torres, the owner of Santa Fe Flats, grew up in New Mexico. He longed to bring those wonderful flavors of food to Houston and decided to open a restaurant in Tomball, TX to share his passion. The restaurant’s décor, as well as flavor, is Southwest. The food is based on recipes from Tyler’s family matriarch, Angela Calderon Torres. The menu offers great food that is fresh and tasty. Look for fresh flavors, creative new dishes and traditional favorites. The menu has something for everyone; from great apps to burgers to Texas classics. They have what you are looking for. Santa Fe Flats also has a healthy choices menu and fabulous desserts. They are open for lunch and dinner and offer live entertainment on their patio on Friday nights. Make sure to check them out for Cinco de Mayo or Mother’s Day.





Restaurant Profile

Guadalajara Hacienda Address: 27885 I-45 North The Woodlands, TX 77380 Phone: 281.362.0774 Website: http://www.guad.com/ Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Jdhssl Hours: Mon - Thu:11:00 am - 10:00 pm Fri - Sat:11:00 am - 11:00 pm Sun:11:00 am - 10:00 pm Price Range:

Guadalajara Hacienda is a Tex-Mex restaurant located in The Woodlands. They have been open for many years, but still know how to do things right. The restaurant is large with tile floors and has a festive atmosphere. Known for their queso, fajitas and of course, the margaritas, Guadalajara Hacienda is the perfect place for families, business meetings, or a night out with friends. The menu has soups, salads, appetizers to get you started. The main entrees consist of fajitas, enchiladas, Tex-Mex., house favorites and well put together combinations. They serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

If you are looking for wonderful Mexican desserts make sure to leave room. They offer great desserts from Tres Leches to Fried Mexican Ice Cream. For a great lunch, brunch or dinner make sure to try them out.




Rainey's Creole Catering is a full service catering company that specializes in preparing famous Creole dishes of Louisiana. We offer a complete range of services, from stylish cocktail parties, to full seated dinners, to elegant affairs of any size. Customizing your menu, designed with you in mind, we are dedicated to creating the ultimate catering affair of your dreams. Call 281-673-6326 or email Rainey at: decaturcooks@yahoo.com for your free consultation Become a fan on Facebook and receive 10% off your first catering order: http://www.facebook.com/raineyscreolecatering


Restaurant Profile

Viva Itacate Address: 544 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands, TX 77380 Phone: 281-298-7377 Website: http://www.vivaitacate.com/ Facebook: http://on.fb.me/J5PyR3 Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday: Closed Price Range: Breakfast : $2 - $6.50 Bakery: $1.20 - $4.50 Lunch: $2 - $7

VIVA ITACATE BAKERY & CAFE – AUTHENTIC MEXICAN BAKERY IN SPRING, TX Article written by: Nick Rama http://diningoutwithnickhouston.com Viva Itacate offers authentic regional gulf coast Mexican Cuisine, this region is also known as the Huasteca. Itacate is an upscale Mexican bakery and café with some French influences, founded by Sara Cruz in Tampico Mexico in 1980 where she started in a small space with food to go. Mrs. Cruz and her family built a sit down restaurant two years later. El Itacate took simple yet delicious homemade lunch foods, like chiles rellenos, soups, stews, etc, put them on the map! They also decided to offer their first dessert -- a sweet cornbread, which is absolutely delicious.


Currently, El Itacate operates four restaurants with bakeries attached to them, all in Tampico, Mexico; each one operated by a family member. Howard & Sara moved to The Woodlands area in October 2010 from Tampico Mexico, and opened Viva Itacate Bakery & Café on May 12, 2011. The restaurant is owned by Mrs. Cruz and her children Augusto, Sara and Gaby. Sara and Gaby´s husbands, Howard and Alonso, serve as managers along side them. Itacate means “Food to go”, and whether you are in a hurry and get something to go, or eat in, they have plenty of delectable options on the menu and in their bakery dessert and sweet bread cases. I sat down with Howard Corcoran and his wife Sara to get to know this charming hidden gem in the Spring/Woodlands area. I noticed your sign says Viva Itacate and your banner says El Itacate est. 1980, can you explain why? El Itacate is my mother in-law’s restaurant in Mexico but because of trademarks, the American business had to be Viva Itacate, which translates to “long live food to go”.


What can people expect here that is different when compared to the tons of other Mexican restaurants around The Woodlands/Spring area? Itacate or Viva Itacate offers items like Bocoles, which are gluten and preservative-free fresh corn patties with fillings like chicken, pork, beef, bean & cheese or vegetarian options like soy chorizo or sautéed mushrooms. All the recipes at Viva Itacate originated directly from Mexico and everything is made from scratch, including breakfast items, tortas, molletes, empandas, migadas, cakes, Mexican sweet breads and pastries. What made you choose the Spring/Woodlands area in which to open your establishment? We just loved the area; it seemed to be family friendly. This space was close to the entrance of The Woodlands and near Oak Ridge, and also close to the highway. We almost moved and opened in McAllen, TX, but we are glad we’re here instead! Tell me where or how your recipes originated? They are all regional Mexican recipes handed down from Sara’s grandmother, mother and aunt. The sweet cornbread recipe has been in the family for over one hundred years!


What are your specialty lunch items and desserts at Viva Itacate and why are they special? We have our lunch special every Tuesday through Saturday with fresh made soup (Pozole on Fridays), and we use nothing that comes out of a can. You can also get a sandwich (Torta/Bolillo) on a fresh baked French roll or Tacos with a dessert of the day for only $7.50. All of our meats are slow roasted or simmered and seasoned to perfection. We have traditional meats like Cochinita Pibil (from the Yucatan region, slow roasted pork marinated in citrus juices, colored with annatto seed, and wrapped in banana leaves), Pollinita (a healthier version of Cochinita Pibil, using chicken breast instead of pork) and Ternera (shredded seasoned beef simmered in a tomato sauce). We have empandas that are great for breakfast or a snack, which come in combinations like Spinach & Cheese, Poblano & Cheese, Beef with Almonds & Raisins or Chorizo and Beans, to name a few. I noticed that the business space has expanded in less than a year. Why so soon after you opened? It got too crowded for lunch and since we only seated 16. We can now seat approximately 38 people. The space came open next door and we had to jump on the opportunity.


Your Tres Leches Cake has Cajeta in the middle, which is a little different. What is Cajeta and what does it add to the cake? Cajeta is a Mexican caramel that has a more gooey texture than traditional caramel. We found that it was the best tasting and it gives our cake a wonderful flavor. Cajeta is very popular in northern Mexico! We offer our Tres Leches in regular, almond and, off course, Cajeta. I am glad the area has a place where somebody can sit down and get a cup of coffee and dessert. What are your most popular bakery items and why? In the summertime our mixed fruit and strawberry tarts, with a nice iced coffee are very popular. In the winter time, surprisingly, the banana cream tart and the key lime tart are the hits. The number one bread is the Pan De Elote (a sweet cornbread cake) followed closely by the Mano De Queso (Cheese Danish). The Pecan Bear claws and Ojos (which means eyes; vanilla cake surrounded with a pastry) are also best sellers.

Do you use and source local ingredients? Yes, we buy everything at the markets in Houston. Most of the fresh produce comes from the valley. We only use real butter, eggs, flour and sugar. Nothing is EVER premixed. Our special occasion cakes for birthdays, weddings, grooms cake, etc. all use scratch made buttercream or fondant. Our cakes are competitively priced and start at $26 (24-48 hours advance notice). I always end my interview with this question, 5 words that describe Viva Itacate? Delicious, Unique, Friendly, Family and Inviting.

Photos by: http://johnwadephotography.net



Taste Magazine Invites you to join:

Girls with Taste is a bi-weekly lunch group for women that gets together for fun to eat at restaurants featured in Taste Magazine. We meet on different days of the week to try and have as many people to attend as possible. This is a free group. Join us on Facebook to keep up with all of our events. http://www.facebook.com/groups/255905054504620/members/ Upcoming Events for May 2012

Thursday - May 3rd, 2012 1:00 PM Crust Pizza Company 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Suite 530 The Woodlands, TX 77381 Monday - May 21st, 2012 1:00 PM Cisco Salsa Company 209 Commerce Street Tomball, TX 77375


Restaurant Profile

Doneraki Address: 5505 FM1960 Houston, TX 77069 Phone: 281-893-1400 Hours: Mon – Sun: 7:00 am – 12:00 am Most Authentic Mexican Food in Houston! Open for breakfast everyday! Check out our brunch on Sundays!

Doneraki Authentic Mexican Restaurant is located on the corner of FM1960 and Champions Forest Drive in Houston. They specialize in great Mexican food and drinks. The atmosphere is comfortable and casual. It is great for families, friends or large group gatherings. Look for great drink specials and friendly waitstaff to serve you. The menu has so many choices, it is hard to decide what great dish to order. Customers’ favorites are the fajita nachos, taco salad, enchiladas, and the entire breakfast menu. They offer live entertainment, have a great patio and they are now serving brunch on Sundays.

Make sure to check them out for Cinco de Mayo. They will have $2 beers and margaritas, live entertainment and dancing. There will be food and drink specials all day and a party on the patio.




Renu Your Life is an innovative fundraising consulting firm for nonprofit organizations. It is our goal to aid in serving the community by providing funds to those organizations that are actively helping and meeting the needs of the community. In 2012, our vision is to bless 3 non-profit organizations that exemplify what we stand for and believe in (H.G.P.) Helping God's People one person at a time. Our last event of the year is a breast cancer awareness event on October 13th. To raise money for this event RYL is putting together a breast cancer survivor’s calendar. Please contact Sherra Byrd (renuyourlife@hotmail.com) or go to our website www.renuyourlife.org if you would like to advertise in the calendar or purchase a ticket for the event.

The event will benefit two breast cancer awareness organizations! www.renuyourlife.org Facebook.com/renuyourlife renuyourlife@hotmail.com


Restaurant Profile

Gringo’s Tex Mex Address: 6925 Cypresswood Drive, Suite G Spring, Texas 77379 Phone: 281.376.7800 Website: http://www.gringostexmex.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gringostexmex Hours: Monday – Sunday Open at 11 a.m. Price Range: Starters $4.79 - $10.19 Entrees: $6.89 - $20.89

The original Gringo’s was first opened in 1993. Gringo’s on Cypresswood opened its doors in 2007. In 2008 the original logo was changed to reflect the very famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. Gringo’s is very active in the community. They support local families and are also very supportive of their employees. One employee lost his home to fire right before Christmas and Gringo’s bought his family a new home and also presents for the children. Gringo’s has great food and a fun atmosphere. The menu offers fresh quality food for the whole family. The menu has a full list of appetizers, soups and salads to get everything started of right. Entrees consist of fajitas, ribs, shrimp, chicken, combos, enchiladas, classics and some not so Tex-Mex dishes. Don’t forget to check out the drink menu. They have Happy Hour specials including a beer of the day, dollar drafts and great prices on margaritas. They also offer great fruity cocktails and a full range of margaritas.




Is it Mexican or is it Tex-Mex? By TheWoodlandsEats.com & Carla Soriano Tex-Mex isn’t Mexican food, it’s a regional version of what Mexican food should be. When it comes to "Mexican food," around here most people will tell you it can be found on just about any street in the Greater Houston area. But this simply isn't true. What you can find is Tex-Mex; a variation on Mexican food that has been around since the early 20th century. The first Mexican restaurant in Houston was the "Original Mexican Restaurant" at 807 Fannin, which was opened in 1907 by George Caldwell. Interestingly, Caldwell was neither Mexican nor from Mexico, rather he was an Anglo from San Antonio. And by all accounts what he served was certainly not authentic Mexican dishes, but instead dishes that may have been based on some Mexican recipes, then altered to accommodate both the locally available ingredients and the American palate. There are many examples of Mexican dishes that have been tailored to the American palate. Some prime examples include tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. While all of these dishes bear the same name in Mexico and the U.S., the manner in which they are prepared and served is quite different. The main difference is that these dishes oftentimes vary in preparation and presentation even within Mexico – by region and/or by state. Three major differences between authentic Mexican and TexMex cuisine are the meats, the cheeses and the toppings on dishes that are used. Tex-Mex uses ground beef abundantly, where in Mexico, ground beef is rarely used in its staple dishes. A wide variety of proteins are used in Mexico – beef, pork, goat, and chicken are most often used in place of ground meat. Most commonly, these meats are stewed, grilled, or boiled and shredded. Seafood and chorizo are also prominent proteins in Mexican dishes. Most Tex-Mex dishes are topped or stuffed with melted cheddar or other yellow cheeses, while in Mexico, yellow cheese is practically unseen and fresh white cheese is the norm. There are many types of white cheeses used, each with its own unique flavor profile, including queso blanco, queso fresco, queso asadero, queso Oaxaca, queso panela, requeson, and queso chihuaha. And when it comes to the toppings put on Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes, there are a world of differences. For example, Tex-Mex dishes are frequently topped with shredded lettuce, sour cream, queso, and gravy. Says Carla Soriano, local freelance food blogger of


Mexican heritage, “sure, lettuce is many times used in Mexican food, but not as obsessively as in Tex Mex cuisine. And in Mexico, crema is used rather than sour cream – while crema is in essence the same as sour cream, it’s much less sour and more thin. Additionally, the runny stuff known in Tex Mex cuisine as ‘gravy’ is flat out non-existent in Mexico.” So what do the people of Mexico use to top their dishes? Fresh lime juice, raw diced onion, grilled onions, fresh cilantro, sliced avocados, guacamole, and home-made salsa are just some of the most common toppings. Not all of these toppings are used simultaneously, but rather in different combinations depending on the dish. Tex Mex style salsa is made from a various blends of jalapeños, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and sometimes even vinegar whereas in Mexico you just might be made to feel alien if you ask for salsa. And just try to get a bowl of chile con queso down in Mexico; they don’t know what that is either. If you've had an enchilada and any of a number of Tex-Mex restaurants around the greater Houston area, you've probably enjoyed tortillas covered in an enchilada sauce or the everpresent gravy and filled with large quantities of ground beef and cheese, which have been popped in the oven to bake. But in Mexico, enchiladas are a whole different story. Mexican enchiladas are made with tortillas which (most times) are prepared by being dipped in enchilada sauce, then filled with only a small amount of meat, fried in a skillet and garnished with a bit of white cheese. Totally different, right? Another obvious difference is the tacos. The crispy, folded corn tortilla shells used for tacos everywhere from Taco Bell to Pappasitos are hard to find in Mexico. The typical tacos of Mexican street fare, restaurants and home cooked meals are almost always served in freshly handmade, soft corn tortillas. These soft corn tortillas are usually holding a small amount of one of the aforementioned proteins, rather than hamburger, as they are typically served in the United States. Carla shares that one dish that is completely misunderstood in the states is the quesadilla. “Readers may find it disheartening to hear what quesadillas really are. Quesadillas are simply warmed tortillas with melted white cheese inside. Some choose to top their quesadillas with


pico de gallo, fresh salsa, or even a bit of guacamole, but that’s it! Mexican quesadillas contain no beef or chicken fajitas, and they are certainly not served with lettuce, tomato, or sour cream on top. And when you do add ingredients to the quesadilla, then it’s no longer a quesadilla. For instance, if you add ham (as is often done) to a quesadilla, then you are producing a sincronizada. If you add meat – pastor, marinated, shaved pork meat roasted on a spit is a popular addition, then the items name changes to a ‘gringa’.” When laid out side by side, it's easy to see how authentic Mexican foods are typically far healthier than Tex-Mex. And before the Spaniards had their influence, bringing oils and a taste for fattier meats with them from Spain, the health-factor was even greater. But when you consider that authentic Mexican dishes rely on leaner meats, less cheeses, sauces crafted from fresh vegetables instead of creams and gravies and above all, smaller portions - it's clear the American influence has vastly altered Mexican food. There are several different Mexican style restaurants in The Woodlands, from Taco Bell to Yucatan Taco Stand, from Mi Cocina to Patio's Latin and several in between. Having a hard time deciding on which one you prefer? Have you been to all of them yet? We have reviewed several and still counting so the next time you are in the mood for enchiladas or fajitas, check our reviews of Mexican Style Restaurants in The Woodlands and be sure to let us know what YOU think! TheWoodlandsEats.com features reviews of restaurants in the greater Woodlands area and is a sister site to TheWoodlandsEvents.com.

Carla Soriano is author of currentlyeating.com and a contributing author to The Houston Press “Eating Our Words”.


24525 Gosling Road Spring, TX 77389 281-732-6385 http://littleangelsplayhouse.net At Little Angels Playhouse Child Development Center we welcome the opportunity to work with our parents in creating a wonderful, loving and educational experience for our little angels during their early years. Choosing the right school for your child is of up most importance. At Little Angels Playhouse Child Development Center, we offer excellent childcare at very affordable prices. It is a great honor to help families in these challenging times by offering rates that fit the average family budget without compromising the quality of care every child deserves. Little Angels Playhouse has always been proud to offer its own unique approach to daycare which separates us from the rest. Little Angels Playhouse offers different age appropriate programs that include: Pre K Curriculum, Spanish Immersion, Little Picassos, Dance, Music, rhythmnastics and Science Explorers, and will be adding new programs throughout the year.

Whether you need some time off to pamper yourself a couple of days per week, or you need full time care we will be there for you. Peace of mind is synonymous with Little Angels Playhouse: work, or study while knowing that we are providing excellent care for your little angels. We are so excited about the opportunity to welcome your family to the Little Angels Playhouse family! Come visit with us any day Monday through Friday, no appointment necessary enroll today and experience "Excellence in Daycare.�

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Restaurant Profile

Wahoo’s Fish Taco Address: 19075 I-45 Suite 752, Houston, TX 77385 Phone: 936.271.9777 Website: http://www.wahoos.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WAHOOSHOUSTON Hours: Mon - Wed:10:30 am - 9:00 pm Thu:10:30 am - 9:00 am Fri - Sat:10:30 am - 10:00 pm Sun:10:30 am - 9:00 pm

Located on I-45 in The Woodlands, Wahoo’s Fish Taco is a great place to check out. Wahoo’s Fish Taco serves a blend of Brazilian, Mexican and Asian food. The restaurant was created by three brothers who had a passion for surfing and great food. While surfing in Southern Mexico, the brothers were introduced to the fish taco. In 1988 they brought this concept to Orange County, California. They decorated their restaurant in a cool surfer motif and served great food. The restaurant is definitely a cool, fun place to eat or hang out. Start off with a great starter from baja rolls to Maui onion rings. From there choose from burritos, combo platters, or one of their famous bowls. Don’t forget to try some of the wonderful tacos with your choice of fillings including, of course, FISH.




Restaurant Profile

Yucatan Taco Stand Address: 24 Waterway Ave, Suite 160, The Woodlands, TX 77380 Phone: 281.419.6300 Website: http://yucatantacostand.com/ Facebook: http://on.fb.me/I5SoA3 Hours: Mon-Wed: 11am - 10pm Thu-Sat: 11am - 2am Sun: 11am - 9pm Price Range:

Located on The Waterway in The Woodlands, Yucatan Taco Stand is a great restaurant serving Latin fusion cuisine. The atmosphere is casual and fun. The food is very fresh and with the great weather in Houston, a fun place to sit outside to eat and people watch. The menu has many ways to get started including fried plantains, yuca fries, papa rellenas, and tenderloin tamale in banana leaf. Moving onto entrees, choose from tacos, nachos, burritos, burrito bowls, Latin sandwiches, salads and specialty entrees. Want to hang out with friends for drinks? They offer great beers and specialty drinks sure to please. Yucatan Taco Stand has unique choices of great food and is just a fun place to hang out.





Night Life Profile

GenuWine Address: 6503 FM1488 #401 The Woodlands, TX 77384 Phone: 832.934.2675 Website: http://www.mygenuwine.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GenuWineTastingRoom Hours: Mon: 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tue - Wed: 11:30 am - 10:00 pm Thu - Sat:11:30 am-11:00 pm

GenuWine Tasting Room is the place to be for great people, fabulous wine, and delicious food. The Tasting Room was opened in 2010 by Rhonda Redmon and Barb Salinas. Over 75% of the wines at GenuWine are specialty boutique style wines. Most bottles are under $25.

The food at GenuWine ranges from hand selected gourmet cheeses to homemade sandwiches and pizza. They also sell wine enthusiast merchandise and gifts. Look for great events, wine tastings and gourmet food demonstrations throughout each month. Thursday through Saturday they offer fantastic live entertainment. GenuWine also offers a wine club. Customize your membership to suit your taste, and receive exclusive invitations to tasting events, as well as events for members only.




Top Five Wines of 2012 Presented by:

#1 - Les Piliers Viognier 2009 Les Piliers Viognier 2009 is a white wine from France. Hand harvested. Fermented in stainless steel, then aged on its lees. No oak. Fined and filtered. Tasting Notes: o Appearance: Yellow with golden highlights. o Nose: Intense apricot and tangerine with a hint of vanilla. o Taste: Voluptuous, candied fruits, apricot, peach and citrus. The fruity finish is long and lush. Food & Wine Pairing: Serve at 50°F (10°C). This white is an excellent complement of sea food and sushi. Description from: Dave’s Wine Domain


#2 - Darcie Kent Chardonnay 2010 Tasting Notes: This a bright, clean, fruit-driven Chardonnay with floral aromas. Full of crisp flavors of apple, citrus fruits and zesty pineapple that finishes with a hint of honeysuckle. The wine has impressive acid structure and a mineral character that make it a “Chablis” style Chardonnay ideally suited to be enjoyed with food. Vineyard Notes: Located in the sunny Soledad Valley on the Central Coast, the West Pinnacles Vineyard enjoys abundant sunshine along with daily fog, enabling the grapes grown there to slowly ripen and develop complex flavors. The fine, sandy soil in the vineyards is rich in minerals, contributing additional complexity to the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown there. Description from: Underdog Wine Merchants

#3 – Copain Pinot Noir 2009 Two thousand nine, a landmark vintage for pinot noir in northern California, was a relatively fault-free growing season that resulted in fruit that is described as the best they’ve ever seen. This wine displays a strong cherry character and an array of spices and flowers, offering a compelling blend of depth and vivacity. It’s still a baby today and will no doubt improve with some cellaring, but an hour in the decanter makes it pretty delicious right now. Description from: Winophilia


#4 - Scott Harvey 1869 Zinfandel 2008 Produced 100% from the Harvey Vineyard, America’s oldest Zinfandel Vineyard documented as existing in 1869. “Vineyard 1869” was planted in the days when horses were used for cultivation. This ancient vineyard is non-irrigated, stand alone, head pruned vines that fully express the Amador Zinfandel terroir. Briary varietal Zinfandel. Deep blackberry, fig, pomegranate, and violets, balanced with a fleshy center and hints of coffee and bright currants. Old Vine complexity and first growth quality. Description from: The Wine Store

#5 - Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2008 This is a well-defined and richly flavored Cabernet with sweetly-ripe aromas of blackberry, blueberry, Cassis, vanilla and baking spices. The same mix of berries and spice graces the mid-palate and the mouthcoating, lingering finish: although a firming spine of tannic grip tightens everything up at this point. Certain to get better for at least two or three years, this bottling will make an excellent companion to sauced beef dishes or juicy steaks right now. Descrsiption From: Napa Valley Winery Exchange


Fashion Profile

High Heel Junkie High Heel Junkie™ allows women to discover and purchase haute high heels that can complement their existing style or allow them to release their adventurous side. High Heel Junkie™ keeps up with the trending styles, designs, and colors ensuring that there is a perfect heel for every woman. Want to step up your heels to a new level; High Heel Junkie™ has the answer to that for you in stylish heel accessories like Heel Condoms™ and now the exclusive Peints à la Main™- Custom Hand-Painted Stilettos! High Heel Junkie™ provides a unique shopping experience in addition to offering shoe parties that are held in your own home. A High Heel Junkie™ shoe party is a fun way to get free haute heels while having a great time with your friends. A High Heel Junkie™ representative will offer you and your guests plenty of different shoes and accessories in your guest shoe sizes to try on and salivate over. It is an awesome way to shop for shoes while having fun and catching up with your girlfriends. Azalea (Ms. High Heel Junkie) believes that fashion should be attainable, not unreachable. Her mission is to encourage all women to become a trendsetter in their own world. High Heel Junkie’s company philosophy is the belief that all you need in life is “air, food, High Heels™!” Website: http://www.highheeljunkie.com Blog: http://www.highheeljunkie.com/blog/ FaceBook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/HighHeelJunkie Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HighHeelJunkie




Shoes

Gucci Spring - Summer 2012

Jimmy Choo Spring - Summer 2012


Shoes

Christian Louboutin Spring - Summer 2012


Shoes

Manolo Blahnik Spring - Summer 2012


Shoes

Casadei Spring - Summer 2012


Bags

Chanel Spring - Summer 2012

Coach Spring - Summer 2012


Bags

Fendi Spring - Summer 2012

Missoni Spring - Summer 2012


Bags

Gucci Spring - Summer 2012


Bags

Louis Vuitton Spring - Summer 2012


May’s Available Pets

Amber, ID: A177728 (DIAMOND IN THE RUFF - reduced adoption fee) Female, Boxer mix Intake: 12/20/2011 INQUIRIES: EMAIL mcas_online_team@hotmail.com with ID ABOUT ME: Pretty little Amber is a Diamond, with an intake of 12/20, that's a long time and considering this time she is holding up well. She is sweet, playful and friendly, loves everyone, about 25lbs, and H/W neg. She deserves a chance at a home, she has done her time.

Lucky, ID: A175928 (DIAMOND IN THE RUFF - reduced adoption fee) Male, Labrador Retriever mix, 1yr 4mths, owner turn in, loves to play with toys Intake: 11/19/2011 INQUIRIES: EMAIL mcas_online_team@hotmail.com with ID ABOUT ME: This boy sure has the perfect name because someone is going to be VERY lucky to have him in their life. Lucky is a total marshmallow of a dog. He just wants toys and affection. He's boisterous, joyful, exuberant and always putting on his happy face!


May’s Available Pets

Dusty, ID: A181174 (MCAS PURRL - reduced adoption fee) Male, Domestic Shorthair Intake: 2/13/2012 INQUIRIES: EMAIL mcas_online_team@hotmail.com with ID ABOUT ME: Dusty is a 6yo, neutered gentleman. His kennel card reads: "I am a very good natured old man with lots of love and warm memories to offer you. I enjoy being held and excessively petted. I would make an awesome indoor pet, indoors only, if I cannot stay indoors then I am not the guy for you." It looks like someone used to love Dusty and had to surrender him.

Milly, ID: A175074 (MCAS PURRL - reduced adoption fee) Female, Domestic Shorthair, 2yo Intake: 11/4/2011 INQUIRIES: EMAIL mcas_online_team@hotmail.co m with ID ABOUT ME: "I'm thinking that maybe if I just stare at you long enough, you'll give in and take me home with you. I can do this for hours, really. Are you feeling it yet? The mesmerizing, almost irresistible pull? I'm drawing you in... bending you to my will... You NEED me in your life, don't you?


Coming Next Month

Seafood Desserts Event Halls Bridal Fashion


Thank you for reading Taste Magazine North Houston.

See you in June! Taste Publications http://tastepublications.com


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