Restaurant City

I tried to find statistics on the number of Houstonians who eat out.  Houston is the 4th largest city in the United States and has oodles of restaurants...some good; some bad.  Unlike New Orleans, we don't have a standard.  For instance, in New Orleans if you can't make a good gumbo, you're going out of business.  And New Orleans is known for it's Cajun and Creole cuisine.  Boston is known for it's seafood and Italian cuisine.

Houston is so diverse, we don't have a standard cuisine.  This makes us a formidable player when it comes to cities that have the best restaurant scene.  Tex-Mex.  Barbecue.  Asian.  Italian. Southwestern.  Seafood.  Steaks.  The list goes on and on.

So we got a nod from Esquire Magazine who ranked Houston #7 in the top 10 of America's Best Restaurant Cities.  Thanx for the nod Esquire!

What are your favorite restaurants?  My list includes (in random order): Cyclone Anayas; Tony's; La Griglia; Paulie's; Jax; Phil's Barbecue; Barnaby's; Reef; Cafe Ginger; Mo Mong; Americas...just to name a few.  There is one restaurant that I still mourn its closing: Anthony's.  There will forever be hole in my heart.  Many a good meal was shared there.  And not dis chains, I do love P.F. Changs but you can find one of those in every big city...and I do!

So readers, let me know.  What are your favorite restaurants?

Art Of The Costume, Fort Worth & G's Party

I'm REALLY trying to get caught up with my photos, postings, etc. So I spent the better part of this afternoon creating photos, fixing red eyes, resizing photos, adjusting the color, etc. So in the words of Jackie Gleason, "And away we go!"

Art Of The Costume

Krewe of Olympus had a fabulous party on July 14. Art Of The Costume allowed our guests to get an up close look at some of the costumes. We had the party at Bering & James and it was a great location and great people to work with. If you're looking to purchase some art, I suggest that you go see them. Eric from Barefoot Wines provided wine for the event. I favor their Pinot Grigio. (I've always thought that a good, chilled Pinot Grigio is perfect for the hot, humid Houston weather.)

Krewe members serving Barefoot Wines.

Deborah & G admiring some costumes.

Some of our guests (and me).

The King & Queen greeted our guests.

Randy in the 019 with his costume.

Riddle Me This

A few readers attempted to figure out my posting on July 19, 2007. Those were the coordinates for Houston and Haltom City (a suburb of Fort Worth). The Calvinator and I took the Cal Mobile on roadtrip to visit la familia. Roni & Joey were leaving for Cabo San Jose so I wanted to see them before they departed.

I was actually amazed at how green it was up there! Normally during this time of year everything is brown and burned looking but they had been getting more than their share of rain. It was nice to see "...the green, green, grass of home."

While I was there we ate at my Godparents restaurant. I'm telling you...there is no food like the food at Mi Cocinita. Every now and then Texas Monthly will give them a write up about being some of the best Tex-Mex food in Ft. Worth and they'll get a mention every now and then in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. They're difficult to find and keep odd hours so if you're going to Ft. Worth, let me know and I'll give you the details. And be sure to tell them, Timmy sent ya.

G's Party

As mentioned in a previous posting, a small group of us gathered at Mo Mong to bid adieu to G. For more photos, click here.

G saying good-bye.

Jai, G & Katie

Ramblings Of A Caffeinated Mind 2.4

Lots of tidbits for you this morning and sorta in a hurry so I'll type as fast as I can.

"There is no crying in baseball."...

...unless you're Craig Biggio and then it is OK.

Photo: Melissa Phillip: Chronicle
Tears flowed as Craig Biggio announced Tuesday afternoon that his 20th season with the Astros will be his last.

The other day I was minding my own business and flipping channels while I was working on something. Happened to stop on ESPN to watch a triathlon and they were doing live coverage from Minute Maid Park.

A news conference was about to start and B-G-O was about to announce his retirement. After 20 years with the Astros he will call it quits on his own terms at the end of this season.

Biggio will definitely be missed. He has only played for the Astros and was on of the Killer B's. With all of the non-role model athletes that we have, it's nice to know that some good guys still exist.

Later that night, he hits a grand slam. It doesn't get much better than that.

Photo: Melissa Phillip: Chronicle
Craig Biggio feasts on a high pitch from the Dodgers' Rudy Seanez, smashing it into the Crawford Boxes for a grand slam in the sixth inning that broke a 3-3 tie and propelled the Astros to a 7-4 win.

See You Later Alligator. After Awhile Crocodile.

Last night a small group of us gathered at Mo Mong to bid adieu to G. G and Gidget will be moving to St. Louis. A fun time was had by all. :-) I'll post photos at a later date.

Gidget prepares for the move.

Too Funny

While I was at Gaylynn's party, one of the guests realized that we had previously met. Turns out that Jai was the guy who bought my coffee at the office one morning? Somehow a conversation about my blog had been going on and he made the connection. It was one of those moments that makes you realize it is a small world...but I wouldn't want to paint it. (Posting on June 12, 2007: The early bird gets the...)

Hurricane Forecast

OK folks. This is serious news. Next week a new forecast for the 2007 hurricane season will be released.

Historically, the Gulf Coast gets hit hurricanes starting in August. Also, the height of hurricane season is on Sept. 10 (which happens to be my birthday). AND there is an indirect correlation between a really wet June and really wet July that leads to destructive hurricanes.


Right now, Houston is having the 7th wettest July on record. I'm just saying, be prepared.

Running

I went running on Thursday morning and prolly shouldn't have done so. My allergies are really bothering me and it took everything I had in me to do three miles. Friday is my non-running day so we'll see what happens tomorrow (weather permitting). Also, I think I'm about do for visit to the chiropractor.

RunnerOne

Tim was interviewed by the Houston Chronicle about his run in Death Valley. Click here to read the interview.

A Lasting Legacy Resale Shop Launch Party

The glitterati were en masse at the Launch Party for A Lasting Legacy Resale Shop. As mentioned before, it was a trifecta: eating drinking and shopping.

Rainbow Lodge provided the food and it was yummy! My favorite was the pork tenderloin medallion with orzo and smoked gouda. I could have eaten a bowl of the orzo but I didn't. I do have a teeny bit of good public decorum.

Joe Zoellers was recognized for donating his time in helping with the store. Martha and the staff will be happy to take your donated items for the store.

Below are some photos of the some of the partygoers. I realized late last night (more on that later) that I'm not in any of the photos and Jim & G are in almost all of them. LOL I think I may have had one too many glasses of wine.

Katy, Joe & Chree

Jim & Kenneth

G & Jim

Jim & Jim
Jim, Nichole & G

Steve, G & Jim

Daniel & Stuart

G, Dave & Bill

After I left the party, I meandered over to Mo Mong. In a previous life, I spent many a Wednesday night at Mo Mong. What happened at Mo Mong has stayed at Mo Mong (I hope). It was another hip crowd hanging out at the bar and I was able to reconnect with a few folks that I have not seen in forever. They asked, "Where have you been?"

Walking into Mo Mong reminded me of that scene in Monster-in-law when Jane Fonda looks at her Martini glass and says, "Hello old friend." (I crack myself up sometimes.) LOL

I left a bit early 'cause I was hungry and I had to meet up on Thursday morning with RunnerOne at 630A for a jaunt around the park. So what did I do?

Drive-thru at Jack In The Box: Jumbo Jack w/cheese...no tomato; large order of curly fries; Monster Taco. BFF AttyHou can tell you that is a BAD sign! And fortunately, I had already warned RunnerOne that I may not be at the top of my game this morning. He didn't push me too hard this morning. :-)

OH! Yoga Boi was back at the park this morning.