The 10 Best Summer Salads to Try in Houston

The 10 Best Summer Salads to Try in Houston

The 10 Best Summer Salads to Try in Houston

Full Article: http://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/houstons-best-salads-summer-2017-9594851

“I’ve been craving something green and delicious,” wrote my friend in a message requesting salad recommendations. Despite my general penchant for green and delicious things, I found myself stumped after recommending my beloved standby, Local Foods (the vegan Caesar is life-changing; the market vegetable salad is less novel but no less delectable). Where were all the good salads in Houston hiding? After just a little exploration, a wealth of green and delicious salads unearthed themselves from local restaurants. Bookmark these for refreshing summer eats.

The preserved lemon dressing on The Kristalla salad is incredibly addicting.

The preserved lemon dressing on The Kristalla salad is incredibly addicting.
Photo by Erika Kwee

The Kristalla from Osso & KristallaEven if you don’t like kale, the Kristalla may convert you based on the pure beauty of the stiff purple-green kale leaves that form the base of this salad. Studded with just enough juicy apple slices, salty, crisp chunks of pancetta, roasty pine nuts, and creamy ricotta that hides at the base of the salad, the flavors meld together under the expert touch of a light, perfectly acidic preserved lemon dressing. Add a protein like chicken, beef, shrimp or salmon for $6 for a delicious and well-balanced summer meal.

Big Changes Defined Houston’s Food Scene Last Month

Big Changes Defined Houston’s Food Scene Last Month

Big Changes Defined Houston’s Food Scene Last Month

Relocations, name changes and chef shifts mean more new ways to eat.

By Jakeisha Wilmore  6/15/2017 at 8:00am

Full Article: https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2017/6/15/big-changes-defined-the-food-scene-of-the-last-month-may-2017

Kitchen Overhauls

After eight years heading the kitchen of Brennan’s of Houston, chef Danny Trace takes on a new role as executive chef for Jim Crane’s downtown dual Italian restaurants —casual trattoria Osso & Kristalla and high-end Potente at 500 Crawford Street.

Houston’s Great Chef Shakeup — Major Changes at Three Top Restaurants

Houston’s Great Chef Shakeup — Major Changes at Three Top Restaurants

RESTAURANTS

Houston’s Great Chef Shakeup — Major Changes at Three Top Restaurants Spur Musical Chairs – PaperCity

Where is Your Favorite Kitchen Star Now?

BY // 05.15.17

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The name Danny Trace has been synonymous with Brennan’s of Houstonfor nearly 10 years. So when news broke that he would suddenly depart from the storied New Orleans-centric institution, many were left scratching their heads in confusion.

What would happen to Brennan’s kitchen without Trace, and what was next for the beloved chef who’s called the Midtown restaurant home since 2009?

Trace heads downtown to helm Houston Astros’ owner Jim Crane‘s duo of new restaurants — Potente, which specializes in fine Italian dining, and Osso & Kristalla, a casual cafe  — stationed inside developer Marvy Finger’s recently opened mid-rise project 500 Crawford.

“Growing up with an Italian grandmother and Cajun grandfather was truly a culinary experience, everyone looked forward to Sunday dinners,” Trace tells PaperCity. “From an early age until now, my whole world has been surrounded by the love of food. I am excited to bring her authentic Italian inspiration to Potente and Osso & Kristalla.”

Trace becomes the third chef to be put in charge of Crane’s new restaurants. The Astros owner originally tapped celebrity chef Bryan Caswell to manage the two kitchens before a mutual parting. Chef Michael Parker, head of culinary operations at Crane’s Floridian National Golf Club, stepped in shortly after.

“We are fortunate to have found someone with Chef Trace’s culinary training and breadth of experience,” Crane says. “He impressed us with his energy and talent and we look forward to seeing how the menus at Potente and Osso & Kristalla will continue to evolve and expand.”

Will the third chef be the charm for the mid-rise restaurants? Only time will tell, but we’re hoping that chef Trace’s culinary expertise and loyal following will breathe new life into both outposts.

“WHAT I IMMEDIATELY ADMIRE ABOUT HIM IS HOW HARD HE WORKS. IF IT’S MAKING ALL THE BARBECUE HIMSELF AT NRG STADIUM OR TOUCHING ALL THE RESTAURANTS EVERY SINGLE DAY … HE’S BEEN THERE.”

As for the Brennan’s kitchen, former Killen’s Steakhouse executive chef Joe Cervantezwill fill the executive chef job, a fitting match considering Cervantez trained under Trace at Brennan’s before his two-year Killen’s stint.

Of course, Cervantez’ departure also leaves a vacancy in the Killen’s kitchen. Chef-owner Ronnie Killen replaces Cervantez with steakhouse veteran Steve Huang, whose resume includes 18 years with Del Frisco’s.

“Besides working at one of the best steakhouses in Texas, [Huang] has a corporate restaurant background, so consistency is also a strong asset that he will bring with him. And I’ve always loved his calamari  — we’ll have great calamari on our menu!” says Killen, who also addded, “I have nothing but the utmost respect for Joe and am looking forward to continuing to watch him grow within the Brennan’s family.”

But the barbecue maestro didn’t stop there with new team additions. Killen revealed today that former Bernadine’s and Hunky Dory culinary director Graham Laborde will also come on as operating chef for Killen’s Restaurants.

“I’m excited about working with Ronnie,” Labrode says. “What I immediately admire about him is how hard he works. If it’s making all the barbecue himself at NRG stadium or touching all the restaurants every single day… he’s been there.”

Longtime Brennan’s executive chef makes move to Astros owner’s new restaurants

Longtime Brennan’s executive chef makes move to Astros owner’s new restaurants

Longtime Brennan’s executive chef makes move to Astros owner’s new restaurants – CultureMap Houston

Chef Danny Trace from Brennan's

Danny Trace is the new executive chef at Potente and Osso & Kristalla. Courtesy photo

In the latest edition of “Where is the Houston chef now?” former longtime Brennan’s executive chef Danny Trace has been named the new executive chef at Astros owner Jim Crane’s two new downtown restaurants.

Trace will head the culinary operations at Potente and Osso & Kristalla, both located at 1515 Texas Avenue, near Minute Maid Park, where the American League West-leading Houston Astros play.

Trace replaces executive chef Michael Parker, who will continue to oversee Crane’s culinary operations in Florida. Parker was instrumental in hiring Trace, according to a press release about the change.

Trace left Brennan’s in late March after working for the Brennan family for 20 years, first at Commander’s Palace and then in Houston when the iconic restaurant reopened in 2010 after being damaged during Hurricane Ike.

Trace said he learned about cooking from his Italian grandmother and Cajun grandfather while growing up in Louisiana. “From étouffée to grand bowls of pasta, the marriage of these traditional dishes and family experiences is the very reason I am a chef. I look forward to returning to my Italian roots at Potente and Osso & Kristalla,” Trace said in the release.

His hiring caps a flurry of restaurant changes in Houston. Earlier this week​ former Killen’s Steakhouse executive chef Joe Cervantez was named the new executive chef at Brennan’s to fill the role vacated by Trace. Prior to joining Killen’s, Cervantez worked at Brennan’s under Trace.

Killen’s Steakhouse chef-owner Ronnie Killen hired Steve Haug, recently of Jade Hospitality (Grazia Italian Kitchen, Peska) to replace Cervantez in the lead role at his popular Pearland restaurant.

Houston Astros owner’s downtown Italian eateries land former Brennan’s chef

Houston Astros owner’s downtown Italian eateries land former Brennan’s chef

Houston Astros owner’s downtown Italian eateries land former Brennan’s chef – Houston Business Journal

 A new chef is leading the kitchens at Potente and Osso & Kristalla in downtown Houston.

Danny Trace, former executive chef at Brennan’s of Houston, has taken over as executive chef at the Italian restaurants, according to a press release. Earlier this year, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane opened the restaurants at 1515 Texas Ave., on the ground floor of The Finger Cos.’ new 500 Crawford apartment complex across from Minute Maid Park.

At the time, Crane’s personal chef, Michael Parker, was named executive chef for the restaurants’ culinary team. Micah Rideout was named chef de cuisine, and David Berg was named executive pastry chef. Rideout and Berg remain in place, a spokeswoman confirmed.

Parker played an integral role in hiring Trace and continues to oversee Crane’s culinary operations in Florida.

“I am excited to have Chef Trace in Houston to oversee the culinary operations at Potente and Osso & Kristalla,” Parker said in the release. “A remarkably talented chef, I know that he will embrace and elevate what we have created at both concepts.”

Bryan Caswell was originally attached to the concepts, but he mutually split with Crane and the eateries in November to pursue new projects with his company, Bryan Caswell Concepts. Bill Floyd remains general manager for both restaurants.

Trace left his position as executive chef of Brennan’s on March 31. He had worked in Brennan-family restaurants for two decades and was hired to his latest position in 2009.

Earlier this week, Brennan’s announced it hired Joe Cervantez, the former executive chef of Killen’s Steakhouse, as its top chef. On the same day, Killen’s also announced it hired Steve Haug, most recently of Peska Prime Steaks & Seafood and Grazia Italian Kitchen, to replace Cervantez.

Growing up in Louisiana, Trace learned about cooking from his Italian grandmother and Cajun grandfather.

“The most memorable meals for me are of my grandparents in the kitchen. My grandmother’s family was from Milan and Naples and my grandfather was from Thibodaux, Louisiana,” Trace said in the release. “From étouffée to grand bowls of pasta, the marriage of these traditional dishes and family experiences is the very reason I am a chef. I look forward to returning to my Italian roots at Potente and Osso & Kristalla.”

Olivia Pulsinelli is the senior web editor for the Houston Business Journal’s award-winning website. Follow her on Twitter for more.

Danny Trace joins team at Potente and Osso & Kristalla

Danny Trace joins team at Potente and Osso & Kristalla

Danny Trace joins team at Potente and Osso & Kristalla – Houston Chronicle

The chef shuffle game has been in active play lately. This week saw the announcement that Killen’s Steakhouse executive chef Joe Cervantez would return to Brennan’s of Houston (where he was once sous chef) as the iconic restaurant’s executive chef. Killen’s then announced that chef Steve Haug would join the popular steakhouse’s team to lead kitchen operations as executive chef, replacing Cervantez. Haug left work at the rebranded Peska Seafood & Prime Steaks (it will soon be renamed again as PesKarne) and before that with Grazia Italian Kitchen and a much longer affiliation with Del Frisco’s steakhouse group.

And now comes the biggest shuffle of the week: Danny Trace, former executive chef at Brennan’s of Houston, will oversee kitchen operations at downtown newcomer Potente and its sister restaurant Osso & Kristalla.

The news answers a long-standing concerned by many local foodies about Trace after Brennan’s announced on March 31that it was parting ways with its longtime executive chef. Trace was tapped from within the Commander’s Palace family of restaurants in October 2009 to lead the reopening of Brennan’s of Houston after it was destroyed by fire during Hurricane Ike.

Trace has been mum since leaving Brennan’s, leaving many to wonder what was to become of one of the city’s most popular and visible chefs.

Today Trace announced he is taking over at Astro’s owner Jim Crane’s luxe Italian restaurant, Potente, and its sister outpost, the casual trattoria Osso & Kristalla, at 1515 Texas. Both restaurants opened in February. Trace takes over for opening chef Michael Parker, Crane’s personal chef who also serves as executive chef at the Floridian National Golf Club which Crane owns. The news of Trace’s hire was confirmed by Bill Floyd, general manager for both restaurants.

“It feels right. I’m very excited,” Trace said Thursday. “I’m looking forward to working with Jim Crane and Bill Floyd.”

And, he said, for putting his own stamp on Potente’s upscale Italian menu. Trace said he that within weeks there will be a new Potente menu that will embrace Italian cuisine but with a nod to Houston – he plans to use local seafood and local produce as much as possible.

It’s a cuisine, he said, that’s familiar and comfortable for him. “I’ve always been influenced by Italian,” he said. “It’s part of Creole and what I’ve been doing for the past 20 years.”

When Trace left Brennan’s, the restaurant’s owner, Alex Brennan-Martin, said it was on good terms. Brennan-Martin went on to praise Trace as a valued member of the Commander’s Palace family and wished him luck. On Thursday Trace said he feels the same affection for the restaurant family he left: “God bless the Brennan’s family. I’ve learned so much from them. They teach you how to be a restaurateur, which is so much more than just cooking.”

Trace said that two original members of the Potente/Osso & Kristalla team remain in place: Micah Rideout as chef de cuisine, and David Berg as executive pastry chef.

Trace’s work at Potente and Osso & Kristalla begins immediately.

Houston Eater Hot List

Houston Eater Hot List

https://houston.eater.com/maps/best-new-houston-restaurants-heatmap/osso-kristalla

The Hottest Restaurants in Houston Right Now, May 2017

Where to dine tonight, tomorrow, this weekend

Now open in the swanky 500 Crawford building, Osso + Kristalla serves up a full day’s worth of modern Italian fare. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, diners can dig into Italian pastries, wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and salads. Pair your selection (perhaps truffle or lobster risotto?) with a glass of wine from the restaurant’s lengthy list.

10 Spring Cocktails To Try in Houston Now

10 Spring Cocktails To Try in Houston Now

10 Spring Cocktails To Try in Houston Now

Full Article: http://www.houstonpress.com/slideshow/10-spring-cocktails-to-try-in-houston-now-9397108
How well-stocked is your bar? Chances are you don’t keep exotic ingredients like Creme de Violette, charred grapefruit peel or elderflower on hand. No worries, because we’ve got the inside track on ten cocktails that pair unusual ingredients with premium spirits to yield fabulous results, and they’re all available in Houston this spring.
In a world overrun by Frosé, Osso & Kristalla keeps it real with a great frozen Negroni.
10 new Houston restaurants with spectacular patios for outdoor dining

10 new Houston restaurants with spectacular patios for outdoor dining

TIME TO DINE AL FRESCO – Houston CultureMap

10 new Houston restaurants with spectacular patios for outdoor dining

Houston, new patios, March 2017, Brasserie du Parc

The eye-catching 1,500 square-foot patio at Brasserie du Parc is climate-controlled with sliding glass doors. Photo by Mauricio Hernandez
Houston, new patios, April 2017, Beavers Westheimer

The outdoor space at Beavers Westheimer boasts a 5,000 square-foot deck, a fire pit, a bar housed in a repurposed trailer, and games from Jenga to foosball. Courtesy photo
Houston, new patios, April 2017, Hopdoddy Rice Village

 Hopdoddy Rice Village boasts a spacious 4,000-square-foot patio with seating for 100. Courtesy photo
Houston, new patios, April 2017, Osso and Kristalla

Osso & Kristalla has plenty of patio game, thanks to outdoor seating for 60, plus two flatscreen TV’s, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a prime location near Minute Maid Park.  Courtesy photo
Houston, new patios, April 2017, Grotto downtown

Enter the downtown locale of Grotto Ristorante and you can’t miss the front 1,430 square-foot, 40-seat rustic dining space Courtesy photo
Houston, new patios, April 2017, Nobies

Nobie’s features an intimate 250 square-foot patio, with seating for 20, that offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Courtesy photo
Houston, new patios, March 2017, State Fare

Dig into drool-worthy Southern eats  on the 24-seat patio at State Fare.  Photo by Julie Soefer
Houston, new patios, April 2017, field and tides

Heights bistro Field & Tides offers cuisine Southern comfort cuisine, with outdoor seating for 32.  Courtesy photo
Houston, new patios, April 2017, Bebidas

Two massive oak trees provide shelter from the sun on the 1,500 square-foot patio at Bebidas Juice, Coffee & Bites near River Oaks. Courtesy photo
Houston, new patios, April 2017, Xochi

Xochi features a  775 square-foot veranda located on a prime corner of the new Marriott Marquis Hotel near Discovery Green. Courtesy photo

If you manage to find fabulous food, terrific drinks and a spectacular outdoor setting all in one place this time of year, you’ve scored a major trifecta. The restaurants below pull off all three. From a contemporary Italian eatery near Minute Maid Park to a gastropub with fun games from cornhole to foosball, here are 10 new patios to hit up now.

Nobie’s
Look no further than newcomer hotspot Nobie’s in Montrose for delicious seasonal fare from land and sea, doting service, and an intimate 250 square-foot patio, with seating for 20, that offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
2048 Colquitt St.; 346-319-5919

Field & Tides
Heights bistro Field & Tides offers Southern comfort cuisine, from pimento cheese fritters to pan-seared scallops with seafood risotto, and outdoor seating for 32. Come summer, the owners are set to launch a bar and lounge next door, where you can enjoy sips, and snacks from the restaurant’s kitchen.
705 East 11th St.; 713-861-6143

Osso & Kristalla
Downtown’s Osso & Kristalla from Houston Astros owner Jim Crane has plenty of patio game, thanks to outdoor seating for 60, plus two flatscreen TV’s, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a prime location near Minute Maid Park.
1515 Texas Ave.; 713-221-6666

State Fare
Dig into drool-worthy Southern eats, including a smoked double pork chop, hot fried chicken, and fresh shucked cream corn, on the 24-seat patio at Gateway Memorial City restaurant State Fare, which CultureMap readers voted as Best New Restaurant at the recent Tastemaker Awards.
947 Gessner; 832-831-0950

Xochi
Chef Hugo Ortega’s (Hugo’s, Backstreet, Caracol) latest concept, Xochi, is a prime destination standout for traditional Oaxacan cuisine paired with an extensive roster of mezcals, tequilas and Mexican craft beers. Indulge on the 775 square-foot veranda located on a prime corner of the new Marriott Marquis Hotel near Discovery Green. The patio has 60 seats, complete with large ceiling fans and a roof outfitted with slats that open and close, so it’s a sure thing no matter the weather.
1777 Walker St.; 713-400-3330

Beaver’s Westheimer
Up your your bar game when you dine alfresco at Beaver’s Westheimer. The outdoor space at Briargrove/Tanglewood gastropub with Southern fare and tasty ‘cue boasts a 5,000 square-foot deck, a fire pit, a bar housed in a repurposed trailer, and games from Jenga to foosball.
6025 Westheimer Rd.; 713-714-4111

Grotto Ristorante Downtown
Enter the downtown locale of Grotto Ristorante at the George R. Brown Convention Center and you can’t miss the front 1,430 square-foot, 40-seat rustic dining space. Two propane fire pits, along with portable heaters and comfy couches, set the mood for a cozy good time if the weather gets chilly. Multiple TV’s throughout make every seat the best in the house.
1001 Avenida de las Americas, Suite A; 713-658-0752

Bebidas
Two massive oak trees provide shelter from the sun on the 1,500 square-foot patio at Bebidas Juice, Coffee & Bites near River Oaks. Breakfast and lunch treats are available every day — the avocado toast is popular — and on Wednesdays, load up with fare from a revolving lineup of food trucks (6-8:30 pm). Once a month, get your workout on as various fitness spots (think Big Yoga to Define Body and Mind) host a class.
2606 Edloe St.; 713-554-0023

Hopdoddy Rice Village
Inventive burgers, frothy milkshakes, and ice-cold brews may be the hallmarks of Hopdoddy, but the spacious 4,000-square-foot patio, with a cornhole and seating for 100, at the Rice Village locale is also worth noting.
5510 Morningside Dr., Ste. 100; 281-557-2337

Brasserie du Parc
The terrace at downtown French eatery Brasserie du Parc makes an impression from the moment you walk in. The eye-catching 1,500 square-foot space, climate-controlled with sliding glass doors, features marble tables with wicker bistro chairs, providing seating for 100. What’s more, it’s also the home of a crêperie concept within the restaurant, Crêperie du Parc, which serves up delectable sweet and savory crêpes.
1440 Lamar St.; 832-879-2802

8 Insta-Worthy Restaurants with Stellar Interior Design

8 Insta-Worthy Restaurants with Stellar Interior Design

8 Insta-Worthy Restaurants with Stellar Interior Design

By Houston Chronicle – StoryStudio April 6, 2017 12:00 PM

Inarguably, Houston is a hotspot for culinary delights, but next time you dine out, why not head to a restaurant that pleases your visual senses as well as your palate? Coldwell Banker United, Realtors © presents the list of striking spaces below, all of which take their stylish decor as seriously as their delectable eats. Read on for eight hotspots, all with high design and solid menus, that will make you the envy of your Instagram followers.

Le Colonial

Chic French Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial, designed by architect Mark Knauer, resembles a modern-day 1920s French Colonial villa. As you enter the two-story picturesque space through steel doors from a Houston artisan, you’ll find pressed tin ceilings, framed rug patterns reminiscent of houses and hotels in turn-of-the-century Saigon, and wicker dining room chairs and Art Deco brass table bases from the Philippines. The second floor is fashioned by a tropical themed wall mural created by acclaimed Swedish painter Jonas Wickman.

 The Dunlavy

By day, grab-and-go eatery The Kitchen at The Dunlavy offers counter service for breakfast and lunch. By night, the venue turns into an elegant event space. The sleek, free-standing building, located on the banks of Buffalo Bayou, boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, offering guests scenic views of Buffalo Bayou Park, the downtown skyline and Lost Lake, a restored pond located onsite. French white oak floors, Spanish wood beams, and glamorous Italian and French crystal chandeliers set the backdrop at the contemporary glass treehouse, while crisp gallery-like interiors serve as a blank slate allowing the interior designer inside you to shine.

 Caracol

The interior of Caracol, designed by John Kidd Associates, pays tribute to Mexico, especially the country’s beaches. The walls of the restaurant, located in the Galleria-area, is decked out with aquatic-themed art by American Modernist painter Charley Harper. The bar area is complete with sailboat booms and a suspended sailcloth with hues of sand, straw and blue throughout.

Osso & Kristalla

Visual stunner Osso & Kristalla, designed by the Houston office of the acclaimed Gensler firm, catches your eye from the moment you walk in. Expect bronze and black lighting fixtures, beige and green banquettes, butcher-block tabletops, and triangular flooring. Get inspired by the open exhibition kitchen which provides insight into the creative culinary process. The lively yet casual vibe makes you feel right at home.

 Pax Americana

A collaboration between Archi-Arts, general contractor James Montgomery and restaurant owners Shepard Ross and Dan Zimmerman, this Montrose eatery is decked out with a bar that was originally a way station for Wells Fargo coaches in the 1800s. A giant map of the U.S. cut from a single piece of steel and an impressive art collection with several pieces by Keith Haring further delight the visual senses.  Inside the bathrooms, pieces by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein artfully canvas the walls.

BCN Taste and Tradition

Set in an intimate 1920s home in Montrose, original works of art by Miro and Picasso pop up against crisp museum-white walls at BCN Taste and Tradition. The two-story restaurant, designed by San Antonio–based architect and designer Augustin Orozcohas sports bright orange window awnings and a custom burnished copper sign, which complement the original period details of the building. Refinished wood flooring and sand-colored tablecloths add warmth while keeping things simple.

State of Grace
The architects at Square Feet Studio in Atlanta, along with in-house designer Elizabeth Ingram, skillfully created a cozy yet elegant setting at James Beard Award semi-finalist Ford Fry’s State of Grace. Dine at a table under one of three custom sparkling chandeliers or at the bar with a window view of a live oak tree.

A color palette of greens, grays, and warm whites set off blackened-steel frame doorways and natural elements (think walnut, marble, and leather) in the timeless space.

Oporto Midtown

Relaxed European tavern-like eatery Oporto Midtown, located on the ground floor of Post Midtown Square apartments, is modish with an old-world feel, drawing inspiration from the owner’s Portuguese-Italian background. Dramatic features from Spanish cedar ceilings to Mexican cement tiles and to wood-and-tile flooring, are all the work of Austin’s award-winning architect Michael Hsu.