Corpus Christi

(From May 2011) The new year has brought downtown Corpus Christi a neighborhood-style restaurant as congenial as any good Paris bistro; the menu (as much American as French) should appeal to a range of ages and appetites, and service is surprisingly good for such a new spot, with careful attention given to small details—a chilled plate for the salad niçoise, a warm one for the savory braised short ribs. Popular at our table were an appetizer of fried gnocchi with house-made mayonnaise and a creamy potato and leek soup. But surpassing those was a simple dessert of poached pears with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Make sure to check out the retro cocktails and the bistro’s namesake 500 bottles of wine at the Staghound Bar. Bar.

Leave a Review

(From January 2012)

Finally! A gelateria has appeared in the heart of downtown (in the former location of Agua Java in the Water Street Market). Owner Doug Johnson and his well-trained baristas offer first-rate coffee drinks and freshly made gelato—120 flavors, 18 of which make a appearance on a daily basis. Chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, strawberry, cookies and cream, pumpkin spice—something for everyone.

Leave a Review

(From October 2010) A year and a half after taking over the spot once occupied by Jezebel’s, sisters Desireé Tullos and Melody Hunter (who previously operated the popular seafood house Ancient Mariner) have found the right groove and consistently deliver affordable good food in a friendly, congenial atmosphere. Although most customers choose from among the broad variety of salads, sandwiches, and soups, we have particularly enjoyed the hot lunch plates, like a flatiron steak, pot roast, or a blackboard special of stuffed fresh flounder. Bar.

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011, 10:04 pm
Larry says:
Restaurant is now out of business, closed. The Art Center is advertising for a new restaurant to move in.

Leave a Review

(From February 2012)

Known locally as Hester’s (for new proprietors Hester and Jason Rodriguez), this congenial venue serves up the same kind of fare that made Hester’s at Six Points so popular. We enjoyed the Devonshire quiche, deliciously creamy, with spinach, ricotta, Swiss cheese, and tomato, and the satisfying Swinney Switch salad with black beans, roasted turkey, and corn salsa. As we lingered to watch the tugboats at work, we savored the excellent coffee and a coconut cupcake topped with a glorious crown of meringue. Beer & wine

Leave a Review

(From February 2011) A native of Lyon, Dominique Cordier presides over a complex playbook of international dishes in this quirky little place with French marionettes dangling from the ceiling. Gourmets from Corpus Christi dine in the company of North Padre residents and other locals who no doubt consider this place their neighborhood restaurant. Our recent visit rewarded us with a French-style tuna steak grilled rare and served with a lemon-cream sauce and an Italian-style braised lamb shank, slow-cooked in white wine and tomatoes and served with a medley of fresh zucchini, carrots, peas, and corn. The chef has perfected the art of fried polenta, which came with both entrées. Service is cheerful and friendly and seems to have settled into an easy groove, and Cordier has put together a nicely representative list of relatively inexpensive wines. Beer & wine.

Leave a Review

(From September 2010) This is an uncommonly good Southeast Asian restaurant in a rather obscure strip center. On a recent visit we made a meal of a platter-filling appetizer—shrimp and shredded veggies in a rice flour crepe. The amateur chef in our party had high praise for a soft-shell crab entrée. Always check out the daily chalkboard specials, and save room for your share of a fried banana dessert. Beer & wine.

Leave a Review

(From January 2012)

This congenial venue has had a changing of the guard. Hester and Jason Rodriquez, proprietors of the esteemed Hester’s at Six Points, have taken over operations of the former Dobson Café site, bringing with them their most popular breakfast and lunch items. We enjoyed the Devonshire quiche, deliciously creamy, with spinach, ricotta, Swiss cheese, and tomato, and the satisfying Swinney Switch salad with black beans, roasted turkey, and corn salsa. As we lingered to watch the tugboats at work, we savored the excellent coffee and a coconut cupcake topped with a glorious crown of meringue. Bar.

Leave a Review

(From May 2011) Having received an underwhelming response to its early supper menu experiment (and having had to close its upstairs dining area until additional fire exits are added), Hester’s has returned to its original hours and format. But it continues to be, deservedly so, one of the most popular venues for breakfast, lunch, and Wi-Fi coffee breaks. As we’ve sampled most of the extensive menu, we can confidently recommend the hearty Swinney Switch Salad (mixed greens with Cajun roasted turkey, applewood-smoked bacon, and black bean and corn salsa) and the High Tide Sandwich (light cream cheese, walnuts, alfalfa sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocado on whole grain wheat bread).

Leave a Review

(From May 2011) On our most recent visit, we enthusiastically devoured both of the featured fish dishes, a roasted salmon filet and the signature Katz Snapper, adorned with grilled shrimp and lump crab. We did not ignore red meat, though. Steak is part of the name and a large part of Katz’s game—the finest-quality beef, properly seared and presented on sizzling hot plates. What more could you ask? Our only disappointment was the usually excellent Katz Meow appe-tizer of grilled shrimp, crab, and béarnaise with crisp toast points; the sauce was more paste-like than creamy. Bar.

Sunday, June 28th, 2009, 5:59 pm
Larry says:
You need to update your listing for Katz 21. They are not open for lunch at this time.

Leave a Review

(From February 2012)

Despite being hidden away in a corner of downtown, this standby has the comfortable hospitality and regular clientele of a neighborhood restaurant. Marino Delzotto has managed the retirement of brother/chef Gianni without a stumble in the quality of food, whether it’s dishes from the regular menu (penne gratinate, the pasta baked with Parmesan and bathed in a house-made tomato sauce, or pollo alla francese, the chicken lightly battered and sautéed with lemon, butter, and white wine) or specials like local flounder served with crab. The generous servings always require a carry-home bag. Beer & wine.

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009, 9:22 pm
Jeanmarie says:
It should be known that Marino Delzotto is the force that is Mamma Mia’s. He is the owner, creator, work force, and chef. He has been known to even wash dishes when needed. He is the reason why we get to enjoy the satisfying, prepared just right dishes. He creates this because, it is him. His love of life, his desire to enjoy the good things in life and his passion for the american dream. He has hand picked every part of his restaurant down to the staff. He has brought in his trusted friend who is his right hand chef and his brother who is also his chef. He even has even given his wife the position of running the undercurrent of the business so that he can focus on his customers while they dine in "his home" which is Mamma Mia’s which translates to My Mamma. When you eat there to him it is with the same quality you would find in his mother’s home, and that’s where all these chefs come from, home.....I know this because Marino is my home, he is my father and no daughter could be prouder of her parents and what they have accomplished, all their sacrifice and how far they have come...to the diner it’s a restaurant, to my parents it is their home. Enjoy what my parents have created, enjoy a piece of my home.....

Leave a Review