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 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 November 2011)

A gourmet’s kitchen this is not, nor does it pretend to be. But you can dine alfresco under canvas shades on decks over the marina waters, savoring well-prepared steaks, seafood, and sandwiches served by an energetic young staff. We started with an excellent garlicky shrimp dip and followed that with a skewer of flame-grilled mahimahi with a lobster butter sauce that could be the pride of any kitchen. Other good options include the fried shrimp (including pecan-crusted with sweet melba sauce or coconut-crusted with marmalade), the pulled pork sandwich, and the big, juicy burgers. In the morning, join marina habitués and downtown professionals for coffee and New Orleans–style beignets.

Leave a Review

(From January 2011) The continuing popularity of Brad Lomax’s twin restaurants—adjacent locations, same friendly service, same consistent kitchen performance—attests to their quality. A recent seafood sampler featured bountiful crab cakes, grilled mahimahi (cooked just enough), and a skewer of grilled shrimp, sausage, peppers, onion, and zucchini. The less ravenous at our table raved about the seafood gumbo and en-joyed the crisp wedge of iceberg lettuce with an abundance of diced tomato and house walnut dressing. Choose the Oyster Bar for sushi and a “happening” atmosphere and the Seafood Company for a (somewhat) quieter evening. Bar.

Leave a Review