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AVA KITCHEN AND WHISKEY BAR
2800 Kirby Dr, at Westheimer
(713-386-6460)
Mon–Wed 11–10, Thur–Sat 11–11. Closed Sun.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ |  add to library |
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$$$ |
Mediterranean /
French |
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(From May 2011) The Schiller–Del Grande folks have done it again—created an übercool space and a menu to match. Of the long list of small plates, we chose spicy coppa and taleggio with dried mission figs and a fennel salad; a densely flavored Provençal tomato soup with basil citrus pesto; and the Ava/Alto salad—greens, beets, chickpeas, and artichokes. Of the large plates, a grilled quail with sweet peppers and creamy polenta and a lively pappardelle with duck and wild mushrooms outshone a less interesting flattened chicken breast with salsa and almonds. Service is still a bit confused but well intentioned. Bar. |
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CATALAN
5555 Washington Ave
(713-426-4260)
Open Tue–Thur 11–10, Fri 11–11, Sat 5–11, Sun 5–9. Closed Mon.
web site | map | reserve through OpenTable | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library |
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$$-$$$ |
Mediterranean |
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(From June 2011) It was a pleasant task: introducing a teenage would-be foodie to the small-plates concept at this Spanish-inspired eatery on Washing-ton’s restaurant row. Impressed with the brick arches and long wall of wines, she readily proclaimed the pork belly with cane syrup her fa-vorite dish on first bite. Ditto for the crispy crab croquettes and local Pola cheeses with tangerine marmalade and Marcona almonds. Alas, we downgraded the seared foie gras for its mass of membranes, but competed for bites of a shared Mexican chocolate crème brûlée. Next lesson: street food. Bar. |
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IBIZA
2450 Louisiana
(713-524-0004)
Open Tue-Thur 11–10, Fri 11–11, Sat 5–11, Sun 5–9. Closed Mon. Reservations recommended.
web site | map | reserve through OpenTable | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library |
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Mediterranean /
New American |
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(From May 2011) Have they actually lowered the prices here? Seemed so on our last visit, with a large, meaty, slow-braised lamb shank weighing in at $24. Other highlights included an imaginative kale salad with currants, pine nuts, and Parme-san, two good risottos—one with lobster and the other asparagus—and a great salad of burrata, cherry tomatoes, and arugula. Less successful was a special of roasted oysters with cheesy bread crumbs; it came oversalted and with a too-hard crust. But we happily recouped and regrouped with a shared tres leches dessert. Bar. |
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