McAllen

(From December 2009) On any given day, this efficient, popular spot is serving up the tastiest and most authentic Asian food in McAllen. Portions are large and the ingredients are fresh, as evidenced by the large tanks aswim with lobster and crab. The menu is quite extensive, so let us recommend the shrimp with lemongrass, served in a spicy coconut milk, and the chicken with asparagus; both entrées come with a fried pork wonton, rice, and soup. Beer & wine.

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(From December 2009) Dumpling bars, now all the rage, are culinary showmanship at this Preston Royal favorite. Watching the painstaking preparation of these little jewels reveals what a work of art they are. We tried the sampler (vegetable, shrimp, chicken, and pork); they were as good as our bowl of thick, ropy udon noodles stir-fried with cabbage, carrots, and sprouts (we added pork for a little more heft). Crab and cheese wontons were a little sweet, but the wonton soup was ambrosial. Black and red decor with small touches of gold and great black and white photos make for a striking atmosphere. Bar.

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(From May 2009) Every time we go to this restaurant, a bistro/fashion boutique owned by a local Romanian couple, we leave raving about the excellent food and the wonderful service. We always start off with an appetizer plate of smoked pork loin, bacon, kashkaval cheese, salami, red carp roe, and black olives. And if the superb off-the-menu lamb shanks are available, we inevitably order them as our entrée. (Call ahead to be sure they’re offered the night you go.) BYOB.

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(From June 2008) A return visit found this place in fine form. We chose a booth that shielded us from the busy dining room and delighted in the food and the soft jazz playing in the background. We started off with the Spicy Prime Brats, jalapeños stuffed with prime rib, then tried the ribeye (extremely tender) and the sesame-crusted tuna (cooked to perfection). Sides of hash browns and creamed spinach were good complements. Watch the portions—they’re so big you won’t want dessert. Bar.

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(From November 2009) The descendants of the family that opened the historic Guerra mercantile store in 1908 have transformed the site into a fine-dining venue complete with brick arches, beautiful artwork, and posh leather chairs. From the newly expanded menu, think about beginning with an appetizer of delicate sautéed soft-shell crabs. Moving right along to the entrées, you could go “surf” with the nutty-flavored sesame-crusted seared tuna or “turf” with a perfectly cooked ribeye or filet. Desserts—such as bananas Foster—do not stint on cream, sugar, or decadence. Live entertainment on weekends. Bar (extensive wine list).

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(From November 2008) This place is a hunter’s paradise, with mounted specimens of deer, bear, raccoons, and elk adorning the restaurant. And because comfort food comes in all guises, there are Asian and Mexican dishes in addition to the chicken-fried steak, meat loaf, and (delicious) cornbread. The pad thai was excellent and the fisherman’s stew out of this world. Great service. Bar.

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(From September 2009) The Taj Mahal it’s not, but music videos from back home on the television monitor lend the dining room a bit of a mod mood. The buffet provides an assortment of familiar specialties, from chicken vindaloo to palak paneer. The naan is always fresh, and the assorted chutneys provide that delightful extra tang to the dishes. Leave room for our favorite dessert, the gulab jamun: warm Indian doughnut holes in a sweet, rose-water-scented syrup. Beer & wine.

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(From December 2008) Maps adorn the walls of this popular Italian-Argentinean spot. We like to start with the prosciutto and mozzarella. The kitchen did well by our rare grilled tuna, but we suggest you skip the bland spaghetti alla carbonara. Bar.

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(From October 2009) Wine bottles adorn this casual restaurant, one in a chain of twentysomething locations throughout Texas. Of a wide assortment of pizzas and Italian fare, the house-made meatballs are a great way to start, as are the soups (minestrone, tomato basil) and salads (Greek, Caesar, antipasti). To get a taste of the Big Apple, we went for the New York Village pizza, which comes with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, black olives, bell peppers, Canadian bacon, and hamburger. The food was good, but the service was a little disorganized. Bar.

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(From March 2009) If you’re unfamiliar with many of the dishes on the menu, don’t be intimidated. The staff is extremely friendly and will take the time to not only recommend something but also show you how to eat it. All entrées come with the customary banchan (side dishes), like sprouts, potatoes, squash, pickled cabbage, green beans, and seaweed. Both the bulgogi (seasoned sliced barbecued beef) and the yukgaejang (spicy beef stew) are outstanding. The Korean television shows playing in the background are a little distracting but do add to the atmosphere. Beer & wine.

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