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Berripop and BW3 Coming To Washington Ave.

One of the best things about the renewal of Washington Avenue over the past several years is the fact that most of the new restaurants and clubs have sprung up in old buildings.  What is old is made new again.

Branch Water Tavern was the old Cue and Cushion.  Pearl and Salt occupy what was formerly office/retail space.  Block 7 is in the Western Appliance building and the Southwest Muffler Shop is being renovated into Phil's Barbecue.  These are just a few examples.  Like Phoenix rising, Washington has been born anew out of its own ash.

But, amongst the many renovations and refurbishments along the Washington Corridor, there are several projects that are completely new construction.  One of them is 3939 Washington which is a mixed-use building that looms over the South side of Washington.

I find it fitting somehow that the first restaurant tenants announced in this freshly-built behemoth will both be chain stores.  Not unique to our neck of the woods.

The new additions to the Washington culinary landscape will be Buffalo Wild Wings and Berripop. 

**********

Buffalo Wild Wings is a ubiquitous national-chain restaurant and sports bar characterized by mediocre wings and service. You know the place.  Not my favorite, but the one in Rice Village seems to do pretty brisk business, so I imagine this will be a hit, too.

Berripop, is a highly-regarded, Houston-based frozen yogurt chain with stores in upscale neighborhoods around town.  Which is a good sign.

But the company boasts on it's website that it is "in the process of aggressively expanding" and is actively recruiting franchisees.  Of the five currently-operating locations, three are "recently opened."

My experience in restaurants tells me that rapid expansion can be a very risky strategy.  Juggling is hard enough, but when you add too many balls - or too many jugglers - too quickly, it becomes nearly impossible.  But, there are exceptions to every rule.

Honestly, I've not yet had a Berripop.  The place may just be a hit in the neighborhood.

To date, neither company has begun build-out on their units, but both should be open by summer.

RIP - Glen Bell

You may not know it from the headline, but a restaurant pioneer has died today.

MSNBC reports that Glen W. Bell, Jr., founder of Taco Bell, has passed away at the age of 86 in California.

While, it is known that I am a champion of independent restaurants, I can't deny my patronage of Bell's chain stores.  Or it's impact on my life.  Who among us would? 

There was a time in my life when the "fourth meal" was my favorite meal of the day.  No kidding.  It fact, the late night drive-through is almost a rite of passage for today's youth, it would seem.

Thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Bell's family and I extend my condolences. 

Mr. Bell, Thank you.  You will be missed.

Carter and Cooley

I first wandered into the Carter and Cooley Deli located at the corner of 19th and Ashland on December 5th of last year. 

I remember the date because it was the day that it snowed all day – in Houston. 

It was also the Friday that the Holiday on 19th Street Christmas celebration was planned.

My wife’s office had closed due to the weather so we had taken the opportunity to take a quick trip down 19th Street to see who would and wouldn’t be open.  We popped in and out of shops polling their owners to get a picture of how the evening was going to turn out.

By the time we got to Carter and Cooley to grab a bite to eat, it was nearly 3:00 o’clock and the folks at the deli were in the process of closing down.  It was cold, it had been dreadfully slow and the owners had called it a day.  Who could blame them?

They were patient with our late arrival and helped us with a quick bite, but we hardly had an opportunity to take the place in.

I decided this week to try it again.  After two lunchtime visits, I am pleased that I did.

Carter and Cooley is everything Heights.  Having been open for nearly a generation, Carter and Cooley is as much a Heights museum as it is deli.  The walls are decorated with dozens of old photographs and authentic nostalgia that chronicle the life and times of The Historic Heights. 

The facility itself hearkens back to days ago.  The tall glass windows that line the front provide a view of the quiet street outside, which seems miles from downtown rather than minutes.  Truly, it has a small town attitude in a big city zip code. 

The staff at Carter and Cooley are friendly and genuine.  Quick with a smile, when they ask about your day, they listen to your answer and seem to be interested in what you have to say.    Simply put, they seem more like neighbors than merchants.  The deli, it seems is their life, not their job and the diners are friends instead of customers.  The way things “used to be.”

And best of all, the handmade sandwiches are honestly delicious.  To use a cliché, they remind me of Mom’s.  I haven’t hade a better Reuben in years.  Grilled, hot and gooey.  Outstanding.  I also tried the B.L.T., which is stacked.  Hot toast, crunchy bacon and crisp lettuce and tomato.  Add a side of authentic Southern Potato Salad and you can’t go wrong.  Plus, the homemade desserts are the perfect finish.

 From pastrami to liverwurst to ham and turkey, the deli menu has a bit of everything

If you find yourself in the Heights or simply live nearby, stop in and visit.  The folks will be happy to see you and the food is worth the trip.

In a fast-paced, me-first world Carter and Cooley is like a step back in time – a step back to better days.

I-10 Upgrade Could Do More Harm Than Good

According to Jeremy Desel of khou.com there are big plans for more construction along the I-10 corridor between Downtown and the 610 Loop.

According to his report, TxDOT has plans that have already been approved to add to and modify the existing roads feeding I-10.  Presumably this means to connect the Washington and TC Jester feeds and/or the Shepherd/Durham feed to the Yale/Heights feed using a series of new roads and bridges. 

I-10 is continuously under construction of some kind, so the idea of traffic and delays is not the major issue.  It is the possibility of flooding in the 100 year floodway - and the Heights.

Currently, the last resort flood area when the bayou crests its banks is I-10.  Under TxDOT's model, the roadways would be spared flooding.  But, if that is the case, where would the water go?  Many Heights residents are fearful that if the water can't flow South, it will flow North - into the neighborhoods.

According to the report, the law stipulates that road construction cannot take place in the 100 year floodway, but that an exception can be made if the designs include a plan for the flood waters.  TxDOT apparently has plans for two large retention ponds to handle the spill.  But, the funds for the drainage are not a part of the funds for the road project and naysayers argue that the pond construction could be years behind the roadways.  Leaving the Heights at risk.

As a Heights resident myself, I have to wonder if it is really even necessary to construct new feeder roads? 

It is true that navigating in and out of the Heights takes some getting used to for new residents, but isn't that part of the charm?  Isn't that a bit of the small town feel that we have such an affinity for?  Why change it?

Sure heading west on I-10 from Yale requires a U-turn at Studewood and an extra half mile of driving, but is it really such a huge hassle that TxDOT should spend millions erecting bridges to "fix" it?

I wager that most  Heights residents would say no.  And I am not alone.  Perhaps longtime resident Mary Ann Marucci says it best in her quote from the khou.com piece.  "It is just one of those things about the Heights.  That's the way it is and that is OK. It's never been a problem." 

I agree.  In fact, I rather like the closed off nature of our neighborhood.  It adds to the quieter, slower pace that I have grown to love. 

Besides, is it really worth the risk of flooding homes to better the flow of traffic?  I, for one, don't think so. 

Note: TxDOT is holding a public meeting for residents to present their views on the construction.  The meeting will be held Wednesday, January 6 at 6:30 PM.  The location is Stevenson Elementary at 5410 Cornish.  Please attend to voice your concerns.

The Cajun Corner

With the weather bending to the cool side and Thanksgiving past, I can finally begin to look forward to the best time of the year - Crawfish Season! 

Yes, it is way too early to expect to be dazzled by the bugs I will find, but the season is legitimately upon us now that December is here, so I find that I can no longer resist the urge to see what's in store this year.

As I wrote here last season, I have three favorite places for crawfish - Ragin Cajun, Mardi Gras  and Cajun Corner.  Each spot holds a different lure for me when it comes to getting bugs.  Mandola's spot has the biggest bugs, Mardi Gras uses a heavy dry spice and Cajun Corner has a simply unbeatable and incomparable flavor.

So this weekend, when I started to get the itch, I placed a few calls to see if I could get it scratched.

First I called Mandola's Ragin Cajun.  I know that Mandola waits for good bugs to come in season before they start boiling.  If Ragin Cajun has crawfish in house, then the bugs at other places are bound to be decent as well.  But I also realize that being really early in the season, I am not gonna get big dads no matter where I go, so I figured I'd go for the flavor and head out west to Little Asia on the West Side.  Cajun Corner on Bellaire at Belle Park is the destination. 

After one last call just to be sure they were selling live crawfish, it was time to head out.  Living in the Heights, Cajun Corner is about 17 miles west of the house so a confirmation phone call is always part of the preliminary protocol.  (I've made the drive only to be disappointed more than once.) 

The little restaurant is an odd incarnation.  Imagine the decor of a taqueria with a menu that is a strange marriage of Cajun and Vietnamese cuisines.  The clientele is also quite eclectic, drawing from all over the West Side, which makes for great people watching.  

My family and I have been going to the Cajun Corner for quite a while.  One of my wife's colleagues turned her onto the place a few years ago when they went for lunch.  A strange choice for a professional lunch, I thought, but my wife was so impressed with the Dungeness crabs, she soon had me there for dinner.  I, too, was hooked.  The flavors in the seafood boil are intense and wonderful.  A garlicky, citrusy and salty concoction that is decidedly Asian but would make any Cajun proud.

My wife and I were happy to make the trip last weekend and delighted to get our first fix of the 2009-2010 Crawfish Season.  We slurped our way crazily through ten pounds and walked away feeling the salt coursing through our veins, with lips blazing and with eyes and noses running.

The bugs were small, but the flavors did not disappoint.  Worth the drive.

That being said, there are a few observations to be shared before you decide to make a trek.

The spot has changed ownership over the last few years with some good and some bad effects.  The restaurant has become somewhat cleaner and a bit more presentable in terms of its appearance.  New flat screens are up, and the restrooms are more tolerable.  The staff is also more tuned into the service they are providing, which is a nice change from the days when service was a total afterthought.

But the menu has suffered some.  Boiled crawfish, shrimp and blue crab are among the best in the city and still draw folks from miles around, but the delicious Dungeness crabs and live lobsters that are no longer served are sorely missed and do affect the magnetism of this little eatery.  (The tanks in which they used to lurk like death-row inmates are replaced by a coffee and beignet bar that seems to be unused.)  Too bad to give up on what many considered to be their very best offering and what, in fact, first drew us to the place.

The rest of the menu is far less than stellar.  From the gumbo to the fried rice, order at your own risk.

Also, I noticed, this year, a new auto-gratuity added to every check.  Even parties of two.  Having been in the service business for a lifetime, I can think of several legitimate reasons why management decided to implement this policy.  And I will say that our server was worth the presumptuous 20%, but I was a bit surprised that it was unannounced.  And I was more surprised that I was not given an itemized bill showing the gratuity until I, confused by the total, asked to see one.  I felt a bit duped.  Not so good.

But when all was said and done and my first seasonal yearnings had been sated, I was happy.  After 25 or more visits over the past few years, I give Cajun Corner a solid recommendation.  Just expect the unexpected and remember, it's all about the flavors.

Celebrate Holiday On 19th Street This Friday!

Yesterday, I announced that Mistletoe Madness would be descending on the historic Heights this weekend, but today I ask, "Why wait until Saturday to get the celebration underway?"

When it comes to holiday cheer, I say "The more, the merrier!"  And it seems that I'm not the only one who is ready to get this party started!

Holiday on 19th Street is ringing in the season this Friday, December 5 from 6-10pm. 

Merchants and shop owners all along 19th Street, from Shepherd to Yale, will be open late sharing and spreading the holiday joy. 

Art, food, music and more will make the festivities all the more festive as families gather to celebrate a new holiday season like only the Historic Heights can.

Come and join us as we make our season bright!

Mistletoe Madness Kicks Off Holidays In The Heights

Mistletoe Madness is coming to the Heights. 

Sponsored and organized by the same folks who bring White Linen Night to the Heights each summer, Mistletoe Madness is the holiday version of the street festival that annually revs up the holiday season in the historic Heights.

"Set for Saturday, December 5, from 12-6 p.m., Mistletoe Madness faithfully showcases the Heights - profiling the people, the shop owners, the artists and the businesses that make the Heights a classy, progressive, and ultimate destination not to be missed," the event website proclaims.

Art, shopping, eating and live entertainment will highlight the days festivities which will also include a caroling contest!  Revelers will sample the wares and fares of artists, merchants and restaurants from throughout the Heights while soaking in the holiday decorations and festive atmosphere.

Organizers describe the event as "just the right mix of 'Eat, Drink, Shop & Be Merry.'"  And promise that  "Heights Mistletoe Madness 2009 is geared up to make this year's event the best yet."

Hope to see you there!

Laurenzo's And Salt Make Steady Progress

 Laurenzo's Grille Della Sport is getting much closer to it's winter soft opening promised by Dominic Laurenzo when I spoke to him in August.  The front facade looks fantastic (amazing when compared to the before photo) and the interior is nearly complete.  There is still work being done on the rear parking lot, but the hiring process is in full swing.  When finished, this upscale steak and burger house will seriously enhance the dining scene on Washington.

*****

Salt is located adjacent to Pearl Bar in the 4000 Block of Washington.  Chassidie Pommier, Director of Operations for both venues, says the crew is working hard and pushing for a mid-to-late December opening.  Space limitations have scaled back plans for a kitchen so Salt will be a bar exclusively.  Based on my impressions of The Pearl, Salt will be worth the wait.

El Rey Is King

El Rey is The King.  Plain and simple.  This little Mexican/Cuban Taqueria might have the best tacos I’ve ever had.  And it only took me two years to figure it out.  I've driven by this place dozens of times since moving to the Heights and every time I keep telling myself, "I need to try that place."  Finally, I did.  And I could kick myself for waiting so long.

The truth is El Rey does what it sets out to do in almost perfect fashion.  That is providing outstanding Mexican and Cuban cuisine in a fast, friendly environment, while keeping the prices in line with what one would expect from a fast-serve taqueria.

Simply put, the food is delicious.  Every single thing that I have had from the menu has been excellent.  From the tacos to the sandwiches.  And the house-made green and red salsas that they generously load into the takeout bag are truly awesome.

The location I frequent most often is the location at Shepherd and Washington, but there are four Houston locations, including one in the North Heights at Ella and 34th.

Finding fault with El Rey is almost nit-picking, but if there is one thing that stands out it is the drive-thru.  Customers order and pick up at the same window so service can get pretty backed up at this popular eatery.  Plus, there is only space for about three cars in the line before it curls out into traffic on Shepherd Drive.  And there is always a line.  But, the food is worth the risk!   And the wait.

In it’s favor, the drive-thru is open until 3AM from Thursday through Saturday which makes for a fantastic late night meal.  Should you find yourself out at 3AM. (Hours vary by location)

The restaurant inside is generally packed with customers who find it easier to come in than wait in the drive-thru lane.  This does cause a bit of congestion at the door.  But the counter-service is fast, friendly, efficient and accurate!  So getting in and out is a breeze.

The dining room is very clean, but quite small, so all of the traffic makes dining-in a bit of a challenge.  But not impossible.  And the windows looking out on Washington Avenue give diners plenty to watch, especially at night.

I definitely suggest you drop by El Rey if you haven’t been already.  The fajita tacos and the steak sandwich are my favorites, but the entire menu is simply delicious. 

The Heights Arsonist

 
I am not an investigative journalist, I am not a cop and I am not criminal reporter.  But I am a Heights resident.  And along with the rest of the Heights residents, my family and I have have been watching with great interest and a  palpable anxiety as the area has been terrorized this summer by a serial arsonist. 

My family was lucky enough not to be direct victims of the arsonist and his fires, but he, most assuredly, changed our lives this summer.

To be fair, my family lives in a newer home on a street of mostly newer homes and the arsonist had targeted largely uninhabited and rundown structures.  Additionally, our home is surrounded by a locked, gated fence and the arsonist had targeted mostly structures with clear escape routes.  So, initially there was a feeling of detached safety.  We felt comfortable in the notion that we were out of his reach. 

But time went by.  The count grew higher.  The arsonist got more and more emboldened.  His targeted area expanded further and further and it seemed that the police had no suspects or leads.  Soon that feeling of separation disintegrated like so much old timber aflame.

My wife and children and I began looking around our street and the neighboring streets noticing each and every empty or deteriorating structure.  We found asking ourselves, "Could that one be next?  Or that one?"  Our clearing in the woods was shrinking around us.

Then one day it was gone.   The house at 807 Twelfth Street burnt.  That house is two doors down.

The fire had hit home. 

The kids talked about it all the time.  My wife and I were on edge.  I found myself literally sleeping with one eye open.  Getting up to check the yard every time the dog barked.  I believe I even began imagining noises out of a heightened sense of dreadful anticipation.

It is a horrible feeling to feel at risk in one's own home.  A saddening sickness.

Thankfully, the terror might be over as Chron.com this weekend reported a break in the case.  While the man charged is innocent until proven guilty, a collective sigh of relief could be heard escaping from the Heights.  There is hope that we have awakened from the nightmare.

I do not know anything about arson investigation and I do not know how investigators found this suspect.  It does strike me as odd that although he has had a troubled past, he has no history of being a pyromaniac or even playing with matches. 

But these lines from Peggy O'Hare's interview with the suspect's father on Chron.com might provide the most telling reason to believe that the the fire is out.

"[His father] said he doubts his son set the fires but suspects he may have some information about who did." O'Hare writes.  “'If he was involved with this,' [he] said, 'he'll have to take his medicine.'"

++++++++++

During the string of arsons I took photos of several the crime scenes.  While the attacks were still happening I felt odd about posting them, but now that the spree has apparently ended, and since the damage was only property and not lives, I feel that they can effectively convey a sense of what the Heights has endured over the late summer.

  

This playhouse at a residence on Ashland had stood for years and been a play place for two generations.

 

Another view from the Tulane side.   This playhouse was one of the arsonist's first targets.

This empty lot in the 1000 Block of Ashland once held a home.  All that is left is the footwalk.  The duplex in the background would be a future target.

 

The duplex was occupied at the time of the fire.  Luckily the three men escaped with their lives.

 

This house sits right on 11th Street.  A main thoroughfare in the Heights.  The arsonist is getting bolder.

Another empty lot is all that remains.

 

The house at 807 12th.  This is the one that investigators have linked to the suspect.

 

The fire strikes close to home.

Now just a lot.

This house at 1240 W. 23rd was for sale as a "fixer-upper."

Now its a "tear-down."

It was also the arsonist's last work. 

If the police have the right man.