Urban Swank

Local and sustainable seems to still be going strong across the nation and in Houston we, as we like to say, ARE ALL IN. So when Sorrel Urban Bistro, Farm to Table Dining, opened about nine months ago it was right on time. It was the shared vision of restaurateur Ray Salti and Executive Chef Soren Pedersen to bring affordable farm-to-table dining to Houston. On our first visit to Sorrel, surprisingly we had no big expectations, beyond having a good meal. So we were shaken-up a bit (in a good way) when we walked into this euro-sleek bistro. We LOVED the clean line designs with the open kitchen concept. The walls of windows helped to add to the modern Zen feel of the place. And due to its great vibe, before we could get to our seats, we had already made plans to host an event at Sorrel! I guess knowing they have wine on tap, a charcuterie bar area, and one of the best looking open kitchens in the city did not hurt either (#just saying)!

Once we were seated our waiter came right over to get us started. Mike, that is his name just in case you to want to request him (hint, hint), asked if we were first timers. He seemed to be very excited when we said "yes". We think this is because of his love for all things culinary and the fact that he thoroughly enjoys his place of employment; which meant he got to be our guide for this performance. He quickly went into the concept of the restaurant and moved right into their ever-changing chalkboard menu of organically and locally sourced cuisine. Their menu changes twice daily and is based on what they get fresh that day. Their seafood comes directly from a local fisherman and you can guarantee it has been caught within the last 3 days. Produce is handled in the same fashion; it comes directly from local farmers markets. In addition, all proteins that are used are grass fed. And the shout outs to those local establishments at the bottom of each menu, solidifies Sorrel's dedication to their vision.

Next, Mike pointed out the flat screens that were placed in strategic locations to show the Chef and his supporting cast in the kitchen cranking out master pieces. All we could say was, "That is poetry in motion BABY!" After we were bought up to speed, it was time to order cocktails. Apparently, cocktails were on the brain. We were so intrigued by the selections, that we went on a cocktail tasting spree. We opted for a couple of their specialty creations:

Hibiscus Margarita (Espolon Tequila, Cointreau, and House Infused Hibiscus Syrup & Fresh Lime Juice) - It was not only beautiful to the eye, but delicious and satisfying. The lava salted rim and the light fragrance and taste of the Hibiscus was a nice twist on a classic. Yes, we had several.

Skinny Guava Berry (Cruzan Strawberry Rum, Cruzan Guava Rum, Agave Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice & Soda Water) - A skinny cocktail doesn't miss our radars and we had to try this one. It was light and we enjoyed the freshness of the lemon juice and agave, which is a great option that adds natural sweetness to a cocktail.

Ginger Fizz (Domaine Di Canton Liquor, Bombay Sapphire, Fresh Lime Juice & Ginger Beer) - I think the name had us sold. Ginger beer adds a great spin on a cocktail.

While we waited for our next course, they brought out focaccia bread and a trio of Hill Country Olive Oil, Traditional Pesto, and Sundried Tomato Pesto. All breads are made in house by the pastry chef, Kristen Schafbuch. We must admit that we asked for seconds on the bread as we had a "love at first bite" moment with the Sundried Tomato Pesto. It would have been inappropriate to just eat it with a spoon ;-). We thought maybe we had over done it and would not have room for our appetizers and entrees, but we were completely off the marker. Once they were put on our table all those thoughts left us...immediately.

For our appetizer we had what we called, the Salad of Goodness (new creation that did not have a name, so we gave it one). Shrimp, Crabmeat, Citrus Butter, Oranges, and Beets were the main ingredients. This was one complex blend, and there was a nice routine going on with the flavors (minus the shrimp heads...it must be an acquired taste). Think of synchronized swimmers when they are in sync and you got it! Deciding on our entrees is where the fun began. Chef Soren offered a tasting menu in addition to his regular menu. The five course menu offering that evening was a Seared Foie Gras on Grape Marmalade, Alligator Bisque with House Pesto, Chili Sugar Cured Scallops on Fennel with Sage Butter, Grilled Petit Filet Mignon and Parsnips; with Peppercorn Demi Glaze, and Slice Baked Pear. Our thoughts exactly! We were screaming with our inner voices as we were now officially undecided. Eventually we made our selections:

Golden Tile with Black Sticky Rice (Swanky Girl) - I love seafood and require freshness. The fish was so fresh that I was curious if they had pulled it out the water a few hours before. It was tasty and had me thinking ahead to our next visit. The black sticky rice had me smiling with each bite; especially since I love sticky rice but had never had black sticky rice before. It is a sweeter rice and that sweetness played nicely against my fish.

Grouper with Risotto (Urban Girl) - Risotto does NOT (and I repeat "NOT") get any better than this. It was all the things a great should Risotto should be - creamy, savory, rich, creamy, well-seasoned...did I say creamy? The Grouper could stand alone and if I had to take a guess, I would say it was caught at exactly 5:03 a.m.

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All desserts are made by their pastry chef as well. That evening, we received the sinful trio of Sliced Baked Pear, Cheesecake, and Espresso Cake. Since we were so full we didn't get the opportunity to fully enjoy the dessert, however, the Espresso Cake did seem a bit on the dry side. We noted the need to save more room for the finale during our next visit. After such an amazing experience we could not wait to return. We left with not only a new favorite for our list, but a better appreciation for all the great resources we have from a culinary perspective right here in our area.

On our second visit, we did not think it could get any better at Sorrel. The food was amazing, the service was stellar, and the vibe was on point. So, when we walked in and realized that our table was one of the chef’s tables, I think tears welled up in our eyes. Okay maybe that is a little dramatic, but you get what we are saying! These are by far the best tables in the house. You have a direct line of sight into Chef Soren’s world and you can drool over each and every plate as it comes out of the kitchen. Hell, within the first fifteen minutes of sitting at our table we wanted every dish that came up. Food envy at its worst! So, after returning to our table with the second round of drinks and us still trying to decide on what to order; our waiter suggested we do a true chef table and partake in a Chef’s selection. This is where Chef Soren selects our dishes for the evening. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WILLIS"; that is an option for us? Folks this was a no brainer in case you were wondering! Only a few questions followed: "What do you enjoy?" and "Is anything off limits"?

Chef Soren’s Selections:

Oysters Au Gratin and Scallop Ceviche (Swanky Girl)  - I love oysters and was very pleased that this was selected for me. Freshness and creaminess were oozing out of each bit.

Scallop Ceviche (Urban Girl) - Being a virgin to scallops served ceviche style, initially I was a little taken back. However, I put my trust in Chef Soren and took the dive. The freshness of the scallops shined but I don't think I would try it again. I will just stick to the pan seared version.

Lamb Chops with Butternut Squash (Swanky Girl)  - I had seen someone order the lamb chops and was wondering how they tasted. Happy to report these were slammin'. They had a very mild taste and were extremely tender; all the factors that make up good lamb chops.

Smoked Duck Risotto (Urban Girl) - The smoked duck was tender and the risotto was well prepared. Although this dish was quite busy, including the surprising bite I received from the currants, it was a great rendition.

Dessert Sampler Plate (Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, Lavender Crème Brulee, and Baked Pear) - By the time this plate came out we were pretty full; but in true Urban Swank style we decided to at least taste a little of each. Our favorite was the Lavender Crème Brulee. It was yummy goodness at its best. The Baked Pear was our least favorite and most likely due to the texture :-(.

After our visits to Sorrel we can say that the vision of its owner and executive chef have not only been accomplished, but they are doing it on a completely different level than their competition. Just remember..it's not just about the food; it's about the experience and if a unique experience and great food floats your boat, make sure you check out Sorrel Urban Bistro!

~ Urban Swank

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Eddie V's City Centre

When Eddie V's initially announced its first location in Houston, we were super excited! With Houston being such a hot place for the food scene, you would think 5 star steakhouses are the norm. We did have a few favorites, but we were anticipating the need to make room for one more.

Eddie V's now has two locations, one in the River Oaks area and the other in CityCentre (the old Town and Country). Although both have the ambiance of a typical steakhouse (ie. loud), we actually prefer CityCentre. The River Oaks location is great if you are looking for a "scene", but if you just want a nice dinner with the family or the hubby or looking for a place to conduct business, opt for the CityCentre location. We also compliment Eddie V's on their dining setup at the CityCentre location. Made up of mostly booths, it has a cozy and private feel to it. The bar is separate and offers a live pianist as well.

On our first visit to Eddie V's they surprised us by offering their Tomahawk Steak. This is truly a "special" steak by far. Seemingly constructed to represent an entree that Mr. and Mrs. Flintstone would eat, the Tomahawk Steak is a whopping 32 ounces! Now, that's not all beef. The huge dinosaur bone most likely covers a majority of that. However, this steak was plenty for two gals plus some. Similar in texture to the marbled ribeye, the Tomahawk Steak combines the ribeye's full flavor with the added bang that comes from the bone. It quickly won us over and as we visited Eddie V's time and time again, we always confirmed its availability first. Unfortunately, the Tomahawk Steak is a seasonal item that is not always in stock and it is never on the menu. So, you better ask :-). The Tomahawk Steak costs approximately $79; but remember; it can feed two adults.

Although the Tomahawk Steak is great in all its guts and glory, nothing, and we mean nothing, tops the Eddie V's "Bone-in Filet". The filet has come to be a fave of many steak connoisseurs, but you ain't seen nothing until you've had the opportunity to try this one. Take the lean texture and distinctive taste of the filet and pair that with a bone-in cut of meat. For us foodies, we know what the bone does; right...it keeps all that flavor and juiciness right in the heart of the beef giving it tons of depth and flavor! This steak is all of that and then some. It is most definitely in the top 3 for the Urban Swank Girls, and we don't mess around with our top 3. You have got to earn this title. Eddie V's won us over that day and we have since then brought our parents and close friends to Eddie V's to be won over too. Like the Tomahawk Steak, the Bone in Filet is not on the menu and is not available nightly.  The server will typically tell you about the steak if it’s available. This one will run you around $65 a pop.

Aside from having some of the best steaks, Eddie V's also offers several amazing side dishes that are worth mentioning:

· Crab Fried Rice with Mushrooms

· Truffled Macaroni and Cheese

· Sugar Snap Peas with Garlic & Sesame

Although we have not tried all the appetizers (yet), some are pretty tasty:

· Chilled Avocado and Jumbo Lump Crab Cocktail with Lime and Spicy Remoulade Sauce (Urban Girls' fave)

· Cold Water Maine Lobster Tail with Crisp Batter with Honey Mustard Sauce

· Maryland-Style All Lump Crab Cake with Sautéed with Chive Remoulade Sauce (Swanky Girls' fave)

· Maine Lobster and Shrimp Bisque with Fresh Maine Lobster, Cream and Cognac

Each time we visit Eddie V's, we must also decide if we are going for the appetizer or the dessert (as it is way too much food to take on all three courses unless we are sharing). We will get into the dessert later, but 85% of the time, the infamous Eddie V's Bananas Foster wins; which is also a top 3 for the Urban Swank Girls!

Eddie V's, however, does have one downfall. If it were not for the specialty steaks, we actually would not order steaks at Eddie V's. Bold statement, we know, bear with us. The specialty steaks are phenomenal and we would put them up against anyone's steaks, but they fall short when it comes to the regular steaks on their menu. We have not been able to put our finger on the actual reason or cause, but after trying several of their regular steaks, we have not been impressed. It is really a combination of things...the flavor...just OK...the texture...just OK...the temperature...good. There is nothing great or horrible about them; they are just OK. Eddie V's offers other items on their menu aside from their steaks that are fabulous like the Crab Stuffed Colossal Shrimp grilled with Lemon Butter and Chive Vinaigrette or any one of their Chilean Sea Bass dishes.

Okay, now let's get to the good stuff. If you go to Eddie V's and you do NOT try the Bananas Foster you should be ashamed of yourself...lol! This has got to be one of the most consistently great desserts served at any restaurant in the nation. Seriously folks, it’s just that good. Now, Eddie V's has not created a traditional Bananas Foster, they have taken it to the next level and created something very special. The Eddie V's Bananas Foster is a very moist butter yellow cake topped with caramelized bananas that is set on fire with a rum and brown sugar mixture. This is not your typical run of the mill yellow cake, to add to its richness, the cake is sitting on top of Cheesecake! On the side they have added a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a scoop of toffee ice cream, by local favorite Henry's Homemade Ice Cream.

And last but not least, let's not forget about the drinks. We have enjoyed their Lemon Drop and their El Jimador Traditional Margarita! Take it from us, Eddie V's is a fabulous place to dine in Houston! Remember, "It's not just about the food, It's about the experience!"

~ Urban Swank, The Urban Swank Girls

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