Minute Maid Park: Concessions by a Celebrity Chef

When Bryan Caswell was voted out of the running for the Food Network's The Next Iron Chef, it was far from the end of his career. The Southern native went on to open his own restaurant, REEF, in Houston and join Continental Airlines' team of chefs, who devise in-flight menus. But most importantly for Houston Astros fans, he also took on two new projects at their home field that greatly elevated its culinary scene. These concessions stands have left their mark on Minute Maid Park:

  • Little Bigs. Tucked amid the other concessions outside of Section 109, this new spot may look modest, but it serves Caswell's take on ballpark classics. The menu includes handcrafted burgers, pork sliders, and potato chips.
  • El Real. Another concession stand, El Real sits outside of Section 132 but offers more classically Texan cuisine—Tex-Mex, to be exact. Here, you can order fajitas stuffed with chicken or steak and a side of nachos.

Find out more about the cuisine surrounding the Astros' home field at the Minute Maid Park's website.

Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday as we remember all those heroes who have served our nation.

BB’s Café: Cajun Fare in Houston

Craving authentic Cajun cuisine? Plan a trip to Houston's BB’s Café. The dining area is laid back and comfy, and the menu is just what you’d expect from a place that started out as a Po-Boy joint. The Po-Boys are stuffed with great ingredients like gulf shrimp, fried Mississippi catfish, Louisiana crawfish tails and homemade roast beef, on a French roll with fixings. You’ll think that you just landed on the bayou! Try other favorites like Maw-Maw’s Gumbo, crawfish etouffee or red beans & rice. There are also lots of Tex-Orleans platters that you can enjoy. Having an event? BB’s can cater any affair, and can even put together a crawfish-shrimp boil!

BB’s Café
2710 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 524-4499
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bbs-cafe-houston

Roost: Fusion Fare in Houston, Texas

Using farm fresh ingredients and a seasonal tapas menu that fuses Southern, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Roost has earned itself a favorite place on the Houston dining scene. The menu changes every three weeks, so you can always count on new flavors emerging from the kitchen. Sumptuous plates – to share, or not – include a Mason Jar Pickles of Local Produce, Smoked Trout Mousse with rye toast points, Fried Cauliflower with miso dressing & pine nuts, Beer Can Cornish Hen with honey mustard sauce, Curried Crab Cakes with chayote squash slaw and Angus Flatiron Steak with pickled watermelon. The ‘Gimme Some Suga’ dessert menu features taste tempters like Coffee N’ Donut Holes with salted caramel & coffee ice cream. Yum!

Moments from The Augusta, Roost is open for dinner Monday through Saturday.

Roost
1972 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 523-7667
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roost-houston

Happy Mother’s Day!

Wishing all the moms out there a wonderful day!

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5 Picnic Recipes to Make This Summer

Having a picnic is on just about everyone’s bucket list each summer. There’s something so enjoyable about eating on a blanket outdoors, but you may start to get a bit tired of the same sandwiches and potato salad year after year. Here are five unique recipes to pack in your picnic basket this summer.

Summer Crab Rolls [Cooking Light]
Seafood lovers will adore these light, slider-style mini sandwiches topped with flavorful crab cakes.

Couscous Salad Cups [Cooking Light]
Forgo the usual mayo-heavy salads in favor of something healthier and just as tasty. This couscous salad is served inside of lettuce “cups” for easy serving even while outdoors, and the feta adds something extra to the simple recipe.

Belle’s Hamburger Buns [AllRecipes]
Instead of using flavorless, store-bought hamburger buns, make your own light and fluffy version right at home. Prep them ahead of time and then bake for just 20 minutes to impress your guests with homemade bread for burgers on the grill.

Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Raisins [Cooking Light]
If your picnic companions have more adventurous palates, they’ll love this chicken salad recipe with a kick of curry. It’s not quite as creamy as the usual chicken salad recipes, so it tastes fresh and filling on either bread or crackers.

Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade [AllRecipes]
You need a refreshing drink to wash down all those picnic treats, and this fresh, fruity lemonade is just the thing. Blend ice with strawberries and watermelon for a uniquely sweet drink that also quenches your thirst.

Try Every Flavor of Gourmet Cupcake at Sprinkles

Get your sweet treats at Sprinkles in Houston. Although a chain cupcake bakery, customers rave about the fresh deliciousness of the confections. Favorite flavors include the chocolate marshmallow, red velvet, and strawberry but even boring old vanilla still tastes great at Sprinkles! You can even expect gluten free and vegan options. Check the website for today’s flavors, including seasonal specialties. Sprinkles is popular and will often sell out, so get there earlier in the day for the best selection. Although expensive at $3.75 each, these gourmet cupcakes are generously sized.

Sprinkles
4014 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 871-9929
http://www.sprinkles.com/cupcake-bakery-locations/houston
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sprinkles-cupcakes-houston

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Provisions: Stock Up in Houston

Provisions has won over diners with their fresh, flavorful menu, an open kitchen dining area and spacious terrace. Get your party started with a refreshing cocktail like the Highland with green chartreuse, tequila, sugar cane & lime. Add on a Bread & Cheese Plate or a wood-fired pizza with mozzarella, basil & tomato. Some yummy pasta dishes adorn the menu, as do meat entrees like Hanger Steak with spring onions, Suckling Pig Porchetta for Two and Ham’O’Day with mustard rye. Fish entrees include Curried Mussels with cauliflower, Shrimp Salad with celery-apple remoulade, and Big Eye Tuna with fennel. Save a spot in your tummy for a tantalizing dessert like Neapolitan Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Minutes from The Augusta, Provisions is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Provisions
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/provisions-houston

Happy Spring!

The sun is shining and the flowers are starting to bloom. Wishing everyone a lovely Spring!

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