Palma de Cera: Latin American Cuisine

Drawing inspiration from the cuisines of Cuba, Argentina, and Colombia, Palma de Cera is one of Katy’s most popular Latin restaurants. While Mexican food is plentiful in the area, fewer eateries delve into the rich and invigorating food of other Latin American cuisines, so this place is always packed with interested eaters. The chefs use the highest quality ingredients to craft plates that are filling, affordable and delicious.

Some of the best appetizers on the menu include the empanadas, tasty fried pastry pockets made from cornmeal dough and stuffed with a variety of delicious fillings. Entrees are well-esteemed – regulars love the bandeja paisa, a Colombian mixed plate with fried pork belly, steak, sausage, sweet plantains, rice, beans, avocado, a fried corn cake and a fried egg. It’s a massive meal that is guaranteed to leave you stuffed. Other favorites include the lomo de cerdo, a grilled tenderloin in mushroom sauce, and the Caribbean seafood soup.

Palma de Cera
2004 S. Mason Road
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 392-3800
http://palmadecera.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/palma-de-cera-katy

Happy Presidents’ Day

Remembering the courage and vision of past and present leaders, we honor and share the spirit of Presidents' Day together as a nation.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Wishing everyone a day filled with fun and happy memories!

Kenzo Sushi Bistro: Fresh Sushi in Katy, Texas

Sushi bars are judged on two main factors – the freshness of the fish and the ability of the chefs to turn it into spectacular presentations. Kenzo Sushi Bistro in Katy excels on both counts. This local favorite has been pleasing palates since opening in 2007, offering both traditional dishes and more fusion-oriented fare. Located in the La Cinterra Center, it’s a top-notch place to bring a date or a group of friends.

The menu is extensive, with some favorites from the more traditional side being the thinly-sliced hot rock beef that’s cooked tableside on a heated stone and the delicious eel rolls. The more experimental rolls also win raves – check out the Houstonian, made with spicy tuna, cucumber, fresh salmon and avocado, or the Atomic Roll with spicy salmon, jalapeno peppers, spicy tuna and chili sauce!

Kenzo Sushi Bistro
23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 371-8200
http://kenzosushi.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kenzo-sushi-bistro-katy

Find Creative Cookie Recipes Online with These 2 Sites

You want to bring a homemade batch of cookies to your next dinner party or special occasion, but your usual chocolate chip recipe just won’t do. If you’re looking for a truly creative, sophisticated cookie recipe, these websites are the perfect resources.

Smitten Kitchen
This adorable cooking site is full of baking inspiration, and the cookie section is something to be admired. New York-style Black and White Cookies are stylish additions to any party, and they’re truly simple to make. For something a bit more unique, the tangy Key Lime Meltaways, savory Crispy Salted Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookies, or refreshing Green Tea Cookies are all delicious and beautiful recipes that your friends will surely admire.

101 Cookbooks
101 Cookbooks offers modern cookie recipes for the stylish baker. Whole Bean Vanilla Cookies make your whole house smell simply divine, and using a real vanilla bean instead of the usual extract makes all the difference. Biscotta al Pistachio are tiny, bite-sized versions of everyone’s favorite coffee pairing, while Olive Biscuit Cookies are truly unique, but just as delicious as traditional sweet cookies. No matter your taste or the occasion, 101 Cookbooks has a cookie recipe for everyone and everything.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch: Shopping and More in Katy, Texas

If you’re in the Katy area and looking for a serious shopping destination, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch could become your new favorite place. Offering a unique mélange of old town elegance and modern retailers located in the heart of the Cinco Ranch planned community, this retail palace boasts over 200,000 square feet of retail space, occupied by stores including Eddie Bauer, Coldwater Creek and Chico’s. It’s an awesome place to just walk around and also great for people-watching. There are even plenty of excellent places to eat here if you get peckish.

On Saturday nights, live music starts at 7 p.m. in the Central Green area. Bring a picnic blanket and make an evening of it. There’s plenty of parking available through several underground garages as well as surface lots. LaCenterra also hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including a popular holiday tree lighting that draws celebrants from all over the community.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch
23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 395-5533
http://www.lacenterra.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lacenterra-at-cinco-ranch-katy

Spring Creek Barbeque: Slow Cooked

Texas is well-known for its barbecue, and one of the top-notch places to get transcendently good slow-cooked meat in Katy is Spring Creek Barbecue. The smoked pork ribs here are out of this world – they’re tender enough to fall off the bone but the outside is perfectly crispy and delectable. Their sauces are also great, packing tons of flavor. Other prime meats include the beef brisket – get it on a sandwich with plenty of sauce and you’ll be satisfied all day. Their sides are also great, with all you can eat vegetables giving you a little healthy factor for your meal. Sunday is the prime day to visit, as before three in the afternoon you can get a free scoop of ice cream for dessert. They also have a fresh cobbler station if you have a real sweet tooth!

Spring Creek Barbeque
21000 Katy Freeway
Katy, TX 77449
(281) 829-0359
http://www.springcreekbarbeque.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/spring-creek-barbeque-katy

The Past Is a Present at Vogelsang Antiques Emporium

A good day of antiquing starts in a familiar spot and then leads you in a new direction, a shopping experience that Vogelsang Antique Emporium has sustained for 15 years. Located in the century-old Vogelsang building in the historic downtown district, Vogelsang Antique Emporium offers a wide variety of antiques, including paintings, furniture, clothing, and books.

Aside from the antiques, Vogelsang is home to several businesses; you can begin your day at the Ol’ RR Café with a big country breakfast, pick up delicious craft jellies at Brazos River Provision Co., and then relax with a glass of wine at BR Vino. Bring the family back on the weekend to enjoy a show at Cast Theatrical, Vogelsang’s in-house live performance theater. Check out their website for the performance, shopping and dining times. Discovering new treasures and historical variety at Vogelsang Antique Emporium is a great way to spend any day.

Vogelsang Antique Emporium
1909 Avenue G
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
281-342-6804
http://www.vogelsangantiques.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vogelsang-antique-emporium-rosenberg

Texas Roadhouse: Katy Steaks

Roadhouse-style cooking is a Texas trademark, and if you haven’t experienced it you’re really missing out. Roadhouses are open restaurants with big tables, wood floors and delicious steak, barbecue, and other favorites. Walk in the door and you’ll be greeted by a complimentary bowl of peanuts to shell while you’re waiting for your order to come out of the kitchen.

The menu offers standards and everything on it is executed well. Start off with the delicious fried pickles, which win raves from regulars. For entrees, you can’t go wrong with their hand-cut steaks, especially the well-marbled Fort Worth ribeye. Their tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs also win raves, as do the sirloin tips in mushroom gravy. They also have a VIP club that you can sign up for to get a free appetizer.

Texas Roadhouse
20840 Katy Freeway
Katy, TX 77449
(281) 829-2400
http://www.texasroadhouse.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/texas-roadhouse-katy

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2014!

Pin It on Pinterest