.collection-type-blog article header .categories { display: none; }

Feasts

14 Delicious Thanksgiving To-Go Options in Houston

This holiday season, those seated around our dinner tables may be fewer than in years past. Although we may not be able to enjoy our relatives home cooked delicacies, never fear many local eateries are offering take out meals or a la carte items to supplement your holiday meal. Here is where to grab delicious takeout meals in Houston this Thanksgiving:

  1. Central Market Holiday Hotline

    This year, Central Market is offering three (3) complete meals, plus best-selling sides and deserts. The minimum order is $70. The Oven-Roasted Turkey Dinner includes all-natural oven-roasted turkey breast, savory cornbread dressing, green beans with toasted almonds, whipped russet potatoes, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce and brioche rolls. This dinner comes in two serving sizes – 4 to 6 people starts at $99.99 or 6 to 8 people starts at $139.99. Alternatively, the Smoked Ham with Apricot Ginger Dinner, which serves 6 to 8 people and includes hickory smoked ham with apricot ginger glaze, savory cornbread dressing, green beans with toasted almonds, whipped sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and brioche rolls. This dinner start at $149.99. Finally, the Herb-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin Dinner serves 6 to 8 people and starts at $249.99. The herb encrusted beef tenderloin with herb au jus includes whipped russet potatoes, jalapeno pecan dressing, green beans with toasted almonds and brioche rolls.

    In addition to the dinner offerings, Central Market is also offering a la carte offerings, which include: bread & rolls, dressings & stuffings, gravy & sauces, soups & salads, tamales, vegetables and various assorted deserts.

    Orders can be picked up between November 23rd through November 26th. Order online here or call the Holiday Meals Hotline at 713-386-1785.

  2. Ragin Cajun

    If you are looking for a Cajun Fried Turkey, there is arguably no better offering than at Ragin Cajun.

    The Traditional Package includes a Cajun fried turkey, holiday gravy, dinner rolls, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole and pecan pie. This package ranges from $140 (serving 6 to 8) to $310 (serving 24 to 30 and includes 2 Cajun turkeys). The Deluxe Package includes a Cajun fried turkey, holiday gravy, dinner rolls, Mandola Caesar salad, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, jambalaya, red beans and rice, peach cobbler and pecan pie. This package ranges from $200 (serving 6 to 8) to $525 (serving 24 to 30 and includes 2 Cajun turkeys). Finally, the Cajun Package includes a Cajun friend turkey, holiday gravy, cornbread, sweet potato soufflé, dirty rice, gumbo with rice, bread pudding and rum sauce. This package ranges from a small package at $165 (serving 6 to 8) to a large package at $410 (serving 24 to 30 and includes Cajun fried turkeys).

    Ragin Cajun is also offering various traditional and non-traditional items including a tur-duck-ens, salads, cornbread & dressing and various sides.

    Order online here or call 713-623-6321. There is a $10 deposit for all orders. Pickup as late at November 25th.

  3. Brennan’s

    This year, Brennan’s partnered with Feges BBQ to offer a Smoked Turkey. The Brennan’s BBQ Smoked Turkey Package costs $325 and includes a smoked turkey, three (3) sides of your choice, a desert of your choice, a quart of gravy, two (2) quarts of turtle soup and a quart of cranberry sauce.

    Additionally, Brennan’s is offering various traditional and non-traditional a la carte items. And the pies de resistance, bulk cocktails serving 6 to 8 starting at $50.

    See Brennan’s Thanksgiving menu here. To place your order, call 713-522-9711. Orders must be submitted by noon on November 17th with pickup on November 24th or November 25th.

  4. Mikki’s Soulfood Café

    Looking for a Soulfood feasts? Look no further than to Mikki’s Soulfood Cafe.

    The Turkey Dinner Combo includes a turkey, green beans, cornbread dressing, candied yams, giblet gravy and dinner rolls. This dinner comes in two serving sizes – 3 to 4 people starts at $89 or 6 to 8 people at $149. The Ham Dinner Combo includes green beans, cornbread dressing, candied yams, giblet gravy and dinner rolls. The dinner comes in two serving sides – serving 3 to 4 people starts at $89 or serving 6 to 8 people starts at $159.

    Various a la carte items and desert selections. Additionally, Mikki’s is offering an assortment of Daiquiris 30 gallon.

    See Mikki’s Soulfood Menu here or call 281-568-5115.

  5. Ouisie’s Table

    This year, Ouisie’s Table is offering three (3) meat selections served with choice of two (2) sides and one (1) desert. Garlic & Pepper Crusted Prime Rib sliced and served with three sauces – Aioli, Tarragon Mustard and Horseradish Cream. The meat, choice of two (2) sides and one (1) desert feeds 15 to 25 people and costs $350. However, if you want the meat only, the cost is $275. Honey Glazed Ham with your choice of two (2) sides and one (1) desert feeds 20 to 25 and costs $175. If you only want the Ham, the cost is $80. Finally, Roasted Turkey with Gravy with your choice of two (2) sides and one (1) desert feeds 10 to 15 and costs $175. If you only want the Roasted Turkey, the cost is $80.

    The a la carte sides each serve 10 to 12 and each cost $50. Ouisie’s Table is even offering their award winning biscuits sold by the dozen.

    See Ouisie’s Table Thanksgiving menu here. To place your order, call 713-528-2264. Order will be ready for pickup on November 25th.

  6. Turkey Leg Hut

    The Turkey Leg Hut has a Catering Menu that will knock your socks off! Get a full pan of 20 Turkey Legs – traditional recipe starts at $200, the flavored recipes start at $240 and the stuffed turkey legs start at $300.

    See a full catering menu. To place your order, call 832-787-0770.

  7. Backstreet Café

    Backstreet Café is offering a la carte items allowing you to pick and chose exactly what works for your family. Select from an Apricot-Mustard Glazed Spiral Ham, Butternut Squash Soup, Wild Mushroom Soup, Sweet Potato Gratin, and so much more.

    See Backstreet Cafe’s full Thanksgiving menu here. To place your order call 713-521-2239.

  8. Rainbow Lodge

    Rainbow Lodge, Houston’s local game eatery, does not disappoint with the game options for Thanksgiving.

    Roasted Meats are cooked medium rare. Rule of thumb for the following offerings is 1½ pounds per person. Whole Beef Tenderloin weights approximately 4 pounds for $159; Whole Venison Lion weights approximately 4 pounds for $229; Whole Bison Tenderloin weights approximately 4 pounds for $349; and Garlic and Rosemary Rack of Lamb serves two (2) for $79. Whole Roasted Turkey with turkey gravy serves 8 to 12 people for $120. Alternatively, a Whole Roasted Turkey Breast with turkey gravy bone in and skin on serves 6 to 8 for $100. Finally, the Bird offerings – Whole Grilled Texas Quail for $16 (includes two per order); Seared Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast for $16; Whole Roasted Duck serves 2 for $49; and Whole Roasted Pheasant serves 2 for $45.

    Rainbow Lodge also offers seasonal sides that serve 4 for $14 each. In addition, select from three (3) outstanding desert – Croissant Bread Pudding with whiskey sauce, Banana Cream Pie with toasted meringue and chocolate shavings and Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.

    Finally, there are various lodge classics being offered as well.

    See Rainbow Lodge’s full Thanksgiving menu here. To place your order, call 713-861-8666 at least 48 hours in advance of pickup. Pickup between November 24th thru November 26th.

  9. The Breakfast Klub

    Each package starts at $65 and includes Smothered Turkey Wings, seasoned rice, dressing, one choice of side and your choice of bread. Breakfast Klub is also offering an assortment of sides for $12 each and desserts.

    Orders must be placed by Monday, November 23rd at 2 PM. See The Breakfast Klub’s full Thanksgiving menu here. To place your order, call 713-524-9901 or email catering@thebreakfastklub.com.

  10. Grace’s

    Grace’s Thanksgiving Feast includes turkey, dressing, sides, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie. The Feast serves 4 to 6 and starts at $100. Alternatively, Grace’s offers meals for four (4), which includes salad, one entrée, two sides and a gallon of ice tea starting at $79.

    Order by November 24th at 713-728-6410.

  11. Carrabba’s - The Original

    Although not offering an official Thanksgiving meal package, Carrabba’s has Family Meals that serve up to 5. If you are looking for a traditional feast, look at sister restaurant Grace’s.

    See Carrabba’s Family Meals menu here.

  12. B&B Butchers

    For those who want to “cook” for Thanksgiving, try the brined & ready to cook turkey starting at $6.99/lb. For all others (me included), a pre-cooked smoked turkey starts at $7.99/lb. B&B is also offering a Roasted Prime Rib, which includes au jus, pommes puree and Yorkshire pudding. Two offering sizes – a whole prime rib serves 10 to 12 and starts at $550 or a half prime rib serves 5 to 7 and starts at $300.

    Traditional sides are also offered in three offering sizes – small (serves 4), medium (serves 6) and large (serves 8). Finally, three (3) house bakes pies – pumpkin, pecan and apple crumble) start at $55 each.

    See B&B Butcher’s full Thanksgiving menu here. To place your order, call 832-767-4828. Orders are available for pickup from Tuesday, November 24th thru Thanksgiving Day at 4 PM.

  13. Killen’s Barbecue

    Killen’s offers some of the states best BBQ, so it does without saying that a Killen’s smoked turkey would be divine! This year, the packages includes a smoked turkey, two (2) quarts of stuffing, two (2) quarts of green beans, two (2) quarts of bread pudding and rolls and starts at $175. The turkey only starts at $75.

    Place orders online here.

  14. Junior League

    The Junior League offers complete meals for $250 serving 10 to 12 or a la carte items. The complete meal includes a 22 lb. roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and pecans, corn casserole made with bacon and sour cream, cheesy broccoli rice casserole, cranberry-orange relish, dinner rolls and two pies (one pumpkin and one pecan).

    Place orders online here or call 713-622-5965.

14 Days of Toddler Breakfast Ideas for Parents on the Go

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – it sets the tone for the remainder of the day. To that end, I try to ensure my toddler has a hearty yet healthy breakfast to start his day. However, as a working mom, time is not always on my side. So, I have compiled 14 visual depictions of quick easy toddler breakfast ideas for moms on the go.

Idea #1: Bagel, pineapples and oatmeal

IMG_5977.JPG

Idea #2: Blackberries, pineapples and oatmeal

IMG_5982.JPG

Idea #3: Bananas, peach yogurt and oatmeal

IMG_5983.JPG

Idea #4: Peach yogurt, apple sauce and fruit salad (bananas, grapes (sliced in fourths) and strawberries)

The fruit salad consists of bananas, grapes (sliced in fourths length-wise) and strawberries (sliced in fourths length-wise).

The fruit salad consists of bananas, grapes (sliced in fourths length-wise) and strawberries (sliced in fourths length-wise).

Idea #5: Peach yogurt, strawberries and waffles

IMG_5993.JPG

Idea #6: Banana nut muffin, fruit salad and peach yogurt

Fruit salad consists of strawberries and blackberries.

Fruit salad consists of strawberries and blackberries.

Idea #7: Peach yogurt, banana nut muffin and a banana

IMG_5997.JPG

Idea #8: Peach yogurt, fresh mandarin oranges and a croissant

IMG_5999.JPG

Idea #9: Banana nut muffin, blackberries and strawberry yogurt

IMG_6003.JPG

Idea #10: Strawberry yogurt, bananas and waffles

IMG_6013.JPG

Idea #11: Peach yogurt, fresh mandarin oranges and whole grain waffles

IMG_6019.JPG

Idea #12: Peach yogurt, strawberries and oatmeal

IMG_6041.JPG

Idea #13: Blackberries, strawberries and oatmeal

IMG_6069.JPG

Idea #14: Blueberry muffin, strawberries and peach yogurt

IMG_6070.JPG

Bonus Idea: Bananas, raisins and oatmeal

IMG_6072.JPG

McDonald's Around the World

At one point in my life, I was a die-heart McDonald’s lover. Two (2) out of my three (3) daily meals would be devoted exclusively to McDonald’s. I literally could not get enough. Plus, I was a law school student on a limited budget and needed to stretch my dollars as far as possible. Not only was McDonald’s “tasty-ish”, it also fit within my economic constraints.

I must admit while in college and law school, I ate terribly due to necessity and economic constraints; however, with age and financial stability came wisdom and perspective. As a thirty-something, I now no longer indulge in fast food. I don’t even let my children partake in fast food. However, for every rule there is an exception – when traveling internationally I along with my children are allowed to indulge in the fast food experience due primarily to limited dining options and the quick turnaround.

To that end, when I started my significant international travel post law school, I would always have a tendency to locate a McDonald’s to check it out. I did not seek out McDonald’s because I was a lover of McDonald’s or because I was looking for familiar cuisine, rather I seek out McDonald’s for comparison purposes. From Japan to Turkey to Argentina to South Africa to Hong Kong, every McDonald’s has a unique menu and flavor profile. Each McDonald’s we’ve visited around the world has the familiar McDonald’s taste; however, none ever matches the U.S.-McDonald’s essence.

One explanation for different flavor profiles can be attributed in large part to food standards. For example, high fructose corn syrup is an additive unique to the U.S. Additionally, the U.S. relies significantly on the use of pesticides on fruits and vegetables and antibiotics are regularly injected into animals (poultry, cows and fish).

During a visit to Argentina, we visited a Kosher McDonald’s, which is one (1) of two (2) countries with a Kosher McDonald’s – the other country being Israel. The Kosher McDonald’s in Argentina is located in the food court in Abasto Shopping Mall. The food was delicious and had a robust flavor profile. Everything tasted and looked fresh. In Japan, McDonald’s offers the typical menu as well as location specific specialties. Our Japanese McDonald’s experience provided an interesting taste profile of traditional menu items along with a cup of hot tea.

When McDonald’s enters a new country or environment outside the U.S., from my experience it seems as though the Operators are allowed to infuse locale cuisine and tradition to a degree. Hence, vising McDonald’s around the world is an experience in and of itself. 

While traveling, manage your expectations. Especially when traveling internationally adapt. Do you research before departing to understand the environment you are visiting. Understand and respect the environment you are entering. Food selections and flavor profiles may be different. Stay open minded and do not denigrate someone’s culture and cuisine because it is different from what you are familiar with.

Keep calm, eat well and safe travels.

7 Tips to Successfully Restaurant-ing with Kids

Babies and young children are sovereign individuals – they have their own minds, thoughts and ideas. Controlling babies/children can be challenging. Following these simple tips will help you avoid a complete disaster while dining with babies/children.

 

1.     Select Restaurant Wisely

When possible, select an age appropriate restaurant when dining with children. Consider sticking to casual dining establishments, which are family friendly. If you absolutely have to take a baby or child to a fine dining establishment, then do so during off-peak hours.

 

2.     Do Not Wait Until Baby is Starving to Dine

Children turn into unrecognizable and often times uncontrollable beings when they are not regularly feed. For example, if your young child normally eats lunch at 12:30 PM, avoid arriving to a restaurant for lunch at 12:30 PM or after. Young children expect to consume food at their regularly scheduled dining time – waiting is not always an option for them. However, if you do sit down for lunch during or after your child’s regularly scheduled mealtime, make sure you have sufficient snacks. Restaurant crackers and bread are usually sufficient deterrents until the meal arrives. The only negative is that your child may be full on crackers or bread by the time the meal arrives.

 

3.     Do Not Dine at Restaurants when Baby is Tired

Again, young children turn into unrecognizable and often times uncontrollable beings when tired. Consider avoiding public dining options when your child is tired.

 

4.     Order Baby’s Food FIRST

When the waiter comes to ask for drink orders, be prepared to order food for your child. This serves two purposes: (1) ensures your child is feed as quickly as possible, thus avoiding any potential break down or tantrum and (2) food serves as a great distraction.  

 

5.     Bring Familiar Utensils, Plates and Cups

Children are universally adaptable; however, to encourage eating in unfamiliar surroundings bringing familiar utensils, plates and/or cups providing additional comfort. Additionally, restaurants usually utilize glass plates and cups and metal utensils. As mentioned above, children are sovereign individuals with their own thoughts and ideas – meaning having a plastic plate, cup, spoon or fork hurled across a table is less significant and safer than the alternative glass or metal.

 

6.     Keep Baby Occupied

Coloring books and crayons are often a temporary deterrent. Make sure to have an arsenal of toys, books or gadgets (silent of course) to occupy your child’s attention while dining. A cell phone or iPad with headphones is also a good distraction mechanism – preferably for children at least 2 years old.

 

7.     Tip Big

Leave a 20% tip at the minimum. Children, while cute, often make a mess one way or the other. A big tip often times forgives any child indiscretions in the eyes of the wait staff. 

 

Good luck and happy dining.