Foodie News
Houston Chef's Table: Benjy Levit is torn between Indika's salads and Hank's IceCream
No one knows Houston restaurants better than the people who run them, own them, and work in the kitchens. In this continuing series, CultureMap is asking our favorite foodie personalities around town where they go for great eats when they're not working.
Benjy Levit has defined the quintessential Houston dining mix of upscale and casual, classic comfort food and global influence since he opened the first Benjy's in Rice Village in 1995. Now with two locations under his belt, Levit spills about his own mix of favorites around town.
He tells CultureMap where he takes his wife, where he lets his kids loose and the meal he seldom gets to enjoy out.
Restaurant for a special occasion:Da Marco. I just went there for my wife's birthday, and had the angel hair pasta with the fresh truffles. It's a little over the top, but delicious.
Restaurant to take out-of-towners to:The Barbecue Inn, for their fried chicken.
Favorite meal: The chaat salad from Indika, a double portion. It's spicy, fresh and healthy.
Breakfast/Brunch favorite: Although it's kinda rare that I get to go out for breakfast, we go to Rustika Bakery or Brasil. The vibe in Brasil feels unlike anything else in Houston, I like its edginess and the people-watching.
Rustika is quick, and it's good for the kids because we make a lot of noise and it just blends in there.
Dessert:Hank's Ice Cream — their butter pecan. I like the banana ice cream with the Nilla wafers, too, and my kids like the vanilla. It's all so good, and they're so nice.
Other articles in the Houston Chef's Table series:
Sugar hooker Rebecca Masson can't get enough of Catalan's Cake
Beachy L.J. Wiley digs the special occasion simple flavors at Dos Brisas
David Grossman goes for Vic & Anthony's crab cake, Yelapa late nights & some Bootsie
Jeramie Robison appreciates Kata Robata's sushi, Beaver's bangin' meatloaf & foodie chicks
Tony Mandola finds breakfast magic at Sunrise Taquitos
Philippe Schmit craves a Picnic romance & Stella Sola's French toast