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    Major Restaurant Troubles

    Five major Houston restaurant problems — and how to fix them

    Marene Gustin
    Marene Gustin
    Oct 1, 2014 | 3:50 pm

    It takes a lot to have a successful restaurant, particularly in Houston where almost everyone is a foodie and the competition for dining dollars is fierce.

    But there are few things that restaurants can do to increase the bottom line and benefit the diners. These five hacks (what the Urban Dictionary refers to as “a clever solution to a tricky problem”) are very welcome little things that will make your dining experience more enjoyable.

    Noise Level
    It’s nice to have a little mood music, but let’s face it, you want to be able to carry on a conversation with your tablemates. Even if you are dining solo, it can be a distraction to reading, taking pictures of your food, whatever, if the “background” music is set at the level of the local metal club. Of course there are some eateries that are just not built to handle sound well.

    There’s nothing worse than not having an extra chair at the table and you have to sit your purse on the floor where the waiter trips over it and someone spills queso on it.

    I find it really annoying to eat in a place where the acoustics are so bad that you can’t hear the mood music over the clatter of silverware and the chitchat at surrounding tables.

    Free Bread/Chips
    It’s ridiculous to be expected to pay for bread or chips, unless it’s something special like garlic bread you want. And even then, at most Italian places where you pay for garlic bread, they have some kind of bread or bread sticks that are free when you sit down.

    And I know that in some places they do charge for a basket of tortilla chips and salsa, but this is Texas and it’s practically a state law that Tex-Mex restaurants serve them for free. And it doesn’t really hurt the restaurants to offer this combo, particularly if the customers are drinking margaritas as the liquor prices more than make up for the cost of the tortillas.

    Ditto with warm bread and butter at dinner when guests may enjoy it with cocktails or wine before they order entrees.

    Purse Hangers
    There’s nothing worse than not having an extra chair at the table and you have to sit your purse on the floor where the waiter trips over it and someone spills queso on it. Luckily, more and more restaurants are wising up to this and adding purse hangers.

    I love a bar that has little purse hooks underneath (I always look for them), as it’s so easy to hang a big bag from them so it’s out of everyone’s way. And even better are the places that have standing, portable purse hangers that sit by the tables and can hold multiple bags. And guys, these are great as hat racks as well.

    Table Jacks
    A huge thank you to Steve Christian, the former owner of Christian’s Tailgate Sport Bar & Grill, who came up with a simple way to fix wobbly tables. You know how annoying it is when you’re seated at a wobbly table: You lean an elbow next to your plate and the table slants 10 degrees.

    Then you and the wait staff spend time searching for beer coasters and sugar packets to stuff under the offending leg, but it still doesn’t work very well. There have been little plastic wedges that slide under the table leg on the market for a while but Christian invented the Table Jack, a simple little plastic device that works kind of like a car jack. Put it under the bad leg and just tap the lever with the tip of your toe and voila! A steady table.

    Etch A Sketches
    And here’s a tip for any restaurant. No need to ban kids from nicer places, just keep them entertained!

    Pico’s Mex-Mex has a supply of Etch A Sketches that they let kids play with while dining. At a recent, and crowded, Sunday brunch we were seated in a room with three nearby tables with little kids. Let me tell you there was not a peep out of any of those children. They were too busy playing with the toys.

    They didn’t fuss. Their parents didn’t have to yell at them and other adult diners where hardly aware of their presence. Absolutely brilliant idea. A quiet toy makes for quiet kiddos.

    It’s practically a state law that Tex-Mex restaurants serve chips for free.

    salsa with chips
      
    eRecipeGuide.com [https://erecipeguide.com/corn-chips-salsa]
    It’s practically a state law that Tex-Mex restaurants serve chips for free.
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    Procrastinator's Guide To Thanksgiving

    Procrastinator's Guide to Thanksgiving: Restaurant choices range from traditional to around the world

    Elizabeth Rhodes
    Nov 24, 2014 | 10:07 am
    Procrastinator's Guide to Thanksgiving: Restaurant choices range from traditional to around the world
    Courtesy photo
    Enjoy roasted turkey breast carved by Fogo de Chao's gaucho chefs, served with sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish.

    With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's time to start making arrangements if you don't already have a Turkey Day feast planned. Use CultureMap's guide — with options ranging from Brasilian cuisine to Cajun fare (and many standards, of course) — to help you figure out where to go and where to make reservations to celebrate the holiday.

    Amalfi
    This Italian newcomer in the Briargrove shopping center is featuring a four-course menu. Start with butternut squash soup. Choose from roasted quail lasagna or riccotta-stuffed pasta for your second course. Entree choices consist of stuffed turkey breast or roast sucking pig served with Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, green beans and eggplant caponata. Finish with chocolate meringue or pecan tart.
    Price: $50

    Americas/Churrascos
    Cordúa Restaurants are hosting a brunch buffet all area Americas and Churrascos locations. The buffet will include familiar dishes with a South American twist, including pumpkin and chorizo empanadas, aji pepper-rubbed turkey and pumpkin spice tres leches to name a few. Many of the restaurants' classic dishes will also be available, and don't miss out on the cinnamon-spiced cranberry sangria.
    Price: $49 for adults, $15 for children aged 6 to 12

    Artisans
    If you're interested in a French take on the holiday, visit this Midtown establishment for their four-course prix fixe feast. The meal begins with a oyster and chorizo cornbread, then on to select from jumbo lump crab cakes or a port braised short rib. Entrees range from wild rice crusted Alaskan halibut to roasted turkey breast with cream of mushrooms. A decadent pumpkin opera cake serves as the perfect finish to the autumnal meal.
    Price: $75

    Brennan's of Houston
    From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the iconic restaurant will be offering a three-course prix fixe meal. For a down-home take on French fare, start with the duck prosciutto and foie gras dish featuring duck cracklins. As for entrees, the Creole roasted turkey with jalapeno cheddar corn pudding and molasses-roasted sweet potato and pumpkin puree steals the show for a Southern take on Thanksgiving staples. Dessert options include cinnamon spiced pumpkin pie and Brennan's iconic banana's Foster.
    Price: $60

    The Federal Grill
    If you are in the mood a traditional Thanksgiving feast, this Washington-area eatery is the place for you. The three-course menu include oven roasted turkey and honey baked ham, as well as standard (and delicious) Turkey Day sides. The restaurant is offering two seatings, one at noon and another at 2:30 p.m.
    Price: $48 for adults, $12 for children 10 and under

    Fogo de Chao
    The well-known Brasilian steakhouse is serving up all the meats you could conceivably want to eat as part of their holiday feast. Roasted turkey breast, sweet potato casserole and cranberry relish will make you feel right at home. In addition to standard holiday fare, the churrascaria is also serving up house specialties like picanha sirloin, filet mignon, lamb chops, bone-in pork chop and bacon-wrapped chicken.
    Price: $52

    Mockingbird Bistro
    This neighborhood bistro is offering a three-course holiday meal from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For the first course, opt for the butternut squash souffle, complete with glazed shimeji mushrooms and toasted pepitas. As for entrees, herb roasted turkey with stuffing and sweet potato puree will satisfy your desire for traditional Thanksgiving fare. Dessert options include pumpkin cheesecake, apple bread pudding and chocolate pecan pie.
    Price: $65 for adults, $25 for children

    Rainbow Lodge
    This long-time restaurant's three-course prix fixe menu features dishes with a distinctly Southern slant. For the first course, you can't go wrong with the "Taste of the Wild," comprised of the chef's sampling of wild game. A medallion of venison paired with stuffed quail and pork belly corn pudding is a stunner, although a more traditional turkey and sides meal is also an excellent option. The croissant bread pudding is a can't-miss dessert choice. The best part yet? You can take home turkey and dressing (enough for a delicious sandwich) for only $5 extra.
    Price: $55

    60 Degrees Mastercrafted
    This ranch-to-table restaurant is offering an extensive buffet in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday. You can expect gourmet updates on classics, including curried deviled eggs and foie gras bread pudding. Entree options include traditional fare, such as slow roasted turkey and baked ham with a brown sugar glaze, as well as herb roasted Akausi roast beef. Don't miss out on sides like fried Brussels sprouts and baked sweet potato casserole.
    Price: $37 for adults, $15 for children 10 and under

    Sorrel Urban Bistro
    Contemporary fare reigns supreme at the Upper Kirby restaurant's final Thanksgiving meal (it will be closing in the new year). From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sorrel offers everything from handmade gnocchi and foie gras brulee to smoked turkey leg and Chilean sea bass. Add some holiday cheer and finish your meal with a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie.
    Price: A la carte

    Did we miss your favorite Thanksgiving destination? Leave a comment below.

    CultureMap food writer Eric Sandler contributed to this article.

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