An emphasis on healing and wellness has always attracted people to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Trend-setting BODY is a destination for well-being and health, offering massage, classes and an organic café and boutique. Massages are customized to individual needs by the healers who deliver them.

What’s Hot Now?

Eat Raw If you have been afraid to jump on the raw food train, BODY’s organic café is the perfect place to tempt your palate. The menu pushes the envelope with tantalizing vegan, raw and organic options. Don’t miss the raw enchilada; it is surprisingly enchilada-like. A tortilla is created from a dehydrated puree of veggies. Amazingly spicy, the red chile sauce will trick your taste buds into thinking they are in the Mexican Riviera.

Nia Short for “neuro-muscular integrative action,” is a mixture of martial arts, yoga and dance. Sessions begin with deep-breathing exercises set to soft music. Movements are slow and steady. As the music gradually speeds up, so do the ballroom dance-type steps (heel-toe-slide-dip). “Sometimes you vocalize,” says Spa Services Manager Lynse Rubin. During a Tae kwondo-style kick, you might be asked to emit a “huh!” or shout “yes” while throwing your arms skyward. “It’s touchy-feely and playful,” comments Rubin, who adds that this is their most popular new class.

BODY; www.bodyofsantafe.com  505-986-0362

Giacomo’s cibo e vino to serve Fall Harvest Pumpkin Risotto

Lynette Hawkins, owner and executive chef of Giacomo’s cibo e vino, 3215 Westheimer (at Bammel Lane), will be serving a Fall Harvest Pumpkin Risotto as a seasonal special. The Fall Harvest Pumpkin Risotto is made with pureed roasted butternut squash and pumpkin, cremini and shiitake mushrooms, and fresh cranberries. “The cool weather definitely inspires me to create autumn comfort food,” stated Hawkins. “Roasting the squash and the pumpkin until carmelized, creates a richer and sweeter flavor, that contrasts well with the tart cranberries. The meaty mushrooms define the flavor of autumn, and add an earthy, savory component to the risotto.” Price $15. Add pan-seared diver scallops: $20.  For more information about Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino, please visit GiacomosCiboeVino.com, or call 713-522-1934.
 

Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is a casual neighborhood Italian café and wine bar decorated with retro furnishing and bright colors from the 1950’s. The menu offers authentic regional Italian as well as other Mediterranean inspired dishes and showcases “cichetti” – small plates of hot and cold antipasti. Giacomo’s has an extensive selection of boutique Italian wines, many of which are offered by the glass, in 3 ounce or 6 ounce pours, or by the “quartino” – ¼ litre carafe.

Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino is located at 3215 Westheimer (at Bammel Lane), Houston, Texas, 77098.  Giacomo’s is open from 11 am until 10 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and from 11 am until 9 pm on Sunday. Closed Monday. For more information on Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino, please visit Giacomosciboevino.com or call 713-522-1934.

The atmosphere at this Durham located establishment is festive.  The evening we visited, tables were singing and clapping.  There is a communal dining vibe, this is the perfect place to party with a big group.  One long room with concrete floors makes for a loud evening, be prepared. There is a bar area, small patio and balcony.

The kitchen was bustling as they served up the tasting menu.

It  started with a flavorful bang! 

Albondigas: the Meat/Pork meatballs and spicy tomato concasse is the best item on the menu. We’d swim in this sauce if we could.

The next item was the Pizzetas de Queso de Cabra y Vegetales.  A long name basically meaning a flat bread pizza with fresh vegetables. Yes!  The veggies on this item were very fresh!

Other items included:

Fideua: Seafood noodle paella. This came in a small bowl; more like a tiny shrimp spaghetti.

Croquetas de Chorizo: Chorizo Revilla, Bechamel Sauce.  Special note about the Bechamel sauce. This should be offered with as many dishes as possible.  It’s super great! Pinchose de Ensaladilla Rusa: Spanish Baby Potato salad. This was light and refreshing.  We’ve never had potato salad on bread, but it worked.

Pinchos de Chorizo: Revilla Chorizo

700 S. Durham

832-360-1750

www.conviviohouston.com

Amuse Bouche

On Thursday, March 24th, Houston welcomes a touch of New York’s West Village with an exciting, new restaurant: Trattoria Il Mulino.

An off-shoot of the famed Il Mulino New York, Trattoria Il Mulino offers a casual, family-friendly dining experience in a lively atmosphere with a menu emphasizing classic Italian cuisine from the Abruzzi region of Italy.

The amuse bouche was the most flavorful eggplant with garlic, basil and sun-dried tomatoes.The interior design of Trattoria IL Mulino, as its’ name implies, creates a fun, come as you are atmosphere for guests. The open concept and large exhibition kitchen make dining here fun for all. Our group decided to share our dishes family style so we could taste the most options.

Carpaccio

The prices here will not break the bank. Most entrees were under $30.   We split a margarita pizza, and enjoyed the veal parmesan – it is huge – it takes an entire plate.  We also had veal piccata and cantelloni.

Grappa

One of the specialties of the house at Trattoria Il Mulino is the house-made Grappa which has been a tradition in Northern Italy for centuries.  At the bar, you can chose from  a variety of house-made, infused grappas such as Pear, Blueberry, Strawberry, Fig, Raspberry, Apricot, and Raisin. The process consists of taking the distilled spirit and fermenting it with the fruit of your choice. We allow time, Mother Nature, and a little love to create these delectable digestifs. As a finale to your meal, we serve a complimentary pour of house-made Limoncello.

Trattoria Il Mulino is in the new Westin Houston Memorial City and open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 945 Gessner at I-10. For reservations, please call (832) 358-0600.

To bring his concept to life, Ray teamed up with Executive Chef Soren Pedersen who finds inspiration in all ingredients that are natural and organic. The ever-changing menu items are directly dictated by seasonal availability of both organic and natural fruits and vegetables, as well as certified natural cuts of meats and seafood. The kitchen features an open dining experience, emphasizing a direct connection with Chef Soren and his staff.

To complement the perfect meal, Ray’s has an extensive wine list, including several organic wines. Complimentary wine tasting events are held every Thursday evening from 6-8 pm. For our meal, Chef Soren suggested we start with an Appetizer Sampler. The sampler included the Crab Cake with Watercress and Lemon Butter Sauce, the Iron Skillet Seared Fois Gras and, my personal favorite, the Antipasto plate with Serrano ham, marinated vegetables and a wonderful, homemade sausage.

For my main course, I chose the Wild Boar Osso Buco with a parsnip puree kumquat chutney and natural jus. It was by far the finest plating I have seen presented at a restaurant in quite some time. For my wife, the 25 year-old red balsalmic sauce on the Green Peppercorn Crusted Lamb Rib Chop was rich without being overbearing. It was served with a wonderful squash puree. We also tried the South Texas Antelope Mignon & Elk Sausage (purchased from local ranchers) that was cooked to perfection and complimented with a savory appletart and cinnamon spiked pinot noir. Our favorite side was the White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese; a must have at Ray’s.

Chef Soren also provides complete Vegan dishes. The Seasonal Vegetable Lasagna is amazing and is baked with tofu. The Fresh Vegetable Curry sautéed with quinoa pasta and leeks is also delicious.

If it is seafood you crave, you’ll have to ask your wait staff. Chef Soren provides only the freshest fish available to our area, so the seafood menu changes daily.

To finish the perfect meal, Chef Soren prepared for our table an array of desserts. Our favorite was the Warm Anjou Pear Tart with Crème Fraiche.

Along with amazing fare, Ray’s Gourmet Country also presents a number of activities–“Jazz Night” every Thursday, with the complimentary wine tasting from 6-8 pm, a “Brunch Buffet” every Sunday from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm (only $20 per person) and a cooking class, “Ray’s Grill and Royal Prestige,” with Chef Soren Pedersen, held on the last Wednesday of every month (only $35 per person). Reservations are strongly recommended for all activities, for although it started as a small town concept, Ray’s has quickly become a favorite among not only Fort Bend County residents, but greater Houston area dwellers as well.

“We do have plans underway for a brand new concept at West Alabama and Greenbriar, as well,” confides owner Ray Salti. “The restaurant will be named Sorrel after the slender plant, with juicy stems and edible, oblong leaves.
I will leave the rest up to your imagination, but it is sure to please the palate.”

Visit www.raysgrill.com for the menu, directions to the location, or to learn more about the specials, wine dinners, tasting events, private rooms and more! To Ray Salti, Chef Soren Pedersen and the entire staff at Ray’s Gourmet Country…thank you! To H Texas readers, this eatery is well worth the short drive to Fulshear.

Sonoma Wine Bar & Restaurant

2720 Richmond Avenue.
Houston, TX 77098
www.sonomahouston.com
713-526-WINE (9463)

by Laurette M. Veres

After weeks of disappointing drive bys, we drove to the new Zimm’s last night and it was finally open! A friendly staff was eager to please and serve.  The décor is minimal with fleur-de-lis garnishing the bar and the smell of deep fried grease garnishing the airways.  The outside deck runs along Richmond Ave. and frat boys were playing Petanque.  This is Houston’s only official court for this French version of Italian bocce or English lawn bowling and should be an interesting addition to the neighborhood.

The menu is mainly seafood and mainly fried: fried oysters, fried po-boy sandwiches and the like.  We tried the slow roasted lamb sandwich (they call it a rich-boy), ceviche, pulled pork sandwich and fried oyster po-boy.  All were good.  Not great, but good.  The sandwiches come with homemade potato chips, which are great.  The most interesting feature at Little Zimm’s is the wine list.  There isn’t one.  Each evening, three categories of wine are available: cheap, good and fancy.  The owners are purchasing odd lots of great wines at discount pricing and passing the savings onto customers.  For instance, last night the fancy wine was a Cabernet Syrah Pere et Fils. This was a great value for $34, but here were only four bottles in house.  When we left there was only one.

601 Richmond Ave.

On Oct 13, 2010, at 12:54 PM, Laurette Veres wrote:

Date: Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Description: The third incarnation of Américas, the global culinary experience from famed chef and restaurateur, Michael Cordúa, opens in the River Oaks Shopping Center.  Partnered once again with celebrated architect and designer Jordan Mozer, who brought his outstanding vision to the original Américas in 1993, Américas River Oaks will be a unique dining experience that represents the weaving of South, Central and North American cultures and cuisines.  Cordúa, whose reputation as one of the leading proponents of authentic Latin cuisine, returns to his foundational roots and creates a stage to showcase the yummy foods that the Americas have given to the world.

Location: 2040 West Gray (@ Shepherd), Houston, TX 77057

To make reservations, call (832) 200-1492 or visit www.cordua.com

Web: http://www.cordua.com

June 25, 2010. Houston. It’s Fiesta Time at Pico’s Mex-Mex Restaurant, 5941 Bellaire Boulevard, who will be celebrating the 4th of July with an All-You-Can-Eat “Backyard” BBQ. “The 4th of July is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends,” stated owner and chef Arnaldo Richards, “that is why I am inviting my family of customers to celebrate the holiday at my All-You-Can-Eat “Backyard” 4th of July buffet. We will be grilling Carnes Asadas (beef, chicken and pork), Hot dogs, Sliders, accompanied with Chilaquiles, Migas con huevo, Mexican rice, Charro and refried beans, chile con queso, guacamole salad, pico de gallo, salsas, corn chips, corn and flour tortillas and more, all served under the palapa.  We will also be serving $5 bottomless Mimosas, $7 Cuervo Tradicional Shaker Margarita, $5 Bloody Marys and Tequila Sunrise, and $2.75 Micheladas.” The 4th of July All-You-Can-Eat Backyard BBQ Buffet will be served from 11:30 am until 6 pm. Price: $12.95 per adult and $8.95 per child under 10 years of age. For more information about Pico’s Mex-Mex Restaurant’s 4th of July All-You-Can-Eat Backyard BBQ Buffet, please visit Picos.net, or call 713-662-8383.