Monthly Archives: January 2013

Date 2 – Turquoise Turkish Grill

Where: Turquoise Grill off  Norfolk and Kirby near Richmond, 3701 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX
When: January 11,  2013

This quaint deli style café is tucked away between office buildings on Norfolk just off of Kirby a few blocks south of Richmond; be careful as it is easy to pass on by.  I was recommended to try Turquoise from a friend of mine who is Turkish as she remarked that the food was very good.  It is hard to argue with a person knows more about the topic than myself.  I had it on to my to try list for over a year, and tonight was the night.

We started off with some Turkish tea and an order of hummus.  I’ve had Turkish tea before, and it is usually served in a traditional tulip shaped glass called a Kyrenia.  However, this was just in a tea in a cup, but like good coffee, I could drink as much as I wanted.  The pita bread and hummus was light and very well balanced, with no overpowering flavors and most importantly fresh.

For the main course, Nicole ordered the Tilapia and Shrimp in a Burrata cream sauce.  I opted for one of the many kebabs, in particular the Sultan Beyti Kebab, which consisted of beef and lamb rolled in a light bread with a spicy tomato sauce and yogurt.  I was a bit confused about the “rolled in light bread” description on the menu  thinking it could be some sort of bread crumbs, but in fact it was almost like a tortilla. With a side of rice and vegetables, my kebab was tasty to say the least.  More accurately, creamy, spicy that was gentle on the tongue, a different spice experience from eating Mexican food.  The meat was very tender and bread was soft, it would be worth ordering again.  However the menu overall had so many great selections on the menu, it was one of those times where it is tough to pick something because it all sounded good.    Prices were reasonable ranging from about $8 to $13 a plate.

 

The place has a casual atmosphere and would strike you as more of a lunch place, think Turkish restaurant meets deli,  however wine and beers were available.  We arrived and there were only about three or four tables of people, a few more trickled in during our meal.  My only criticism is it seemed a bit short staffed, with only one waitress taking care of everybody.

The food was great at Turquoise, however there is no reason why this place should not be busier on a Friday night.   I think perhaps their location is working against them or that they really cater to the lunch crowd.  Whether lunch or dinner Turquoise deserves a try.

Nicole’s Notes:
I was surprised at the casual nature, and that it was quiet on a Friday night.   A bit disappointed but understanding that they were out of Haydari (Lebanese cheese dip).  My food was creamy and delicious. Service was friendly but understaffed; an enjoyable experience overall and a fun but unlikely date spot.

Date 1 – Bellissimo Ristorante

Where: Bellissimo in the Heights, 6500 N Main St, Houston, TX
When:  January 4, 2013

First place was ladies’ choice. We met after work at a nearby coffee shop and decided to start our gastronomic New Year’s resolution. We had plans with friends that evening, so I chose a neighborhood restaurant I had heard good things about.  I figured the spicy Mexican influences would please Brenden and I would be happy with the creamy, cheesy Italian dishes. Plus, I haven’t had much Italian food in Houston  and wanted something warm and comforting in my belly in the few weeks of cold weather we experience each year.

We arrived just before 7pm and on a Friday night, we had one couple ahead of us in line, which was extremely reasonable given the size of the space. I was relieved to see it be relatively casual for an Italian place.  We had a small wait and were seated and served by our waiter, Omar. Omar was very friendly and asked how we had heard about Bellissimo. He happily explained the compelling story behind the restaurant, how the head chef of Mia Bella had ventured out with his own family-run restaurant.

Bellissimo has applied for but has not received their alcohol license and is currently BYOB. Everyone dining had brought their own wine bottle(s). We were still alcoholed-out from New Year’s Eve and elected a favorite of ours to drink, sparkling water.

Viewing the menu, we saw many enticing dishes; it was hard to make a decision. You had the option to create your own pasta or pizza sans the usual upcharges for customization. We decided to forgo an appetizer, and each got an pasta dish with a Caesar salad. Brenden chose the Main Street, pasta with grilled chicken, Italian sausage, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes in a black pepper cream sauce. I dined on a dish I think was called Fettuccine alla Bellissimo, with shrimp, spinach, mushrooms in a Parmesan cream sauce (note to self: keep more notes to self next time).

While we waited for our food, we enjoyed our fresh bread and olive oil and watched the wait to get a table grow. Both of us remarked how excellent our timing was.  We wrote the rules of our 52 Dates resolution and what to include on a post.

 

Our Caesar salads had real anchovy on them, something I always appreciate. Our food came perfect, portioned well and seasoned. I was surprised how much of a kick the typically mild alfredo  sauce had. I loved my meal.  Brenden was still hungry after finishing, so we ordered dessert. We settled on the tiramisu. It wasn’t exceptional, but it presented well.

When our check came, I was very pleased – we got specialty beverages, salads, 2 pasta dishes and dessert and with tip the total came to (wait for it)… 52 dollars. I was glad to explore my own neighborhood and find this not-so-secret gem of a restaurant. We hope to return soon (definitely on off-peak hours!)

Bellissimo Houston

 

Brenden’s Take: 

Overall, I found the salad, pasta and dessert average Italian food. The place is new and they’re trying to make it work on a budget, so the place is a little cramped. With how they laid out their floor plan, I kept getting bumped into by the waiter. I would go back though and try something completely different, like the pizza, but I would hit it up on a weekday.