Taste Historical Peruvian Dish "Causa" At Culinary Stars

Some things have started to get back to normal, a month after Hurricane Harvey hit our city. For some of us, nothing has changed but unfortunately there are many who are still working to get back on their feet. The weather forced the canceling of Houston Chronicle's Culinary Stars event, but lucky for all of us the event was rescheduled!

51Fifteen Houston Restaurant Weeks Preview

Another day another preview, right!? This preview was part of Landmark Hospitality's Houston Restaurant Weeks preview for three of their restaurants. I dined with the staff from the three restaurants and had a chance to get any questions answered to to also get some insight into their world. Most of you have probably been to 51fifteen or at least seen their outdoor sign at the Galleria. If you haven't dined there, this is a perfect place to dine after a long day of shopping, because the restaurant is located on the second floor of the newly revamped Saks Fifth Avenue wing. This beautifully designed version of 51fifteen scream modern elegance, with granite walls, blue velvet dining booths, golden accents and sleek lighting.

Houston Press Tacolandia Festival | #TacoTuesday Giveaway

On Saturday, October 22th, Houston Press will be hosting their Inaugural Houston Press Tacolandia. Tacolandia is an outdoor taco-sampling event and festival that will feature Houston’s best TACOS, ranging from urban contemporary to authentic street style. The event will have live music, a cash bar with beer and cocktails, as well as awards for best tacos in various categories.

Brunch & Conversation is proud to be working with Houston Press to give you a chance to purchase pre-sale tickets starting today until 10pm Sunday. Be sure to get your tickets so you can get your taco eating on,  Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 4PM – 7PM at The Water Works at Buffalo Bayou Park as we celebrate the Inaugural Houston Press Tacolandia.

Last year was really delicious, and a great turn out to add to that. The entertainment was great, the food and drinks and off course great company. You don't want to be the only person sitting at home wishing you had gone to the event, so make sure you grab your tickets before they sell out.

Tickets: http://microapp.houstonpress.com/tacolandia/2016/tickets.php

With today being #TACOTUESDAY, I wanted to do something exciting. I have partnered with Houston Press to give one lucky Brunch & Conversation follower a chance to attend the event( Fo' Free!). All you have to do is;

1. Follow BrunchandConversation on Instagram
2. Comment your favorite place for tacos ( yes, this part is for my personal eating pleasure)
3. Extra Points: Post/regram on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram & tag @brunchandconversation 

Biskit Junkie - Houston, TX

Restaurant:
Briskit Junkie

Location:
403 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006

Hours:
M: Closed
Tue-Th: 7:30a-9p
Fr: 7:30a-10p
Sa: 9a-10p
Su: 9a-3p

Ambiance:
Want to know what's hilarious? I'm a food blogger (which to most people means I know all the places to eat in Houston), but from time to time when I'm put on the spot I can't seem to decide on a place to eat. Maybe it's because, I have to think about what kind of food my guests will enjoy, or what kind of environment they would like to be in. But anyway, my lovely sisters and I had a lovely brunch date at Brisket Junkie in Montrose. This is a place that I'd been eyeing via my foodie friends' instragram pages. Biscuit Junkie is a biscuit and burger joint, should I say, that recently relocated from Oak Forest to the Montrose area. Located off Westheimer and Taft, with one of the tiniest and packed parking lots I've seen. They're a counter style restaurant, so you order and it is brought to you when ready. Once you've finally decided on a dish(Tip: look for pictures on their 'site), comes the other battle; finding a seat. I'd recommend splitting up and having one of your guests save seats, while you do the ordering. #Teamwork

Brasserie 19 - Houston, TX

Restaurant:
Brasserie 19

Location:
1962 W Gray St, 
Houston, TX 77019

Hours:
Mon 11a-9p
Tue-Thur 11a-10p
Fri-Sat 11a-11p
Sun Brunch 10a-3p, Dinner 3p-9a

Ambiance:
Brasserie Dix-Neuf had been on my list for some time now, so I was interested in finding out what this "French Classicism Meets Modern Luxury" concept was all about.  The restaurant joins in with Coppa Osteria and a couple of other restaurants owned by Clark Cooper Concepts. I came to eat here on a Saturday after coming back from my trip to Miami, it was a perfect transition back to the Houston life. It's a very clean, fresh looking area inside and outside, and if you choose to sit outside you can see palm trees and almost feel as though you are near a beach(sigh). I have to so though, that the service is MEDIOCRE, seriously- considering the beauty and freshness of this restaurant, you would think the staff would be in line with that image.

What I Ate:
While looking at the menu, I had my eyes on the Croque Monsieur/Madame and the Brasserie 19 Burger. After weighing my options, I decided to go with the burger and a mimosa- yes, I thought "I'm sure this will be a deliciously fresh burger." Boy was I wrong, after several minutes after- Our food came! I was given a mountain of fries with a burger and the whole nine. My waiter had forgotten my mustard- so I informed him. Several minutes later after stopping my affair with the fries, I looked down at my burger and realized my tomato was rotten. Ugh, EEWWW!!

I looked around for our waiter, who had been all over the vicinity, all over, serving other customers, and he was nowhere in sight. So, I decided to find him myself and told him. The waiter and manager came and grabbed my plate, the manager was kind and professional. He apologized for his staff and ordered that I be made a fresh plate. Meanwhile as I waited, my sister finished her food- AND I WAS STILL WAITING! We literally saw people come and go out of this restaurant and I hadn't eaten a thing- other than those few fries. Several minutes went by, and the manager came with my burger, fries and mustard sauce(Finally!) 

I begin to eat the Brasserie Burger that I waited years to get, aaaaaannndd it was the plainest burger I have EVER tasted, even the mustard didn't help. Maybe I'm picky with my burgers( hence why I hardly eat them) or I don't know much about burgers. But what I'm sure of is that the meat should be seasoned- and seasoned well! Overall, this restaurant was a disappointment- Cool environment, but bad service!