Easy Living, Texas Gulf Style
Baja California is often credited with inventing the fish taco.
But no matter where the first person wrapped the first tortilla around a piece of cooked fish, shrimp tacos have become about as Texas as bluebonnets and barbecue. [Read more…]
August days at the beach are long, sun-kissed affairs that revolve around collecting seashells, paddling through the surf and casting lines between the waves. It’s easy — and fun — to work up an appetite on the coast. [Read more…]
Bartender Robert Lake stands behind the bar at Grazia Italian Kitchen in the Clear Lake area. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
As you enter Grazia Italian Kitchen, the lighting is low and subdued across the dining room. Sumptuous armchairs encircle tables. Deep booths line the rustic wood back wall. A large pizza oven is tucked into the corner, surrounded by a half-moon shaped bar top and stools. The atmosphere is relaxed and unassuming. [Read more…]
On the Texas Gulf Coast, Fourth of July parties are casual and relaxed. All you need are a few festive touches to ready your backyard for a patriotic party. [Read more…]
It’s a simple summer dish that combines two Southern staples: garden grown tomatoes and fresh bay shrimp. [Read more…]
BLVD. Seafood offers a variety of sliders on its lunch menu, including ones topped with guacamole, cheddar cheese and apple wood smoked bacon. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds
Enormous vintage photos of Galveston’s beachfront hang along the walls of this snug seawall spot. The stylish décor has reinvented the building, and BLVD. Seafood’s Executive Chef Chris Lopez has curated a savvy menu of updated Gulf dishes to match. [Read more…]
Summer is awesomely, fantastically busy with only the good stuff — long days on the water and weekends perfumed by the aroma of backyard grills. [Read more…]
A dish comes to the window at Habanero’s Taco Co. in Seabrook. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Habanero’s Taco Co. is charming, welcoming and warm. Walls are splashed with bright hues, and the restaurant is reminiscent of the colorful, casual places in Mexico diners visit while on vacation.
Make no mistake — this is not a Tex-Mex destination. The Seabrook restaurant serves authentic southern Mexican fare hailing from the Yucatán, which sits at the end of Mexico’s curling peninsula. After the arrival of conquistadors, the area’s traditional Mayan cuisine absorbed influences from the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Today, trademark flavors include earthy annatto, citrus, habaneros and pickled onions.
The taco menu is filled with Yucatán flavor bombs, notably the signature cochinita (pork) Pibil Taco. Pulled pork is first marinated in bitter orange and annatto, then wrapped in banana leaves and slow roasted. The flavorful pibil arrives cradled in corn tortillas and garnished with vibrant fuchsia brined red onions marinated in lime.
Every tasty bite of the spiced pork pastor is sweet and savory. This taco is composed of pork loin, marinated in pineapple juice, accompanied by sautéed onions and topped with fresh onions, cilantro and more pineapple. Don’t neglect trying the Lengua à la Mexicana taco. Slivers of tongue meat are braised in spices, tomatoes, onions and bell peppers until they are incredibly soft and tender. The taco is finished with cilantro and chopped white onion for crunch.
Aside from tacos, Habanero’s offers banana leaf-wrapped tamales, fresh tortas and combination dinners. An enticing menu offering almost a dozen vegetarian options is available for diners who don’t eat meat.
To round out a meal, an order of choripapas is a satisfying side dish. This sharable platter of thick cut potato hash is sautéed with chorizo, tomato, onions and bell peppers before a liberal sprinkling of queso fresco. A trio of hot sauces at every table allows patrons to dial up the heat of their dish.
While diners will find a variety of fountain drinks, Jarritos brand Mexican soda and iced tea on the menu, they won’t find beer, wine or alcohol. But taking your own adult beverages to the restaurant is welcomed. Habanero’s does offer a selection of traditional aguas frescas. These “fresh waters” are lighter drinks made by adding a small amount of fresh fruit juice and sugar to water. In the Yucatán, the most popular of these is horchata, a drink made from rice, almonds, cinnamon and sugar. Habanero’s horchata is sweet and refreshing — basically dessert in a cup.
Habanero’s Taco Co. brings the flavors of the Yucatán to Texas. This locally owned restaurant delivers on the promise of incredibly tasty tacos.
1908 Hialeah Drive, Seabrook
281.474.4400
habanerostacos.com
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The Cajun steam pot at the Porch Cafe features clams, mussels, shrimp and lobster. Photo by Stuart Villanueva
Escaping Galveston’s busy seawall to duck into Beachtown brings a leisurely calm. [Read more…]