Holy Grail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I am eating at Robb Walsh’s new restaurant in downtown Houston, El Real. It is indeed my pilgrimage to taste the Tex-Mex he writes about so eloquently in his cookbook.

The restaurant is built-in an old movie theater, to keep a bit of that theme, they have a large screen projected with cowboys movies going (no sound) but it is a cute touch. I would avoid the Felix chairs they are tall and uncomfortable but many Texans appreciate the symbolism and they did restore them beautifully.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So far, the salsa is good, it could pack a bit more wallop but it does have just enough spice without being too chunky however, I must admit the salsa I make based on Pioneer Woman’s recipe is a bit better but for restaurant salsa it is nicely done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to say any menu with a comment on Good Lard definitely a place I want to eat!

The waiter convinced me to try the Skinny Margarita (I choose not to think about any other unspoken implications of him steering me toward the “skinny” version). It is made with Agave nectar and was also pretty good for a diet margarita.

I ordered the original plate (with a tamale, which I don’t like, but I did try it and it probably was a nice tamale, I just don’t like them.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The enchiladas however were fantastic. Exactly what I expected and very true to Walsh’s recipe in his cookbook. The beans were terrific as well, of course, anything with a bacon flavor wins in my book.

I tried to make the rice listed in the Tex-Mex cookbook and we really didn’t care for it, unfortunately this is the recipe they seemed to have carried into the restaurant, I agree with a comment by the Houston Press that it is a bit bland. I think the recipe just needs something. Of course, remembering I am a newbie I certainly don’t know what it needs, but…

I was really hoping I would happen upon Walsh in the restaurant so I could get him to autograph one of his cookbooks for me but it isn’t looking good for that. Will I come back, definitely. There just isn’t enough good Tex-Mex. LOL

What a great way to spend Monday lunch…as for the rest of the week, the only thing I know is that Wednesday, on my way to Wimberley, I am going to stop over in Lockhart.

The State Legislature named them the Barbecue capital of Texas – twice and apparently there are 4 places there that are must eat, so I will stop in at all four ordering 1 thing and dreading the diet Dave is gonna put me on when I get back.

Oh and today is Marsh’s birthday so I have to post a shout out to her.

Happy birthday friend and thanks for putting up with me these many, many years!