Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916
Sunday, December 01, 2024 — Houston, TX

Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

NEWS 2/25/10 6:00pm

Relish: A taste of Italy at buono Grotto Ristorante

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

For an upbeat, upscale dining experience with friends, a date or beautiful people-watching, Grotto Ristorante in the Galleria area should fill all your needs. Boasting a diverse menu and extensive wine list, Grotto strikes a comfortable balance between luxury and playfulness. Although some dishes disappointed us, the lush atmosphere and several pasta and seafood dishes were so inviting and exquisite that we couldn't help but reward the Grotto with a four-star review. If you venture to this establishment, we're sure you'll share the same sentiments.

NEWS 2/18/10 6:00pm

Relish: Blue Nile serves up some finger-lickin' fun

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

If you have an open mind when it comes to food and are willing to venture 15-20 minutes off campus for an uncommon eating experience, Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant should be at the top of your list. With a wide variety of Ethiopian selections - including combination platters that allow you to share and sample a spectrum of vegetables, meats, fish and spices - you can get a taste for the cuisine in no time. With an array of inexpensive, meatless dishes, Blue Nile also appeals to vegetarians, so wash your hands and be prepared to dive in fingers-first.Ambiance

NEWS 2/4/10 6:00pm

Relish: Sampling the menu at Mai's Vietnamese

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

Houston's incredibly diverse population is complemented by its array of ethnic restaurants, especially Asian-themed ones. We have always enjoyed chowing down on various cultural cuisines, so it was about time we paid a visit to Mai's Vietnamese Restaurant, located off the METRORail's Ensemble/HCC stop. If you love Asian food and are prone to a case of the midnight munchies, but lack a car to help you curb your cravings, Mai's Vietnamese Restaurant is the place for you. If you're not a fan of the light rail, Mai's delivers until 3 a.m.

NEWS 1/28/10 6:00pm

Relish: A taste of the 'BBig' Easy at BB's

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

In a salute to the New Orleans Saints football team that recently made it to the Super Bowl, we decided to have some New Orleans-style grub this week at BB's Cajun cafe. And like the team's play in last Sunday's NFC Championship, our football-inspired decision did not disappoint, as BB's offered a quick, casual and down-home meal. Before we get into the details of the place, it's necessary to point out two things. First, that BB's will start delivery in a few weeks, and second, the menu is undergoing a bit of modification, so some of the items that we sampled may not be available in the future. Still, that shouldn't discourage you from trying out the place.

NEWS 12/3/09 6:00pm

Relish: Hickory Hollow hoedown

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

This week's restaurant pick preaches to the saying "Quantity is quality." For all you barbecue lovers out there who disregard dietary needs and enjoy devouring amounts in enormity, Hickory Hollow Barbecue is the place for you.By now almost every Rice student knows about Goode Co. Barbecue and Pappas Barbecue due to their close proximity to campus. But variety is the spice of life, and we figured that students need a new venue to try for the remainder of their Rice careers. Despite the 15-20 minute drive, Hickory Hollow proved to be on par with the other Houston barbecue joints - though not necessarily at the top of the list.

NEWS 11/19/09 6:00pm

Relish: A frenzy for fresh fish

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

Have you been craving seafood? We don't mean fried catfish out of a box or popcorn shrimp in the servery, but fresh, succulent fish, oysters, mussels, crabs and shrimp - the good stuff. If any of that sounds delicious - and it really should, if you have any taste - then Denis' Seafood House is the place for you. With its diverse menu, plentiful portions and a guarantee of freshness, you'll find it hard to walk away unsatisfied.Before we get to the goods, keep a few things in mind: First, the restaurant is not close; expect to drive upwards of half an hour. Additionally, if you look online, the happy hour menu seems great, but be aware of its misprint: Contrary to the advertisement, happy hour ends at 7 p.m., not 9 p.m., an obvious disappointment to yours truly. Also, if you come for happy hour, you will have to sit at the bar. These are just minor annoyances, though, and hardly detract from the overall experience.

NEWS 11/12/09 6:00pm

Relish: It's Greek to us at Yia Yia Mary's

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

After a few weeks of discerning, concentrating chow-downs, this week gave us a chance to take a more casual approach and select a restaurant conducive to relaxing while savoring tasty, unusual dishes. Yia Yia Mary's, located in the Galleria area, satisfied both those desires - though with some strings attached. As newcomers to Greek cuisine, we were not sure what to expect or what to order from the menu. It seemed as though many other patrons were in the same position, but like us, it didn't stop them from expanding their culinary horizons.

NEWS 11/5/09 6:00pm

Relish: Chowing down at the tasty new Ciao Bello

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

When you have a special occasion that demands a romantic setting, such as a birthday or an anniversary, you may typically settle for something a little less fantastic than you'd prefer due to the limits of your college budget. Fortunately, you are limited no more, for there exists a place where you can stun your date without having to spend excessive amounts. Welcome to Ciao Bello, the Galleria's recently opened Italian offering.

NEWS 10/22/09 7:00pm

Relish: Lining up for the Breakfast Klub

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold

Do you feel that your breakfast is getting to be too predictable, too boring? Has the monotonous routine of servery eggs, limp bacon and tepid toast turned into a tasteless and mindless waste of your time? If so, don't give up faith just yet: The cure for your breakfast blues is just down the street.The Breakfast Klub, located on the corner of Travis and Alabama streets, is one of Houston's best breakfast experiences and will undoubtedly rejuvenate your spirits. When you arrive, you cannot help but notice a massive line of people in front of the yellow building's front door, all of whom know exactly what we're about to tell you: Breakfast Klub is really, truly, undeniably that good.

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