A Food & Drink focus edition on Summer Fun and Sips. Saturday, July 15, 2017 • Page 1B
Readers nominate, vote top neighborhood cocktail bars The Leader’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards wrapped up last month, and we’re excited to spotlight three from our Best Cocktail category, along with sharing three recommendations from each cocktail bar. Coming in First, Harold’s takes the first slot, located at 350 W 19th St. For summer sips, Harold’s recommends their French 75 for easy drinking. For what’s new from the restaurant and Tap Room, find live music in the Tap Room at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, along with a new coffee program and coffee cocktails now on the menu. Find classic cocktails, beer and wine on tap in the Tap Room, located on the first floor of Harold’s. Taking the Second Place slot, Johnny’s Gold Brick is located at 2518 Yale St. For a Summer cocktail, JGB recommends their Mistaken Identity - This cocktail is inspired
Johnny’s Gold brick second Place
Harold’s First Place
Ginger & Fork Third Place
by the classic Manhattan, but with a summery tiki twist. JGB says this drink has complexity and depth, while having a summery light refreshing quality in a stirred boozy cocktail. Johnny’s is continuing their monthly featured cocktail menu, and are currently building out a new front porch patio to give guests a new place to enjoy the summer evenings. Coming in Third, Ginger & Fork is located at 4705 Inker St. For a Summer sip recommendation, Ginger & Fork recommends their Ginger Margarita. The restaurant launched their Summer cocktail menu in June, with guests taking to the ever popular Ginger Margarita, but also the new Screaming Eagle Sour, United NaSubmitted photos tions, and the Date Night On the left, Harold’s French 75 with Alkkemist gin, lemon and champagne. In the middle, Johnny’s Gold Brick’s Mistaken Identity with Bonded cocktail. Bourbon, pinapple liquerer, Torino vermouth, Tiki bitters and Cardamorn bitters. On the right, Ginger & Fork’s Ginger Margarita made with -Christina Martinez Espolon Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, King’s Ginger Liqueur, freshly squeezed ginger juice and lime juice.
Cavatore’s
Neighbors enter pies in 2017 Heights Great American Pie Contest By Christina Martinez
christina@theleadernews.com
The Heights Great American Pie Contest, with the Houston Heights Association, brought out some of the neighborhood’s best bakers - 35 to be exact. On Monday, July 10, neighbors were invited to submit their homemade pies to be judged by a celebrity panel for bragging rights and prizes. Bakers could enter in a Sweet or Savory category. In total, there were 30 Sweet Pie submissions; 5 Savory. All were welcomed to taste and enjoy a night shared with community In attendance, the judging table was acclaimed with Greg Bucholdt, Heights pie blogger; Levi Rollins, Owner and Culinary Director of Urban Eats; Ken Bridge, Owner of Delicious Concepts. Cleverly Stone, Ken Hoffman and Ken Bridge were not in attendance, giving a couple Heights neighbors a chance to taste in celebrity style for the night. Overall, the judges were looking for marks on Presentation, with overall appearance underlined; Flavor of Filling, with doneness and texture underlined; Crust, with color, flavor, texture and doneness all underlined; Originality, with creativity and uniqueness both underlined. “There were several really great pies,� Judge Levi Rollins said. “Some top standouts for me were the whiskey pecan, strawberry rhubarb, salted caramel, chocolate whiskey pecan, but my favorite was the perfect Buttermilk, number 32.
THE LEADER
Make your reservations at the Leader Readers’ voted Contributed photos On the left, JoNell Gerland with family; Gerland took the first place slot in the Sweet category for her Buttermilk Pie entry. Above, Kris O’Brien took first place in the Savory category for her Chicken Curry Pie entry.
2120 Ella Boulevard • (713) 869-6622
www.Cavatores.com
RudyaRd’s
3814 N. Shepherd 77018 | 832-667-8081
www.farmboybrewshop.com
Do it yourself
Beer • Wine • Mead • Cider Cheese • Yogurt • Kombucha Bread Starters
& other fermentables
Choose from the best ingredients and enjoy friendly service
Join us for Happy Hour! Photo by Christina Martinez A view from the submitted pie table, and only just some of the entries for the Heights Great American Pie Contest.
It was awesome and the winner for the night!� From the Savory side, Kris O’Brien took First place with her Chicken Curry Pie; Jenn Allen took Second with her Tomoto Pie; Maureen Demar Hall took Third with her Zuchini Pie. From the Sweet side, JoNell Gerland took First with her Buttermilk Pie; Yvonne Cusgrove took Second with her Strawberry Rhubarb; Amy Alexander took Third with her Chocolate Whiskey Pecan Pie. Well done, ladies, on your sweet placings!
Best Italian Restaurant!
116th Monthly
BeeR TasTing dinneR With chef
Joe Apa In honor of Saint Arnold’s
23rd Anniversary Featuring
Saint Arnold Anniversary Tribute Beers • Lone Pint • Southern Star • Eureka Heights • B52 • Brash • Sierra Nevada
Thursday, July 27 @ 7pm 12 Beers 6 Courses
60
$
($70 Week of the event) Join us for Happy Hour 2:30 - 7 pm, tues. - friday enJoy Happy priCing on bites, beers, wines and seleCt spirits!
Houston’s best Cantonese and Hong Kong dining experienCe. 4705 Inker Street | (713) 861-8883 Conveniently located off of I-10 and Shepherd
w w w. g i n g e r a n d f o r k re s t a u r a n t . c o m
Buy tickets online
www.RudyardsPub.com