Four Houston restaurants have been added to Real Food Restaurants
A reader has suggested some new additions to the Real Food Restaurants listing, plus I’ve added another that I have long wanted to try; however, it’s on the exact opposite side of Houston from where I live. Although I have not yet visited any of these restaurants, a review of available information indicates that they belong on our list. If you have visited any of these, please comment about your experience. Do they belong on the list and why? Also, do they serve food that tastes good while being nutritious? Eating Real Food should be enjoyable! Local, fresh food should be the best tasting food as well as the best for your health.
Here are the four restaurants added to Real Food Restaurants:
Local Foods advertises a “gourmet selection of sandwiches, salads and prepared meals with local ingredients.” Their website lists these local food sources: Gundermann Farms (organic), Atkinson Farms (no claim to be organic), Animal Farm (organic per Yelp review), Texas Hill Country Olive Oil (organic olives), Texas wild gulf shrimp, and Hatterman Egg Farm (free range and no soy per Urban Harvest review, have high omega 3′s and no soy per HoustonPress review), Pola Cheese (artisan cheese made in the Montrose area per HoustonPress review), and others. Most of those listed seem to be excellent sources of local, Real Food. Local Foods sandwich menu lists Duck Confit, House Smoked Salmon, and “Banh Mi.” Salads include Spring Harvest Salad and Asian Chicken Salad. Sides include Housemade Chips, but there is no information about the fat used for frying. Beverages include kombucha, beer, and wine, but there’s no claim to be organic for any drink.
Roots Bistro: the website says they are “Local. Organic. Green.” They are the second Green-Certified Restaurant in Houston. They claim that “Everything from the animal chef butchers to the salt that flavors it is locally sourced and organically grown.” However, I was unable to find any backup information about their ingredients. Reviews on UrbanSpoon and Yelp varied widely. Many thought it was too expensive.
Season’s Harvest Cafe, in the Cypress/Fairbanks area, (no website, but they have a Facebook page featuring their daily menu which varies according to what is locally available) is a small, family owned, farm-to-table restaurant serving local, organic foods. There are vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options for some menu items. The Yelp and UrbanSpoon reviews are generally favorable. Season’s Harvest Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch, Tuesday through Saturday.
Zelko Bistro, owned and operated by Chef Jamie and Dahlia Zelko has New American Fare “prepared with the highest quality and sustainable ingredients.” Chef Jamie Zelko has been named Sustainable Restaurateur by H Magazine. The restaurant claims to be focused on local ingredients, and the website mentions using local, 100% raw honey; however, I could find very little specific information about their food sources. Both owners are beekeepers. The menu lists several fried foods but does not say what fat or oil is used for cooking. Reviews on Yelp are uneven.
You might want to research Texas Hill Country olive oil a little before you make any claims.
Texas Hill Country Olive Oil website says that their groves are organic. If this is not correct, where would I find more accurate information?
Local Foods is very tasty. Roots Bistro is delicious as well. They used to at the juice bar list the farms where the produce came from but haven’t kept up. Season’s Harvest does not use local very much – they just strive to do as much organic as possible. And Zelko I have long wished would post some sources but never has. I know they get a lot of sustainability nods so I remain confident in their foods. Roots and Zelko are both somewhat pricey, but they have excellent chefs. Benjy’s/Local Foods chef is amazing also, but Local Foods is the more casual, less expensive choice. Thanks for updating. Just my two cents!!
Valerie, your two cents are worth a lot! I greatly appreciate your input. Houston is so large that it is very difficult for me to visit many of these restaurants. Reader comments are especially useful on the Real Food Restaurants page.
Valerie,
Thank you for supporting my bistro with the Food Movement. Most of my sources change quite often and a chefs job in finding the best, is never done. Because of extensive shortages and extreme conditions in our buying market, specifying one purveyor or food source is difficult, we have done business with hundreds. When items run out, are not in season or perish to some extent, I am directed elsewhere. Over the course of 4 years, I have lost 6 independent farmers to grocer stock. Meaning its easier for some local farmers to sell the whole farm to a grocery store than the inner-city chefs.
My loyal clients have been convinced by their own pallets, are given all my sources, it’s no secret and keep open communication with me good or bad. I encourage my clients to take action and I find the feedback most engaging and helpful, all egos aside on all accounts. I commit myself to earning new clients trust, such as yourself and look forward in working with you. Graciously behind a name Zelko, with the best of intentions.
Jamie Zelko
Jamie,
Your bistro sounds wonderful! Next time I’m in the Heights, I will be eating there! Thanks!
Gina
You might look into Seasons Harvest Cafe on Grant Road in NW Harris County. They have a page on Facebook and post their daily menu there. They offer both cooked and raw entries and there is always a way to eat Gluten free if you need to. While their food is a little pricey side, it is absolutely delicious.
I appreciate your suggestion. We do already have Seasons Harvest Cafe listed above. Although I have not eaten there, others have recommended it. It’s good to hear that you like it and that their food is still delicious. Thanks for your comment.