Why spend assets when such endeavors are unnecessary: rather, make a charitable donation with the excess funds; support your favorite group, educate children or save puppies....whatever it is, help the less fortunate. We dined here on behalf of United Airlines and then made contributions to non-lethal animal shelters.
The evening began at the Royal Senesta Houston with a local whiskey worth mention: Rebecca's Creek out of San Antonio, Texas. When the Bon Vivants throw a party or invite guests, this is the whiskey served: as expected - in proper service, a whiskey snifter, with rich notes of caramel, molasses, rich oak, and a smooth, soft flow to a heated finish.
| The lobster appetizer was a FULL half of a lobster! Many places serve this as an entree! What makes it more powerful as an experience: it's not spiny - it's Maine! I can not express how wonderful the Houston food scene is! Succulent, rich, and that sweetness that only comes from the coastal cold waters of Maine (see the Mansion on Turtle Creek review to learn more about Lobster). Diver scallops - it can't be honestly known if snorkels went below the sea and grabbed them with their bare hands, but this is - after all - Houston! and they take food to extremes! U-10 (U 4 more like it!) Diver Scallops as another appetizer that could have been an entree! Dry aged and supple! Exhibits that rich texture with subtle sea notes. Served on a bed of risotto and lemon coulis, this dish was equal to its Lobster counterpart! In an effort to mal-adroitely conscribe formality with what should have been simply a complement, these sides were -ironically - well suited to the needs of the dishes. Baked potato, with full complement, and sauteed haricot verts were a classic combination. Both exceeded all expectations in freshness and quality. Bone-in smoked short rib - The bone makes all the difference - it brings with it flavors not imparted otherwise and the meat flakes from it. Served on top of Texas mashed potatoes (in Texas we go big - made with heavy cream, not milk) and complemented with a Bordeaux sauce! Rich and powerful! Black Angus Prime Filet - Some say a filet is a filet. Not in Texas. Locally harvested at the 44 Farms Ranch, this excels in ways you can only know in the experience. Served with a Bearnaise sauce and greens. Daily catch of Bronzini on top of spaghetti squash - Houston is a seafood town and they know how to do the sea very well here! Velvety texture flakes apart with a fork and is proportionally moist! Absolutely outstanding and exquisite! They cooked the earth and sea just right and wowed us with sauces befitting an expertise in the French tradition. In the French tradition, a cheese course followed the main course (in the absence of a salad). This was a double goat cheese course from Cypress Grove, CA. Natural goats milk imbedded with garlic and the second with basil, thyme and scallion. A mixed side salad complemented the dish. The Royal Senesta is a Houston extension of the Royal Senesta New Orleans - one of the most exquisite hotels in the French Quarter. | |
