Rustic Oak Gastro Pub - Houston Texas

I have fallen in love with a restaurant! As a foodie, it was inevitable. I've admired it from afar and have been entised by photos of its culinary delicacies for months. Finally, I have partaken of its cuisine and now engaged in a gastronomical romance! Rustic Oak in Houston, TX has stolen my culinary heart!

Why do I love Rustic Oak? Let me count the ways:

1.  You feel like you've walked into the rustic chic home of a dear friend or family member for a dinner party (or in my case brunch).

2.  Warm & friendly hostesses guide you to your table, where attentive service awaits.

3. Charming bouquets of fresh flowers    decorate each table while great music from Sarah Vaughn to Beyoncé softly plays in the background.

4.  The decor has unique accents that are also a feast for the eyes. Search for the door turned chandelier!

5. You can be assured Chef Wendell Price has cooked up something phenomenonal! 

6. The open kitchen where you can view Chef Price preparing food to literally "rock your culinary world"! 

And now the Sunday Brunch Buffet:

7.  Barbecued Shrimp - straight out of the Gulf and absolutely tender and juicy with just the right amount of spice.

8. Shrimp & Grits - Smooth, creamy texture and full of shrimp with every spoonful. 

9.  Crayfish Etouffee & Rice  & Salmon Etouffee - plum bodacious! You'll want seconds of this combo. Actually, you'll want seconds of everything!

10.  Red Velvet Pancakes - light, fluffy and a taste of heaven.

11.  Eggs - Scrambled moist, fresh and flavorful.

12.  Bacon - crispy & delicious

13.  Collard Greens - tender, tasty and made with smoked turkey. ( Only item I could not try due to turkey allergy; but so I'm told.)

14. Fresh fruit to compliment your brunch menu.

And the best for last...

15.  BANANA BREAD PUDDING - I cannot even describe how good this was! It will tantalize your taste buds and is mind blowingly delectable!!

Top off you brunch at Rustic Oak with a fine wine or in my case mimosa, and toast to your new food crush.

Want to learn to cook some of Chef Wendell Price's amazing recipes? He hosts group cooking classes! Check with Rustic Oak for more details. If you're in Houston and can't make it to the restaurant, order via Uber Eats. I'm sure there is even more on the back burner to come from Chef Price!

It's only been a few hours and I'm missing Rustic Oak already. It is #1on the Valcooks list of all around dining experiences and surpassing my expectations! I shall return...

5 of 5 Valcooks Aprons

GOLDEN APRON WINNER

Rustic Oak Gastro Pub

511 Richmond Ave.

Houston, TX 77006

(832) 792-0425

rusticoakwinebar.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

The Smoke Shack - Tampa, FL

I love a good BBQ! But, if your looking for GREAT BBQ, look no further than The Smoke Shack at 3324 W. Gandy in South Tampa. The Smoke Shack was the collaboration of 3 friends who turned family barbecues into a gourmet BBQ food truck on Westshore at the fruit and veggie stand and now a modern, indoor/outdoor restaurant.

Walk in and be warmly greeted by Ben, who is more than happy to hand you samples. He'll get your tastebuds craving the succulent and tender brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, barbecued chicken and flavorful sausages. Choose your sides: collard greens, string beans, baked beans, mac & cheese, and corn prepare by Chef Diamond, which are made from their family secret recipes. Top off your meal with a cup of their BBQ stew which is made from beef brisket, corn, tomatoes and lima beans with a hearty, flavorful broth! Trust me, you will want to order extra stew to savor for later. It's the ultimate comfort-food dish! 

Make sure to check out two of their specialties - brisket or pulled pork stuffed potato and 3 Layer Brisket Sundae with baked beans on the bottom layer, mac & cheese in the middle and beef brisket on the top. Plum bodacious!

Eat in or take out. The Smoke Shack has ample seating indoors and outside. You'll enjoy being casually dressed while dining in a clean, modern and family friendly environment. The Smoke Shack has only be open for just 3 weeks. I've been assured there a many more surprises in store to enhance your dining experience.

Thanks "Stella Bella" for sharing one of your favorite new spots!

5 of 5 Valcooks Aprons

The Smoke Shack

3324 W. Gandy Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33611

(813) 748-1988

smokeshack-bbq.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

Osteria Natalina - Tampa, FL

How did I miss this little gem of a restaurant literally in my back yard for years! Osteria Natalina, located in the Palma Ceia area of South Tampa, 

has made my list of one of the best Italian restaurants.

Cozy, with only about 12 tables, the aromas of Italy greet you as you step over the threshold. The owner, Spartaco, escorts you to your table and recites the amazing specials of the day. My taste buds were watering just listening to him. Fortunately for me, I was seated at a table in front of the kitchen, so I could eye all the scrumptious orders heading to   anxiously awaiting patrons. 

The shared appetizer was the mussels in a delicate white broth. The soothing broth was perfect for dipping the soft, warm bread. I selected for my entree the strozzapreti pasta with crab and lobster in a spicy white wine sauce and tomato. Drop the fork, amazing! The strozzapreti pasta is the specialty homemade pasta of the owner's hometown of Rimini, Italy and a favorite of his mom, Natalina, who still lives there. The table also had this pasta with a seafood mix of shrimp, calamari, and mussels. (They are very accommodating on substitutions!) The five layer sausage lasagna with a pink sauce was the days special. The lasagna was also available in a white or red sauce. And who doesn't like the traditional spaghetti and meatballs! Every dish was fresh, made to order. Assolutamente delizioso!! 

There are no reservations accepted; first come first served. But, trust me, you are going to want to wait your turn! Dress is casual as in the name of of the restaurant "Osteria". In Italy, restaurants are ranked in order of formality: Restaurant, Trattoria, Osteria, and then Locanda.  Don't miss out on this spectacular family owned and authentic Italian restaurant!

5 of 5 Valcooks Aprons 

Golden Apron Award

Osteria Natalina

3216 S. MacDill Ave. 

Tampa, FL 33629

(813) 831-1210

www.osterianatalina.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

BLACK BARN - New York City

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New to the upscale "farm-to table" restaurant scene in New York City is Black Barn. Open for only two months, Black Barn has quickly risen to the top as one of the city's premier foodie destinations. Located at 19 E. 26th Street, Black Barn is the hottest new place to see and be seen while enjoying the freshest in pallate satisfying neuvo-american fare.

Black Barn is the epitome of rustic elegance! Greeted by warm and personable hosts, you feel embraced by the strong woods from floor to ceiling to tables. Trendy lighting illuminates your way through the front bar to the deceivingly large dining area in the rear. Once seated, you can observe the remarkable chefs preparing their culinary feasts.

I have to admit, I am one of "those" who have a phobia about my silverware laying flat on the table. The Black Barn uses specially designed groves blocks to rest you forks, knives and spoons. You can tell a lot of thought went into each and every detail of the dining experience.

On to the incredible meal...I had a difficult time deciding what to order. Every item coming out of the kitchen looked phenomenal! My first taste of the Black Barn "experience" was a salmon with mango relish served on spoons. I am now anxiously awaiting the remaining courses! I chose the Bbq Beef Ribs with an orange chipotle rub. My sides consisted of butternut squash gnocchi and brussels sprouts with bacon & garlic. The ribs were perfectly seasoned, tender and placed on top of a tangy barbecue sauce. The gnocchi was divine with a subtle light cream sauce with a hint of cheese.  I'm very picky when it come to brussel sprouts. Few places get it right on the money. Black Barn prepared them to perfection; not raw, not too soft. My friend ordered the veal ravioli special with a delicate cream sauce and Autumn seasonings. I am grateful she shared a taste of her scrumptious dish. 

Make sure to save room for dessert. The bread pudding topped with ice cream and the homemade apple-cinnamon doughnuts are a "must have"!

Looking for a place to host a party? Look no further. Private dining for parties are along the sides and are separated by sliding red barn doors with large paneled windows so you still feel connected to other diners while maintaining your privacy. Each of the rooms include a flat screen tv with connections for presentations, music, etc. Looking to host an even larger party or corporate or event? Black Barn has an upstairs party room with gorgeous views of the restaurant below.

Black Barn was the highlight of my dining experience on this visit to NYC. My compliments to Chef John Doherty, formerly of the Waldorf, who was kind enough to visit our table. Reservations are recommended for this trendy new spot. Dress is smart/trendy casual. Upscale pricing but well worth it. Make sure to tell Chef Doherty Valcooks referred you!

5 Of 5 Valcooks Aprons

Black Barn

19 E. 26th Street

New York, NY 10010

(212)265-5959

blackbarnrestaurant.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"