Some three years ago, Where Y’at opened its truck window at Alamo Street Eat Bar and quickly turned into one of my favorite kitchens on wheels. This was likely due to chef Pieter Sypesteyn’s care of ingredients, his expert sauce making and, well, ’cause the food is damn good. After several months of fundraising, building and some serious elbow grease, Sypesteyn and wife Susan opened their first stand-alone restaurant, The Cookhouse, on Friday night. Early visitors, myself included, came out in droves to the intimate spot, which was previously home to Carmens de la Calle at 720 East Mistletoe. The menu includes oysters, appetizers, soups, salads and entrees. We’re hearing good reviews out of the tomato artichoke canoli with house-made pasta, tomato confit, artichoke hearts, goat cheese and marjoram, and the paneed pork cutlet with Creole tomato grits and wilted spinach. The Cookhouse opened for lunch this week and patrons can find po’boys and other truck favorites. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
There’s also some movement next door as Chris Cullum (Tucker’s Kozy Korner, Cullum’s Attaboy Burgers) and co. renovate the space at 119 Kings Court to turn the 900-square-foot joint into Attagirl Ice House. Expect an October opening for Attagirl, where Cullum will serve up all manners of chicken (fried, jerk chicken, pho wings), and cowgirl brunch, along with craft beers on tap.
Is there such as thing as too much barbecue? Nevermind, that was a silly question. Alamo Ice House (802 N Alamo, (210) 267-2223) opened its doors this past week with a chill patio, cozy and rustic interiors, and a solid little menu of tacos, barbecue sandwiches, chili (traditional Texas red with no beans), salads and a half-pound BLT.
Class up your date night at Umai Mi (555 W Bitters, (210) 496-0555) with a six-course dinner and wine pairings at $40 a person, available on Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 18. Because nothing says romance like delicious tricked-out Asian foods and classic hip-hop, boo.
