Never pass up a chance to sit down or relieve yourself. -old Apache saying

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Down House


This evening we stopped into a restaurant that we'd been meaning to check out for some time now, Down House, at 1801 Yale Street in "the Heights" in Houston.  


I'm sorry we waited so long!

The wife had a "Lone Star Burger" that, while a little pricey at $13, was probably the best burger that either of us have EVER had.  It was grass-fed beef with a special warm bun, heirloom tomatoes, and some homemade aioli and mustard.  It was the most tender, succulent, just awesomest burger ever.  She had NO trouble wolfing it down.  


Normally, we trade a bite of each others meal when we go out to eat, but I don't think I've ever had FIVE bites of her meal before.  It was really that good.  

My "Shrimp and Grits" was also excellent, but not as good as the burger.  Poached shrimp in a pho sauce on a bed of spicy grits and covered with fresh cilantro and bacon.  Woah!  

One rather silly thing about the location is that they are in that small portion of the Heights (NW of downtown Houston) that is still technically "dry" so you have to join the free "Down House Social and Drinking Club" to buy alcohol.  That is really silly.  So, we joined the Drinking Club.  

They have a wild selection of local craft beers.  My "Honkers Ale" pint was just fantastic, and her snifter of a rye beer was really tasty too.

All in all, a frikkin' fantastic meal.  I am sorry we waited so long, and we will be back.  Their menu changes a lot depending upon what is local and fresh.  They get all their ingredients from local farmers.


They also have a nice outdoor dining patio which was a little chilly today, but come springtime, watch out.

One of the cool things about the place is the name.  It's an homage to Charles Darwin's home in England in Kent called "Down House."  Now THERE is a man I can pay my respects to.  In fact, the wife and I are planning a trip to England this fall, and Charles Darwin's home "Down House" just SE of London, just became a stop on our trip.  

These restauranteurs love science so much they hung a hand-made quilt on the wall, and stitched on it is the periodic table of elements.  Amen!  Science lovers!  

Cannot recommend it highly enough.  God DAMN Houston has some outstanding restaurants.

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