This is Brazil - Texas de Brazil - Tasty Tuesday

If you didn't get my title you have not seen Fast and Furious when they are in Brazil, and Dom says, "This is Bra - ZIL!!!!!"  I love the line.  That is the first thing I thought of when I heard the name of this restaurant in City Centre.  City Centre is not an area I normally hangout at.  I spent three days in City Centre and I noticed that there are a lot of restaurants that I had never heard of here.  Texas de Brazil is the first restaurant that caught my attention because it was the first thing I saw when I was trying to find the parking lot. 

Thanks to Texas de Brazil for hosting several bloggers including myself to experience this restaurant.  It is a Brazilian steakhouse, a Churrascaria.   Churrascaria is the style of cooking used which is like a rotisserie/fire roasted kinda like a bar b que.  If you have never been to a Churrascaria, it is an experience from the Gauchos to the way the food is cooked.

The experience begins right when you walk in to the door.  We had our own VIP section over by the bar, which is perfect for anyone planning a small party.  It is open, right at the entrance, so your party guests won't be looking for you standing around at the front.  

No need to worry about cooking when hosting a party.  Texas de Brazil not only has the great space for you, they also can take care of the menu for you.  Your party guests can enjoy different selections from the menu, just like we did.  You can choose from 16 meats of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage.  My favorite and my new food motto is to always try "anything wrapped in bacon"!!  I haven't been chewing a lot since I had my braces put in, but these meat was soft enough for me to chew.  It was really good and favorful.  I even had a second helping, cheat day!

Your party guests can also enjoy their signature Brazilian cocktail "The Caipirinha".  You can find the recipe here.  They also feature several other Brazilian creations at the Beijos Bar and Lounge.  They also have a wine cellar full of wines from around the world.  If you still do not know what to order, you can have a drink created just for you and your guests.

If you are not in Houston, no worries Texas de Brazil has many locations and more coming by the end of this year.  To find one near you, go www.texasdebrazil.com. 

Tasty Tuesday-Longhorn Steakhouse Review

We are in Texas and what do you think of when you think of Texas?  Cowboys, boots, land, and cattle...ding, ding, ding....which brings me to the Tasty Tuesday feature restaurant Longhorn Steakhouse. 

Thanks to Longhorn Steakhouse for providing my family a $40 giftcard to sample the menu.  My husband, my son, and I went to dinner.  We never had paid attention to this new addition to the Pearland area.  They are actually all around town, never knew they existed until now, but now we do.

The restaurant has a very homely feeling.  My husband kept saying he wanted to take off his shoes.  We felt we were in our living room eating.  We had the perfect seating as we were facing the 2 tvs at the bar.  I loved the Texas style decor with cowboys, horses, boots, etc.. 

The food was really good and it came out timely.  We were greeted and offer bread.  Due to us being on our healthy kick we only tasted it.  But we were offered fresh bread throughout our dinner.

Appetizer-(my son, the food model, wanted to show you how good these were)

My son's dinner selection-(The plate made his meal look very small but he didn't even finish his bake potato)

My hubby's selection-(I am not a photographer so crappy photo and my husband almost bit my hand as I was trying to take a picture of his food.  He received a Ceasar salad before this came out.)

My selection-(It was the perfect portion and it was finger licking good.  The Sirloin has a piece of Bacon wrapped around and little bits of bacon on also on the sprinkled on the top.)

We enjoyed our dinner.  We even ordered a Banana Foster Sundae and it was yummy! (yes, it was healthy we got our fruit and dairy, lol)

***Disclosure-GC provided for review.  All opinions stated are our very own, honest opinions.

Tasty Thursday-Bonefish Grill Katy

Have you ever heard of Bonefish Grill? 

There is a new restaurant in Katy, Texas.  Bonefish Grill located at 2643 Commercial Center Boulevard in Katy’s LaCenterra is now open! The opening kicked off with a charity night on March 2, which raised more than $9,500 for Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center’s Books Alive! Program.  How awesome is that!

I had never heard of Bonefish Grill which originally started in Florida.  Bonefish Grill is not new in there are actually two in the area-Willowbrook and Webster.  And now the Katy one which I was able to go and sample the menu.

About Bonefish Grill
Founded in 2000 in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Bonefish Grill experience is the perfect recipe marrying simplicity, quality and consistency in food, service, ambiance and value. As the "Fresh Fish Experts," Bonefish Grill specializes in market-fresh fish and other wood-grilled specialties. Knowledgeable and attentive Bonefish Grill Anglers (our service staff) provide the best in what we like to call “chef’s coat service.” Our Anglers pride themselves on guiding our guests’ journey through our innovative, seasonal menu and specials, which feature only the highest-quality, freshest ingredients, including traditional and unique varieties of fish and seafood as well as numerous non-seafood items. We combine this with a big-city bar that offers bar fresh cocktails and an affordable, interesting wine list.
Not only can guests enjoy fresh seafood, but this location is also serving a newly added Bonefish Grill perk — Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., which includes brunch favorite Créme Brulee French Toast made with Grand Marnier and orange zest, served with mascarpone whipped cream, fresh mint, strawberries and bacon.   My thoughts-I love seafood.  Wait, I love good seafood.  The menu has many options to choose from.  Everything is fresh.  Everything was so flavorful and tasty.  The atmosphere in this place is awesome.  It is a great place to come and enjoy a great dinner with the family.  My sister in law and I had a great time.  Our appetizers included the Bang, Bang Shrimp which has a great sauce, the Ahi Tuna Sashimi which if you are scared to try it like we were DO TRY, Wagyu Beef and Ginger Dumplings which are something totally different to try, and the Saucy Shrimp which has a great combination of flavors.  For our main dish, we shared the Sampler Dinner for Two platter which had a little of everything.  The best side ever is the Potatoes Au Gratin.  Someone at the table ordered the Lily's Chicken which was not something I would have ordered but was good once you try it.  Our salads had the house dressing called Citrus Vinagrette which I really liked.  I have had some really boring Vinagrettes and this is not one of them.  Like we had any room to taste anything else but who could say no to dessert.  Desserts are made to order and boy are they awesome.  I had the GLUTEN FREE chocolate brownie which was so delicious to my taste buds.  My sister in law tried the chocolate creme Brulee which really was a tasty treat that kept me wanting more and more.   If you are looking to stay on a budget, check out their Happy Hour Specials. Sunday-Thursday from 4-6:30 pm, they offer Gorgonzola Kettle Chips, Bang Chicken, and Fresh Ceviche for $5 each.  Also Smoked Trout Dip, and Bang, Bang Tacos for $6 each.  Also, if you are a little thirsty try Pomegrate Martini!   ***Disclosure-I was invited to preview menu.  I was not asked to post or promote anything.  The Bonefish Grill Cinco Ranch has been Independentmami taste tested and is Independentmami approved!  All opinions are my own, honest opinions.

March 29th is a National Mom & Pop Business-Owners Day

Today March 29 is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. It is a day to recognize small business owners, particularly husband and wife business owners. These are the restaurants, pharmacies, business, etc.. that are family owned no franchise or chains.

I was listening to the radio and they were talking about this topic. I love the idea of visiting these type of places. We need to help the economy by supporting these type of businesses. Here are some of the places the callers called in about, which I have never heard or been to any of them, I will add them to my list of places to visit:

1)The first place is in danger of closing its doors-
Brothers-In-Law's Bar-B-Que
503 Freeport St Houston 77015 713.453.2676

2)LITTLE BITTY BURGER BARN
5503 PINEMONT DRIVE
HOUSTON, TX 77092
ph: 713-683-6700
fax: 713-683-6709
littlebitty@littlebittyburgerbarn.com

3)Doyle's Restaurant
2136 W 34th St Houston 77018 713.686.8271

4)El Jarrito
21724 Highland Knolls Dr Katy 77450 281.579.8844

5)Pappy's Cafe
9041 Katy Fwy Houston 77024 713.827.1811

6)This one is one I have visited and highly recommend. I love it.
Empire Cafe
1732 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 528-5282

So, today let us all head out and find a mom and pop business to support. Go to your favorite spot. I remember a burger place called Luke's, not sure if it was a mom and pop, but it is now closed. Their burgers were the best. I loved going to eat there. Now the building is the only reminder we have of a place we use to go to, and the best burgers I have ever tasted.