LOCAL Houston | The City Guide FEBRUARY 2015 | Page 19
Local February 2015 final.qxp_002houston 1/26/15 1:57 PM Page 19
Heirloom Carrots and Beets
The slow-cooked beef and polenta
pizza is rich in mascarpone and
pecorino. Yeah, polenta on pizza.
Wonderful, but the real star is the
crust that Pera spent years perfecting.
The wood-grilled chicken comes with
a nice kick. The gulf shrimp, mussels
and clams were accompanied by
Arborio, lemongrass and chiles.
Meyer Lemon Cake
Time to savor the philosophy. I start with a salad of heirloom carrots,
roasted beets and radish. The texture yields a little crunch that says,
“We were just perfected in that garden outside.”
“I can walk outside and see what’s ready to pick,” Pera said. “It’s
time to use kohlrabi, so how do I use it? What will it go with?”
Here’s what: charred broccoli and Brussels sprouts delivering a satisfying smoky taste.
SAMPLE MENU
- COCKTAILS
• Coltivare Gin & Tonic – Citadelle + Mint +
Grapefruit Peel + Fever Tree Mediterranean
Tonic $12
- SNACK
• Foccacia with olive oil $6
- SALAD+PIZZA
• Heirloom carrots, roasted beets, radish, burrata,
mint citrus vinaigrette $9
• Slow-cooked beef, polenta, mascarpone,
pecorino, parsley $18
The cocktails are special as well.
Pera tells me the overall idea is to
take traditional Italian liquors and spirits and infuse them in an American
- ENTRÉES
• Gulf shrimp, mussels, clams, Arborio, potatoes,
style of cocktail. I take a sip of the
lemongrass, chiles, herbs $25
Ava Crowder, a wonderfully bitter
and sweet creation named after the
- DESSERT
irrepressible character. Apparently
• Wood-roasted pear crostada, cream $18
Morgan, like me, is a huge Justified
fan. Imagine an Italian expression of a Manhattan. Delicious.
Come early, or late. Frequently patrons are waiting for the doors to
open at 5pm, and it often fills up quickly. But dining at 9 is fine.
I’ll see you there.
COLTIVARE
By Jeff Lane
Photography by Sarah Miller
pizza + garden
3320 White Oak Dr. | Houston, TX 77007 | 713.637.4095 | www.coltivarehouston.com | [email protected]
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 5–10pm | Friday & Saturday 5–11pm | Sunday 5–9pm | closed Tuesday | Reservations not accepted. Maximum party size of 6.
february 15 | L O C A L 19