LOCAL Houston | The City Guide July 2017 | Page 28

OPEN |
FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE
By Brian Tagtmeier
It should come as no surprise to those who have been reading Open for the
past year that I am a devout carnivore. When assigned to review Green
Lane Co., a cold-pressed juice bar known for açaí bowls and other healthy
choices, I was a bit skeptical. That is, until I found out Joey and Luchi
Sigueroa, the owners of Luchi and Joey’s Tacos, were behind the concept.
The salads and signature bowls have options to please anyone, even the
most devout carnivore. Luchi explained that eating healthy shouldn’t be
difficult or expensive. At Green Lane it is easy and extremely affordable.
GREEN LANE CO.
CUISINE: Açaí bowls and other healthy choices
10455 Briar Forest Dr. #170 | 713.497.5551 | www.greenlaneco.com
I took our intern, Abigail Kurtzman, since she knows more about healthy
food than the writer [(like how to pronounce açaí (ah-sah-EE)]. She started
with a CP juice blend (grapefruit, orange, lemon and spinach). I opted for
a fusion lemonade with ginger. I was impressed with both choices. Light,
flavorful and refreshing.
For the açaí bowl, I deferred. What I learned was that it’s a smoothie to
which other ingredients are added. I also learned that I will eat it again.
The Energy açaí with blueberries and granola was incredible.
Choosing a lunch bowl is difficult, but only because of the number of op-
tions. Rice with nine different proteins including tuna, salmon, turkey and
chicken, and up to five vegetables. I went with chicken and veggies, Ab-
igail with the tuna poke. Both bowls were fantastic and filling. At $11
for mine, and $8 for hers – an amazing bargain. I didn’t feel guilty that I
didn’t feel guilty.
For those in the Westchase area, go to Green Lane. You can avoid the fast
food, pay much less and eat better. Your wallet and waistline will thank
you.
cp juices
CUISINE: French Bistro
4444 Westheimer Rd., Ste. E 100 | 713. 871.0768 | www.toulousecafeandbar.com
Starting with cocktails might seem decadent. For me, it was a given with
the traditional and seasonal offerings. The French 77 (gin, wildflower li-
queur, grapefruit, lemon, simple syrup, raspberry, champagne) was perfect
to battle the summer heat. My favorite was the Blueberry Mule. The muddled
blueberries accentuated the tangy ginger beer. The cold, brass mug kept the
drink as cold as it first came out.
and larger than their Italian cousins. Extremely light
and well-seasoned. The acidity from the tomato/
olive sauce pulled it all together.
The menu provided plenty of starting options. Ultimately, I chose the Moules
Marinières (white wine, lemon, shallots). Tender and flavorful with plenty of
fresh bread to dip into the sauce, with a portion large enough for two or
three. Next time, the nontraditional Green Room with jalapenos, ginger and
shitake mushrooms will still be waiting for me.
No French dining experience is complete without
dessert, and Toulouse did not disappoint. Admitted-
ly, I am not a cake lover. The Fondant du Chocolate
changed my mind. Molten chocolate cake with Ar-
magnac. Divine. Truly.
For entrées, the lunch menu had the tempting classics – beef bourguignon,
crispy duck leg confit. I chose the steak frites. The steak (medium rare +)
was fork tender. And who doesn’t love frites, especially with béarnaise to
dip. After hearing the specials, I sampled the gnocchi -- potato gnocchi
with shrimp in a roasted tomato/olive sauce. The gnocchi were square
Overall, Toulouse was what I had imagined a bit
more. Magnifique.
Shrimp Louie
Since opening a little more than a year ago in the fast-expanding River Oaks
District, Toulouse Café and Bar has provided an excellent French dining
experience. From the inviting café décor, impeccable service and French
cuisine it is easy to imagine yourself in Toulouse.
FM KITCHEN + BAR
CUISINE: American
1112 Shepherd Dr.
832.804.6006 | www.www.fmkitchenandbar.com
FM Kitchen + Bar, the new restaurant from Ryan Hil-
debrand, is clearly a departure from the haute cuisine
offered at Triniti, his former concept in the foothills of
River Oaks. The new place is an updated ice house
like you‘d find in the 1960s. With picnic tables and
games, it’s perfect to enjoy a good burger with the
kids. Also: live music on the weekends and a full bar
with draft beer and wine for the bigger kids.
TOULOUSE new menu
I loved the craft cocktails available on tap. Based on the recommendations,
I had the Watermelon Mule and Farmhouse Tea. The ginger beer worked
well with the sweeter melon. The whiskey-based Tea was extremely smooth,
maybe too smooth as it went down quickly. Breaking from the trend of $18 gourmet burgers, the FM burger is well-sea-
soned patties and crisp veggies with the “shh” sauce (mustard based with
homemade pickles). Perfect. Sides of tater tots and hushpuppies with the
hot sauce are the way to go.
The menu, in line with concept, doesn’t try to be too much. The burgers,
chicken, brisket tacos and chicken fried steak are Texas comfort food at its
finest. I started with the frito pie and the shrimp and avocado campechana.
A flavorful chili supplemented with the house hot sauce was delicious. FM’s
take on campechana was exceptional. Rather than a thick ketchup-y base,
a lighter tomato/lime with cucumbers and red onion highlighted each in-
gredient. Highly recommended. FM’s CFS is definitely a winner. Great breading and a cream pepper
gravy that too many people make too thin or too thick.
The best news I heard? FM added brunch on Father’s Day. Fried chicken
and churros, shrimp toast benedict and more cocktails. My weekend plans
are easier now.
Overall, FM’s simple and well-executed approach works for the Washing-
ton Corridor. Less can often be more.
FM Burger and Tots
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