FOOD
MARCH IS NATIONAL NOODLE MONTH ! IZAKAYA WILL BOWL YOU OVER
While others may be attending the rodeo , celebrating St . Patrick ’ s Day or even planning for Spring Break , the rest of us will be breaking out the pasta and party hats for this annual celebration in honor of the ultimate comfort food .
Why not celebrate at Midtown ’ s Izakaya ? The Japanese restaurant has chosen March 1 to roll out a brand-new ramen menu featuring six of the city ’ s finest ramen creations , all from Izakaya Chef JEAN PHILIPPE GASTON . The nod to noodles includes Sapporo-style , Hirauchi-style and Tonkatsu-style concoctions .
Among the six choices on this new menu are the Mexican-inspired Menudo Ramen , Kimchee ( fermented seasoned vegetables , fish and pork ), Miso ( pork and fish with a miso base ), Shoyu ( pork and fish with a soy base ) and Mazemen ( chicken , mushrooms and brandy-cured foie gras ). Prices run from $ 12 –$ 14 per serving .
Also , mark your calendar for Saturday , March 11 . That ’ s the day that Izakaya honors National “ Eat Your Noodles Day ” by dropping the price of each ramen to just $ 5 per serving , plus tax and gratuity . The offer is good from 11am until 4pm ( depending on demand ), so get there early before the ramen runs out .
Located at 318 Gray at Bagby , Izakaya is an international take on famed Japanese gathering places known as izakaya – kind of a Japanese version of a tapas bar and usually identified by a large paper lantern hanging out front . At an izakaya , people meet to relax , drink and order a succession of small-portion dishes , each usually shared by the group . The meats and vegetables are grilled , roasted or boiled , although some raw items may be found .
Let the amateurs have St . Patrick ’ s Day . Use your noodle and celebrate with ramen this month .
For more information , call 713.527.8988 or visit www . htownizakaya . com .
By Tim Moloney Photography by Paula Murphy
18 LOCAL | march 17