Before I get to the details, FREE FOOD --- FREE FOOD --- FREE FOOD Earlier today, Jan and I ate at Puente's Restaurant here in Houston (5055 Woodway) for the first time. It will not be the last. Normally, we prefer to eat at a restaurant at least twice before recommending it to anyone, but the food was great, and while we were there, we spoke with the owners, Tracy and Juan Puente, and mentioned the restaurant link on the Internet. When I said I was going to post a review, they offered to provide *** a free drink or dessert, your choice, *** to anyone who brings in a printed version of this message through the end of 1993. It is a way to get extra value out of your Internet link if you live in or are visiting Houston :-)!! The food, service, and decor are all first rate. Jan had a salad of spinach, with shredded carrot and celery root, spiced pecans, and corn in a warm andouille vinaigrette. For two dieting types, it would be enough to share, at $8.75, but not if either was of a greedy persuasion. I had maple cured pork loin, with garlic spinach, chestnut and wild rice pancakes, and winter compote (fruit soaked in brandy) for $12.75. Being of the greedy persuasion myself, I was not likely to share, but I should have, if only to leave room for the dessert. We did share that, an apple cinnamon cake that seemed sort of a melange of bread pudding, carrot cake, and cinnamon roll. In general, prices range from about $8 at the low end to $22 for the most expensive thing currently on the menu - a veal chop, with an entree's median price being about $14. There are appetizers and soups starting for as little as $3.50. The food is described as American, combining the influences of Italian, German, French, Chinese, etc., and although I'm not going to list all the items on the menu, there is a wide variety - almost anyone should like at least something there. Despite the name sounding Spanish, there is not really any uniquely Spanish or Mexican food on the menu, although some entrees did have a slight Southwestern flair. The service was very attentive, but not stuffy. (Unless you are looking for a beer hall atmosphere - it is much more formal than that.) The decor is nice without being pretentious, and although most people were dressed better than I was (they usually are) I did not feel too out of place for lunch there in a sport shirt and jeans. I would also not hesitate to arrange a fairly formal party in what appeared to be a semi-private room that looked like it could be isolated. There is valet parking. They do take reservations, and if you want to call them and ask if this offer is for real, the number on their business cards is 713- 623-0788. I would ask for Juan or Tracy, since they made the impromptu offer, and no one else on their staff may know about it. Let me know if it lives up to expectations. P.S. They did not give us any free food or other inducement to write this. I am curious, though, as to how many people on the Internet might avail themselves of this offer. Note: This was also posted in the Houston Restaurant group.
Houston, TX