Please pick my lunch for me. (Laurenzo's, Houston)
We are going out to celebrate my sister's birthday and, as is our custom as she and her husband both worked extensively with the Laurenzo family over the years, we go to Laurenzo's restaurant. (For those in Houston, yes, this is the one on Washington Ave and yes, the "Mama Ninfa" family.)
For the life of me, I cannot decide what to get. Also, as is now common, the prices have gone, well.....through the roof. I kinda want to keep it under $45-$50 for the food.
Is that the current owner of the original Ninfa's? Restaurant prices are indeed high but me and Panhead John went to the original Ninfa's and their prices were crazy high for the quality of the food: $35.00 for my entree, I expected to be blown away. I was not.
This is the family that was the owner of the *original* Ninfa's. I agree, the current Ninfa's restaurants.... the few that are left.... are terrible. Not Taco Bell terrible, but basically Taco Cabana.
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Wow ... I wish I could offer something more constructive, Michael ... but that place can't seem to decide whether it's Mexican, Italian, American Steakhouse, or New Orleans (NOLA) Whatever. I know this isn't a choice for you (sorry!) but I'd probably just give Laurenzo's a wide berth. That said, if I did have to eat there (and apparently you do), I'd keep it simple. Seafood is generally good in Houston, as is Tex-Mex. Italian and NOLA not so much ... so, personally, I'd choose accordingly. For me ... something from the seafood part of the menu (with a nice salad) would probably be my first choice. Good luck, Amigo!
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It is cheap (ish), not something you see on a βniceβ menu frequently, snd a high-end version over what you might find at a fast-food joint can be quite spectacular.
Iβm leaning towards Mama Ninfaβs Sunday Gravy, but could easily be swayed to one of the innumerable other choices on that menu. Since I know nothing about the restaurant, Iβm just assuming everything they sell is good.
I suppose it would have been helpful if I had given what I have had before and didn't like.
The ravioli are excellent. But you just get two of them. The "Sunday Gravy" is very, very good....but.....I can make better at home in just 30 mins.
I've done the fajitas....and they were lackluster...(although their tortillas are divine)....
The ambiance of the restaurant is amazing. They have nailed the sports bar / higher-end dining motif to a T.
It is supposedly a "high end casual" place. In the past five years, my sister and I have noticed both of our federal senators dining there with us. We never approached them; after all, they are probably looking for a dinner undisturbed.
I think that I saw this place on one of the food channels a while back. If the descriptions match the quality it all looks like a good choice. What are you in the mood for??? Maybe one of the Italian selections. Prices are up there, but that is the norm today. Whatever you decide I hope that it's delicious. Let us know.
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Eat before you get there and get calamari and key lime pie. But I'm being a wise-a$$
that menu makes my head explode! You could also go to Cheesecake Factory with this wide range of cuisines. Arenβt they originally Tex-mex? If so, go with one of those dishes.
Something came up so we had to reschedule for next weekend. (I know, anticlimactic!)
Yall've definitely helped me narrow it down a bit. The family is indeed known for their Tex-Mex restaurants, namely Ninfa's. And as many have pointed out....the variety of food is all over the map. The restaurant is....I guess.....mildly upscale casual dining.
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