Cuchara

Cuchara Houston-TX La-Cuchara-022-560x345 4

Unlike any other restaurant I’ve been to, Cuchara is a Midtown restaurant that considers itself to be an authentic Mexico City bistro. The décor gives a diner just as much to talk about as the food, and the fact that this is a farm to table restaurant makes it that much more appealing

Not Your Typical Mexican Restaurant

When I think of Mexican restaurants, nachos, cheesy enchiladas, and massive burritos often come to mind. However, you won’t find any of these entrée items at Cuchara, which offers many modern Mexican cuisine options as an alternative to the more familiar. While the menu changes weekly and is dependent upon the produce and ingredients that are available locally, some must-try items are the Nopolitos, or sliced cacti with cotija cheese, tomato, onion, Serrano peppers, cilantro and lime; and the mole verde, which is green mole with pork tenderloin and is served with refried beans, rice, and white corn puree.

A Long Lunch

If you’re looking for a place for a quick lunch, head somewhere else; at Cuchara, the lunch is lengthy, and they plan to keep it that way. Called “comida corrida,” literally translating into “food run,” the lunch here is served in a number of courses, and women in the restaurant bring out the plates successively. While this lunch may take a little bit longer than you were expecting, it’s a great way to experience Mexican culture and to sample great food at the same time.

Cool Patio Dining

Houston’s a great place for outdoor dining, and while the design of the patio isn’t nearly as interesting as its interior, it’s still recommended for a cool outdoor dining experience. The patio also creates a slightly more intimate setting, as it is a much smaller space than the inside is.

Colorful Creations

Something that’s worth mentioning about this restaurant are all the eye popping colors. From the walls to the food, everything here is a bright shade of blue, green, or pink against crisp, clean white. The drinks and cocktails are all beautiful, the food looks and tastes remarkably fresh, and the furnishings and color scheme make it hard not to feel happy while in Cuchara. Event the light fixtures will catch your attention.

The Good

The best things about this restaurant are the margaritas, the happy hour, the authentic flavors, the live music on Sundays, and the interesting setting.

The Bad

The worst things about this restaurant are the prices, which are more expensive than most people want to pay for a night out, the salsa (which is delicious if you like unique flavors, but bad if you just want a regular tomato salsa), and the lack of healthy options.