Back in April, I shared about my experience with H.B. Japanese Steak & Sushi. Today I’m excited to let everyone know that I have great things to say about Tokyo Steak & Sushi, a smaller (or cozier?) hibachi and sushi restaurant located at 22762 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 420 in the Villagio at Cinco Ranch.

I’m a fairly frequent visitor to the Villagio, due to my love for Santorini, a Greek restaurant located in its center. My husband and I have passed the complex’s front (facing Westheimer) on many occasions and noted that we needed to try “that sushi place” – or I did anyway, since he can’t stand seafood. Lucky us, we made the right (spontaneous) decision to pull in on Tuesday night.

Atmosphere

We were pretty excited from the moment we walked in. The restaurant was dim-lit, with clear separation from the hibachi tables. We were greeted by a friendly waitress in a kimono and chose to sit at the regular tables since we didn’t want to impose on the calm vibe (only a few couples were there; it was a Tuesday night after all). Despite the scarcity of diners, the atmosphere wasn’t awkward at all… more lounge-like and comfortable. We sat with the sushi bar to our left and the full-service bar to our right, facing the silent big screen that happened to be showing The Biggest Loser finale. I was excited about that last part.

As the meal commenced, the conversation flowed and there was never a long pause, so I honestly can’t remember the music.

Food

This is the part that really hooked me. It is a restaurant after all.

Between the two of us, we ordered one Hibachi meal that came with Hibachi chicken and steak, soup, salad, vegetables, and fried rice. The menu said it was supposed to come with a jumbo shrimp appetizer, which never appeared, but we did get a “complimentary” spring roll appetizer. I think they were out of jumbo shrimp. In addition, I ordered a White Angel sushi roll, which had cream cheese and shrimp and I’m sure other things that I can’t remember, accompanied by a white sauce. I picked something mild so my fish-hating husband could handle a try.

Comments on:

Soup: I love any soup. This one was a good one because they didn’t skimp on the shitake mushrooms and I always like when there’s a bacon flavor, too.

Salad: Expect the typical iceberg spring mix hibachi grills always serve. Sometimes I find a variation in the mustard dressing from restaurant to restaurant, and this one was one of the better kinds. It was on the thick (as in not watery) side, with some texture to it.

Sushi: I thought it was a good, solid roll, and really liked the sauce. I’m not going to pretend I’m a sushi connoisseur; I like pretty much anything with cream cheese that’s not fried. My husband liked it too, if that counts for anything!

The meal: I’m always skeptical of hibachi steak, just because it always seems chewy and flavorless to me as compared to the chicken. If my chicken has lacked flavor in the past, at least it wasn’t chewy, too. We ordered medium rare steaks and I was very happy with what came out. I ended up picking out all of the steak pieces. The rice was good – not too greasy, and so were the veggies. By the end, both our plates were entirely clean, and we were satisfied, too!

Sake: I make note of the fact that we ordered sake because the waitress was extremely helpful and knowledgeable in aiding our ignorance of the beverage. Points on the service.

Summing Up

It was a great experience and a pleasant surprise on a quiet night. I’d say it’s great for dates, and I would also definitely come back with a larger group and sit at the grill. We got great food, good sushi, great atmosphere, a friendly and competent staff, and even a free 2010 calendar (one of those neat roll-up bamboo kinds). The best part of all: We fed two people hibachi, sushi, and a bottle of sake for a total of $35 (plus a good tip).

Major points:
-Reasonable prices (given the type of food), especially if you’re willing to share
-Excellent staff
-Lounge-like atmosphere
-Great for dates

I wouldn’t have been afraid to criticize, but I genuinely liked this place and look forward to going back. This is no paid endorsement; I’m just a happy, satisfied customer!

As a Romeo and Juliet love story by default, Bright Star is a film about 18th-century forbidden young love. Shot in traditional opaque London, this film recounts the story of a poet, John Keats and his object of affection, Fanny Brawne.

Brawne, a young fashion-obsessed seamstress, finds one of Keats’ most famous poem, Endymion, which widens her curiosity towards literature.

Initially unimpressed by Keats, Brawne solicits the young poet to teach her about poetry. As her curiosity towards this lanky wordsmith cultivates into full grown young love, various life circumstances impede the young couple’s utter happiness.

Keats, whose work is archived at Harvard University, was not as celebrated in life as in death. Quotes of his work echo throughout the piece, and this being a BBC film, the linguistic seduction anchor more to the imagination than a rated R film. The movie is appropriate for all ages, if their attention cooperates, and the smidgens of English wit are subtle to enjoy the melodramatics of the film.

In a time when healthcare and resuscitating the economy take precedence in our national news, there is an upheaval brewing off the coasts of Osaka, Japan. A group of activists that include a billionaire, a dolphin trainer, marine techs and the noted photographer, Louie Psihoyos, set to capture the realities of what really happens in “The Cove.”

The docu-thriller sheds light on the inhumane mass killings of dolphins in a tranquil cove next to a dolphin themed tourist attraction. Because dolphins are not protected under the commercial whaling ban, the ocean’s mammals are killed for Japanese consumption.

The problem not only lies in the cruel manner in which dolphins are killed but that the polluted oceans have cause the dolphins to be mercury-carrying floating bins. The meat is then past on to the deceived public and school children. National Geographic photographer and The Cove director, Louie Psihoyos tells OnlyKaty, “this [is] crime against nature and crime against the Japanese consumers who are unknowingly eating toxic dolphin meat thinking that it is whale.”

Filming the documentary was a task of its own. The fisheries, the beneficiaries of the sale of dolphins and local government made it close to impossible to film. Images of ruby-red waters soiled in blood after the massacre are the sad realities of a market that fetches close to $150,000 for every dolphin selected for captivity. The other 23,000 are off to be saran wrapped and shelved for sale across Asian markets.

Psihoyos continues, “to me the real horror happens after it’s all over – the lighting up of cigarettes and laughing from the dolphin hunters when their work is done. That is the most shocking part to me.”

As a film, The Cove is entertaining with a jolt of social awareness and Psihoyos is happy that the message will resonate with the viewers. “We wanted to make a movie that almost every age could see – we tried to achieve a PG13 rating to get the widest possible audience,” says Psihoyos.

The film will most likely be a big contender this year and as Psihoyos put it, “Roger Ebert gave it 4 out 4 stars and calls in a front runner for the Oscars.”

The Cove is now showing at the Angelika theater in downtown Houston.

Know the building at Kingsland and Mason that has been home to restaurant after restaurant over its lifetime? Is it the location that can’t keep the tenants open? What made Las Rosas close their doors? Well, whatever has kept them all out before sure doesn’t scare Vida Loca Mexican Bar & Grill. You can visit this fairly young restaurant at 21810 Kingsland Blvd. Sunday – Wednesday 11 am – 11 pm or Thursday – Saturday 11 am – 2 am.

The theme is “fun”. You’ll find monkeys and palm trees amongst your Tex-Mex cuisine and huge margaritas. Imagine yourself during happy hour in their large bar area with one of those sinful drinks, or imagine yourself as I was, out for dinner with my friends on a breezy evening on the Vida Loca patio.

To start, the patio chairs are fairly comfortable. You probably don’t think “I wonder what the restaurant’s patio chairs feel like” when choosing your spot to eat, but I can’t help but mention that those chairs stuck out in my mind. That, along with the rest of the breezy atmosphere and some solid chips and salsa made for the perfect surroundings to chill and talk with the girls.

What I’ve Had

In my visits, I’ve ordered the Chicken del Mar (grilled chicken topped with shrimp and the restaurant’s signature Loca Sauce all on a bed of seasoned rice with greens on the side) and the chicken and beef fajitas with their various sauce choices.

My recommendation for your first experience with the Vida Loca sauces: if a dish comes with a sauce, ask for it on the side, because they will not hesitate to smother your food with it. This can be a great thing if you love their sauces or a hindrance if you don’t. I happen to love the Loca Sauce with its tomatoes and mushrooms (my kinda sauce), but I still prefer it on the side.

To the point, I honestly can’t say a bad thing about the food I’ve had there. The meat is always quality, from steak fajita meat to grilled chicken to shrimp, and I love their charro beans. What more can I say? The menu is refreshing to look at with a healthy mix of inventive and traditional options, including some enticing hearty salads.

My two minor complaints: we reseated ourselves because there were ants under our table on the patio. Since there was food everywhere outside, this wasn’t a huge surprise. That, and the service was a little slow to respond. If it wasn’t for our good conversation, the wait-time for the bill could have been annoying. Aside from that, our night went smoothly.

Highlights:

• Awesome atmosphere on the patio.
• The Gorilla Margarita is insane – order it for a friend’s birthday – your choice of any tequila in the house for a flat price.
• Up late and bored in Katy? They’re open ’til 2 am Thursday – Saturday.
• View the Menu.

View other Katy, TX Mexican Restaurants.

The precious puppy pictured here is Sugar, my one-eyed Maltese-Poodle, or “Malti-Poo”. She has two sisters: a Lhasa Apso named Madeleine and a beautiful white Husky named GiGi. You might guess that I love my canine daughters, and that like many dog lovers, I care very much about the treatment they receive. While medical treatment is of utmost importance, grooming is a constant battle as well. My white dogs get so dirty so fast and so badly (especially Sugar), that it takes patience and skill for a groomer to impress me.

I have had several problems with groomers in the past, so I assume this is a common issue. I won’t name names, but in the Katy area alone I have had issues with maltreatment, poor or lackluster grooming jobs, overpricing, and excessive nicking/cuts.

With a recent positive turn of events with my new groomer, I’m happy to say that Connie’s Groom & Board is my new favorite place to get my dogs groomed in Katy. Located at 22204 Highland Knolls Dr. in a cozy strip center, they are conveniently located in the middle of where things revolve in Katy.

Why I Love it There

The Connie’s atmosphere is comfortable and cute, which puts you at ease when you enter. They let the “company cat” roam around the front office, and even though I’m not the biggest cat fan, I think I prefer it to the cat not being there. The second most important impression they left with me is the smell. The place keeps clean, considering the business done there, which is a major plus when you could easily be smelling dirty dog.

To the Point

What’s the most important thing a groomer should deliver on? Well, grooming. While some groomers just don’t seem to accomplish what you were looking for, Connie’s chooses flattering, breed-appropriate grooming decisions when it comes to my dogs’ “fur cuts”. That, and my girly side can’t help but appreciate that they always use bows or a bandana as a finishing touch. There’s just nothing more disappointing to me in a grooming experience than to have Sugar returned to me without bows (sad, I know).

A convenient aspect of my experience with them is that I have never called too late to get a next day appointment, even with multiple dogs. I get the feeling when I speak with them that they love animals and respect their owners, taking into account their opinions and desires for their pets.

Now that I feel thoroughly ridiculous, here are some highlights:

• They groom both dogs and cats
• Services include nail trimming, grooming, brushing out mats, maintaining and cleaning the “potty path”, expressing glands (gross, but someone has to do it or your pup will be scooting across the floor), bathing, boarding, and more.
• Your pet will smell REALLY GOOD when they leave
• The employees show a genuine interest in your pet.
• They’re not the cheapest, but they’re not outrageous. For the excellent service, I would say they’re a steal.

To find out prices for a specific service or to book an appointment, call (281) 392-7373.

View our katy veterinarian and animal care directory here.

They say the best things in life are free… and that is certainly true when you consider all of the great things at Mary Jo Peckham Park Fitness Center, located right at the Avenue D and Franz Road juncture in Old Katy.  The park itself is a mecca for Katy residents who live active lifestyles and enjoy the outdoors, featuring a stocked fishing pond surrounded by a jogging trail, a very large playground area, numerous picnic areas and a covered pavilion, a putt-putt golf course, and a fully-staffed gym and indoor pool facility.  Oh, and did I mention it is completely free?

If you have yet to join a local health club, or are considering doing so, Mary Jo Peckham might be worth a visit.  The gym facility has all of the essential workout equipment you would expect: treadmills, elliptical machines, a StairMaster, weight machines (both hammer-strength and cable-style), free-weights, exercise balls, jump ropes and mats.  Equipment may not be as numerous as what you would find at a large club, but the gym is not very crowded depending on the time of day you visit.  If you don’t mind waiting for an open machine for a few minutes (if at all), you will enjoy the experience.

Although admission is free, you must present a membership card and sign in at the front desk before working out.  To get a membership card, you must fill out a short form and provide proof of address in Harris County.  All members must bring a full-sized towel for permission to enter (no exceptions) and clean the surfaces of each machine used with the provided disinfectant wipes placed in key areas around the room.

If you think that a free “public” gym would fall short in the cleanliness department, you have not visited Mary-Jo-Peckham.  The strict sanitary guidelines, constant staff maintenance, and general “culture of clean” keeps the equipment and facility cleaner than some of the higher-end clubs in the Katy area.  Of course, this means you must abide by the rules as well if you do not want to suffer a fierce “evil-eye” by a regular.

It’s understandable that those who frequent Mary-Jo would be so protective.  The panoramic windows that line the two walls of the workout room provide you with a beautiful view of the park to look at while jogging on the treadmill or hitting a few reps.  Not many gyms in Katy can offer an outdoor view like the one at Mary Jo. The indoor pool shares the building with the gym, and offers year-round opportunities to get in shape by swimming laps.

Patrons of Mary-Jo-Peckham park vary from high school students to seniors and the majority of visitors seem to fall in one of those two extremes (this depends on the time of day you visit as well).  Timing is one of the catches to the gym being free.  You must visit during normal hours, so if you feel the need for fitness at midnight, you are out of luck at Mary Jo.

Hours:
7:00 am until 7:00 pm (Monday – Friday)
8:00 am until 5:30 pm (Saturday)
10:00 am until 5:30 pm (Sunday)

Location:
Mary Jo Peckham Community Center
5597 Gardenia Lane
Katy, Texas 77493

While a big night out at a hibachi grill is usually a planned ordeal, mine was not that sort of case when I visited H.B. Japanese Steak and Sushi for the very first time. Traveling down South Mason with my husband and pondering where we would eat for the millionth time is how we happened upon the brand new, enormous oriental-style building at 1235 South Mason Rd.

We were hesitant to go in, but nonetheless curious, and so we decided to be adventurous. We were immediately greeted by a few very pretty hostesses, one of which escorted us past the full-service bar on our left and the sushi “restaurant within a restaurant” on our right and into a room with either 6 or 8 (can’t remember all the details) hibachi grills. Though the building looks grandiose on the outside, it is less ornate than you might expect on the inside.

While we waited for our table to fill with other guests, we browsed the fairly pricey (definitely above the $20 mark) menu, which offered various combinations of chicken, shrimp, steak, and filet mignon. Dinners were all served with hot soup and a simple salad – typical of a hibachi grill, but the fried rice prepared in front of you was an extra charge. Meals also included ice cream, so you really do get the complete package. I chose the Samurai Special, which included chicken, shrimp, steak, vegetables, and white rice (though I stole some of my husbands fried rice later).

The soup one-upped Atami’s similar dish; it just had a little more oomph to it, with more mushrooms and a stronger (not too strong) bacon flavor. The salad consisted of iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and the signature hibachi orange-ish thick dressing. I’m used to that type of salad by now, but I won’t rave about it.

For the main course, the chef did a great job. His performance was as good as any I have seen before, and I’m proud to say I easily caught some shrimp he threw toward my face. As far as taste goes, red meat won, with chicken as a close runner-up. Unfortunately the shrimp was virtually flavorless. In all honesty, at this point I have to say that Atami Steakhouse & Sushi prepares a better-tasting hibachi meal, with more flavor in meat and fried rice. No hard feelings, and I hope H.B. is up to my challenge for improvement.

My vanilla ice cream was good, but can you really mess up vanilla ice cream? On to some random comments…. When I visited their bathroom, I got a weird vibe. The only way I really know how to describe it is that I felt like the inside of the building gave off a sort of mass-produced feeling. Details were missing… the bathroom wasn’t clean, and when I got to thinking about it, the grillroom was very stale. There was no atmosphere or dim lights – just a big room stuffed with as many grills as would fit.

In spite of the strange atmosphere, the staff and hostesses were very accommodating and warm, so management is definitely doing something right in that respect. It really did help with my overall experience.

Some Key Takeaways:

• For hibachi, you won’t be getting a “deal” for dinner. Expect to pay $20-$30+  a meal.
• Don’t be embarrassed to wear jeans, but I think the owners are aiming for a nicer atmosphere
• Don’t order the shrimp. It’s just disappointing.

So, would I go there again? Maybe – but it probably wouldn’t be my idea. All in all, I would have to say I had a very mediocre experience. I’m interested to know what other people think, as I haven’t spoken to anyone else who has visited H.B. Japanese Steak and Sushi yet.

Looking for Sushi in Katy, TX?

One of my many interests is gourmet cooking and dining in restaurants that provide excellent food and service in appealing surroundings. I have above average culinary tastes and skills for a lay-person and a cookbook collection that would make the people at Harris County Library drool.

My recommendations in this review are:

ANTONIA’S Restaurant Cucina Italiana—2001 Katy Mills Blvd., Ste. A; Katy, TX—281-644-6000.

Will satisfy anyone’s craving for really outstanding Italian cuisine in a lovely appointed dining room.. Superbly seasoned and prepared menu items such as Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken Parmesean, Veal Piccata, Osso Buco, etc. are served and presented in the true Italian fashion. Warm Olive Oil and Rosemary bread with a dipping sauce start the dining experience. A wonderful selection of appetizers are on the menu—a favorite, is the Bruschetta. The wine list is outstanding. Two brothers own this restaurant and are always visible and talking with the customers. Give it a try as the food is outstanding and the service is wonderful.. You won’t be disappointed. Reservations accepted. Closed on Mondays. Lunch and dinner.

BISTRO 829—829 Mason Road South (Mason Rd. and Cimarron Pkwy.), Katy, TX—281-646-0829.

Elegant dining at its best in the Katy area. Walk through the front door of Bistro 829 and hear soft Jazz, smell wonderful culinary odors, see candle light, flowers on the table and white table cloths with black toppers. Makes you want to smile. You are greeted by a friendly and professional staff that make sure your dining experience is the best. The menu has fabulous Chef inspired selections made from only the best ingredients. Wonderful lamb chops, Boar chop, Chicken entrees, seafood entrees, fabulous appetizers and desserts. Speciality Martinis, mixed drinks and a fabulous wine list. A wonderful place for a special occasion or just fabulous dining. Reservations accepted. Lunch and dinner. Menus and other information on web site: www.bistro829.com.

The Villagio, right on Westheimer Parkway in Cinco Ranch, rivals the likes of La Centerra and other outdoor shopping centers, with the twist of locally owned occupants – always a plus in my book. This particular night, I visited ∑antorini (Santorini), a Greek restaurant at 22760 Westheimer Parkway, #350, and Spalato Gelateria, a crêperie and gelato ice cream parlor located at 22758 Westheimer Parkway, #200.

∑antorini: Thank Goodness

While we have a few “Mediterranean” restaurants in Katy, (Cedars, Red Oak Grill), we have previously boasted nearly no exclusively Greek restaurants. Luckily, we now have a genuinely Greek-owned restaurant (they have the fancy last names to prove it), with genuinely delicious Greek food.

As an appetizer, our party ordered some good ole hummus with pita bread, and were not disappointed. While some pita can be hard and stale, ∑antorini’s was soft, warm, and comforting. To top it off, the hummus was the best I have had yet.

For the main course I went safe and thought the gyro would be a good measure of quality (though I was chastised by the owner later!). It was absolutely great. What truly set it aside was the quality of the meat and the thicker, creamier Tzatziki (as opposed to other gyros I have experienced). Later, the owner brought out another dish, similar to hummus, but made with caviar! It was absolutely delicious – sharp – the only thing that turned me off was knowing the secret ingredient.

Insider info: The owner chose The Villagio because he was looking for a place that supported local business owners. While he had looked into La Centerra, the fit didn’t work out. Though ∑antorini doesn’t get much face-time on the road due to its location, it is worth seeking out. The owner suggests you ask for something not on the menu – something truly Greek. He explained that the Gyro is actually Turkish – the Greeks just perfected it.

I am truly thankful for this Greek blessing to our community! Remember: casual, reasonably priced, authentic.

Spalato Gelateria: Another Jewel for My Gem Box

This little bundle of joy in the back of the Villagio is nothing but a pleasant experience from the moment you walk in. Stocked with board games and WiFi, this café of sorts is open to young and old, along with those who love coffee, panini, ice cream, and crêpes – both sweet and lunchy.

My tiramisu-flavored gelato was creamy and decadent, accompanying great conversation with the friendly, enthusiastic Yugoslavian owners. I will definitely be back to try out the rest of their food, but I thought I should immediately share this place with OnlyKaty readers! I see myself studying on my laptop next to some European espresso in the Spalato parlor very soon.

Now, I know we use the term “gem” around OnlyKaty quite a bit, but I’m going to go ahead and hit this one running and say that Antonia’s Restaurant Cucina Italiana is a spectacular surprise. This Italian restaurant, bar, and lounge spites its less-than-flattering surroundings in the Katy Mills strip center, right next to our classy Walmart. Even with a misleadingly near-drab exterior, as soon as you walk in, you are pushed out of Katy and swiftly pulled into Northern Italy when you take your first bite!

Atmosphere

Nothing is quite like being in an Italian restaurant and actually hearing Italian being spoken around you. Raphael and Chef Roberto have done a spectacular job of setting up an elegant atmosphere for the evenings. Expect to be surrounded by dim lights, lots of talkative people, and paintings of Italian countryside all in a rather small space.

The service is exceptional, as they give a new meaning to “wine & dine”. My glass was never half-empty, the wait was never too long, and my questions were answered with ease. You have a panoramic view of the kitchen, and the chef often steps out to visit with regulars (which I will probably soon become!).

Food

Though most Italian restaurants serve bread, each has its own flare. At Antonia’s, they served thick, long slices of white bread, barely glazed with a garlic and oil concoction, accompanied by dollops of additional butter mixed with herbs to spread if you so-choose. For an appetizer, the seafood-stuffed mushrooms are excellent, but not abundant. Expect five small mushrooms (but you probably shouldn’t be eating more than that anyways.)

The salad served before my meal was a twist on the traditional Italian house salad, with a fruity (probably raspberry) dressing that pleasantly did not have too much of a sour turn. There isn’t a negative thing I could say about the salad. I also had the option for a soup instead, but opted out this time around.

Entrée (A+)

I ordered the Chicken Abruzzo from the Specials Menu, and that certainly ended up being the best decision I made all day. The dish consisted of two fillets of chicken breast cooked in a very light sauce (think prima vera; warm, fresh tomatoes) over two soft starchy cakes (they reminded me of non-liquid grits – I bet you could guess where I grew up), which each also had a dollop of about a tablespoon of Gorgonzola.

Now, each component of the dish separately made no sense. A bite of chicken along or the cakes alone was too bland, and the Gorgonzola alone was much too overpowering and sharp. It was only when I combined the three that I understood Chef Roberto’s genius. The sharpness of the Gorgonzola pulled out the positives of the starch and chicken, which counterbalanced the cheese’s kick. The combination of the flavors in turn, composed a perfectly warm harmony in my mouth.

The portion size was perfect as well. They didn’t serve too much, but I cleaned up the plate. My only regret was that I could not have some for later.

Dessert (B-)

The dessert is the only portion that I could say was a bit less than stellar. I love tiramisu, so that’s of course what I ordered. The description in the menu referenced “Grandma”, which threw me off a bit, since my Grandma and dessert together reminds me of diet fudgesicles, while tiramisu makes me think of luxury. I did settle, however to imagine that they wanted me to think of a grandma in old Italian country.

As far as the taste went, think homemade vanilla-flavored bluebell ice cream with Hershey’s syrup crossed with the typical tiramisu flavor. For me, tiramisu is so much of a statement on its own, so even though I love chocolate I was disapointed to see the cake drizzled in it (even though the plating with the strawberry was lovely). When I did get past the chocolate, the Zabaglione was a little too firm and the ladyfinger component was a little too dry. Still, all of the flavors together did make for one delicious dessert.

Summary

Don’t let the dessert throw you off; I don’t think anything could have taken me off of my high from the Chicken Abruzzo, as it was sensational. Antonia’s served an awesome meal and an absolutely pleasant atmosphere to spend a Saturday night with my husband. I am very happy to know that they are so close to downtown Katy, as few restaurants of this caliber and class are. For the price, Antonia’s could stand up to any Houston Italian restaurant, any day. I recommend it to anyone looking for a special evening close to home or that just loves awesome Italian food.

Key Points:

-Price: reasonable for the quality of food. A large amount of items on the menu are under $20, and it is possible to find some around $10.
-Excellent date location (don’t be fooled by the exterior).
-Impressive wine list
-There is a full service bar, but if you’re claustrophobic, ask not to be seated next to it.