One Fifth Mediterranean

So, One Fifth Houston is running various themed 

This version is Mediterranean. 

We decided to do the Sightseeing Tour, which is their version of Omakase.  

First course, which has hummus (comes with pita), Labneh (the white dish - which is dill, cucumber, mix), Coffee Roasted Beets (the red and green dish), Torshi (the yellow dish - pickled vegetable), Itch (upper right corner dish - bulgar and vermicelli salad), and a lentil dish (center).

Kataifi Wrapped Haloumi - all you need to know is that it is like bird's nest on the outside, wrapped and fried cheese.  The green sauce has a kick but it's good, just go with it, it is good.  Make sure you catch some of the apple butter at the bottom and put it on your cheese, that's what made that work.

This is Spicy Pickled Cauliflower, it sounded great, but I'm so-so on it.

Taboon Roasted Squash - this was a surprise hit.  I was ok with the sauce, but with the sesame the warmth and the whipped feta, it was an awesome combo.  We were practically licking the plate on this one.

Eggplant, which was something I was looking forward to the most.  It has feta, tehina, and pomegranate seeds.  I've never had pomegranate seeds on a dish before, but it works here.  

For protein, I got the lamb.

And they were super accommodating since my friend doesn't eat meat and they were kind enough to give her a small portion of fish.  However, it was a tad bland for my taste.

This is the mushroom dish, was probably my least favorite of the meal.  They roasted it very dark, and there are bitter parts that I didn't care for too much.  The sauce however was yummy but not good enough to make up for it.

To accompany the protein, we have rice with lentil and dill, it reminds me of Mediterranean fried rice, because it's a mix of alot of things together.

This is the Halva Custard.  Typically, I wouldn't have gotten this on my own.  But, since it's selected for us, it was a good pairing.  Since we were super stuffed with the previous courses.  This is a custard with pistachio, dried cherry and burnt honey.  Each of the component wasn't too over empowering, and the texture was light, so I didn't feel super stuffed.

The restaurant is located in the former Marks, which was a shop that sells incense, candles, and spell books, then the incarnation before that was a real church.  Since it's been a restaurant space for over a decade, they really updated everything.  I've read some diners complaints were the music not matching the mood.  I can tell why, they were playing 90s gangsta rap, not exactly dining music.  That said, who is there to listen to the music.  It's not too abrasive, it's tolerable, but it was a point of contention for some people.  Eat at your own risk, but make sure you make a reservation.

Parking is valet only, but you can drive around the block and see if you have any luck for street parking.  That said, it is right next to La Grange (bar), so you may have to be fast for it.

One Fifth Houston

1658 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77006

713-955-1024

https://www.onefifthhouston.com/food/