Monday, September 2, 2019

The Union Kitchen - Fall Menu Tasting

Alright, warning everyone this is a picture heavy post.
But first, thanks to HankOnFood, I was connected with Nick at Nick's Local Eats. 
 The invite was for a showcasing of Union Kitchen's Fall Menu.  So, let's go to it:
 This is their Lobster Potstickers.   Flavoring is not bad, pretty generous with the lobster filling, has a dot of sriracha sauce and salsa verde for your choice.  They are pan fried, in case you're curious.
 This is the shrimp and crab egg roll, which I actually like the sauce and the cole slaw that comes with it.  Great appetizer to share.
 New drinks are featured as well, this is: Southside Cherry.  Since we're near Southside Place, it's only right to name a drink after it.  It has Cherry Whiskey, lemon biter, ginger ale, bourbon, and cherry garnish.  I can see this being a good drink when the cold weather arrives.
 This is their Blackberry Poloma, which has tequila, grapefruit, blackberries, lime.  I didn't get to try one of these, but I think it'll go well with brunch.
 This is their Boost Bowl, which is a superfood bowl, that is a quinoa cake with avocado, mix greens with corn and feta cheese and a bit of white balsamic dressing, with a bed of rice.  You're welcome to add protein on that.  Even though the quinoa cake looked like it's fried, it is still too healthy for me.  Haha.
 This is a Gyro Salad, it's so popular that when it was being passed around not a bit of food left by the time it gets to me.  Honestly, it is is very worthy, this is a must try on my list.
 I got this one, the Sage Lemonade.  There are bourbon, simple syrup, raspberry, and lemonade.  It does taste like lemonade with a kick, you can easily drink it all in one shot.
 This is the Greek Pizza, the artichoke really did the trick here.  Totally brings the flavors together.
 This is the Bacon Chicken Ranch pizza, that all came together so naturally. 
Chicken Parmigiana Pizza - did someone say Parm?  I'm so there!
The one I didn't get to try was the Hawaiian, which has Canadian bacon, pineapple and jalapeño.  Total of 4 pizzas were on the showcase.
  Mozzarella Sticks - is there anybody that doesn't like this?!
 Now, this is not something I see on a regular basis, this is the Smoked Goat Cheese dip, but what you don't see is the apple onion jam in the middle and bottom.  So, when you take a crostini to the dip, make sure you get a little bit of the goat cheese and a little bit of the apple onion jam together, that's what makes the dish!
 Here's some entree's: Gyro Wrap with the homemade chips.  First of all, like the gyro salad earlier, it was all gone before it got to me.  So!  This is on my list as well!  It must be so darn good that everyone is hogging it... sorry for the pun.
 Salmon Burger - was talking to the chef and he was saying that salmon is one of their most popular dishes, but there are some left overs and throwing them away seems to be a waste, so they use the decided to put it together and make salmon burger.  That's a good way to use up what they have and no food goes to waste!
 Then they also serve out the Shrimp Burger, the sauce you see on the side is the sriracha aioli sauce, it is like crack.  Get it!
 They called this T.H.E. Chicken Bacon burger - the T.H.E. stands for This Has Everything, which they have bacon, chicken, roasted tomato, herbs, pepper, onions, cheese... and more.  I like this, even it has everything it's not so overwhelming on the taste.
Quesadilla Wrap, this is Spanish Wrap with spinach inside and Jack cheese.
Spicy Chicken Wrap - which according to the chef, this was their number one item on the menu but as time changes, it went off of the menu, and now, they're bringing it back.  It is pretty good, and it ha a little kick to the wrap.  I can see why it was a popular item.
This is The Original Union Burger - Those are ginormous onion rings. 
One of the bloggers nearby ordered the Lobster Ravioli, that is actually very good.  I wouldn't mind having that again.
Another fellow blogger ordered the Hangar Steak, which I was really going after the chimichurri sauce.  The side is not mashed potato, which it fooled our eyes too.  It really is jalapeño cheddar grits.  
Desserts FINALLY! This is the Chocolate Tower, when we got it, it was a little bit leaning tower of Pisa.  But it does not take away the taste.  Perfect for any Chocolate Monster that you know.
Bread Pudding - pretty awesome, I must say.  The chocolate and caramel sauce definitely gave it the oomph.
More yummy desserts to come.
Texas Lime Pie - where the GM told a very funny story of a Florida native not too happy about this lime pie because it's a Floria thing.  However, after she tried it, she apologized and comes back for more.
Churros with chocolate sauce - but it has a twist!  It is a stuffed churros, the inside is dulce de leche and of course cinnamon sugar on top. 
Of course creme brûlée, I just love cracking the sugar layer.

Anyway, thank you to Rob the GM and Chef Paul for answering our questions and sharing all sorts of stories be it food or the building, or the menu.  Also, thank you to Nick for the connection.  It was also nice to reconnect with long time foodie friend, Jay and meet new bloggers like Chad - The Bearded Texan and Metta Marie who helped with the lighting.

There's a Union Kitchen in the main neighborhoods in town, you really don't have an excuse not to go try some of these.

The Union Kitchen
4057 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX 77025
713-661-0025
http://www.theunionkitchen.com/index.html

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