Harold's in the Heights has long been a favorite local spot for Southern Creole cuisine and great cocktails. Harold's previously consisted of a restaurant, terrace, and General Store. Owner Alli Jarret converted the former General Store space into Harold's Tap Room, a 1,300 square foot bar and lounge that opened mid-May. The Tap Room features house infused cocktails, craft beer, wine on tap, and Southern inspired bar bites. Bar manager, Lauren Muse, has created a special cocktail menu that is the essence of summer. The house infused liquors and the cocktail menu will change seasonally giving guests a reason to come back often in order to try them all. When I mentioned to Lauren that I loved Tequila she suggested I try the house infused pepper and mango Tequila. She combined it with a touch of simple syrup and some Rummy's Grapefruit soda to make one of the best Palomas I have ever had. Next I tried the Summerthyme Sangria off of the cocktail menu. Thyme, raspberry, and mint infused vodka made this sangria simply sensational. The flowers served on top were all edible and the pink one was my favorite. Chef Antoine Ware has created a menu for the Tap Room that is a cut above your average bar food. Sweet & Spicy Wings, Pizzas, and Redneck Sliders (bologna sandwiches) are just a few of the items available to munch on while quenching your thirst at the bar. Two items really caught my eye - The Country Ham Plate and the Big Ass Meatball. As promised in the title, the Big Ass Meatball was one giant meatball served in a flavorful tomato sauce. The Country Ham Plate consisted of three fluffy biscuits, house made ham, cane syrup, butter, and the most wonderful pimento cheese. It doesn't get any more Southern than biscuits and cane syrup. I was in hog heaven! Before I left, Lauren tempted me with dessert. The Creme Brûlée Bread Pudding is made with a rich vanilla custard, then brûléed and topped with vanilla ice cream. It was quite decadent and the perfect ending to my visit at Harold's. The Tap Room has Happy Hour Specials Tuesday - Friday as well as a reverse Happy Hour on Bar Bites the last two hours of food service. When you visit Harold's Tap Room you can't help but "eat, drink and be Southern".
Tap Room hours:
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Houston area BBQ joints, Pitmasters, and barbecue enthusiasts converged on NRG Park May 22nd for the 4th Annual Houston Barbecue Festival. The only thing hotter than the sun was the fire coming off over 25 different pits. Festival goers showed up in huge numbers and came ready to fill their bellies with some darn good Q. Popular restaurants such as Louie Mueller's and Killen's had long lines all day. Local Spring/Tomball area businesses were well represented by Corkscrew BBQ, BBQ Godfather, and Tejas Chocolate Craftory. In addition to traditional BBQ, there was gator, boudin, and my favorite - Mexican barbacoa by Gerardo's. The standout items for me included Pinkerton's Brisket and Louie Mueller's sausage. I'm not sure what Pinkerton puts in his BBQ sauce, but it is delicious! I look forward to his soon to open brick and mortar restaurant. There was more meat available that any one person could possibly ever or should ever attempt to eat. I was very thankful for the places that included sides, especially Ray's BBQ Shack's fried corn, Tejas Chocolate Craftory's carrot souffle, and the sweet potato casserole from BBQ Godfather. Although you will have to wait until next year to have so many great BBQ joints in one place, as Houstonians we are lucky to have some of the BEST barbecue in Texas available to us year round!
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About the AuthorI like eating, traveling, and enjoying liquid libations. I'm all about great wines, signature cocktails, and local brews. Archives
May 2023
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