CHENGDU TASTE, HOUSTON : EATING OUT

For someone who has grown up in a city, with its own China Town, a love for Chinese food is inherent. In our recent trip to Texas, we made sure we indulged in this love. If you know my Husband, you know that besides being a fabulous Trip Planner(people copy his itineraries left, right and center), he is an awesome foodie. In all his trip plans, most meals are carefully planned, and include some culinary hot spot of the other. In this particular trip, we might have been influenced by the Asian route.

After our time at the beach, we got back to Houston. Chengdu Taste, in China Town , started off our Houston's food trail. Houston, as a city is known for its wide range of restaurants specializing in Sichuan cuisine, or even influenced by Sichuan cuisine. While we might have ordered "Sichuan Chicken," from our neighborhood Chinese takeout ever so often, this was our first time, eating at a restaurant which specialized in Sichuan style Chinese cuisine. Did I mention, Anthony Bourdain's Episode of Parts Unknown, in Chengdu, was quite an inspiration. We were not flying to Chengdu, in China. But when we were flying to Houston, we made sure we accommodated a slice of Chengdu.

The restaurant closes at 9:30 pm and we didn't have a reservation. Although we had heard of stories of how much people have had to wait, we were seated almost immediately. Its a family style restaurant with lovely interiors, done in bamboo.

We started off with some Jasmine Tea as we perused the Menu.

The debate was whether we ordered a Hot Pot or we ordered something else. We decided to opt for "Water Boiled Beef in Red Chili Sauce." 

And an order of  "Chengdu Fried Rice." 

If you want White rice, then you need to order it as an extra side. We did so for our daughter. However, when it came to tasting, we realised that the Fried Rice was not spicy at all. It was a basic Chinese Egg Fried rice, with some wild rice thrown in the mix. Nothing extra special.

What hit the meal straight outta the ball park was our entree - Boiled Beef in Red Chili Sauce. It was potent. If you havent eaten something spiced with Sichuan pepper Corns, then be prepared for a tingling, numbing experience . I kid you not.

Fliets of Beef soak up a Chili Pepper broth, loaded with Sichuan Pepper Corns, chopped Serrano peppers and an extra helping of Chili Oil. Its the layers of heat in this broth which start hitting you at every bite. The broth despite being spicy, is so complex in its flavor profile. You will keep taking helpings, and keep drinking water, but you will keep going.

Your taste buds, tongue all start tingling and then going numb, for the pepper corns, which have such a distinct floral taste. Its super addictive, You just can't stop digging in. The broth comes with mung bean jelly noodles. By itself, its a good portion size to serve two people. The fried Rice was extra, as we were almost full with our entree.

We were close to the restaurant's closing time, and so I feel we were in a bit of rush to be done with our dinner. I loved the food, the ambience , the service.

Chengdu Taste, originally opened in LA, with branches in Las Vegas , and Hawaii. The Houston edition, is the latest one. If you are in Houston, make sure you check it out.

Stay tuned to the Blog for lots of more culinary adventures from Hosuton.