TQLA

I love asking folks here in Houston: what is your favorite restaurant of the moment? Why, of the moment, you ask? Well, Houston's culinary landscape is vast beyond your wildest dreams and ever changing. Really. In the last month I've sampled Indian food native to Gujarat, homestyle Chinese food, and outstanding Cajun food. So why is it that the forthcoming Top Chef Texas is skipping the Bayou City?

But I digress. My favorite city of the moment / recent months is TQLA. Located on the bustling bar scene that is Washington Avenue, TQLA offers a haven featuring Mexican and Southwestern inspired cuisine alongside a full-throttle but refined menu of tequila.

When TQLA hit the scene, I was totally lured by restaurant's gimmick of featuring a selection of tequilas on tap (that's right, like beer). However, I have yet to try a flight of different tequilas straight up or a flight of margaritas, for that matter, because I am totally enraptured with my favorite drink of the year - the Dirty Tequini: chile pepper infused tequila, olive brine, fresh lime juice, and stuffed olives. Yes, this odd combo sounds totally weird but it's a combo of all my favorite tastes! Really, the only thing missing is some goat cheese. Buyer beware, the Dirty Tequini has bordered on raging inferno when the chile infusion jar at the bar has a low level of tequila versus the soaking chiles. When not in the mood for flames, which is rare, I opt for the featured margarita of the month. Featuring the tequila of the month, TQLA's margs ditch yucky pre-fab mix for agave nectar, fresh lime juice, and premium orange liqueur. YUM!

I believe this was the Prickly Pear Margarita. No pics of the Dirty Tequini -- you'll have to trust me on this one, ye of spicy inclinations.

Onto the food. I am totally smitten with three things at TQLA. The wild mushroom tamale is forkgasmic in multiple universes. I equally hunger after the pecan encrusted salmon and it's outrageously good partner, green chile mashed potatoes, both of which are smothered in a tequila lime butter. Finally, the blue corn vegetable enchiladas offer up a diverse vegetable selection (grilled zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, and sweet potatoes) with an irresistible queso sauce.

Wild Mushroom Tamale: Wild Mushrooms and Goat Cheese Filling, Mushroom Cream, and Roasted Corn Sundried Tomato

Pumpkin Seed Crusted Salmon: Sauteed Salmon with Pumpkin Seeds, Fried Green Tomatoes, Sweet Peppers, Tequila Lime Butter and Green Chile Mashed Potatoes

Upon sitting down at TQLA, you are immediately brought warm, salty tortilla chips alongside two salsas, one sweet and one that is warm, spicy, and savory. When hitting TQLA just for happy hour, we usually order up a bowl of the mouth watering queso al fresco. You will want to load up on all these yummy flavors alongside your tequila (or non-tequila beverage of choice - great beers on tap too) but take care to save room from TQLA's main events.

Guacamole Fresca: Roma Tomatoes, Red Onions, Cilantro, Serrano Chile, Fresh Lime

Hmmmm...anyone overcome by a sudden desire for TQLA? Dinner next week anyone?

TQLA
Addy: 4601 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Tel: 281-501-3237
Hours: Sun-Wed, 11am-10pm; Th-Sat, 11am-12am