LINE & LARIAT Restaurant, Houston, Texas

Modern Cuisine As Unique As Texas
by Carl Burnham

The romantic atmosphere of the LINE & LARIAT invites you in, with subdued lighting, the 30-foot high carved recessed ceilings supported by Doric columns, the rich wall decorations and detail molding that makes the Hotel ICON lobby so unique. The stylish walls are decorated with rich colors, original artwork, detailed molding and ironwork. Soothing sounds play soulful melodies and piano music in the background, and the food matches the surroundings.

Located in the lobby of the Hotel ICON, the new LINE & LARIAT restaurant has an interesting selection of unique dishes to choose from under the direction of Executive Chef David Luna.

We chose to go with a Sangria wine for our meal, which started with delicious portions of homemade rolls and cornbread. Oscar, our waiter, was most helpful with helping us make our starter and entree selections.

For a starter, I selected a delicious quail, with a sweet corn polenta, queso fresco, with guajillo chile lime butter. My wife went with a shrimp remoulade with scallions and tomatoes. They also have a file gumbo that sounded interesting with shrimp, sausage, chicken, okra, and rice.

By the photo you would think this is something else. Hidden underneath fresh pea shoots, shallots, tomato confit, field peas (locally grown), with paprika oil mixed in is juicy red snapper. The chef has a special process that sears in the juices. My wife had "Shrimp and Grits" which consisted of jumbo Gulf shirmp on top of greens (locally grown), with grits mixed with a little hot sauce, bacon, and cheddar

How could one not resist dessert? Among the menu selections, the name "Working Man's Lunch" caught my eye. Was this a misprint? Not at all. A new staff creation, we found it to be a unique blend of sorbet, chocolate, carmel, mint, marshmellow, brown sugar, and kettle corn. It works, it works quite well!

Afterwards I met again with Executive Sous Chef Tyler Malson and Zaheer "Zee" Qureshi, Director of Food & Beverage to relay what a great job with the unique selections they have created at the new restaurant under the leadership of Executive Chef David Luna.

Breakfast and lunch selections are served daily. Although we didn't have time to try, the breakfast buffet had many options available including fresh eggs, bacon, pastries, fruit, juice, and coffee, as well as other menu selections.

We would like to thank the restaurant staff for their hospitality and for providing a meal for our feature.

LINE & LARIAT
220 Main Street (at the corner of Congress and Main)
Houston, TX 77002 Map
1-866-940-1794
Hotel ICON