'Drunken' hot dog with veggie chips
THE OWNER OF Houston’s popular Kin Dee Thai has launched a ghost kitchen — a delivery- and to-go-only concept that first became popular during the pandemic — in the Galleria area. M Express Thai Kitchen sells unique Thai takes on American fast-food favorites like hot dogs, burgers, wraps and wings.
Restaurateur Lukkaew Srasrosiwan — who will also debut fine-dining restaurant MaKiin in the Hanover River Oaks highrise this summer — opened M Express with plans to expand the concept to other areas of Houston.” M Express Thai Kitchen represents a unique addition to the vibrant and diverse Houston culinary community, and we are ecstatic to bring a new level of convenience to Houstonians and visitors alike,” says Srasrisuwan in a press release. M Express is located within the Fair Food Co. ghost kitchen facility.
The 13-item menu features American comfort foods mostly eaten out of hand that are amped up with Thai flavors using authentic, quality ingredients. For instance, the Basil Beef burger is topped with Thai basil sauce and the usual fixings, or have it your way with bacon, cheese and a fried egg, while the chicken club sandwich is served with panang curry sauce. Its beef “drunken” hot dog is gussied up with ground beef topping, sauteed peppers and onions (chili, if you will), along with drunken noodle sauce and fried basil garnish. That’s no Coney dog!
Snacky bites perfect for late-night cravings include shrimp nuggets, Sriracha wings, crispy wonton pad Thai, and several intriguing Thai-style dips from sriracha to Laab dip for its wonton chips, sweet potato chips, and to flavor other dishes. As per the usual with ghost kitchens, items can be ordered for pick-up or delivery via third party food delivery platforms like UberEats, ChowNow, DoorDash and GrubHub.
To develop the new menu, Srasrisuwan collaborated with two local award-winning Thai chefs, who take the nicknames “Chef O” and “Chef Bell.” Together, they bring cooking experience from resorts in their native Thailand as well as working as consultants for Kin Dee. Chef O has won culinary competitions in Thailand and proudly dons his awards in photos.
Chef O and Chef Bell
Green curry pork burger
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Lobby Bar at Tremont House
FROM BEACHFRONT VACATION homes to Creole cottages, Galveston has more than its share of great places to stay. But island regulars — or even those searching for a quick last-minute stay — have probably noticed the absence of hip, modern boutique-style hotels. Enter Hotel Lucine, slated to open in the coming month or so.
Originally built in the 1960s as the Treasure Isle Motel, the 61-room hotel was most recently the ramshackle-y Pearl Inn, but has undergone a total transformation. The sexy, retro-savvy Hotel Lucine, located on the island’s East End near Stewart Beach, homages the building’s mid-century origins while incorporating tons of natural light, greenery and warm tones. Here, guests can enjoy private beachfront relaxation, or alternatively opt to lounge at the interior courtyard pool.
Until recently, Hotel Lucine — named for a pearlescent, sculptured shell — boasted Houston hospitality stars Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel as food and beverage partners. Its unclear how the duo’s exit will impact Lucine’s plans. The main restaurant, called The Fancy, is billed as American “fine-ish” dining; plans had also been ongoing for a casual rooftop bar to be call the Den.
Meanwhile, another Galveston icon has been fully remodeled. The historic Tremont House, located on The Strand, debuted its new look over the holidays, and also joined the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. The renovation features hardwood floors and exposed-brick walls in the 135 guest rooms; a group of four suites, dubbed the Mitchell Collection, is located on a private floor, with pressed-tin ceilings and expansive living areas, plus the option to join all four together.
In the refreshed lobby, find Blum & Co. “urban market” with coffee and grab-and-go items, and the bar, 1862 Toujouse, featuring live music.
Nearby, several exciting concepts provide downtown guests with fun food — and necessities. Old Oleander will open in April, in the Strand’s Hendley Building, most recently home to the Old Strand Emporium. It’ll have fresh produce, eggs, meat, alcohol — and a menu of gourmet sandwiches. A few blocks away, Sugar & Rye’s coastal cuisine draws diners who come for the jambalaya risotto and stay for the housemade ice cream. And a little farther west, on Market Street, Ophelia’s is now open, serving comfort food like boudin balls and fried chicken for lunch and dinner.
Tremount House
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