Roscoe’s House Keeps on Cooking

It’s like putting the best part of a Sunday morning breakfast and a Sunday afternoon picnic together on one plate. The last time I was in LA at Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles, I was a pescetarian, and let me tell you that fried fish and waffles just don’t taste so great together.  But chicken, well that’s just downright delicious and I couldn’t wait to taste theirs.

Trying to beat the Sunday church crowd, I treated my family to brunch at the Roscoe’s in West Hollywood around 12.30pm. No reservations are accepted, but they do have seats, so we waited outside, in a half-standing, half-seated line for at least 20 minutes.  We all should have been doing jumping jacks and push-ups to preempt the calorie attack we were in for.

Inside, the restaurant was cozy, the music was pumping, and people were having a good time. The waiter took a little longer than expected.  He actually skipped us and took another table’s order before ours. It could have been a race thing, but we didn’t let it bother us. We were too focused on the food.

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Everything in Houston is HOT!

I recently traveled for a 2-day getaway to Houston, TX. What a perfect time to get away from the fall weather and the approaching winter chills. I really love all that Houston has to offer-the warm weather, the architecture, the southern hospitality, the food, the spacious living, and my favorite television evangelist Joel Osteen.

Here are my highlights:

Well my initial visit was primarily for play business. I like to think of work as play-fun. It takes the “downer” expression off of the situation, which is that stress that we associate with work. Keep it light and fun and “play.” Had to digress for a second. So, for my play business I spoke on an artist panel and performed at Houston’s 1st Annual Front Porch Series, hosted by author/poet/activist/educator Tim’m West. The event was held at the Montrose Counseling Center, near downtown Houston, and it was HOT! The pre-show panel discussion revolved around our place as artists and our relation to politics and activism. Following the panel was the featured artist session, showcasing jazz and soul vocal songstress Caretta Bell, lyrics, beats, and melodies by Houston’s black gay hip-hop/soul duo The Qure, poetry and spoken word of Tim’m West, followed by spoken word and character sketches from my one-man show FlagBoy. Definitely a HOT and moving night and a must see the next time you’re in Houston. For more information on Houston’s upcoming Front Porch Series log on to www.reddirt.biz/thefrontporch.htm.

While this event happened Saturday evening, I must rewind to my Friday evening, which was Halloween night. Houston was buzzing with Halloween spirit. I was also brainstorming a witty idea for a costume because I was invited to an exclusive Halloween party that evening. Of course my first stop was Houston’s infamous Galleria Mall, which has everything from urban wear to high fashion. Although I didn’t find Halloween inspiration there, in the interim I had dinner at The Kona Grill located inside the Galleria Mall. Kona Grill’s food dishes range from Sushi to Vietnamese to Thai to American traditional. There’s inside seating and outside seating available. Although the service clocked in on the poor meter, I did enjoy the Shrimp Pad Thai and the Grapeade Martini. Yum! My filling dinner fueled my inspiration for my costume….Joe The Plumber!

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