Boognish

i think they are just pointing out that originality is lost.

That would be correct. Not a whole lot of originality along Washington Avenue when it comes to new construction.

When I moved to the area, there was Cadillac Bar, Mission Burrito, El Rey, Los Dos Amigos, Terlingua, and probably four or five other little taquerias. Then they started construction on El Tiempo. "Great!" I thought, "I like El Tiempo, the margaritas knock me on my ars and the food is delicious. I hate going into the crowded Richmond location, soon I won't have to go."

Several months after that, I noticed some construction on Durham, then a sign, "Cyclone Anaya's". I did not know what that was, then my friend told me in was a mexican restaurant. "Huh, okay, well I guess it could be an alternative if El Tiempo is too crowded."

Then shortly after that, more construction. "What could it be?" I wondered. "Oh, Molina's, more mexican food." I now have ten or more mexican restaurants within a one-two mile radius of my house.

I am just feeling the same way about the wine bars. First Cova, then I saw the Corkscrew down the street, then Max's. Every time they start moving dirt around I get excited, then, it is usually a let down once they put up the sign and I realize "Oh, it's another this or that." I mean, there are two different "sell your stuff on ebay" stores in the Max's parking lot.

There are finally some new things popping up. Mak Chin's [or whatever it is] is a nice addition. Not spectacular, but at least some variety. I am excited about Azuma, but by the looks of it, by the time they get around to finishing it, there will be two, maybe three other Japanese restaurants in the area.

Oh well, I'm going on and on, not really sure if I am making a point. There is a lack of originality. Do I have a better suggestion? Eh, not really. I'd like to see more variety, but whatever, I'll probably just keep going to Cahill's.

Another wine bar would be great since Max's is always crowded.

Please post info.

YES!!! More wine bars, that is exactly what Washington Avenue needs, along with a few more mexican restaurants, there simply aren't enough choices.

Hah! That looks like the City of Houston special!

I need to get in touch with a good/affordable tree trimmer. Can you guys recommend anyone?

I called a tree service that advertises on several radio and television stations in town. They wanted almost $1,500 to trim our trees. That seems expensive to me, is that normal? We don't have a huge lot, we don't even have a big lot.

We have four oak trees, a pecan tree, a sycamore tree, and a couple other smaller trees. We just want to raise the canopy and thin them out a little.

Any recommendations, other than doing it myself?

My beef with Pappadeaux's is that they charge you an arm and a leg for food and youngsters think that place is the best thing since sliced bread....I not an old fart nor close to it but damn, there are going to be some mad brothas in about 20 years when their women can't cook because of places like that....

They charge you an arm and a leg, but you get what you pay for...their portions are very generous and the quality is good. You might pay $18 for the crawfish platter (half fried/half etouffee), but they give you enough food for 2 people (unless you weigh 300 lbs., thenyou are two people).

Thanks, we are loving the neighborhood. We will have to give Petrol Station another try. Any idea what time they close?

My wife and I just moved to Garden Oaks, and I have been exploring the neighborhood while jogging in the evenings. The first time I ran down Wakefield I was suprised to see several icehouses.

We tried out the old gas station at Wakefield & Golf. We liked it, $1 can beer if you're wearing flip-flops, can't beat that. The patio was nice and we liked the layed back atmosphere of the place, but there were way too many kids running around.

I was wondering if anyone had been to the other places on Wakefield? One place is called the Catty Corner (Wakefield & Alba), then there is The Dutchman and a red building across from The Dutchman, think is called the Country Place. Has anyone been to any of these places? Can you tell us a little about them?

Are these cool icehouses or are they a good place to get a bottle broken over your head? Do they have nice neighborhood charm, or are they watering holes for the trailer parks down the street and the people with cars in their yard?

Forgive me if I am repeating anything that has previously been said, but I don't think it would be a bad idea for Washington Avenue to have its own forum. I live in the area and I am very interested in what's going on there. In fact, my main reason for checking this site, is to get updates on new construction in this area.

As it is set up now, I have to check the Montrose forum, the Heights forum, and sometimes the Downtown forum to get find discussions on the Washington Avenue area. What would it hurt to add another category?

I'm all for it.

I used one bag, but it's not that big of a yard. The tree limbs of the two trees pretty much cover the yard. I think I put it out in March. The trees only started looking bad over the last two or three weeks. The trees are surrounded by a large flower bed, so I didn't put any directly at the base of the tree.

Otto's is still open. The best thing about Otto's, is that they will put a fried egg on your bacon cheeseburger if you ask nicely.

I got this idea from Dirty Martin's in Austin. It's called the "OT special": double bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoe, mayo, and a fried egg with onion rings on the side. The OT special is one of the main reasons I gained 45 poinds in college. That, and Natural Light. I have since shed these pounds, but I miss them on cold cold nights.

Needless to say, my "double bacon cheeseburger w/ a fried egg on it" days are over. So I haven't much use for Otto's. Their barbecue is average. I go there once every 3 years or so, when someone else wants to go there for lunch.

I like Demeris Shepherd at Alabama too. I prefer their sauce to the too tomatoey garbage I find at most places.

I never got the appeal of Goode Co. It's just very "ehh" to me. I liked the burgers at Otto's, is it still open?

Otto's is still open. The best thing about Otto's, is that they will put a fried egg on your bacon cheeseburger if you ask nicely.

I got this idea from Dirty Martin's in Austin. It's called the "OT special": double bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoe, mayo, and a fried egg with onion rings on the side. The OT special is one of the main reasons I gained 45 pounds in college. That, and Natural Light. I have since shed these pounds, but I miss them on cold cold nights.

The Water Oak life span is shorter than Live Oaks, Water Oaks starts to decline around 50 years when the top lateral branches start to break off in storms. Live Oaks usually start to decline after 120+ years unless you use alot of Weed and Feed in your lawn, that will kill any tree. Water Oaks leaves look's like duck feet.

Uh oh.................I used Weed and Feed. That must be it. Am I totally screwed or can I bring it back?

On a side note, if any of the barbecue joints you frequent have a hamburger on the menu, I would suggest trying it at some point. From my experience, a burger at a barbecue joint (when they offer it) tend to be some of the best burgers you can get.

I would DEFINATELY pull up ANY Chinaberry trees, all they are good for is making a mess, and for throwing the berries at schoolmates while waiting at the bus stop. At least that's what we did back in the 80's.

We used to have one of those horse apple trees by my bus stop. We' throw them at the side of the stop sign and cut them in half, very sticky. There was also a china berry tree. When they would get over-ripe and brown we called them "poo berries". Good times.

I am pretty sure I don't have any china berry trees. If I find some I will cut them down. Back to the oak trees though, I checked and they are white oaks. My point of posting this was not to reminisce about "poo berries" (though it has been fun). If anyone has had this problem, or recently dealt with an arborist or tree service that you would recommend, perhaps you provide their contact information. If not, bus stories are fun too.

There was a kid on my bus that was so good at pencil break, I played him with a mechanical pencil and he still beat me.

That's a good question. I'll have to double check, but I think they are white oaks.

I have two oak trees in my front yard that are starting to turn brown. They are old trees, been around longer than I have, and with all the rain we've had I wouldn't think they'd be dying.

Any recommendations on someone I could call to take a look at my trees? I am in The Heights/Garden Oaks area.

The Swinging Door Bar-B-Q

It's not inside the loop, but with the West Park tollroad you can be there in no time. I grew up in Richmond/Rosenberg and was raised on this stuff. Absolutely amazing barbecue, the pecan smoking gives it a unique flavor. Best I have ever had, and I do consider myself a connoisseur!

The Swinging Door

3818 FM359

Richmond, Texas 77469

http://www.swingingdoor.com/index.html

If I do have to stay inside the loop, I love Hickory Hollow on Washington Avenue. Certainly not "The Best" barbecue I have had, but better than average. Where else can you get brisket, sausage, ribs, two sides and............a chicken fried steak for $12.99??? That's right, chicken fried steak and barbecue, gluttony at its finest!!!

Guess I'll have to stay clear. not into teenybopper places.

for me there's almost no real "music" made today. people can't read nor play music. Most can't sing either. People with bad taste buy the crap and that is why they keep producing the same stuff.

There is plenty of good music made today, you're just not going to find it on the radio or MTV. But you know that.

Yeah, I drove by about a week ago and noticed all of the parking in the back, just haven't had a chance to correct myself.

The Stable Burger at the Westheimer location was the best burger I have ever eaten. When it closed, we went to the Main St. location and ordered the Stable Burger. For some reason at that location, they put ham on the Stable Burger instead of bacon. It was very strange.

I will miss this place, but not as much as I will miss the old man who is in there every time I have lunch, sitting alone putting salt in his beer.

I know this is an old topic, but it caught my eye. I used to run by this place and it seemed like they would never finish it. I believe they have been open and leasing for a few months now.

I drove past Bayou on the Bend on may way home Monday, October 16, after an entire day of severe weather and flooding. The parking area, which is located under the building, was completely under water. The bayou was full and the garage was flooded, deep enough that there were construction dumpsters floating around. It's a good thing no one lives there yet, or there would have been cars floating down the bayou.

I have lived in the Rice military area for almost 3 years, and I have seen the Buffalo Bayou reach this level 3 or 4 times, at least once a year. This place is doomed and I don't think there is anything they can do about it.

This is a description of the project from the Houston Business Journal:

"Nestled in the trees along the bayou, the 40-year-old property has been damaged multiple times from heavy rains. The lower level of the complex has suffered so much flood damage that it is no longer habitable. But Dilick says he has settled on a construction technique that will raise the living quarters out of the flood plain."

That's fantasic, except, all the parking is still deep in that floodplain. If that palce ever fills up, it's going to be ugly the next the bayou rises up and you have 242 units full of people who cars are underwater or possibly washed away, or worse, someone drowns in the elevator.

BAD IDEA!