Cook and Collins

 Duckdating.com = win.

Took my first online match, Bernadine, to Cook and Collins in Midtown for a casual but nice date.  The owner owns a few other bars and restaurants around town including Pub Fiction and Crisp in the Heights. This place is an American fine dining with a decently casual vibe. Big upstairs and downstairs patio with retractable windows for nice days. The interior area has subway tiles behind bar, 1920s black and white floor tiles, along with dark stained wood and homey but chic decor on the walls. Yeah... I said chic. We sat at the bar per Bernadine's request, which turned out to be great. I did call a few days ahead and made a reservation for 8:00, which was smart. By 9:00 it was slammed. The two fine ladies helping us were so attentive and very friendly.  The chef made an extra order of black eyed  hummus so they brought it to us. Better then it sounded; I would definitely order it in the future. The place opened more recently so they were having a special of a free appy when you order an entree when you sit at the bar. So we started with the duck tacos as well(!!!!!)  Cannibalism at its finest. They were so good I'm not even ashamed of it. I did make sure the ducks murdered for these tacos were not from the west, couldn't risk eating a family member. Main course I got buffalo meatloaf; it was so full of flavor and spices. It was on top of spinach and mashed potatoes. Bernadine got the sweet potato ravioli with goat cheese. I liked it but wasn't in the mood for it. But she dove her beak right in there and seemed to be very happy with her choice. No dessert but I hear the butterscotch pudding is unreal. I attended their soft opening with some of my peeps that know some peeps and we had the bread pudding then. Holy quackamole it was fan-ducking-tastic! Will definitely be waddling back to Cook and Collins soon!

Deeeeelish duck tacos :X

Black eyed hummus

So much meatloaf

Ravioli

Hopefully it wasn't the wine talking but Bernadine said yes to a second date!

Restaurant: Cook and Collins http://www.cookandcollins.com

Time and day: Saturday 8:00 pm reservation

Vibe: avg 30's+,  snappy casual, well lit 

Overall: 4 feathers

Duck Dating

I've always been a skeptic to online dating but I thought I'd sign up on duckdating.com for fun to see what kind of quack jobs were on there. I seemed to have found quite the swan though... But then again anyone can seem perfectly nice and cute until you meet them and they end up being a psycho who wants to get married and have your ducklings after the first month then ends up ducking your best friend and taking all your money along with it.  Her name is Bernadine. She's red. And I'm taking her to Cook and Collins.  Wish me luck! 

All hail The Queen Vic

This long tiring day at the ol office really called for some cocktails and good grubbin tonight! Been to The Queen Vic recently and thought it was pretty ducking good so some coworkers and myself headed there after work to stuff our beaks. For a Thursday at 7:30 it was crowded but we got a table pretty quackly. The scene was younger; average 32. I had a few quacktails so that's a rough estimate. Food is heavier but if you're feeling like not counting calories, the British Indian fusion cuisine is to die for! Ive been maxing out on neck lifts at the LA Fit lately so a big indian kabab burger was in store. Our waitress Kristina, with a K, was pleasant and attentive. My peeps I was with were a bit camera shy tonight.. I'll get em next time. But I did try a little of everyones food. Everyone likes a well fed duck, they don't charge that much for fois gras for nothing. 

As far as the scene goes here, cool open room, pretty small and not terribly intimate. Were tables of couples, guys after work, and friends. If you're looking to pick up girls, not the place. If you're looking to pick up dudes, this is the place. Great for a casual date or sitting at the bar and watching the bartenders craft boozy masterpieces. 

Appy: Seafood Mac n cheese.. So good! Definitely to share. If not you may be a little "complicated" for a few days. Possibly worth it though! 
I got:
Indian kabab burger - Served on naan, which sounds cooler than it tastes. Was told lamb was cooked medium to rare. It was over well done. Duck that. Had this before and liked it. Must have been an off night. 
Everyone else got:
Saag paneer masala, hydroponic salad, royale burger, and fish and chips. Yum yum yum!! All so good. 

Next time the fish and chips will be ordered again. Previously have had Goan fishermans masala. A-may-zing!!! Chicken tiki masala=spicy as hell! But if your into that, 
Great flavor. 

Place. The Queen Vic http://www.thequeenvicpub.com
When: Thursday 7:30 pm
Crowd: Lots of peeps but no wading. 
Atmosphere: "snappy casual"
Overall: 4 feathers

 

The rum re-fashioned. I love boozy.. But this one ruffled my tail feathers! But I suggest trying a couple new beverages that you wouldn't normally get, they have an art for creative quacktails! 

 

Seafood mac n cheese 

Fish n chips 

Tuco takes Houston

Hey 'y'all', I'm Tuco the duck. Not to be confused with the Mexican drug lord, he's dead.  I'm new to this blogging thing and you'll have to excuse my slow posting... I don't have hands. Since I'm typing with a bill, I'll keep this short and sweet. I was born at the Chancellor Hotel in San Francisco and spent a good majority of my life there with my 37 brothers and sisters. I was recently transferred to "H-town" ( that's what the kids are calling it) and was anticipating a big clusterduck of people and oil refineries. But I'll tell you what, I was mistaken! I've come to find out that Houston is filled with a ton of quacktastic restaurants and things to do around town. I hope my blog helps anyone visiting or who resides here realize that Houston really is a pretty ducking fun town.  

Here's a few pix from my old party days in SF. 

                                           

The Buena Vista makes Irish coffees so good they'll have you foaming at the mouth!

Just a typical Tuesday night in Union Square. 

Nothing ruffles my feathers more then spending Halloween at Asia SF. What duck doesn't like an Asian tranny drag show with a three course dinner?I got the lamb.