Pulling up to a strip mall in Houston, Texas where Latin Bites Cafe recently expanded to, my expectations were low. (Strip malls aren’t normally my favorite destinations.) It would have never caught my eye driving by.
A local Houstonian had raved about it, so I heeded their advice despite first impressions. And I’m glad I did. Out of the four days of exploring Houston’s food and drink scene, Latin Bites’ Peruvian style cebiche (like ceviche) was in short: out. of. this. world. I dream about it still.
I found out later they were voted Best New Restaurant by the Houston Chronicle in 2010 and Latin Bites’ Chef Roberto Castre was recently voted Chef of the Year 2011 by Eater.com, thus the move from a tiny ten table space to the bigger one I feasted at in Houston’s Uptown area.
Regarding their Pisco (colorless or yellowish-to-amber colored grape brandy produced in winemaking regions of Peru and Chile) bar, the drink options are endless, even for the non-drinker.
Rita Castre, co-owner of Latin Bites, says about Houston’s only Pisco bar, “We’re also thrilled to offer Texas its first Pisco Bar that will boast a vast selection of handmade Peruvian cocktails, that feature exotic South American fruits.”
And that it does, created by Carlos Ramos, his imagination runs wild and free. I had a vibrant orange Passion Fruit Pisco Sour, but there are also so many others utilizing only top shelf Pisco like Campo de Encanto Pisco and Pisco Porton.
Bright and airy, the cosmopolitan yet comfortable setting incorporates a color scheme of soft greens, aquatic blue tones and white walls and is complimentary to Latin Bites’ interpretation of Peru’s vibrant food culture. While the dining room is a chic backdrop for lunch or dinner, the Pisco Bar and terrace make the perfect gathering spot for Pisco flights and Latin Bites’ signature cocktails – especially during the restaurant’s weeknight happy hour.
Happy Hour is available in the Cebiche Bar, Pisco Bar and patio only from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m—drink specials include: $6 pisco sours; $3 Peruvian beer; $5 house wines; and $5 Pisco Porton shots.
Next time you’re in Houston, stop by the family-owned and operated Latin Bites Cafe for one of the best Peruvian fusion meals paired with a potent Pisco Sour. The best and only Pisco Bar in Texas.
Photos by the author.