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Monday, August 10, 2009

Eating My Way Across Galveston, TX, Part One

Look, historic travel girl loves to stay in old houses. But do I want to subsist on a diet of Victorian-era excesses...with exotic new dishes and lots of courses? Uhh...YES!!!

Luckily, Galveston does not disappoint the hungry historic traveler. Here are just a few of the options (there are tons more--coming soon!)

Yaga's Cafe and Bar. 2314 The Strand, www.galveston.com/yagascafe . Now, if you're thinking this is some hippy dippy place where the staff all wears flip-flops and the kids congregate like gnats...you're right. But in the best way.

Yaga's is laid-back and casual, but the food is great and the prices seem made for a college student's budget. I like the seafood taquitos...lightly fried, filled with fresh pink shrimp, and with two lick-the-plate sauces. The wait staff is always friendly (they actually played with my three-year-old nephew when we took him there), and it's cool to sit in a window seat and look out at all the beautiful cast-iron buildings that line the Strand like sentries to the past.

La King's Confectionery. 2323 The Strand, www.galveston.com/laking . The inside here is as cool as the outside, and both are as cool as a black-and-white shake (that's East Coast lingo for a chocolate shake made with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup). It's 1950 inside, from the mile-long candy counter, to the sweetheart ice cream parlor chairs and tables, to the well-kept waiter with their little black bow ties. And the ice cream and candy is su-weet.

Mosquito Cafe. 628 14th Street, http://www.mosquitocafe.com/ . Moving off the Strand, and into the gorgeous East End Historic district, you have to check out this spot. It's a survivor of the 1900 storm, as well as a 1980's biker clientele, not to mention Hurricane Ike in 2008. The Mosquito has come out better than ever...with fresh, interesting meals and fabu desserts. I like the quiche of the day, followed up with a piece of lemon cake; the historic hubby opts for the curry chicken salad and anything chocolate (although he's been known to eat a scone as well...and he loves them).

Speaking of scones, homemade vegetable scones are the base for the amazing Mosquito Benedict, a gastronomic skyscraper stacked with asparagus, grilled shrimp, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and...oh yes...perfectly poached eggs and a dripping of Hollandaise sauce. You get two of them...so bring a friend (or go on the weekend, when breakfast is served all day, and you can count it as a late breakfast, early lunch).

These three happy historic haunts serve awesome food with a side of architecture. But there are lots more places on the Isle...stay tuned for future posts.