Motorsports Park regularly hosts Kart racing, too
April 3, 2013
Andrew Calise Freeman
April 8, 2013
Sometimes, businesses tucked in small places deliver big.
Such is the case with Gourmet House. With locations on Houma’s east and west sides – both in small strip malls – the family operation is second to none when it comes to customer service.
My guest and I popped into the St. Charles Street location, a small space – only 11 tables and a sitting area and drink machine, which speaks to the volume of take-out business this eatery does. A steady stream stops by to pick up “to-go” orders. And, unlike some Chinese places, Gourmet House has a minimal amount of Asian-influenced artwork – a meek attempt at looking authentic. The adorable Hello Kitty kids’ colorings on the wall and small pink tricycle tucked away behind a table denotes this is a family establishment.
The TV wall-mounted broadcasts the news and soap operas as guests dine.
Sounds of pounding, chopping and sizzling trumpeted from behind the swinging kitchen door, accompanied by the fragrant aromas of stir-fried meats and vegetables with nuances of garlic and citrus.
The friendly hostess/waitress, who was on the phone and tending to three take-out guests, managed to sit us immediately.
Almost instantaneously another waitress dropped by some fried wonton strips paired with sweet and sour dipping sauce. She retrieved our beverages, while my guest and I agreed to order a plate of steamed dumplings ($5.25) as an appetizer. My companion also decided on a bowl of hot and sour soup ($2.35).
Six glistening pods of well-seasoned meat were placed before us along with a delicious dipping sauce. The crimped-edged creations were extremely flavorful and we devoured them in seconds.
My guest’s soup was served piping hot and full of fresh vegetables, mushrooms, tofu and more. Not overly sour. Just right.
For our entrees, we ordered Moo Shu Pork ($8.25) and the special of the day, Hong Kong Steak ($10.95). All lunch items are accompanied by pork-fried rice.
We didn’t order any chicken dishes on this particular trip, but as we waited for our food I noticed the gentlemen next to us wolf down his giant serving of Kung Pao Chicken without ever coming up for air. I’m pretty sure he enjoyed it and it looked scrumptious.
After being lapped by another table – they sat, ordered, ate, paid and left – while we were still waiting for our main courses, our waitress came to us and said our food would be out soon. My fellow patron’s steak dish was apparently the hold-up.
Not a minute later, our meals arrived. My moo shu pork was a tantalizing concoction of sliced pork, wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, carrots, ginger, garlic, sauces, oils and more. Four thin pancakes and sweet hoisin sauce were included. I added a side of white rice for $1.
I smiled in anticipation as I spooned my rice, moo shu and sauce onto the pancake and rolled it up. The first bite offered an explosion of flavor, which was followed by another and then another. By the time I was done with my first pancake, I was stuffed and excited to bring home leftovers, which I’m happy to say tasted just as good reheated the next day!
My guest’s time-intensive dish was beautiful and well worth the wait. A mound of steak, vegetables and mushrooms was served atop sweet orange slices. This is not your typical fast food or buffet-style steak. The sweet and savory meat was tender and flavorful … and actually tasted like beef. My heat-loving friend, whose motto is “the hotter the better,” suggested that the dish could have used a bit more of a spicy kick, but overall it was delightful and not a single morsel was left.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen,” my (very fresh) fortune cookie instructed.
We visited Gourmet House faithful it would be worth the trip. The evidence has now been seen. And the staff was very appreciative of our business, which is always nice to see.
Gourmet House does not use MSG in its dishes, which is good to know. It offers Hunan, Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine. The menu includes a variety of kid’s specials, available with French fries or pork, chicken or shrimp fried rice.
Dieters also have seven steamed dishes – ranging from veggie combos to chicken, beef or shrimp to bean curd – to choose from. Gourmet House uses no salt, oil, sugar or cornstarch in these dishes.
The Gourmet Housoe delivers MSG-free meals in a family-friendly, if cozy, environment. Take-out business at the west Houma location is popular.
$10.95
$2.35
$8.25
