Wednesday is free sample day at Crav at Gourmet Gallery and I have to say they got me.
I stopped by to take some photos, sample a little and chat. I left with two containers of chicken salad and one container of piquillo pepper and lime hummus. Good business practice for them. Good lunch for me.
Other samples included falafel, chicken marsala over spaghetti squash, pasta, etc. Crav hosts free sample day every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. You should check it out.
If cooking more or eating healthy or both are on your to-do list for 2013, Crav at Gourmet Gallery should be in your routine. They can definitely help. They host cooking classes — they have a sushi class coming up on Jan. 26 that promises to be fascinating and informative — and sell all kinds of utensils and ingredients for cooking and healthy living.
I-35 rumblings
The restaurants that line the I-35 access roads have to think about what's going to happen if the highway expands. I first spoke about the possibility with one restaurant owner in the spring and now another one is planning to stay in front of the situation.
Waco Tribune-Herald business columnist Mike Copeland reported this week that Denny's is planning a new Bellmead location. The story said Denny's franchisee Moody Aljadael is making the move with an eye toward staying near the new football stadium if the current Baylor-area store is forced to move.
The new stadium has many of us guessing and trying to plan accordingly. Meanwhile, the construction is already making an impact on local restaurants.
Also in the Trib, reporter J.B. Smith pointed out that football-stadium construction is re-routing traffic trying to get to Buzzard Billy's. I would attempt to describe how to best get to Buzzard Billy's and avoid problems, but I have a feeling it would further confuse the situation. Here's an idea: kayak over there from Indian Springs Park.
1401Speight staying quiet
We're keeping an eye on 1401Speight.com to see if they will choose upscale franks and sausages, gourmet tacos or a burger bar for the new restaurant at 1401 Speight. No word as of early Wednesday afternoon. We'll let you know via Twitter as soon as we learn the answer.
