issue ˜˚˚˛˝˙ˆ - The Taste Of Texas...The barn is fully decorated and our antique sleighs make the perfect setting for that treasured photo. Bring your family and your camera

Christmas DéCor & morEThe Taste of Texas Restaurant is once again filled with Christmas spirit! Our Christmas décor crews and staff along with the talented staff at AJ’s Design have recreated

a festive wonderland of trees, nutcrackers, magically lit and garlanded walkways and driveways. Antique sleds and skis, Snow Villages©, beautifully framed Christmas art and décor are all hung by the chimney with care and ready for all to enjoy. The Sam Houston room is filled with Nina’s incredible collection of Santa Claus’ from all over the world, and thrills both young and old every year. We “think” Christmas decor ALL year to provide amazing and memorable moments for your holiday celebrations.

The wagon barn is the perfect place for your annual family Christmas picture. The barn is fully decorated and our antique sleighs make the perfect setting for that treasured photo. Bring your family and your camera to the wagon barn day or night to capture that special photo from Christmas 2012.

Christmas at the Taste of Texas is a tradition we love to share with our guests. Whether you’re coming with friends, family or your “work family”, we look forward to your visit! Merry Christmas one and all!!

There is no gift like STEAKS! Delight your family and corporate friends with the gift of steak this Holiday Season at www.tasteoftexas.com. We offer everyone’s favorite cuts online: Filets, Strips, T-Bones, Rib Eyes and more. Our steak packages make a phenomenal gift and impression. For your convenience, all steaks are shipped with dry ice by FedEx 2nd day shipping. We include handling instructions and a tin of Taste of Texas Steak Seasoning. Add some of our other popular items to your gift: shrimp for grilling, quail bites, and our herb and Blue cheese butters to make their grilling dinner unforgettable. We will ship on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with our LAST SHIPPING DATE on Wednesday December 19.

TASTEOFTEXAS.COM Perfect for Holiday Giving

holiday hours

Monday through Thursday11:00 am to 10:00 pmFriday11:00 am to 11:00 pmSaturday3:30 pm to 11:00 pmSunday3:00 pm to 10:00 pm

CHRISTMAS EVEOpen at 11:00 amNames taken until 7:00 pmNo reservations(Parties seated in order of arrival)

CHRISTMAS DAYClosed - Merry Christmas!

NEW YEAR’S EVE11:00 am to the New Year!No reservations(Parties seated in order of arrival)

NEW YEAR’S DAY3:00 pm to 10:00 pm

OPEN NOvEmbEr 23 – DEcEmbEr 24

Beginning Friday, November 23 at 9 am,

and running through December 24 at 9 pm

buy $100 in Gift Cards and get $25 FREE! To

purchase, visit our beautiful Taste of Texas

Gift Store just inside the front doors, or

shop online at www.tasteoftexas.com and

have the gift cards shipped FedEx either to

you or directly to your recipient with a gift

message. Our gift cards carry no exemptions

or expirations and are a great value. *Please note: our gift cards are for dining in the restaurant or purchases made in the restaurant only, they cannot be used online.

Gift CarD spECial

Buy $100, Get $25 Free

H

Wagon Barn: The Wagon Barn is the perfect setting for your family Christmas photo! It is fully decorated with outdoor sleighs, Christmas trees, and more to make your family holiday photo the best ever. Bring your family and your camera for a picture to capture that special moment!

Santa Visits: Santa Claus will be at the fireplace Monday and Tuesday nights December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18 from 5:30-7:30 for a great photo opportunity for your family. Bring your camera and capture Santa with your special someone.

FaMily PhoTos

fall ‘12issue

volume38

8

COOKING

What a great stage of life we are in! Weddings and Grandchildren!

Kristin & Corbin Blackford in Charlottesville VA and doing very well in school at the University of Virginia. Corbin is in his second year of law school and Kristin is in her first year at the Darden Business School. Life is good in VA, but they both will intern in Houston this summer!

Lisa & Chris Blackard are expecting baby #2 in May. Daughter Hannah will turn 2 at Christmas and life is so fun through Hannah’s eyes. Chris is enjoying his new position at Shell and Lisa staying fit and busy with baby boot camp.

Newlyweds, Claudine & David Hartland (H6) are having a blast with the 4 children in four different schools, sports and activities. They have recently remodeled their home and glad to be through with construction.

Nina stays busy with school tours, staff and being Honey to 5, soon to be 6 grandchildren. She recently updated the bar and wait station and then moved right into Christmas! Edd is busy with the restaurant, grandchildren, and enjoying life & love with Nina.

FAMIlY NEWS

ChrisTMas Trivia1. Reindeers are herbivores. What do they eat?

2. What state grows the most poinsettias?

3. Complete the title of the classic TV Special: “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and ……”

4. What is the 9 day celebration of Christmas called in Hispanic culture?

5. What did Chevy Chase in the movie Christmas Vacation want to buy with his Christmas bonus?

6. Who won the Christmas decorating contest in Charlie Brown Christmas?

7. Gingerbread was a festive tradition all over the world for centuries. What was the “Gingerbread” tradition in England?

Answers: 1. Vegetation 2. California 3. …The Island of Misfit Toys 4. Los Posadas 5. A Swimming Pool 6. Snoopy 7. Unmarried women ate gingerbread “husbands” for luck to meet the real thing.

Edd & Friends Ride for Wounded EOD Warriors In October Edd packed up his bike and flew to California for the annual Undefeated Wounded EOD Warrior Bike Ride from Los Angeles to San Diego. The 2 day bike ride along the California Coast is a fundraiser for our nations wounded heroes from NAVY Explosive Ordinance Device. Friend and former classmate of Edd K. Hendee, Adam Hazlett of Denver, joined Edd for the ride as well as Scott Steinle from Orange County CA. Adam graduated from the Naval Academy with their son Edd K, and served in the Navy EOD team. All 3 rode in memory of Edd K, and Nina brought grandsons Campbell and Hudson to cheer for the riders along the way. The purpose of the ride is to raise funds for the Wounded EOD Warriors who have suffered significant casualties in this war on terror. Please join us in support of these Wounded Warriors by donating to http://eodride.org – click on the lower right hand corner “DONATE NOW” button. Thank you for your support.

Our Bar has a NEW lOOk Just in time for football season, our bar experienced an extreme makeover. Our customers love it and so do we. We think it’s the most beautiful bar in Texas! This gorgeous area makes a great place to watch a favorite game or just visit with friends.

Taste of Texas Gift Store Opens for ChristmasOur Gift Store has a new look and fun new products this year

Not only can you purchase our famous gift card special in our Gift Store this holiday season, we also offer unique gift solutions for friends and family. This Christmas our store will also feature men’s ties from the Paris Texas Apparel Company. This local enterprise just makes us smile. Their ties are certain to be a huge hit for someone special on your list. Our favorite is the Come and Take It Tie – of course! Spindle Top and Thirsty Birds are also classics; beautifully crafted and made of 100% silk. These expressive yet handsome gifts are sure to please. We will continue to offer our Taste of Texas gifts and our wonderful Steak Packages in our store. Come shop!

sTaFF uPdaTEsSpeaking of “then and now” – Check out the pictures of General Manager chuck Heaton and Senior Manager Stephen Edelstein. You guys haven’t changed a bit in 21 years!

A Former Staff reunion for our former employees reunited us with friends who worked here over the years. We commemorated our 35th anniversary sharing lots of memories, family news and stories.

ben Duckett & Jay Fox completed the Texas Water Safari in June. They finished this year’s grueling 265 mile canoe trip in 79 hrs 20 mins. Another record for you guys! Congratulations.

Wait staff members Lemuel restauro, Patrick Dominguez, Doug millar, Danny Nguyen & Josh mcElwee got very dirty in the Tough Mudder Oct 6 & 7 in Austin. They help raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project. We’re so proud of you all.

Congratulations to December graduate Steven Thai from UH in Accounting.

We celebrate with Chef brian Duncan on his marriage October 27 to his sweetheart, Rachel Tyler.

Wait staff celebrating their wedding anniversaries are Jessie Unterman & husband Aaron, 2 yrs.christian & Kristen Jackson & mandy & Greg Whitaker marked their 1st year October 15th.

Welcome to Natalie & ben Evans’ new baby boy Caleb James born October 31, 2012.

Taste of Texas is Committed to Quality WHAT’S GOING ON WITH bEEF PrODUcTION: The Texas drought of 2011 reduced the cowherd by 600,000 animals – largest drop in history. While rain has returned to most of Texas – the cattle production is still below historic average and beef prices are seeing record levels. Since 1985 Taste of Texas uses ONLY Certified Angus Beef – the finest quality

brand of steaks and Prime Rib we can buy. In addition to the brand, we age our steaks 35-40 days and have such tight trim specifications that we literally buy 2 pounds of beef from the packer to get 1 pound of trimmed steak. Our specifications will NEVER change no matter how tight the market for quality beef becomes. This past June, Mgr. Stephen Edelstein and Chef Brian Duncan accompanied Edd and daughter Kristin Blackford to National Beef Packers and Pratt Feeders in Kansas for tours and meetings. The result is a strong relationship with NBP and a guarantee of quality and supply for you, our customer. You can depend on it!

Restaurants We Recommend Just a moment ago on our first date, Nina and I had dinner at the “THE GRAPE” Restaurant on Lower Greenville Ave. in Dallas, TX. It was magical. The Grape was started in 1972 and had been open only a couple of years when we had dinner that night and fell in love. Now the Grape is celebrating its 40th birthday in that same location. The new owners are Brian and Courtney Luscher – Brian is the Chef and Courtney is the General Manager and sommelier. We ate there recently and are so pleased to report that The Grape is better than ever, winning awards for best in Dallas in many food and wine categories. But the best part of the Grape is that wonderful dining experience with someone special. You never know where that will take you. It’s taken us to 38 years of marriage and a life blessed beyond description. Let us know how you loved it! www.thegraperestaurant.com

Taste of Texas Wine list – NOW ON IpAD

We are thrilled to offer our award winning wine list to our customers on iPad. This great tool in technology brings you, not only pricing, but beautiful visual details about vineyards and labels to enhance your wine selections. We have included signature bar drinks and our domestic , draft and imported beers on the new ipads as well. We hope you enjoy this modern twist to our classic wine and cocktail offerings.

Through 35 Years at the Taste of TexasThank you for sharing this amazing journey and for celebrating so many wonderful events with us.

1977: Opened for business in Town & Country Village

1978: Nina was our hostess and I was a waiter, cook, busboy, etc.

1979: Our daughter Lisa was born-lost my hostess for a while! Chuck Heaton joined the team.

1980: Published our 1st newsletter, drinks in boot mugs, backgammon in the bar.

1981: VCR movies in the bar, added children’s menu, expanded dining room.

1983: Added 3rd dining room, served first sizzling steak, daughter Kristin was born.

1984: Added butcher shop, steak by the ounce, guess weight of ribeye, Certified Angus Beef! Chicken fried steak is laid to rest-tombstone placed outside.

1985: Ambassador pass, cinna-mon coffee. steak challenge, com-ment cards.

1986: Prime Rib & 6 oz. filet added, wait staff Beef and Beans contest, sponsored 1st Calf Scramble and Ribeye Record.

1987: Taste of Texas 10th Anniversary, began carriage rides, Bob the horse, added salad bar, cinnamon honey butter.

1988: Menu translated into Spanish, French, and Chinese, turned down on loan to build new restaurant by every bank in town.

1989: Stephen Edelstein joined us, found tract of land on the Katy

Fwy for sale from the RTC-hocked everything we owned to build the new place, 1st Gift Card Christmas deal.

1990: Moved to the new location-overnight! Closed for business at the old location Saturday night and opened at the new place 17 hours later. What a team effort!

1991: Found our Chef Gabriel Rosas, started lobster, Bought Nina a grizzly bear!

1992: Won the SBA award for sales growth, 15th Anniversary of Taste of Texas, a tornado destroyed our home in Novem-ber-no one hurt!

1993: Temporarily in the “home rebuilding business”, wine list tops 200 selections, bandanas introduced for our foreign guests. Foreign menus include Russian-now 13 languages.

November 19, 1977 marked the opening of Taste of Texas Restaurant. Now 35 years later we have had the honor of knowing you, your family, your business, your church and social gatherings as our treasured customer. Over the years we have celebrated so many wonderful events with you in your lives. Each evening brings another anniversary, family gathering, birthday celebration, and life moments so precious and warm. Your children you brought to dinner 35 years ago are bringing their families to dinner now. We are as proud as you must be! One of our staff, Leslie Winsmann and her husband Kenneth, are such a great example of these family moments. Leslie and Kenneth met at Taste of Texas and married. That in itself is a celebration to be sure. But this one is just a bit different.

Leslie’s mom and dad met working at the Taste of Texas as well, so she is a second generation Taste of Texas employee! Leslie and Kenneth have two great kids, and we are COMMITTED to having them work at the Taste of Texas as well where they will be THIRD generation Taste of Texas employees.

But we never forget as the years and generations pass by who is the real star of the Taste of Texas – YOU OUR CUSTOMER. You have faithfully supported, encouraged, and helped us grow this business for 35 years. Thank you for the honor of your patronage. Every year gets better, and we can’t wait to see where the Lord takes our business, our friendships, and our generations of extended family!

1994: KPRC Radio begins Town Hall broadcasts at Taste of Texas.

1995: First year to break into Top 100 Independent Restaurants by sales volume, first Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, son Edd K. enters US Naval Academy.

1996: Retail stores and other developments around us finished, staff tops 215.

1997: 20th Anniversary of Taste of Texas, daughter Lisa enrolls at Texas A&M.

1998: Marvin Zindler Blue Ribbon Award for Kitchen Cleanliness, Roger Clemens wins 5th CY Young Award and celebrates at Taste of Texas with family.

1999: www.tasteoftexas.com we go online! Son Edd K. graduates from the US Naval Academy, becomes Ensign Hendee, 5th Wine Spectator Award, 2nd Marvin Zindler Blue Ribbon Award.

2000: Gift Card with magnetic stripe introduced, we survive Y2K, but New Years Eve is busy early but almost empty later as customers play it safe!

2001: Honor of hosting Taiwan President Chen Shui-Bian for “steak/state dinner” with Cong. Tom DeLay (play host to 100 national and international press, 320 guests, and a friendly crowd of protestors), 7th Wine Spectator Award, MSN Best of the City Readers Choice, daughter Lisa graduates from TAMU.

2002: Daughter Kristin to UVA, Taste of Texas celebrates 25th Anniversary-and our commitment to be the best steak in Houston-year after year after year-because you have honored us with your support and patronage.

2003: Taste of Texas newsletter goes online!

2004: Nina turns 50! Son Edd K. completes Naval service and enters Harvard Business School.

2005: Our first grandson, Camp-bell Luke Hendee born, daughter Lisa starts culinary school, Edd C. visits Iraq and Nina remodels the restaurant, we now ship steaks nationwide! VP of Taiwan, Lu Hsui-Lien visits Taste of Texas.

2006: Daughter Kristin graduates from UVA, daughter Lisa completes Texas Culinary Academy and begins work for the Taste of Texas, Son Edd K. graduates Harvard Business School.

2007: Our second grandson, Hudson Jacob Hendee is born, we host several vintners wine dinners throughout the year, Taste of Texas celebrates 30th Anniversary!

2008: Lisa & Chris married, Taste of Texas awarded Baylor’s “Well Managed Family Business Award “ from Hankamer School of Business, and we introduced artifact guide with self-guided tour.

2009: Our granddaughter, Reagan, born, CAB National Conference awarded The Pioneer Award to the Taste of Texas, marking 25 years of featuring CAB.

2010: Granddaughter, Hannah is born. Edd K. Hendee 2.19.1976 – 2.13.2010. We will always miss you.

2011: Kristin & Corbin married. Lance Berkman celebrates the St. Louis Cardinals World Series win at Taste. Chuck Heaton, General Mgr, marks 30 years.

2012: Claudine Hendee & David Hartland married. Nina in her 31st year of 4th grade Texas history presentations. Taste of Texas cel-ebrates 35 Years with You - Our Customers. Many thanks!!!

Through 35 Years at the Taste of Texas

January 12Grilling School with Lisa & Edd: Chef Lisa, Chef Brian Duncan and Edd will once again fire up the grill and have a fun and informative time planned for all. Take an in-depth look at the components of a great steak. Grading, Aging, Cut and Preparation. Great Christmas gift too! Sign up online. 9 am - 11:30 am. Cost is $65 plus tax per person and includes Steak lunch.

february 2 & april 13Adult Texas History Presentation with Nina: Texas History and our great Texas heroes come to life as Nina presents our rich Texas

history. $20 plus tax per person. We include lunch. Sign up online for either Saturday 9 am - 11:30 am tour.

february 4 Silver Oak Wine Dinner celebrating our 35th Year: We will be featuring Silver Oak Winery for our 5 course dinner. Each course is paired with an amazing Silver Oak wine. $149.95 per person includes tax and gratuity. 6:30-9:30 pm. Sign up online. Space is limited.

PRST STDU.S. PoSTage

PAIDPeRMIT No 1123

HoUSToN,TX

10505 katy freeway, houston, tx 77024www.tasteoftexas.com

713. 932.6901

Upcoming EvEnTS: Please check our website for details and register online at www.tasteoftexas.com www.TasTEoFTEXas.CoM

Thank you for supporting our Special Events at the Taste. The Grilling Schools & History Tours are Fun with a Purpose! All proceeds go toward our Staff Scholarship Fund. We give 6 Semester Scholarships including Tuition & Books each year. The proceeds from these events allow us to give a number of $1,000 Scholarships to our staff. In 2012 we awarded 30!

Naval Academy Grads Celebrate Engagement

Captain Wes Ogden USMC & Lt Katherine Dann USN celebrated their engagement with their families at the Taste of Texas earlier this year. This was the first place Wes wanted to eat after his year tour in Afghanistan. This amazing couple met during flight training. She is stationed in Japan and flies Navy helicopters and Wes is stationed in North Carolina flying C-130’s for the Marine Corps. A set of Taste of Texas steak knives were their first wedding gift! We thank them for their service and wish them all the best.