I was pleased to be invited to a preview event on Tuesday at Black Walnut Cafe Cinco Ranch. The restaurant is having its Grand Opening this weekend! This will be the fourth Houston area location of Black Walnut Cafe, with locations already in The Woodlands, Rice Village, and Sugar Land.

Jonathan and I attended the event for dinner and were asked to provide feedback on our meals and overall experience. When we walked in, we were greeted by the beautiful entranceway full of colorful light fixtures along with glasses of complimentary champagne. The seating areas have a mix of high and low tables and booths. There is a modern, casual feel to the restaurant, and the area where we sat had shiny, tin ceiling tiles!

We ordered at the counter and were given a vibrating pager that would let us know when to get our food. I enjoyed the BWC Sirloin Steak Salad ($16), and Jonathan had the Otis Otis Otis pasta with grilled chicken ($12.50).

The steak salad had a good sized portion of certified angus beef sirloin with a delicious Asian-inspired marinade. I love salads with fruit and nuts mixed in, so this was up my alley with apples and walnuts and some garlic bread on the side. I also tried the Texas Black Iced Tea which was great!

The Otis Otis Otis was pasta, alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, and some feta sprinkled on top. Jonathan and I tried each other’s dishes, so I can give a true review here. I love alfredo sauce and all of the other toppings on this pasta except for the kalamata olives. The combination was very tasty. As far a pasta dishes go, this was great, and Jonathan said that he would order it again.

For dessert we were given a huge piece of Hummingbird Cake. I am a chocoholic, but this cake is my new summer favorite with its pineapple-banana sweetness!

The Cinco Ranch Cafe features a full service bar, both gelato and dessert cases, and a very cool digital Coke machine with every flavor you could want. I think that Jonathan may have been most excited about trying it out, and kids will surely have fun with it.

For the menu visit:  http://www.blackwalnutcafe.com/cincoranch.html

23233 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Katy, Texas 77494
phone: 281-371-2233
fax: 281-754-4592

Monday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. – Midnight
Saturday: 7 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.