Our My Top 5 series highlights a Houstonian who is shaping the culture of the city and making an out-sized impact on its character. In turn, each shares their own favorite things to do in Houston when not hard at work. This week, with a nod to Dining Out for Life 2018 happening on Thursday, April 26, we’re very pleased to feature Chef Domenic Laurenzo, executive chef and president of El Tiempo Cantina and Laurenzo’s Restaurant.
In anticipation of this year’s Dining Out For Life, we’re also featuring My Top 5 entries from John Reed of BCK Kitchen & Cocktail Adventures in the Heights and Sharon Haynes of Tacos A Go Go.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Chef Domenic Laurenzo
- Galveston Island – Visiting Galveston is my single favorite thing to do with my family. Galveston is my extended Houston home and our quick getaway, where we find ourselves often relaxing and enjoying the many festivities throughout the year.
- Golf – Golfing was my life growing up. I have never fallen out of love with the greatest game in the world, and now I enjoy teaching the game to my kids. I grew up playing Memorial Park Golf Course and go there often now with my kids. I love Hermann Park Golf Course too and attend a junior golf clinic there every Saturday with my kids. I also can’t wait to play the newly rebuilt Gus Wortham, which is another favorite of mine since it’s in the East End where I grew up!
- Barbecuing at home – I love to practice and hone my barbecue skills at home. I had a custom barbecue pit made and enjoy playing with fire and smoke and managing a well-coordinated feast of ribs, sausage, chicken, and other goodies on my smoker! When I barbecue, I get my cuts of meat from Pete’s Fine Meats on Richmond Avenue.
- Walks around Memorial Park – I have been running and walking around Memorial Park for most of my life. I enjoy late evening runs around the track while my kids hit golf balls on the range.
- Restaurants – With Houston being one of the great culinary cities of the country, I enjoy restaurant-hopping with my family. Houston has a great variety of ethnic cuisines of all backgrounds. Vietnamese is one of my favorites and I love to enjoy a great pho or banh mi with my family. We are also crazy about Peking duck. We love to visit the various Asian bakeries up and down Bellaire Boulevard, and of course we love visiting the wonderful barbecue joints around town. I love Vietopia in West U, Les Grival’s, Fung’s Kitchen and Mala Sichuan Bistro. I also go often to Niko Niko’s and BB’s Cafe. My favorite barbecue in town has recently become The Pit Room on Richmond Avenue. They do a fantastic job and, in my opinion, is as good as it gets. I also love taking my family to the Downtown Aquarium and to Rainforest Café in Galveston. Dining out is my most frequent activity with my family.
About Domenic Laurenzo
Domenic Laurenzo is the executive chef and president of El Tiempo Cantina and Laurenzo’s Restaurant. He was born and raised in Houston. Following high school graduation, he pursued a career in golf in Florida, and eventually moved back to Houston to help with the family business. Laurenzo held many positions within the Ninfa’s organization, from dishwasher to manager. In 2001, he attended the Alain & Marie LeNotre Culinary Institute and in 2013 he opened El Tiempo Cantina on Navigation.
