"Bosscat Kitchen & Libations is what we imagine dinner inside of a whiskey barrel feels like. It’s the sort of place that dedicates an entire room to whiskey and believes glazed bacon should be an appetizer. And while we can vouch for their caramelized "pig candy," don’t expect the food at this River Oaks restaurant to blow you away. Sometimes burgers are a bit overcooked, and potato wedges lack the seasoning to be considered proper fries. But it doesn't matter that the food is just OK because that's not why you come to Bosscat Kitchen. You come for a random Wednesday night to split an appetizer and a cocktail at the bar. Simplicity is the best method at Bosscat Kitchen—stick to the fried apple pie and find your new favorite rye drink before you leave. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Pig Candy Thick squares of caramelized bacon are the main component of this appetizer. And while we love the pork—which is almost sweet enough to move to the dessert menu—the added kimchi is missing the heat and fermentation needed to balance this dish. Whiskey Having a drink at Bosscat that doesn’t involve whiskey is like going to the zoo without seeing any animals. Order some Russell’s Reserve mixed into a peachy cocktail, or select one of the dozens of bottles available and sip it straight. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Bosscat Burger In a city where beef reigns supreme, you could find something like the Bosscat Burger anywhere. And while it can run on the dry side, it's still a solid burger, which is one of the better options here. But the potato wedges on the side are criminally bland, so opt for the mac & cheese. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Mac & Cheese The gooey side dish employs four different types of cheeses, and requires a few fork rotations to get a helping of this side dish. Every bite is a blend of melted cheese and tender macaroni, and the breadcrumbs sprinkled on top add a necessary crunch. This cheddar-heavy dish should be on every table. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Fried Apple Pie When you need something to counteract the red meat and whiskey, go for the fried apple pie. It arrives at your table as a crispy turnover dusted in cinnamon sugar. And between the warming spice from the apples and the cool vanilla ice cream, the dessert tastes like an edible holiday edition candle (that’s a good thing)." - Gianni Greene
