Regional Mexican restaurants continue to grow in popularity. A disappointing area was Asian restaurants, although it was difficult to find a follow-up act for the restaurant Hama, which opened at the end of 1997. Hama, with its playful use of Western influences in Japanese food, is the best Japanese restaurant this city has ever seen. One surprising bright spot was William Ho's. Ho's now has what is undeniably the freshest Chinese seafood in town.
Tanks display several types of live seafood.
Also of note is the lunch menu at Jolly's on Harwood, which until a few months ago only served dinner. Though small, it is always difficult to choose from the great crawfish etouffee or the blackened tenderloin whose vibrant, spicy seasoning is as alluring as a good Thai curry. Though I can't call it a favorite restaurant, credit McDonald's for serving bratwurst. It remains a mystery why they are served with a mixture of ketchup and mustard and the buns have no texture. Still, the idea is refreshing.