How Sweet It Is

The gooey pecan cake ($7.95) at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (5839 Westheimer, 713-780-7352) is sort of like a pecan pie turned inside out. Think of a dense, dark cake with the consistency of bread pudding. Imagine it covered with caramelized pecan pralines and a thick caramel sauce, served warm. Next to it, conjure up pecan praline ice cream encased between two ultrathin, caramelized wafers, and you get some idea of just how sweet and gooey this dessert is. The best part is when the ice cream melts into the cake and all of the flavors meld together.