Loy Loy Dim Sum

Excited to find another dim sum inside the loop.

It was a nice surprise to see, so went ahead and grab some for the road.

In case you don't want to read the menu overhead,

...here's a picture menu for you.

They do show what they can do here.

It's interesting that they do combo sets, but that does save you some menu.

Got the pumpkin dumpling - that looks alot like the ones from One Dim Sum that was in Midtown before Covid.

Pork bun - it's pretty decent size and the filling was pretty decent too.  I'd say the pork to bun ratio was good.  Flavor is there too. 

Got the Har Gow - pretty legit authentic. 

Here's my favorite, Chicken Sticky Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf.  Besides sticky rice, it has diced chicken inside.  It was pretty close to that you get at the restaurants.  

When you order them, it does take about 10 minutes for them to heat up, especially we were the first customer of the day.  So it took a bit, we just walked around to the other stalls and check them out.  In terms of price and setting this is a great option.  You can do it tapas style, or grab some of these and some of other dishes around to make up your meal.  Quality is good, definitely a nice surprise at the food hall.

Loy Loy Dim Sum

inside Post HTX

401 Franklin St

Houston, TX 77201

https://www.posthtx.com/eat/loy-loy-dim-sum

 

Dough Zone

Kinda excited that the Midtown Dough Zone opened a branch in the Uptown area.

It is above Whole Foods Market on San Felipe.  For lunch, it's not so busy that you need to have a reservation, so it worked out nicely for us to walk up.

Got some veggies for good measure.

We got the Pork & Crab soup dumplings.  It's pretty good, doesn't taste so frozen like the Midtown location.  I know that they are but this one tasted fresher. 

This is their Pan Fried Pork Buns - it's like the Shanghai style.  The bottom is nice and crispy, and the top is soft and squishy.  The meat is the filling and it has little bit of sauce so it's not so dry in there. 

Here's my favorite scallion pancake.  It's all nice and crispy, I love the texture and flakey-ness of it.  It is such a great snack.

The parking is the easiest at the garage.  If you could get a spot on 2nd level, you can walk straight to the shop.  If it's during lunch time, that can be a challenge since there are several good lunch places in that building, but don't despair, they do go thru quickly. 

Dough Zone

1700 Post Oak Blvd

2nd Floor

Ste 1-250

Houston, TX 77056

832-991-8349

https://www.doughzonedumplinghouse.com/houstonuptown

 

Tavola

Went to Tavola for dinner.

It took over the Phillippe's old spot on Post Oak.

Cute little menu.

Amuse bouche - little bread twists and olives.

I got the Palowma - it's a zero proof version of Paloma.  But the Bitters made it more bitter than I liked.  I get what they're trying to do, they tried to have these zero proof 'liquor' but I just really want something that's not supremely sweet just because it is virgin. 

Carpaccio Classico - raw beef slices aged 24 months with slices of parmesan on top, some arugula and some oil, editable flowers, and little dollop of pea sauce.  This is actually pretty lovely, I'd like this enough that wouldn't mind coming back for this.

Then we ordered Oyster Carbonara - not my jam, it's different.  The oyster they used are too little so it became more sauce and bacon bites than really oyster.  I would pass on this one.

This is their Grilled Octopus - this one I like it ok.  The texture is fine, but the sauce was a tad cold by the time they got to us. 

Got the Pappardelle with shredded Texas Wild Boar and mushroom with red wine ragu sauce.  It's not bad, but it's not as flavorful as I'd hope it'd be.  You can tell the pasta is made in house, and the meat is of quality, but the flavor is not all there.  It's like the picture doesn't match the flavor. 

We got a Torte to share, that's pretty decent.

It's a nice celebration plate of ice cream for birthday, but would've been nice if it mix that with our torte.

We also had tiramisu.  This taste good but it's drier than I'd like.  

Got a cup of the decaf and took them way longer to get.

At first, I thought this is an upscale kinda place, the price is high, but it's not busy.  Not only that, their service is slow.  That's silly since they are not fully seated.  Also since that's the case, seating us in a 2-seater table next to a column was awkward.  

At any rate, nice decor, I think every one from the bartender to the host had pitched in to help at some point, that was weird.  But they weren't busy, so sure why not?!  I can tell if they cannot seated by 75% anyway.

Tavola

1800 Post Oak 

Ste 100

Houston TX 77027

713-840-1111

https://www.tavolahouston.com/

 

Shakkar

We were at Post HTX and saw Shakkar at the food hall.

They've been all over the Socials with their giant croissant.  Lo and behold! Here it is! It is pretty much as big as one's head, and it is not for one person.  Maybe for like 6-7 people all eat generously... basically do not try it alone.

Don't worry, they have normal size croissants too.

Also some tart and cakes.

Got a little bit of this, got a little bit of that...  There's Almond, Blueberry Tart, and ...

This is the Spanish quiche - it's nice and savory.  I got home and warmed it up for 10 seconds and dived right in.  The only thing is that I wish it was bigger, it is pretty good and not too oily, which I do appreciate.  As much as I appreciate butter, that's the drawback on the product, this one is not like that at all.

If you do want to have the Bigger-Than-Your-Head Croissant - you have to order ahead of time. Don't forget to bring your friends.

Shakkar Croissanterie

inside Post HTX 

401 Franklin St

Houston, TX 77201

https://www.shakkar.co/

 

Common Bond

Went back to Common Bond drive thru.

This is truly the first time drive thru instead of parking and then go in.

For some reason, there were no lines when I arrived.  So yippee for me. 

I got the Hibiscus Lemonade.  It's actually pretty nice, not overly sweet or zingy.  It's like a tamer version of Arnold Palmer.  Pretty nice on a hot day.

These little things are their Egg Bites.  These are bacon & gruyere and let me tell you, it's more like egg poppers.  It doesn't even take much for me to finish these.  

I always enjoy doing quick and easy drive thru.  I think this went well, the only complaint is the egg bites are too small.  Otherwise, the whole combo is nice for an errand morning.

Common Bond

Drive Thru

3210 N. Shepherd Dr

Houston, TX 77018

281-888-2906

https://www.commonbondcafe.com/

 

Gyu Kaku

It's been a long time since I've been to Gyu-Kaku.

It's a Japanese style barbecue.

For starter, we had cold tofu with sesame oil and green onions.  Also spicy cabbage salad, it's actually not spicy, it does have a little kick for flavor. 

We got Kalbi, Pork Belly, and Yaki Beef in Umkara sauce.

I will say, I haven't been here in years.  It's out of my way but often see the promo and have been curious.  When we arrived, the place definitely show its wear and tear.  The servers tries but they were short handed, so once tables started to fill up, they are stretched.  I feel like they did a good job nonetheless, just not enough hands.  

This is a cook it yourself type of place, so no one will be cooking for you.  That said the ventilations is pretty good, so your clothes won't smell too much like cookies meat.  That actually works. 

Gyu Kaku

510 Gray St

#A

Houston, TX 77002

713-750-9520

https://www.gyu-kaku.com/ 

 

Hokkaido Sushi

Lived in Houston all these years, often go to Hong Kong's Cafe and see people go to the Hokkaido Sushi for lunch.  Never had we gone in, so we finally broke that streak.

It's in a corner of the shopping center and kinda of hidden but the store inside has alot of space for seating.  The set up is very much like Iwa Ya,  Where you walk up, place an order.  There's a station for self served soup and red bean soup dessert.  Then you grab a seat.

At first, I saw this sushi sampler as $21.95 but when the lady rang me up it was $12.95.  I thought she has transpost the numbers but no - during lunch it really is $12.95.  So overall, the sushi quality is no different than the Americanized shops, you're not paying premium and your fish is not premium.  It's not fishy or no taste like some places we've been to, but it is not top notch.  

That said, I understand why so many large parties come thru here.  The price is super affordable for large families or parties. It is definitely bang for the buck.  As a matter of fact, I couldn't finish all that and had to take some home. 

Hokkaido Sushi

9108 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

713-988-8448

https://www.hokkaidosushitx.com/