Mexican Sugar

For brunch, we went to Mexican Sugar suggested by me...

...which I did regret after the experience. 

Starting with the reservation, given that they see there's only a table for 2, they would've given us a decent table.  But instead, they seated us by the bar, with the giant throne-like chair, yet the table is a coffee table height circular thing.  By looking at it, I can already tell that once our food arrives, there's no space for anything, might as well skip the water. 

Looking around, they have tables for large parties, and the rest are high tops.  Well they did have space on the first floor, yet we weren't given those to be seated.  Strange.

Got aqua fresca, have the ask the server what is available as they change regularly. 

I will say, trying to track down our server or get water or chips and salsa was not easy to do.  Mind you, we sit right directly across from the bar, were servers has to go to in order to get drinks for guests.  How is that possible?!

We got the queso fundido, it came with purple tortilla, which is unique.

It looked good, the cheese is good.  I always forget that fundido is not like queso for dipping.  You are basically getting a chunky of cheesy goodness that is tied to the rest of the dish.  So, it's not like you can lump it with your dish easily like a sauce. 

Got the Barbacoa Chilaquiles - I was mainly drawn by the brisket.  It has crema, red onions, queso fresco, and sunny side up eggs.  Brisket is good, mixed with eggs is even better.  But I did need feel it's missing something, like something more to it.  I think I could've added more zing? more cheese? more more?

Just the overall experience was just sub par for a place like this.  They are situated in a fancy place, the price sure reflects that, yet the service is sub par, the food is sub, and the whole experience was just blah.  For the price that we're paying, I expected more. 

Not to mention, the parking.  Oh boy the parking.  So, as you self park at the garage, everywhere you look has a QR code to tell you to pay for parking.  So reflectively you do.  Luckily, my friend saw the code at the door to the restaurant and sent it to me.  She had already paid, and when we asked the manager if they would reimburse, she felt bad and comp our appetizer - which was about the same price.  The entire experience was just very 'off'.  Given there are just as good, if not better Mexican food at this price point higher or lower, we got enough options in Houston that I don't need to come back.  But should you want to see for yourself, reservation is highly recommended. 

Mexican Sugar

3505 W. Dallas St

Houston, TX 77019

713-487-1095

https://www.mexicansugarcocina.com/

 

Tiny Champions

We were in the EaDo area and decided to try Tiny Champions.  Never been before and looked great.  It's run by the same group that did Nancy Hustles, so definitely comes with great reputation. 

First thing we ordered was the baked feta by the recommendation of our server.  And glad she did not steer us wrong.  It's nice, warm, and little chunk of yummy goodness. 

We saw a lot of people on Yelp did Rigatoni Bolognese, and it is worthy of a re-order.  The pasta is made in-house, and the meat is delectable. 

We did a veggie pizza adding pepperoni, again our serve did not steer us wrong.  She also suggested the hot honey and it's not too much zing.  Definitely not something I've had before but it was a delightful surprise.  Glad we went along with her suggestion. 

We saved some room for dessert (duh), this is coffee ice cream sundae.  Yes please!  It has coffee ice cream, chocolate sauce, and donuts.  DUH!

So the place is great, tiny and cute.  But because it is tiny, you definitely needs to have a reservation.  Walk-up is nearly impossible, even at the bar.  If it's a game day for soccer, baseball, or party nearby... sheesh forget it.  Reso is a must!  

The other thing is parking, it's all street parking, and it's aggressive.  The area is packed, there are other businesses blocks nearby.  So you do need to keep your eyes peeled.  Not to mention to be respectful to people who lives nearby. Be sure to watch for traffic and people walking. 

Tiny Chanpions

2617 McKinney St

Houston, TX 77003

713-485-5329

https://www.tinychampionshouston.com/

 

Seiwa Market

One of the neat things about going to Japanese grocery stores is all the food that are freshly prepared. 

Came back to Seiwa for lunch and got some yummy goodness.  We got a bowl of negitoro (chopped raw tuna) don (rice dish).  Then a set of sashimi with salmon, tuna, scallop, octopus, squid, and hamachi. 

Of course, we see uni (sea urchin) and cannot help ourselves.  It was a pretty fulfilling lunch, there were 2 of us splitting it, and can barely finish it.  Mostly protein and some carb (from the rice), but definitely rich.  

The key about getting more selection and fresh fish for sushi, bento, or lunch in general: come before noon.  There's more to choose from the earlier you get there.  There are hot food and cold food.  And for the hot ones, they are refrigerated and there is a microwave on site to heat it up (and utensils).  There's tables for you to eat there, so if you're super hungry, they've got you!

Seiwa Supermarket

1801 S. Dairy Ashford

Ste 116

Houston, TX 77077

281-920-1906

https://www.seiwamarket.com/location/#houston-store

 

Sweet Cup

Went back to Sweet Cup after dinner one night. 

Grateful they're still there, as more and more stores in that complex shutters. 

I always appreciate the fresh ingredients they use and offering so many flavors at the shop.

They also have sorbet. 

So of course, I have to get 3 scoops, duh! (that's a medium)  Chocolate at the bottom, Stracciatella and Butter Pecan.   It's so nice for the end of a hot day.  

In case you don't make it down to Montrose, they also have a shop in Cypress.  You can get Sweet Cup at either Whole Foods or Central Market. 

Sweet Cup

3939 Montrose Blvd

Ste L

Houston, TX 77006

713-942-2226

https://www.sweetcupgelato.com/alllocations

 

Baby Barnaby's

Haven't been back to Baby Barnaby's for a long time. 

Lucky for me, I got there before 10am, and can grab a table easily. 

I got my favorite migas.  It came with diced potato, corn tortilla strips mixed with eggs, green chilis, onion, tomato, cheese.  Of course you have salsa to go with everything.  They all come together so nicely.  

Tip about coming here: if you get here before 10am, it's definitely easier.  Easier to find parking, easier to get a table (inside), and kitchen is faster.   If you came late, not to fret.  You can put your name on the list for inside seating or if it's not too hot, you can sit outside.  While you're waiting, feel free to get some water.  In terms of parking, either get really good at parallel parking on the street, or hope you're in luck for a spot in the small lot.  

Baby Barnaby's

602 Fairview

Houston, TX

713-522-4229

https://barnabyscafe.com/baby.html

 

Clark's

Went back to Clark's for dinner.

We find that weekday going is easier to grab a table. 

I got a mocktail called Ceybon Spritz - it has mint, cucumber, Ceybon aperitif, and Rambler Sparkling.  Pretty good, not too sugary or sweet, just good for a drink with dinner. 

Left is Wellfleet from Massachusetts and Acadian King from New Brunswick.  We also had oysters from Eel Lake, Nova Scotia and Barnstable, Massachusetts.  I really do like oysters from Northeast, they are cleaner, less gritty, and definitely smaller than Gulf Coast oysters.  Some coast is slimier than others, but it's good nonetheless.

We got the Branzino - it's one of the better fish I've had in a long time.  That fish is definitely good for 3-4 people.  But the fish is very good, definitely recommend. 

We got crab cake as a side.  That came with watercress salad with shallot, and the hollandaise sauce.  Very delicious and splitting it and get to taste a bit of everything was good.  I've had this before and definitely will get this again. 

If you come to Clark's on weekdays, it's easier to park and get a table without reservation.   If you're planning on coming back on weekend, you definitely need to get a reservation in advance.  Parking is a bit challenging, you can park on the street behind the building.  But weekend definitely have valet to help. 

Clark's

3807 Montrose Blvd

Houston, TX 77006

713-347-8180

https://www.clarksoysterbar.com/locations/houston

 

Local Foods

Went back to Local Foods for lunch. 

If you go around 11:30, parking is easy to do, and definitely easier to find seating.

Got a good meal happening here. 

I started with a strawberry lemonade.  It's nice for this hot weather, not too sweet, not too tangy. 

Went back to the Salmon Poke bowl.  Besides diced salmon, there's daikon, beet, broccoli, cucumber, edamame.  I skipped the rice and the avocado, just because they're so much food.  Essentially I just pair it down to the protein and veggies.

But don't worry, I added fries to supplement on the other kind of carb.  See! I always find the way.

Going back to my tip earlier.  Get there by 11:30a there's plenty of parking.  Also makes it easier to find a table.  The working crowd does make it through the place by noon.  So coming early or do to-go is always recommended.

Local Foods

1709 Post Oak

Houston, TX 77056

713-789-0642

https://www.localfoodstexas.com/location/local-foods-postoak/