BJ's Restaurant/Brewhouse

Don't usually go to BJ's.  Not that I'm a snob, but seems like their closest location in any direction is outside the city limits.

While here for dinner, I finally got a chance to study their menu.  They basically have a little bit of everything for everyone, so you pretty much wins with a large group of people.  That night there were a bunch of people there.

Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade.  It's pretty darn good.  I know people come here for beer but this is pretty awesome too.

I got the seared ahi tuna salad.  To my surprise, it was pretty awesome.  Tuna was fresh.  I can do without the fried noodles strips.  They have this vinaigrette that's not too zingy.  To be cute, in case you don't know that ahi tuna is an Asian thing, they added dots of wasabi for kicks.  Just so you know, it's a diluted version of it, not spicy at all.  And if I'm a whimp about these things, I can tell you it's not spicy.

Overall, service is what you can expect at a Saltgrass or Chili's.  Food does provide a larger variety than those places, but they do want to give you good and fresh, which I appreciate.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

11200 Broadway Ste 1700

Pearland, TX 77584

713-463-7805

https://www.bjsrestaurants.com/

Saltgrass

Were at Saltgrass for a family dinner.

That was pretty much the last time I was there.

It was a special, which has a filet and a crab cake.  I liked the steak quite a bit, the crab cake was too ready.  Of course, their shrimps are good, no questions there.  I usually ask the server to do it as medium rare, so it's not too tough to chew.  As a matter of fact, the meat quality was great.  Again, was disappointed that the crab cake was too bready.

I will give you a warning at this location.  The folks in planning for Pearland apparently did not anticipate the city boom, and therefore did not put in frontage/service road for the freeway.  And the planning folks who built this shopping center, also did not think to work with the City of Pearland to install feeder to the shopping center.  Therefore, you have to wait a very long line of traffic to go thru one light, for turning.  Then, one entrance for the entire shopping center.  And Saltgrass is at the very end of the shopping center.  So, one must think: hmm, should there be an emergency and needed to evacuate, all the people in this shopping center is screwed, because there's really one exit.  For whatever reason, the folks didn't want to fork up the cash to get an exit/entrance made, also did not anticipate for the population boom.  For crying out loud, for the money you've made by having all these chains in your shopping center, just put some money for couple more entrances, both for normal users and emergency users sake!

Saltgrass Steakhouse

3251 Silverlake Village Drive

Pearland, TX 

713-436-0799

http://www.saltgrass.com/locations.asp

Snooze an A.M. Eatery

Finally got to go to Snooze, an A.M. Eatery.

Since I was by myself, sitting at the bar was perfect.

Even their glasses have their little star.  If you drink to the bottom of the coffee mug, there's a star too.

So, I got the pancake flight.  Who knew there's such a thing?!  And it's awesome!  I have here... pineapple upside down pancake, blueberry pancake, and peach pie pancake.   So, I was surprised that I loved the pineapple one more than the peach one, which I normally like.  The blueberry is actually not as flavorful as I'd thought it'd be.  Not to underestimate, but the 3 pancake flight is actually a lot of food, unlike an order of short stack.

I also got a side of bacon, which is awesome. 

So on the weekend, forget about going after 9a.m. unless you live in the neighborhood.  I would suggest going either early, or go on a weekday.  Weekday is super easy to get in and get seated.

One antidote I must mention.  I was sitting at the bar, and a homeless man was sitting next to me hurrying his plate.  I was thinking about to tell him not to hurry.  Turns out, the man was invited by the bartender to have breakfast.  That was basically human at its best.  I gave her an extra large tip just because I appreciated her gesture.  I know she would've done it with or without me and I don't know if she has to pay for the meal herself or not.  I just want to encourage her that she should continue to do that.  Mainly because, that day, not only did the man have a full meal, he was treated with dignity.  

Snooze A.M. Eatery

3217 Montrose Ave

Ste 100

Houston, TX 77006

713-574-6655

http://snoozeeatery.com/locations/houston/

Woodbar

Went to brunch at Woodbar.

This time, I knew better what to do.

I got the Migas, which has 2 eggs, onion, cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, crispy potato, beans and fruit.      Not pictured, I also have a glass of orange juice too. That is actually too much food, but it's good.  All good.  I love their crispy potato, wish there were more.  But the eggs and cheese were tons plenty.

So, you can do the Woodbar in both ways.  You can either go to the bar and grabs your pastry and coffee; or you can sit down and get full service.  The kitchen next door is accessible to the Woodbar.

Woodbar

3939 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006
713-528-6848
http://www.shadeandcanopy.com/Woodbar/

Epicure Cafe

Went to Epicure Cafe for breakfast. 

I got my usual, Berry Lemonade.

Croque Monsieur, which has fried eggs with ham on toast.  It's as no frills and plain and simple as it can be.  But it does the job.  You got a nice view and nice atmosphere.  That makes up for the plain-ness.

We go early to get a parking spot, but you may be competing with the cyclist next door who are there for spin class for a spot.  But go early before the shoppers get there.

Epicure Bakery Cafe

2005C West Gray

Houston, TX 77019

713-520-6174

http://www.epicure-cafe.com

Collinas

Went to Collina's for a mother night out.

Since it's before a movie, it's easy to grab some pizza before hand.  But not too easy to get a table on a Friday night, even though we got there before the dinner prime time.

We got the Hawaiian pizza, which has Canadian Bacon, Pepperoni, Pineapple, sausage, ground beef, black olives and jalapeño.

Also, for the non-meat eater, we got the Primavera, which has broccoli, spinach, zucchini, mushroom, garlic, red pepper, bell pepper.  I was surprise how yummy it was.

Though the wait was long, the food is well worth the weight.  They do bring you the food quickly, even for pizza.  Not to mention, they never get the order wrong.  That is a tried and true place, no matter how long since I've been here, their quality never suffer.  Definitely a must to return!

Collinas

3835 Richmond Ave

Houston, TX

713-621-8844

http://www.collinas.com/

Songkran

Went to a business lunch in Sugarland.

I know they have a location in Uptown, but since I"m int he hood.  Easier to stop by.

I got the Thai Tea, which had way too much ice.

The lunch special comes with soup and salad.  The soup is a vegetable soup, the salad had ginger dressing.

I got the Beef short ribs, I was lured by the word Waygu on the menu.  It was braised nicely.  The juice over the rice is delicious.  The meat is nice and tender.  The portion is just right, I don't mind going back for lunch.

I may not go back to this location, the place is dark and aim for date night.  So, while the food, price and speed of service is perfect for a business lunch, it's hard to conduct a business conversation, when the ambience is more suited for dates.

Songkran

Sugland

2258 Texas Drive

Sugar Land, TX 77479

281-670-8525

http://www.songkranthaikitchen.com/