La Madeleine

I don't usually have time for a full breakfast, so it's rare to do a sit down breakfast.

Early Saturday, Mom and I decided to sit down for breakfast.  I got the French Toast, and it was interesting.  The toast was pretty tough, unlike the soaked soft toast.  I cannot deny the fresh fruit and the whipped cream went well with the bread and the syrup, but just wish the bread wasn't so tough.  Will have to try again next time.

La Madeleine

6205 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX

713-942-7081

http://lamadeleine.com/

California Pizza Kitchen

We haven't been back to CPK for a while, so we decided to grab a quick stop.

Here's our Caramelized Peach Salad.  It has onions, gorgonzola, pecans, lettuce, cranberry, spinach, with balsamic vinaigrette.   

Here's our BBQ Chicken Pizza.  There's Gouda, red onion, chicken, bbq sauce.  And ours is on a gluten free crust.  

I like that they offer the gluten free option.  But they still haven't educate their staff that people request gluten free crust cannot partake in any of their dessert.  

California Pizza Kitchen

1705 A Post Oak Blvd.

Houston, TX 77056

http://www.cpk.com/locations/post-oak-plaza

Red Dessert Dive

I heard about Red Dessert Dive, and as the Sweet Tooth that I am, I have to go check it out.

It's on Studewood & 11th, across from Liberty Kitchen.

Cute detail on the bar stools.

I was kinda late that day, and the cold case was kinda empty.

The goodies case, however, does have some good stuff for after dinner crowd.

They outsourced some of the baked goods to Clean Sweets, which we have the Gooey Apple Crumble Cake (L) and Rose Lemon Bar.  I will say that the crumble cake is good, the lemon bar wasn't as good as I'd thought it'd be.  It has too much of a rosewater after taste, and it's stronger than the lemon taste.  Thru off the balance a bit.  But, should you want more, you can go back to Red for more, or they are delivering to different coffee shops too.  

What makes them unique is that they are gluten free, can be vegan & paleo friendly.  If you are eating clean, this is a great option.  

This is their chocolate chip tea cake.  It's not very rich and great for after dinner dessert.  Next time, I think I'll go back for the bread pudding.  The couple in front of me snagged the last few, so I'll be earlier next time. 

Parking is convenient, they have a small lot right next to them, and people do leave as soon as they're done, so you don't have to drive around to get a spot.   They also serve wine there, so if you want to unwind from the day, you can.  And of course, they have coffee and tea to go with your dessert too.

Red Dessert Dive

1045 Studewood St

Houston, TX 

832-649-2977

https://www.facebook.com/redhouston

Yori Yori

We han't been to Ranch 99 for a while, so decided that the parking lot looks good, and shouldn't be crowded.  Might as well stop in.  As convenient as the store is, parking is a nightmare unless you go early.  That day, just randomly, the parking lot looked decent, which is a good indication that it's not crowded.  So we did lunch. 

I do know that the store itself has food service.  They have noodles, dim sum, bb1 meat and rice, sushi, Japanese don or you can a la carte little bit of everything.  But, on the side, they have a Vietnamese noodles place, a crawfish place and Korean place.

For $7.99, you get this for your lunch special.  This is spicy pork and rice.  You obviously have the spicy pork, which is grilled but not exactly spicy.  Rice, duh!  Cold noodle, and a small side salad.  Not to mention soup.  Koreans believe soup is to 'cool' down all the 'hot/spicy' stuff you ate.  It's a good way to wash down your lunch.  

For kicks we ordered eggroll, but it's another case of our eyes are bigger than our stomach.  It was way too much food.  We ended up boxing it up.  But it was pretty much the Chinese eggroll you know and love.  The wrapping might be thinner but the filling is similar, you know, meat, veggie, some vermecelli.

They do have a lot of lunch specials which are proof to be great deals.  But their other dishes, where you basically order entrees, aren't bad either.  We've seen people next to us, ordered couple entree and split family style, the portion is good, and that's another great option.  Definitely want to come back in the Winter to try their bowls.

Yori Yori,

Inside Ranch 99 Supermarket

1302 Blaclock Rd

Houston, TX 77055

713-467-0777

Kata Robata

Grabbing an early dinner plus catching Happy Hour!  The only problem was, on Saturday, they don't have Happy Hour early, only reverse happy hours on Saturday.

Without happy hour, we were still going to get some fresh fish!

Here we have scallop, eel, mackerel, tuna.  All super fresh!

Once David found about about this, he's been going crazy for it.   This is braised pork belly, marinated in tameric sauce instead of soy sauce.  It has a 60 degree egg on top, and spinach with pine nuts in them.  As usual, Kata did not disappoint, and as a matter of fact, both of us were fighting who gets to lick the bowl, now that! Should tell you how good they are.

Kata Robata

3600 Kirby St H

Houton, TX 77098

713-526-8858

http://katarobata.com/  

Chilantro

So driving around town hungry, good thing I had checked Twitter.  See, that's why you want to go on there to keep up with your favorite food truck.  With Chi'lantro

When I got there, it was early.  So, got in and out fairly quickly.

This is the Pork Rice bowl with a fried egg.  I guess I should've sprung for the kimchi fries, but that would've been too much.

Once you broke the egg, and mix it all up, you get the bulgogi meat and the rice with lettuce and chives.  I love that their 'spicy' is not too spicy and that's perfect for my taste.  You can make this beef, taco, or vegetarian.  

I loved their quesadilla, but didn't know what to expect at first.  Of course, now it's our favorite dishes of all  I did see people who are not  familiar, but they stopped in, so I'm glad the rest are stayin' put.

Chi'lantro

http://www.chilantrobbq.com/index

Follow them on Twitter

https://twitter.com/ChilantroBBQ

Heights Candy Bar

Unbeknownst to me, Heights Candy Bar was opened by a friend of mine.  

I was having dinner at Good Dog, so I decided to stop by.  

You see that they have wide array of candy.  From salt water taffy to imported chocolate to nostalgia candy.  So many to choose from, and it's not just the normal hershey's here. 

They have organic lollypop, rock candy, and  old fashion candy sticks.  Truly colorful.

What did I pick up?  Well, mini Chikcets... it takes a few in your mouth to make into real chewing gum.  The Bumbtless which are wine gums (gummies).  And special chocolate which has a filling insides to make it more like a whoopie pie.  

And as mentioned earlier, organic lollipop.

The Heights Candy Bar is in the same building as Tulips & Tutus.  So, when they close at 6p, the entire building closes because they are al opened to each other.  That said, if you need any special basket or themed gifts put together, they do special orders.  When I was there, they were just finish selling off their teachers baskets.  Very cute.

The owner is so involve in her kid's school that she had done joint ventures with local bookstores to do joint contests.  So if you have little ones, you should definitely check that out.

Heights Candy Bar

833 Studewood

Houston, TX 77007

http://heightscandybar.com/

51Fifteen

For decent mall lunch choice, I always opt for 51Fifteen.  You know the food will be good, the service is good, and the price is right.

If you are seated at the bar area, you can have a lunch for $13, that is included tax and tip and the entree comes with a drink to boot.  Obviously, if you are seated at the bar, you can by pass the hostess and grab a seat.  Or tell them you're going to be at the bar, they'll hand you the menu and grab a seat.  Even bar table is included for this deal.

I like to order whatever is off the feature, because that means they're offering that on the floor with the regular folk as well.  So, this is the steak enchilada.  I really liked the tomato salsa, rice, nacho, and oh yeah, the steak enchilada.  Definitely worth the time and money.

My co-worker ordered the turkey sandwich.  Which as you can see, it's more than just turkey.  It has couple slices of bacon, lettuce, onion, pickle (which tasted like it's made in house), and the dish comes with sweet potato fries.  I stole a few fries.

At lunch time, you may also catch the pianist who will walk around and ask what would you like to hear.  Or, if you didn't like the song, why didn't you ask, he'll pay something you like.  Very outgoing and entertaining guy.  Now tell me where in town can you find a $13 lunch that includes a drink,  has fresh ingredients made by awesome chefs, high class servers, and a pianist accompanying your lunch?

51Fifteen

5115 Westheimer Rd.
2nd Floor Saks Fifth Ave

Houston, TX 

713-963-8067

http://51fifteen.com/

Six Ping Breakfast

We are used to going to Six Ping Bakery for baked goods.

They have funny turtle shaped bread which has raisins in them.  Or bread shaped like piggie with filling in them.  

This is the first time we went for breakfast.  And they serve Chinese style breakfast, which usually includes fresh soy milk, which is sweet.  They also have warm ones, those comes in a bowl.

Sweet Sticky Rice, it's warm and comes in a plastic baggie.

Here's the inside, Chinese fried donut, which is salty.  Sugar, and peanut sauce in the center.

Do not adjust your screen, this is the steam from the steam dumplings.  This is the Shanghai Soup Dumplings.  The price is right, and the dumpling is delicious.  Now, only had I order more to begin with, that would've been fine.

Do go early, the seating does fill up quickly.  It's very much like a fast food joint.  You walk up to the counter, order, pay and grab a seat.  They'll give you a number and deliver the food to your table.  If you are getting something cold to drink, chances are, it'll be in the cooler.  If not, they will bring it to you.  They are open at 7:30a, so you can easily get an early start.

Six Ping Bakery

9889 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

713-773-0658

Auntie Chang's

It has been a very long time since I've been back to Auntie Chang's.  It was nice to revisit.

When I used to live in the neighborhood, it was easy to get to, and even though turning left on Shepherd is always a challenge, it's never too hard to get some Chinese comfort food.

Our old standby dishes: Ma Po Tofu, this is a vegetarian style.  Usually it has meat in it.  And the server was kind enough to let us know so that we won't be expecting it.  I won't lie, having meat does make it taste better, but without it, the sauce really makes the dish.  I can sit there just with this dish and rice, and be ok for the rest of that day.  Definitely my top go-to comfort food.

The other would be Singapore Street Noodle.  I'm not sure what changed, but the noodle has more elasticity and chewier than before.  There wasn't as many shrimps as they used to either.  That wasn't as good as I remembered it.  The spice level is perfect, but overall we don't remember the dish tasting like that.  

It is nice to go there for dinner.  On second floor, you get a nice sunset with your dinner.  It's pretty chill to watch the traffic go by while you wait for your food.  Our server has been there many years, so it was also nice to see a familiar face too.

Auntie Chang's

2621 S. Shepherd Dr.

# 290

Houston, TX 77098

713-524-8410

http://auntiechangs.com/

Good Dog

Was running errands in the Heights, figured it's a good time to stop in Good Dog.

Now that they've gone "on shore", I don't see them around town as much as I used to.  Though, the bus does come out to festivals and events.

They took over a former coffee shop and while maintain the 'house' feel.  You do feel like you're having hot dog at home, which happens to have a bar.  Since it was hot, it was a great day for Lavender Lemonade.  Que' Refreshing!

I had the Picnic Dog.  The attraction was the potato salad on top of the dog.  I was just so happy to see the combo, I just can't help myself.  It is covering up the beef and chorizo chili. Of course, no hot dog is complete without a pickle on top.  To keep with their tradition, they have Slow Dough making their buns.  I'm not usually a fan of Slow Dough's but the marriage with the hot dog, proves to be a great one.  It's not too much bread, and it's not dense like what they're famous for.  Definitely worth the trip! 

Can't help myself and got some fresh cut fries.  It comes with this ketchup-like concoction that is quite addictive even though you have no clue what it is.  It has a kick to it, and it's not thick like ketchup.  Turns out it's their Sriracha Ketchup.  No wonder!  Luckily, it's not super spicy, but it is true, it is addictive.

I'm looking at the menu, we'll have to come back a few more times.  I'm totally dying to try the beer cheese soup with bacon.  Urm, hello!  It just sounded good, especially on a winter day.  Pork and Pear Roll, which I'm not sure what it's about, but I want to come back and find out.  Definitely worth this trip and couple more to come.

Good Dog

903 Studewood St

Houston, TX 77008

832-800-DOGS

http://gooddoghouston.com/

Mamak's

Occasionally we like to go to Mamak for some Indonesian food.  

Since Indonesia is in the middle of all the countries, their cuisine is very influenced by all the surrounding countries.  For instance, we have Iced Thai Tea.

Singapore Street noodles.  I promise it's noodles in the bottom, you just can't see it thru the lettuce. 

Some Chinese Broccoli, because you know you need some veggie for good measure.  To get some flavor out of it, they put in some dried fish in it to bring out some saltiness out of the veggie.

Mix Satay of Chicken and Beef.  I am addicted to their peanut sauce.  It's so good and definitely has a kick of spice to it.  Of course, if you dip the side veggie which is slightly pickled, you'll find it's pretty darn good for summer dish.

When you go, make sure your entire party is there, when they are busy they do not seat incomplete parties.  Which is also why we go during off prime time.  You definitely get more attentive service and the food gets there faster and seating is not a problem.

Mamak's

9889 Bellaire Blvd

Facing inside of the shopping center

Houston, TX 

713-776-2388

Kata Robata

Needed a quick lunch, and stop in to Kata.

We like to go during off peak times, usually after lunch rush which always guarantee great seating and great service.  Not that they're not great normally but you get more attentive service when it's less crowded. 

My meal happen to come with a salad, so I got the side salad and ginger dressing

Since I couldn't make up my mind on which sushi to get, I went for Chirashi... that is the best cheater way to get a little bit of everything.  Not to mention it was easy on the wallets too.  For them, the Chirashi comes in two decks, and as you can see, it's packed with fishes.  Top deck has all the raw sashimi, you have tuna, salmon, yellowtail, mackerel, scallop.  The lower deck has crab, unagi, roe, tamago, it also has kanpyo, carrots, fish shavings on top of bed of rice.  Needless to say, it's more than enough for lunch.  That's the other thing, you get more than you would normally get when you order by pieces and definitely filling.

Kata Robata

3600 Kirby Dr 

Ste H

Houston, TX 77098

713-526-8858

http://katarobata.com/

Hungry's

Was meeting a friend for lunch, and both of us haven't been to Hungry's for a long time, it's time to revisit.

I remember driving by and they had the lot next to them for parking.  But now, seems like they're building townhouse or something next to it.  Sadly, they also lost the parking at the church across the street too, so needless to say, finding parking around there can be hectic.  You can always valet.

For a hot summer day, the best thing to quench thirst is Strawberry Lemonade.  So good.

This is the Greek Farmer's Market Salad with Lamb.  I will say, moons ago, when this place was a walkup to a window with patio seating only, it was called Mediterranean Salad.  But I will take what I can get.  It's super delicious.  I didn't even need the vinaigrette, it's good on its own.  Of course, it helps to have fresh ingredients too.

Hungry's Cafe

2356 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 

713-523-8652

http://www.hungryscafe.com/

Ramen Jin

I have been meaning to try out Ramen Jin for some time.

Some friends did not have a good experience at the beginning.  So, I waited a bit to go check them out.

Cute decor inside.  Very much themed, but it's also very casual.  You walk up to the cashier, order, and grab a seat.  There are some common tables which are good for big party or to share.

Of course, I must try their Tonkotsu.  The broth is super nice, and the pork has been marinated long enough that it falls apart when you touch it.  That's pretty awesome.  The noodles have elasticity, but I'm pretty sure they did not make it themselves. Also in the bowl is a bed of veggie, 50 degree egg, and sesame.  It all comes together very nicely.  I almost did the slurp of the broth.  

Just because my eyes were bigger than my stomach, I also ordered a side of the Tempura Sweet Potato.  I don't know what the sprinkles were, but it added more sweet flavor to the sweet potato.  I highly recommend it.  As a matter of fact, I think my next trip would come and try all of their snack menu, they all sounded pretty good.  And I did not realize this, but their sweet dessert menu has organic egg pudding, apparently it's a specialty of the store, so I would need to make room for that next time.  Just keep in mind, they are not open on Sundays.

Ramen Jin

11181 Westheimer Rd

at Wilcrest

Houston, TX 77401

713-278-8702