Love & Make

Warning, this is a non-food related post.

To prove that I do other stuff besides eat.... decided to do something different.

I won a candle making workshop at my kid's school fundraiser, so figured why not.

They list their fragrance for some inspiration.

Then pick out the container you want.

Of course, fragrance galore, don't underestimate the process, to make something that smell nice is harder than it looks.

Then, it's time to measure out the wax, we're using soy wax here.

Boil and stir.... first we stir to melt the soy wax, then stir in the fragrance, then it's ready to be poured in.

We get this nifty label to go with the candle.

Meanwhile, switching gear, they also offer bath bomb classes, which are great for tweens.

Lots of awesome colors to brighten up the bath.

Tools to hold our bath bombs.

Attempted to make a mixed color one, but it's easier said than done.  At then end, I got 2 medium size bath bombs and 2 small baby size ones.

End result: I got 1 big candle and 4 little bath bombs.

Even though they have a store front at the Rice Village, they aren't always open.  That said, they list their class time on their site, just to make sure you sign up for the one and show up on time to maximize your class time.  

In terms of parking, I just had to suck it up and pay to park in front.  Class is about 2-ish hours.  The owners were very accommodating, letting us go grab dinner and so the candle can be harden and then come back to pick up.  I definitely want to come and do more as they add more classes.  Please support a small business.

Love & Make

6136 Village Pkwy

Houston, TX 77005

832-743-5210

https://www.loveandmake.com

Smoosh Cookies & Ice Cream

Since we were hanging in the Heights, decided to check out Smoosh.

Since they've grown from their food truck into the brick & mortar.

The place is pretty cute, with cute decor.

from wall too floor... details everywhere.

I already know they can do ice cream and cookies, let's try something different.

I got ice cream with churros, topping with nuts, m&ms and chocolate drizzles.  So, typically, they only come with 2 toppings, so extra drizzle equals to extra topping.

I've always liked their cookies, they do have a good recipe for them.  But I couldn't resist the churros.  I would ask them to heat them up if they're not too busy.  It melts the ice cream just so and you just scoop it up and it's yummy.  The place is not big, but definitely pack alot of ice cream flavors in there.  I have been a fan since their food truck days, so of course, I whole-heartedly support the store. 

Parking might be a challenge, they are next to the ever so popular Snooze, and then next to Sing (pan Asian), then there's a bubble tea place next door.  There are parking at the back of the building, but you may need to bring patience to drive around a bit, and every so worth it.

Smoosh 

718 18th Street

Houston, TX 77008

https://www.smooshcookies.com

Iwa ya

I saw this open a while back and was curious.

The service here is you walk up and order then grab a seat.

This is the Hawaiian Poke, which is more of an appetizer than a meal.  Pretty fresh in term of the fish quality, taste is not so much though.

Pan Fry Gyoza, tasted a bit frozen.

Katsu Don - egg over fried pork cutlet and onions over a bowl of rice.

As a bonus, you get all the dessert, which is all you can eat red bean (adzuki) soup.  

As mentioned before, this is a place where you walk up to order, then sit down.  That means that you grab your own utensils.  Just like the dessert soup, the regular soup is also all you can eat.  We did see folks order to-go and then load up on the soup too.  So that's a thing there.

Overall, you can tell they have heart for the place.  They definitely offer a bit something different than a lot of places around.  That said the price is good, the quality is ok, for something quick and different, this will do.  For something fancy, that's might be lacking somehting.

Iwaya 

9600 Bellaire Blvd

#101A

Houston, TX 77036

346-867-2133

https://iwa-ya-teppanyaki-sushi.business.site

Rice Box

It's been a long long time since I've eaten at Rice Box.

Last time I had Rice Box was when they were in a truck before the Heights location, the Greenway location, and before this awesome River Oaks location.

I love how the decor is so futuristic Japan, but they sell Chinese food.

Paying homage to their original food truck.  Yep, that's where I bought my Rice Box.

Love the neon sign decor.  Psst, its said going to Chinatown

General Tso's Chicken with broccoli along with house fried rice, with egg, bean sprout, and onion.  Of course I have to get an egg roll to go with this yummy dish.

One thing quite clever, they open the to go box as your plate.  Of course, when you actually can't finish and have to take the rest to go, they'll have to give you another to-go box.  So, it would work if you finish your own plate, to save a plate, but doesn't always work out that way. 

You can always order delivery or takeout on their site.

Rice Box River Oaks

1111 S. Shepherd Dr.

Houston, TX 77019

https://riceboxed.com/location-river-oaks

Kubo Sushi & Washoku

When we heard the Kubo is making a come back, we were very anxious to see how this rendition will do.

I really miss them in the Rice Village, so their return is a welcomed news.

The decor is simple, clean lines and straight forward.

However, I love these little details.

Started with the Sawara (King Mackerel) Tataki.  Very nice sashimi, yum yum.

Veggies Hoba Miso Yaki which has veggies with miso sauce on top of hoba leaves on top of a fire.

There are lotus, melon, onion, cucumber, mushroom.

"Hassun" Assorted Appetizers which has 7 kinds of appetizers, all chef's choice.  My favorite was the tofu and fish from the mix.

Saw a lot of this on Yelp. This is Unagi Dashimaki Mushi, eel on top of egg omelette.

 Chawan mushi - I love to try different steamed egg.

Seafood Chawanmushi to be precise.  It has uni, mushroom, caviar, and of course, egg.  Nice and warm with a bit of the miso soup.

Eggplant and Duck it was moist but not enough flavor for me.

Going back to what Kubo does best: sushi!  This is an assortment: shrimp, yellowtail, mackerel, salmon, taro, and tuna.  Also tuna roll.

I have to say, most of the dishes are definitely unique and you won't find it anywhere else.  That said, the food is fresh and I can appreciate that.  The only thing for me is that the flavor is a bit weak for me, and I like them strong.  Even though that's the case, the sushi is still my favorite out of everything they have.

Service here is top notch, super attentive and they are very friendly and happy to give any recommendation you need.  Their site and their door still said that they're soft opening, so call first to confirm.  That said, a reservation is not really necessary right now, but it's a good idea to have one.

Kubo Sushi & Washoku

1902 Washington Ave

Houston, TX 77007

346-293-9948

https://www.kubos-sushi.net

Milk & Cookies

Went to Milk & Cookies to pick up some cookies...

I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket, so needed to go there.

Tons of stuff to tempt me as I wait in line... bakery menu

Ice cream menu, p.s. they have one chocolate coconut flavor that does not have diary in it.

Coffee and other offerings.

I got a lemonade and their famous chocolate chip cookies.  I was about to take a picture of the cookie and it slip from my hand.  Luckily it was individually wrapped but it's all broken, figured, we'll do the cookie picture another day.  

If you're looking for a store front, it's a window counter on the side of Tiny's No.5.  But they do move pretty quick at the window.  There's also a location in Austin as well.

Tiny's Milk & Cookies

3636 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-352-3086

https://www.tinyboxwoods.com/location/west-university/

Pizza Motus

Was driving by West U and saw this cute little joint.

It's very unassuming, very casual and perfect for families.

They show off their pizza like the true Italians do.  Show them off by the window, of course!

You can walk up the window and buy them by the slice.

I got a slice of the Supreme which has olives, onions, bell peppers, mushroom, pepperoni, and sausage.  The other is sausage pizza made with Italian Sausage, not spicy at all.  They specialize in Roma Pizza, which is thicker crust but not full of bread.  It all come I'm the rectangle shape like the Italians do.  So when you order a large pizza, it'll come in a rectangle too.

Besides pizza, they do serve other salad, appetizers and sandwiches.  This is one of the few places that still let you BYOB.  Parking might be a challenge, especially during meal time.  You are competing with folks to park at Little Matt's, which is also a very family friendly place next door and the limited shopping center parking next door.  So, read the signs.  Since it's across from a school watch for foot traffic as well.  They're closed Tuesday!

Pizza Motus

6119 Edloe

Houston, TX 77005

832-767-3450

https://www.pizzamotus.com