Candelari's Pizza Kit

There are several places that offer pizza kits out there...

 This is a kid's size one, $8 and comes with dough, cheese, tomato sauce and toppings in a box.

You do have to roll out your pizza dough, then put on the tomato sauce, the cheese, then you're ready to decorate.

 If you're thinking this looks awfully much like a smiley face, you're not wrong because it is and it is made by my son.

After it baked, however, it looks a tad bit toasty.  

The box with instructions are all ready to go.  For $8 it is very good kids activity that yields a very yummy result.  

Candelari's

2617 W. Holcomb Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

713-662-2825

https://candelaris.com/home

Snooze

Picked up breakfast from Snooze and it was so satisfying.

 You can place your order online and they will text you the status of your order without leaving your car.

Of course I got my pancake flight.  I got L to R: Pineapple upside down pancake, Chocolate Chip Pancake, and Blueberry Danish Pancake.  The Pineapple one as expected was delicious.  The Chocolate Chip one was dry for some reason.  The Blueberry one the sauce really does the trick and I literally have to wipe the sauce off of that to-go plate.

As I mentioned before, you can place the order online, and as you arrive, you will get a text message as it gets near your allotted time about the status of your order.  I kinda felt like as I pull up at the pre-determined pick up time that's when I got my text about my order.  Which then waited for another 10 mins before the staff walked the order over.  For someone who was hungry and needed coffee that 10 mins was a very long time.  But I'm glad that the whole process was painless and contactless, even did tip online.

Snooze - Montrose

3217 Montrose Blvd

Houston TX 77006

713-574-6655

https://www.snoozeeatery.com

Tom n Tom's Coffee

Finally got to go to Tom n' Tom's Coffee.

 They are relatively new at the Bellaire Food Street shopping center.

 Menu is packed full of drinks, variations, and food.  Yes they have the huge toast, and pizza and hot dog in their own spin.

I got the Tom's Mink Mocha.  What I didn't know was that the barista literally go and crush some fresh mint into the cup.  I was wondering why it took so long as everyone just adds a couple pumps of syrup, they are doing the fresh mint that crush when you order.  That's impressive.

The drink is fresh as fresh can be which explain the time they took to make it.  It was pretty good and definitely different.  As many types of drinks they sell her, they don't do boba, but no worries, there are only 20 boba tea shops in the 1 mile radius, you're not going to go without.

You can order for pickup or delivery on their site now.

Tom n Tom's Coffee

9393 Bellaire Blvd

#A5

Houston, TX 77036

https://www.tomntomsbellaire.com

Coltivare - HEB edition

Another prepared meal from HEB.

This time it's from Coltivare.  I got the Rigatoni Bolognese.  I will say for $12, the portion is smaller than I expected.  Also the pasta was dryer than I'd like.  The flavor is still good, just the texture was not their usual par.  Then, again, it's from the grocery store...

They also have a Penne and Grilled Chicken and Beef Lasagna.  Maybe I'll do Lasagna next time.  Or, make a trek out to Heights to their restaurant.  Click on the link for HEB locations that carries their food.

Coltivare - HEB version

https://www.agricolehospitality.com/heb

Trendy Dumpling

Another pick up order.  This time is from Trendy Dumpling.

This is the 3 Color Dumpling.  We have veggie, shrimp, and beef.  The skin for the veggie was too thin, the skin for the beef was too thick, the shrimp was just right.  

It is a good mix of dumpling and it is perfect size for lunch.  They do fill the filling all the way, which is why the veggie one steamed open by the time they cooked and expand.

I ordered the meal on their website and the pick up process was easy.  The site tells you what time the order will be ready and they come under that time.  When I arrived, they have their mask on, and you give them your name and your order is ready to be picked up.  Entire process very efficient and painless.

Trendy Dumpling

3285 Southwest Fwy

Houston, TX 77027

713-750-9398

http://trendydumpling.com

Cherryblock - HEB edition

I love the whole HEB helps restaurants during this time thing.

This time we got food from Cherry Block.  I saw them when I was down at Bravery Chef Hall, but it looked like lots of meat to me, and the menu was a tad intimidating.  For $12, you can pick something up from HEB.

That said, I got the andouille sausage with potato and cabbage.  It's not bad, the sausage is super flavorful.  The potato still has some crispy crunch after heat up.  By the way, my trick is that I don't heat up in microwave.  If I have the luxury of time, I pop it in the oven to warm it up.  Overall, for $12 is a tad higher than what you'd pay for this dish.  It was good, not bad, but not sure if I'll buy this again.  I think, if I get to go back to the Food Hall and eat in person it would've been lovely.  But since this is a reheated meal, something is lost in the translation.

Cherry Block at HEB

check your local HEB for more info.

Milk & Cookies

All things considered, Milk & Cookies has been doing a great job in terms of helping people and have an organized ordering system for Social Distancing. 

Before the pandemic started, at any given day, they have a long queue of people waiting outside.  Their walk-up window makes it easy to get a cup of nice coffee with a croissant or just a muffin.

So, they smartened up and has a system.  The side of the bank is the queue like, all have a box 6 ft apart.  Then towards the restaurant side, they have a wait box for you, and the boxes are also 6 ft apart.

Yay! My turn, I got an Iced Latte.  By the way, if it is iced you get it faster, duh!  But seriously, the barista is keeping up with the order very quickly.

Got a blueberry muffin and a chocolate croissant.  What you don't see is the Ham and Cheese croissant, good both warm or not.  I like the proportion of meat, cheese and bread.  One of my favorites here.

In addition to the boxes you see everywhere.  Don't get discouraged when you see the line wrapped around the building.  That just the boxes keeping people apart.  On top of that, there's a rep that let you know in case you can't see around the corner that the next box is opened.  AND!  We learned that you can call your order ahead, including your coffee order and pick up at the restaurant side.  I guess that makes perfect sense, they are from the same kitchen.  Duh!  But now we know.  You know what though, even though we know that, getting some fresh air while standing in line is kinda nice especially if you're early enough.

Milk & Cookie

3636 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-352-3086

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

House of Pies

Just because we're working from home, doesn't mean you can't bring some pie home.

Got my favorite Bavarian Banana.  I love their crust and the Bavarian Chocolate.

The other is good o' classic: Apple Pie.

Now, I didn't see my Seasonal Favorite, Peach but when it's time, I'll definitely come back for it!

You can call ahead and they will have it ready for you to pick up.

House of Pies

3112 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77098

713-528-3816

Bovine & Barley Truck

Also known as Adult Ice Cream Truck except, they don't have ice cream.

I will say, when we arrived at the designated time and location, there were over 20 adults hovering around.  Part social distance, and part not.  They were all waiting for the truck.  So, basically, how it operates is that you gather your neighbors, and then they post on their IG that they'll be in which area around what time and date.  You can text time to get the specific location and time. 

They got updated menu for different date or different truck.  But it worked out very nicely.  They have a squishy machine, and they give you an airplane bottle for you to mix it yourself.  You can also get chips and dips too.  They offer 7 types of drinks, and you can get a single or a double, if you have more people, you can do a party pack too.

Bovine and Barley

https://bovineandbarley.com

Tamashi

Another take-out, eat at home edition:

This time got Tamashi via GrubHub.  By the way, GH does not deliver from Tamashi, probably better that way.  You do have to pick up.  They set up at the shop that is super fast and convenient.  Of course you can call in your order too.

We got gyoza, pretty fresh, yum yum.  Got the Tonkotsu, they separated the soup with the noodles, which is good because the last thing you want is some soggy noodle and in case the soup turned cold, you wouldn't want to heat up the entire bowl like that. 

So, I picked up at the designated time.  It doesn't take long to get home.  The soup needed to have a quick reheat.  Once you pour it over your bowl of noodle and such, it was easy to go.  It is fast and easy.  I do however felt it's missing something.  When you eat it at the shop, everything went together very well.  Here, you really truly feel the separation of taste.  So that suffered a bit.  Overall, not a bad meal.

Tamashi Ramen

2518 W. Holcomb Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

346-204-5523

https://www.tamashiramensushi.com

Underbelly - HEB edition

When I heard several restaurants in town is serving their meals at H-E-B, I was curious. 

Given the current circumstances, Stay Home-Work From Home- Contactless environment, I thought that was a brilliant move.

This is from Underbelly and it is their King Ranch Casserole.  I was just attracted by the cheese they have on there.  Easy, pop into the oven and heat.  It has King Ranch chicken, tortilla chips, chili gravy and cheese, cheese and more cheese.  Every bite I got has cheese on there.  The tortilla chips part of it really is better if you oven heat it.  You can use microwave, but the result is vastly different.  Taste is pretty good, definitely no compare.  I will say that the smart thing is to find out when they come in and fill up and get it while it's super fresh.  It's not unfresh, it could be better is what my gut is saying. 

First of all, these are located in the prepared meal section for a few H-E-Bs in town.  You have to go look, but so far, the Montrose location seems to be getting the most variety of meals there.  Second, they cost $12.  Now, I know what you're going to say, $12 for a prepared meal from a grocery store.  Lest we forget that these are brand names, local restaurants, besides the food that goes into it, I'm sure H-E-B gets a cut, and their intellectual capital of the recipe, it sounds about right.

Check your local H-E-B

Dough Cone

While we were trying to social distance at the park, what a better treat than to get some ice cream.

We got a milkshake, perfect for the muggy day we got.  Though the price point is not cheap, it was $6.99 for a cup for a mini size.

Advantage of being a food truck is that you're already a mobile restaurant, don't have seating, walk up/take out is available all year round.  To them, the Stay Home work order might be a great boost to the business, since it's business as usual for them.  And more people are having them park at their location, to drum up business.  Follow them on Twitter and Instagram to track them down.

Dough Cone

http://www.thedoughcone.com

River Oaks Donuts

Now that restaurants are opened, while we can go in for take-out, drive thru is still the best.

There's always a decent line out side of River Oaks Donuts.

Poor picture, I was driving and wanted to have some donuts and then realized I haven't taken the pics yet. So, I figured that I'd better get some pics before I finish it up.  

So, we have a Devil's Food (chocolate cake with glaze) and Fritter Bites (aka small version of the Apple Fritter).  They do move the line very quickly, so the line might look intimidating but don't worry, they go thru pretty quick.

River Oaks Donuts

3601 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77027

713-961-9458

https://www.riveroaksdonuts.com

Daido Supermarket

So, been eating a lot of restaurant/supermarket collab lately.

While this is not a collab, but it is food from supermarket nonetheless.  It is made from their in-house kitchen.  But don't overlook them, the quality of fish is one of the fresher ones I've had besides at a proper Japanese Sushi restaurant.  The rice since it's been sitting at the refrigerated section it's a tad stiff, but I replaced with my own rice, and put the sashimi back on.  It is pretty good.  None of the fish you see here was fishy or gamey.  I might venture out to say it's enjoyable.

I also saw that they have onigri - rice balls in shrimp, plum, tuna, unagi flavor, ready to go.  Baked sweet potato, full fledge bentos (most of them are cooked), fried oyster, tempura shrimp, chicken karaage (aka Japanese Chicken nugget), Curry bento.  

We bought the tempura and the oyster planning on mix in with our dinner, will let you know how that turn out.

Daido Supermarket

11146 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77042

713-785-0815

Common Bond

Believe or not, I just now come to posting to-go meals.  I actually was that back-logged.  Which my friends, especially the ones eat with me already know that.

Headed to Common Bond.  Actually early on, I have been ordering take out, just that I wasn't the one to do the pick up, so wasn't able to capture any pics.  Here's a few:

Very thoughtful of them to have the Social Distancing signs on the floor.

Even at the counter to protect their staff.

Still love their packaging, very pretty, makes me feel like I'm being treated amid staying at home.

Top: Strawberry Chocolate Passion cake and Mocha Mascarpone Tart.

Bottom: Morning Bun, Blueberry Muffin, and a Chocolate Chip cookie (couldn't resist)

Fancy Breakfast to start the day with a cup of latte... oh boy, I miss you nice coffee!

Common Bond now has an app, you can download and pre-order.  As you arrive, they have a designated parking spot for pick up.  They will walk the order to you.

I often see that there weren't anybody park near, and can see thru the window that there's no customers, I'd go in person (with my mask, of course) and order in person.  Staff are as friendly as ever, and every one is wearing mask and gloves as they serve.  Protecting them and you.

Common Bond

2278 W. Holcomb Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

346-327-8393

https://commonbondcafe.com