Soho Chicken

I got a LivingSocial coupon long before the pandemic hit.  Very grateful that LivingSocial recognize this and extend on their own.  That's great for diner and the restaurants.

So, I got some spending power at Soho Chicken, been curious, finally got a chance to try them.

First up, the Seafood Pancake.  This is no joke... there are chunks of octopus, crab meat, not just flour and scallions.

Ddokbokki - with seafood.  It is another legit choice... it has fish cake, mussels, chunks of crab meat.  The egg is something I didn't expect, but like the surprise that it's in there.  Overall it's not too spicy, but towards the bottom, I guess where the juice gathered, and it was super spicy towards the end.

Soho Chicken

9393 Bellaire Blvd

Ste A3

Houston, TX 77036

832-582-5799

http://www.sohochicken.com

International Snack - Oreo

While we were at Daido.

 Always find it fascinating that they have what we have but with a twist.  First was the Kit Kat, and now there's more collaborations that are coming back this way.

So this is Oreo Crispy, one box comes in 3 packages like this.  Inside each package has 8 cookies.

They are thinner than a regular Oreo that you can find at the store.  And you can eat 8 of these and not feel guilty.

I like how compact these little Oreos are.  You can put a pack in your purse and have snacks on the go.  You will find that snacks in Asian usually pack a lot of air, which is nice, so that your cookies or chips won't be squished or break in transit.  This flavor is the original flavor with vanilla cream.  I saw green tea and sakura in Japan.  I hope they get to be imported one day soon!

River Oaks Donuts

Our regular haunts... River Oaks Donuts.

 Now that they limit number of people inside, a lot of folks are using the drive thru even more than before.  There are often times, more cars on the opposite side waiting to get in line than cars driving by.

I got me an Iced Coffee, nice and refreshing!  Definitely a lite bodied flavor for the Summer, which is nice.

My Sausage Kolache.  I have said this before, and will say that again.  I liked that they use Prasek Sausage, but more importantly, I like that their meat to bread ratio is proportionate.  Unlike some places that has more bread and meat.  Then you really just eating bread.

Line might be long, price might be on the higher end, but definitely worth it.

River Oaks Donuts

3601 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77027

713-961-9458

https://www.riveroaksdonuts.com

Nikos Nikos

Friends and I were meeting up and one special place we like to go to is Nikos Nikos.

 On Saturdays, the Memorial location, you can order Konto, which is short for Kontosouvli.

Which is really BBQ pork.  It is marinated in Greek spices, of course.

I haven't had oven potato forever.  I typically get fries, but really miss that yellowy potato.  One side order really gives you lots of serving, meant to be shared. 

I needed some veggie to balance out the protein and carbs, I needed some veggie to balance things out and got a side Greek salad.  It actually is pretty big bowl because they fill it up to the rim.  So between my meat and my salad, it's a full meal.  The potato is just a gluttonous thing for me.

For a while they left off the Konto because they were operating at limited menu with their most popular items only.  But now, Konto is part of the rotation.  We do call in ahead of time to make sure they have it before trekking up there.  But, feel free to ask the staff for it, it is only available on weekends.

Niko Niko's

1040 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N.

Houston, TX 77043

832-981-GYRO
http://www.nikonikos.com

Easy Peasy Peach Cobbler

This is the last thing I made with the peaches I got.

For the filling, I used this recipe.  Not hard to do, pretty easy and fast to marinate the peaches.

 For my lazy way, I got a can of the Grand Biscuits and halved them, so if you get a can of 6 that's plenty.  Basically you can cut them in quarter and put it across the top.

I also mixed a tsp of cinnamon and a tbsp of sugar and mixed into cinnamon sugar and sprinkle it across the top.

Once it baked, it does turn a tad golden.  I think next time I would put it in the boiler to golden the top more and melt the top.  

It does come out more mushy than I like for a cobbler.  It tasted ok.  I think next time, I would like to do something else for the top instead.  Hmm...

5-ingredients Peach Tart

Continue on with Peach Week.  Since I bought a box of Puff Pastry and it comes in twos.  

After the mini tart.  I used this recipe here for the other puff pastry dough.

 When they say 5 ingredients, they were not lying.  You get the Puff Pastry dough, peaches, lemon juice to bring out the flavor and an egg.

The egg is for the egg wash to brush get sides to give that gold puffy look.  Somehow my pastry brush went missing.  So, good o' internet came into great help.  I found this article about using parchment paper in place of a brush.  It wasn't a great substitute, but it worked and I'll be glad on that.

Look how that turned out.  Pretty!!!  And simple too!

Mini Peach Tart

For Peach Week, I like to find simple, quick desserts that can be done quickly. 

Thanks to this recipe, this is one of them.

 Go to the Frozen Foods section and grab a box of puff pastry.  Thaw and unroll.  I went ahead and used a fork to poke some holes for the heat to go out.

Sliced up 2 cups worth of peaches.  Then put some nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and tossed it.   Yes, I skipped the vanilla... just felt like a lot of sugar in an already sugary fruit.

Lined them all up like so.

 
Whatever juice I have left in the bowl for the mix, I pour it back on to the tarts.

 After it being in the oven, it all came out nicely... not pretty but nice.

Look at that puff... yum!  The black stuff you see there around the pastry is the juices and the sugary mix we 'marinated' the slices with.  So once it gets cooked and burnt, you get those.  All you have to do is to pop it and it'll have a clean break from the tart.  

Easy and quick, and yummy too!

Peach Cresant Roll

Continue on with Peach Week.  We did a Crostata yesterday, but I have left over peaches.

 And then I found this in Pillsbury's own recipe bank

Basically a turn-over type dessert.  I rolled the already 'marinated' peaches in the crescent rolls. 

This time, I sprinkled pinches of plain cane sugar on top.  Next time, I think I would add more because the dough itself is made for dinner rolls, so it's a tad buttery to start. 

I won't like, a couple of these with a cup of coffee, it's a great start for the day!  Of course, these are great for snacking too.

Peach Crostata

So the Peach Truck was in town form Georgia.  Decided to go in with a friend and split a box.  So this will be Peach Week

As you can see, a box is huge.  That's about 25lbs per box.  If you imagine about 5 medium peaches equals 1 pound, that's a lot of peaches.

They came ready to eat after a day or two.  Which means let the baking fest, begin!

I used this Crostata Recipe for my Crostata.

 I needed something simple and quick.  You really just need to buy a premade pie crust from the grocery store.  Unroll and it's ready to go.

The ingredients that goes with the peaches can be as simple as just mix with lemon juice to bring out the taste, or add nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, vanilla extract...etc.  It can be as fancy or as simple as you wanted it.  

I do regret not putting some turbinado sugar (aka sugar in the raw) on top.  It would've made it look prettier.  But tasted pretty good.  Worth a try.

Gelato Cup

Was running errand in Chinatown, and saw a parking spot open in front of Gelato Cup, thought it's serendipitous. 

They serve Chinese style dessert as well as gelato.  Basically all encompassing desserts.

They've got sesame soup, which doesn't sounds it, but it is yummy.  It's nice especially during winter. For summer, the Sweet Tofu is a good pick.

Taro & Ginger soup are good for all seasons.

My favorite of all time is Sago.  I'm too lazy to make them myself but happy to eat them when I see them!

They have 2 cases of gelato, so plenty to choose from.

Back to my Sago.  This is Fresh Mango with Sago in Coconut Milk.

Here's the sago (which is very much like tapioca) and mango chunks.  When served cold, it is super refreshing for a hot day.  The coconut milk with the sago together is nice and smooth.  So good....

Gelato Cup

9889 Bellaire Blvd

#108

Houston, TX 77036

713-271-1082

http://www.gelatocuphouston.com

Milk & Cookies

Going to Milk & Cookies, is becoming more a weekly activity.

I like the walk-up nature of the set up.  People who work there and the customers know the drill.  Everyone gets ample social distance, there's no awkwardness about it.  Got my latte to go.

First time trying their Kouign Amann.  I've tried the one at Common Bond, and this is very different. It's definitely flakey and layer filled like the other, but it has less heights.  Definitely sweet and buttery.  I feel like I'm eating a croissant but then it's not.  Eh, it's yummy, why not?!

Milk & Cookies

3636 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-352-3086

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

Aka Sushi House

Sometimes, you just need a little something something...

I was having an urge to have sushi... so here we are, do a quick pick up from Aka.

Got couple hand rolls, takoyaki, and vegetable tempura.  Since it was before 6pm, (it was my lunch) it's on Happy Hour price.  So, feel free to order more for your family.  Highly encouraged.

I ordered ahead.  The pickup was right on time.  The staff has everything ready.  The only thing I have a minor complaint about is that they still need you to sign the tab.  I think they need to adopt what a lot of places have, and that is, if your tab is under certain amount, you don't need to sign.  

Aka Sushi House

2390 W.Alabama

Houston, TX 77098

713-807-7875

http://www.akasushi.net

Koffeteria

Social Distance got you down?  Head on over to Koffeteria!

Been meaning to check them out for some time, finally made time to stop by.

Cute menu set up!

Lovely pastry display.  Urm, one of each please.

Specialty drinks is their specialty. 

That's my drink: Tiger Uppercut, which is Thai Tea with a shot of espresso.  It does get strong, I'm not going to lie.  So, you've been warned!  However, if you like it enough, they sell them in a $10 jug.

Social Distance got you down?  Don't be...

 Their backyard seating is huge and everyone can have 10 ft or more social distance if you want.  There were several families sitting there, wasn't able to get a good shot for you.

Ok, what did I get:  I got a Ham and Cheese croissant.  I will say that the ham to cheese ratio is a tad off, and I still prefer the Milk & Cookies ones, which you can taste cheese every ham bite you take.  I missed their Beef Pho Croissant and too chicken to get the Hot Cheeto Croissant.  If you got one of those, let me know what you think.

This is their Peach Cobbler Bread Pudding, it has both of my favorite dessert, how can it go wrong?  I didn't go wrong.  As a matter of fact, a tip the barista told me was that you heat it up 30 sec before eating, and that did the trick!  Nice, warm, gooey and yummy.

Last but not least their almond croissant.  Pretty good, super flakey and guarantee a messy good time!

The place is cute and I'm sad that because of Covid their indoor seating is closed.  But like I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of space in their backyard.  You can have more space than to know what to do with.  They also have a side entrance to the backyard, in case you don't want to go inside.   What you do is, before you arrive, order online, and tell them when you pick up, and grab a seat on the outside.  Perfect for an early morning coffee.  By the way, they are cashless, so whether you order ahead or pay there makes little difference.

The whole experience was great, the staff were super friendly.  We were down the street taking pictures of all the amazing Murals.  The only pain to get here is the parking.  There is a gym next door and if you happen to arrive during class time, parking is not easy.  Please make sure you read all the signs, they do have patrols - even on a Sunday, to check meters.

Koffeteria

1110 Hutchins St

Ste 102

Houston, TX 77003

https://www.koffeteria.com