Asahi Sushi

This is my first time sitting down and eat here after the pandemic.  In the past we've only been taking to-go and those seemed to go well, so we'd thought why not try sitting down.

We got our agedashi tofu, which came with sauce on the side.  But the very fact that I needed to them soak up a bit of sauce before consuming, makes that gratification delayed.

Second, I couldn't forget their happy hour special, which is not as good now as it was before, but better than nothing right?  Well, the gaiety ends there, the fish had frozen bits inside, which means they didn't thaw enough and not enough time.  At least they still treat it thru the proper manner, thank goodness.

Needless to say, I gave up on the sashimi, and was looking forward to my yakisoba.  Funny there were more veggies than noodles in this dish.  But I was so hungry that I just gobbled it all up.

As much as I want to support mom and pop shops, I do draw a line.  While the owner is nice, and its hard to make a buck with supply and workers shortage, quality for the money is still something I valued.  I was already taken aback by their serving dishes are all styrofoam boxes.  But when the food comes out with ice in them, and more veggie than noddles, I felt like I'm paying a lot for subpar.  Before, it was some hole in the wall that can satisfy the craving, but now I'm not sure anymore.  I truly hope that was a fluke, because I do want to continue to support small businesses.

Asahi Sushi

8236 Kirby Ave

#200

Houston, TX 77054

713-664-7686

https://www.asahisushihouston.com

 

Tanuki Go

It's not easy to catch Tanuki at different markets, so when I can, I make more of an effort.

$5 all they sell are Takoyaki and Taiyaki.  One is savory, one is sweet.

They can make them as fast as the waffle iron allows.  Batter stations were all set to go.  

What they are, Takoyaki is grilled octopus with waffle-like batter.  The key is the mayo + takoyaki sauce (like Worcheshire but smoother texture) plus the flakes which makes it yummy.  They have nori flakes, bonito flakes, little bit of chives on top.

For Taiyaki - that's more of a dessert.  We often refer to it as waffles with fillings.  Sadly they were only offering Chocolate, Bavarian Cream and Lemon.  I was hoping they have the traditional adzuki beans which is sweet and textured.  But beggars can't be choosers.  

Follow Tanuki Go on social media, they are often at different festivals and markets.  

Tanuki Go

https://www.instagram.com/tanuki_go/

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving besides a time for us to be thankful.  It is also signifies a time towards the holiday seasons.  This is only the beginning and we get to be with friends and families and gather around food.

Food is a big part of us and Covid really put a damper on things.  Hope you get to be with your loved ones this year when last year was nothing but uncertainty.  Hope you get to get some good food, some new food, and enjoy old recipes. 

Butter Baby Bakery

I am super excited to finally got my hands on some BBB goodies.

You have to follow them on their IG for the most updated menu, goodies, and location.

This is Pandan Coconut Mini Mousse Carmel Pie.  First of all, not a lot of people make dessert with Pandan for sale; second, it's mini, so I don't feel so bad eating the entire thing (by myself).  Pandan goes with coconut perfectly well and it's no mystery. But to add caramel, cracker pearls and waffle it add texture and it lets the pandan do its job.  The coconut was just a hit wasn't over powering the lightness of the pandan.  The crust is fully of butter, don't you worry. 

The other thing I got my hands on is the Baby Stacks.  

It is a wonderful parfait of cake layered by cream.  This is Ube Cheesecake.  There's more and more bakers bringing ube into the market, but the thing special about them is the cheesecake.  It's not as thick and heavy as a normal cheesecake.  Now, I did not finish this all in one-setting, don't worry (took me a few days).  But it's a nice dessert after dinner with a cup of (decaf) coffee.  Now I really want to try her other flavors.  And they change regularly, can't wait to catch her again soon!

Butter Baby Bakery

https://butterbabybakery.com

 

Tiny's No. 5

Went to Tiny's No. 5 for brunch.

I got the Mother's Breakfast, which is pretty basic and easy going.  Scrambled eggs, potato, bacon, biscuit with honey butter & strawberry jam.  I just love how warm the biscuits are, and the butter just melt nicely on top.  The jam with the fruit chunks are superb for a sunny morning breeze.

The problem is, when the weather is nice, everyone wanted to come out for brunch.  They have seatings outdoors but as you can imagine, folks want to save seats while their party is still in line to order food.  The staff there are pretty strict about you not ordering food before sitting down holding a table.  They do it the French way, where you only sit down after you have ordered.  That said, their staff was super polite when they approach folks who are there to hold the seat. 

Tiny's No. 5

3636 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-664-0141

https://www.tinyboxwoods.com/location/tinys-no-5/

 

Liberty Kitchen

Went back to Liberty Kitchen for lunch. 

Lunch atmosphere is very easy going, despite a lot of business are discussed here.  And perhaps is because of that, folks can feel at ease having a working lunch.

Got the seared Ahi Tuna salad.  The fish is super fresh, I think the egg & avocado was a tad much it's a lot of protein with the tuna.  The dressing was good though, I wouldn't mind coming back for it.  I definitely ate all of the fish with the veggie, but the egg and avocado I have to leave them behind.  I know it doesn't look like a big plate here, but truly that's a lot of food.  Go see it for yourself.

Liberty Kitchen

4224 San Felipe

Houston, TX 77027

713-622-1010

https://libertykitchenoysterette.com

 

Sweet Memes

It was fun to come back to Sweet Memes.

They're all decked out and ready for Christmas to come.

I ordered the Rainbow in the Sky drink - it has passion fruit tea with mango, grapes, kiwi, apples, diced strawberries.  And a slice of mango mille feuille.  The name mille feuille derive from French where it means million layers (of crepes).  Wha they have added here is an added layer of fruit and gelatin in the middle.  Of course drizzled in mango sauce and added whipped cream too.  It was delightful.

I will go back to the tea, it was a great idea until the little diced fruit got stuck in the straws and tons of yummy goodness got stuck at the bottom.  I can do without kiwi or grapes but quite like the mango and apple combo.  I will definitely come back for other fruit tea, and also the Shabuya Toast, it's all the rage.

Sweet Memes

9630 Clarewood Dr

A8

Houston, Tx 77036

832-849-0948

https://www.smdessert.com   

 

Mein

Went to Chinatown for dinner, which is my first time since Covid.

Mein.  While the English name translates to Noodles.  The Chinese name is a play on word of Noodle, the name technically is 'Very Familiar', which as people typically are recognized by face, the word face phonetically sounds like noodles but different brush strokes.  It's cute.  

I do like the 50s drawing and other kitch on the walls.  Definitely giving a nod to the era.

Got me a Thai Tea because why not?!

Got some 'Chinese Donut' - to be honest I've never understood why it's called that when it's savory not sweet.

First off, got the Mapo Tofu - one of the all time comfort food.  This one has pork in it - vegetarians be ware.  Of course we love it because the sauces makes us feels good when you mix it with rice.  So good.  And yes, it does have a kick to it.

My friend wanted JaJangMyeon, Black bean noodles.  This place has both styles, meaning Korean style & Chinese styles.  Korean style is known of having during special occasions, usually when you move in or graduation.  Ours was just having comfort food. Both have pork and both have black beans but usage is vastly different and the ingredients are different as well.  They definitely have their own differences. 

My thing about this place is that I find it funny that use the fact that they have Cantonese cuisine as their selling point.  Yet, majority of their dishes are not necessary Cantonese style.  Growing up with it, there are always borrowed and play on style, but to bill oneself as such I really do expect them to deliver.  Not that the food aren't good, there's just missing some heat.  Oh well, maybe other dishes would be better, have to go back and give them another try.

Mein

9630 Clarewood

A13

Houston, TX 77036

713-923-7488

https://www.eatmein.com

 

Churrazon

When I'm at the Railway, I have to make a stop at my favorite agua fresca spot. 

Stopping by Churrazon.  I must say, I have yet to get churros when I'm here.  I've always been getting their drinks.  For 32 oz, and it seems costly but it's so worth it.

Saw some fruits lined up on the side, those are prickly pears.

To which, I decided to do prickly pear drink.  Truth to be told, if you ask them to mix and match different flavors, they would do it.  So don't be shy.  You're not committed to one flavor.  You can totally customize.

Staff there are always nice and friendly, ask them any questions about the process, the mixing, and the food.  They're more than happy to walk you thru, don't be shy.

Churrazon

in Railway Heights

8200 Washington Ave

Houston, TX 77007

 

Drunken Pho

Went back to Railway Heights for food.

This time came to Drunken Pho.

We got the Dac Biet (left) and a Basic (right).  The top compartment has the sprouts, mint, lime and sauce.

Bottom is your soup, noodle, and meat.  Already in there are parsley, scallion, and onion with the broth.  The meat was partially cooked and then cook some more in the hot soup.  It's nice when there's a nice cool breeze outside, and get some warm soup in your belly.  Definitely coming back for this one.

Drunken Pho

inside Railway Heights

8200 Washington Ave

Houston, TX 77007

https://www.drunkenpho.com

 

Tasty Arepa

Another festival food truck experience.

I don't think I've specifically had Columbian food before.  Also have never had Columbiana before either.  I kept asking the lady what flavor is it, and all she kept saying was cola champagne.  When I got home to Google it, it's true... the flavor is cola champagne.  The best way to describe it is that it is a very tamed Pepsi with some fruity taste.

  I know I could try their arepa, or empanadas, churizo... etc.  Since I was super hungry, and everything on the menu needed to be fried, so I decide to go for hot dog.  It's a pretty big dog.

For the price, having a big dog is not bad.  Dog tasted good.  I wouldn't mind trying the other items when I have time.  Been eyeing the empanadas quite a bit, and lots of Hispanics flock to the truck asking for Arepas, so I'm curious about that too.

Tasty Arepa

https://www.yelp.com/menu/tasty-arepa-houston

 

Love Shack

Went back to Levy Park - decided to go back to Love Shack for a snack.

They do have quite a bit of snack-like food there.

Grabbed some fries & a drink.

Fries were hot off the fryer.  It is some dam good fries.  It was fresh and hot.  I'm basically addicted to the salt, the fries is just a vehicle.  Don't worry, I didn't finish it all.

Also got an Arnold Palmer to wash it down.  It was a nice snack for a beautiful day.

Love Burger Shack

3709 Eastside Street 

Houston, TX 77098

346-718-6110

https://loveburgershackhtx.com

 

Candelari's

Had a sudden craving for Pizza.

Went back to Candelari's.

Ahh, a good o' pepperoni pizza.  It's so nice and chill.  The delicious cheese and the right amount of pepperoni per slice.  YUM!  Sometimes you just needed that to make a day end on a high note.

Ordering from Candelari's is super easy.  You can call in or order online.  You can then go to the side door to pick up and bada bing, bada boom, your food is ready to go.  By the way, they also do kid's pizza, and kid's make-their- own pizza too.  Give that a shot.

Candelari's

2617 W. Holcomb Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

713-662-2825

https://candelaris.com

 

The Lunch Bag food truck

Now that weather is nicer, I love how there's more food trucks coming back.

I will admit, I came to The Lunch Bag because the line was the shortest, but it was a delightful surprise.

They have burgers, quesadillas, but also catfish, jerk chicken.

I got the Jerk Chicken Tacos that comes with plantain.  They were all nice and warm and fresh.  The jerk chicken has a kick to it.  And the plantain as freshly fried, but not too fried.  So it was a nice complement to the chicken.  

They do breakfast & lunch (obviously dinner) catering, even though the name is Lunch Bag.  Please support local small businesses.

The Lunch Bag

https://www.facebook.com/The-Lunch-Bag-195771217144326/

https://roaminghunger.com/the-lunch-bag/

 

Milk & Cookies

Went to grab a cup of coffee before going into work.

Cute Fall set up.

Of course, I got my coffee with Honey Lavender and Soy milk.  

This is the Apple Loaf.  They cut you a giant slice too.  But it goes very well with my coffee.  I highly recommend this. 

The River Oaks location is great, plenty of parking, and traffic in the morning is spread out enough that you don't have to worry about the line being too long, or wait too long.

Milk & Cookies

River Oaks Location

2809 Saint Street

Houston, TX 77027

713-222-7474

https://www.tinyboxwoods.com/location/river-oaks/

 

Liberty Kitchen Oysterette

Haven't been back to Liberty Kitchen for a while. 

Didn't realized it was before Covid. 

Got a Berry Basil Smash - it has vodka, strawberries, basil, sparkling wine.  It's yummy.

This is the Happy Hour deviled eggs, which is $5 for 3.  What you don't see is that there's a slice of pickle at the bottom, and bacon jam on the side for us to top off with.  Of course, I just practically lick the little jam container.

House Rolls - agave honey butter, olive oil, and bacon jam.  So good.... Just give me more carbs. 

Black truffle Hamachi - there's bit of crispy garlic and truffle ponzu sauce.  Nice and fresh and not too overpowering by the truffle. 

We decided to spoil ourselves and ordered truffle fries.

Chesapeake Crab Balls - it's my first time ordering it, and it's better than I had expected.  The remoulade sauce was very nice and it all come together nice than I had thought.  Definitely getting this again.

We went during Happy Hour, and it's pretty laid back.  I imagine it gets busier on a Thursday or Friday evening.  But otherwise, service was top notch, and the dinner crowd is laid back on a Tuesday.  If you want to pick a chill place, come here on a Monday/Tuesday.  In terms of parking, since the Railway at the end of the shopping center is closed, you can park there for the time being, but do read the signs.

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

4224 San Felipe

Houston, TX 77027

713-622-1010

https://libertykitchenoysterette.com