Taste of Spices

Heard about a new. place opened up near me.  

Of course, curiosity kills the cat, and hopefully have a good find for me.

I got this purely for nostalgic reasons, it's curry fish balls.  Don't worry it's a ball made out of fish paste.  It's been soaked in curry sauce.  That's the way the street food was presented.  Of course, I'd be surprise they served it the same way, on a skewer stick.  As far as taste go, it was ok.  Was it just like how my childhood memory was?  No.  But it's a decent one to get if you are waiting for your food.

I got the Salt & Pepper Squid.  Just had a hankering for it, and to my surprise, it was pretty good.  So much so that I finished the dish myself.  Not too spicy, but has enough crisp & kick to finish off.  Definitely worth getting. 

Salty Fish and Diced Chicken fried rice - my tried and true comfort food dish.  I will say, this time there's plenty of salty fish, not just for taste but serious chunks.  It's funny because once upon a time, Salty Fish was looked down upon.  As it was only source of protein for poor families to have some taste to their otherwise plain and boring rice or congee.  Fast forward to now, it is very much considered a delicacy. 

Then I got the Braised E-Mein - which the sound of noodle sounds like a long life, that's also why this noodle dish is often ordered for birthdays; with the intention of wishing then a long life.  This is a vegetarian dish, it has carrots, mushrooms shiitake and oyster, chives (cut longways) and for sure 2 types of soy sauces.  

Overall, they are offering dishes that I don't usually get this part of town.  Nor is there a lot of places offering E-Mein.  For this area, it does the trick and it'll work.  I haven't found anything that is 100% authentic yet, but the quest continues.  Meantime, I still get to eat something good.

Seems like the owner/chef is Cantonese, I did see some BBQ duck and pork hanging.  I will say the price is high and I'm not sure if ti is because of the area or if it is because right now inflation is high.  For that meal, it was quite costly for homey dishes that shouldn't cost me equivalent of a decent sit-down restaurant meal, but that is a contentious point with a lot of the folks in the area.   Hope they picked up that fact soon.

Taste of Spices

2268 Holcomb Blvd

Houston TX 77030

713-993-6125

https://www.tasteofspices.online/menu

 

Pressed Juicery

I was in desperate need for some Juice to boost immunity.  

Saw this very nice Pressed Juicery, and peaked my curiosity.

The Left (small one) is honey elderberry, lemon, cinnamon, and cloves.  It was a bit more than a shot, and the juices and spices are compacted in there.

The Right (bigger one) is a mix of Apple, pineapple, Lemon and Mint.  I like the that combo, and it's nice not too sweet.

This just made me realized we take for granted places like JuiceWell & even Jamba Juice where they juice the fruit or mix the drinks to your order.   I tried to ask the server if I can combine, and realized that since all of their juices are pre-packaged, combining anything is not recommended and also they won't do it for you.  So keep that in mind if you do need some coffee/tea. 

Pressed Juicery

712 Yale St

Houston, TX 

281-971-4904

https://pressed.com

Shake Shack

Went to Shake Shack for a quick lunch.

Got a Flat Top Dog and Cringle Fries (not pictured).  For the summer special, they have the Kiwi Apple Limeade.  That is actually pretty good, the Kiwi is not too sour and the apple cut the harshness it can be from the Limeade.

We sat outside not because of anything, just it was packed inside.  The servers still brought us our food and when it was wrong, one of them whose job wasn't to do food, went in and got us our correct order.  Bless her.  The staff is truly kind and wanted to make sure you have a good time.  And of course, we appreciate that.

Shake Shack

6205 Kirby Drive

Houston, TX 77005

https://shakeshack.com/

 

Van Leeuwen - Houston

We were driving around for some ice cream and remembered that there's a Van Leeuwen nearby.

This one is hidden inside the Montrose Collective. 

Space is small-ish, but there's plenty of space in the patio area to sit and enjoy your ice cream.  Also a good spot for breeze to come thru.

I got my 'usual' Earl Grey Tea, with chocolate sprinkles on top.  I kinda regret not coming to the opening of this location.  Because there's a lot of fan fare when they open.  But lots of fun too.  If you're in the area, go have dinner, then come by for some good ice cream for the evening.

As you may have already know, the Montrose neighborhood is parking-challenged.  Worry not!  They have their underground garage.  Unless you're super lucky and able to park on the street.  But please be courteous to the neighbors and obey the parking signs.  It gets very tight around there. 

Van Leeuwen

in Montrose Collective

888 Westheimer Rd

Ste 157

Houston, TX 77006

https://vanleeuwenicecream.com

 

Azuma

Did a quick pickup lunch at Azuma. 

Haven't had agedashi tofu in a long time.  Finally got to have some.  Their fried tofu is darker than most.

Got me a Hawaiian Hand roll - which has unagi (eel) and cucumber.  Of course I'm just a big fan of the sauce.  Nice and sweet mixed with the rice.

Here's the Lobster Roll - that has tempura lobster, mango, avocado and tobiko roe on top.  

For me, Azuma is very conflicted, some dishes they do very well, some are meh.  The dishes they do well doesn't move me enough to go there all the time.  But because they're close by, I don't mind it.  I do, however, mind their pricing.  The tofu dish for instance, for 3 pieces of tofu they charged $6.50.  While I have been watching the news and understand the supply chain is all messed up, for something that cost 45 -50% less before, its' hard to make that jump.   I think this makes all of us re-examine how much we put money where our mouth is. 

Azuma Sushi

5600 Kirby Drive

Ste 5

Houston, TX 77005

713-432-9649

https://www.azumasushikirby.com

 

First Watch

Sunday brunch is just too popular.  I love that we can get to-go and still get good food.

That's the case with First Watch.  You can order online, and some items is not showing online, you can call.  The funny thing about calling is that a call center for First Watch picks up your call and puts in your order. All you have to do is to arrive at said time.

So my person told me there are specific spots for pickup, but drove around, no only was it super pack and no spots to be had, there's definitely no designated spot for food pick up.  No bigs, just went inside. 

I got the Pineapple Express - unlike the movie, this has pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, coconut water, and agave.  Pretty refreshing for a summer drink.

For our dish, it comes with a small salad with dressing.

I got the Frittata Rustica - it has eggs, parmesan, mozzarella, kale, mushroom, tomato and comes with a slice of ciabatta.  I think the bread was a tad much with the salad, but I had it later and it's yummy.

This is a lot of food for one person, but all of them are good despite it's to-go.  Definitely beat waiting in line in the heat for a seat.

Whether you go in person or order for pickup.  Watch the parking signs, because we did see some folks park in the center next door and the security person asked them to park elsewhere.

First Watch

4938 Beechnut

Houston, TX 77096

713-668-7600

https://www.firstwatch.com/locations/meyerland/

 

Coppa Osteria

Came back to Coppa for another round.

It's super easy for pickups, they have designated parking out front and the staff will come out and get your info for the order.

Since I got reconnected with the Rigatoni with Creamy Parmesan sauce, I'm totally hooked again.   I again asked them to skip the peas and paid a little up charge on the creamy parmesan sauce, which doesn't look like they added.  But don't worry, that's what wiping the plate is for. 

Coppa Osteria

5210 Morningside

Houston, Tx 77005

713-522-3535

https://www.coppaosteriahouston.com

 

Kin Dee Thai

Been wanting to come here for some time.  Finally got a chance to try.

They are quite tucked in, at the back of the shopping center.  But the good thing is that the parking is right by the door. 

Thai Flower Dumpling - it's made with Butterfly Pea Flower, the inside has nuts mix and the outsides is sprinkled with fried onion.  You're supposed to take a bite of the chili pepper, with the cilantro and then eat the dumpling.  The flavors brings out nicely.

Got the Mango Mai Thai - has rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk, lime juice.  Full of flavors.

Let's get to the food.

Crispy Omelet with Crab Meat, you really do need to dip the chili sauce, otherwise there's not enough flavor for the dish.  Plenty of crab meat. 

Shrimp Tom Yum Noodle Soup.  I'm not usually a Tom Yum girl, mainly because it would be too spicy.   But they managed to keep the flavor and turn down the heat.  There's vermicelli and shrimp together.  Very nice.

Stir Fried Glass Noodles with Tofu.  It has bok chow, tofu, tomato, and vermicelli noodles all stir fried together, very good flavor. 

For dessert, I've been looking forward to the Mango Sticky Rice, it's one of my favorite dessert in the whole wide world.  They totally measured up.  The slices is fresh, the sticky rice was cooked in coconut milk, fully of flavor and the ice has a hint of coconut but not too empowering.  If you take a spoonful with little bit of each into a bite, you'll see what I mean.  Definitely worth getting again.

So tip for coming here, make a reservation, they do get filled up quickly even at the bar tables.  They seems to have live entertainment (singer) at most nights, so don't be surprised.  Their volume is ok, I can hear my friend speak. Another tip, pick a week day, you can get in an out easier.  

Kin Dee Thai

1533 North Shepherd

Ste 160

Houston, TX 77008

281-826-2655

https://kindeethaicuisine.com

 

Tom N Tom's

Stopped by Tom's for an afternoon treat. 

I heard they recently have a burglary taken place, and it's quite a shame because they are a family run and owned enterprise and you see family members here all the time.   They might be franchise, but they are a mom and pop.  Please go support them.

Ok, go back to drink and food.  I got Thai Tea Tomnccino - it is very Thai Tea flavor and very slushy.

Also got a Fat-caron that has brownie and it's kinda nice to have a bit of brownie that's chocolatey and chewy.  The mac is not super fresh because as I bit into it, it already cracked - lost it's chewy-ness.  But I do know she put out good product, so maybe my luck.

Tom N Tom's Coffee

5353 W. Alabama Ste 107

Houston, TX 77056

713-497-5655

https://www.tomntomsgalleria.com

 

NoPo Cafe

Finally got to try out this new brunch spot. 

Tucked away in the up and coming neighborhood of North Post Oak area.

Cute decor inside, they are trying to transform you to Europe somewhere.

Nice cup of Tomato Soup.  Even though they didn't say cup is available, it is, just ask your server.

This is Tommy's Hash - It has 2 eggs, avocado, based potato, and hunka chunks bacon.  It's the butcher shop type bacon, where it's nice and thick.  We were saying it reminds us a lot of Chinese BBQ pork with the chunks.  You can taste the grill just not sweeten like the Chinese style is.

Margherita Pizza - it taste a lot like caprese but cooked.  It has huge slices of mozzarella with huge slices of pomodoro (tomato) and basil sprinkled on top.

On the way in, we saw this nice plate of salmon, and ordered it just because we can't help it.  It's Bagel & Lox.  Even the slices of the lox is thicker, unlike the ones you get from the store.  You have smear, cherry tomatoes, red onions, eggs, and capers.  I love the combo and everything is fresh.  

For weekend brunch, we didn't have to make a reservation, but I did anyway.  If it's not too humid, you can sit outside.  Service is good, but the little market is charming.  So is that pastry case, so feel free to stop by and get a coffee if you don't have time for a full meal.

NoPo

1244 North Post Oak

Ste 150

Houston, TX 77005

713-804-1244

https://www.nopocafe.com

Neo HTX

Heard a lot about Neo's Omakase.

It's kinda unique, the dinner is inside a boutique transformed from a townhouse, a beautiful one.  They sell nice clothes then you see the drying fridge.

Hooray for us though, we walk thru the doors and are greeted with a glass of wine.  

Cheers, Snoopy!

Fish that will be feature tonight.

This is Pastry Guyere, it is topped with Winter Truffle.  This is what I called the Super Cheesy Love.  

Scallop crude with almond milk, cucumber and a bit of mustard, scallop from Hokkaido. 

For the following courses, they served Junmai Sake - I'm not sophisticated enough on the topic, I'm just going to say, it goes down smooth and light bodied.

Next up: Madai that has been aged for 2 weeks.

Kingfish with yuzu vinaigrette - I'm telling you, give me that vinaigrette, I'll put it on everything. 

Their play on Lox on Bagel - it has sour cream powder and chive on top of salmon.  That does taste a little like lox on bagels.  Just didn't have the bread.

Sea perch with caramel fish sauce, it's sweeter than I thought.

King Mackerel  with XO sauce - it was quite fragile but full of flavors. 

Blue Fin Tuna with freeze dried strawberry and strawberry sefredo.  That's pretty unique, I never had freeze dried strawberry in sushi mix before.

Tuna aged 15 days with Black Garlic mole' on top.  I would say out of all of them so far, this has the best flavor. 

Blue Fine cooked with White Oak Charcoal & Tamari on top.

This is King Crab with Yuzu emulsion - this one is a LOVE.  Wish they make more like these, the flavors are just off the chart.

Then we have Wagyu with mushroom butter - also very good flavor in the mix.

This is Unagi broke it down in house with Japanese Mint

Steam monk fish with its liver

Himalaya morel sausage and jus with lamb and butter.  Super flavorful, definitely different and reminded me of dishes with a hint of Portugal 

For the add-ons: I got a pice of A5 Wagyu from Miyazaki with Black Summer Truffle - gimme gimme.

Sorbet done in-house, Shiso Oil & Lime - churned in house, and super fluffy.

Bon Bon done with Mostly Chocolate - it's savory inside.  

Chocolate with chocolate shavings & Kefir Lime topped by dehydrated morel.  This is definitely a unique dessert.  It has a lot of chocolate, but not super sweet at all.

Another add on: it is freeze dried banana with ice cream and caviar.  The banana delivers a very good surprise.  I'm not exactly sure how the caviar adds to it, but it's neat and different and doesn't taste bad.  The ice cream is done by Underground Creamery.

As there are more and more Omakase in town, and it's now a trend, even Uchi is jumping into the game.  Mind you, they already have a Omakase on the menu.  But it is fun nonetheless.  I appreciate the chef's creativeness expressed thru food.  I'm not quite on their humor level like I am with couple other ones I've been to, but that's ok. You make friends with the neighbors very quickly. 

Overall the experience is $225 per person before tip and add-ons.  They do have specific instructions for when you arrive, where to park and what not.  There's only 8 seats so if you could get in, count yourself lucky.

My tip about trying to get in, follow their instagram account.  Go sign up as soon as they announce dates.  Sign up for multiple dates.  Also check back for any last minute cancelations.  Their staff are kind and courteous.  

Neo HTX

https://www.instagram.com/neohtx/