Urbe

Been meaning to come here and try Urbe, finally got the chance.  This place pride itself to have authentic Mexican Street Food.

Located right at the Uptown shopping center.  I came here with a group, which means we can try a lot of food.

Let's start with a platter: it has taquitos, Gorditas, taco al pastor, mini corn, quesadillas.  All of them worth getting, even I'm not a corn person thinks the corn is worth getting.

This is Green is Good - which has cucumber, lime, mint, Topo Chico, passionfruit, and Tajin.  Pretty good for non-alcoholic.

Fried oysters with butter, breadcrumb, and cotjia cheese.  Very cheesy and it's pretty good.

Queso Flameado - as my coworker said, it's like quesadilla deconstructed.  The queso is covering the brisket, mushroom, pepper, onion.  The pouch has tortillas.  And you open the tortillas, put some cheese, meat, veggies, and dip into the salsa on the side.  It is kinda like a deconstructed quesadilla.  Not bad.

I will say, the food over all is not bad.  But it's not so exceptional that I have to come back.  Coupled with the service is so-so, making a return is hard.  I know it's own by the Hugo Family of restaurants, but when I get better service at Xochi or Hugo's, making a trek uptown a tad more trying.

At any rate, Happy Hour is Monday thru Saturday from 4 -6:30pm, Park on the side of the building, you can get there thru the breezeway and has more space to park.  Plus, weather is nice for patio seating, make enjoying it outside easier.

Urbe

1101 Uptown Park Blvd

Ste 12

Houston, TX 77056

713-726-8273

https://www.urbehouston.com

 

Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse

So driving down Washington and saw the sign and I immediately recognize it.

Took my Tim Burton-lovin' fan/coworker to this place.  The place is named after the constellation not the movie.  But the place has enough inflatables from Nightmare Before Christmas around the place.  

The place is actually known for their pizza.  Next time if I come back, definitely try them out.

Instead I just got a Cider and they have a front yard with fire pit and picnic tables.  They have a small bar but has a bigger side room and front.  There's a decent parking lot next door and it's near residences, which you can feel safe parking there.

Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse

2101 Washington Ave

Houston, TX 77007

https://www.betelgeusehou.com

 

 

King Ranch

If you have people from out of State, the best way to show off the town is thru food.

What's more Texas than a place that is truly a Texas kitch.

They even have a stagecoach at the front.  Not only that, the door has 2 shotgun as door handle.  If that doesn't say Texas to out-of-towner, I don't know what does. 

Got the brisket queso - definitely work getting this again. 

Bread Basket - there's pretzel, cornbread, biscuit. All nice and warm.

What I got: sautéed onion, smoked Mac and cheese (definitely can be cheesier), and center cut sirloin.  The meat is nice and cooked medium rare.  It's a tad chewy, but not bad.  

They took over the former location of Willie G's on Post Oak & San Felipe.  We went on a weeknight, they weren't busy at all.  Plenty of parking at the parking lot.  The server at the bar was slow, but food service is fine.  Food overall is fine, the brisket queso is good, drinks are good.  Happy Hour has potential.

King Ranch Texas Kitchen

1605 Post Oak Blvd

Houston, TX 77056

832-427-3049

https://www.kingranchtexaskitchen.com

 

Feges BBQ

Coworker from out of town had Feges on their list.  So we decided to give it a go.

It's located in Spring Branch and it's kinda hidden from Long Point.

We started with Rib Tips - this is Red Hot (the spiciest), while it has a kick, it's not as spicy as I thought it'd be.

This is Rib Tips with Alabama White sauce - definitely for flavor and not spicy but creamy.

We have some sides here: Top left (Mac & Cheese - has pimento in it, pretty extra creamy and good). Right is Korean Braised Greens - it does have a kick, but I don't think it's too spicy.  It goes well as any sides, definitely elevated the collard greens game.  The rounds are Hogfat Cornbread - I will tell you, I'm not normally a cornbread fan, but this, friends, is a pillow to its own.  If you order a Large, you'll get 3 slices you see here.  They come with cinnamon butter, and don't be shy to grab a whole for yourself, it's that good.

Then there's Moroccan Spiced Carrots on lower left.  Middle is Loaded Potato Mash.  Both are small sized, and they are still quite generous. 

I only had a small bite of the Mash Potato since I ordered a loaded potato.  I had it fully loaded with brisket and no sour cream but everything else is on there.  Even then I couldn't finish all of that. 

There are plenty of parking at the shopping center.  Plenty of seating in and out, especially the night we were there, there was a big group that arrived before us, and the entire soft ball team, siblings, parents, all sat outside and still comfortably still has room.  Not only that, our food came quickly, which we really appreciated.  All walk-ins only, no reservations.  But if your group is sizable, you can order online and skip the line.  They also have a location inside Greenway Plaza.

Feges BBQ

8217 Long Point

Houston, TX 77055

346-319-5339

https://fegesbbq.com/spring-branch/

 

Soy Pinoy

Came back to Post for dinner.

Love these stairs.

Ended up at Soy Pinoy.  Last time friends were talking highly of them, so decided to give them a shot.

Got the Squid Adobo.  Was hoping that it has sauce comes with rice, but it really just have the sauce and squid.  The Squid is kinda like calamari but the batter is lighter, but not exactly panko.  You wipe the sauce together is pretty good.  Again, a little bit of carb to go with, would be great.

Back to POST, love the stairs, this is the 2nd set that architecturally remarkable.

Last but not least, the Houston Skyline Night view, that's just a must!  Rooftop is always fun and a must to check out when you come here.

Soy Pinoy

401 Franklin St

Houston, TX 77201

https://yosoypinoy.com

 

Feng Cha

Was pleasantly surprised to see that Feng Cha opened up where Class 502 used to be.

They are located in the MarqE.  And lord knows they need a Boba Tea place in there, and that's where I get my fix.

This is the Kiwi Basil with Boba.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It wasn't too sour or too Basil-y.  Nice fresh juice with bits of kiwi chewy chunks.  Boba, of course, and regular sweet. 

They also sell some desserts, mainly cakes.  I got the Tiramisu mille feuille.  Of course, this is not Lady M, but the flavor is there.  It's a good afternoon dessert.

Feng Cha

7620 Katy Fwy

Ste 310

Houston, TX 77024

https://www.fengchausa.com  

 

Burger-Chan 2.0

Really was craving some delicious burger, and came back to Burger-chan.

I walked up and Diane took a min, and remembered that I had done a birthday party cater for my son.  I was just telling her that the burgers was so popular that the kids were asking if they can take it home.  As opposed to the normal party problem where you are trying to send people home with food.  This time they volunteer to take them. 

Grabbed a housemade lemonade, and here's my buzzer for my food.

Aww, sweet fantasy, here's my lunch!

Check that burger, I added Swiss cheese, lettuce and mushroom.   Every burger is made to order.

Got me some Tater Tots - gosh I miss these guys.  They sprinkled some flavor on it, not too spicy, gives it some flavor texture, wolfed down the whole thing in no time.

Here's a closer look to my burger.  What I didn't tell you is that I got the small one Pattie burger, but I also added seared spam on there.  OMG!  MEAT!!!!  It was so good.  Don't worry, I split it and took half home.  But let me tell you, it was awesome and satisfying.  

Because they are made to order, it does take a tad longer than say your favorite fast food joint.  But worry not!  They have daily puzzle problem on the board that you can use this time to test your brain and see if it still in good shape.  Take the answer to the bar and not only get braggin rights, you may also win a prize!  Just a little something to keep you occupied while you wait for your food.

They are open from 7a-3pm.  They have Greenway Coffee on the ready if you come and get a Brekkie.  But they do not serve dinner, which I was looking around and thought, just as well, since Hidden Omakase is next door and don't need to fight for parking spots.  

Burger-Chan

5353 W. Alabama

Ste 110

Houston, TX 77056

832-408-0860

https://burgerchanhtx.com

 

Chuy's

I have been looking forward for this... Happy Hour at Chuy's.

 

Of course,  you sit down, and they bring you chips.  This is where you can tell if the server is new or not.  The veterans would bring you the creamy jalapeño without you asking for it.  I do miss the old Happy Hour days where you get to pick up all the snacks from the back of the Cadillac.  We went ahead and got the Chili Con Queso out of old time sake.

If you have the queso and the creamy jalapeño, of course is best to put it on top of crispy food items.  Such as: Flautas.  I feel like they have one slice/strip of chicken per wrap and then fry these to make flautas.  So you drizzle or douse creamy japaleno or queso, or both - no one is judging; for the best way to enjoy this.

Same goes for Crispy Tacos - they are crispy but falls apart definitely.  Might as well, put some creamy jalapeño & queso together and mix it into a good salad.  Take my word on that, you won't be sorry.

Happy Hour is Monday thru Friday 3-6pm, they used to have good deals on drinks, nowadays it's just a few dollar discounts here and there.  It adds up, so plan accordingly. 

Chuy's

9350 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77063

713-278-2489

https://www.chuys.com/locations/houston/westchase 

 

Brian's Bitchin' Bakery

It's another round of bitchin' cookies.

This time is Fall cookies set.  As usual, loving all the goodies.

This is the Mango Lassi Tiramisu.  It's actually very surprising because it's not too heavy and thick in texture like a true mango lassi.  As a matter of fact, it's a light and fluffy cake.  Sorta like a light, not too soaked tres leches with mango, pistachio. 

Got my favorite Thai Tea tiramisu.  I just love how when he does it, the flavors comes out nice and clean, and definitely not dry.

Let's get to the cookies.

This is the Vietnamese Coffee & Chocolate cookie.  Definitely the most fragrant one out of the box.  It does have a good decent flavor, and who doesn't like the coffee chocolate combo?!

Love the Spiced Carmel Apple Cobbler.  Oh my gosh, this really taste like an apple pie in your mouth.  If they have some oatmeal and more apple bite it'll be truly perfection.  The flavor is so there, definitely fall, and you definitely feel like you're at the end of a Thanksgiving meal and enjoying dessert.  Must get this again next time he offers.

Had the White Chocolate Mocha - I ate it and forgot to take a pic, but it was good choco-coffee flavor.  Not as strong as the Vietnamese coffee one but still pretty good.

This is the Matcha Pistachio - it's full of pistachio, but this was a bit dry for me.

This is Pumpkin Cookie Butter.  I swear there's chunks of white chocolate in there. Definitely bits of cookie butter in there.  Though I didn't taste much of pumpkin.

Again, Brian delivers the flavors again and again.  I will say the tiramisu flavors are creative and still keep up with his superb quality.  I'm a fan of his cookies of course, can't wait to try his new inventions.

Brian's Bitchin' Bakery

https://briansbitchinbakery.com

 

Squable

Had brunch at Squable.  

This was not my first, and last time was during pandemic and we were all eating out of containers.

Seatings are super limited inside, if the weather is nice try to get a table outside, less crowded.

This is the Afterglow, which has lychee, strawberry, coconut water, lime and something fizzy like a like tonic.  It's a mocktail, goes down easy.

We shared the biscuits.  It's all nice and warm, so good for my soul.  The come with yogurt butter that has cheese shavings on top.  And seasonal jam, this is made of peach.  Both of them together with the flakey buttery biscuits was delightful. 

I got the Carbonara, it has a yolk in the middle, accompanied by chunks of bacon (crispy) and pecorino cheese, which is made from goat's milk.  I will say, my brain was expecting something super cheesy and while it did deliver part way, I can use more.  The noodles seems to be too thick for that sauce, but that's truly a personal preference.  The bacon is nice, cured, and crispy.  Not bad as a flavor, won't mind if they have smaller bits and more of it.  At first we were making fun of the size, it looked like kids size, but I will say, since I was being gluttonous and ate the whole thing, kids size is just fine.

Overall, I will say service was not bad when they do come by.  Surprisingly, for a small space, took the server a while before getting to me.  Equally surprising was the kitchen was super slow.  Slow in getting the drinks and food out.  So hope that's not a norm for them.   Reservation is highly recommended.  Parking can be challenging especially during peak dining hours.  Check around the street and read the signs, park carefully so you won't get towed. 

Squable

632 W. 19th Street

Houston, TX 77008

https://www.squabletime.com

 

La La Land

Finally got to visit La La Land.

When you walk in, there's a super posh chandelier in the sitting area.

They have a posh merch area, nice and sleek.

And the nice wall of drinks and the drink counter.  

As you can see, the whole place is very 'grammable'.  I got the Matcha Lavender Bloom Latte.

It's pretty with the green and purple.  But let me tell you, when you mix it all up, it's brown, just so you know.  So it has matcha, lavender, vanilla, and oat milk.  It tasted fine, not too sweet, and earthy because of the matcha and oat milk.   But yes, as you mix everything together, that turns brown.

I love their little cup sleeves with these kindness sayings.  They have seating around the shop, and also seating by the Sweet Greens which is a common seating, so if it's all packed inside, enjoy the beautiful weather outside.

La La Land

MKT

600 N. Shepherd Dr

Ste 140

Houston, TX 77007

713-497-5789

https://lalalandkindcafe.com