MAD

Came back to MAD for dinner.

Parking is simple: you can valet at the front door, or you can park at the garage.  Pull the ticket, they are not charging at the moment, but it's easy to find a spot with the light indicators.

I asked for a zero proof drink, I think this is a strawberry mojito with a matcha green tea ice cube.  Not too sweet, but does the trick.

They have some appetizers that are by piece, this is the foie gras on top of fruit tart, you don't expect it, but the flavors all goes together supremely well. 

Jamon Iberico - the entire group agreed to have.  It comes with bread with tomato spread on top.

Waygu Crisp which is 

the Waygu beef that they cooked in front of you.  It is on top of a bit of veggie and a crisp cracker, very easy going - not too heavy.

I loved this Brava Tomas- which is diced potato fried and topped with spicy oil, aioli, and the cheese drizzled everywhere.  So good.

We also got the Grilled Octopus leg, nicely done.

To go with our paella.  It's Paella Valencia - it has rice, chicken (pretty moist), white beans, artichoke bits.  The flavors are not as strong as I remembered them to be, but the chicken was good.

Then we got the Exotic Banana

which is Banana & Mango confit, caramel mousse, and cake as the layers.  Very 'pop-art' like.

Got a cup of cappuccino to go with that.

I'm not sure what they're trying to say here but it's in the bathroom.

Here's another bathroom neon art.  Which on the way here, you feel like you're at a club but here you are at the bathroom.

Making a reservation is always a good idea. They are slower on a weeknight than weekend, but always helpful.  Maybe because the night was slow, the staff were all too eager to clean the table.  Basically even if we have 2 or 3 bites left, they're coming by to ask if they can clear the plate.  It's not like we planned on staying there all night but would also like to have some peace to enjoy the food and the company.  Literally, by the time we got one bit, they stop by, one of us just take it just so they'd stop coming back.  Geesh!  Chill out!

MAD Houston

4444 Westheimer Rd

C180

Houston, TX 77027

281-888-2770

https://madhouston.com/

 

Kura Sushi

This should give you a hint of where we are. 

We are at Kura Sushi.

In case you forgot, they have sushi on a conveyer belt and you grab what you want.

That can be a good or bad thing because your eyes might be bigger than your stomach. But then, if you miss what you like, it'll be a while before it'll come back around.  But no worries, if there's something you really like or want more of, you can always order on the kiosk where you sit and a fresh one will arrive on the top belt.

I do love the Umami Oil Salmon.

They also have higher end items like Toro Tuna, roll, and sashimi.  Some you can catch on the belt, some you have to order.  Depends on your fancy.

It's been a long time since we last visited, this time they have a robot brining us our water.  And everything is already auto served by the belt.  Even when you order they have a special belt that deliver to your table.  So it's super convenient.  

I would say, super smart of them, knowing that people rather buy the specialty items than trying their luck by having 15 plates and hope they get whatever trinket specials they're running at the time, so if you know what you'd like, you can just add to your order.  Much easier than trying to stuff yourself silly.

Kura Revolving Sushi bar

11161 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77042

832-767-5208

https://kurasushi.com/locations/houston-tx-westchase 

 

Merry Christmas!

Just want to wish all of you a great Christmas!!!

 

Blood Bros.

What's better on a weekend?

It's amazing to see them grab meat from the heater, here they are unwrapping.

Love how they definitely coloring and burnt's.

Some ribs and corn for side.

Got the Gouda Mac & Cheese, Brisket Fried Rice and bread for good measure. 

By the way, the sides comes in small and sharing portions.  But who said I'll be sharing?

We also got the nacho, it came in tortilla strips, ground meat, and drizzle of quest and their sauce.  You know what my complaint would be --- more queso!!!

Anyway, we always enjoy coming to Blood Bros.  We get there before Noon and plenty of parking, and no issues with waiting in line.  They did sell out a few items, like Cobbler.  But otherwise, whatever you want, they've got.  Always check their social for their weekend Specials.  They are opened at 11 till they sell out.  So don't wait too long.

Blood Bros. BBQ

5425 Bellaire Blvd

Houston,Tx 77401

713-664-7776

https://bloodbrosbbq.com/

 

Oh My Gogi

Went to Oh My Gogi's store front. 

Been meaning to go there for a while, finally is in the neighborhood while they're open. 

I got the Loaded Fries, I picked Bulgogi as my protein, over a bed of fries, a bit of kimchi, and a fried egg on top.  Truthfully, this is a dish best shared, having it is basically a meal for me.  But then again, it has veggies, protein and fries... how is that not a perfect meal!

Parking is no issue there, on a weeknight they are dead.  I was by myself for the majority of the time there.  So feel free to check during the week.  The staff did say that on weekend nights are more party atmosphere - it's no wonder they're opened till 3am. 

Oh My Gogi - Galleria area

5901 Westheimer Rd

Ste G

Houston, TX 77057

 

Dough Zone

Drove by Midtown and saw Dough Zone

Kinda curious what kind of Chinese food they would have near downtown.

To start, we ordered the Pork & Crab Xiao Long Bao - it's decent, skin is just right, soup comes out fine.  I will say that you can tell they froze it and lost some of the flavors. 

They also have Beef Stew Noodle soup - looks like it has better flavor to it.

In case you need some veggie for good measure.

On to more yummy goodness.

A bit cliche but got a bowl of Wonton soup, the filling there is more flavorful and solid than the XLB.

Got an order of Onion Pancake, by the time the dish arrived it was lukewarm.  And you can tell it was soggy in the middle, possibly also frozen at some point before pan-frying?

As a matter of fact, all the dishes arrived basically lukewarm.  In theory, that's a good thing because it's ready to eat right away.  But for dishes like XLB or noodles, you want at least some smoke steaming off of the soup.  Almost all the dishes temps are warm, not hot.  See if that's your experience if you go.

Getting here: first of all, get there before peak time.  You can use Yelp to add you to the waitlist on your way there.  If not, there are station for you to put your name down.  Wait is not horrible, about 8-18 mins, of course depends on how big your party is too.  That said, they have more staff in the kitchen than on the floor, which also why the table turnover is slower.  While we wait, we saw tables emptied but no one to bust or staff to tend to new customers.  So bring patience.  They do have parking in the parking lot but it gets filled quickly.  So watch for signs if you're parking on the street.

Dough Zone

2450 Louisiana St.

Ste 200

Houston, TX 77006

832-582-8342

 

Tamashi Ramen

Weather turn cold, best cuddle up and order ramen to enjoy at home. 

(aka I'm lazy and just wanted comfort food)

Do a side of Brussel Sprouts as app. 

I can never get over how awesome this looks.  It's fried Kani (crab) and you can soak it in your ramen dish and it mush up together. 

Of course, must get noodles... the soup comes separate so it won't be soggy.  Here's what they come with: bamboo, pork, scallion, mushroom, 60 degree egg, fish cakes and of course noodle.  I just pour the entire soup base into the bowl and just go from there. 

Of course it's nothing like having it there in person.  But since I was too lazy to go out, this works just as well.  I placed the order online, got there, it was ready for pickup.  

Tamashi Ramen

2518 W. Holcomb Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

346-204-5523

https://www.tamashiramensushi.com/

 

Tecate Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

Driving around and was looking for a place for breakfast.

Came across this one, little hole in the wall.

House made chips and salsa, is already a good sign.

Ordered some micas, just because I haven't had some in a long time.  It comes with scrambled eggs, tortilla chips, onion, cilantro, pepper, tomato, and chihuahua cheese with a side of beans.  Of course, what respectable place not offer you nice and hot tortilla.  I got some and it was so homey, totally satisfying.

There's a few parking spots in front, but there's also a side parking lot.  Don't worry, there's a side entrance too, so you can get there easily.  Very convenient.  Feel like this is a super family, hole in the wall type of place.  Looking forward to come back to try other dishes.

Tecate Mexican Restaurant and Catina

2615 Ella Blvd

Houston, TX 77008

https://castroestelam.wixsite.com/tecatemexican

 

NY Deli and Coffee Shop

Drove by a hole in the wall the other day.

Plenty of cars in the parking lot, that's always a good sign.

Holding yourself out to be NY Bagels, obviously they sell alot of bagels. 

Kinda neat, however is that when you enter the shop and take an immediate left, you're in a little coffee shop.  Like old fashion, diner-style, coffee shop.  And you know what they have? Breakfast!

I got my favorite corn beef hash, it comes with toast or bagel, choice of fruit, grits, potato pancake, or tomato, and came with 3 eggs, mine are scrambled.   I got an iced mocha just for some coffee.

It's truly the diner style.  You pick up a menu and seat yourself, then the server will come and get your order.  They will check on you and fill your coffee, so many times. And then they'll leave you alone until you're good and ready.  Then they'll get you your check and you walk back up to the front and pay.  The only exception to the old-fashion dinner is that the ticketing system is automatic and the payment system is automatic, otherwise, it's no different.  You can even sit at the counter if you feel nostalgic. 

New York Deli & Coffee Shop

9724 Hilcroft

Houston, TX 77096

713-692-2435

https://www.nybagelsandcoffee.com/

 

Slowpokes

Stopped by Slowpokes to grab an order to go.  Super easy, place the order on line and schedule time for pickup.

Totally forgot that they offer charcuterie boards, so got the meat and cheese board.  You can do only meat or only cheese board, but we wanted more.  It came with toasted bread, still warm when we opened the box.  Came with grapes, spiced almonds, and olive.  It also came with mustard spiced and regular.  There were 3 meats - salami, prosciutto, and roast beef and 3 cheeses - American Cheddar, Brie, and Manchego.

For flatbread, we picked the pear and brie, brown sugar, and arugula on top of cauliflower crust.  Pretty light and easy going even though brie can be heavy.  Plus, we already have brie from the charcuterie board, but this works.  Not too heavy, got the pear, and the veggie to balance that off, and plus it's not bread based.

Entire process was easy. The only challenge was parking because people were taking advantage of happy hour, so the place was packed.  Otherwise, it's ready when I arrived and food is still hot.

Slowpokes

6725 Stella Link

Houston, TX 77025

346-833-8513

https://www.imaslowpoke.com/
 

Hong Kong's Cafe

Haven't been back for breakfast here in a long time

Still love their breakfast set.  You get a drink, a noodle.  I had the iced lemon tea - HK style, and vermicelli with mustard green and shredded pork. 

Then the proteins are Egg (I like sunny side up) and spam.  I truly don't eat spam much except when I come here.  You can get toast if you want, but that's already alot of food here. 

All of that still less than $10.  There's no place that will fill your belly up like that.  It's such a good deal that most of time on weekend the place fills up quickly.  Key of course is to get there early.  Breakfast is served from 10-11:30a, then they switch to lunch service.

Hong Kong's Cafe

9108 Bellaire Blvd

Ste A

Houston, TX 77036

713-772-9633