Valencia's Tex Mex Garage

Was looking for a place to kill and hour, and ended up at Valencia's 

The place looks like a major party happening here.

I went for brunch and dang, it's a lot of food.  Of course you start with chips and salsa, then my coffee...

This is their Carne Guisada - it has rice and beans (I subbed for more rice), eggs, and the guisada.  So I didn't know guisada is really stew-y than just meat.  So that was a surprise to me that it's more good for tortilla soaking like bread than wrapping them in a taco.  Either way, very flavorful, lots of food.  You can definitely have 2 meals out of this one dish. 

As the morning gets on, more and more people rolled in.  All the staff are super friendly.  I was dining by myself and they took pity on me and stop by to say hello and checking in on me.  Some stayed and chatted and it was very kind of them.  Food is plentiful, atmosphere is fun, price is right.  For special occasions, they have pre-sets for two and it's very decent menu for those occasions.  Definitely have to get a group and come back here.

Valencia's Tex Mex Garage

2009 34th Street

Houston, TX 77018

713-686-7642

https://texmexgarage.com/

Lulu's

On the way to catch a show, so hope to grab something yummy & quick.

We've driven by Lulu's multiple times and decided to finally step in.

Started with the bread service.  It's $5 but it has warm house-made focaccia with olive oil and honey butter.  Such a great starter.

I got the Gauvissimo - it has guava and pineapple juice, but not overly sweet at all. 

We decided to split the Arugula & Pear salad.  Amazingly, it is awesomely good.  It has some edible flowers, pear, blue cheese, candied pecan and obviously arugula. 

We got the Lobster Risotto - that was a tad disappointing.  The risotto felt like as still hard on some bits.  Not cooked all the way through.  The lobster, which should be the star, was flavorless, which made me wonder if they had just thawed it enough to cook. 

We got a side of spinach, which we were hoping it's the mushier kind, not this leafy kind.  That was a tad saltier than I'd liked but mainly was the texture kinda thing for me. 

I would say, if you plan on coming here, a reservation is definitely highly encouraged.  We came without one and got seated by the bar.  Even though it was before the dinner rush, our service is not as quick as our main dining room counter parts.  Mind you, the servers all go by the bar to pick up drinks for their guests, so they have to see us, but for sure prioritize lowered than otherwise. 

Anyway, if you get there early enough, parking is not a problem.  The back of the building does get encroached by Chuy's next door.  Or they do have a valet too. 

Lulu's

2518 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77019

713-590-7350

https://www.lulustx.com/

 

Hungry's

Dropped off the kiddo at a playdate and made time to go brunch.

Haven't been to Hungry's since they went bougie. 

The main dining room is absolutely like nothing in the previous at least 2 or 3 renditions that I know having being in Houston for more than 25 years. 

Got an Arnold Palmer to start and our server is cheerful to the max on a weekend brunch shift.

I ordered the egg and prosciutto skillet.  Oh geez, the thing is huge.  I got the traditional breakfast and its 3 eggs scrambled with bacon.  I skipped the the bread.  But with the fries and all that, it's still alot of food.  

We have a great server, and food got there in a decent amount of time.  Granted we were early enough that there weren't alot of people around.  Tables were just started to get filled, so everything came in a good time.

We found street parking across from the church's side street.  But of course you can do valet, there's a small sets of spots against the wall for self-park, meaning, don't bother.  If you can get in the food is good and worth your time. 

Hungry's

Rice Village

2356 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-523-8652

https://hungryscafe.com/locations/rice-village/

 

Hui Lau Shan

Went back to Hui Lau Shan to cure a craving.

They are busy as ever, so do remember to bring patience. 

Got my usual Mango & Coconut Sago.  It's just not alot of places does Sago, or do them well.  So if they have it, I'll get it every time.  They have decent chunks of mango every bite, so I appreciate that.

Then I got the mango pudding.

Also has mango chunks in there.

It comes with condensed milk, which is the not sweet kind.  So it buffers out the overly sweet part of the pudding.  It's very nice.

Mango on top of Coconut pudding.

It comes with chewy mochi and jelly on top of mango chunks, which sites on top of coconut pudding.  I like to get several things into one bite, but I will say by the time you put your spoon in, everything runneth over.   Had to use the lid as my extra plate and put some of it there.  It was nice to extend my dessert for sure.

Anyway, keep an eye on time, after meals are definitely busy time.  So you have to catch it right in between.  Weekdays are definitely the least busy time.  It is nice when you can get in when it's not 8 people deep in all directions.  But on weekend, be sure to bring patience. 

Hui Lau Shan

9889 Bellaire Blvd

C317

Houston, TX 77030

713-234-7719

https://huilaushan.us/menu/

 

Fluff Bake Bar

Drove over to Fluff Bake to grab breakfast.

That doesn't happen often and often their breakfast are so hot that lines are formed and items get sold out.

I was already late getting there... didn't mean to take a creepy photo of the owner, but here it is.

Got the last few biscuit.  At first, I have no clue what that meant until the whole thing is put together and arrived in my hands.  There are smoked beef rib from Louie Mueller BBQ.  House made biscuit, extra flaky and gravy was just right, not too salty and not too milky.  Everything hit just right and I had to lick my fork. 

Then I got the Everything Bagel Dog - the seasonings are spot on.  I took it home, warmed it for 15 seconds and added the mustard.  It's just so good.  Definitely worth getting in line for it.

Saturday menu is on a rotating basis, so go to their social and see what the menu is.  Your choices are go early and line up, and they do sell out.  Or like me, try your luck late in the morning and see what's left.

Fluff Bake Bar

1701 W. 15h St

Houston, TX 77008

713-522-1900

https://www.fluffbakebar.com/

 

Ugly Donuts & Corn Dogs

Came across Ugly Donuts when we were walking around.

And you know, curiosity always adds the pounds.

You walked in, you can place your order via their kiosk.  They have photos to go along with the order description, very convenient.  If you don't have a credit card, you can take the receipt to the counter and pay.

In case you have no idea what they're talking about, they have sample of what you could possibly order.  But mainly corndogs.  The one with the twist is called an Ugnut (aka ugly donut).

I went with filled donuts.

They are like a regular filled donuts but with more filling and they are made to order.

I got the strawberry and Nutella.  You can see there's lots of filling in the middle.

Every bite is filled with filling.

Other filling flavors: red bean, red bean and walnut, cream cheese, blueberry, dulce de leech, strawberry cream and combo thereof.  Lots of combo you can make there.  

They literally get your order and put it together and fry it on the spot.  So it take a few minutes it's already ready to go.  Definitely quick snack.  You can order online and it'll be ready for pickup.

You can't miss the place, it is a standalone building in front of the gazebo and lawn, when it's a good day you can sit there and enjoy the donut.

Ugly Donuts and Corn Dogs

11200 Broadway St

Ste 1210

Pearland, TX 77584

832-328-8566

https://www.uglydonutsncorndogs.com/

 

Bluestone Lane

Came to Heights Location of Bluestone Lane.

Parking is a little like Hunger Game there.  But that said, seating was fine even when it's packed.

Started out with a Chai Latte.  

Trying the Lemon Ricotta Pancake.  The lemon curd and ricotta mix is pretty good spread.  Of course the skillet is so full, easily spilled out.  But if you can pancake, ricotta, lemon curd and berry all in one bite, that's pretty delightful.  I didn't even really need the syrup they gave you.   Even if the skillet looked small, it is packed all the way.  So cut daintily.  

As I was saying parking is a little challenge, they have 2 mini lots you can park but they don't cut thru each other, essentially they're separate lots.  Once you can get in, it's fine.  As I was saying, once you get in, they have tables to seat you and service is quick.  So don't get intimidated by that, go in anyway.

Bluestone Lane

115 W. 19th St

Houston, TX 77008

https://bluestonelane.com/cafes/houston-heights-115-w-19th-st/

 

Rita's custard

I got the Italian Ice - it's basically slushy en masse, and that looked good.  You can get it blended so it's looser and not as dense.  They also have frozen custard, which is like an ice cream.  They also have milkshake if you like.  And you know they also can mix frozen custard and Italian Ice together too.  It's a nice little break for sure.

Rita's Ice

2802 White Oak Dr

Houston, Tx 77007

832-987-4827

https://www.ritasice.com/location/ritas-of-houston-heights-tx/

 

Coco Crepes

Got a day off and went for a breakfast.

Was just talking to a friend that I like to go to businesses outside of the Village proper just for convenience of parking.  It's not like I'm not patronizing the business, but to pay for parking on top of my business it's a tad much. 

Got a nice latte to start.

I got the breakfast crepe, which has eggs, cheese, and sausage.  It is very filling and for breakfast it's definitely do the job.  It is a very full meal by itself.  That and the coffee it's alot. 

Service was pretty fast, I caught a window between commuters getting their coffee and students coming in to sit down to grab a cup of coffee before they start their day.  Definitely a good break for the day.

Coco Crepes

2339 University Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

346-980-5525

https://www.cococrepes.com/location/coco-crepes-rice-village/

 

Barcelona Wine Bar

Went to check out a wine bar around Montrose.

This was located on Westheimer near Shepherd.  This space used to be an antique furniture shop.

They serve Happy Hour 4-6p but sad to say, there's not too many specials to make HH worthwhile.

Best thing on that list was the seasoned Marcona Almonds.  They are good with a beverage.  The name of the game here is tapas, but if you're hungry enough, they do have large plate to cure your tummy.

I did a mocktail version of Bees and Bays, that works out because that's the lowest alcohol content out of their list anyhow.  It has lime, salted honey (never had that before), and sparkling water.  They skipped the bitters.  But this is one of the few mocktails that are not sweet.  Most people's version of a mocktail is mojito with no alcohol, but what you really get is a bunch of sugar.

Our server recommended the Spinach Chickpea Cazuela, they mushed the chickpeas and added to the spinach, it has an added texture.  Not as thick like a casserole as he described but it's not a bad filler tapas type dish.

Of course there's the Patata Brava - we just had that over at MAD.  I think the taste here is less intense.  It's more mild, good flavoring and not super overwhelming spicy.  Though I did feel like we were over drowned in aioli sauce.

This is Crispy Brussels Sprouts - definitely is crispy with a hint of lemon vinaigrette and you can see a little pepper there, but it's not spicy.

Got the Beef Empanadas as the server recommended, and it comes with red tomato sauce, which feel like the ones you add on pizza but with a little bit more texture.  Inside is all ground beef, definitely super filling. 

Grilled Pulpo - octopus and over potato. It has mojo rojo sauce which goes well together.  I do love the flavor and not too chewy and even the manager was recommending it.  It was not gamey, which means it's still fresh, and the flavoring is good.  Comes to find out the chef is also a fishing hobbiest and what's great about them, is that they would know how to treat/cook seafood.

Overall the food is not bad, if you're here to drink and eat, I think you can definitely order more.  But at best, 2-3 dishes per person is a good mark.  Then you share can maybe do one more here and there.  That said, they have steak dishes, paella, and salad on the menu.  

Parking, there are street parking around the area, but if you're familiar, you need some patience for that.  If you valet, the cost is $5 per car, so bring some change. 

Barcelona Wine Bar

1731 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

713-878-3355

https://barcelonawinebar.com/location/houston/