So Kong Dong Tofu House

My dad took me to this sorta hidden food court in Plano.

It was in a shopping center and driving by you wouldn't know that it's a food court in there.

We each ordered a meal, and you have an option to add a soup.  I got the bulgogi beef, it came with japchae (glass noodles), kimchi, and cucumber/apple salad and rice.   The soup we chose to share was seafood soup and they do give you clam, oysters, shrimp, and of course tofu.  It obviously come over here piping hot.   That said, with the banchan, this meal is good for at least 2 days.  

Food is not bad for a food hall type setting.  You see alot of families come here to grab a meal.  The food hall also have Taiwanese, Japanese, Chinese, and boba.  Definitely a little bit for everyone at one place.

So Kong Dong Tofu House

inside food hall

240 Legacy Dr 

ste 308H

Plano, TX 75023

972-517-8889

 

Texan Station

On vacation, I usually eat something bad.

This is a bar inside the Gaylord Texan, but as a bar, it's huge.  I think if you have a convention, you can fit the entire thing there.

I got a Blueberry Mocktail, it's basically syrup plus Topo Chico.

Glancing the menu, fish and chips called my name.  Seriously, I haven't had fish and chips in a long long time.  Fried fish is not usually my first choice.   But this deemed to be a good bar food choice.  The fish was obviously fresh and newly battered.  They have purple lettuce, and fries and fries galore. 

For dessert, we ordered Fried Apple Pie, which is better known as sweet empanada.  Sadly, this did not turn out as great as it sounded on the menu.  Yes there's caramel to go along with the pie, but there's nothing it can help with what's inside.  So let's stick with the savory bar food here.

Texan Station 

at Gaylord Texan Convention Center

1501 Gaylord Trail

Grapevine, TX 76051

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dalgt-gaylord-texan-resort-and-convention-center/dining/

 

Gelato in Gaylord Texan

    We were at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center.

Wandering around and found a gelato place outside of the check-in.

Cute little case, but packed with flavors. 

Not just cup and cones, but affogato's too.

All the gelato flavors worth having. 

I got a Affogato - you get to pick your coffee - they're just doing it with a Keurig so you can pick your flavors.  Of course you can pick your ice cream flavor too.

They have little trains and stuff in their extended lobby space, and you can enjoy your affogato or gelato checking out trains and their water fountain. 

They only have it starting at 3pm, perfect for a sugar break or after dinner break.

Gaylord Texan

1501 Gaylord Trail

Grapevine, TX 76051

https://updates.gaylordhotels.com/WelcomeToGaylordTexan

Three Brothers Bakery

Ran into Three Brothers Bakery the other day. 

I actually haven't been inside for some time.  But figured might as well peek around. 

Here's the blueberry hamantschen -  I think the filling is more gelatin-like.

This side of the triangle kinda fell open, but lucky for us to see that's inside.  This is the raspberry one, and I like this the most. 

This is their apricot one, which I also like alot.  You can really taste the filling.   My only complaint is that the cookie is very hard on the outside.  Was hoping it'd be more like a butter cookie texture, but then again...

... after reading into Hamantaschen; it contains alot of symbolisms in Jewish faith.  Also traditionally, it's the Poppy Seed cookies that are given to bribe the King.  This is also made popular during Middle Ages in Germany.  From what I understand, the triangle hats are hard to make and not become a jam volcano.   

Three Brothers Bakery

4036 S. Braeswood Blvd.

Houston, TX 77025

713-666-2253

https://3brothersbakery.com/

 

Love Croissant

So happy to run into Love Croissants at Rice Village Farmers Market.

They brought along their popular items for sale, and of course, any time you have tiny version of anything, I'm game.

Take a look at my loot!

I picked off the 2 sweet ones, these are mini's.  Got the Mini Almond Croissant, and the back one is Mini Chocolate Croissant.  Super loving the almond one.  Both are filled with buttery goodness and flakey goodness.

Here we have Turkey and Goat Cheese (L) and Ham and Asiago (R).  To be honest, I'm always partial to anything asiago, so it's not a fair comparison, but here we are.  Ham and Cheese (of any kind) can't go wrong really.  The Turkey and Goat Cheese is not bad, but afraid I wasn't getting either flavor very strong.   3 out of 4 aren't bad on that batting average.  

I know over $10 a croissant is a bit much, but you can tell they give it back to you in the flavors.  That said, do join their mailing list, because they often send out discounts. 

Love Croissants

catch them at various Farmer Market, 

or their location:

2808 Caroline St.

Houston, TX 77004

https://www.lovecroissants.com/

 

Bite Size HTX

Saw Bite Size HTX and decided to stop by.

They were at the Rice Village Farmers Market.

Even though they're the only ones that does Bahn Ni Charcuterie board, they were serving up Onigri on the spot.

But first! We need Coffee!  Luckily, they were serving Vietnamese Coffee, which as we all know - when fully leaded, it is pretty potent.

They were wrapped in a very pretty package.  And they do it like the traditional Japanese places that has the seaweed (nori) separate from the rice.  But the packaging has a little pull tab that by the time you pull, the nori paper will wrap the rice nice and tight.

So I got both the Spicy Tuna (L) and the Kimchi Fried Rice one.  They also give you a sauce for the spicy tuna, which does kick it up a notch.  The Kimchi Fried Rice, I can just do it by itself.  I would've love that too.

Besides Rice Village Farmers Market, you can also find them at Autry Park Farmers Market and everywhere around town.  Please support local vendors!

Bite Size HTX

https://www.instagram.com/bitesizehtx/

 

Mercantile

Truthfully, I've been meaning to come here for years. 

Usually when I'm in the area is during morning where everyone's getting their fix, since the parking is usually tough, I tend to skip.  Lucky that friend of mine was hosting something here, and got a chance to come leisurely, got a parking spot and order something.

I got the spice mocha.  I thought it's more like the Mexican hot chocolate with a shot of espresso.  Turn out, it's spicier than I'd expected.  So be prepare if you order one, there's a kick to it.

I really like the space, there's a swing but there's more space in the back corner than meets the eye.  Staff are friendly and coffee is strong.  Coming back for sure.

Mercantile - Montrose

3321 Stanford 

Houston, TX 77006

713-360-7947

https://www.mercantile-montrose.com/

 

Mia's Table

Went to Mia's Table to grab lunch.

I picked here because I was craving onion rings.  It's been a while for me.

I got the Pulled Pork Sandwich, which is filled with all sorts of BBQ goodness to accompany my onion rings.  Every time I come here, they are huge.  Not too big but definitely gets my money's worth.  

I should come back and try their other platters, they do have alot of other dishes to offer, just that when I think of this place my mind automatically goes to onion rings and burger.  For me to actually not get burger this time was already amazing.  There's free refill of soda, and don't forget the free ice cream cone on the way out. 

Mia's Table

1035 Gessner Rd

Building B

Houston, TX 77055

281-857-6939

https://miastable.com/

 

Dakar street Food

Saw this place was featured at someone's IG, thought it'd be interesting to try.

They specialized in Senegalese food, which I've never had before. 

We were curious what Juice Bouye is, and the guy as kind enough to let us try it.  It is very thick in texture, almost shake-like; sweet, but not too sweet.   Also filling. 

As it turns out this is juice from a Baobab fruit, which is the most recognizable in Africa Savannah region, which is essential to the Senegal area. 

Next is the Ginger Juice.  You can see the pulp floating too.  It does have a kick to it, just like ginger would.  We'd figured that this is great if you mix it with lemonade.  

I got the Poisson Braised - if you've paid attention in your high school French class, you'd know that that is fish.  This is tilapia grilled Senegalese style with lemon pepper sauce, onion, and it really is a whole fish.  This is actually big enough to share since there's plenty of meat on both sides of the fish.  Flavor is nice and have a bit of lemony goodness.  You can also dip the sauce they provided, it's a lighter version of the tzatziki sauce.  For sides, I got plantain, and it's one of the better versions I've had out there. 

My friend ordered the Oxtail and also a very worthy dish.  Again, this dish is big enough to share.  You get 2 serving of rice, slow braised oxtail with carrots and potato accompanied by the little bowl of meat sauce.  Truly, if you sat me down with the sauce and rice and sell that to me, I'd be happy to lap it all up.  But the oxtail is legit good.  The combo is delicious and since the portion is huge, it's good for couple meals.  

This is definitely a tucked in hole in the wall.  I feel like this is a Westernized version of what they truly have in Senegal.  Can't wait to go back and try other dishes of theirs. 

Dakar Street Food

2923 Walnut Bend Ln

Houston, TX 77042

281-846-6420

https://dakarstreetfood.com/

 

Damian's Cucina Italiana

When we got word that Damian's will be closing, friends thought we ought to pay homage before this institution is gone forever. 

After all, they've been in Houston for over 41 years, it really is an institution.  But, what was it that made us stop going there in the first place?

I will tell you after talking about the food. 

Had to start with Calamari - the server was kind enough to ask if we wish to swap out some of the shrimps.  It was thoughtful of him to ask and we opted for them.  You can rarely go wrong with fried anything.... so all good there.

For entree, ordered the Veal Marsala.  It's been ages since I've had that.  That said, the veal is fine, the wine sauce is fine, nothing spectacular, it's decent.  I liked the Fettuccini Alfredo more, the sauce was nice and creamy and it has chopped prosciutto in there.  That part was great. 

After dinner, we got a cup of decaf cappuccino.  I've learned that most places has the regular on hand and it's easy to pour, they may have been siting there for a bit, but it's also ready to serve.  If you order decaf, for sure it's made fresh.  Since this is espresso-based, it has to be made fresh, so even better.

For dessert, our server recommended his favorite, the Italian Cake, it has pecan, mascarpone in the middle and coconut on the side.  The whole bite is nicely evened out, goes very well with the coffee.

Lastly, we got tiramisu.  How can we go to an Italian restaurant and not get tiramisu.  While this looks nice, you can skip the calories on this one.  There's no taste of coffee or chocolate, the mascarpone overwhelmed the other two flavors, and it's supposed to be rum-infused, cannot taste any of that either.  I think we all gave up on this one after a few bites. 

Here's the answer from the beginning of the post.  That is, why did we stop coming if this is such an institution?  We arrived a few minutes after our reservation time turns out, it really wasn't needed, there were plenty of tables to be had.  And for good 30 mins even during peak dinner hours, we were the youngest people in the dining room - that is, if you don't count someone's grandkid amongst the guests.  

Given that backdrop, we were seated right away by one of the owners; no, not one of the Mandola's.  But we sat, catching up, realizing we don't have menus at hand.  Trying to get the attention of anyone is like playing a game of dodge, dodging eye contact that is.  On top of that, no one came to even pour water.  This went on for good 7-10 minutes.  I've never had that happened before.   

Alright, finally got our menu, and ordered our food.  Food was fine, it wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't inedible.  But when your side is better than your main attraction; meaning: our server was funny and engaging while running between tables and taking care of guests; where you main attraction should be the food, you know why they can no longer sustain business.  

Listen, I, too, am sad to see a restaurant goes down.  But this visit reminded me of why.  Heck, truly, they over stayed their time.  Institution as they may have been, the place is clean but also dark, very old school and atmosphere is also stiff.  Food was tolerable but not great.  I am always happy to pay the dollar and calories for great food.  But when service, food, and ambience were all strike outs, I see the reason for the demise. 

Go pay homage if you want one last chance.  But do not go in with high expectation.  I think the hey day of this place was late 90s and early 00s, where people do dine there and hitch a ride to the theaters.  Now, they charge $5 to get on the shuttle and it's really simple and easy for folks to eat before going to see a show, and if the food is not great to boot, I understand the decline.

Their last day is supposed to be Aug 18th, but depending on how things goes, it may be sooner.

Damina's Cuccina Italiana

3011 Smith St

Houston, TX 77006

713-522-0439

https://www.damians.com/

 

Common Bond

Got a little bit of time for a mommy break.

Ducked into Common Bond just to grab a few minutes to read.

Got a flat white to start the day.  Sometimes you just need to have some caffeine to kick the day off.

Then, I got the Bacon, Egg, and cheese croissant sandwich.  This is all put together pretty easily, they have  the croissants already, egg comes in discs, and add the bacon.  So it's' easily assembled and quick to-go type of order. 

Common Bond On the Go

601 Heights Blvd

Houston, TX 77007

713-880-3550

https://www.commonbondcafe.com/location/heights-blvd/

 

Chong Qing Hot Pot Noodle House

Went to grab some dinner home.

Stopped by this little hot pot noodle house.

Got the Chicken Curry over rice.  It's actually pretty good, I can always use more sauce, but the flavor is good, not too overwhelming.

I got the twice cooked pork.  I usually get that wherever I see offered.  The pork is braised twice and it's super soft.  Underneath it, is veggie that's also braised in addition to the bok choy on top of the rice.  Again, I can use more sauce/juice to go with the rice, but this is not bad what we got. 

  At first I was looking at the box, there doesn't seem to be alot of food, but turns out the portion sizing was exactly what we needed. 

Chong Qing Hot Pot Noodle House

3412 Hwy 6, Ste O

Sugar Land, TX 77479

832-500-4412

https://www.liukoushuihouston.com/

 

Sweet Paris

Went to Sweet Paris for lunch.

I've never been to the Sugar Land location before, but it has seating outside and inside.

Lunch is huge in terms of portion. 

I got the Ham & Gruyere, I mean, who doesn't like ham of cheese.  But this is different because they have béchamel sauce on top, makes it super delicious.   The salad is a super nice balance, mix well with the main dish.

If you download their app, you can get a discount.  Otherwise, they place is comfy to enjoy lunches. 

Sweet Paris

15911 City Walk

Sugar Land, TX 77479

346-368-2029

https://www.sweetparis.com/locations/town-square-sugar-land-texas