Ninfa's Original

Went to brunch at The Original Ninfa's.

I used to go to Ninfa's alot when I worked downtown and they had a restaurant in the tunnels.  But since then, haven't been to one for some time. 

I got the Pozole Rojo, and read it is.  It's Pork in spicy broth, it has cabbage, tostada, onion, scallion.  It is actually a pretty big bowl, so should you worry if it's filling, between the salsa and chips and this, you can be sure that you'll be filled up.  

On weekend, brunch gets busy there.  Highly recommend you getting there early.  Once you're done eating, great idea to check out the market out at the Esplanade, there's a ton of cute shops and vendors showcasing goods from their home country.  Not only that, you already ate at the restaurant, you can park your car there for a bit.  If not, there's a parking lot nearby as well. 

Original Ninfa's

2704 Navigation Blvd

Houston, TX 77003

713-228-1175

https://ninfas.com/ 

 

Dim Sum Box

So excited to finally get to try Dim Sum Box.

I'm not normally on that side of town, but since I was stuck in traffic, figured I'd detour and fill my tummy.

Was super lucky that happy hour was till 7pm, just in time for my din din. 

I got 2 kinds of rice roll, the Char Siu (pork) and the duck.  The rice noodle texture is a little different but your taste buds gets the gist.  My only thing is that the duck one was on the dryer side and they paired it with the plumb sauce which typically is fine with dryer rice noodle, but somehow it did not hit the spot like the pork one did.  Hard to say why, just did not arrive there. 

I got the Lotus Leaf Sticky Rice, which is delicious and has tons of filling with pork and chicken in them.  I also ordered the Soup Dumplings.  It's cute that it came with the heart saucer, the soup dumpling doesn't have as much soup as I'd like but the meat inside is tasty, so that makes up for it. 

Here's the piece de resistance - my little piggies.  They are mango pudding, and the schtick here is that they're so gelatinous that if you use the spoon to spank the back side, they shake, which is adorable.  And yes, tasty - in the non-gutter sense.  The mango pudding is good.  They also have a bunnies version which is with coconut pudding, super cute. 

That said, the sad thing about going to dim sum by yourself is that you can't eat as much as you can with other people.  And like tapas, it's fun with more people to get more things to try.  But don't feel too sad, I did made sure I'd take half to go, so I can enjoy these for one more meal. 

Dim Sum Box Katy

1223 Grand West Blvd

B107

Katy, TX 77449

832-835-0981

https://dimsumboxkaty.com/

 

Ciclo

 Came back to Four Seasons for a business lunch.  

They have a very nice restaurant one floor down from the lobby.  Though it was not busy, a reservation is recommended just because we saw a large table of ladies lunching, so you'd never know when they're busy. 

My coworker got a Cobb and I must say, that's a better looking Cobb than most that I've seen.  A plus for not having nothing but corn and called it Cobb.  The chicken breast also looked great.  

I got the Tuna Poke salad, which you cannot see but there's a small bed of rice underneath.  The entire thing is not too overwhelming, and nice touch with edamame, mushroom, cucumber, carrots, avocado and mix it all up it's delicious.  Now, I will say one thing, and that is, no one needs that much ginger.  That was a tad overkill there.  Even if this is a sushi bowl, that's still too much ginger. 

As expected at Four Seasons, the staff are courteous, they offered us a fresh up of our drinks to go, which I take them up on, especially it's a nicely balanced Arnold Palmer.  Not too much lemonade and not too much tea.   The view is stunning over the river, and you see people bustling about while you're having lunch.  That's the life!

Ciclo in Four Seasons Austin

98 San Jacinto Blvd

Austin, TX 78701

https://www.fourseasons.com/austin/dining/restaurants/ciclo/

Alouette Bistro at Lark & Owl

Came to Austin for a book event.

It was hosted by this cute little bookstore outside of Austin.

They have a cute and brilliant concept to have food, wine and coffee at the bookstore.  And how many of you already curl up with a book and a glass of wine or a mug of something nice to read anyhow?!

For the event, they have special drinks on deck.

This is Butterflies, which is a book inside a book that's being promoted.  If you're interested to read more, it's inside Love Story by Lindsey Kelk - in case you haven't figured out, yes, it's chick lit.

The drink, however, has guava nectar, Seedlip's notas de agave.  It is not too sweet, hint of pear and agave,  and some citrus.  As far as non-alcoholic spirit goes, this is pretty mild without all the sugar. 

Also got a mini charcuterie box.  Some olives, salami, and brie.  Perfect to tie me over.

Alright, I'll tell you whose event I went to.... It was a book tour for Lindsey Kelk's new book in US (been out in UK for some time) called Love Story.  And this tour, they have conversational partners of Julie Soto and Ali Hazelwood.  All 3 are new adult romance writers, and all are very different in their own right.  That said, the three of them together are a hoot.  We as audience had such a great time being a fly on the wall just to listen to friends chats.  They are so fun together.  Super grateful that they let us have a peek.  But more importantly, that they're doing these at Indie Bookstore and supporting small businesses.  

The bookstore itself is super cute.  Has books for the entire family, and even have second hand books for folks who wants to get a discount, or give books a new life.  Also, lots of cute merch.  They do all kinds of book readings with different authors, and have book clubs and they are such a tight community that it's like you're sitting amongst friends.   Grab a book, buy a cup of coffee and hang out at the knook.

Lark & Owl Bookseller

205 W. 6th Street

Ste 101

Georgetown, TX 78626

https://larkandowlbooksellers.com/bistro/

 

Room Service

Was working out of town, and called for room service is a perk.

Selfishly, I overslept and needed breakfast quick and not knowing the area, room service was a quick fix. 

As room services goes, they do put all things in a very nice presentation, and your remote in tow.

Of course, I start out with my liquids.  Latte, OJ, and water.  

Got the American breakfast, and yes probably most expensive breakfast, but hey it's Room Service.  Eggs, Bacon, Fingerling Potatoes, toast with 3 kinds of jam, puck looking butter and all came up nice a hot.  

As you know, room service is 'extra', but as far as dining goes, this is snazzy.  They charge for the dish and also a delivery charge.  So, if you're price-alert, pay attention to the charge. 

Four Seasons Austin

98 San Jacinto Blvd

Austin, TX 78701

https://www.fourseasons.com/austin/dining/in-room_dining/in-room_dining/

 

Uncle Tetsu Cheesecake

 Finally got to try Uncle Tetsu, which is a known Japanese cheesecake brand, and they have a shop in Katy.

Lucky to run into them at a festival and of course I went to line up for it.

Got to try the mini Ube Cheesecake.  I do appreciate that the texture is milkier as opposed to cheesier.  Hint of ube came thru and not too sweet. 

This is the Cherry Blossom flavor but I feel like it's definitely more fragrant with the syrup than really tasting the cheesecake.  No matter how airy it can be, I should be Abel to taste more of the cheesecake part. 

This is actually pretty brilliant, for cheesecake that are left over, they cut them into slices and toast them to make biscotti.  Perfect to go with coffee or just snack. 

You can see how long it is.  This one came with Ube, Green Tea, and Strawberry cheesecake flavor as biscotti.  That is definitely worthy purchase.  Next time if I make a trek out there, will definitely go back and get this again.

Uncle Tetsu

23333 Grand Circle Blvd

Sute 140

Katy, TX 77449

346-396-3389

https://uncletetsu-us.com/

Bread Zepplin

For office lunch, there's Lunch Drop service that rotates thru various vendors.

Saw Bread Zeppelin, was super curious.

Ordered a Lone Star Salad, and it was packed nice and neat. 

The bowl is pretty deep too.  It has steak, avocado, tomato, onion and ice berg lettuce.  The dressing is Hanger Bleu, but I didn't pour it all into the bowl.   Just because it doesn't need to have so much for the bowl.  Less than half was plenty.  Shake it up and there's plenty to go around.  

For a quick salad and at work setting that works.  It really is alot of food for lunch.  The steak is very filling and as far as office salad goes, sure to feed all kinds of appetite.

Bread Zeppelin

3235 Southwest Fwy

Houston, TX 77027

979-282-3835

https://breadzeppelin.com/

 

Local Foods

Went to Local Foods for lunch.

This is a new location on Post Oak.

I got the Salmon Poke bowl.  It has brown rice, avocado, corn, onion, ginger, greens, almond with spicy aioli.  Overall, there's alot of texture for this salad, not exactly poke bowl.  I feel like they went overboard on the ginger, no one eat so much ginger in one meal.  There's just enough chopped up pieces of salmon to go with the rice, corn and almond slices.  Overall it's a pretty filling bowl, but not too heavy where you need a nap after.

Local Foods

1709 Post Oak Blvd

Houston, TX 77056

713-789-0642

https://www.localfoodstexas.com/location/local-foods-postoak/

 

EaDough

Been meaning to come by this side and luckily I happen to be near by and get to stop here.

This is a walk-up coffee place, but you do see few parking spots nearby.

I came pretty late not as much pastry offerings.

When you walk up, you see the giant window, and when you get your drink, you grab it in the small window.  Mainly to avoid bugs flying in. 

I got the Almond Bostock, which I've never heard of before, and the almonds are on the flip side.  So apparently Bostock is made with left over brioche bread, sometimes they use challah bread or any white bread too.  They brush the bread with flavored syrup and put almond on top then baked.  So the bread is harder in texture because it's twice baked. 

For drink, I got the Triple Berry Matcha.  They have berry compote at the bottom and filled it up with matcha latte.  It's definitely different and unique, but tasted pretty good for a hot day.  

Feel free to drop by.

Ea Dough Pastries & Provisions

3204 Polk Street

Houston, TX 77003

https://eadough.com/

 

Baby Barnaby's

Haven't been back to Baby Barnaby's for a long time. 

Sometimes it's because it gets super busy in the late mornings, or I can't find parking, or whatever.  This time, all the planets aligned and found a sweet parking, not alot of people were up yet, and a nice booth opened up.

Totally grateful that the server set down a carafe and a pitcher of coffee.  That's the Vitamin C all of us need!

True to form, got my old stand by - the Corn Beef Hash with Potato and Eggs.  It's truly a very full meal all in one dish.  As is, I couldn't even finish the dish.  Imagine they were supposed to come with toasts too.    Anyway, not only do they give you plenty, the beef is good, you get decent size chunks and lots of it.  This really hits the spot and take over the day's meals - ok, maybe not all day but definitely very filling.

Baby Barnaby's

602 Fairview

Houston, TX 

713-522-4229

https://barnabyscafe.com/baby.html

 

Duck n' Bao

Been meaning to try Duck n' Bao for a while.

Unfortunately, their other locations were further than I'm willing to drive for Chinese food.  Luckily, they opened one up inside the loop.

As you walk in, they are showing off the ducks that they're working on at the kitchen window. 

I got the scallion pancake to start.  Pretty decent.

Then Xiao Long Bao - They have 3 kinds to choose from, I just stuck with Classic, pork.  It's pretty good with vinegar though, I wouldn't mind having more soup consummate for stronger flavor.

Then I got another kind of Bao - the Pan Fried Bao.  This one has Waygu Beef.  I truly can't taste the difference on the quality of beef, but it's pretty good. 

Just to have some rice as good measure. I got the House Duck Fried Rice.  True to the description, they do have chunks of duck in the mix.  It's very filling by the time you have all that together.

Duck n' Bao

5215 Kelvin Dr

Houston, TX 77005

346-571-3607

https://ducknbao.com/rice-village/

 

Coco's Donut

Drove by this relatively new donut spot. 

The parking lot is pretty decent size, so no issues there.

Inside also have lots of seating, can even hold groups.

Here's their offerings, they have donuts, but also empanadas and cookies, muffins too.

I got the Mexican Mocha, which is made with Obelita's cocoa.  Pretty full flavored no the chocolate.

Besides donuts, they also offer other breakfast dishes.  I got the Churro Waffles.  It reminds me of a bit like the mochi batter where it's chewier than regular waffles.  Came with fruit and lots of whipped cream and of course syrup.

This is just cool pic on the outside of the building.  But feel free to stop by.  As you paid for your order and grab a seat, they will bring you your food and your coffee.  Great for a little break.

Coco's Donut

2026 34th Street

Houston, TX 77018

https://cocosdonuts.com/