Coco's Donut

Went back to Coco's Donut for an afternoon.

You might think afternoon might be quiet, but there are people that come hang out or come study here.

You would be relieve to know that besides donut, there's also sandwiches, empanadas, and salad, besides donuts and pastries.  

I landed the apple pastry, with a cup of Horchata latte.  Something to note, since the Horchata is from a pre-mixed pour, you cannot customize the milk alternative.  So be sure you find out before hand.

Coco's Donut

2026 W. 34th Street

Houston, TX 77018

832-831-0076

https://cocosdonuts.com/

 

Makiin Thai

We decided to do Girls Night at Makiin.

They have valet and definitely have street parking.  

The inside is pretty snazzy and alot of folks come here to celebrate various occasions.  If you tell them, they will have a little sign for your party.

First thing first, let's get a drink.  I got the Blue Gem - butter pea flower, lime juice, lemongrass syrup. 

We got an amuse bouche, which has noodles, with a bit of mayo, a bit of crab.

For starter, we got Roti with 3 types of curry, which are Massaman, Turmeric, and Penang.  We enjoyed the roti quite a bit. 

The left is like a thin crispy crepe with shrimp cake in the middle.  And the back is Lemongrass (the stick) chicken skewers, both are pretty delicious, especially for starters.

Second round of drinks, I got the Hua Hin Mango - it has mango puree, lime juice, palm sugar, Thai chili, and a slice of pickled mango.  Yes, you can pickle mango.  I would say, I'd like the Gem drink better. 

Here's the entree's - this is the Garden Bowl Elegance, has baby kale, tofu steak, carrots, bell pepper, mushroom and tofu skin.  I will say I like the sauce more than the veggies though, I felt like the flavors weren't good on each of the pieces.  

Since we're in the Pumpkin season - this is the Chicken Pumpkin Curry, it obviously have chicken and pumpkin, pepper, eggplant and Massaman style curry.  I just love this to go with rice, I can eat that all day. 

For good measure, we ordered Antique Fried Rice, it has egg, chicken (lots of chicken), Chinese broccoli, tomato, onion and stuff.  Pretty filling with just one dish.

Of course, we have to order desserts.

This is the Mango Sticky Rice, the top has coconut sauce, coconut butterfly pea ice cream, and coconut infused rice and chunks of mango on top with puree's on the side of the plates.  

La piece de resistance - Dessert Wonderland.  It is very much a cherry blossom tree- vibe.  That is very close to the dessert at Money Cat.   Of course the pink is cotton candy, the tree trunk is molding chocolate, which tasted delicious. the ice cream is rosewater flavor.  The green shrub is little pieces of sponge cake, and puree on the side.  It was fun to eat and definitely made a mess.

Reservation is definitely recommended.  They do have some seating at the bar and outside, but if the weather is nice, that might not be an option.  There are parking in the building, but we found parking on the street.  Just be courteous to the neighbors and pay attention to the sign. 

Makiin Thai

2651 Kipling St

Houston, TX 77098

832-695-999

https://www.makiinthai.com/

 

Lankford's Burger - Bellaire

Went to Lankford's for happy hour! 

You can do a frozen Jack and Coke - they have coke slushee there.  Get some chips and dips.  

I got chicken cracklin' - so it's not exactly just chicken skin that I had in mind.  Every bite has a bit of chicken meat to it.  So essentially, it's like chicken nuggets. 

Then I was craving tots, and grabbed some, and of course I dipped it into queso, so all is good with the world.

Not Pictured: The beer wall, you pay at the counter to get a bracelet, and every time you go refill, wave the bracelet and it'll allow you to pour.  In terms of a happy hour deal, that's a pretty good deal.  Of course, if you have a large party, you can also get an 88 oz pour to share, and sure will impress other tables.  

Now that weather is nice, there are plenty of seatings outside as well.  Super family friendly.  Definitely not a hole-in-the-wall feel like the location in Montrose, but this is also ran by a Lankford, so food is definitely on par. 

Lankford Burgers 

5208 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77401

713-281-3549

https://bellaire.lankfordsburgers.com/

 

Skeeters

Happened to be running an errands and have to have breakfast!

Stopped by Skeeters, and I forget that they play good music and have good breakfast.

But first, coffee.  And since they were promoting the Apple Cider Donuts, I must try it.  So, the coffee was meh, but I was desperate for the caffeine.  

The donuts, however, is delicious and great for the fall weather.  They are sugar donuts with apple cider sauce for you to dip.  It's delicious!!!

I got the 3 egg omelet, and it comes with 2 add-ins, anything additional has a surcharge.  So I got spinach, bacon, and mushroom.  It was plain, easy, and delicious, also very filling.  It came with potato and bread, I just forgo the bread, since I know donuts are coming.    Needless to say, I did not finish this, but for the bits that I did eat, it was great.

Skeeters

5529 Weslayan 

Houston, TX 77005

713-660-7090

https://www.skeetersgrill.com/

 

Escalante

 Went to Escalante for lunch

Now, don't be a novice and eat all the chips and not save room for the entree.  Yes, queso is good, and it deserves all the chips.  But seriously, save room for real food.

I got a cheese enchilada with ground beef.  I have to say, the sauce and rice is really my comfort food.  meat or not.  But sitting at the patio with a nice breeze and some warm food really made my day.  Talk about having a great day!

Parking in Highland Village can be challenging, but there are parking lot at the back of the building across the street.  Obviously there's valet and street parking, but the traffic does get busy so don't linger too long.

Escalante's 

4053 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77027

713-623-4200

https://www.escalantes.net/

Press Waffle Co.

Another yummy discovery at Lyric Market.

After dinner, we were searching for something sweet...and lo and behold, ta da!

We found sweet waffles right there at the food hall.   We got the Cinnamon Roll waffle.  The waffle texture has more mochi texture, like it's chewy.  But if you put the sauce on top, it taste very much like the real cinnamon roll.  

I would say, I was expecting the regular waffle, which I was looking forward to.  But it's not a bad constellation.  I hope the other kinds of waffles have the regular batter, I wouldn't mind coming back and try other kinds of waffles from here, next time. 

Press Waffle Co.

411 Smith Street

Houston, TX 77002

713-405-1407

https://www.presswaffleco.com/locations/lyric-market

 

Kati Roll Wala

Went downtown for a show, and decided to grab dinner at Lyric Market.

To start, went to the bar to grab a drink. 

I got All That Jazz, which has gin, pineapple, blueberry, and lemon.  It's actually pretty tasty.  And seems like there's a trivia night on Tuesday at the bar area. 

Went to Kati Roll Wala, which serves Indian food.  We started with an order of Samosas Bite, it is actually pretty dang good.  The sauce is not spicy but definitely add to it.

I ended up getting a bowl. 

It's a Chicken Keema Bowl, and I didn't realized as that this is spicier than I anticipated.  But besides that, there's a bed of rice at the bottom, meat and herbs on top with this creamy sauce  it's a very nice mix.   It's pretty good and highly recommend it.

You can order from your table, there's a QR code and you can place your order.  And you can chose from all the vendors at the food hall, and they will bring the food to your table. 

Besides Lyric Market, they also has a shop out in Richmond.  That said, I would say that I was worried about parking.  But turned out it was easier than I thought.  The first 2 hours at the Market is free, as long as you get your receipt from wherever you buy your food.  There would be a QR code to validate your parking for free.  Also, when you park, there's an easy access to the food hall.

Kati Roll Wala

in Lyric Market

411 Smith Street

Houston, TX 77002

https://katirollwala.com/

 

Little Matt's

 Came back to Little Matt's for dinner. 

It's a great place for kids for sure, but also very grateful that they keep adults in mind.

I got their Ahi Tuna Salad, they do give. you solid pieces of tuna there, as a matter of fact I cute those pieces up and got full super fast.  The salad came with a spicy vinaigrette, which apparently has ginger in it, which gives it a little kick.  

When you go to Little Matt's I 'd like to check if the baseball field is buy because that would mean if the place is busy or not.  Actually, alot of times it's busy whether there's a game or not.  It's pretty much the only place that both kids and grown ups can agree on.  They have burger, Mac and cheese, pizza for the kids.  They have enchiladas, salad, and various kinds of sandwiches for grown ups.  Just remember to bring money for the kids to change into coins for the game corner.  

Little Matt's

6203 Edloe St

Houston, Tx 77005

https://littlemattscafe.com/

 

Croissant Brioche

Saturday morning trying to find some coffee, remembered that I haven't been in the Village for a while. 

Turns out Saturday morning the joint is jumping!

First thing first, coffee!  I got a latte with hazelnut.

Got a slice of quiche, this thing is gigantic.  I got a slice of the ham and it is pretty huge.  I actually did save some for later.

That's because I got a slice of almond tart with pear on top.  That goes with the coffee very well.  Of course, it was me whose eyes were bigger than my stomach, but it is really delicious.  So no regret.  They also have cakes and croissants and everything a veinnoiserie has to offer. 

Saturday morning, there is a crowd, especially the weather is nice and there's seating outside.  You walk up to the counter, place your order and drinks comes first, and they'll bring you your food to where you're seated.  

Croissant Brioche

2435 Rice Blvd.

Houston, TX 77005

713-526-9188

https://croissantbriochehouston.mybistro.online/

 

Sweet Pot

Friend of mine invited me to go to Sweet Pot for brunch.

Turns out it's a cute little place with TONS of food.  Yep, this is an All You Can Eat Korean food joint.

First off, they have bubble tea galore, but as all good AYCE pro's will tell you, you should save this one for last.  Don't be an amateur. 

This is Spicy Seafood Salad

Japchae & Bulgogi Japchae (yes please)

Seafood Pancake and Vegetable Pancake - My favorite here.

Skewers of fishcakes, spicy and not spicy.  If you watch enough K-Drama, you'd know that these are a fixture in the show.  That's where people casually walk by and chit-chat to grab a snack.  

More fried goodness, left side is Seaweed roll, Veggie Roll, right side is fried dumplings.

Korean pancake and dessert Fish Taiyaki.

Left side is tteokbokki (rice cake) and candied sweet potato - YUM, this is my favorite 'carb up' spot.

You have Bulgogi Pizza, Wings of various kinds.  If you watch any K-Drama, you'll also know that they really do normalize having pizza at home vs. at a restaurants like they used to.  And Wings and Beer goes hand-in-hand together. 

Kimball - which is rice roll, kinda like sushi roll but it has your balance of veggie and meat all rolled into one.

Here's where you pick your ingredients for the soup.  You have noodles, veggies on one side...

Then, there's some seafood (clams, prawns), fish cakes, sausage, tofu to add to your soup.  And there are some sides too.

When you have your bowl of uncooked ingredients, you ring the bell at your table and tell your server which soup base you want and how spicy.  They will do the cooking for you and come up with your own concoction.   This one the base was thicker than I pictured, but it is definitely flavorful. 

The price of admission also includes side dishes - this is Korean Sweet and Sour Pork.  I must say the flavor didn't really come thru on this one, so I didn't really pick much at it even though it sounded good in theory. 

This is the Bulgogi Rice Bowl, not sure if it's supposed to have warm-ish rice at the bottom, but the bulgogi was spot on.

At the end you can even order a bowl of BingSu and make your own topping.  By the time we get to this point I was beyond stuffed and didn't even bat an eye on this section.  But if you want there's options.  

For lunch at $20.45 per person, this is a great deal.  Not only the selection is decent, the food combo is great.  Even the items you can order off of the menu is decent.  I can see grabbing a group of people and come here to enjoy a little bit of this and that.  Is everything we encountered was great? No, not all, but there's alot of good stuff that came across.  No regrets of going there and definitely wouldn't mind coming back.  Of course, we need stretch pants for that, but it's a cute spot that I won't mind returning. 

Sweet Pot

15295 Southwest Fwy

Sugar Land, TX 77478

832-500-4535