Mexican Sugar

For brunch, we went to Mexican Sugar suggested by me...

...which I did regret after the experience. 

Starting with the reservation, given that they see there's only a table for 2, they would've given us a decent table.  But instead, they seated us by the bar, with the giant throne-like chair, yet the table is a coffee table height circular thing.  By looking at it, I can already tell that once our food arrives, there's no space for anything, might as well skip the water. 

Looking around, they have tables for large parties, and the rest are high tops.  Well they did have space on the first floor, yet we weren't given those to be seated.  Strange.

Got aqua fresca, have the ask the server what is available as they change regularly. 

I will say, trying to track down our server or get water or chips and salsa was not easy to do.  Mind you, we sit right directly across from the bar, were servers has to go to in order to get drinks for guests.  How is that possible?!

We got the queso fundido, it came with purple tortilla, which is unique.

It looked good, the cheese is good.  I always forget that fundido is not like queso for dipping.  You are basically getting a chunky of cheesy goodness that is tied to the rest of the dish.  So, it's not like you can lump it with your dish easily like a sauce. 

Got the Barbacoa Chilaquiles - I was mainly drawn by the brisket.  It has crema, red onions, queso fresco, and sunny side up eggs.  Brisket is good, mixed with eggs is even better.  But I did need feel it's missing something, like something more to it.  I think I could've added more zing? more cheese? more more?

Just the overall experience was just sub par for a place like this.  They are situated in a fancy place, the price sure reflects that, yet the service is sub par, the food is sub, and the whole experience was just blah.  For the price that we're paying, I expected more. 

Not to mention, the parking.  Oh boy the parking.  So, as you self park at the garage, everywhere you look has a QR code to tell you to pay for parking.  So reflectively you do.  Luckily, my friend saw the code at the door to the restaurant and sent it to me.  She had already paid, and when we asked the manager if they would reimburse, she felt bad and comp our appetizer - which was about the same price.  The entire experience was just very 'off'.  Given there are just as good, if not better Mexican food at this price point higher or lower, we got enough options in Houston that I don't need to come back.  But should you want to see for yourself, reservation is highly recommended. 

Mexican Sugar

3505 W. Dallas St

Houston, TX 77019

713-487-1095

https://www.mexicansugarcocina.com/

 

Tiny Champions

We were in the EaDo area and decided to try Tiny Champions.  Never been before and looked great.  It's run by the same group that did Nancy Hustles, so definitely comes with great reputation. 

First thing we ordered was the baked feta by the recommendation of our server.  And glad she did not steer us wrong.  It's nice, warm, and little chunk of yummy goodness. 

We saw a lot of people on Yelp did Rigatoni Bolognese, and it is worthy of a re-order.  The pasta is made in-house, and the meat is delectable. 

We did a veggie pizza adding pepperoni, again our serve did not steer us wrong.  She also suggested the hot honey and it's not too much zing.  Definitely not something I've had before but it was a delightful surprise.  Glad we went along with her suggestion. 

We saved some room for dessert (duh), this is coffee ice cream sundae.  Yes please!  It has coffee ice cream, chocolate sauce, and donuts.  DUH!

So the place is great, tiny and cute.  But because it is tiny, you definitely needs to have a reservation.  Walk-up is nearly impossible, even at the bar.  If it's a game day for soccer, baseball, or party nearby... sheesh forget it.  Reso is a must!  

The other thing is parking, it's all street parking, and it's aggressive.  The area is packed, there are other businesses blocks nearby.  So you do need to keep your eyes peeled.  Not to mention to be respectful to people who lives nearby. Be sure to watch for traffic and people walking. 

Tiny Chanpions

2617 McKinney St

Houston, TX 77003

713-485-5329

https://www.tinychampionshouston.com/

 

Seiwa Market

One of the neat things about going to Japanese grocery stores is all the food that are freshly prepared. 

Came back to Seiwa for lunch and got some yummy goodness.  We got a bowl of negitoro (chopped raw tuna) don (rice dish).  Then a set of sashimi with salmon, tuna, scallop, octopus, squid, and hamachi. 

Of course, we see uni (sea urchin) and cannot help ourselves.  It was a pretty fulfilling lunch, there were 2 of us splitting it, and can barely finish it.  Mostly protein and some carb (from the rice), but definitely rich.  

The key about getting more selection and fresh fish for sushi, bento, or lunch in general: come before noon.  There's more to choose from the earlier you get there.  There are hot food and cold food.  And for the hot ones, they are refrigerated and there is a microwave on site to heat it up (and utensils).  There's tables for you to eat there, so if you're super hungry, they've got you!

Seiwa Supermarket

1801 S. Dairy Ashford

Ste 116

Houston, TX 77077

281-920-1906

https://www.seiwamarket.com/location/#houston-store

 

Sweet Cup

Went back to Sweet Cup after dinner one night. 

Grateful they're still there, as more and more stores in that complex shutters. 

I always appreciate the fresh ingredients they use and offering so many flavors at the shop.

They also have sorbet. 

So of course, I have to get 3 scoops, duh! (that's a medium)  Chocolate at the bottom, Stracciatella and Butter Pecan.   It's so nice for the end of a hot day.  

In case you don't make it down to Montrose, they also have a shop in Cypress.  You can get Sweet Cup at either Whole Foods or Central Market. 

Sweet Cup

3939 Montrose Blvd

Ste L

Houston, TX 77006

713-942-2226

https://www.sweetcupgelato.com/alllocations

 

Baby Barnaby's

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

Lucky for me, I got there before 10am, and can grab a table easily. 

I got my favorite migas.  It came with diced potato, corn tortilla strips mixed with eggs, green chilis, onion, tomato, cheese.  Of course you have salsa to go with everything.  They all come together so nicely.  

Tip about coming here: if you get here before 10am, it's definitely easier.  Easier to find parking, easier to get a table (inside), and kitchen is faster.   If you came late, not to fret.  You can put your name on the list for inside seating or if it's not too hot, you can sit outside.  While you're waiting, feel free to get some water.  In terms of parking, either get really good at parallel parking on the street, or hope you're in luck for a spot in the small lot.  

Baby Barnaby's

602 Fairview

Houston, TX

713-522-4229

https://barnabyscafe.com/baby.html

 

Clark's

Went back to Clark's for dinner.

We find that weekday going is easier to grab a table. 

I got a mocktail called Ceybon Spritz - it has mint, cucumber, Ceybon aperitif, and Rambler Sparkling.  Pretty good, not too sugary or sweet, just good for a drink with dinner. 

Left is Wellfleet from Massachusetts and Acadian King from New Brunswick.  We also had oysters from Eel Lake, Nova Scotia and Barnstable, Massachusetts.  I really do like oysters from Northeast, they are cleaner, less gritty, and definitely smaller than Gulf Coast oysters.  Some coast is slimier than others, but it's good nonetheless.

We got the Branzino - it's one of the better fish I've had in a long time.  That fish is definitely good for 3-4 people.  But the fish is very good, definitely recommend. 

We got crab cake as a side.  That came with watercress salad with shallot, and the hollandaise sauce.  Very delicious and splitting it and get to taste a bit of everything was good.  I've had this before and definitely will get this again. 

If you come to Clark's on weekdays, it's easier to park and get a table without reservation.   If you're planning on coming back on weekend, you definitely need to get a reservation in advance.  Parking is a bit challenging, you can park on the street behind the building.  But weekend definitely have valet to help. 

Clark's

3807 Montrose Blvd

Houston, TX 77006

713-347-8180

https://www.clarksoysterbar.com/locations/houston

 

Local Foods

Went back to Local Foods for lunch. 

If you go around 11:30, parking is easy to do, and definitely easier to find seating.

Got a good meal happening here. 

I started with a strawberry lemonade.  It's nice for this hot weather, not too sweet, not too tangy. 

Went back to the Salmon Poke bowl.  Besides diced salmon, there's daikon, beet, broccoli, cucumber, edamame.  I skipped the rice and the avocado, just because they're so much food.  Essentially I just pair it down to the protein and veggies.

But don't worry, I added fries to supplement on the other kind of carb.  See! I always find the way.

Going back to my tip earlier.  Get there by 11:30a there's plenty of parking.  Also makes it easier to find a table.  The working crowd does make it through the place by noon.  So coming early or do to-go is always recommended.

Local Foods

1709 Post Oak

Houston, TX 77056

713-789-0642

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

 

Niko Niko

Went back to Niko Niko's for lunch.

I hate to say, there's so many good things, not enough tummy room for it. 

I got the Dolmanthes - which is the grape leaves wrapped with rice and meat inside.  I think next time I'll go back to the non-meat version because this one was very clunky with the meat wrapped in the middle.  The one with just ice is wrapped nice and tidy and easy to eat.

Got the Gyro Salad.  They pile on the meat.  I basically have to move my gyro meat to a side plate to get to the veggies.  Otherwise, it is just overflow.  Talk about getting the bang for your buck.  Of course, I set aside the extra for leftovers. 

Niko Niko's

1040 W. Sam Houston Pkwy North

Houston, TX 77043

832-981-GYRO

https://nikonikos.com/locations/memorial/

 

Coppa Osteria

Went back to Coppa for a quick lunch.

They changed some to the menu, which means I have get creative.

I got the Golden Hour - which has green tea, maple, peach, lemon juice and thyme.  It's actually pretty good, but not sure if it's a $12 good.

I got the Carbonara, which came with an egg usually, but I asked them to skip it since I'm getting the parmesan cream as sauce.  But I did ask for prosciutto, which in old days, they have a version of this.   So I was just adding the meat with the decadent sauce and spaghetti just to top it off for my lunch.  The sauce is awesome, don't get me wrong, just having the prosciutto together is better. 

Coppa Osteria

5210 Morningstar

Houston, TX 77005

713-522-3535

https://www.coppaosteriahouston.com/

 

Tsujita Artisan Noodles

Strangely enough, when I was in Japan, I didn't get to have any legit ramen.

To make up for it, had some when I came back to Houston. 

I got the Deluxe Tonkotsu - just because I wanted extra chasiu (pork slices).   I actually think the charsiu and noodles are ok.  I just really liked the soup base.  It has texture and it is on the thicker side with more flavor.  I can do it with the soup on a different noodle.   That said, it's not a bad dish, just that if you break it all apart, I would rank Soup, Egg, Pork, and Noodles. 

The place doesn't take reso, so first come, first serve.  For lunch, there's plenty of tables, not sure about weekends. 

Tsujita Artisan Noodles

12230 Westheimer Rd

#A-160

Houston, TX 77077

https://www.tsujita.com/westchase-tx

 

La Tazza

The neighborhood FB group has been buzzing about this coffee shop, so I decided to drop in.

The place is small but offering is definitely different. 

First off, pastries galore, all different. 

I got the Lavender Latte to go.  Truly what this shop is proud of is the offerings of various coffee grade.  This is where the coffee nerds come to nerd out.  They do have the latte and the mochas that you're used to, but that's the peripheral, not the focal point of the shop.  Which also allows them to be pickier on how they serve you your coffee.

Also a tiramisu.  So when you order it, they do serve the shot of espresso in front of you and pour it over the dessert.

You can see the layers of the mascarpone, the lady fingers, and so on.  Then the pour of the espresso shot melts them altogether.  I will say, it's neat that they present it this way.  At the same time, I do like my lady fingers soaked more in the tiramisu mix than poured over.  So that's a miss for me.

Because this place is so tucked in, there are business people here to do interviews and or talk business over a cup of coffee.  At the same time, there's plenty of parking, and safe area, so I can see the appeal. 

La Tazza Coffee

8427 Stella Link Rd

Houston, TX 77025

https://latazzacoffee.com/

 

Japan's Lawson's

Ok ok - last post about Japan.

It's actually pretty cool at Narita airport.  That includes a Lawson (another convenient store).

Fun fact: Lawson actually was originally from Ohio.  As they expand and expand they reached Japan.  But as they merge and merge in the States, they slowly blended into the other brands.  But the ones in Japan got incorporated on their own and became its own brand. 

Like 7-11 in Japan, they are just as competitive in their offering, bill pay, tax refund, ATMs...etc.  Oh yeah, bread, drinks, cold food, sandwiches.

Rice balls, prepared dishes, and the variety is huge. 

What Lawson is most famous for, however is their fried chicken.  You can find that right next to the cashier counter, and those were definitely better than any airplane meals.  How you get it on board it's on you!  

One kitsch thing to get at Lawson, it's their striped stocks.  It's very grandpa ish, but still hip!  They run specials in the stores, keep an eye out!

This time I got the fruit sando. 

Another fun fact, if you want a plastic bag, they do have an up-charge for that.  If it's not because I had my hands full, I would've just carried it, but alas...

Since I had time to kill, I went up to the observation deck to enjoy my sandwich. 

At the airport, they have their own lego store.  Which I always think it's odd.  How you're on a plane, though have hours to kill.  But if you are missing a piece while putting the thing together, it's not easy to get.  But it's a cute store nonetheless.

The other thing you will find in both airports in Tokyo.... it's Pikachus EVERYWHERE.

Not just merch, game, upgrades, and stuff.

They are all around the concourse, directional guide and signs even.  Good thing they're cute.

Alright, this is my last post about Japan.  We'll be back to Houston food next week!

Lawson's

https://www.lawson.jp/en/