Sugar Bubs

Matcha latte brought to you by Sugar Bubs.

So it was a bit deja vu when I saw the Sugar Bubs booth at an event that I was at.  Except, replaced the cakes with lattes.  

It's definitely a different take from dessert.  The latte I ordered was lavender matcha latte.  It's pretty good, not too much lavender, the latte was nice and smooth.  She also has banana matcha and a strawberry matcha, which that one reminds me of the Italian flag with the three colors (red, white and green). 

When chatting with Cyndi, owner of Sugar Bubs, she said that she's still doing Basque cheesecake, but trying to expand her business.  As a matter of fact, she's having an anniversary party coming up.  And the setting is 'what would it'd be if she were to open a real cafe/dessert shop'.   I wish her all the success, and more importantly, bring the box cake back!

Sugar Bubs

https://www.instagram.com/sugarbubs.htx

 

Original Chop Shop

This is my first time at Chop Shop.

Location was convenient enough, plus I was there for an event. 

I got the Scottsdale Cobb.  It has eggs, house green, tomato, avocado, bacon, and white cheddar.  It's actually a pretty good salad, I might add more protein next time, the egg was good, but I feel like for a late lunch I needed more.  

I was there for an event, but next time coming back, I would probably try another salad and see how it goes. 

Original Chop Shop

3027 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77098

713-589-7981

https://originalchopshop.com/locations/texas/river-oaks/

 

Vonlane

*Note: this is to a paid advertisement nor did I receive any compensation;  the opinion expressed here wholly owned by me*

Not sure if I'm the last person to know, but riding on Vonlane is kinda fun.

For those who are not familiar, Vonlane is a fancy bus that commutes from Houston to various cities in Texas.  Nice seats, you can stretch out.  Of course, they have blanket, lap desk, charger and pillow too.

When you first sit down, they bring a basket of Tylenol, Dramamine, ear plugs, tissues, toothbrush. 

Then, they serve drinks, you can obviously do soda, coffee/tea, juice, high brew, and sparkling water.  They have alcohol for purchase if you so oblige. 

They bring the snack basket by, there was slim jims, various kinds of cookies, chips of several kinds, different kinds of nuts the fancy kinds. 

For breakfast hours, they serve muffins, oatmeal, yogurt.  For lunch, there are choices for sandwiches, salads, and wraps of different kinds. 

For me, I go the Caprese Sandwich in Ciabatta bread with dressing.  It was still a bit cold from thawing.  But I appreciated the offerings.  On the trip back, I got a salad, and that worked out very nicely. 

While I started to dig into my sandwich, the snack basket made its appearance again.  Which at the time, I was thinking, that makes sense, since chips goes with sandwiches... Pretty good service.

An hour outside of the city, the snack basket came back around again!  That basket has showed up 3 times in a 4 hour ride.  For drinks, they come by and check on you and refill.  

Truly, overall, the service was great, since the bus seats 24 max, it was very nice to have them so attentive.   You don't even get that kind of service when you pay more than that for a flight.  This is definitely worth checking out.   And yes, even the bathroom is nice.

Vonlane

https://vonlane.com/

 

Braum's

I pulled my kid into my childhood favorite.

Keep in mind, it is a childhood nostalgia thing, not it's the best in the world thing.

We ordered meal for both of us.  It came with a sandwich and fries with a drink.  We upgraded one to a shake and just regular drink for the other. 

Yep, nothing spectacular, it's just something I used to have when I was a kid.  Cheeseburger... of course, if you finish your meal, you get an ice cream (read: reward, not free from the place).

I got me a scoop of Rocky Road, my go-to.  Super creamy, super flavorful.  Mainly because they are a diary shop and ice cream parlor. 

I was surprised to see they have a mini market.  They have their own bread & brownie on top of ice cream, sorbet and the like.  

They have regular groceries too. 

If you're ever in a pinch, you can really just hop in, grab a meal or an ice cream and get what you need, so you don't have to haul yourself to the store and get lost strolling around.

Growing up, friends had worked at Braum's after school.  So we would go to hang out with friends and buy an ice cream (or two).  I did know they sell food, maybe have gotten fries, but I don't often eat there.  They do serve alot of breakfast food, but otherwise, burgers, chicken sandwich, or chicken tenders. Not too many choices to pick from.  Again, this is just a nostalgia stop and showing my kid where we hang out after school. 

Braum's

518 Centennial Blvd

Richardson, TX 75081

972-783-9945

https://www.braums.com/store/518-centennial-blvd-richardson-tx/

 

Cafe Brazil

When I go to Dallas, I go to my old haunts. 

Even though, technically, I didn't come to Cafe Brazil until after I've moved away from Dallas. 

My favorite item to get: Coffee... we'll talk more about that.

For my main, I got the Fruit Pancrepes.  There's 4 big crepes with cold fruit and puree.  That combo of hot and cold is so good, and I just love that so much.  I come back for it year after year.  

Mind you, for their other food offering, there's decent about of omelets and egg dishes, or migas or tacos.  So this is a great place to bring friends because it has a little bit of everything. 

Another good thing about this place, they are opened 24/7, so you can come anytime and breakfast is served all day.  

When you walk in, especially if it's busy.  Head over to the coffee bar and get yourself a cup and pick your coffee.  Or, mix your flavors, I do.  

Cafe Brazil

2071 N. Central Expressway

Richardson, TX 75080

972-783-9011

https://cafebrazil.com/

 

Maru Ramen

You know when you're on the road, too busy to look for food, you have to take some risk.

Sometimes they paid off, sometimes they don't...

Got the Veggie Tempura - I would say, I do appreciate the squash and beans to the mix.

I got the Unagi Ramen, because it looked good.  I was surprised to see that the unagi came separate, it's almost like why did I bothered.  I'd rather them keep the unagi with the rice than with the noodles.  It came with Tonkotsu Ramen, and add the fish if you wish.  The type of noodles I got was the Sapporo type which is yellow curly egg noodles.  It has more elastic and chewier than the regular ones.  The broth base is fine, not as thick as some base we've had, but it did what you need it to do.

The place was not not-busy, but it's more like an easy dinner thing than coming here because it's so good, we must come back repeatedly. 

Maru Ramen

400 N. Greenville

Dallas, TX 

972-792-8888

https://www.maruramen.com/

 

Sucre'

 Super excited that Sucre' finally arrived to Houston.

If you don't know who/what that is, they have been a long established in New Orleans, then Baton Rouge, then Georgia.  Now, they're finally here. 

Their claim to fame is really macarons.  Very delicately made and lots of flavors.

But then when I came into the shop, they have so much more to offer.  There's gelato!  So many flavors.  

Entremets - yummy delicious cakes.

Cupcakes, cookies... and more.

Their side of the building has been turned into a mini garden.  It's still too hot to sit outside, but the inside has enough A/C for me to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Trying for a pretty shot here.

Got a lavender latte, and got a raspberry and chocolate macarons.  It was very nice to just hang and enjoy it.  So thrilled that they are here finally!

They do have plenty of parking, and there are seats against the window to enjoy watching traffic goes by.  

Sucre'

5404 Kirby Drive

Houston, TX 77005

https://shopsucre.com/blogs/news/sucre-houston

HRW - Himari

Another Japanese HRW, this one happens to be lunch. 

Got a iced green tea to start, since it's so hot outside.

First course, it's Himari's Kanpachi - which is Amberjack, slice of orange, and radish sitting in ponzu sauce.  The bite combined with orange really did the trick.  That made it less salty. 

Second course, it's the Waygu Pitchfork, which is a roll with Waygu with asparagus and shallot.  The sauce is really good, there's not enough flavor from Waygu. 

3rd course is Sweet Potato Tempura - that's one of my fav's, so no problem there. 

That was so much food that I ended up taking the dessert to go.  Since the other options are ice cream and it'll sure melt.  I picked chocolate truffle cake. It's pretty dense, there's chocolate crumble and peanuts on the side.  Drizzled with miso caramel, which I do like because it's not too sweet to offset the chocolate cake. 

Here's my thing about the place, it's not big, but you have to flag down the server's attention.  Then, between course 1 and 2 and 3, it's at least 20 mins.  Yes, I was sitting there for an hour.  Several occasions have to look for someone to check on the status of my order.  

Lastly, since the shopping center is super kid friendly, which is great and good because kids can run around and run the energy out.  At the same time, you have to give grace to the parents who wants sushi while they're there (aka read: there will be screaming children in the restaurant - lucky they don't have enough room for them to run around, but screaming will be had).  

Do you need a reservation? Not exactly, the place is not huge.  But I have a feeling if you can't find seating here, there are other good food around without you having the re-park your car.  I would say this is an ok place if you're in a hurry or with kids.  Save the special outings to another place. 

Hirmari

1223 W. 34th Street 

Suite C500

Houston, TX 77018

832-582-5005

https://www.himarihtx.com/

 

HRW - Vic & Anthony's

2nd HRW this year: we wanted steak!

To Vic & Anthony's we go!  It's been a few years since I've been here.  Mainly it's in the downtown area, and I don't come down other to the ballpark across the street. 

While this is an old school steakhouse, I'm surprised they haven't caught on to list mocktails on their menu as alot of upscale places have done. 

First course, I got the lobster bisque.  You do get chunks of lobster, not nearly enough for my taste, but that's just me. 

For sides, we ordered potato au gratin to split.  Gimme more cheese.

Creamed spinach - yes give me more crunchy.

Brussels Sprouts - nothing too special not that one. 

For entree, I got the 6oz filet.  Either I haven't had a proper steak for so long, or this steak was really special.  I just devoured the whole thing.  Did not touch the green beans or the potato.  Potato was good, but I liked my cheesy potato better.  And the green beans wasn't cooked long enough.   But never you mind, the steak was good, that's all you needed to know.  I think the truffle butter on top to that couldn't hurt either.

If I were to re-do, I'd focus on just steak when coming here. 

For dessert, I got the apple streusel coffee cake, it came with maple bourbon ice cream.  In truth, the ice cream really made the dish.  It seems like it has some cinnamon to it to enhance the apple taste.  TO be honest, I cannot taste any coffee on that.  The bourbon sauce on the dish made it less dry and with the ice cream in one bite is the best!

For a place like this you should definitely make a reservation.  They do have valet for $13, and of course, you can take your chance on the street.  Please read the signs and check the meters.  Of course, before you go, check and see if there's a game going on too, that area gets super busy. 

Vic & Anthony's 

1510 Texas Ave

Houston, Tx 77002

713-228-1111

https://www.vicandanthonys.com/location/houston/

 

HRW - Aiko

This is my first HRW this year. 

The menu list this year nothing really excited me, but a good excuse to meet up with friends.  

I like how they have duckies everywhere...

They have a few mocktails to choose from, I got the Herbed Lavender Lemonade.  I asked that they don't make it too sweet, but it became too tart. 

For starter, we got the karaage - fried chicken (for kids - that's chicken nugs for you).  The sauce is aioli japaleno, which is super delicious but also spicy... eep!

I got the Maguro Crudo - which is bluefin tuna, ponzu sauce, and chili garlic chips - very delicious match with a little piece of apple to balance out. 

We split the maki's for 2nd course - I got the Sake Make - which has King Salmon on top with yuzu chili pepper sauce.  The other one in the back is the Hamachi Maki - which is yellowtail with cilantro on top.

3rd course, I asked for Nigri 3pc - it has Hamachi (Yellowtail) , Kanapachi (Amberjack fish), and Hirami (Flounder).

Of course, I'm greedy, so I got an extra piece of Waygu - it's ok.  I did ask for foie gras but they ran out.  The Waygu was a bit too chewy for the cut.  That can be done better. 

Come dessert time!!!  It's like a little piece of of cloud on top of my dessert.

Closer look, it's Milk Tea Boba Tiramisu.  Not going to lie, while I did love the boba, which tasted fresh (aka not chewy), it is not as good as Brian's; there! I said it.  

It's not bad, the tiramisu didn't have too much of either the coffee or tea flavor.  The flavor really was vanilla, which is the base.  It is not dry but the flavor really came from the boba.  

Lastly, just want to show ya'll - when they tell you do take care of business in the woods... they made it happened.  LOL.  Half kidding, the bathroom is really at the end of the hallway.

The restaurant is actually not very big, so if you plan on coming, do plan on making a reservation.  Of course, the bar area does have full service, that's first come first serve with no reservation.  For parking, they do have a lot next to the entrance, they do have a valet if you wish, but plenty of spots you can park yourself.   

Aiko

1902C Washington Ave

Houston, TX 77007

832-582-7525

https://www.aikohtx.com/

 

Dubu Dubu Korean

Was driving by this place and has been curious...

and you know, if it's Korean food, just sign me up.

I ordered Kimchi Fried Rice to go, and it came with banchan and soup.

I will say, that is the best damn kimchi fried rice I've ever had.  It came with an egg, but it by itself was pretty dang good.  The banchan dishes are kimchi, kimchi-ed shredded veggie, picked turnip, and mix veggie.  You get so much more than just normal dish.  

Dubu technically is tofu in Korean, but they have all sorts of meat dishes (and veggie dishes too).  The place is family owned and operated.  So if you can support a mom and pop shop, please do give them your patronage. 

Dubu Dubu Korean

3815B Richmond Ave

Houston, TX 77027

713-592-3007

https://www.dubudubutx.com/