Grill & Brew at City Walk

Growing up Universal City Walks was where the kids get to pretend to be grown ups and hang out there. 

Now, it's more quality shops and big kids dining. 

One of the places we picked was the Grill & Brew. 

I got Ginger Berry Lemonade.  It has ginger beer, Sprite, berry puree, and lemonade.  I appreciate that, it's not super syrupy, and the ginger beer taper that off. 

Just took it easy and got a Pepperoni Flatbread.  Nothing fancy, after all the walking, I just need to refuel.  

Meal time in CityWalk is super busy because besides folks going to the park or exiting the park, there are just people coming here to hang out, since you don't need an entry fee to come in.  

In terns if Parking, if you're here for City Walk, you can get a discount.  But for the park, if you come early, you can get pretty decent parking.  If not, the various parking structures are easy enough to accommodate. 

Grill & Brew

inside Universal City Walk

https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/citywalk/nbc-sports-grill 

 

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Counter

We happened to be there during one of the hottest day.

So when we saw people walking around with ice cream in Hogsmeade, we want one too. 

I got the Mint flavor.  I was tempted to get the Butterbeer flavor, but was also very curious about Mint, so there it is.  

The trick about getting here, you have to go thru Honeydukes and it is at the back of the shop, and it's a one-way traffic.  Just bring patience. 

Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Counter

inside Honeydukes

in Universal Studios Hollywood

https://blog.discoveruniversal.com/dining/best-treats-universal-studios-hollywood/

 

Toadstool Cafe

The whole point for going to LA was to Universal Studios.

Of course, we rode the Mario Kate ride in Marioland.  

And of course we get hungry and have to get a seat at the Toadstool Cafe. 

For kids meal, you can choose either a burger or pasta.  The meal comes with burger, fries, veggie, and a cookie inside the box.  For a kid, that's pretty impossibly hard to finish all that food.  So yes we split the dish.

I got the Mushroom Soup, and to commemorate they give you a bowl that you can take home. 

You take the top off, and you have mushroom soup and mushroom crackers floating on top.   It's actually pretty good, not super creamy, as I was expecting like a Campbell soup, but instead, you do taste the fresh mushroom.  And yes, it's super cute.  

Thank goodness they put the soup in a throw-away cup, so you don't have to 'wash' the bowl before you put it in your backpack and haul it around all day before heading home. 

It's very neat, once you place your order, a staff will seat you.  And look at the windows, you get to see the  Toads working on your lunch, walking around the park on their ways to the castle and going about their lives. 

For Toadstool Cafe, as soon as you walk in, go to the Cafe's door and scan the QR and book a table.  If you don't book, they don't accommodate walk-ins.  It's easy and quick to do, especially when one of you scan, the rest of you go stand in line for the various challenges to earn keys.  

Yes, you go get the Power Up ands and then there are these challenges you line up to do.  Once you collected the keys you can go to another area to do this interactive challenge.  Pretty neat. 

Toadstool Cafe

inside Universal Studios Hollywood

in Super Nintendo World

https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/toadstool-cafe

 

Mel's Diner

When I was growing up, one of the iconic signs I remember seeing is Mel's Diner.

I've been once when I was a kid.

Going back as an adult is kinda strange.  The location is right by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so the building is a little worn.  But allegedly, Stars used to dined there, which gives that 'fame' factor.  I do know few of their locations were in movies too.

Parking was not friendly, but the breakfast is hardy.  I got a custom omelet, picked my own toppings: cheese, ham, and mushroom.  Came with a giant slap of hashbrown.  It came with toast too, but it was so much food that I declined. 

For the parking, the side lot charge, but the diner validate so you get a discount.  If it's less than an hour, it's $3.50.  Just bring cash for ease. 

We went to the Broad.  Which is an art museum downtown. 

Mainly modern and  contemporary art. 

Parking does cost, but the entry to the museum is free (unless it's a special ticket exhibit).  Something different to see and stay out of the heat.

Mel's Diner - Hollywood

1660 North Highland

Hollywood, CA 90028

323-465-3111

https://melsdrive-in.com/restaurant/mels-hollywood/

 

Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts

One of my MUST GO places in LA is the Original Farmers Market.  While I didn't exactly grow up in LA, I did live there for some time.  And one of the place of wonderment as a kid, is the Famers Market.  This is before the Grove attached next to it.

Since we got there early, not too many options were opened for breakfast.  Even though technically the market is open at 9am, the stalls each have their time.   

I got a good o' fashion Devil's Food donut.  It's my favorite of all time.  The good o' cake doughnuts, moist and fluffy.  Of course, having different shape doughnuts for kids is an added bonus.

The seating area is nice, if it's cool in the morning, there's heat lamp over the area to keep you warm.  Of course, a coffee can do that for you too.

Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts

6333 W. 3rd Street

Los Angeles, CA 90036

323-933-8929

https://farmersmarketla.com/merchants/bobs-coffee-and-doughnuts

 

Bruxie - Santa Monica

It's been a long long time since I've been to the 3rd Street Promenade in LA down by Santa Monica.

When I was younger, we come here for food and shopping.  But this time shops are dwindling, and more empty store fronts than not.

It was a relieve to see a decent shop that's open and available.   Ok, ok, I wanted to come here because of the giant words that said Waffle Fries. 

Wanting some greens, I got the chicken salad.  Now, I said green, not healthy, so I forgo the waffle fries and got the Buttermilk Fried Chicken salad.  It has bacon, avocado, egg, cheddar, chives and of course lots of chicken tenders and Ranch Dressing.  The buttermilk coated breading is definitely made the chicken not dry out, and the crunchy bits doesn't hurt.   As far as the salad goes, this is pretty feeling and not feel like a lazy salad.  I definitely overloaded on the yummy goodness. 

If you're coming here on a weekday for lunch, come early.  There's a high school nearby and kids do congregate here and since they have a short lunch period, it gets busy.   My tip to you. 

Bruxie

1412 3rd Street Promenade

Santa Monica, CA 

https://www.bruxie.com/location/bruxie-santa-monica/

 

Artelice Patisserie

Also in downtown Burbank, there's this sleek cafe that we walked by.  

So after dinner, we have to go back to get some treats!

You walked in and greeted with a very colorful lines of cakes.... so pretty!

Even the take-out box is very pretty.

I got the Chocolate Eclair & Blossom.

The chocolate eclair is rich, and has nuts drizzled on top.  The chocolate mousse inside is so light and fluffy, it's so yummy!

Inside Blossom it has vanilla mousse, red berries insert, pistachio crunch and a pistachio sponge cake at the bottom.  I know I didn't do a good job cutting it.  But all the mousse mix with flavors is very nice.  I really wish I had a cup of coffee (which they do sell) to go with it.

Since we went towards closing time, the guy offered a macaron for my kiddo, and I am so grateful they're so kind to him.  Of course, the kid gobbled up the Mac like nobody's business. 

Artelice Patisserie - Burbank

117 N. San Fernando Blvd

Burbank, CA 91502

818-588-4943

https://artelicela.com/

 

Granville - Burbank

This week, we'll be doing Los Angeles eats..... We went to Burbank, CA and this is what we ate.

In the cute downtown Burbank, we landed Granville.

I got a mocktail.  This is Elixir - which has Granny Smith apple, thyme and coriander, cucumber and lemon.  It might be a tad more zingy than I'd like, but it's a good relieve for a hot sunny LA day.

I got the Thai Ginger salad with tuna as protein.  That's silly since avocado is decent filling enough. It has soba noodles, mango chunks, tomato, peanuts, ginger bits, and Thai Sesame dressing.  They added seared tuna.  

You don't feel it, but the entire plate actually has alot of food.  The noodles are fillers, but every bite I get the dressing and it's not over powering the flavor of the food.  The entire dish is so 'California', the light flavors that comes together, and yet it's so feeling and crunchy veggies that comes together.  

Coming here is very easy.  You don't need other have a reservation and lots of people go shopping and stop in for lunch.  There's patio seating, as well as bar seating.  The place has so many tables, unless it's a busy day, you should not have trouble getting a seat.

Granville

121 N. San Fernando Blvd

Burbank, CA 91502

818-848-4726

https://www.granvillerestaurants.com/

 

ChiCha Sen Chen

So everyone was all, you must check out this bubble tea place.

The line is worth the 20 minute wait, they say. 

Lucky for me, I was able to pull up and the line was only out to the door. 

The decor is very zen and tea oriented.  

I got the orange osmanthus with boba.  The tea is smooth, the boba is just, well, boba.  I think I would've preferred the tea by itself better.  The tea is good, but not sure if it's Michelin Star good. 

I do like the atmosphere, the place is nice.  If you want to hang for an afternoon, this would be a good spot, especially after all the yummy food in the center this is located.   It's a good end of a meal.

Chi Cha Sen Chen

9750 Bellaire Blvd

Ste 180

Houston, TX 77036

713-684-7810

https://www.chichasanchentx.com/

 

Refresqueria

Went to the Refresqueria in the Village.

My favorite of all time is Aqua Fresca, cantaloupe is my favorite.  And look at how big that thing is.

They have ice cream and flavors that you don't get anywhere else.  

Also paletas, flavors that are pretty cool.  Wish I have more room for the goodies.  

Not to mention, they have fruit salad with chamoy, elote, nachos, and other yummy goodness.  Now, some people might think they are junk food, but if it's good food, I'm all good with that.

There are plenty of seatings there, so you can grab whatever and hang.  

Refresqueria

5407 Morningside

Houston, TX 77005

713-750-9873

https://www.refresqueria.net/rice-village 

 

Theodore Rex

Been meaning to go to TRex for a while, finally gotten a chance to go.

First off, they are are the Historic Warehouse district, which I did not know that's what we're calling that area now.  Parking can be challenge and if you can get a ride share there, do that.  If not, street parking is your only bet, so keep your eyes peeled.

Cute menu

They have non-alcoholic wine selection - and unapologetically calls it grape juice.

We shared the dumplings, it has beef, parmesan, ricotta and you see some olive oil drizzled.

The Yelpers were recommending the Melted Onion in buttermilk.  So it's interesting, it's onion but cooked to mush, topped with breadcrumbs and herbs.  There's so much buttermilk that it drowned out the onion flavors. 

This is one of my favorite for the night: this is tomato toast, literally tomato squished to mush and you spread on toast.  It's delicious, this one I would come back and order this again. 

We ordered the Crudo, that is also very good, worth getting again. 

This is Japanese turnip (kohlrabi), horseradish, white soy sauce and chive.

Redfish crusted with toast and it has honey & butter on there.  The sauce is puree green pea.  I'm not exactly a huge fan of green peas, but as a sauce, I'm ok with that.  

This is the chicken breast glazed in coconut with anchovy garlic chili sauce.  This is probably one of the more hyped but not delivering for me kinda dish.  It all sounded good, but it was not doing it for me in the flavor department.  

This is the warm strawberry buttercake, and the cream is cardamom flavored, it's pretty nice.  Would be nicer with a cup of coffee. 

This is a frozen dark chocolate mousse, this one was the winner for our table.  

It was kinda a bummer for me because I had high hopes coming here.  The reputation has always been great, which set a high bar for me.  Yet not every dish knock it out of the park for me. 

The place has like 10 tables at the house, so walking-up is not recommended.  Get a reservation ahead of time if you want to guarantee a time to dine close to when you want.   We did see that they have another 'room' maybe back of the house where they can do extra seatings but they seemed reluctant, but I won't count on that. 

Theodore Rex

1302 Nance St

Houston, TX 77002

832-830-8592

https://trexhouston.com/

 

Aga's Indian Food

Was at the Southside of town, and friend suggested Aga's.

By looking up only knew this is Indian cuisine and I'm game.  When I arrived, not realizing how big this place is.  I thought surly it's for the dinner crowd.  But lo and behold, by the time we sat down, the tables all started to fill.  And hardly any parking spots are left.  Wow!

First off, I got the Blue Lagoon as a blueberry + Topo Chico and syrup mocktail.  Nice and cute for a hot day.

I'm a fan of papadum, so ordered Papad.  Apparently, Southern Indian calls this Papadum, while Northerns called this Papad.  Either way, same thing: flat, round wafer that is spicy and crispy.  I used to eat loads and loads of these in my younger-spicy food consuming days.  But also don't remember it being this spicy.  So while it was good, I can only do this in small doses.

Then for the entree, I ordered Paneer Tiki Marsala.  At first, I thought I might be interested in the lamb or the beef, but the cheese was calling, so Paneer it is!  It came with naan, so I was happily dipping.  By the way, it's actually alot of curry.  I had to take it home, and made some rice to eat it for left over.  It's crazy good second day after the curry has a chance to seep. 

So coming here, if arrive early, you definitely can get a seat.  Don't wait till prime time is my advice.  Plus the parking lot fills up quick.  So early bird and all that.  When you sit down, they ask that you scan their QR and order from the online menu.  They are super quick, as soon as they enter your order on the device, food turns around and arrive.  So speed of service is awesome!  Totally prepare to take home leftovers, there's lot of food the price you pay.  No wonder so many families come here on the weekend.

Aga's Restaurant

11842 Wilcrest Dr

Houston, TX 77031

832-786-8000

https://www.agasrestaurant.com/