Silk Road

Here's the buzzy dim sum place inside the loop. 

And if you want to come here, be sure to make a reservation, even though they have tables, they may not have enough server. 

To start, I got the Lemongrass Pandan Butterfly Pea tea - it is lemony and herby.  But the second refill totally watered down. 

But it's so pretty, I will give it a pass.

First up: turnip cake - It came with a chili sauce.  I'm more of a soy sauce kinda person. 

Got the steamed pork bun - the bun texture is totally on point.  I love that texture so much that I excuse the fact that the pork inside is not the Chinese red BBQ pork. 

Then got the Har Gow - steam shrimp dumpling.  This is is a very clean crisp tasting dumpling.  Very delicious. 

Stuffed Tofu Skin - it's crispy and crunchy and the sauce is sweet.  The inside has shrimp and water chestnut.  That helped made the texture crunchy.  It's pretty light in texture but the sensation made up for the flavor. 

This is Crispy Shrimp Cheung Fun - Rice Noodle wrapped in crispy shrimp.  It is nice and crunchy.  And they pour the soy sauce for you, so it's not soaked in the pool of sauce for a while before it arrives to your table. 

Ham Sui Gok- fried glutinous rice with chicken, shrimp and mushroom.  It looked a tad over-cooked, but it tasted fine. 

Siu Mai with pork & shrimp.  Very straight forward, like the ones you get in Chinatown.

Baked BBQ pork bun - This is interesting.... the top is the Chinese Pineapple bun - with the cracky topping.  By no means are there any pineapple in the bun, but it's the look of it that looks like a slice of pineapple, and hence named.  

Here's another version of Siu Mai - this is still shrimp & pork inside, but topped with caviar. 

I will say, the quality of the ingredients are on the upper end.  That said, for stuff like Siu Mai - I really couldn't tell except the caviar.   But the texture of the 2 types of buns, and the different take on the classic dishes was a nice surprise.

So it is strange because the place is inside a Marriott location.  Imagine the space for breakfast, that's where they are.  But it delivered on the flavor.  You do need a reservation, we have seen people walking up and get turned away.  It's not that they don't have the table, sometimes they don't have the full menu on the offerings or not enough staff.  So be sure to make a reservation and there's plenty of parking.  Definitely worth checking out. 

Silk Road

2929 Westpark Drive

Houston, TX 77005

713-661-5669

https://silkroadhtx.com/

 

Hong Kong's Cafe

Since I had a mouth surgery I haven't been back to my old haunt. 

It's nice to come back to Hong Kong's Cafe.

I have to get Iced Lemon Tea, it's my 'must-get'. 

The other dish I get all the time: Beef Stir Fried Flat Rice Noodles.  I like it because it's full of flavors, not just the beef, the veggie, the flat rice noodle that absorbed it all.  It's also the wok heat that came with the dish.  That's part of the Cantonese 'cuisine', having that wok heat is part of the consideration. 

Is it nostalgia of what I remember in Hong Kong?  Not exactly.  But, I'm indiscriminate towards any decent food.  And there's something to be said about food that may not be the exact copy but it also reminds you of a sliver of what you grew up with.  That picture might be faint and faded, but the reminisce is in there somewhere and that's where the food helps prolong that memory or idea a little longer. 

Hong Kong's Cafe

9108 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

713-772-9633

 

Brio

Haven't been back to Brio literally in decades.

No real reason to avoid the place, just that Houston has so many options that I don't find myself there. 

I had the Grilled Chicken Ceasar salad.  The grilled was a tad more grilled, but I don't mind the parmesan and the fried onion.  

Nothing super spectacular about the salad, but it was the service that will have me coming back.  The server paid attention to our table, made sure our tea is filled, bread is enough.  He offer to box up our left over and without asking brought us our tea to go.  I just really was impressed because there was a lunch crowd all around us, and he has several tables; yet, we felt taken care of despite his tables are loaded.  And trust me, we were grateful and tipped accordingly.

Brio

12808 Queensbury Ln

Houston, TX 77024

713-973-9610

https://www.brioitalian.com/locations/city-centre/

 

51Fifteen

Haven't been to 51fifteen in a long time since I don't work in the area anymore.

It has been so long that we got lost trying to find it.

I got the Garden 108 which has cucumber, fresh lime juice, ginger syrup and tonic.  It has bits of chili around the rim of the glass.

Lunch is finally here!

This is the Sesame Ahi Tuna salad.  The cabbage, carrots, daikon, cucumber, tomato, mix greens, and crispy noodle. I can do without the crispy noodles, but the rest of the salad is not bad.  The dressing is citrus sesame dressing.  Since the tuna is heavily sesame crested, the citrus stands out. 

Typically, if you are to come here during the weekend brunch, a reservation is highly recommended.  But for weekday, you can get a table reasonably easy.  Don't forget there's live piano to accompany lunch.  He's super friendly, and he'll come to your table and ask what you want to listen to.  So bring a few bucks for tips. 

51Fifteen

inside Saks Fifth Ave

5175 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77056

713-963-8067

https://51fifteen.com/

 

Mia's Table

Weekend lunch at Mia's are the best.

I got the Pull Pork Sandwich.  I love their barbecue sauce.  It does get messy, but it's tasty, I'll give it a pass.  The fries are sweet potato fries, which I love to get when I can. 

What I like about that location is that there's plenty of seating outside and shaded.  Which at this time of year, is appreciated. The middle has some seats and the kids can run around, which is great.  You can get them free ice cream inside, and then let them run around after.

Mia's Table

1035 Gessner Rd

Houston, TX 77055

281-857-6939

https://miastable.com/

 

Harry's Restaurant

Went back to Harry's for breakfast.

and yes, first thing in the morning, I stay hydrated with water, juice, and coffee.

I got my Migas + bacon, because the dish doesn't have meat.  So I cut it up and mix it all in there.  There's 3 eggs in there, tortilla chips, tomato, lettuce, onion, and green salsa.  Seeing there's no meat, my bacon add was a good mix!

The key about coming to Harry's is come around 9 before 10am.  There's more parking, easier to get a table, also food comes out faster.  If the lot is full, park around the street, they do have decent amount of space and easy to grab a spot.  Just pay attention of the surroundings. 

Harry's Restaurant

318 Tuam

Houston, TX 77006

713-528-0198

https://harryshtx.com/

 

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/