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/

 

Elote & Papusa

Went to an Astro's game and needed to find dinner.

The last time I was here, I saw this place, and thought I needed to give it a try.

I got the Nachos deluxe.  

I got some decent seats.

It has obviously chips, brisket, pico, white cheese.  It was a pretty full meal.  

Of course, the cost reflects it too.  This is truly a meal to its own and given how much food it came with, being $20 is about right.  So you can imagine, add a drink, you got your $30 meal.

Elote & Papusa

inside Houston Daikin Park 

across from Section 124

https://www.mlb.com/astros/ballpark/information/concessions

 

Rita's Frozen Custard

For a hot day, we decided to stop by Rita's and get some treats. 

We grabbed a milkshake and...

frozen yogurt. They have hand scooped and frozen ones from a machine.  What I do like, though, is how rich the chocolate flavor is with the frozen custard. 

Besides frozen custard, they have shake, gelati, Italian Ice, blenders... so it's not just frozen custard.

It's cute, it's a walk-up and you can see the offerings they have.  You can also order online and then go to the pick-up window for pickup too.  You can definitely ride your bike up to the window and get a cool treat.

Rita's Frozen Custard

5429-A S.Braeswood Blvd

Houston, TX 77096

832-915-1567

https://www.ritasice.com/location/ritas-of-houston-meyerland-tx/

 

Lomichi TX

Mia's Goodies got rebranded as Lomichi TX.

Thank goodness that when they re-brand they kept the Mango Sago drink.  That is truly the best one in town.  The sago is made fresh, they throw in fresh diced mango in the mix.  The size is also larger.

They still sell mochi with different flavors.  They also have cream puffs, which they've always have that on the menu. 

Not to mention, now they started to sell different kinds of ice cream.

Since I was zero-ing in on the sago, I wasn't paying close attention to what offerings they have until I was about to go.  They seems to have done away with the savory offerings, but this works just fine. 

Lomichi HTX

inside Jusgo Supermarket

3412 Hwy 6

Ste N

Sugarland, TX 77479

https://www.lomichi.com/

 

Hong Kong Food Court

Word got on the street (or social media), that there's a new place.

It's a Hong Kong style place, and it's in the depth of Missouri City.

The inside looks wonderful, very hip, very up beat.  BUT! do pay attention to the sign at the door, they do ask that you grab a table before you place your order. 

You place your order on one of the three kiosks, or they do have a cashier station.  When you place the order, you have to grab a number for your table, so they can bring the food to you.

I got the Milk Tea, and you can taste how it was brew with stocking.  The tea is strong because it's a mix of several black tea.

Don't worry, they don't really use a stocking, but a cotton bag that looks like stocking.   

Of course I got the iced lemon tea too.  You can tell it's Ceylon tea, but not sweet enough. 

I got the Hong Kong Style French Toast.  The slab of butter was a bit much, so had to cut some of that off.

The inside of the toast has peanut butter, then soaked in egg batter, then fried.  You can melt the butter with maple syrup mixture and slather all around to make it more moist.  The bread should've been thicker, which is how it's served in Hong Kong's Cha Chaan Teng.  That is the perfect place where the mix of the English and the Chinese fusioned. 

For me, this place has great hype.  It's great decor, selling nostalgia.  Flavor however, did not deliver as most of us hoped.  Right now, it's popular because it's still new, and they are selling out on weekends.  Try for yourself, do go early though.  Hopefully, when everything started to operate to the norm, the true (and good) flavors comes through.

Hong Kong Food Court

4899 Hwy 6 

Ste 119F

Missouri City, TX 77459

832-987-1510

https://www.hongkongfoodcourt.com/

 

Earthcraft Juicery

Needed a bit of protein and bit of fruit.

I got the Victor's Secret - which has peanut butter, banana, blackberries, apples, maca, almond milk and date.  It's all blended into a yummy goodness.  

They also sold cold press juice which is good for cleanse.  Also granola, overnight oats, smoothies, coffee, açai bowls, different kinds of toasts and bagels.  They also have a few burrito too.

Earthcraft Juicery

2400 Mid Lane 

Ste 130

Houston, TX 77027

832-516-9050

https://earthcraftjuicery.com/