Dutch Bros

It was serendipitous that I drove past Dutch Bros. 

There aren't a whole lot of those inside the Loop, so it's like seeing a unicorn out in the dessert. 

I got the Kicker - which has espresso, Irish Creme syrup and breve (which is usually half n' half steamed), but I'm trying to cut calories, so I did a milk alternative.  

The coffee is not bad, and not too sweet, which is just how I like it.  If you drive by, you see a line around the building and 2 drive-thru lane.  But you can definitely walk up.  Their staff are super friendly even when their hands are full with making drinks.  That is always appreciated. 

Dutch Bros

20720 Gulf Fwy

Webster, TX 77598

https://www.dutchbros.com/locations/tx/webster/20720-gulf-freeway

 

Kura Sushi

There are days where you just want to have some conveyor sushi.

Yes, I know quality is different, but like junk food, sometimes you just want some.

Once we sat down, we immediately grabbed a few plates.  We got sesame balls, Philadelphia Roll (which I don't really care for the cream cheese),  Snow Crab California Roll, and Umami Oil Beef (it wasn't as good as I remember it from before).

Got the Garlic Slipjack Tuna - it's actually pretty delicious. 

Umami Oil Hokkaido Octopus - The flavor is good, the mix of the texture surprised me, I don't hate it but not sure how I feel about it. 

And I got the Jalapeño Yuzu Tuna, that's a must.

This trip was interesting.  There's some that are good, but some that are missed.  And let me bust your bubble, unless it's something fried or soup noodles, if you order sushi dish, they are not made to order.  They are probably pre-made by the staff in the back as they prepare each flavor to be put on the conveyor.  I will admit, it's fun to order and then have them zip it to your table. 

Kura Sushi

11161 Westheimer 

Ste B

Houston, TX 77042

832-767-5208

https://kurasushi.com/locations/houston-tx-westchase

 

88 Dumpling House

Saw this place on IG and not realized how close it is to me. 

I immediately grabbed my dumpling loving friends to come with me. 

I really love the mini pan fried pork bun, I really like these even on the regular size.  But if it's bite size I'm here for it.  It's meaty, the bun skin is nice and solid, and the bottom is nicely fried and crispy.  So good. 

And we got the Chicken Sautéed Noodles - it does have tons of flavors, large bits of chicken, lots of veggie.  Don't think the bowl is small, there's actually alot of noodles in that box.  Luckily, they have lids for you and ready for take home.

It's kinda interesting, you walk in, and you place an order on the kiosk and pay there.  Then, you grab a number and sit down.  The staff will bring you the food as they are out.  They have a counter for sauces, water, and extra utensils, but everyone is very friendly. 

88 Dumpling House

8017 Main Street

#400

Houston, TX 77025

346-718-2881

https://88dumplinghouse.com/

 

Dessert Gallery

I had a craving for some sweet, and since I was nearby, I just pulled over. 

As much as a sweet tooth that I am, I don't actually come here very often.  Maybe once every 2-3 years.  Not that they don't do a good job, just that we're in Houston, and there's so many offerings that you can try them all and still not finish trying them all. 

But there are times you just want a good o' slice of tiramisu.  So I came here just to get my mission done.  Their tiramisu has mascarpone but also have chocolate chips.  At first, I was thinking it was espresso beans, but after a few bites realized those are chocolates.  No complaints here.  My measurement usually is if it's dry or not, and I'm happy to say, they are just right.  So thank you for sating my craving.

Dessert Gallery

3600 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77098

713-522-9999

https://dessertgallery.com/pages/houston-cafe-bakery

 

Perry's Steakhouse

Super lucky that my boss' boss took us out to lunch. 

He picked Perry's Steakhouse and there's no complaint from me. 

I got the Prime Rib, its 10oz prime rib came on the cast iron skillet.  It came with butter at the bottom and steak sauce.  The side for the dish is a bit of fries.   Honestly, you don't think 10 oz is alot but it is very filling.  Don't get me wrong, I make no complaint because I saved the rest for a home made salad and it was great!

For this location, they do have valet parking, but holiday seasons made the whole process a bit chaotic.  Which also means if you intend on going, a reservation is always a great idea.  We got a lunch reservation and the line was out the door and the whole place was packed.  

That said, service was still good, not impacted by the full house, and the kitchen is keeping up great.  Which for holiday diners, we are grateful. 

Perry's Steakhouse

2115 Town Square Place

Sugar Land, TX 77479

https://perryssteakhouse.com/locations/tx/houston/sugar-land/

 

La Madeline

Went to catch up with a friend and we both decided La Madeline, since it has been forever since we've been there.

I got a Strawberry Bacon Spinach Salad with chicken.  Don't underestimate the plate, there's actually a lot of food.  So spinach salad as a base, it has strawberries, feta, bacon, and pecan with added chicken. 

It's definitely filling.  I had originally wanted to do a combo, but even though that's a great deal, there was just so much food.  

Just throwing a holiday photo just to share what I've seen around town. 

La Madeline

770 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N

Ste 100

Houston, TX 77024

https://lamadeleine.com/locations/houston-town-country

 

Phat Eatery - Woodlands

This is my first time to Phat Eatery in the Woodlands.

This location is great, though hidden, there's ample parking space.

I got the Malaysian Milk Tea, which has a kick of caffeine in the drink.

So happy to see the food arrived.

First of, we got Roti and you dip with the curry.  Don't be fooled, that roti looked like it's balled up, but when you unfold it it is huge and fluffy. 

Then the 'must get' of Hainanese Chicken.  Not only do the debone the chicken, the soy sauce was nice and soaked.  But the yummy part are the sauces that comes with.  There's more soy sauce, hot sauce and my favorite ginger.  And of course it came with the rice, which is cooked in chicken broth. 

This is the Char Kway Teow - there's enough wok taste to the dish.  This is flat rice noodles, shrimp, calamari, Chinese sausage, smokey soy sauce, egg, bean sprouts and chive.

It is so good, that I ate it next day and it was still great!

I love their interior decor, they have the street food signs, very cool, but has their food offerings on there.  Super Kitch.

So you don't have to make a reservation on a weekday, but on the weekend, I think you should.  They even have happy hour offering from 5-7p.  But even then there are plenty of seatings inside, but there's an extra bunch of seatings on the outer part of the shop too.  Definitely worth checking out. 

Phat Eatery

2290 Buckthrone Pl

The Woodlands, TX 77380

832-562-3775

https://www.phateatery.com/thewoodlandsmenu

 

Del Frisco's Grille

Went to business lunch at Del Frisco. 

Got me an Arnold Palmer to start.

Got a Steakhouse Salad - it has filet mignon, 2 deviled eggs, bites of avocado, tomato, bacon, blue cheese chunks over a bed of lettuce and horseradish dressing.  

The steak was medium and the horseradish was match to perfection.  Add the bacon bites and blue cheese, it's a wonderful bite.  Literally cleaned the plate on that salad. 

The outside is so pretty, definitely worth hanging out by the lake. 

I will say that as much as a fancy place this is, the service was not great.  We sat down for more than 5 minutes before water came to the table.  And by the way, our party has 6 people but table for 4 got served first and fast.  It was really odd.  

Then, our server offed to boxed up our food, yet the person helping the server totally cleared the plates and our friend missed out on her part of the steak.  That was awkward and no attention was paid.  I will say for service at an established brand like this, it was surprising.

Del Fisco's Grille

1900 Hughes Landing Blvd

#500

The Woodlands, TX 77380

281-465-0300

https://www.delfriscosgrille.com/location/del-friscos-grille-the-woodlands-tx/

 

Ninfa's

Came back to Ninfa's for Happy Hour. 

They now have zero proof agave tequila for any mocktails. And I can have a decent margarita that's not filled with (too much) sugar. 

Catering is so fun, you get so much on display.  You got your guac, pico, salsa, sour cream.

Two kinds of flautas - beef and chicken.  YUM!

Empanadas which has Spinach & Cheese, Chicken, or Beef. It comes with an avocado verde salsa.  It's lighter texture than the guacamole. 

Then rows and rows of quesadillas - there's mushroom and cheese, chicken, and beef.  

Not pictured: grilled shrimp and bacon wrapped shrimps.  Both are delicious.  Of course a giant vat of queso for all your yummy cheesiness needs.  No one is complaining about that. 

Since it was a private party, the service is super good, our staff totally gets the mission and took care of 20+ of us, and we all had a great time!

Parking is super convenient, the garage 2nd floor's escalator take. you straight to the front door of Ninfa's.  Plenty of parking even after work.  Definitely a fun place for happy hour. 

Ninfa's Uptown

1700 Post Oak Blvd

Houston, Tx 77056

https://ninfas.com/

 

Nori Nori Omakase

Been hearing an All You Can Eat Omakase and highly curious.

The shop is tucked in a corner shopping center. 

I got the Hibiscus Tea - it has hibiscus, passionfruit, citrus and tonic, which is not too sweet but has enough flavor. 

This is Amaebi Tai Chanh - which has spring mix, pineapple anchovy, lemon, shallot, shrimp chips to go with the flavors. 

This is oysters from PEI, Namjim (Thai spicy sauce) & Ikura (caviar) on one and ponzu & toro in the other.  Small, clean and fresh.

Ankimo - spicy ponzu sauce, masago (smelt) and negi (scallion)

Scallop Crudo - it has cucumber, leeks, puffed rice, and golden berry vinaigrette.  Light texture, not super empowering. 

This is Uni Chirashi - small bed of rice at the bottom, Hokaiddo uni, covered up by Ikura's on top. 

Toro (sushi - fatty tuna)

Fatty torów ich fried shallot to give it the crunch. 

Spicy Hokkaido scallop handroll

Salmon nigiri

This is Japanese barracuda - it wasn't marinated very well, but it was cooked well. 

Scallop nigiri with foie gras on top, which brought out the flavors over all. 

Chawamushi (egg custard) with foie gras, caviar, and chive

Yellowtail with apple slices in the roll

Spicy Tuna with pickled diakon handrail.

Uni from Hokkaido - pretty smooth going down.

Chu Toro- it melts in your mouth good.

Saba- which is mackerel with lemon on top. 

Madai with Japanese seaweed - the seaweed brought ou the saltiness of it all. 

Kanpachi (amberjack) with chive nigiri - pretty yummy.

It's funny because the menu listed 15 items, but since it's all you can eat up to 90 mins.  It's either you tap out or if you stay the full 90, they keep making stuff.  Which is very different than the other omakase, which typically save that time for when you want to order what you enjoyed most during the course.  But no complaints here, we really enjoyed the courses, the staff were super friendly.  Both our servers and the chefs that brought our food out each course. 

Reservation is highly recommended, simply because they do have seatings for 14 people each seating.  Staff is friendly.  The parking is small especially during dinner time.  Just have to keep an eye peeled.  

Nori Nori 

9938 Bellaire Blvd

Ste G

Houston, TX 77036

281-888-5302

https://www.norinorihtx.com/