Cafe at the Play Space

For some down time, we drove out to Clearlake to let the little guy take out some energy.

There's a new place called the Play Space.  Naturally, by NASA, they played up the space theme.

Indoor playgrounds doesn't have to be all about the kids.  they can cater to the grown-ups too.

Here comes their cafe.  They have chips and quest, pretzel, hummus, tator tots.  Pizza by the slice or whole, house salad, cheeseburger, chicken tenders, chicken sandwich, and BLT.  Not all choices are bad here.

For kids, they have cheeseburger, chicken tenders, mini corn dogs, quesadilla, grilled cheese for $5 entree.  Sides for $2 they have tator tots, apple sauce, fruit cup, chips and salsa and yogurt pouch.  Dessert, they have ice cream sandwich, ice cream, candies.  For drinks they have the spiffy coke machine that are new and high tech with lots of variety.

Piece la resistance: they sell beer and wine.  Of course, do not get in the car with the littles after you have a drink.  Always get a DD especially if you have any kids with you.  But, in case you really can't stand the running around, screaming and bright lights, you can get an adult beverage and make the day more tolerable.  

We got slices of pizza, which is $3 each.  They immediate cook it there, since they have the rolling ovens on site.  And a drink.  Of course, they have candy galore for the kids, and also a popcorn machine in case you just need something to tie you over.

All that aside, they have lots of seating for grown-ups, some benches, some leather seats.  By the Cafe, there's also big screen TVs, not on kids channels, so you can catch up on your game, while your kid run around.  Beside the cafe, they have arcade games and you can get tickets for prizes.  They are really cheap so $10 goes a long way.  

Besides the kids area, they have a toddler area, and a baby area, in case their sibling is off playing and they're stuck.  Those areas are in the space amid all the space tunnels, so you can still keep an eye on the older kid if need be.

My favorite part of the place: right outside of the restroom area, they have sinks for hand washing and Lord knows, these places, you need to wash your hands constantly. They also have decent size party room, some can be partition off into smaller room, but you still get enough quiet to sing birthday songs and visit with your guests.

My tip, everyone should wear socks here.  They have ample shoe cubbies, so no worries there.  If not, for adults, they do have shoe covers.  Also, sign the waiver online before arrival.  It'll get your pay/check-in process, faster.

The Play Space
1020 W. NASA Pkwy
Ste 224
Webster, TX 77598

Dish Society

Been reading about Dish Society.  Been curious, so finally took the plunge.

I've actually driven by it a coupon of times.  I didn't realized it was embedded inside an apartment complex.  I had to check my map couple times since I drove past it.

Super awesome coffee.... it was so good that I got another one home.  Who cares I was wired all day, but it was tasty!

So good.... it even had a heart after I drank it.

I got the Brisket & Eggs.  They have Texas grass fed brisket, gouda grits, open range eggs.  I know those are very important buzz words for a lot of people.  But what's important to me is, does it taste good.  Well, the verdict is yes.  The Brisket was a tad spicier than my taste, but it was in a good way.  The grits was surprisingly good.  And I'm not a grits fan at all.  The gouda made it with a kick, and the part I like is that it's not dry at all.  I didn't have the biscuit just because the rest of the dish was plenty for me.  

Besides it was tucked in the apartment building, there are special parking spots for you.  So, once you found them, it is super convenient to get in.  They have very friendly staff, and the seats are super kids friendly.  Food, is delicious and you can tell that they care a lot about where their food came from.  You ask them, they can tell you the cow is from what farm in Texas, the almond flour is from Waco, TX.  The food execution is nice, so it's awesome that everything came together in one spot.  I definitely want to come back, especially for the coffee.

Dish Society

5740 San Felipe

Houston, TX 

832-538-1060

http://www.dishsociety.com 

Table 57

So, was looking for a kid friendly place and came across Table 57.

It is located inside a HEB and I'm kinda intrigue.  

There are seatings inside, but since it's nice outside, figured go sit outside too.  Plus, they occasionally have live music and they would have a stage for it.  They even have some nice seatings out there in front of the music too.  You can get arsenal beer, nice food and enjoy live music.

Got kids? This is perfect.  They have this play set outside at the patio.  So, if the food took a few minutes?  Not a problem, let your kids run around until the food gets here.  Of course, if they get picky and not want to eat the food, they can continue to go back and run around some more.

 Kid's Hot Dog - for $2.50, this is awesome for a kid.  The bun is really 2 slices of bread didn't get cut thru all the way.  It comes with a choice of fries, sweet potato fries, fruit or yogurt.

I got the chopped brisket sliders.  For $5, this is alot of food even for adults.  They smoke the meat in house, which they brag for 13 hours, and you can tell the sauce is awesome, the fat is just right.  I didn't lick any plates, don't worry.  But it was good.  Between the 2 of us, we didn't even spend $10.  I'd say this is a success that everyone is fed and it's yummy.  Not to mention, if you want, you can go back and do some grocery shopping too. 

The whole format is fast casual, you walk up, place your order, they bring you your food.  They do have a coffee bar for your fancy coffee.  On Sundays, they even have special Sunday Brunch menu too.   The manager was telling me that on Thursday, kids eats free.  You don't need anymore convincing.

Table 57

inside HEB on San Felipe & Fountainview

5895 San Felipe

Houston, TX 77057

713-978-5860

https://www.heb.com/static-page/Table-57-Dining-and-Drinks

Maryam's Cafe

Had dinner with another mom who was craving some adult conversation, while the kids are occupied.  Thru some moms group, we heard about Maryam's Cafe in the Heights and peaked her interest. 

I ordered the lemonade, didn't realized it looks like my Happy Hour drink.  No, no alcohol, because that part of Heights is dry.  Plus, it's not that type of place.  But does look very much like an alcohol beverage, doesn't it?

This is their Kid's meal.  Sorry, didn't realized it was upside down.  All kid's meals are $5.99, but look at how much food that is.  It was Turkey & Cheese and it came with chips, carrots, banana, and pineapples.  Talk about food for growing kids.  

For mine, I had Tuna Salad with gluten free bread.  As a matter of fact, all of the sandwiches, they can make gluten free, just let them know when you order.  As you can see, it came with a small side salad, pita chips and potato chips.  Tons of food.

Then comes the main attraction: the kid's area.  If you're familiar with the Heights, Maryam on 19th is occupying the space where Cricket's used to be.  Instead of the back party room which can host a big table for about 8, they knock that down and opened up the space for the owner's daughter.  To keep her occupied, she brought in toys and what nots.  So, it's really her daughter's play room.  Once customers realized there's a kid's area, it was a welcoming sight.  We heard that at first the owner's daughter was a tad apprehensive with people playing with her toys.  Now that she've grown accustomed to it, she is inviting other kids to play with her too.

That was good idea.  Despite the price for the sandwiches was a tad hard to swallow, it did provide entertainment for the kids and the adults were able to have a decent conversation.  The front is decorated elegantly, which was nothing mismatch like Cricket's was.  I wouldn't mind hosting a shower at the front room, with their pastry and coffee selection which are much more attractive than the entree's menu.  Kids had fun, we ate, we chatted and all went home happy.  I'd chalk that up as a success.

Maryam's Cafe

315 W. 19th Street

Houston, TX 77008

713-921-1111

http://maryamscafe.com/