Candelari

For Sunday quickie, we went to Candelari's.  

We got Margherita, it's not as good as I'd hope.  I'm used to having the mozzarella but this seemed to be a case of cheese overload.  They lined the bottom with regular mozzarella and then little balls of them on top with the tomato.  You just bite into it, and felt like you had 2 different kinds of cheese, when in fact it's just cheese on top of cheese.  Some people might not think that's a bad thing, but it just tasted off for some reason.

We got the Hawaiian, the meat is thicker this time, and the pineapple is sweeter too.  We finished this one with no problem.

Both are gluten free dough and remember that they do charge a couple dollars more for the gluten free dough.  The best time to go is still on the off time, you get seated quickly and service is fast.  It's nice and you get in and out, especially when you have a toddler that's running around.

Candelari's

2617 Holcomb 

Houston, TX 

713-662-2825

http://www.candelaris.com/west-u-menu.html

51Fifteen

Went back to 51Fifteen for lunch with some co-workers.

This is the associate feature special.  It is the chicken burrito with beans and rice.  The top has guacamole, pico, and sour cream.  That is plenty in sauce, you don't need more than that to keep your burrito moist.  I cut away the ends because there were nothing but extra tortilla, the middle however, is just fine the way I like it.  Even portion of tortilla, meat, and sauce.  If you want to try it, go soon, because this is a temporary special. 

Don't forget, you get this when you sit at the bar area.  The deal is still $13 includes entree and a drink.  If you want bread or substitute anything there's a surcharge.  That said, your tip is included.  So, that's nice.

51Fifteen

insides Saks Fifth Avenue

5115 Westheimer Rd.

Houston, TX 77056

http://51fifteen.com/   

Confucius Seafood Restaurant

For Mother's Day, I took my mom to have some Lobsters.

 Had long heard about this place that has good deal on lobster had to find out for ourselves.

 Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, great sauce.  But have to remember not to fill up until the main event.

 Mixed Vegetable with vermicelli in clay pot.  They have tofu, lotus slice, green beans, celery, the soup is a clear broth. It's a good balance for the Sweet and Sour Pork.

Here's the main event: 2 lobster with stir fried noodles.  It has a base of a garlic sauce with scallion and ginger.  Very tasty.  Totally worth coming.

Truth be told, we had done some research before going.  And found out from different yelpers that you need to order 2 dishes in order to get the 'special'.  And that is, 2 lobsters for $20.  For additional $6, you can add the noodle to go with it.  Otherwise, without the 2 other dish, you'll be paying market price, which no one can tell you that, it's about as silly as the stock market.  We also ask the waitstaff for clarification as well, and even the staff does say that they often have people dispute the tab.  So, best ask before they put the order in.  The table next to us, was a lady by herself and she obviously knew of the deal.  She say there ordered the other dishes but did not even touch it, she was just working on the lobster dish alone.  

We also went a few minutes after they open for an early lunch.  Glad that we did.  We were seated immediately and our order arrived quickly.  Not but a few minutes later, there's a line beginning to form to wait for tables.  And since it was Mother's Day weekend, there were lots of celebrations in the house.  But apparently, that's a normal occurrence, so arrive early.  

Confucius Seafood Restaurant

8880 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

713-271-6888

Hong Kong's Cafe

For my 'usual' breakfast, headed back to Hong Kong's Cafe.

Let's start with the Iced Lemon Tea, Hong Kong style.

Got the mustard green with noodles.

Main entree: eggs sunny side up, spam, and toast... suppose you can make your own sandwich here.

I love that it's $5.65 and you get that much food.  Don't forget to bring cash.  They serve breakfast from 10 - 11:30a, they are closed on Tuesdays.

Hong Kong's Cafe

9108 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 

713-772-9633

Auntie Chang's Dumpling House

It's been a while since we've been to Auntie Chang's.

 Early dinner is the easiest to get a table...

 Pan Fried Pork Dumpling... it was a bit chewy. 

 Broccoli with chestnut, cabbage and garlic sauce.  It was a decent and I like their sauce.

Twice cooked pork, which I felt they were cheating a bit.  The twice cooked pork I remember was that they cook the pork till it falls off.  This way was char siu, honey roasted pork then cooked again in their sauce.  While that is technically twice cooked, it was not what I expected.  I will say that the sauce was good with rice, toddler approve!

Auntie Chang's Dumpling House

2621 S. Shepherd Dr.

# 290

Houston, TX 77098

713-524-8410

http://auntiechangs.com/

Del Frisco's

One of my co-workers invited me to go lunch with them.  So to Del Frisco's we go!

So, I didn't realized I basically ordered the same lunch as I was there last time.  I got the mock Turtle Soup.  It was hilarious, because one of my co-workers thought it was really cooked with turtle.  It may have been in the past but since it's not consistent they have since used beef.

I got the filet medallion.  I forgot how yummy they taste.  The medallion is the perfect size for lunch, not too heavy where you don't want to go back to work.  I didn't finish the potato, but it was delicious with the sauce.   

The business lunch also comes with dessert of either cheesecake or chocolate mousse.  I did a to-go on the dessert, otherwise, I would've needed a nap before being useful again.  That said, I tasted it after, I think they finally smarten up because the last time I had the dessert to go, they were giving us a huge to-go box which holds at least 2 servings.  This time it's a small one which is the correct portion.  Sadly, the taste wasn't as good as it was.  Before it was much more chocolatey, this time, it has too much milk, so it's more milky than chocolatey.  The price is $29, which is awesome for the set.

Del Frisco's

5061 Westheimer Rd.

Ste 8060

Houston, TX 77056

713-355-2600

http://delfriscos.com/steakhouse/houston/menus

Ding Ding

Went back to Ding Ding for brunch.  New habits for this creature.

Got iced Ying Yang, which is Milk Tea + Iced Coffee.  I found it a little on the bitter side, wish it was a tad sweeter, maybe I will request that next time.

I got the Cheung Fun - which this time I got smarter and got sweet sauce and sesame.  It would've been good if they put a tad more soy sauce.

I got the set, which I picked noodles with 2 proteins.  The noodles are ramen noodles at the bottom, then there's eggs and lunch meat.  I wish the noodles has a little more flavor.  The proteins didn't offer that.  So, it's a bit more bland than my liking.  The eggs are a tad soggy this way.  I guess I was hoping it was on a separate plate.  It's all mushy... I put it on a plate as soon as I took the picture.

I think next time I'll go off the set menu and order the individual dishes, that seems to work out better for my mom instead of doing these sets.  Just as valuable, yes you save a few bucks on the lunch or breakfast sets, but at least you get to see what else they are good at.  Luckily, they're open at 7:30a, closing at 9pm.  Go to their Facebook for menu if you want to study up before you go.

Ding Ding

9398 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX

832-649-2230

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ding-Ding/1405400513098715