Fadi's

Gosh, it's been so long since I've been back to Fadi's.  

They are truly a Houston Institution.  They have food that's is healthy and fitting to almost all diets.  

You have all sorts of veggies, dips and meats.

Talk about vegetables made in various style that gives you flavors from all sides.  YUM!

Ok, ok.  My eyes were bigger than my stomach that say, I had to take some of that home.  I got a side of Dolma, they were a tad more lemony and zingy that I like.  I think when it comes to those I like either Chatter's or Niko Niko's.  Then for my main dish, I had lamb, they are so delicious and so beautifully made where you stick a fork in it and the meat just literally falls off the bone.  Then, some tabouli, some potato salad, and cabbage roll.  Like I said, my eyes were bigger than my stomach because what's not pictured was a mango lassi, which also very filling.  Had to take food home.  The cabbage roll has meat and couscous inside.  I mostly like the sauce it comes with, but I was already very full, just had to stop myself.

I haven't been back since they've renovated.  I would've liked it how they had the flow before.  Granted, they have more kitchen space now, as well as more food choices to provide customers, but the flow to the line was awkward, you may be extended to one part of the dining room, which is practically on top of someone's table.  Then the dining area across from the food line has this awkward columns ideally for you to have some semi-private feel, but it's taken up more room than it's worth.  The main dining room tried to squeezed in as many tables as possible, you have to be very careful with your trays so you won't have your food land on someone else's head.  Basically the lay out was awkward.  Food still good, maybe another location?

Fadi's Mediterranean Grill 

Meyerland

4738 Beechnut St

Houston, TX 77096

713-666-4644

http://www.fadismeyerland.com/  

Tommy's Clear Lake

Had another desktop lunch at Tommy's Clear Lake.

Got the Crab Stuffed Mushroom.  Sounded great, but it's very hot on the mushroom caps... Keep that in mind.  Burnt my tongue.

I got the Baked Potato Soup.  Forgot to tell them to skim the sour cream, the soup was thick but not as thick as I like them to be.  They do have good, legit chunks of bacon.  By the time I finished that and the mushrooms, I felt like I ate a lot of calories and needed to be wheeled out.  Sad thing was that it was not as filling as I was hoping for.  Should've gotten a salad.

Tommy's Restaurant & Oyster Bar

2555 Bay Area Blvd

Houston, TX 77058

281-480-2221

http://tommys.com/

Flo Paris

My friend who's now out of town now, was recommending Flo Paris.  I had seen it on Yelp, but never had a chance to go check it out.  Since she suggested it, it gave me a perfect excuse.

Situated in the corner of the shopping center on Wertheimer & Bering.  You can't really miss it.

Inside the decor reminds you to be very French.  From the mini market of all sorts of goodies ranged from olive oil to jam, to pasta, to coffee, to canned goods from France.

Of course, you have to walk past this beautiful display of bread, croissants, they have many kinds to choose from.  Wow!

Not to mention the lovely desserts all lined up row by row.  If you can't taste it all, your eye can feast on them all they want.  All the bread and dessert are made in house.

Order a Cappuccino, you really feel like you did it at the coffee bar in France.  The only thing is missing is cigarette smoke and sitting outside to people watch.

My friend got the Nutella & Strawberry.  It looked good.

I got the Strawberry Jam & Banana.  It was a tad sweeter than I like. I felt like going straight to sugar coma without passing Go or collecting the $200.  Doesn't mean it's not good, just my poor choice.  I think next time, I'll stick with what I know works instead of trying something I didn't know how it'll turn out.  Thought I was being adventurous.  

It was kinda sweet, the entire place is ran by the family.  From the chef, to cashier, to runner, all are family members.  On our way out, we got some pastries to go, and our guy was so nice to even suggest to put it in the oven for a little to warm it up to get the optimal taste.  That's just so nice!  C'est si bon.  

Flo Paris

5757 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX

713-706-4442

http://www.floparisbakery.com

Oyster Tour - Willie G's Happy Hour

We were having happy hour at Willie G's.  I love sitting at the bar, because the bartender can always tell you what they've got better than anyone else.  I had the hankering for oyster, but  never had much knowledge about oysters, until my colleague took me on an Oyster tour.

Normally for Happy Hour, they have 1/2 dozen of Gulf Oysters for $6.  That's $1 per oyster.  My colleague was like: promise me you will never eat Gulf Oyster.  Well... what else is there?  Like I said, I'm not an educated oyster consumer.  Next thing I know, the bartender gave us an Oyster menu. Who knew that there was an Oyster menu?!  Basically, it is alphabetical but the most expensive one was the Blue Point.  Of course, check the board of market price and availability.

So clockwise, the upper right quadrant is Blue Point, then Malpeque, then Pleasant Bay, then Summerside.  You can see even the shell is cleaner and whiter.  Wow, that I've truly have never seen.  They are less 'sandy' tasting.  All have their distinct tastes and texture.  Of course, I was secretly hoping to find a pearl.  Anyway, both Blue Point & Summerside are supposed to be medium flavor.  Malpeque is briny and Pleasant Bay is moderately briny.  I loved the Pleasant Bay, the taste and flavor was a perfect match.  

If you get a chance, I highly recommend sitting at the oyster bar and check out the oyster offerings.  Not pictured: all the fries and shrimps that we featured last time.  Take advantage of their Happy Hour Menu.

Willie G's

1605 Post Oak Blvd

Houston, TX 77056

713-840-7190

http://www.williegs.com/

North Italia

Had a work lunch to go to, and we love going to those...

I got to pick this time, and I picked North Italia.

Yummy Zucca Chips!  Thinly sliced Zucchini Chips... I can eat this all day!!!  It's healthy right?!

I split a salad and a pizza with a coworker.  So we got the Ceasar, I love how they have so much cheese on top of my salad, exactly how I like them!

We also go the Proscuitto Pizza, you obviously got the proscuitto meat, fig, topped with goat cheese & arugula, which the latter two were not baked into the pizza.  It does make it a bit messy, but each bit was delicious.  Highly recommend it.

I love how they have at least 2 server per table.  They have a main server and one person to make sure your drinks are filled and when the food is ready they run the food to you too.  So, you're never waiting too long, especially lunch time when they are packed all the time.   If you are in a rush, valet, they are pretty fast.  But if you have time, you can just drive past the entrance of the restaurant a bit, there's a small drive way to the garage.  They share the same garage as Peska & True Food.

North Italia

1700 Post Oak Blvd

Houston, TX 77056

281-605-4030

http://www.northitaliarestaurant.com/

Sushi Wabi

Was in need of some sushi break.  Stopped in at Sushi Wabi.

Fuji Volcano.  It is a crab roll with avocado, with masago on the outside of the roll.  Topped with shrimp and scallop.

On the outside are these colorful sauces, the outer 2 are sweet, the inner one is a spicy mayo.  This pic you can't see it very well, but they lit it up before bringing it, which does make it look like a volcano.  But as you can see, it's a tad burnt, for that reason.

I got the Yakisoba, aka fried noodles with beef and vegetable.  It looked good, but it was missing the taste.  The coloring looks great on the entire dish, but for some reason, it was missing some salt.  I probably will stick with sushi next round.  

Their service is great, always attentive even when they look like they're busy, they still come by to check and make sure I was doing good and made sure my iced tea is filled.  I'd go back for the sushi.

Sushi Wabi

3953 Richmond Ave

Houston, TX 77027

713-623-1818

http://www.sushiwabihouston.com/

Borgo Food Station

Been driving by Borgo Food Station almost daily, and was excitingly anticipate their opening.

In talking to one of the owners, he said the the word Borgo means that back in the olden days in Europe, each town that is surrounded by the city walls and that is called a Borgo.  So Borgo Food station really means, in this part of town and it's food provider.

You have a variety of prepared foods here, for lunch or dinner, you're all set here.  They have pasta, big dishes, beef, chicken, fish... etc.

They are literally a true grab and go.  I just love their mason jars of meatballs.  Gotta try that some time.  

For breakfast, they have breakfast croissants or ciabatta, muffins and palmiers.  

My Favorite: Aguita.  They have different kinds of infused water.  This is strawberry with basil.  Super refreshing!

I just love how everything is made in house.  You can tell there's a lot of heart went in to the place.  As Luis to make you a cappuccino, he loves to use the espresso machine and always asking if you want coffee.  At the beginning, there were some staff training issues, but as everything slowly coming together, I see that they definitely be a great stop for quick, good, quality food.  

Borgo Food Station

3641 W. Alabama

Houston, TX 77027

832-940-2125

http://www.borgofoodstation.com