Maison Pucha

Super awesome Moms Night Out... landed us at Maison Pucha.

Been hearing news about them, since the Sous Chef came from Phillippe, after all, he held down the fort very well after the owner Phillippe left the Uptown restaurant few years back.  Always want people to succeed in this difficult industry.

Amuse bouche - Pao De Queijo - Brazilian cheese bread.

Lobster Bisque - they do pour it in front of you, but where is the lobster???

I got the Duck Confit.  It's definitely different, it's a crispy fried duck, on top of potato slices with a side of frisee salad.  Amazingly, the duck was not dry, but also don't have a lot of taste.  I actually liked the sauce on the frisee salad, I actually finished the entire thing.

At least there was a redeeming round of dessert.  This is the coffee creme brûlée with 3 Madeleines.  The coffee brûlée was different, not something you get anywhere.  Mixed with the fruit, it is actually pretty good.  The madeleines are orange flavored, so you can mix your orange with your coffee.

We came without reservations, but since we were early, they were able to seat us.  But reservations are highly recommended.  The service was great, though our server charged us on an item that was never delivered, but no problem taking it off.   We did see table side steak tartare and that is a show to itself.  The place is impressive, but the food unfortunately was not living up to it.  I can only hope over time they find a level that live up to their reputation.

Maison Pucha

1001 Studewood

Suite A

Houston, TX 77008

713-637-4976

https://www.maisonpucha.com/

Biryani Pot Express

My friend and I were out in the boonies visiting a fellow mom friend.

Since we were both hungry, and I haven't had Indian for a long time, decided to stop in.

This is a unique store.  This is an Express, which they expect you to order to-go.  It is as a matter of fact in the back of a grocery store.  

I got the Masala Dosa.  This is a giant crepe, which is wider than the tray it comes in.  The crepe is made of soaked lentil.  Inside there's potato mix in there.  I forgot that they can be spicy, so needed my mango lassi to balance things out a bit.  They give you 3 dipping sauce. The red chutney sauce wasn't bad, the left one, I was hoping it'd be more curry-like, but it's not as thick as I'd hoped.  The last one, which I haven't figured out, was the best.

They have Biryani Pot all around town give them a try.

Biryani Pot Express

26440 FM 1093

Ste 470

Richmond, TX 77406

832-437-7057

http://www.biryanipotexpress.com

Bokksu review

I'm telling you, I am such a sucker when I see an ad for subscription boxes.

 I just have a weird fascination to see what they have in the new box and compare to what they had in the past.  

One in particular is the Kit Kat box from Japan.  Japan is known for having regional Kit Kat flavors, and if there's a box full of different Kit Kats, sign me up!  I'm not necessary a huge Kit Kat fan per se, but if there's a chance to try something we don't normally get, why not?

Talk is cheap, let's see what's inside!

Whoa, look at all these Kit Kats!  They are all snack size, or in US, party size.  Let's see what they have here.... The are Cranberry & Almond Kit Kat, Matcha (Green Tea) Double Berry & Almond, Dark Chocolate, Dark Matcha, Matcha, Strawberry, Matcha Leaves, Hojicha (roasted green tea), Amao Strawberry, and Purple Yam Kit Kat.  Every box also comes with tea for you to pair with your snack, this time is White Peach Tea, which goes well with milk and Kit Kat.  As a bonus, they have a bag of Heart Shaped Japanese Senbei (rice cake) spiced with Pepper.  

So, first look, I was very surprised by how many variation of Green Tea there are.  In this box alone, there are 4 types, not to mention one mixed in with the Berry & Almond.  I do like the Dark Chocolate, and grateful that they give you 2 of each, so you don't get bored with a big bag of the same flavor.  The Strawberry apparently is more tart than the Amao Strawberry, which is sweeter.  I have yet to try the Purple Yam at the time of the post, but happy to post about it later.

Basically, how they group their selection is that they have the Luxury Edition, which they have higher quality of ingredients.  Adult Edition (mind out of gutter), is less sweet and possibly more intense flavor which is not made with children in mind.  Limited Edition, which was what I was thinking that they are only available in specific region of Japan.  I do remember seeing various flavors at Narita Airport's gift shop.  That's a huge seller for them, since Kit Kat is a well known brand, so different flavors are such great novelty.  I do know in Tokyo they even have a Kit Kat Chocolatory, where you can select different flavors like a high end Chocolatier shops.  Definitely an experience.  For now, I'll order snacks from a subscription box.

Bokksu

https://www.bokksu.com

Agu Ramen

It's a rare occasion that I'm down on Westheimer for lunch.

Decided to stop at Agu, which I do occasionally dream about their broth.  Mmm...

Quick start - Iced Green tea.  The place is not big at all, some seating at the bar, couple of big tables and bunch of smaller tables and booth.

Appetizer: takoyaki.  I like theirs ok, not too much batter, and you do get some squid/calamari in there.  Sauce, is of course why we get it... is delicious.

I got the Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen - broth has been seeping for 24 hours, nice and tender pork, 60 degree egg, bamboo, scallions, some black sesame paste.  

I will say, the broth is the most layered and complex all across town.  The other one that tops it is the Agu Kotteri, which you can almost taste every hour they've put into the broth.  Noodle itself is nice, not too soggy, everything taste nicely together.  You don't feel like the pork was cooked separate from the broth where you can really taste the difference.

I will say, despite the place is small, they have enough tables to keep 2 servers and a bartender busy.  I was there for lunch, place wasn't seated fully but between getting my servers attention and wait for food, it did took an hour for one person.  Granted, I wasn't in a hurry that day, but since there's alot of offices around, I bet they do get crowded during lunch time.  So, time yourself accordingly.  

There are side parking on the side of the building, but there are additional parking at the back and next door.  Take advantage of that.

Agu Ramen Bistro

9310 Westheimer Rd

Houston, Tx 77063

713-588-6889

http://www.aguramen.com

Mkt Bar

Whenever we go to a show downtown, it's easier to grab some good at Mkt Bar.

Got a yummy and refreshing Sparkling Lemonade.  SO good....

I am totally addicted to their plantain chips.  It comes with mango salsa and chimichurri sauce.  Both good, or if you're not a dipping into sauce person, the chips by itself is pretty good too.

This is my Fish and Chips.  Fish is lightly battered, so you're not eating nothing but batter.  The cod is pretty fresh too, it all went very well together.  Instead of fries, they give you chickpea fries, which is not heavy and sink you in.  As you can see, they give you pretty big pieces and it will fill you up, but you don't feel like going to a nap afterwards.

For those of you who've never been, Mkt Bar is pretty casual.  But check in at the front in case that night is busy.  Typically you just seat yourself and the server comes and get you.  Otherwise, the rest of the process goes pretty smooth with service, food delivery and what not.

Mkt Bar

1001 Austin St

Houston, TX 77010

832-360-2222

http://mktbar.com

Eclair Paris

In Houston, you don't get a lot of casual French faire.

Newly opened Eclair is such a place.  They really do try to have a little French in the midst of the Medical Center.  No arrogant air to them whatsoever.  Don't get me wrong, doesn't mean that their decor or food are sloppy, just simply want to provide a nice cafe for all to enjoy.

I got the Eclair Eggs, which has 2 eggs (scrambled), Paris Ham and Swiss cheese, baguette and jam.  It is so ever European.

But since my kid is so opposite of European, we have to have hot cocoa and bacon... 

Funny story, my kid thinks chocolate milk, as in the cold ones.  The owner was so kind to make this pretty cup for him, but hot.  Kids are funny, I tell you.  Since it's warm chocolate milk, he won't drink it.  So, the owner was kind enough, again, to make another one with cooler temperature.  But since you cannot logic with a kid, we ended up with both  They really didn't have to do that, but they did, and while my kid doesn't appreciate it, I do appreciate servers and owners that goes the extra mile.

Eclair Paris

2278 W. Holcombe Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

832-623-7753

https://eclairparis.com

House of Pies

Some times you just need some 'junk' food.

My goal of coming here is pies, always.

BUT!  We still need to have some kind of 'proper' meal.  

Got the stuffed chili potato... kinda regret getting it because I forgot that their Chili's has beans.  Bleh!  The rest is fine, just beans... bleh!

Here comes the dessert!  Chocolate Banana Bavarian pie.  You get chocolate, yum!  You get banana, double yum.  And the awesome crust, what more do you want?!

Coming to eat dinner here is a very quiet diner feel.  The servers are energetic because they are still fresh for the shift.  They are more attentive and make sure we get what we want the way we want them.  (Minus the beans in the Chili since it's pre-made).  That said, service is still pretty darn good.

As usual, they have so many types of pies, you will have a hard time picking just one.  But make sure you share, that way you can have more!

House of Pies

3112 Kirby Drive

Houston, TX 77098

713-528-3816

http://www.houseofpies.com