Red Circle Ice Cream

Dessert time!  Been meaning to try Red Circle since my friends been posting on Instagram.

Finally got a chance to see it for myself.

Wasn't quite in the mood for ice cream, so went for Churros instead.  This is a few rare places that just do Churros.  And after my trip to Cali, I get Churros wherever I can get them.  

Churros has different categories here, they are Cinnamon Sugar Churros, Glazed Churros (which is what I got), or Frozen Churros (which is Churros plus ice cream).  Since I just had dinner, Glazed Churros is what I got and this is Cookies n' Cream, which is chocolate glaze with Oreo cookie crumbs.  It came out nice and warm, and totally worth getting.

They are not wrong about this, Churros, Ice Cream = Happy.  Definitely will save some room for dessert next time and get a combo of ice cream and churros or ice cream with puff waffles (aka Hong Kong waffles).

Staff here are super friendly.  They know that they're new and happy to explain what they have to offer, let us taste different ice cream and explain how everything works there.  They even have a Churros Sampler, in case you can't make up your mind.  The seating area has lots of small tables to accommodate different size parties.  Frankly, since it's dessert, the turn around time is quick, if any at all.

Red Circle Ice Cream

6838 Ranchester Dr

Houston, TX 77036

832-767-5679

Hong Kong Food Street

Haven't been back to Hong Kong Food Street a while, decided to stop by for lunch.

Start with some Jasmine tea.

This is Snow Pea Leaf with garlic stir fry.  One of my favorite as a kid and the flavor goes with rice super well.  Yum.

This is another memory lane favorite: Preserved Vegetables with Fatty Pork.  So, they really mush all the veggies and it is layered at the bottom of the pork.  The veggies are mostly mustard greens and the preserved is really dried and fermented.  The pork is super fatty but the dark color is really from the various soy sauce(s) to create that color.  Traditionally, you steam the pork with the various soy sauce and seasoning mix, then you fry it skin down to get that effect.  I will say, you just put your chopstick into the meat and it fell apart.  To me, that's the best thing ever.

The entire meal is really a walk down of memory lane for me.  Or rather, a meal of comfort food.  Is it bad for me, probably, but for a few minutes to enjoy and remember my childhood, it's quite worth it.  Though, I know this place isn't serving any authentic Hong Kong food, but for being where I am, this is the closest that I can find and I enjoy every single minute of it.

Hong Kong Food Street

9750 Bellaire Blvd

#100

Houston, TX 77036

713-981-9888
http://www.hongkong-foodstreet.com

Rodeo snack

Went to the Rodeo, and inevitably, we'll end up eating something even though we have no intention to do so. 

I was already being good, staying away from Fried Oreo, Fried whatever they can put in the fryer.  But it is lunch time... unfortunately for me, I picked a Friday to go to Rodeo during Lent, so no meat for me, in the land of nothing but meat, meat, and more meat.  Luckily, the Polonia booth saved me.  

I got the Pierogi with Kraut and Mushroom.  It was simply delicious, which was to my surprise.  Last time I had Polish food, I have to admit was at a fair, and it was basically that, fair food.  This is actually very nicely textured with the mix of kraut and mushroom filling, not too pickle-y and not too much mushroom to over empower it.  They topped the pierogi with a few steamed onion for taste.  The lady asked if I wanted mayo.  Personally, I'm not a fan of mayo on anything, sometimes on sushi is unavoidable, but I don't voluntarily go ask for mayo.  But since she offered and I haven't tried it, thought, why not.  To my surprised, it actually tasted even better than plain.  I didn't over do it, just dip a bit out for taste, but somehow the mayo draws the flavors out even more.  That was just a surprise.

They do have a location on Blalock, now I'm curious to go.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Now thru March 18th

NRG park

https://rodeohouston.com

Underbelly - Last hurrah

We heard about the closing of Underbelly and decided to go eat there for one last time.

 Menu prepared daily and as cheeky as ever, because they're slipped in covers of text books.

 This is stir fry beets with sweet soy, Thai basil, and you see those mini lotus roots.  To be honest, not much of a beet fan, but thought we tried it since it's recommended by the server.  That said, it's not the dish that wow-s us, but it's not as earthy as normal beet dishes... it reminds me alot of daikon, but that's neither here nor there.

 Next up: Seared Golden Tile Fish.  I love the sauce, the pickled spinach went with the fish very well. Nice balance to hit all.

 Ahh, here's the star for the night... Pork Belly Sisig, with egg and rice.  Sounds simple, but once you mix it all up and the egg is everywhere and gets cooked by the pan from the heat of it all.  It was the damn best pork fried rice, I've had in a long while.  So good.

 One of their signature dish, Korean Braised Goat Dumpling, which is a messy goat stew dokbokki.  It is spicy but even a whim like me can stand it.  It's full flavor and the goat is shredded and the sauce makes the rice cake, which by itself has not much taste just all texture, very flavorful.  This has been on the menu for a long time and one of my favorites.  You will be missed.

 Non-fancy desserts... truly is that.

We split the Strawberry Short Cake, it has lard biscuit, where they had sugar sprinkled on top.  Yummy strawberry compote, and mascarpone cheese in the middle.  It doesn't feel heavy at all, but I was surprised it was served cold.  Either way, it was delicious, so no matter there.

We are sad that one of the Houston Institution is going to be reincarnated to something else.  But if it has to do with Chris Shepherd, I'm not worry at all.  I am looking forward to the new concept, even though leaving this one is bittersweet too.  Go get a table before it's too late, their last day is March 31st.  We fid that weekday is easier to get a table than weekend.  Go eat before you can't.

They are having one last hurrah on April 1st, where it is all you can eat $40 plus 2 drink tickets.  

Underbelly Houston

1100 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77006

713-528-9800

http://www.underbellyhouston.com

Daily Juice Cafe

Needed some quick pick me up... driven by Daily Juice many times, decided to check it out.

As the name imply, they have juice.  But besides that, they also have Acai Bowls, Smoothies, Garden Toasts (think yummy avocado toast), Hot soups, Wheatgrass shots, and coffee even.

So, what did I get?  I got what they called the Crescent Moon.  This is the cashew nut milk, but you see the listed ingredients on there.  They are all cold-pressed and the price for the juice is comparable to those around town, and cheaper than some too.  At least you know it's done locally and fresh.  How does it taste: it has a strong taste of cinnamon but that's typical for cashew milk.  Out of the juicing system, that's the most filling and tasty one to me.

Their staff was ready to let you taste anything you are curious about.  When I was asking about the juice cleansing system, they did not hesitate to open a bottle for me to taste it.  And of course, let other customers a try too.  

Daily Juice Cafe

4010 Bissonnet

Houston, TX 77005

281-974-3728

https://dailyjuicecafe.com/pages/bissonnet

Kung Fu Tea

While we were waiting for Sweets Raku to open, there's a Kung Fu Tea in the same shopping center.

We figured we'd kill some time.  When we got there, there was a line out the door.  Granted, the entire strip center has more eateries than other shops, so naturally people are hanging out to kill some time.

While we were in line, their friendly staff let us sample their ginger tea.  Boy, does it have a kick to it.  I got the honey green tea.  I've asked for no bubble (tapioca), but they put it in by mistake.  Figured, it's no biggie.  the tea was sweeter than I expected, but it's pretty good.  

The decor here is kinda cheeky, they have lots of 1970s Bruce Lee and early 80s of Jackie Chan movie clips in a loop and as B graded as possible.  Aside from that, they also feature art works of local artists, that's pretty awesome given how little wall space they have.  

Kung Fu Tea

5030 Spring Mountain Rd

Las Vegas, NV 89146

702-776-7077

https://www.kungfutea.com

La Creperie - Paris Las Vegas

One of my favorite place is Paris Las Vegas.  We honeymoon-ed there, so I have special attachment to the hotel.

Early in the morning and there's a line waiting for crepe.  And it is always sunny in Paris (note the ceiling).

Here's the offerings...

Some detailed descriptions...

Finally, almost to the window to order!  Weekends, do go early, because alot of the guests trying to grab a crepe before heading out or checking out.  So, get there early.

So, what did I get?  This is a Ham and Cheese for my Savory Crepe.  I know you can't see the ham, it is in there.  They have Parisian Ham, Gruyere cheese, and béchamel sauce on top.

For my Dessert Crepe, because let's face it, they don't serve food on planes anymore and what they have at the airport isn't exactly gourmet.  This is Nutella with Banana.  I will say, having some strawberries will make it better, but given that they make lots of crepe, I understand customization might not be something that they can accommodate.  

They are about $10-11 per crepe.  Bring patience, especially when the line is long because that translates to making your crepe will be long too.  They do have a side cafe, but do not serve crepe if you're in a hurry.  Across from it is their breakfast buffet if you want more than just crepes.

La Creperie 

Paris Las Vegas

3655 Las Vegas Blvd S

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702-946-7000

https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-vegas/restaurants/la-creperie