Jollibee

Alright went back to Jollibee for a quick lunch.

Lunch time is amazingly busy even on a weekday.  Also, watch out for shift change in the Med Center, that's when a lot of folks come in.

Got my 2 piece but this time the side is a bit different...

... I got Adobo rice.  Which I must say, the rice by itself stand just fine.  I skipped the gravy just because the rice itself is so flavorful that I didn't need more on top of it.  At first, it was a little zingy, then it settles in.  There's bits of meat (I'm guessing chicken), there's a hint of garlic.  Since there's not alot on their site, I'm just taking a guess from what I tasted.  All I can say is that, I was pleasantly surprised how yummy it was.  Which, on top of my non-dry crispy chicken, I was one happy camper.

Jollibee

8001 S. Main Rd

Ste 100

Houston, TX 77025

713-349-9639

http://www.jollibeeusa.com/

Common Bond

I like coming to Common Bond for a leisure breakfast.

I love going there on weekdays, it's just more of a relaxed atmosphere.

It is a picture perfect breakfast, just excuse my picture that's not perfect.  Haha.

Got a Cafe Mocha

Ham & Egg in a croissant.  Super delicious, filling, and hit the spot.  

I do bring a book here and enjoy my coffee and just take it easy.  I also noticed alot of people come here to have business meetings.  Not a bad spot with good coffee and yummy bakery here.  Definitely a great place for a relaxing day.

Common Bond

1706 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

713-529-3535

https://commonbondcafe.com

Asahi

Went back to one of my Happy Hour spots, Asahi.

Happy Hour every weekend.

Instead, I got the combo sushi lunch set.  It has 3 pieces of cucumber sushi, 3 pieces of tuna sushi, 7 pieces of nigiri, which has unagi, yellowtail, tuna, salmon, shrimp, mackerel, sea bass (I wasn't sure on the last one).  Anyway, since I didn't have breakfast, I felt ok chomping down all that food.  Plus, I didn't have the tofu all by myself.

The tip about coming on the weekends to take advantage of the happy hour is to check and make sure there's no game or a big event at NRG, otherwise traffic getting there is more hectic.  And they do check if you're parking there for the businesses at the shopping center or for the game, which people do at the back of the building.  

Asahi Sushi

8236 Kirby Dr

#200

Houston, TX 77054

713-664-7686

http://asahisushi.net/

Sweet Paris

Came to Sweet Paris for a coffee chat with an old friend.

I got the kid's version of the Nutella Crepe, but as you can see, it's just a tad shy from a grown up version.  That said, it is just Nutella and crepe, minus the bells and whistles.  Not bad, but not one of my go-to either.  You all know that I'm partial to Melange and the next up would be Coco.  As much as it is a very pretty space and they make themselves available at all the right places (i.e. City Centre, Rice Village, and soon to be Highland Village), the food isn't anything to write home about and continue to be that.

Sweet Paris

2420 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-360-6266

https://www.sweetparis.com/ricevillage/

Fellini

Finally got a chance to visit Fellini, which I've driven by many of times.

This is located on Kelvin inside Rice Village, it is in the new set of apartments there.

Very much a European faire.  I got breakfast panini there with a coffee.

Inside, it is: eggs, prosciutto, provolone cheese, and it comes with fruit medley.  There's actually a lot of food here.  But if you have all the day to enjoy, which I see alot of patrons that came here do; please do take your time and enjoy yourself. 

For parking, there are alot of parking on the street, so you just have to look at the signs.  If you are here during prime time for the area, the attached garage doesn't charge too much to be there, plus it's covered.  Worth doing.

Fellini

Rice Village

5211 Kelvin Dr

Houston, TX 77005

281-888-6654

https://www.fellinihouston.com

Bite Lip Lab - NYC

This is a non-food related post.  Call it a Beauty post.

I've always wanted to do this but since they are so popular, and now been on Housewives of NY, they are busier than ever.

Bright and beautiful colors everywhere.

Each guest have their own station.

What are they, exactly?  They are pigments for you to make your own lip color!!!

First, the artist ask you if you'd like Matte or Glossy (those are the white/clear pods), then what kinds of colors you're looking for.  I actually pinned a few things as a guide, and we tweek as we go.

You get to do 2 colors, the artist even mix one just for fun, in case you may like it.  Which I ended up loving mine (that's the bottom right).

After figuring out the 'formula' that works, they put it in these pods to get ready for mixing.  We even get to add our own scent, from alot to choose from as well.  That's a good idea, because you are the one who would be using this lipstick day in and day out, might as well love what you have.

Then, the artist will melt it - ding!  Then put it in the centrifuge and it go for a spin.

Afterwards, it's all melted and all mixed up, then it is ready for pour.  They have a special patented bullet mold, this is all the pic we get.

While we wait, we get to name our lipsticks and up to 6 letters.  Meanwhile we get to check out other colorful stuff around the shop.

It goes on a 'mini freezer' to cool off.

Not too long, then it's ready to go with the handle and the cover with our customized names.  

What they'll do is that they'll input your very own formula for your lipsticks into their system in association to your email address.  So, when you need a refill, call in, give them your email, tell them which one to refill or both.  Each refill is $60, which for a high end - good quality lipsticks, that's pretty comparable, especially when this is your very own customized color.

This experience is called Bespoke, and it cost $155, and you need to make an appointment ahead of time.  Not that walk-ins aren't welcome, but you are taking a chance that they have enough artist on hand to assist you.  You also go home with a lip kit, which has a lip scrub, lip mask (which is great for overnight use), and primer for the next morning use.  

They tell you to spare 1.5hrs, but truthfully, 1 hour does the trick.  Of course, sine there's a few of us, it worked out where they got some of us started while the others play around and vice versa.  This is definitely a very different experience, and this Canadian based company is known for using food-inspired ingredients with no compromise on color.  This service, aka Lip Lab, is available in LA, SF, Toronto, and NYC.  If you're in any of those places, you should try to book an appointment.

Bite Lip Lab

174 Prince St

New York, NY 10012

646-484-6111

https://www.bitebeauty.com/lip-labs/lip-lab-nyc

Very last of the street shots:

Found these lovely hearts chalk drawing all around SOHO streets on our way to the Lip Lap.  Just wanted to end the NY posts with this.

Taiyaki NYC

This is the last NY related post.  Resuming back to Houston after this week.  

This is one of our Instagram destination... 

The ever popular ice cream spot that is served in a fish pancake called Taiyaki.  I love those growing up.  Except the version I'm used to only has filling, no ice cream.

Their menu, you can use their signature ones as suggestions, or you can build your own, majority of them are $8.

Ta da!

It is just a little different from their Choco-Lit signature ice cream.  I got the red bean filling for the Taiyaki with chocolate ice cream and a wafer with chocolate sprinkles.  Whichever you look at it, it is totally instagrammable.

Taiyaki NYC

Chinatown

119 Baxter Street

New York, NY 10013

https://taiyakinyc.com

Here's a few more street pics:  

This is on the Brooklyn Bridge.  I guess this reminds people of the Paris bridge and put locks to show their love.  Then came this sign.  Too funny.

The classic shot of the bridge.  Of course, if it was less people it would've been better.  Even though when were there, it was a bit hot, there were tons of people walking on the bridge.  My tip though they do have one side for bikes, and the folks here stick to them.  If you so much so crossing the line just a bit because there's a crowd, a trash can, or whatever in front of you, they will yell at you.  So, you've been warned.

Here's some tips about Brooklyn Bridge:

https://www.nycgo.com/videos/brooklyn-bridge-facts