MAD Houston

Got to check out the ever so hip MAD.

In case you didn't know, MAD is the airport code for Madrid.  They are run by the same people who owns BCN.  In case you're curious, yes, BCN is airport code for Barcelona. 

Everywhere you turn, there are neat details everywhere.  Of course, they are 100% grammable. 

We happened to hit Happy Hour - it's called Midnight in Madrid which takes place between 5-6pm.

Got the Jamon Iberico - this is a half portion, so you can imagine a bigger plate for dinner portion.  There are slices of ham with toasted bread with tomato spread on top.

Empanadilas de Cochinillo - it has pork, potato, onion, you dip with mango apricot chutney.   Surprisingly it's pretty good.

Seared Foie Gras with berries and cassis in a little phyllo cup.  Very delicious. 

This is Pulpo - grilled octopus with 2 different types of sauces to dip and those little rock-like thingys are potato, which is also great with the sauce. 

Next, we have a science experiment....

... tre' impressive.

Actually, it's oysters we've ordered that sits on these rocks, and they pour this broth over it.   The oysters while clean, not too much meat.

The Following Happened due to Eyes bigger than my Stomach: 

Squid ink paella, apparently, you basically order the Paella, then add the protein.  This one has artichoke, garlic, and baby squid in there.  It's delicious... wish they'd do more personal portion. 

Here's the Fire and Ice Wagyu dish, which is on a bed of spinach and sauce.  It's a good cut, wouldn't mind coming back for that next time.

Dessert is a MUST:

Tableta de Chocolat Gaudi - which has flourless chocolate cake at the bottom (texture came out like a brownie), the white stuff is coconut sorbet, topped with a gold chocolate bar.  It's not a full solid bar, just a shell top, so it's easy to crack and take some chocolate, some sorbet and some cake in one bite. 

This is a unique surprise.  It looks like a lemon.

Fresca Wannabe - it comes in that lemon shape, you crack it and it has strawberry mousse with raspberry compote.  Flavors are awesome too.  Definitely recommend getting. 

Since we're here to celebrate a birthday and we noted that at the reservation, they brought over this.  This is a watermelon mint sorbet with berries on top sitting on a meringue. 

The timing on the delivery towards the end of the meal was weird.  The food came out at a good pacing all night until dessert.  We knew they want to turn the table over, but then stalled at the end.  So, not sure about what happened there.  

When you come here, definitely make a reservation.  Bring your camera, lots of selfie opportunities.  For parking, the store is close to a parking garage, you can take a chance to self park, and of course there are valet as well.

MAD Houston

4444 Westheimer Rd

Ste C180

Houston, TX 77027

281-888-2770

https://madhouston.com

 

Ruggles Dessert Cafe

Came to Ruggles for some coffee and dessert time.

They took over the old Oui location.

We got a Tres Leche to split and I got a Chai Tea latte.  The dessert is good as always.  The Chai Tea Latte was lighter in texture and taste than I had hoped for.

Classic Cheesecake

This is CHarlotte's Web - which has layer of pudding and what not topped with Heath bar crunble on top.

This is a perfect place for an after dinner coffee/dessert.  They of course also serve soup and sandwiches here too.  But it's a cute little space to hang with friends.

Ruggles Dessert Cafe

3411 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77098

 

Amore Italian Restaurant

We were looking for a place for girls night out/ catch up session, and ended up at Amore.

The space is impressive, considering years ago it was Maine-ly Sandwich shop on Shepherd.  Of course, Shepherd is all dugged up like a war zone so don't blink, you may miss it, since they don't have a sign yet. 

Read a lot of rave review on the octopus, this is grilled and even the non-octopus eaters converted to believers.

Lamb meatball with truffle honey.  That's a new one for me, never had truffle honey before.  It does take away the heaviness a lamb can bring.  Of course, it's a popular dish among us girls.

This is Prosciutto with mozzarella in the middle with arugula and slices of pear.  These are pretty generous slices of prosciutto, unlike the onion paper thin version you get at the store.

This is Scallop Carpaccio - the slices are done super thin paired with pear slices, and add some smoked salmon from the middle to build up your bite.  It's good, no complaints there, plus not something you can get everywhere.

Here comes heartier dishes, I can do this dish all day long.  It is Pappardelle with boar in the mix.  The noodles are fresh and not the run of the mill noodles, and the flavor comes thru nicely.

Eggplant sides - I love how they put ricotta  in there.  It's almost like a mini lasagna. 

Prosciutto pizza with hand toss dough, basil, arugula, and prosciutto on top.  This one looks seemingly easy, but it's actually really spot on.  Probably because it was cooked in their stone oven... which you cannot miss walking in.

This was a pleasant surprise mistake.  Our server thought we asked for Truffled Scallop instead of scallop carpaccio.  And when the dish arrived, he was like, just keep it.  Ok... well, we'll give that a taste.  

This is actually pretty rich, definitely recommend you share this.  It has scallop on top of white sauce with quail egg and truffle.  I cut a little bite and it was pretty rich on its own.  It is delicious but share for sure. 

When we made the reservation for dinner, it was on the early side, but to our surprise, it was half filled.  Not until my friend told me that this is Blue Hair hour did I noticed that the diners are on the platinum side.  We were probably the youngest people there besides a few staff.  At first, I didn't realized this was opened by the former chef at Da Marco, and he has his loyal customers following him here to this new location.  

The space is small, seats about 60 and when the backroom is to host a 'big party', you cannot hear your friends at the same table.  So be mindful and maybe as the them to seat you by the bar/oven instead of the back.  Given our party size, I understand why they put us in the back, but as the other party comes it, you can really feel crowded.   Don't get me wrong, food still stand on its own.  If you are to come to dine, make sure to do a smaller party and ask to be seat by the front.

Amore Italian Restaurant

3310 S. Shepherd Rd

Houston, TX 77098

713-485-0033

https://www.amorehouston.com

Muse Tea

Happen to drive by Muse Tea... 

...and stopped by to get a bubble tea.

This time I got Coconut Water with Berries under the recommendation of the staff there - this is my first time to have that combo, but it's actually pretty good.  The Coconut water wasn't too sweet and the berries + boba together works.  It works to some degree, but I wouldn't mind if there's a bit more sweetness to the coconut water.  Topping is nice, but I wouldn't mind having the mixture and drink without too.

Muse Tea

1809 Eldridge Pkwy S

#109

Houston, TX 77077

346-754-5132

https://www.musetea.co

Sweet Memes

Back to the ever Instagrammable place, Sweet Memes.

They got the seasonal decorations and it is super Spring in the shop.

Don't worry they still have cute backgrounds for pics - I just suck at taking photos.

I got the Dark Red in the Sunset - sounded very poetic, so I decided to try it out.  It has Strawberry with Dark Tea.  It was more syrupy and a tad too sweet and tart than I'd like.  So next time, I need to remember to tell them less sugar.

I got the Croffle - which is Waffle with Nutella drizzle with matcha ice cream and fruit.  The matcha cuts the sweetness of the Nutella.  They were really generous with the fruit, or so it felt.  Between the waffle, ice cream and fruit, there is a lot going on, but they all mesh well together.  

Coming back for their Eggy Coffee next time.  I also found a good 'sweet spot' time frame to visit where it's not super crowded.  That's around 2/2:30p, give that a try.

Sweet Memes

9630 Clarewood Dr

Ste A8

Houston, TX 77036

https://sweet-memes-dessert-tea.business.site

 

Food Box food truck

So our office building lost the food provider inside the building, and they've invited various food truck to come by.

This one looked interesting and worth wasting some calories on it.

That's menu du jour....

What did I get?  I got brisket loaded fries minus the sour cream.  I should've seen the world jalapeño and ask them to skip it.  But you saw the generous amount they put on there.  To me, this is similar if not basically a loaded potato, with less confine of a potato.  Fries are lovely with a lot of meat and bbq sauce to go with it.  The veggies are just being there as garnish but works well together.  Needless to say, I picked off the jalapeño.  Overall not a bad dish right out of the truck, and yes, I skipped dinner that night.  That was a lot of food. 

The proprietor was friendly and nice.  I know they were closed for a long stretch due to covid impact, but they are slowly but surely coming back.  Please support a mom and pop shop if you can.

The Food Box

https://www.instagram.com/thefoodboxtx/?hl=en

 

Maine-ly Sandwiches

Whenever I'm at the Marq-E center, I will make an excuse to go to Maine-ly.

I got a 1/2 lobster roll sandwich.  A couple came in and was shocked at how much a full sandwich cost.  I'm looking at them wondering: do they not realized lobster itself has gone up, not to mention a foot long lobster roll.  Anyway it is good with a meal.  Definitely worth getting.

Whenever I'm here, I always struggle to decide if I want Clam Chowder or Lobster Bisque.  I like their clam clowder, I'm not a connoisseur to say this is made true to the style or not. All I can say is, I liked their style.  But alas, I went to the bisque, just to get more lobster.  There are true lobster bits every bite.  Well, worth the calories.

The weather is nice, it's good to get it and sit outside before the sun gets too hot.  It is tucked in a bit, but worth making a trip for it.

Maine-ly Sandwich 

7620 Katy Fwy

#225

Houston, TX 77024

713-677-0771

https://www.mainelysandwiches.com