Ostia

Went to brunch at Ostia.

I tend to forget that parking in that neighborhood is such a challenge. 

Once I settled, asked what type of mocktails they've got and of course, all of their number 1 go-to is virgin mojito.  Yes, we're back 5 yrs where that's the 'mocktail of choice'.  After a few vetos later, I got a hibiscus mocktail.  No shade to mojito, but virgin is nothing but sugar.  The hibiscus has the syrup (yes sugar I know), but with some lime and tonic soda, not too sweet and doesn't feel like I just had a mouthful of sugar. 

To start, we got a plate of fries to share.  I'm not going to lie, I just needed some vehicle to deliver that aioli mayo over there.

Then we ordered the whipped goat cheese with crushed roasted eggplant in the middle.  The flavor goes, but the bread was too hard for me, so I forgo it.

Got a Bucatini pasta, it's nice and delicious and I'm all here for it.  Little chunks of pork, with the pasta noodle and parm, yes, give me all the parm. 

Also split the Blanca Pizza, it's white sauce, 4 cheese and hint of lemon.  If there's cheese, cheese, and more cheese.  I'm here for it.  The pizza are actually pretty good with the crust and all. 

Grabbed a cup of coffee, after all it is brunch.  For dessert, we got the chocolate tart with hazelnut, drizzled with olive oil.  It was not overly sweet as far as desserts goes.  Chocolate is not super dense, but I can see how some people think it's too much.  I will say, I can taste the quality of the chocolate they put in there, and there's no expense spared on that one.  

So, I made a reservation because thinking brunch in the area will be hectic; but to be honest, for the majority time that we were sitting there, there were plenty tables available.  So, while that's always give you a peace of mind, especially if you have a decent size party, maybe smaller groups is not necessary.  

The service is a tad disappointing, if I were to be honest here.  As I said, not very many tables there, and actively there's 2 bussers, 3-4 servers in our sections, a bartender, couple host/hostess, and kitchen staff.  Yet, it took nearly 5 minutes for our server to come by.  At one point our host was our guy to ring us up.   They weren't that busy, so not sure where did our guy go, so strange.

Parking in the area is a challenge, you can definitely valet, which their own lot is valet only.  You maybe lucky to get a spot on the side streets, and it's not hard, so worth checking out.  

Ostia

2032 Dunlavy st

Houston, TX 77019

713-324-9288

https://www.ostiahou.com/

 

Seoulside

Finally got a chance to go check out the food hall formerly known as the Roxy.

I love that they have Seoulside Wings there.  I don't have to go hunt down the food truck, can just pull up for lunch. 

Decided to try the Strawberry Lemonade, which is pretty good, not too tart.

Of course, got the Kim Chi Fries with Bulgogi mixed in.  Overall, the entire dish is full of flavor.  It does get messy, and it does get everywhere.  But it's so delish I don't even care.

Naturally, when you order you tend to sit near the place you order from.  That said, host person brought our order to us, which I have a feeling if it's crowded, that's not a luxury we'll get.  But he was kind to do that nonetheless.  

Seoulside Wings

inside Conservatory Galleria

5353 W. Alabama

Houston, TX 77056

https://www.seoulsidewings.com/  

 

Coffee Fellows

Went to Coffee Fellow to grab a drink, or two.

Today, I got not one but two drinks. 

Got a lavender latte with soy milk just for a nice little afternoon break.

Another visit, I got the Summer Specialty, Peach Coco Boost: it has green coffee extract, white grape, peach, mango and coconut.  That is the way to kill this humidity we have.  Nice little blend of drink.  Of course, I have to get a cookie for the break time.   They will warm it up for you which makes it nice and totally hit the spot.

Coffee Fellows

4900 Bissonnet

Ste 100

Houston, TX 77401

713-677-0418

https://www.coffeefellows.com/

 

Cafe Brazil

One of my fav cafe from my 20s is Cafe Brazil.

As usual, the Cafe Brazil in suburb is easier to get a table than down in Dallas or Bishop Art area.

My favorite please for all Cafe Brazil, is the self-serve coffee bar.  At any time, they have at least 5 types of coffee all brewed and ready for pour.   By the way, it's bottomless, and you can mix and match, which is what I did.  Of course, I hit the right combo right when I paid my bill, but no worries, I made sure I got a to-go cup so I can finish it. 

Of course, what I wanted to get is the fruit pan crepe.  It's a bunch of mini crepes with fruit, drizzled with creme anglaise and raspberry sauce mix.  What I like about it is that the creme sauce is nice and cold and not too sweet, the raspberry sauce gives it a little kick.  Definitely lovely for a brunch/breakfast dish.  The batter has cinnamon in the crepe.  So nice to have it hit my tummy.

Cafe Brazil in Dallas is always busy, it's close to alot of yuppy area as well as SMU, so if you go there, you need to go there early.  Better luck at the 'burbs.  Don't worry, they're open 24hours a day, so feel free to go anytime.

Cafe Brazil

2701 N. Central Expressway

Richardson, TX 75080

972-783-9011

https://cafebrazil.com/

 

Okaeri Cafe

In Japanese, Okaeri means welcome home.  The respond for the person who comes home after a long day of work.  And the respond to the person who said Okaeri is Tadaima.  So it's very nice to be welcomed home.

At any rate, it's clever that they said welcome home and makes you feel very warm and welcomed.

In the store, besides the order counter, it's a very happy shibu inu.  They were hunting dog in the past but now Shibu is to Japanese culture like Corgi is to British culture.   

Ok, what I ordered, because I can't stay, I ordered Omu Rice with curry.  Omu rice is short for Omelete Rice.  They basically have a soft omelet on top or envelope a little pile of rice.  I like curry so have that added on the side.  Of course, Japanese curry is nice and sweet - not like dessert sweet, but the characteristic is sweet not spicy.  Flavor just as nice.

Next up I ordered dessert.  Typically I'm accustomed to seeing it in a cup and to be drank.  But for some reason, it came in a box with separate containers...

So it is basically Matcha Affogato.  Never had that like this format before.  Frankly, I had wanted the matcha shot to melt my ice cream so I can drink it.  But now it's more like a drippy sundae.  Oh well.  I get the taste, not the effect.  All good. 

Anyway, Okaeri is in a small shopping center, but don't let that fool you.  Tons of space inside.  You can come in sit in tatami style booth, in case you want to emerge yourself into the experience.  Otherwise, there's lots of food to choose from: hot dog,  bento and kids meal too. 

Okaeri Cafe

312 N. Greenville Ave

Richardson, TX 75081

972-685-4442

https://www.okaericafe.com/

Andretti's

Took the kiddo to do his first indoor karting.

I really like the safety precaution that Andretti has for the junior racers.  All the cars are remote controlled, so if need be, they can slow down all the cars at the same time to avoid any collision.  That's great especially for young drivers.  You have less chance to crash or bump into each other.  Also helps the works to get this kids out of jams that they won't get hurt.

After some play, we were ready for lunch.

So they do have a grown-up bar with grownup alcohol.  But since we were there at lunch, just a little flatbread will do.  

I'm glad to see that besides 'bar food', they also has decent quality of flatbreads/pizza, burgers, and real entree's like salmon, fancy fish tacos, and chicken pasta.  

The flatbread I got you can tell was made to order.  Not overly drizzly with oil but you can tell someone meticulously put that together.  The brisket quality was good and lots of pico and avocado, and I'm not complaining about that.  

I will say, the food area is not equipped to handle alot of traffic, so if you're going to eat, order it before the lunch crowd or dinner crowd begins.

Andretti's Indoor Karting & Games

3750 State Hwy 161

Grand Prairie, TX 75052

469-945-3278

https://andrettikarting.com/grandprairie/eat-drink

 

Fulll

I promise I did not misspell the word.  I know how to spell FULL.

They truly named themselves FULLL with 3 L's.

You're supposed to order off of the electronic kiosk.  It was kinda awkward, because the person was really standing there waiting for the ticket to spit up.

Truly, they're your regular bubble tea place.  But they actually have fresh juice for the yogurt blend.  Anyway, I got the sugar crane juice, and they really made it to order because you can taste the pulps.  

On their kiosk, I saw that they have food offering, apparently the kitchen is to the left of the booth with another food booth squeezed in the middle.  

FULLL

inside a food hall

240 Legacy Dr

Ste 308F

Plano, TX 75023

469-426-8845