Fluff Bake Bar

I went to Fluff Bake Bar for a birthday celebration for Philip Speer from Austin.

When you know about these popup sells, you should go as early as possible because the good stuff do sell out fast.

Cute little shop in Midtown.  Perfect walking distance for the residence in the area.

I was able to score some macarons.... yum!

This is birthday cake, very festive.  Very much like a birthday cake, except not in a slice.

Guava, which is very yummy and more taste than any other guava I've tasted.... what kind of magic they use to make them so delicious?!?!?!

Pandan, which is very hard to do well, but they managed to do it deliciously.  It doesn't taste like the fake, artificial pandan flavors.  I know, I've tried and doesn't achieve the real thing feel.

I forgot which flavor this was... but it was yummy!

What I love about their macs is that it's fresh and doesn't break up easily.  That is usually a sign that the macs been frozen or been sitting too long.  They definitely took great care of the food.  Mac is not the only thing they sell.  They have cakes, cup-cakes, cinnamon roles and cookies and more.

Fluff Bake Bar

314 Gray Street

Houston, TX 77002

713-522-1900

http://fluffbakebar.com/

Chocolate Wasted

I was at the Pop Shop couple weeks ago...

It was pretty busy with lots of folks, parking was all the way down the street.  Luckily someone was leaving as I was coming.  Scored an awesome spot.

I've heard about the Chocolate Wasted truck, just never knew what they've got.

Here's the menu.  They have ice cream for $5 and popsicles for 3.

I opted the ice cream because it was hot.  The taste is rich and they even have some chocolate chips in there.

It's a small cup of ice cream, actually perfect for the weather.  And for $5, may be hard to imagine for that little cup of ice cream.  But since I'm sure they homemade everything, it's worth it.

Chocolate Wasted

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chocolate-Wasted-Ice-Cream-Bus/1525410071016138

Pho 21

I was working in the Clear Lake area, and was looking for lunch.

I stumble upon this place.

I got Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio, which is Vermicelli with Grilled Pork with Egg Roll.  The problem is that they brought me grilled chicken... I was wondering why it tasted with more meat than the normal pork. 

I also ordered the Che 3 Mau, which is usually a drink that truly is a dessert but people will serve it as a drink.  The problem here... they waited it for dessert to serve, so it didn't arrived until my main dish was done.  And as you can see, there's more ice than anything else... or rather proportionately, it's half ice and half everything else.  And it should really have 3 colors, but you only see 2.  They should've had mung beans (yellow), aduzki beans (red) and pandan jelly (green), and top it off is the coconut mlik.  I didn't see much of coconut milk even though I tasted some.  Basically, it's not the same.

This seems to be hot spots for alot of offices in the area.  All the staff are friendly but do they get the instructions... well, base on my order that day, I'd say no.  Is the food good?  Perhaps in the proximity, there are better closer to the freeway.  Given it does mostly office people's lunch business, this will do.

Pho 21
2443 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058
281-990-8409

Common Bond

On the rare occasion that I can visit some cool breakfast spots...

I got to go to Common Bond.

Love the lovely Valrhona Mocha, which is a very rich mocha, if you ever try it.  But sure looks lovely, doesn't it?

This is their soft scramble egg.  The consistency is like a congee.  It has parmesan and herbs and you use bread sticks to soak it up.  

If you go early in the morning, it's quite nice to bring a book and just enjoy your coffee.  Of course, you can have their baked goods to go too.  The price is on the higher side, but does worth it, when you get tho enjoy the space and their wait staff are super attentive to you, it's almost bordering pampering.  Keep in mind that they are closed on Mondays.

Common Bond

1706 Westheimer Road

Houston, TX 77098

713-529-3535

http://wearecommonbond.com/

Maine-ly Sandwiches - soup

Had to grab a quick something... 

Decided to stop in Maine-ly Sandwiches.

I got the Lobster Soup.  They have the soup made ready and have lobster meat ready to go in.  But don't get me wrong, every bite has a taste of lobster meat.  It was delicious, every bite.  Definitely worth getting the bowl.

Alot of folks are still new to the sandwich shop, and every time, I see the person behind the counter ever so kind, polite and patient to explain what they have to offer, how to order and the sizes of the sandwiches and soup.  If you still haven't been, don't hesitate.  If that price is an issue, keep an eye out for LivingSocial or Groupon they do offer discounts every so often.

Maine-ly Sandwiches

3310 S. Shepherd Dr.

Houston, TX 77098

713-942-2150

http://mainelysandwiches.com/

Lucky Palace Korean Restaurant

We drove by this place a few times, thought we give that a shot.

Came in during lunch, and the place was pretty empty during the week but food was not bad.

We chose the lunch special.  Each $17.98, but between the 2 of us all of this were alot... so we ordered the short rib and BBQ beef.  And the lunch came with soup, which you can choose from 5 different types of soap.  We had the seafood soup and you're supposed to put the raw egg into the soup as they arrive and the heat of the soup would cook it.

And you of course get the side dishes, where there are little anchovy fishes (which could have used a little more meat), green beans, kimchi veggie, kimchi pepper, vegetable, potato and eggplant.

At the end of the meal, you get a cup of cinnamon tea on ice.  It was nice, but too 'spicy' for me.  

It's nice to have a meal that you don't have to cook yourself.  It's nice to cook it too but sometimes I do hate getting that smell in my hair and clothes.  This way, they cook it for you, and no sweat there.  The price is a bit high for lunch, but it's good enough to worth that price.  The only thing I do wonder is how they sustain business because there were hardly anybody in there while we were there.

Lucky Palace Korean Restaurant

8508 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

832-409-6002

https://www.facebook.com/luckypalace528

EVA Air Hello Kitty Jet food onboard

Yesterday, was showing off on the food at the party, today, let's talk about what you'll get on the Hello Kitty flight.

This is the Shining Star Jet, which featured Little Twin Stars at the front, and My Melody & Hello Kitty are on the plane as well.  This is EVA's 7th Hello Kitty 777-300ER jet.  Since the airline hub in Taipei, Taiwan, all flights have to go thru there.  That said, they opened up a new route from Houston to SE Asia, which is a first for the company, and they have Hello Kitty and Friends to do the inaugural flight.  You can take EVA Air from Houston to Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Mainland China, and even Paris.  Of course, you have to stop over in Taipei.  And if you're lucky enough to fly out of Taipei, the gates at that airport has check-in kiosk, to boarding pass, to gate waiting area and special gate shop just for Hello Kitty, that's the dream, I tell ya.

Let's get on with the food!

 This is Hello Kitty's friend, Tippy.  Having him as the chef, all cuteness abound.  This is the display of all service item used on board.  They have 4 types of coasters to match the season.  Also menus to match the coasters.  On the left back corner is the kid's meal.  Scroll down for the food itself.

 Special Place mats, that matches the season as well.  Yes, even the snacks are Hello Kitty packaged.

 There's no boring peanuts here, they even have special candy themed.  Oh, and yes, so does the sugar packets and the utensils.  It's been known that this is the only airline that people are packing away the plane amenities like crazy.

 Cover of one of the 'Seasons' Menu, wet nap, and fancy napkin, all Kitty-fied.

Even your beverage menu is Kitty-fied.  Each plane has a theme, and each theme has it's own service items.  Such as specialized Safety Information cards, playing cards, headrest cover...etc.  There's a few standardized Hello Kitty items, such as drink menu, barf bag (yes, you read that right), rising cup, toilet paper (yes, it is Hello Kitty TP onboard), and soap.

Hello Kitty's bear, Tiny Chum is our Engineer, I just know the flight is super clean and tidy.  Get you to your destination safely.  

Here they displayed the inflight snacks.  Too bad, I didn't know you can take them.  By the time, I went back, all the snacks were gone.  :(  And yes, they have specially made ice cream cups for the flights. 

 Take a closer look!  I call this flavor, Cup O' Cuteness... even the spoons are Hello Kitty!!!!  Squee!

 On Board, I missed the first class entree meal, but caught the dessert trade.  As you can see, even though it's fancier, Hello Kitty's touch was not to be missed.  They have Kitty on top of the Strawberry Tart, and as mentioned before your napkin ring is also Hello Kitty.  

And yes, all flight attendants on this flight wear a special Hello Kitty apron.  Very rare and you can buy it via EVA Air's Sky Shop.  However, if you buy it on the plane, you get a special Hello Kitty bag, only available for on-flight purchased. 

 This is the Kid's meal I was talking about earlier.  They have fruit, dessert, macarons, cookies, omelet with meat and veggie in fun shapes, definitely get the kids excited about the meal.  

You see that pink tray on top, you can take that home.  It's in a shape of the famous Hello Kitty bow!

 Not shabby at all at the economy class as a matter of fact, there's more Kitty Goodness to be had back there.  This is the Seafood variety, you have salad, entree is shrimp pasta, also get some fruit and macarons, all have Hello Kitty's shape on it.  

(p.s. all seats have a cool pillow as you see there)

 On a different tray, you have pancakes & sausage, pasta, fruit plate, ice cream and cake, and macaron.  Even the cups have Kitty on it.

 These are just sample meals you can enjoy onboard.  That's one thing I love about travelling long haul, you do get better food than just a cold sandwich you pay $6 for, and it taste awful.  Asia Airlines want to out done each other by providing good food and now add Kitty to the mix, this is a class above.

This is truly a special flight, and this was a special event.  I've never toured a plane before it's inaugural flight before, especially with my favorite character of all time.  This takes the Kitty-Craze to the next level. The CEO of EVA Air is also a commercial pilot, if you board one of these flights, you just may get him as your pilot.  

The entire presentation was detailed and on point.  On the business side, they started a new route to establish ground for the airline here in the Houston market.  Establish relationship between the airline and the city.  On the cute side, they picked the most recognizable mascot as their representative, has a great collaboration with the parent company.  Invited the head designer as part of the tour and event.  It was just a joy to participate in it.

For more info on EVA Air,  Hello Kitty Jet (which flies 3 times per week out of IAH), and other Hello Kitty or EVA Air Goodness.  Go to EVA Air Website.  They also have downloads and wallpaper for you to keep.   For more of the party and my Hello Kitty crazy-ness, go to Pattykins.com for more pictures.