Sushi Rock

Drove by a few times, was hoping to give them a shot.

I went right when they open, so it was nice and quite.

Ordered the agadashi tofu, which according to the menu, there were supposed to be 4 squares, but as you can see...

Got an Hawaiian Handroll - aka eel hand roll.  It was ok, nothing too spectacular, but nothing bad, either.

I ordered nigris, clockwise, salmon nigri, tuna nigri, unagi nigri, and chopped scallop.  The Salmond & Tuna are ok, nothing to write home about.  Same goes for Unagi, they are super stingy about the eel sauce, which is what makes it taste good.  The chopped scallop, I would advise don't bother.  It has no taste, doesn't matter if you put soy sauce on it, they taste like they just thawed out.  I told the server about it, and ordered something else instead. 

Ended up with vegetable tempura, which it's pretty hard to screw up.  But they are also tasteless.  Sadly, they manage to screw up the most non-screw-upable dish.  It's really the panko they used, it was not the right kind.

They have happy hour from 5-7p Monday thru Friday, and Saturday & Sunday, from Noon to 7pm.  And while the prices are decent, in this case, you felt like you get what you paid for.  It was not a good deal if they don't taste good, that's just waste of calories at that point.

Sushi Rock

2400 W. Holcomb Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

713-667-7625

http://www.sushirockrestaurant.com/

BRC

Went to grab a quick lunch at BRC.

I love going to the bar, just because you always get quick service and you get to people watch without being too obvious.

Yummmmm... it even looks decadent and delicious!

I got the sangria to start... que refreshing... it's not too sweet, not too alcoholy... just right.

I got the Buffalo Fried Chicken, with scallion and blue cheese.  This sound crazy, but the buffalo chicken it's not too spicy, anyway you have the blue cheese to balance it out.  I have to admit, it was filling.  So much so that I didn't finish the entire pan.  Probably a good thing, because... 

... I couldn't help myself and ordered a side of fries.  Just because they do it so well, I just can't help myself.  That I finished... so little to say, didn't finish the mac & cheese.

Super friendly staff, of course, I like to go during off peak, so you get better attention and better service.  Not that they don't have good service to begin with, but that just a normal wherever you go.  Off peak hours, bar = guarantee seats with awesome service.  Not to mention, having awesome food and sangria helps too.  Check out their brunch and their Apps & Taps (aka Monday Happy Hour).

BRC

519 Shepherd Dr

Houston, TX 77007

713-861-2233

http://www.brcgastropub.com/

Samurai Noodle

Went to grab lunch over at Samurai Noodle

If you go right after lunch peak, plenty of space, no wait and good service.

 Got a iced green tea.  That guy actually brewed the green tea and then put it over ice.  It was super refreshing, since it's not super sweet.

 I got the fried calamari.  It was nice and fried not like tempura with too much battered and not too oily or greasy.  I wouldn't mind getting another order.

This is the Tonkontsu.  I know they make their own noodles, but it's not as good as a tasting I had done with the owner before.  The pork is yummy fall off the bone good, but the soup wasn't as 'fatty' or as flavorful as I'd hope.

Before the store was opened, the owner did a tasting with a few of us, and the noodle was probably sun noodle but the soup was super flavorful and though, that was a while ago, the taste was memorable.  Not so much this round.  I will say, that everyone from front of the house to the back, all cook, served, take money, and bust.  I really appreciate that.

Samurai Noodle

1801 Durham #2

Houston, TX 77007

832-879-2982

http://samurainoodle.com/

Boomtown

Went to a quick meeting and went down to 19th Street, since I haven't been there a while.

They took over a neat little antique place from years ago.  What I didn't realized is that next door is a cigar shop and they share A/C vents.  So, when you go, at any given time, you may smell tobacco, and that's why.  It's kinda odd to me, because usually coffee masks alot of smell, but this round, tobacco won.

They do serve food here.  Though I didn't get any.  Just coffee this round.  I love the latte art, and wish more pros are accessible to all.  That said, I got the Mexican Mocha, you definitely can taste the mocha and coffee bits at the bottom of the cup.  I wish it'd be more like chocolate with more chocolatety goodness, but it was not bad.  

The place is spacious, lots of seating both inside and out.  Lots of folks bring their dogs and sit outside to enjoy the weather, of course, then you won't smell the tobacco.

Boomtown Coffee

242 W. 19th St

Houston, TX 77008

http://boomtowncoffee.com/  

Downhouse

Went to brunch at Downhouse.

Sunday is hard to find a seat, so go early.

Iced Brewed Coffee, very good.  It's super refreshing for a semi hot day.

We got the popover.  We got it for split. It's very souffle-ish.  Once you cut it open, it has holes for your yummy lemon curd or their raspberry jam that was made in house.  I'd get this again.... 

Sitting at the patio made me extra thirsty, ordered an Arnold Palmer.  OH Goodness, it was good... talk about it was curing the heat.

I got the Pork Hash, you can't see it underneath the eggs but they're there.  It has smoked pork, potato, feta.  The sauce it has it's so good, I wish they gave you a piece of Texas Toast and soak it all up.  Ok, let's be honest, I didn't finish it all, because that's actually alot of food.  But, if you ever looking for a hangover cure, this will be the one.

We have awesome service even though sitting at the patio.  The inside wait does have a 40 mins wait compare to sitting outside.  Luckily, it's covered, so it's not bad at all with a little breeze.  All of the servers have a great sense of humor, and it's pretty awesome.  They always stop by to check on us and made sure we got our drinks and our orders came out right.  I'd go back again.  And by the way, if you do have to wait, the coffee by the door is complementary.

In terms of parking, don't let the small lot to the side of the building intimidate you.  Drive down the side street, there's another lot available to diners.  Of course, if it's Sunday don't expect any street parking, as the nearby churches would've been there before you.  But any other day, parking on street is absolutely kosher.

Downhouse

1801 Yale Street

Houston, TX 7708

713-864-3696

http://treadsack.com/downhouse/about/

HRW: Peska

Another late post for Restaurant Week.  Went to Peska.

It was all nice and shiny for sure in the brand new space.  I would say, if your olfactory is strong, do not sit near the bar or the front area, the fish smell is strong.

 Amuse bouche is a tomato shrimp soup to get you started.

 This is the Oyster Trio for starter.  Pretty fresh, not gamey at all.  It came with a little sauce that goes well, but not what I would choose.

 Tostada Caramelo, minced yellowfin, citrus soy and caramelized red onion.  The yellowfin was in sashimi style.  I liked this alot, wouldn't have minded a lot more of this.

Pappardelle al mare, calamari and clams, butter, garlic, and of course pasta.  The butter and pasta goes super well together, the clams I think I would've liked more taste from it.  The calamari was good, it's weird they are all good, but together they don't exactly make the best dish.  It's not bad, but not as great as I'd hoped.

The service is great, from the hostess to the server to the bussers.  They all made sure that we have what we needed and we get our food in a promptly timing for lunch.  So, I can't complain about that at all.  Maybe, next time I will go by the menu and maybe it'll be better.

Peska Seafood
1700 Post Oak Blvd
#1-190
Houston, TX 77056
713-961-9299
https://www.facebook.com/PeskaSeafoodCulture

HRW: Arcodoro

It's a little late on this Restaurant Week post, but totally deserve a post to its own.  

It's been a loooong time since I've been to Arcodoro, mostly because of the location.

For HRW, it was $20 for a 3 course lunch.  

 For starters, they have bread and olive oil.  

 Amuse bouche, they got this eggplant and toast for start.  That little ball, is fried risotto, very yummy.

 Minestrone soup, very nice and taste very homemade.

 Rigatoni with Ragu, as recommended by the server, which I wholeheartedly agree.  It's not overwhelming and still very much have a taste of what grandma would make, if mine was an Italian.  It has lamb, and unusual to have jalapeno and cilantro.  But overall, it tasted awesome.

 Tiramisu, of course, you can't go wrong with that.

 Got a cappuccino, super yummy, especially if you add the sugar on the rocks, it's super yummy.

I went at lunch by myself, and cannot tell you how great their service was to a single diner.  They made sure I got a good view,  they checked on me and made sure I have enough food, recommend dessert types, and the manager personally see that I get a cup of good coffee.  So, it was a great experience.

Arcodoro

5000 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77056

713-621-6888

http://www.arcodoro.com/