Bloom Boxes

Another Sphryn Marketing box.  I've done the Coffee vs. Matcha and the Alice in Wonderland.  This is at least their 4 box campaign and my 3rd in participation. 

 

The theme is Bloom.

Played on theme: Oriental Garden

and Botanical Beauty.

There are some new partnership and some crowd favorites that return.  But all are from Asian American Pacific Islanders business owner, baker, and awesome tastemakers.

Another yummy Fatcaron from Big Macs TX.  This is strawberry osmanthus carnation Mac. The filling for sure has the strawberry taste and the osmanthus definitely reminds me of the tea.  I don't exactly know what carnation taste like, so maybe part of the fragrance was from that. But that is a huge Mac.

Then we have Mochi from Mia's.  This is a Rose Cake Mochi.  They really have a piece of thin sponge cake with rose cream, which is very light wrapped in mochi.  It's nice and fresh, and I love Mia's mochis.

This is jasmine tea mousse with strawberry glazed on top. What I really like is the edible sugar rose on top.  It's so pretty with gold sprinkled on top.  This is very light and not overly sweet.  And I think that's one of the feature of Asian desserts, we love our sweets but not too sweet, and we don't feel it's filling us up over. 

This is the Floral Trio Barfis.  It has Orange Blossom - definitely fragrance of fruit/citrus.  Rose, which seems to be consistent of a lot of the bakers.  Matcha is my favorite.  It's lots of petals but it is like a very compact coconut cookie, but not the ones made with flour.  

From SKM Pastries, from the past boxes and can also be found at Pling.  I love all her stuff.  The left is Habiscus Champagne Mousse - honestly, I tasted more champagne than tea.  I think I got a little drunk on that one.  The right one is Honey Chamomile Panda Cotta.  I love the little chunks of honey, it's in every bite and not too sweet.

Last but not least is the Earl Grey Lavender Teamisu by Brian's Bitchin' Bakery.  I'm a huge fan of Brian's Teamisu and especially the flavors that he keeps coming up with.  This one does taste very much Earl Grey and the lavender is lightly hinted.  I appreciate that every bite is full flavored, there's a consistency of cake, whole cream/lady finger mushed well together.  Love every bite.

Overall, both boxes are very fun.  Great desserts, especially it's not something you can commonly get.  I do wish they didn't think flowers and default to rose.  As you know, cooking/baking with Rosewater is very fragrant and you can easily turn whatever you are tasting into eating porporri. Basically, one drop goes a long way.  I do love that this is from all AAPI bakers and their chance to show off.  Very happy to support small businesses. 

Sphyrn Marketing

https://www.sphyrnmarketing.com

Fat Cat Creamery

I've never been to the Stomping Ground in the Heights before this is a very neat space.

I didn't know that there's one in the new complex.

It's a very neat space in Garden Oaks, where one side is the parking lot and the other side is part of a green space, aka Lawn.

I got the Amaya Coffee & Cream.  I've had Amaya Coffee before, but now in ice cream format.  Since they make it in house, the flavor is very true to the product itself.  I think that's what I love about them, they don't make a lot daily, but that is how they keep the quality, and I love that about my ice cream.

This new space is very neat, I think they're one of the first ones that moved in.  They now have a couple more stores on the other side and a Little Dreamer coffee stand at the Lawn.  I look forward to more neat shops in that space.

Fat Cat Creamery

1225 W. 34th St

Houston, TX 

832-409-6568

https://www.fatcatcreamery.com

Sheartea

There's a new location of ShareTea opened up in Greenway area, thought I'd stop by.

I've never seen this little guy before, kinda cute.

For the Soft Opening, I got the Tropical Fruit tea with boba.  I am much more into fruit teas these days.  I just really like the flavor, and less 'heavy' compares to milk tea.  The milk teas are like a meal to itself.   This is light and easy-going. 

Came back after their official open, and got Matcha with Red Beans.  I always forget that red beans chunks are harder to get than bobas.  Flavors aren't bad, the matcha is more milky than matcha-taste.  I'm a fan of red beans, so no arm twisting needed here.

The location is on the Weslayan sides and while the shopping center is busy, parking spots are easily to be had so that's good news.  If you need a quick pick-me-up, it's not hard to get to.  On top of that, they have tons of seating inside, free wifi and depend on the day, seating on the patio on the side.  So, definitely a good hang out place.

ShareTea

3651 Weslayan #100

Houston, TX 77046

https://www.1992sharetea.com

 

Little Dreamer Coffee

Was at the Rice Village Farmer's Market and in need of coffee.

While I'm fully aware that there's a Starbucks right across the way, but I'd like to support small businesses if I can.  Never heard of Little Dreamer, which reminds me of a little creamer - yes, I was in dire need of coffee.  

I got a cafe latte with oat milk.  I like to use oat if I can get it, or they don't charge me a lot of it.  I know that's a tall order, but sometimes that can happen.  Here, $5 a coffee, I can do that.  Seeing that various other places charge me north of $6.  Two guys running the booth and they sell some coffee beans as well I saw.

They now have a box at the Stomping Ground, which hopefully bring more traffic in to that corner for that space.  In the meantime, you can catch them at various farmers market.  Go check out their site for updates.

Little Dreamer Coffee

https://www.littledreamercoffee.com

 

MapoJeong Galbijib

So excited and grateful to get to try this new KBBQ place in the Heights.

Excited because I love KBBQ.  Grateful because I got to spend time with my friend and catch up, talk and just enjoying the company.

We started with Grape Soju - I have to say, I'm not a typical soju girl.  If it's in front of me, I'll drink it, but the alcohol content is not high, the taste is fresh and sweet and definitely enjoy it cold.

Let's talk about the place.  They took over the old Ritual's location.  But there are bits and pieces of it left behind.  Not only the Meat Locker which obviously has not changed.  There are plates, napkins and even the way they current serve is like the old Ritual.

As we sit down, the server already bring over the grill.  It has little compartments as starter.  Closest is Corn with Cheese, veggies (which we forgot and left for burnt), and last compartment they pour over egg custard mix which will cook as we progress.

Another 'fast serve' is the salad.  It is mixed with spicy kimchi dressing, not truly spicy but definitely give it some taste.

Next to the bar is an oyster bar and water bar of sort.

I do recall seeing that plate when it was Ritual.  But they give you some salad to start as you look over the menu.

Of course we have to talk about banchan.  There is game here but not as strong as some of the traditional KBBQ places.   Here are (from top): fish cake,  kimchi tofu, kimchi veggie, bean sprouts, sweet potato, and pickled radish (the grapefruit looking slices).

Two more little ones: soybean paste and sliced daikon. 

For appetizer, we got the KFC Bites, it comes with a queso dipping sauce.  It's more dipping sauce than queso, it does have cheese flavor.  The thing about the chicken is more like Crispy General Tso chicken, but more batter than meat.  Flavor is there, but meat is lacking a bit.

Another item we got to share was the Bulgogi Tteobokki.  It is prime rib beef with the tteobokki rice cake.  Flavor is not as strong as I had hoped but the quality is not bad.

Let's talk meat: We got the House Special Galbi (L), it's is more marinated and have more flavor than the Seasoned Prime Galbi per our server.  But I would agree that the meat pack punch.  Definitely worth doing.  Then we got Pork Belly because I've been watching KDrama and is craving it.  

One thing our server did not tell us was that it is a full service, where they cook it for you.  We didn't know and went ahead and started.  The fire was strong and poor little pork belly was burnt to crisp.  But they have one grill for pork and one grill for beef, the beef one is more like a net, so fire can get thru direct.  Versus, the pork ones the fully covered one to cook the pork faster.

That said, both Mama and co-owner had stopped by to greet us, made sure we're doing well and help cook our food.   You definitely feel that they want you to feel like you're at their home, despite the high end food they're offering.  

 I did complaint that they did not have my Pear Soju and they explained that they use fruit and nitrogen to infuse, but they sold out before the new batch got ready.  And since they felt bad, they bought us a shot of the Strawberry Soju, which was nice and fresh.  We decided that in order to enjoy their Soju - grilled meat is needed; also highly recommended.  

They are still in soft opening phrase, as they want to make sure all the staff are up to nuff so they are not seating at 100% capacity.  That said, they are only doing dinner service and reservation is strongly recommended.  Currently, they only offer up about 70% and do time your dining experience.  After all, they have someone cook the food for you, unlike a traditional KBBQ place where you cook yourself and it takes a bit as you eat and talk.  At any rate, they basically gave us about 1hr and 45 mins to turn around the table.  We happened to order more food and they bug someone else instead, but if you were to walk in, prepare to drink a bit at the bar because the wait time was about 45 mins at 7pm on a Saturday night.  

Another interesting bit, they also do not have check-out with the server.  As you sit, they make sure you have the Roovy app downloaded, you basically start a tab right there and then.  As you order, it'll start it for you, obviously they need a card on the app.  As you order, it will tally.  When you're ready to leave, do your tip and what not and close out the tab.  You don't have to see your server if you don't need anything.  Mama saw us packing up, she came back to say bye.  Super sweet lady.

Mapojeong

602 Studewood

Houston, Tx 77007

https://www.mapojeong.com

 

Sweet Honey Dessert

Been meaning to try Sweet Honey Dessert. 

Hail from California, it is a friendly welcome to Texas for sure.  They pride themselves for having authentic Hong Kong style dessert.  

This is the Mango Pomelo Sago dish, it's kinda soupy nice when it's cold.  But the Pomelo was a bit bitter and the mango was a bit sour, so not sure if it's this batch or not.

Here's red bean soup. While I haven't had it for a while, this is more gooey than soupy.   And you can for sure have a lot of red beans per bite, where soupy is more watery, but this is too thick of a texture for me. By the way, it's adzuki beans, not to be confused with the red beans that is savory.

Then I also got the Black Sesame soup.  Growing up, it was never my favorite per se, but it is definitely nostalgic.  Flavor is not bad, but best heat it back up.

Overall, the place is pretty popular.  So feel free to place your order and come back by if you have errands to run in the same shopping center.  I wouldn't go far because the parking in that center is hard to come by.  Mainly because of the hot pot place as well as couple of the shops.  All of the dishes are good, definitely worth making the track to come back.

Sweet Honey Dessert

23330 Grand Circle Blvd

#160

Katy, TX 77449

https://www.sweethoneydessert.com

 

Beard Papa's

Since I was in the area, thought I'd grab some dessert before heading home.

I always liked coming to Beard Papa's.  As you can see, they have not opened back up for seating.

Grabbed a drink and some puffs.

The drink is Pina Colada Pandan.  Of course, since Pina Colada goes with coconut; and coconut goes well with Pandan, it was a no-brainer.  Not too heavy on the coconut but I will say I didn't taste too much for pandan.  But it is a nice drink on a humid day.

So, I didn't go crazy this time, just got 2 puffs.  I got Chocolate with Vanilla, which is essentially an eclair but puffed and freshly made.  The other is Original puff with green tea.  Both I love, so no surprise there.   I do wish the they have the chocolate filling as some other locations have, because that's a good match too.  Either way, both are yummy, no regrets.

Beard Papa's Katy

23119 Colonial Pkwy

#A-13

Katy, TX 77449

832-913-1257

https://www.instagram.com/beardpapaskaty/