Maison Chinoise

We saw on IG about Maison Chinoise 

It's an upscale Chinese place. 

The decor with the window seats are fancy.

Even the ceiling is fancy.

I got the Pom-Lycee Fizz - it's not too sweet.  It has Pomegranate juice, lychee, ginger, lemon, and sparkling water.  It's pretty good, has a little bit of a kick.  

The Apps & Dim Sum has arrived. 

Crispy Rock Shrimp - It's fried shrimp with a little spice, and you can pair that with basil aioli sauce or jalapeño aioli dipping sauce.  (pssst - the basil aioli is better)

Then we got the Waygu Pot Sticker, this was legit delicious . We were really worry because it's fancy that the last might not deliver, but this was surprisingly good. 

This is the lobster dumpling with caviar on top.  It was fine, wasn't as good as the other dishes. 

Xiao Long Bao - the soup is legit.  The skin is not super thick, but the meat to soup ratio is good, and it was good.  Definitely would come back for it. 

This is the Iberico Pork Char Siu - this is really a top notch char sir.  The way they marinate it is good, the pork is good. and sauce it came out was good too.  Now I just needed some rice to go with that. 

For entree, we got half a duck.  Cute presentation. 

You can pair it with either bao or pancake, and you dip either Hoisin Sauce or Mustard, with scallion, carrot, and cucumber into the wrap. 

Just for some greens, we got the XO Stir Fried Green Beans.  Even the beans is delicious.  If I had that growing up, I'd eat more veggies. 

It's birthday for one of the girls, they gave us mochi.  It has the vanilla one and a chocolate one.  Those you can tell they are not made in-house. 

Since we already got one dessert, we only got another one, this is Banana Egg Roll pair with coconut ice cream.  It's actually thin crepe wrap and the fried with cinnamon sugar, inside has banana, cream cheese and little bit of other fruits. 

The service is good for an upscale place like this.  They came back to check on us often but not so much that's disruptive.  The booth sits low, if you don't like that be sure to tell the host staff.  Obviously reservation is needed.  We've seen folks walked in and walked right back out because it was peak dining hours. 

In terms of parking, there are parking at the surface, parking lot down by Barnes & Nobles, or if you valet, they are part of Brasserie 19 & Hudson House where you pay $10 + convenience fee, and tip at your discretion. 

Maison Chinoise

1958 West Gray

#102

Houston, TX 77019

713-565-4111

https://www.maisonchinoiserestaurants.com/htx-location

 

Fu Fu Dim Sum

Went to Fu Fu for dim sum. 

The place doesn't look much on the outside, but once insides, there's so much space, you'd be impressed with how many tables and people milling around. 

Got a few staples here, Egg Tart, Har Gow, Turnip Cakes

Then we have BBQ Pork Puff, Pork Cheung Fun (rice noodle wrapped), and Sesame Ball.

We got there around Noon, and it was a pretty full house, but luckily a table was getting up.  We just had to wait for a few mins for them to clear.  We ordered our food checking off boxes on the menu sheet.  Surprisingly, some of the food that shouldn't take too long did, some we expected a little more time came out quickly.  All in all, it was good meal.  Service was good, staff were nice and efficient.  Wouldn't mind coming back here. 

Fu Fu Dim Sum

11810 Bellaire Blvd

Ste A

Houston, TX 77072

281-529-6269

 

Kata Robata

So excited to have lunch at Kata. 

Since it's holiday week, I went ahead and made a reservation, and boy, let me tell you.  That worked in our favor so hard.  There were at least 3 parties arrived before or at the same time I did, and we were able to get seated first.  Reservations for the WIN!

Since we're here for lunch, nothing too fancy.  Just got a Chirashi, or as I called it, it's sushi deconstructed. 

It came in a pretty bento box.  The top tier has the sashimi.  We have Tuna, Fatty Tuna, salmon, scallop, amberjack and madai.  So good. 

On the bottom their, it has bed or rice with seaweed, tobiko flakes, unagi, caviar, carrots, shrimp, tamago (egg).  That bed of rice is actually alot.  I would say, if you were to make sushi with each of the slices they gave you, you make a very fulfilling sushi set.  And some might argue that this is cheaper than ordering each of the sushi a la carte. 

No issue with parking there, even though the joint was jumping and spots are scarce.  No issue getting decent spot though, just bring patience. 

Kata Robata

3600 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77098

713-526-8858

https://www.katarobata.com/

 

North Italia

Went to North Italia for dinner.

It's been almost a year since I've last been here.  I won't lie, I came here truly for the truffle bread and the zucchini chips (not pictured), but trust me, they are as indulgent as one can get. 

I got the Spicy Vodka Rigatoni - It has Italian sausage, pancetta, garlic, basil, and sauce.  YUM! It's super flavorful, and yes I should've gotten more Parmesan cheese on there.  

Even for weekday, making a reservation for dinner helps.  We got a decent size party so I wasn't going to wing it.  Plus our server was awesome, attentive but not hovering.  All in all it's a fun night!

North Italia at City Centre

818 Town & Country Blvd

Ste 100

Houston, TX 77024

713-461-0600

https://www.northitalia.com/locations/houston-city-centre/

 

Shabu Zone

Went to lunch at Shabu Zone. 

We came for lunch, and everything is pretty much available except the first 5 beef dishes on the menu. 

I got the Tonkotsu soup base for cooking my lunch.   I also got pork belly & prime rib for starter. 

Of course we need a bit of other stuff too.  This is where you walk over to the salad bar.  There are veggies, frozen fish, frozen squid, fish cakes, dumplings, tofu, mushrooms, noodles - many types.   There's also a sauce bar too. 

Trying to take a photo over a steaming pot of soup.  But this is grilled pork belly, Korean BBQ style.  It's actually pretty tasty but there is alot of fat on the meat.  Not for regular indulgence, but for occasional tasing is ok. 

It's great meal for all you can eat place.  You also individually get your own pot so it can tailor to your own liking, plus it's sanitary.  I just keep dumping vermicelli into my pot, and mix in with fish, meat, and veggie.  It's a very tasty interactive meal. 

Shabu Zone

11201 Bellaire Blvd

Ste 2

Houston, TX 77072

832-850-7849

https://shabuzone.com/

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Just want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, eat lots, laugh lots, and have a thankful day!

 

Uni Patisserie & Cafe

Saw them on instagram with these pretty dessert for a while. 

It was happenstance that I was in the neighborhood. 

Totally got captivated by how pretty everything looked.

Bright colors and all the cool shapes. 

Came home with The Cocoa Bean: White chocolate on the outside.  

The mold for this is pretty cool.  Though the color made it looks like a football. 

Inside: Chocolate Mousse, with creme brûlé filling and has a bit of cake at the bottom layer. 

Then I got the Mango

Looked very pretty, and totally great for the 'gram.

Inside is mango mousse, filling mango chunks and a little bit of vanilla cake.  

The place is at a corner of a shopping center, so if you weren't looking for it, you'll likely miss it.  The store front is huge, definitely a great hang out place and enjoy a cup of coffee with the dessert.  They also have cheesecake, baklava, cookies, truffles as well.   Great way to get a treat and relax in the afternoon. 

Uni Patisserie 

12350 Westhaimer Rd

Houston, TX 77077

281-529-6093

https://unipatisserieandcafe.toast.site/