Mia Bella

We went to Mia Bella for dinner.  

Not going to lie, even though this is close to me, I hardly remember to go there.  Which is why it's such a a pleasant surprise for this trip. 

I'm reminded to get the Focaccia bread service, the 1st order is free.  It comes with the pepper and olive oil for dipping. 

Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction and candied pecan and pecorino cheese shaving on top.  Pretty yummy as an app. 

Potato Gnocchi with pesto and ricotta cheese, there's some tomato in there, some mushroom bits in there too. 

Chicken Parm that comes with a side of angel hair pasta. I mean, if you give me cheese and crispy texture, I'm not going to say no. 

For good measure, we got the prosciutto, arugula and mozzarella pizza too.

For dessert, we split the Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake per our server's recommendation. 

And I feel like I have to get a tiramisu at any Italian place, so here's their version.  Looked deconstructed, but taste just as good, you get the coffee flavor in every bite. 

For a weekday, you can get away with not having a reservation, on weekend dinners I would suggest to have one just in case.  The parking is convenient, they have a garage attached to the building, and it's covered.  So should it rain, you'd stay dry.  

Staff is super friendly and food came in good order.  The pricing is also not bad, so for a mid-fancy dinner, can definitely consider coming here. 

Mia Bella Trattoria 

3773 Richmond Ave

Houston, TX 77046

713-393-7340

https://www.miabellarestaurants.com/location/greenway-plaza/

 

Merit Coffee

New coffee place in town, and it's my hood, so I have to check it out. 

It's at the old Starbucks location, so that place is already ready for a coffee shop there. 

Line of their products. 

Their merch game is strong. 

They recommended a Raspberry Chantilly latte.

 It has raspberry puree and an almond ricotta cold foam. You can get it in espresso form where the raspberry and creamy almond foam play off the bold coffee, or in matcha form.  I got it with Oat milk and it has this sweet and fruity taste.  

It is refreshing and from what I know it's only a summer thing.  This might be too sweet for me, but Chantilly is definitely something different. 

Merit Coffee

5115 Buffalo Speedway

Ste 100

Houston, TX 77005

https://meritcoffee.com/

 

Heavenly Boards

We went to an event and saw that they have a vendor that does cheese board. 

Erm, hello, that's the perfect vending cart for me. 

This is pretty awesome for $15.  You get all of those, or you can ask to swap. 

They have all the cheese, pretzels, and the cart has a cooler to keep it all temp controlled. 

Here's the end product: 1 kind of meat, 4 kinds of cheese, candied pecan, and berries.  It comes with crackers and honey.  Of course a macaron on top.  That's a nice touch. 

This is definitely a very cute and box for picnic.  And of course, if you were to do a bigger box, you get double the stuff.  But for an outing, each person get a box is perfect.  Of course I wish I have more meat and crackers, but that's just me.   That said, this box is a great start. 

Heavenly Boards

https://www.instagram.com/heavenlyboardshtx/

 

Silk Road

Came back to Silk Road for dinner

They serve the same menu all day. 

We started with Har Gow (shrimp dumplings) look like how light that skin on that dumpling is.  And turnip cake, that's always a hit. 

Xioa Long Bao (soup dumpling) wish they give us more vinegar.  Then Siu Mai (pork dumpling), it was good. 

Steamed Pork Bun - yum. 

Green beans for some veggies for good measures. 

Crispy Shrimp Cheung Fun - it is actually pretty good, I like the noodle texture, the crispy textures and the soy sauce for the mix.  This is one of their dishes that I'd come back for. 

For dinner, I went ahead and made a reservation and it's a good thing because that night did get busy.  So don't chance it, make the reso. 

Silk Road

inside Courtyard Marriott

2929 Westpark Dr

Houston, TX 77005

https://silkroadhtx.com/

 

Sixty Vines

Went over to Rice Village for dinner.

Landed at Sixty Vines.

My tip about coming here, pull up the garage, you get 2 hrs free parking, and it's perfect for dinner.  Save yourself the grief of parking far and walking. 

I had the Missing Thorn Sparkling Rose - it's a N/A but it's dry like a Rose. 

We did the cheese and meat board: with salami and prosciutto, cheese by Cowgirl Creamery made of cow milk and tripled creamed.  It comes with honey comb, almonds, and pita bread.

We got the Burrata, but not realizing it came in toast form.  It sits over a line of pesto, the toast on ciabatta, tomato, garlic, and the burrata on top. 

Got the Brussels sprouts, they are very delicious. 

Shrimp and Bacon Pizza, it's an unusual combo, but not bad.

And of course, everyone's favorite, Braised Pork Pappardelle.  The thick noodle and sauce was such a great match, most delicious. 

As mentioned before, park at the 2nd floor of the garage, it's the closest to the the restaurant.  Another tip, if you checked in upstairs you get to sit upstairs.  If you checked in downstairs but want to sit upstairs, you have to be sure to tell the host staff, otherwise, you'll be seated at the floor you checked in even if you have a reservation.  

Sixty Vines

2540 University Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

https://www.sixtyvines.com/

 

Sushi Masa

Having a business lunch with some colleagues. 

They brought up the AYCE sushi place, I'm game for trying.  The salad was before the parasite episode, so no harm was done to anyone. 

Got some nigiri - unagi, salmon, tuna.

My fav - sweet potato tempura.  They were a tad stingy on the ponzu sauce though. 

Unagi roll

Red Bean Ice cream.  I think my coworker cracked the code, he said if you mix chocolate and coconut ice cream together, it's kinda like a candy bar. 

I'm just good with all the food they have.  This location is pretty fast.  Basically as soon as our server entered the order less than a few minutes the food arrived.  Of course, depending on what time you sit down too because if the lunch crowd walks in, we might not be so lucky. 

Sushi Masa

355 Sawdust Rd

Spring, TX 77380

281-298-5666

https://sushimasaus.com/

 

Molly Tea

New bubble tea place? Sure!

They have really cute aesthetic too. 

They are known for jasmine based tea.

Pretty extensive menu.  They have fruit tea, milk tea, matcha, whipped cream, floral.

I got the Jasmine Apple Tea.

It has Jasmine milk tea with a hint of apple. 

I will say the aesthetics is cute and adorable.  But for the price point you have enough bubble tea places with similar flavor nodes that you can match.  If you're here to catch the trend, this is a good spot for it.  But if you want flavors, drinks, there are plenty of options in town for that.  I won't lie, their merch is pretty and that may be worthwhile.  

Molly Tea

9889 Bellaire Blvd

Ste 226

Houston, TX 77036