Jane & the Lion Bakehouse

Been hearing this place on IG, so thought we give it a try. 

It's a cute little place in the back of a shopping center. 

I got a honey latte.

They got a cute space inside for seating. 

I got the sando, they use focaccia bread made in-house.  Topped with veggies canned in house.  Forgot what the meat was inside, but the sandwich was delicious. 

In case there's any interest on the pickled veggies, jam, or bacon fat.  You can buy some on your way out. 

They have beer cheese, vinaigrette, marinated olives, jammy olives.

If you love their bread, you can definitely get some, but they also have a case full of gluten free goodies.  They have cookies, muffins, pie, biscuits, quiche.

They have sourdough, focaccia bread to take home too. 

Jane's place pride themselves of not using any seed oil, no artificial food coloring or flavors.  They also support local farmers by sourcing from local and organic.

They have lots of parking in the shopping center.  So no need to worry about that.  They are open for breakfast and brunch.  Sometimes they have special dinner events, you will have to check back to see when the offerings are happening.  

Jane and the Lion Bakehouse

4712 N. Main 

Ste M

Houston, TX 77009

https://www.janeandthelion.com/bakehouse

 

Paris Baguette

Went to Paris Baguette for a quick stop. 

I got the Korean Iced Milk Coffee - it's coffee with half & half over ice.  This is pre-made, so they don't offer non-diary options. 

Of course, I picked up some treats!!!  I can never part without getting a pain aux raisin (raisin bread is my fav of all time), blueberry tart, feuillete au chocolat (it's a twisty bread with bit of chocolate chips), pastel de nata, ham and cheese croissant.  

The place have so many pretty bread and cakes, you really get lured to wanting it all.  There's alot of seatings inside a few tables outside, so you can enjoy your coffee and pastry there.

Paris Baguette

9110 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

832-834-3118

https://parisbaguette.com/locations/tx/houston/9110-bellaire-boulevard/

 

Mikiya - Wagyu Shabu House

Been meaning to try this place.

Lucky for me, it was a friend's birthday and we have an excuse. 

This is a Shabu Shabu (hot pot) place.

Like many Shabu places, you have a buffet bar with frozen bits of tofu, fish cakes, oysters.  There's also mushrooms, noodles, sprouts....

... there are fruit too.

Then, there's the sauce bar.  From garlic, spicy, soy, peanut butter, or mix and match. 

For the appetizer, we got the wagyu nigiri - the meat pretty decent.  They wrapped it and then cooked it. 

This is Yellowtail with caviar.  It's actually pretty good. 

Here's Hokkaido scallop topped with sliced apple.  It's actually pretty unique.  

For soup base, we got spicy miso (top) and sukiyaki (with a hint of sweet).  The meat comes frozen and laid out like this.  

Our set also comes with seafood.  It has lobster, scallops, shrimp, abalone, yellowtail.  I actually really like the seafood platter.  Definitely worth getting. 

As if that wasn't enough food, I saw that they have a Waygu minced rice dish or Waygu Curry dish.  Of course, I'm greedy to the core and filled up a nice big dish of it.  I got some veggie, tofu, and fishcakes ready to go. 

For dessert, I got a scoop of the red bean ice cream.  Not to mention, they have Milk Tea and Match Milk Tea you can get.  Of course, by now, we were stuffed to the gills.  

How this work is 90 minutes, you can select sets ranging $45 to $98.  That's all you can eat style, the higher the price point the more choices of Wagyu that's available.  And of course, you can ask for more, but truly by the time you cook all of the food, you're filling up.  

I'm super glad that my friend brought me here.  It's is a good recommendation, the quality of the meat were good, the offering on veggie and the supplements was not as expansive as other shabu places, but the quality is good.  And yes, you have to roll me out of here.

Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House

9896 Bellaire Blvd

Suite A

Houston, TX 77036

https://mikiyashabu.com/project/houston-tx/

 

Saigon Art Matcha Cafe

There's no shortage of tea places in Chinatown

Happened to drove past and decided to stop.

Cute anime character enjoying matcha anything and everything.

I got a peach tea, and skipped the boba, and it came with bits of peaches.  Lots of bits of the fruit mix with the tea.  Nice break for the day. 

They do have lots of Matcha products, ice cream, matcha latte, matcha waffle... etc. So definitely worth coming back and try the others. 

Saigon Art Matcha Cafe

6650 Corporate Dr

Houston, TX 77036

713-931-3030

https://www.instagram.com/saigonartsmatchacafe/

 

Trung Nguyen Coffee

I was at the Asia Society and saw a coffee vendor, and c'mon we all need coffee. 

They have unique offering, but anything with Ca Phe Su Da, I'm there for!

I got the Black Sesame Cream Coffee.  And the staff noticed me taking a snap and pose (thanks guys!).  The cream wasn't that strong, but like a thicker cream.  So once you mix it with the Ca Phe Su Da it's not so heavy on the coffee taste.  

You don't have to wait for another fair in order to get their coffee.  They have a store located in Chinatown.  

Trung Nguyên Coffee

9750 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77036

https://tnecoffee.com/

 

2 Phat Bastard Pies

I've heard of 2Phat Bastard Pies, so when they are doing LunchDrop, I have to opt in. 

LunchDrop is a business that would work with various restaurants, and they deliver to various office buildings.  Everyday they have different vendors, so you get to a various restaurants to choose from. 

I got the Spinach Paneer pie.  To my surprise, it was super spicy instead of the usual Indian Curry based, usually paneer is lighter on the curry.  The crust is Shepard Pie type crust, nice and flaky.  The curry though got very spicy after a few bites.  Had to have the fries to neutralize the taste buds. 

You can go have 2 Phat Bastard Pies in Post HTX in downtown food hall.  Or keep an eye out on LunchDrop.

2 Phat Bastard Pies

401 Franklin St

Houston, TX 77201

832-779-2020

https://2phatbastardpies.com/

 

Il Bracco

Went back to Il Bracco for lunch. 

For weekday business lunch, I have to applaud the staff is on the job. 

We had the bread for starter, and let me tell you, that was so delicious, if it's not rude to finish the plate, I would've... This is their House made Focaccia, it comes with whipped ricotta, roasted garlic and thyme on top.  It's so good. 

For the entree, I got the Eggplant Parm.  I mean, dish that comes with cheese, yes please!  It has Crispy Eggplant, mozzarella, and their house tomato sauce.  The whole combo was so good.  And again too bad it's a business lunch, otherwise I would've licked the tomato sauce.  

This experience is totally different than the last time.  The last time I was here, everything was super salty for no good reason.  This time all the dishes are on spot.  Service is great, and I'm appreciative that they sense we're discussing business and left us alone.  They took our order quickly, deliver them quickly, and very keen to timing on the deliveries, to which it was a great lunch meeting. 

il Bracco

1705A Post Oak Blvd

Houston, TX 77056

713-532-9950

https://www.ilbraccorestaurant.com/location/post-oak/