Coffee & Trein

I was suckered by IG and trekked over past Garden Oaks for it.

They were promoting that they sell the Brazilian cheese bread.  Except by the time I made it there, they sold out and another batch wasn't going to be out until another 30-45 mins.  That was poor management on their time. 

Anyway, I'm here anyway, I won't say no to a coffee. 

I got an Americano with a splash of milk alternative.  Which they have Oat, Almond, Coconut Milk, Coconut Water, on top of Whole, non-fat and 2%. 

Besides the coffee shop, there's also a gym, a dojo, and some sport training space in the complex.  They have adult and kids classes.  

That said, the service is very slow as though no one is in a hurry.  So when I got there, there's a lot of people ahead of me waiting for their drinks.  So on top of not having cheese bread in a decent amount of time, drinks were also slow to get there.  So if you're in a hurry, either bring patience or find another caffeinated place. 

Coffee & Trein

1102 Pinemont

Houston, TX 77018

https://www.trein.club/brazilian-coffee

 

House of Bowls

Came back to House of Bowls for some comfort food. 

Not that I was having a bad day, as much as sometimes I just get nostalgic about food. 

Fish balls in Satay sauce - I remember getting theses from street hawkers.

Dry Stir Fry Beef Rice Noodles - I love the combo, and that's my measuring stick to the gold standard when I go to a new Chinese restaurant.  I would order this dish, and if they past the muster, I know they're legit.  This is one of the one I get all the time, of course, I knew it'll be good. 

I got the Fried Rice with diced chicken and salty fish.  Also, ordered my favorite Lemon Iced Tea too.  I do miss those.  It's not like an Arnold Palmer, it's truly Ceylon tea, syrup, and lemon. It has a different kick, though AP came pretty close. 

I will say, growing up, salty fish were known as poor people's food.  Like you cannot afford money to buy protein and or spices, Salty Fish is your solution.  Honestly, salty fish is really a method of preservation before refrigeration is widely available.  So here, instead of adding sauces, they drop in these diced salty fish bits to salt things up.  It's a great combo.  

When coming to HOB keep in mind their parking lot.  It gets filled quick, especially on weekends.  Whatever you do, do not park across the street at the shopping center directly across.  They will tow.  So get creative, pay attention to street signs, and park accordingly. 

House of Bowls

6650 Corporate Dr

Houston, TX 77036

713-776-2288

 

Mack Allen

So, we were lucky enough to be part of a preview for the new Mack Allen's in the Galleria area. 

It's on the ground floor of an office building.  The signage is not apparently, so you really have to look for it. 

But once you get in there, it's pretty.  This is their champagne room. 

It has a very high end feel, if they do tea here, that'll be perfect!!!

They've got some pretty chandeliers. 

Another side room for dinner, has yet another beautiful bar.  I can totally see fancy dinners here. 

Let's talk food....

Just a meat and cheese starters.

Very nice charcuterie mix.  The cone is spicy tuna cone, very delicious. 

It's good enough that I went back for seconds.  

Also have mashed potato with beef tip, pretty yummy.   Not pictured: their empanadas are very delicious. 

This is their main bar.  Coming in from the main entrance is very impressive.  The bar staff are quick and friendly. 

Got a mocktail, it's the Golden Hour.  It has Seedlip Grove 42, pineapple, lime, and ginger beer.  Not to zingy not too spicy.  It's pretty nice for a hot day.

Love their to go cup.

For dessert, they were showcasing brownie, pecan tart, cookies, cheesecake, chocolate cake, and fruit tarts.

I got a chocolate mousse cake and a shortbread.  The combo of the two, chef's kiss.  Definitely worth getting.

The parking is a little unique, as mentioned, the place is inside an office building.  So you can pull a ticket and self-park, which I'm not sure about the validation there.  Or, you can valet.  That said, the valet is across from the front door, so look for the signs.  That set up is fine until it rains, because you have to cross back the street to the restaurant, and it's uncovered even though you have a skywalk overhead. 

I think the place is new right now, and they've opened quietly that you can probably walk up for a table, but for lunch and happy hour, I anticipate it'll be busy.  So don't chance it, make a reso.  

Mack Allen's

4400 S. Post Oak Pkwy

Houston, TX 77027

713-589-5079

https://www.mackallens.com/

 

North Italia

Came back to North Italia for lunch.

Even if it's lunch, you should still make a reservation. 

My MUST-GET - Zucca Chips... super addictive... we'll just pretend it's good for you. 

Calamari - the batter is pretty good. 

I got the Chopped Chicken Salad - it has tomato, bacon, red onion, gorgonzola, pine nut, and of course lettuce.  The whole thing is already mixed with the dressing.  So keep that in mind, if you're health conscious.  You can ask them to put the dressing on the side.  That said, I don't hate that it's pre-mixed. 

Even though you should make a reso here, there are plenty of parking at the garage.  Even during lunch time and there are several places in the building that are busy during lunch hour.  But parking spots a-plenty.  

North Italia

1700 Post Oak Blvd

Ste 190

Houston, TX 77056

281-605-4030

https://www.northitalia.com/locations/houston-tx-blvd-place/

 

Elote and Papusa

Went back to the Astros' Game...

other than BBQ all the way up on the top level, I like the Elote & Papusa.  Came back and got an Aquas Fresca - they have like 3 flavors, Melon, Horchata, and Strawberry.

I got a Beef Quesadilla.

It comes with sour cream, jalapeño, pico, and they give you a side of avocado.  Honestly, it might not look it, but there's alot of food.  It's actually fully fajita beef, cheese and of course, add all the goodies to your liking.  But it is a very full meal. 

Elote & Papusa

by Section 124

https://www.instagram.com/elotehtx/

 

Jinya Ramen

Came to Jinya Ramen Bar up here in Dallas. 

This is in a cute little area. 

The presentation on this is cute our server brought me the drink and then do the matcha in front of me and then pour it over.  It's a great presentation. 

Also, nice touch that they branded the logo on slices on lemon. 

This is the Matcha Lychee Lemonade - which naturally has matcha, lemonade, lychee juice, and the fruit you see there.  It's actually pretty nicely balanced, and it's light bodied so for a hot summer night, this fits in perfectly. 

For App - got the Miso Glazed Eggplant - there's fried eggplant, baby Brussel sprouts, bell pepper, drizzled with miso sauce, there's bok choy and bonito flakes.  The saltiness and the veggie made it so good, I wish growing up they make veggies this way.  The eggplant is not too mushy, which has a little 

For entree, I got the Tonkotsu Black - which has ramen, pork broth, pork cha siu, green onion, scallion, garlic chips, garlic oil, fried onion, chili sauce, seaweed and 60 degree egg.  How it becomes 'Black' is where the garlic comes in, which adds the flavor to the broth.   Basically, the pork broth is already fatty by way of the meat, bone and all that being cooked other.  When they say 'Black' it's added garlic that bumps up the flavors.  So, now you know. 

In terms of the area, it's cute, there's stores and other eateries around.  But watch for the parking signs.  There are a few directly outside of the storefront are likely for pickup for to-go orders only.  There are parking lots that are free around the corner.  Just park and walk over, even in this heat, you won't melt, I promise!

Jinya Ramen Bar

7949 Walnut Hill Ln

#160

Dallas, TX 75230

213-272-7578

https://www.jinyaramenbar.com/locations/prestonhollow/
 

Pho Bac

When I told my dad we wanted Pho, he suggested here. 

I've never been here, to be honest.  So this is my 1st visit.  (photo from Yelp)

The place seems to be always packed.  That's because many have dubbed that this is the most authentic Vietnamese food in town.  

I got the lemon tea, which was more like lemonade with a hint of tea.  It was too sweet for my liking. 

I got the Tai Kobe, which is Beef Kobe style.  That said, this is small size, and you see it comes with alot of food.  There's vermicelli at the bottom, there's beef slices, scallions, and of course you can add your own sprouts, mints and jalapeño pepper too.  You mix it all up and it's a very full-bodied dish. 

Since they are pretty busy here, coming here on the earlier side of lunch works.  The parking lot does have lots of spots, but they do get packed quick.  So bring patience. 

 

Pho Bac

153 N. Plano Rd

Richardson, TX 75081

972-231-9205