AD Boba

Drove past the place and was curious with the cartoon marquee. 

This was a place that used to have the egg coffee.   But don't worry, they also have egg coffee here.

The new place is cute inside.  Not only do they have lots of seatings, there's also a mini stage for live performances. 

I got the Pandan drink, it has pandan syrup on the cup, pudding, and boba. 

They have this cute area, and you can sit down to play games.

They also have a lot of food items for offering.  They have all kinda of Bahn Mi with different meat and variations for the middle.  Fried food, and skewers. 

AD Boba

6938 Wilcrest Dr

Houston, TX 77072

832-839-3979

https://www.instagram.com/adbobahouston/

 

Crown Seafood

Went back to Crown Seafood for dim sum.

 

This time we went after 1p, and turns out that's the trick. 

We got Siu Mai - pork & shrimp dumpling, like a little cup.  For sure, this is very meaty. 

We got the Preserved Egg & Pork congee.  The preserved egg is super salty, which makes the plain congee & pork flavorful from it.  Out of all of the congee, this is one of my favorite. 

We got the Fried Tofu topped with Fish Cake.  It's nice with all of its fried yummy goodness.

Pan-fried Turnip Cake.  They literally shred daikon, and add with flour, they're steamed.  Once in shaped, it's cut into slices.  And when they're ready to be eaten, people pan-fried it.  The flavor is flexible for any kind of sauce.  The only reason I know it's because it was done in my house growing up.  I'm all about eating these, as long as I don't have to do the shredding. 

Then, my favorite, Fried Cheung Fun with XO sauce.  I just like it's fried with the sauce mixed in, and it just so much more flavor than the plain fried ones.  Though, the plain ones goes with the peanut and hoisin sauce mixed.  

The thing about dim sum is that it's fun to order all these little dishes.  Except my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach and then regret ordering so much.  Of course, I would eat them for left over, I just love the variety and the mix. 

Anyway, Crown is easy to get in and out of the parking lot.  The wait time here is pretty decent, they move the tables very quickly, so the wait is minimal. 

Crown Seafood

10796 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77072

281-575-1768

https://crownseafoodrestaurant.com/

 

Sucre'

Needed a Sunday pick-me-up

Stopped by Sucre. 

Laze about with an Americano and some Macs.

I got the coffee, chocolate, and a blackcurrant macarons.  Just taste better when someone else makes them.  Enjoy them with coffee is nice and really make you feel like you're enjoying life on the side as traffic whiz by. 

Bringing its Louisiana charm, the Mac stand on its own.  The gelato is also flavor packed.  Definitely worth sneaking over here to hide away from the world, one coffee at a time. 

Sucre 

5404 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77005

https://shopsucre.com/blogs/news/sucre-houston

 

Liberty Kitchen

Went back to Liberty Kitchen for a lunch. 

Since it's lunch, can't go too crazy, as a matter of fact, this is totally NOT crazy at all. 

Got an Arnold Palmer, and fun-fact, they cannot print his name on menus because he lent his name to Arizona Tea company, so you won't see that on the menu, but it's a well known beverage choice. 

First off, must have truffle fries.

Since I don't see the Ahi Tuna salad on there anymore, I picked the Ceasar + crab meat.  I do more dressing on the said so I don't over do the dressing and takes up my calories intake.  But it kinda worked out. 

Though they do ask if you have a reservation, unless you come on a weekend, most of the time we have no issue getting a table or a booth.  Parking is slim here, best to valet.  

Libery Kitchen

4224 San Felipe 

Houston, TX 77027

713-622-1010

https://www.libertykitchenoysterette.com/river-oaks-location 

 

North Italia

Went to a different North Italia for dinner. 

Let's start with a drink.

I got the 00 Spritz which has zero proof aperitivo, crushed lemon, and bubbles.  Not too sweet, but did the trick!

Have to get my fav - Zucca Chips with the aioli sauce.   So addictive that we practically cleaned the bowl. 

Got a proper Grilled Branzino - flavor is not bad but could use more of it.  It came with fennel, Brussel sprouts, broccolini, and the lemon caper butter is what did the trick.  I just want more of it.

After the meal, just needed a cup of decaf to unwind.  

But of course, we have to have some dessert first.  Got their tiramisu, because that's just apropos for the place.  It has these chocolate crunch on top, give a pretty good texture.  I will say, there's more mascarpone than I like for the proportion, but not bad. 

As usual North does get busy, so book ahead.  Though dinner is easier than lunch.  There is a parking garage attached to the building, so it's convenient and safe to park and walk over.

North Italia

1700 Post Oak Blvd

Ste 190

Houston, TX 77027

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

 

Arden WeHo

Last post on LA.  This time we're on Santa Monica Blvd in the middle of WeHo (West Hollywood). 

I fell for the IG trap, the place looked pretty and decided to make a reservation to eat there. 

The inside is very nicely decorated, but too much mood lighting, but I do love the dreaminess of the flowers hanging everywhere. 

The menu is not too complicated. 

This is Mint To Be - it's a mocktail in honor of Dry January.  It's cucumber, mint, lime and ginger in there. It's actually very refreshing, if it's hot and get this it would've been a nice pairing.

We got the Truffle Tuna Crudo, much like the Yellowtail Crudo, there's fried shallots, but instead of avocado, there's pinch of chili and edible flowers.  It's pretty for the color.  The flavor is on the saltier side, and it has a kick to it with the chili. 

Another starter is the Meatball, but it's not your usual meatball.  It's Waygu Meatball with tomato, fennel, and burrata in the mix.  The toast is also very good and wish there's more. 

This is a salad???? There's so much parm on top, don't even know.  Just kidding, it's their Caesar Salad. They have the Big big leaves, capers, parm, and anchovy vinaigrette. 

For sides, we got broccolini for some greens. 

This is their version of risotto, with fried Brussel sprouts on top.  The risotto seemed a tad dry here. 

Here's Grass Fed Half Lamb Rack.  It comes with a small side salad, fingerling potato and tomato with tzatziki sauce.  

We also got the Branzino, which is over a bed of orzo, which tasted better than the risotto, but the fish isn't as flavorful to my taste. 

For dessert, here's the Croissant Sundae - literally split open the croissant and put some vanilla ice cream in the middle and drown it with sauce and whipped cream.  To be fair, it is pretty good. 

This is berries with creme fraiche, Chantilly cream and some hazelnut.  

This is definitely a spot of girls night out or a romantic date.  All these flowers and alcohol is flowing everywhere.  We were originally going to try to get to the speakeasy next door but we finished dinner earlier than expected, so we didn't stayed for that, but thought it'd be fun!

Parking: they have a valet stand, trouble is that they only have one person doing it.  So for him to run to their lot and come back and grab another car created a backlog especially when it's peak time.  There's a fee for valet service, but beats trying to find parking.  That said, if you use your credit care, they do pass on the credit card fee to you, so it's almost better to get some cash for it. 

The place does get popular, so make sure you book well in advance.  Their brunch doesn't look bad, and maybe they do better on that than dinner, if anything it's worth doing it for the gram. 

Arden Restaurant

8289 Santa Monica Blvd

Los Ángeles, CA 90048

https://www.ardenweho.com/

Central Perk

Super excited to go to the Warner Brother's tour. 

Last time I was here was near 20 years ago, but the funny thing is besides the technology got an upgrade, the sets looks about the same. 

Midway thru the tour, we got dropped off here.  And of course, we went in for a break. 

If you have no reference to Central Perk, or if it sounds familiar but you can't put a finger on it.  It's the cafe that is in FRIENDS - the TV show.  Except this is a functional cafe with real food and real people, not actors. 

Here's their menu, they do have some hot food.  There's also offering of salad, cold sandwiches, nuts fruits, mini charcuterie boxes. 

Of course, there's baked goods for your coffee.  Cupcakes, bagels, muffins, croissants and cookies.

The drinks on their menu all named after the character of the show. 

I got The Monica - which is Mocha Cold Brew, it's actually not bad. 

Also got a croissant, looks like it just got thawed, so it's cold and hard.  So nothing to write home here. 

Besides the croissant, the rest of the experience is kinda cute.  There's some seating right there by the drink pick-up counter.  But if you venture into their seating + gift shop area it's fun.  You get the Chandler + Joey's LZBoy chairs.  Part of cafe and the giant couch.  There's a scene of NY with the umbrellas, their living room with the kitchen, and their couch at the living room.  

Of course, there are merch nearby, should they inspire you to buy something, they're all Friends themed.

Overall, it's pretty fun.  The entire experience is about 3 hours.  The first hour is guided by a tour guide, they give you the tidbits and trivia.  If you tell them your fav. shows, chances are, the show was shot at this lot.  And it's neat to see all the different settings in one place.  

Central Perk Cafe

inside Warner Brother's Tour

https://www.wbstudiotour.com/tour/studio/