Smallcakes

We looked on Yelp and found this place for dessert.

Apparently it's pretty well rated in the area. 

They have cupcakes galore. 

They have Pup-cakes, Keto & GF cupcakes. 

They sell macarons, but you must buy them in a set, no individual macs to be had there.

We got the GF Red Velvet and Tiramisu.  My only problem with the tiramisu is that the buttercream is sour.  The cake is ok, but for whatever reason, instead of tasting bit of coffee, it was a mouthful of sour.  

I didn't realized it's a chain, and maybe it's different at another location, but that did not do it for me.

Smallcakes

3335 College Park Dr.

The Woodlands, TX 77384

https://www.smallcakescupcakery.com

https://smallcakeswoodlandstx.com
 

Back Table at Woodlands Resorts

We had hope to dine at Back Table sitting outside, since the view during sun set was so pretty.

Alas, there was this non-stop drizzle and it was going to be annoying just to sit there and try to eat, so we took it back to our room instead.

I got the Smoked Pork Shoulder sandwich.  The meat is delicious and balanced with the cole slaw, but the sandwich on Texas toast just made it soggy.  So I ended up just picking it out of the meat and left the bread.

I ordered the duck fat fries, but to be honest, I cannot taste it.

At any rate, I would've loved it if we were able to enjoy this under the sunset, but the savory dish is good. The fries was a tad disappointed, but it is what it is.  

They do have a nice looking happy hour, so definitely come back for that.

Back Table

at Woodlands Resorts

2301 Old Millbend Dr.

The Woodlands, TX 77380

https://backtabletx.com

 

Cool Water Cafe at Woodlands Resorts

On vacation, of course you eat bad, and if you can do that by the pool it's even better.

We got pork belly taco with cabbage slaw, the sauce they use is the Chipotle Aioli sauce with avocado.  The roja sauce is great and the verde is a tad spicier.  

The drink that's kinda hidden in the back is a Purple Rain Lemonade, it's all fancy lavender syrup with vodka, lemon juice and sprite.  I'm good with that.  I'm already pool side, the only thing I was missing was my umbrella in my drink.

Cool Water Cafe

Woodlands Resorts

2301 North Millbend

The Woodlands, TX 77380

https://www.woodlandsresort.com/dining/cool-water-cafe/

 

Little Matt's Cafe

Fun little kid place with decent food.

Met up with some friends at Little Matt's.  They got grown up food (like salad, burgers/sandwich) as well as lots of kids food.  Friend of mine recommended the enchilada, so that's what I got.  This is their chicken enchilada, and the sauce is mild and they give you a scoop of guac on the side with pico.  I kinda wish they give me more rice to go with the sauce, but I'll take what I can get.

I would suggest check your couch for quarters before heading here.  They have a mini arcade on the side room, the kids will definitely be spending time there.  There are 2 sets of outdoor seatings, one by the entrance, and the other in the back by the game room.  Let the kids run wild in there, which the adults have a drink and have decent food.

Little Matt's Cafe

6203 Edloe

Houston, TX 77005

713-592-6200

https://littlemattscafe.com/menu

 

Coco Creperie

Since it's Spring Break, decided to go for a treat mid-week.

Went to Coco's for a gelato treat.

I got the Pistachio and Stracciatella (at the bottom).  I like their pistachio, which is nutty.  Stracciatella is sweet cream and chocolate chip - every single bite has a good bit of chocolate chips.  It was nice to have that bit in the middle of the week.

Coco Creperie

2339 University Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

346-980-5525

https://www.cococrepes.com

 

Burger Joint

This is my first time using Lunch Drop.  They are a lunch delivery service that coordinates with various restaurants in the area, and usually offer 4 places per day.  You have to order before 10:30am so they can deliver by 11:30-1:00p.  

One of the places that looked good to me was Burger Joint, so I ordered that. 

Since this is Desktop Dining, food suffered some from the delivery.  I got the Grilled Mahi Mahi Sandwich, since it was Friday for Lent.  Just to 'treat' myself, I ordered cheese fries.  So the Mahi Mahi sandwich is as good as I'd imagined, the key is the green sauce right there.   It's the creamy avocado, and I used it like butter, and it truly adds to the sandwich.  

The cheese fries however did not fare well during travel.  Forgot that fries needs to be crispy and will get soggy over time.  So dipping the cheese or not, it wasn't going to make it.  Next time will have to try in person.

Burger Joint

https://burgerjointhtx.com

 

5Kinokawa

So excited to go to one of the new omakase in town.

The former Blackbird Izakaya chef/owner, Billy Kin opened up an omakase shop after his stint at Hidden. There are a lot of personality and good food in every dish, let's dive right in.

This is Firefly Squid from Toyama Bay, Japan accompanied by cucumber.  It's a very fresh taste, not super chewy or fishy.

This is Seabream Sperm with Ponzu Sauce - it is best described (by the chef) as tofu fish.  The taste is very blank, and had they not told you what it is, you wouldn't think it's any different.  The texture is really like tofu, which soaks up the ponzu sauce nicely.

Yummy Toro - once the chef placed it in front of you, he then brought over a piece of wood sitting with hot charcoal.  The purpose is to torch it, and make it nice and seared.   The flavor is pretty good too.

Since I was there for my birthday, I got the left over toro.  YAY!

This is Pacific Octopus with caviar carpaccio.  The octopus not too chewy as a matter of fact it has a pretty good elasticity.  Again, not fishy or gamy at all.  By the way, the flower is edible.

Then we had the Golden Eye Snapper. 

Here we have Razor Clam with ponzu sauce.  I've never had razor clam before, so this is all new to me.  The bits has a scallop-like texture but not as dense.  It's pretty unique taste there.

Here we have mackerel nigiri.

Here is their version of Chuwanmushi  with Hudson belly foie gras.  This is more filling than I imagined.  The egg custard is rich on its own and of course with the pork belly and the foie gras as enhancer, add to that flavor texture.  

Here we have Uni Nigiri - super fresh uni.  YUM!!!!

But that's not all, we have Carbonara de Uni - uni pasta...

...but that's not all.  The pasta added caviar on the other side. 

Next is Wagyu nigiri - my cut unfortunately had some chewy piece, otherwise flavor is on point.

This is dashi broth with daikon.  Dashi broth usually clear and base for miso.  They added daikon, which is a nice touch.

This is Shima Ahi that has been aged 3 days.  It has the texture profile very yellowtail-like.  But don't underestimate for horse mackerel is very yummy, especially it's been aged.  

For dessert, we got longan with foie gras shavings.  The longan were frozen, reminded me of frozen grapes.  I will honestly say that I cannot taste the foie gras, even though I see them shaving it in front of me.  The foie gras melts as I eat each bite, that was fun.

Overall, it was a great night!  Not only that the food and the quality of it is top notch.  Chef Billy gave us lesson on uni, the origin of Kinokawa, his love for Interstellar.  We talked a lot about Houston's omakase scene, and what his vision for the space they are in.  Learned a lot, laughed a lot.  Since the counter only seat 13, you becomes fast friends with your neighbors.  It is like a dinner and a show.  

For parking, there are some parking on the side of the building.  But true to Heights, you will bud into neighbors who live in the next lot pretty easily.  Not to worry, there is a mini parking lot at the back of the building.  You can enter thru that backdoor instead of walking all the way around.  But please be courteous to the folks living in the area.

They are only serving Thursday thru Sunday with 2 seatings each night, one at 6p and the later one at 9p.  Like the other popular omakase's in town, you can get in by making a reservation.  Also, keep an eye on their Instagram, often they will say if there's any last minute openings.

5Kinokawa

3119 White Oak

Houston, TX 77007

832-285-2996

https://www.5kinokawa.com

 

Sandoitchi

It's been too long since I had a Sando.  Super excited to have Sandoitchi back in Houston.

 

They even have order in-person, in addition to pre-order.

The pop-up is inside POST HTX, in a little corner (before the back eating patio).

Here's what you can order in person.   As per usual, you have to be there early to get the sando you want.

Here's my pre-order goodies + Yakitori Don that I got at the counter.

Not something you get usually at the pre-order pop up.  Had to try their Buckwheat Oolong team.  They had other drinks too but can't be too greedy.

This is the Yakitori Don - as you can see, lots of chicken, grilled, combo cabbage and ginger scallion on the side over a bed of rice.  The flavors come together very nicely.

 Chicken Kandu Sando - it has a bit of a kick, mainly from the mustard.

This you can only get on pre-order.  It is the A5 Wagyu Beef with bit of Caviar.  Yes, it cost $70 but less than last time. You can tell the beef is great quality, and the little bit of caviar didn't do much for taste but it's rich.

Got a potato salad, great to go with the sandwich.

For dessert, I got the cream and fruit sando.  The cream is light and fluffy, not over empowering in flavor or texture.  The fruit are nice and fresh, it has pineapple, strawberry, grape and slice of mandarin orange.  Yummy every bite, even the bread for this sando is not as sturdy, easy for your enjoyment.  The savory sando's bread or thicker to hold up the protein, but the lighter bread goes with the dessert paired up nicely.

This popup is inside Post HTX downtown.  The next open for order will be Sunday at 6pm, make sure you set an alarm for it.  Have to be quick and have your card handy to pay for your order.  The day of pickup, they sent an email and a text to remind you the order is ready, time to pickup and where they are located.  Then you get there, they check you in, and make it on the spot.  After that, just a few mins and the yummy goodness appears.  The whole process is very smooth.

Sandoitchi

www.sandoitchi.menu

Rodeo

Let's talk Rodeo!  

This is the last week + weekend.  Also a great time to catch all the junk food you've been looking forward to.

There's couple stands of Squeezers, they have regular lemonade, cherry, spicy, and couple other flavor.  Definitely quench your thirst while waiting in line for rides at the carnival.

Been eyeing folks walking around with these.  This is the Tater Twisters.  Basically potato sliced and spread out then fried.  I asked for Garlic Parmesan flavoring, I can smell it, but can't taste it.  It comes out like a very fresh potato chip.  They do get popular, so line up early. 

Gotta find some food in the tent and all forms of BBQ will have a long line especially during meal times.

Got a Pulled Pork Sandwich and a lemonade, since that guy has been squeezing lemonade with a machine by hand, felt like I should try one.  The Lemonade wasn't too zingy or sweet, as I'd thought it'd be.  Pretty mellow as far as lemonade goes.

The pulled pork was fine. 

Then I saw a long line for pie... of course I had to stop.  They are known for Apple, Chocolate, and pumpkin pie with either vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

Had to try the apple one, fresh out of the fryer.  It has a lot of diced apple inside, and the apple sauce oozing out was delicious.  The main thing is that the pie crust is nice and crispy but not to a point where it gets messy.  It's tidy up with cinnamon sugar on top on every bite.

Next door to the pie place with an equally long line of a fruit stand that sell Manchetes (like a very very long taco with meat and cheese and pico). 

What did I get?  Aqua Fresca, they have like 8 flavors.  This is an extra large and it's in a super cute container, so had to take that home.

I think Rodeo is just great, you get to eat and drink random stuff that you don't get year-round.  There are quite a few that are repeat exhibitors, and I can see why.  The tent for food can get intense, so if you're prepping for a concert, time yourself wisely.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

https://www.rodeohouston.com