Crown Seafood

Haven't been to dim sum for a while, so snatched up the chance my friend suggested.

Haven't been to dim sum here before, but excited to try. 

Starts out with some buns (top) - egg yolk cream bun, and steam sponge cake (that one was for nostalgic reasons). 

Top: Sesame Bun, Egg Custard Tart (the crust is not bad), Har Gow (shrimp dumpling), Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf, Turnip Cake, Tofu wrapped roll (middle), Snow Pea leaves (could use more flavor)

And.... (clockwise - bottom left) beef tripe, XO Cheung Fun (which I like the extra kick), and Siu Mai.

Here's the close up of the Ginger & Scallion Beef Tripe.  I honestly just like the sauce, you can put it on anything and it'll taste good. 

Dim Sum - it's like the Asian Community hunger game.  If you don't show up early, expect a wait, no matter how big the place is.  Either you go before the lunch crowd, or you come after.  We chose after, but still have to wait for a little bit.  They do accommodate big parties as they have big tables for the occasions.  I do appreciate the marking menu system so no hunting is required.  But here, they also do come and check on your tea status, which I do appreciate.  Often times the servers are running everywhere and seems like they purposely avert your glaze so they rush past you and your tea pot left empty.  At least this place will check.

Crown Seafood

10796 Bellaire Blvd

Ste C

Houston, TX 

281-575-1768

https://crownseafoodrestaurant.com/

 

Citizens of Montrose

 Went back to Citizen to grab a quick brekkie. 

I got the Classic Breakfast, came with 2 eggs (your way), toast (sourdough or multi-grain), protein (bacon, turkey bacon, chicken sausage, or avocado), and I added hash brown.  I love their hash brown with the aioli sauce is da bomb is a definite must!  Otherwise breakfast is good.  Also got a fluffy OJ, just to be bougie.  I don't have any complain on the food, they're delicious, done well and did I mention the aioli sauce?

Decided to sit at the bar turns out is not exactly the best.  I'd figure it was just me, it's easier to get in and out, the host didn't have any problem.  I sat down and must've read about 18 pages on my book before I can get the server's attention.   

My advice, get there early.  When the day is nice there are plenty of seating outdoors, you are sitting with the traffic of Montrose, so don't be surprised.  Otherwise, inside is just as delightful.  If you're going to sit at the bar, you've been warned.

Citizen of Montrose

907 Westheimer Rd

Ste C

Houston, TX 77006

832-203-8527

https://www.citizensofbreakfast.com/citizens-of-montrose

Juice Cleanse

Been eating a lot of junk lately, so decided to go on a juice cleanse.   Of course there'll always be naysayers that poo poo on the cleanse.  Is juice cleanse bad for you? Feel free to get ChatGPT to help you compile that answer.  But I will say, since I wasn't feeling great, and in need of a jump start, that did the trick. 

So I went to Snap Kitchen and gotten the juice.   So, the other time that I did a juice cleanse, the 6 juices included the 'full meal' one, but this round seems like it's not laid out that way.  Or maybe it's just Snap.  

So let me walk you thru:

8am - Start the day with Super Green it's the lighter of the Greens: spinach, celery, cucumber, lemon

10am - Watermelon - along with pineapple, apple, beet, lime, and lemon

Noon - Tropical Green which is thicker in texture with coconut, pineapple, apple, and spinach

2pm - Carrot Giner with jicama, apple, lime, and turmeric - that adds a little kick to it

4pm - Spicy Citrus - this one kicked my ass - it has pineapple, ghost pepper, turmeric, orange, lemon, and apple.  So when you drink it, you don't feel it.  It's only when it goes down, your throat wakes up and go, what the hell are you doing to me!  Going down also wasn't a problem, but this one was tough to drink.    Strange enough, I can take pretty big gulps while drinking it.  It's the throat that's very mad at me.  

6pm - I did the Trader Joe's Chocolate Almond Protein Smoothie.  I knew I wasn't getting much of balanced anything, thought I'd throw in the protein in some form or way.

I also got a Banana & Almond Butter Protein Smoothie, in case I get hungry mid-day.  Turned out drinking so much juice it makes you make more trips to the bathroom.  But you also want to drink more water, not because the program asked you to, but you want to just to cleanse the pallet.  

All things considered, it's not a bad jump start.  I will say, just being doing juice and no time to eat, all your time went to going on a schedule and drink water to flush things out too, I did not have any craving for food at all.   As a matter of fact, I was down 2 pounds the next day.  

I will say this, juice cleanse is not for everyone, and it's ok if one juice doesn't taste good to you.  Juice cleanse is meant for a quick jump start, not for long timer diet or lifestyle change.   Be sure to do your research and see which program works for you, and for how long.  

Snap Kitchen

https://snapkitchen.com/product/juice-pack-bundle

 

Cafe Leonelli

Was desperately searching for coffee, and remembered Cafe Leonelli is near me. 

The cafe is part of the museum's campus.  I will say even though the museum doesn't open until 11am, the cafe is open at 9:30a.  And to my surprise, it has a very nice calm about the place.  People are truly trying to read, get a cup of coffee, and enjoy the morning.  Unlike other times that I've been, it's filled with museum-goers and can often get hectic.  

That said, the morning offerings are limited to pastries and coffee. Versus, in the afternoon, the menu offerings is more filling and more warm food to be had.  But don't worry, I got my caffeine nonetheless.   Just a latte, but they have milk alternatives (almond and oat), and coffee flavors (I didn't get any, so cannot recite back what they were, but there are options).  

Grab a cuppa, and enjoy watching cars go by and daydream away.

Cafe Leonelli

5500 Main Street

Houston, TX 77004

713-714-3014

https://www.cafeleonelli.com/

 

Common Bond

Was in a hurry, so I did a grab a go.

Common Bond wasn't too busy, so did a quick pop-in.

I got a Kouign Amann - it was super layered and is sugar crusted on top.   Also got a Pistachio Croissant - that one actually was interesting, I've never had that before.  It is layered and folded into the layer, and this pretty green flakes off and crispy, do have a full taste of pistachio.

Of course, I have to get something to drink.  For some reason, I decided to get a London Fog, that is Earl Grey, steam milk, and some syrup.  Thought I'd try something a little different this time.  The texture is a little lighter than a full coffee, but the milk hits the spot nonetheless.

Common Bond

2278 W. Holcomb Blvd

Houston, TX 77030

346-327-8393

https://www.commonbondcafe.com/

 

Buffalo Grille

 Decided to stop by the neighborhood joint for breakfast.

I know it's super popular with the locals, and all I can say is that I was lucky that I arrived when I did.  Because not 10 mins later, the whole place was packed and line was out to the door and not a table to be had.

I just ordered something simple, eggs (only came scrambled) with cheddar and bacon.  it comes with hash brown or grits, and either toast or English muffin, or homemade biscuit.  I opted to just get the toast.  It is ok about of food, but I would say that it I poured alot of salt on mine.  

From what I read, they serve breakfast all day, for lunch and dinner they do have diner fare for later meals.  If you are out of ideas for dinner and want something homey, can definitely come here for family meals.

Buffalo Grille

4080 Bissonnet 

Houston, TX 77005

713-661-3663

https://www.thebuffalogrille.com/

Uchiko

When we heard that Uchiko on Post Oak is serving lunch, curiosity got us.

     

They literally just rolled out the service, and we're right over to try it.

I got the Jasmine Honey tea, which has yuzu, honey and jasmine tea, they shake it up and made it nice and fizzy.

Got Sunomono - cucumber, radish, and scallion vinaigrette - that's actually pretty refreshing and tasty.  I've never had that before. 

Another app we got, tempura.  I would say that the panko wasn't thickly coated, but the sauce is great.  It's not your regular ponzu sauce, it's chili mixed in there.

I got the Ko Lunch set, which came with the Sunomomo, and this sushi chef choice, came with a roll and 2 nigiri. 

As part of the set, you can get either Waygu Sando, which is delicious!  The sando has thick bread layers and slaw with the meat. 

Or ... the King Salmon, which comes with a bowl of rice, half of an egg, and and some veggie.  That to me is a a very very full meal.  For that price, it is alot of food for the set, the only thing wasn't included in that whole meal was the Tempura, but given that, there's alot of food.  Good thing, we shared.

They are open at 11a, so if you want to make a reservation, that's the earliest they will accept.  That said, I saw alot of people parked next door and walked over.  But my friend also told me that there are parking at the garage, the entrance for self-park is on the side of the building.  

Uchiko

1801 Post Oak

Ste 110

Houston, TX 77056

713-522-4808

https://uchiko.uchirestaurants.com/location/houston/