Jungle Cafe

If you live in Houston and haven't been to Jungle Cafe, I don't know what you're waiting for. Their cakes are so pretty and definitely a very French patisserie training of the owner and staff here.

I remember when they used to be in a dinky shop and they sold bubble tea and the cakes were pretty and definitely looked indulgent. To my surprised, it taste just as it looks. Pretty, delicate, and yummy. You can tell alot of artisan work went into each slice.
Now, they moved to a place that is truely fitting to their products, and make you think what took them so long. Their pretty, yummy, and stylish cakes now have a fancy, stylish cafe to suit. They have display cases of macaron work, sugar work, and just amazing cake work.
Of course, if they have something for kids, I wouldn't want to deprive them, but personally, I wouldn't want to eat them, they're so pretty.

They finally accept credit card purchase, but if you pay with cash, they give you a discount. If you want a cake, while they have extra for purchase, but to make sure to get what you want, you may want to order in advance.

9889 Bellaire Blvd
Ste 217
Houston, TX 77036
(713) 272-6633

Frank's Chop House - Happy Hour

So, this time at Frank's, I did quick Happy Hour appetizers. Since it's still very hot here in Houston, I ordered Tomato Caprese, which is sliced tomato with mozzarella cheese slices with basil on top. I'm sure there's olive oil on there somewhere, but it's not alot.
For my 'main meal', I had spare ribs with the bbq sauce and cole slaw. I've never been a slaw person, but it wasn't bad. The ribs were quite meaty, definitely recommend that again.

Frank's Chop House
3736 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77027
713-572-8600
http://frankschophouse.com/map.htm

Laduree NYC - holiday edition

Because you don't hear enough about macaron from me... but it is Friday, which we talk MORE about macaron. LOL.

My friend J asked her buddy who was traveling thru NYC to pick up a box of mac from Laduree.
Bless the guy who picked it up, no idea how long of the line he stood in, but he did picked up the designer box of the season. Meaning, they do rotate out design, and next time you go back, they won't have the box anymore.
I can't help and ate one before the official photo. You got your variety flavors: chocolate, salted carmel, vanilla, blackcurrant, pistachio, rose, and the one I ate... nom nom.

Post Oak Grill

So I had a Groupon to kill, so I took my mom to Post Oak Grill. Last time when I was there, I had a great experience. This time, not so much.

When I made the reservation online, it was not easy to change the reservation. When I called in person to make the adjustment, they failed to mentioned that they have 3 private parties going on that the entire restaurant is pretty much occupied by party people and no one will come and tend to you.

Even though we had a reservation, it took them about 20 minutes to clear, set, and seat us. After that, another 10 minutes for water and bread. When the bustboy walked by, I attacked him and asked him to bring over the menu. They basically dedicated all staff to the parties and anticipate the longest wait ever, and oh yeah, the Groupon is all due within a week, so that made the demand for a table even higher.

Realistically, they had one server to serve at least 8 tables in the front room, and 4 tiny tables in the back that they stuffed people at. That is with 2 bustboys who are just as busily running around.

Had they told us on the phone that they are packed and service will suffer, I would've either tried to bargain to extend my Groupon (sometimes if they're nice they would accommodate); or, tried to move up or after the dinner. Our entire meal suffered, took us 45 minutes to get our steak, and while the food is good, before we request our check, they didn't even bother to offer us the dessert menu or coffee. Seriously???

*sigh* I had such a great time 2 years ago, I was thinking that my mom would've loved it. While she's too polite to say anything, we all know that the evening just sucked. While I do feel bad for our server, I also felt neglected as a patron. Groupon or not, I had spoke highly of them before, and now I'm not too sure. Does good food help overlook poor service? Hmmm... afraid not.

Post Oak Grill
1415 S. Post Oak Ln

Houston, TX 77056

(713) 993-9966

http://www.postoakgrill.com/

Oceannaire - lunch

After all the Christmas shopping, we needed to rest our feet and grab a bite. I settled for Oceannaire, because not everyday you have an excuse to go.

I grabbed a Spinach Salad, and it came with hot bacon dressing. It's actually not hot or spicy, but you do taste the bacon, not so much the dressing, though you can tell it's in there. They chopped up the spinach into thinner strands. I also added the jumbo lump crabmeat on top to give it proteins. It's not a bad mix, it's quick, it's easy, and yummy! Don't forget to use your Laundry Select card if you are a member.

Oceannaire - Galleria
5061 Westheimer Road Suite 8050
Houston, TX 77056
Phone: 832-487-8862
http://www.theoceanaire.com/Locations/Houston/Locations.aspx

Osaka - Lunch

It is so unuaul that I get to go to Osaka for lunch. And Lunch menu has different things to offer than normally you don't get. For instance, the chirashi box. It is essentially all the sashimi over a bed of rice. Now, think for a second, if you were to order all of those sushi separately, it would've costed you north of $30. Here in the chirashi bento, which comes with soup and salad, only cost $12.95. I will say that the white fish and the salmon is super fresh. If you don't feel like having all the rice usually comes with sushi, you don't have to waste them.

This is a great deal with fresh sashimi!

Osaka Restaurant (Bellaire)
4001 Bellaire Blvd. #J
Houston, TX 77025
(713) 838-9812
http://www.osakahouston.com/ (the site is down, but the food is available!)

Nippon

When David said he found a new Japanese restaurant on Montrose I was scrating my head. Having lived in that neighborhood when I first arrived in Houston, I thought I know my knook and cranies for places to eat. Totally over looked Nippon on Montrose.
Surprisingly enough, I've never been there. Either because it never crossed my mine, it is hidden, there's no parking, or all of the above. Once we got there, I was like: sure, I've driven by it for years. Yes, they've been there for years.

Sushi is fresh, but sitting at the sushi bar has its perks. You can ask the sushi chef to do Omakase (chef's choice). It's kinda nice. There's definitely regulars that come for their comfort food here.
I ordered the Nippon Roll and it is tuna and white fish with avocado wrapped and tempura-ed then rice and caviar wrapped with soy paper. It definitely lend it's crunchy chew on that. That is not an unusal combo, just the taste remained intact with the tempura and wrap.

The place is small and popular with the regulars and people who live in the neighborhood. There are a small parking lot behind the building, but your best bet is park across the street and walk over. Also, the place is small, if you have a party more than 5, call ahead. Otherwise, during meal time, don't be surprised that you have to wait a bit. They are popluar.

Nippon Japanese Restaurant
4464 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-3939