Panera

I always forget that there's a Panera near me.  I like them for their baked goods, between them and Corner Bakery, you really have a great selection within reach.

When I go there, I always get the Iced Green Tea, which taste nothing like the real green tea, of course.  It's sweeten and it just taste more like a fruit tea than a green tea.  If you drink real green tea, you'd know that it's bitter.  And this is not it, but it tastes good nonetheless.  

They, like Corner Bakery, has a half and half for lunch.  You can do 1/2 sandwich with a small soup, 1/2 sandwich with a 1/2 salad, or 1/2 salad with small soup.  Apparently, certain sandwich may ask for an up charge, so ask the counter before hand.

I would say for a fast joint, they have some quality people that works there.  I had my baby with me, fiddling with things, keeping the baby entertained.  All this going on, the lady behind the counter was super patient.  She helped me to my table and helped with getting water, since she saw how clumsy I was.  And she didn't have to do that, but she did anyway.  So, I'll come back just because they went above and beyond.

Panera Bread

3151 Holcomb Suite A

Houston, TX

713-821-1065

https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html

Nippon's

Since I'm making up for lost time, we're going back to our favorite Japanese places.

Nippon's is always one of my favorite, simply that they make good food.

If you get a rice dish, they come with a complimentary salad.  This one comes with the ginger vinaigrette.  The vinaigrette is definitely zingy.

I got the Chirashi, I like it because you get a sampler when you cannot make up your mind on sushi, this is the best solution.  Also a good deal for the price too.  If you're ever like me, want to try them all, and can't make up your mind.  Try this!

I love going to Nippon, but the parking can be a hassle.  They have a small lot behind the building, but some times, during prime time, you may have issue with getting a spot. You may have to go across the street and park on the street.  But it's not impossible.

Nippon's Japanese Restaurant

4464 Montrose Blvd

Houston, TX 

713-523-3939

http://nippon-sushi.com/

closed on Mondays

Blacksmith Coffee

I've been meaning to go try Blacksmith Coffee a while, just needed an excuse.  

 Here's the ordering counter.  You walk up, order, or there's a few seats at the bar.  There's a few more 'bar' seats by the window and by the bar, then there's about 5 tables.  So, this is not the place to bring a big crowd.  I can only imagine when it used to be Mary's on Montrose.

 Instead of coffee, I got the Jasmine Pearl tea.  It's really just jasmine tea.

I got a modified Croque Monsieur - ham, gruyere cheese, egg, béchamel sauce.   It came with chips and mini pickles.

I'm not sure if it's that day or not, but the guy at the counter was a bit miffed when I told him that this is the first time and asked for recommendation.  Like: dude if you don't know what you're walking into, why bother coming.  See, this is what I usually do, I ask the person behind the counter, or server, what their favorite or what they recommend.  Usually, they are very enthusiastic about telling you what they like.  This guy was like, well, it's all sandwiches.  Urm... yes, I'm just asking what he liked, it wasn't a pick up line.  Anyway, he ended up settling on the Croque, so I went with it.  It's good, tasted good.  But maybe I'll try going there when another person at the counter.  

If you worry about parking, don't have to.  They do have a small bit of parking next to the building.  Another small triangle behind the building.  Then you can also park at Underbelly's and Hay Merchant's.  So, don't worry about parking there.

Blacksmith Coffee

1018 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77006

832-360-7470

https://www.facebook.com/blacksmithhouston

Sweet

Since I was in City Centre, thought I'd stop by Sweet.  

Seems like it's becoming a once a year event... the last time I was here was a year ago.

The display case still hasn't improve.  By that I mean, macarons should be refrigerated somewhat.  Unless you sell out so quickly that you don't need to.  But the space does warm up quickly, having it refrigerated just ensure the quality of the cookies.

When I was looking for something to buy, I asked the server which she recommends, knowing that the flavors are rotated.  She said their popular seller is the Rose.  Yes I'd like that too, but if you look at the picture (next to the green), it's all smeared and not put together like a mac should, I would hesitant to buy it.  I'm embarrassed for her for even recommending it, since it looked so sloppy.

Since my friend bought something, I decided to give them a shot.  After all, you'd hope they've improved since the last year I was here.

They definitely kept the cute bag, and improved by having a professional logo sticker... let's see about the macs.

This is their version of Earl Grey.  They sprayed the silver on top.  The flavor was in the middle filling as opposed to Bite, which has the flavors in the cookie shell.

This is their espresso mac.  The shell is nicely decorated, just wish they let the filling and the cookie set before selling.  You can tell the buttercream is about to be mushed and it's not because its so fresh, it's because it was melting and the cookie is coming apart.

To say I was disappointed is an understatement.  They were the first shop in Houston to sell macs, and while the flavor is awesome, the finishing is subpar.  If someone's defrosted macs taste better than their 'fresh' ones, and looked more presentables, this is just embarrassing.  Definitely remind me that once a year visit is enough.

Sweet

801 Town and Country Boulevard

Suite A120, 

Citycentre Way, 

Houston, TX 77024
(713) 647-9338

www.sweethouston.com/‎

Osaka

Since I'm making up for lost time, we went for quick sushi at Osaka.

 For some nigiri: I had chopped scallops, smoked salmon, and tuna... those are my stables.

 Since we're sharing with others, we had 2 spicy tuna rolls and a Philadelphia roll... for you purists, don't worry, I didn't have the Philly roll, just because I don't care for creme cheese on anything other than my bagel.

For more sharing, we have here 2 spicy salmon rolls (on the outers) and the Hamachi/Masago Roll in the middle.  As described, it has Hamachi (yellowtail) and Masago (capelin fish) with green scallion.  Not bad, I think that'll be part of my repertoire going forward.

The thing about Osaka is that the chefs are fast and the service is always quick.  When you sit down and order, they give you a complimentary appetizer.  When you're ready to pay for your tab they'll offer you a scoop of ice cream with fried banana, it's nice.  Which almost made it justifiable to pay $6.95 for 2 pieces of nigiri of average grade.  Comparatively, Kata charges $5 for 2 pieces of same if not better quality sushi... hmm.

Osaka (Bellaire)

4001 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX 77025

713-838-9812

Grub Burger Bar

It was my friend Shawn's birthday, so we decided to meet up for lunch.  

 She saw Grub, which neither one of us have heard of it, so what the hey... we're adventurous.

 First off, they have shake... yum!  I had the Nutella shake, and Shawn had the Chocolate shake, classic!  Don't worry, if you want to shake things up, they do have Spiked version of these shakes too.

 Guess they have Happy Hour drinks special daily, from $3, $4, and $5 up.  Of course some grub to go along with those beverages.  

 I had the Lockhard Legend, which has onion rings, applewood smoked bacon, melted cheddar cheese, with Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, and pickle at the bottom.  Mine came with sweet potato fries.

Shawn got the Off-the Menu Special, which was pulled pork with cole slaw and it came with onion rings.  She said it was only ok, but the other stuff is good enough for her to return, so that's a good sign.

This place is relatively new, they only have locations in College Station and Houston (City Centre).  They also have a full bar, patio, and a small portion for full service seating.  Otherwise, you walk up to the counter, order, grab a number, fill your drink at the drink station, and find a seat.  They do have a server that tends to your area in case you need to find more napkins, forks, and what have yous.  They do pride themselves on the freshly baked buns.  Give them a try.

Grub Burger Bar

City Centre (upstairs from Urban Outfitters)

709 Town & Country Blvd

Ste 200

Houston, TX 77024

713-827-7157

http://www.grubburgerbar.com/city_centre_houston.html

Chatters

I think Chatters is one of the underrated neighborhood joints that are overshadowed by all the fancy hipster restaurants on Washington Ave.  

Again, I got my Arnold Palmer, which is now a 'usual' that I measure against between bars everywhere I go lately.  It's not too sweet, but not super outstanding either.

Every dinner entree comes with either soup or salad.

I had the Gyro plate with rice.  Very low thrilled, but the meat is done right.  Usually it comes pita bread, but since we're doing it gluten free style, you can swap out for rice. 

They do have a gluten free menu separate from the main, but when you tell the server, it is truly them taking out the bread portion and replacing it with something that's not.  No big theatrical about it, just subbing things out.

Like I said, Chatters is underrated and overshadowed by the big name, hipsters on Washington.  The food here is not bad, the atmosphere is nice.  There are a few odd paintings that are head scratchers, and location is not bad.  Servers are always attentive and ample parking for ease.  Yet, every time we come here there's plenty of empty tables.  They do mostly do Mediterranean but they also have other stuff too.  Truly deserve another look.

Chatters

140 S. Heights Blvd

Houston, TX 77007

713-864-8080

http://www.chatterscafe.com/