Ruggle's Green

Haven't been back to Ruggles Green for breakfast for a while.

I forgot how big the breakfast plate was.  I was ashamed to say, had I paid attention to the cashier when he asked if I wanted bacon or turkey lean, I would've known to picked bacon.  I thought they had turkey bacon, but he meant turkey sausage.  Sadly the turkey sausage had no taste.  The pancake was a bit dry, the eggs and potato were good though.  I liked their other food, so was super surprised how the rest wasn't as good as I'd expected.

There's only one Ruggles out of all the location that serves breakfast.  We went early and it was nice because you can get in and out in no time.  And of course, as it gets later, it gets busier.  That said, on a Sunday, read the signs around the area, since the church has space but it is not available until after 1pm.  You've been warned.

Ruggles Green

Heights

748 East 11th Street

Houston, TX 77008

713-714-8460

http://rugglesgreen.com/

Christi's Donut

Time to make the donut!  Well, for me, it's more like eat the donut!

I haven't been there since I moved out of the neighborhood.  I forgot how homey they are and how they truly are the family business that never got too big for their breaches.

 Grabbed an old fashion chocolate cake they were so nice to throw in 2 donut holes in there.  Except I  also grabbed a dozen of donut holes so that makes 14 donut holes.  Womp, whomp.  All the donuts and kolaches were in an old fashion display case.  Besides the donut variations, cream filled and different flavors, but they also have bear claws, cinnamon rolls are their number 1 seller. Different types of kolaches, and the lines is never stopping at that place.

Christi's Donuts & Kolaches

1103 W. Gray

Houston, TX 77019

713-524-4005

Hong Kong's Cafe

Went to grab a quick breakfast down in Chinatown for errands.

Got my Hong Kong styled iced tea - yum!

This is something I remember getting on my way to school.  And you go to an alley where there's a show cobbler and a guy that makes copies of keys, and in a little stall is a guy that does these sandwiches.  He has the bread the condiments, a small pan to fry the eggs, and toasters.

Mine is an egg and spam sandwich, with toasted bread.  If you don't specify, they will not have toasted it for you.  So, make sure you say so.  It was a good tie in with...

My Soy Sauce Stir Fried Noodles.  It has no meat in it except the sprouts.  It's a morning treat.  The entire meal doesn't cost more than $8.  That's a steal.  Make sure you bring cash, they're cash only.

Hong Kong's Cafe

9108 Bellaire Blvd

Houston, TX

713-772-9633

Goode Co.

Was dying for some barbecue, actually, I was hoping for some cobbler, and typically they have it at a barbecue place, except this bet was not it.  That said, I had good food in return, that sorta made up for it.

For barbecue in town, best go to Goode Company.

Granted, they don't have lines out the door like Killen's, but for the convenience, this is pretty darn close.

Got a meal, and it was $15 with my stuffed potato, drink and tax.

Closer look, it was pretty much potato all the way without sour cream.  And thank god for that, they literally put down a slab of butter.  Not just a bit, it was maybe 1/4 of a stick of butter there.  Then cheese, chives, and chopped beef.  We cannot skip the bbq sauce, because that's the whole reason for coming.  

It was not as messy as I am usually with stuffed potato, and the beef was nice and tender, not dried at all.  It was smoked and you can taste the difference.  Of course, if you put their bbq sauce on anything, I'll lick it all up.  I was so stuffed (haha get it?!) that I had to skip dessert and good plan that was.

The shopping center matches the kitsch, it has a Country Outfitter, a Boot Company and BBQ, you can get all your cowboy/cowgirl needs all at one place.  The place looked real fancy on the outside by the door and the awning, but don't let it fool you, there's a line and it's seating yourself.  Though, you may be enjoying your meal with a stuffed buffalo or some rhinestone cowboy gear, but it's definitely not as open and super casual like the Kirby location.

Goode Co.

Katy Freeway

8911 Katy Fwy

Houston, TX 

713-464-1901

http://www.goodecompany.com/restaurant-bbq2.asp

Misoya

Mom wanted some noodles, and we were heading towards I-10 and Bunker Hill, figured we'd stop at H-Mart.

We like going there, there's always good food and at least 5-6 vendors to choose from, and it's all at a reasonable price.

 I got the Ome Rice, which is inspired by Japanese's Omurice.  Basically, it's omelet over rice.  The rice is fried rice with ham.  Separately, they cook this thin omelet, supposed to be as smooth as possible, and then put the fried rice in the middle and wrap it around.  Of course, their schtick is the ketchup mix, so it's decorated as such.  

You can see the fried rice up close, and how thin the omelet is.  What else I like about Korean dishes is that they give you those side dishes.  It has kimchi, picked turnip, spiced fish cake (which is not really spicy), and chilled cooked sprout.  It's nice because this dish is on the heavier side and you can add the veggies in the mix to balance things out.  They even give you miso soup.  The entire tray was less than $8, well worth the price.

Misoya

inside H-Mart

1302 Black Rd

Houston, TX 77055

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Misoya/655801501131790

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

A bunch of mom's and I decided to meet up sans kids.  We were ready for a break and this was the perfect spot.

 I've driven past here for years, but finally got an opportunity to try them out.  I was thinking of a casual Italian, which seems to be popular with everyone.  Turns out it was a good choice!

For starters, we ordered a bunch of the small plates like tapas, and then talk and eat as we go.

 This was the lamb meatballs, which we all agreed this was the best tasting thing at the table.

 This, you cannot see very well, but it's Ratatouille with egg and cheese on top, this is a warm dish.

 Not very well photographed, but this is a chicken skewer with zucchini and onion, and you can dip into the green goddess sauce with yogurt.  Chicken was moist but the sauce was not my thing.

 This was shrimp with hot pepper sauce has garlic and olive oil.  Not bad at all.

 Since we tapas-ed so much stuff, we decided to order a small plate of pasta.  I love how they have half order, so you don't feel like stuffing yourself and having to roll yourself out of the place.  This is actually smaller than it looks.  The pasta is fresh, you can taste that they homemade that, and definitely can taste the egg, but the pasta connoisseur at our table gave it a B-/C for the pasta.  Not al dente or spectacular, but not too shabby either.  I tend to agree.

 This is a cold ratatouille, it's like a being served like a cold veggie stew.  It's pretty good for a cold dish, and seeing that I don't like gazpacho, this is way above that.  Personally, I still prefer my food warm, so I'll be sticking to my warm ratatouille.

 This is the Pollo Guido, which is a stuffed chicken with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, basil, garlic with a white wine sauce.  It's pretty delicious.  And being shared amongst the four ladies, that was perfect amount of food.

Of course, I can't say no to dessert, even though I don't need it.  I got the affagato, since I was ordering coffee anyway.  They just pour a shot of espresso on top of 2 scoop of vanilla gelato.  Pretty yummy, not as strong as I'd thought it'd be like they do at Paciuco.

Overall, the place is intimate but has plenty patio space.  Parking is also not too much of a concern, the parking at the back of the building and nearby buildings as they're closed for business was perfect if you don't want to park in front.  Even the side street on Bammel is friendly for parking.  

Our server was friendly and patient, she explained the menu and answered our questions.  We do feel bad for the patrons nearby as four moms sat there and exchange war stories and laughing up a storm.  Well, for sure we were the funnest people there that night.  Go early, as they do not take reservation.

Giacomo's Cibo e Vino

3215 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 

713-524-1934

http://www.giacomosciboevino.com

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

We were out in Katy with the kiddo, stopped by to grab a burger.

 I love Five Guys, they always have shelled peanut for you while you wait in line.  But there has yet to be a time where I have time to grab the peanut and wait.  They get thru the line very quickly.

 You MUST get their fries.  It's full of salt and seasoning, but it's so fresh and so good.  What you see here is just the Little size.  The Regular size, in my experience, you have to share between 2 adults and 2 kids.  

Not the most pretty in terms of presentation, but the meat pattie is fresh, and they let you customize the burger with how ever condiments you want.  Combo is endless.

The wait is not terribly long, you grab your drink sit and and chat a few and they're already calling your number.  You can have as fancy as customized burger as you like, or as plain as your liking is fine too.  Either way, these guys get you in and out in no time!

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Westgate Marketplace

1150 N. Fry Road

Suite A

Houston, TX 77084

http://www.fiveguys.com/en