Coco Crepes

Got a day off and went for a breakfast.

Was just talking to a friend that I like to go to businesses outside of the Village proper just for convenience of parking.  It's not like I'm not patronizing the business, but to pay for parking on top of my business it's a tad much. 

Got a nice latte to start.

I got the breakfast crepe, which has eggs, cheese, and sausage.  It is very filling and for breakfast it's definitely do the job.  It is a very full meal by itself.  That and the coffee it's alot. 

Service was pretty fast, I caught a window between commuters getting their coffee and students coming in to sit down to grab a cup of coffee before they start their day.  Definitely a good break for the day.

Coco Crepes

2339 University Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

346-980-5525

https://www.cococrepes.com/location/coco-crepes-rice-village/

 

Barcelona Wine Bar

Went to check out a wine bar around Montrose.

This was located on Westheimer near Shepherd.  This space used to be an antique furniture shop.

They serve Happy Hour 4-6p but sad to say, there's not too many specials to make HH worthwhile.

Best thing on that list was the seasoned Marcona Almonds.  They are good with a beverage.  The name of the game here is tapas, but if you're hungry enough, they do have large plate to cure your tummy.

I did a mocktail version of Bees and Bays, that works out because that's the lowest alcohol content out of their list anyhow.  It has lime, salted honey (never had that before), and sparkling water.  They skipped the bitters.  But this is one of the few mocktails that are not sweet.  Most people's version of a mocktail is mojito with no alcohol, but what you really get is a bunch of sugar.

Our server recommended the Spinach Chickpea Cazuela, they mushed the chickpeas and added to the spinach, it has an added texture.  Not as thick like a casserole as he described but it's not a bad filler tapas type dish.

Of course there's the Patata Brava - we just had that over at MAD.  I think the taste here is less intense.  It's more mild, good flavoring and not super overwhelming spicy.  Though I did feel like we were over drowned in aioli sauce.

This is Crispy Brussels Sprouts - definitely is crispy with a hint of lemon vinaigrette and you can see a little pepper there, but it's not spicy.

Got the Beef Empanadas as the server recommended, and it comes with red tomato sauce, which feel like the ones you add on pizza but with a little bit more texture.  Inside is all ground beef, definitely super filling. 

Grilled Pulpo - octopus and over potato. It has mojo rojo sauce which goes well together.  I do love the flavor and not too chewy and even the manager was recommending it.  It was not gamey, which means it's still fresh, and the flavoring is good.  Comes to find out the chef is also a fishing hobbiest and what's great about them, is that they would know how to treat/cook seafood.

Overall the food is not bad, if you're here to drink and eat, I think you can definitely order more.  But at best, 2-3 dishes per person is a good mark.  Then you share can maybe do one more here and there.  That said, they have steak dishes, paella, and salad on the menu.  

Parking, there are street parking around the area, but if you're familiar, you need some patience for that.  If you valet, the cost is $5 per car, so bring some change. 

Barcelona Wine Bar

1731 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77098

713-878-3355

https://barcelonawinebar.com/location/houston/

 

Pho Binh Katy

We were out by Katy Mills and grabbed bowl of pho to keep warm.

Outside of Katy Mills, it was easy to find but parking can be a challenge.

Once you get in, you check out the menu and order at the counter.

While you wait for a table to open up, you can sit and take a selfie with this pretty background.

The pho that arrived was huge.

I got the rare steak beef pho.  They give you tons of noodles, so it definitely warms your tummy.  The beef are thinly sliced and it's easy to tear apart.  The broth is fully flavor and light textured.  It hit the spot when the weather is turning cold.

Parking can be a challenge during busy time.  They are quite popular in the area.  Not to mention the other businesses in that shopping center, so it can be a challenge.  So be prepare to look around.

Pho Binh Katy

25621 Nelson Way 

Ste 130

Katy, TX 77494

832-437-9486

https://www.phobinhkaty.com/

 

Sammy's Beach Bar

On the way out got to the airport way early because it was an anticipated busy day at the airport.

Found a bar that serves breakfast - after all we are in Vegas.

I got the Plain Jane Breakfast Classic: 2 eggs (sunny side up), bacon, and breakfast potato.  Very no thrills, straight up good o' fashion breakfast.  

What I do like, however, is the service.  Listen at 6am, no one is in the mood for anything.  But the server was kind, she knew that's the beginning of her shift and it's going to be a long day for one of the busiest travel days.  She took care of the mom with a kid with care, a guy sitting by himself, couple people belly up to the bar and me.  All in a very calm manner and good attitude.  I tipped her extra just for that.   Totally grateful for good service on a stressful travel day and one of the crazier airports in the country. 

Sammy Hagar's Beach Bar

inside Harry Reid Airport

5757 Wayne Newton Rd

Las Vegas, NV 89169

702-261-5211

https://www.sammysbeachbarandgrill.com/locations/las-vegas/

 

Resort World's Food Court

We made the trek over to Resort World.

It's away from the Strip, but for food, I'd take that cab ride.

My destination is the food court, as expected.

Cool details that they though about the Asian community and customers.

Even the ceiling had this cool neon design.

This is the Center Bar- in case you can't tell, all the neon sign has something to do with drinking.  That should help you find a place to belly up.  You see your friendly bartender, get a card and load it up with money, and then you just walk around and fill up your glass self-serve.  Pretty cool.

The food court - has alot of good Asian food all gathered in one place.

The claypot really draws me to it. 

We don't get Claypot here in Houston very often, so having it elsewhere I must try it.

While we didn't get our dish in the claypot and I do wonder if we get the crispy bottom of the over cooked building up when they're cooked over the open fire.  But the flavor is all there, the soy sauce, the chicken, Chinese sausage, mushroom, scallion, baby Chinese broccoli.  The whole mix was delicious. 

How you order is a little different, you can order it at each of the stalls. Or they have computers on kiosks where you can buy dishes from different stalls at one order.  Very helpful if you want to try a little from here and little from there.

If you want some dessert or coffee, go over to the Neko bar and get some goodies. 

Here's a piece of Vegas history.  The original neon sign can be found at the Neon Museum, but for now, you have a mini one for view.

Famous Foods Street Eats

inside Resort World

3000 S. Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

https://zoukgrouplv.com/famousfoods/

 

Hong Kong's Cafe LV

We went back to Hong Kong's Cafe after 7 years at Venetian.

This time we did make a reservation ahead of time.  

So even if we arrived early, they got us seated very quickly.

Needed a jolt for dinner time in preparation for a show.

I like the details on the table.

We got veggies to start - it's baby bok chop. 

We got Mongolian Beef for protein.  We asked them to not do it too spicy and it turned out just right.  

I will say, last time the service was horrible.  This time, the service is fine, but the kitchen took forever.  It was starting at the beginning of the dinner service and not all the tables are seated, so that was a tad strange.  That said, from previous experience, we knew the set the expectation bar super low.  I'm grateful that the service was better than before but the experience ie subpar just a tad better than before.  Food otherwise is fine.  I still much prefer Noodles at Bellaigio both service and food together. 

Just as mentioned last week's post, reservation is key at any of these eateries.  Not that you can't walk-up, but you're definitely on the bottom of the waiting list.  Having a reservation even if you were early, they will put you to a table faster than walk-up.  Just do it online before you leave home, it'll take a few minutes.

Hong Kong's Cafe

3325 S. Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702-607-2220

https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/restaurants/hong-kong-cafe.html

 

Sul & Beans

We checked out the shopping center across the way,

...and came up to Sul & Beans.

They have Bing Sul & Red Beans Teriyaki.

They have a special 5 for $9.95.- let's call it $10.  It comes with 5 flavors.  They were kind enough to mark it on the side for us. They've got Custard, Taro, Red Bean, Nutella, and Brown Sugar (which actually have Cinnamon).  

The batter tasted like it has mochi in it.  Rather than a pancake batter that we think they'd use.  Or definitely not too crispy or too bready but chewy.

This place in the end of the shopping center so it's easy to miss.  They are also next to Somi Somi and have dessert in both stores.  It is definitely a great place to hang after a bunch of walking in Vegas.

Sul & Beans

4284 Spring Mountiain Rd

#D103

Las Vegas, NV 89102

702-473-9629

https://www.sulandbeans.com/