Lulu's

On the way to catch a show, so hope to grab something yummy & quick.

We've driven by Lulu's multiple times and decided to finally step in.

Started with the bread service.  It's $5 but it has warm house-made focaccia with olive oil and honey butter.  Such a great starter.

I got the Gauvissimo - it has guava and pineapple juice, but not overly sweet at all. 

We decided to split the Arugula & Pear salad.  Amazingly, it is awesomely good.  It has some edible flowers, pear, blue cheese, candied pecan and obviously arugula. 

We got the Lobster Risotto - that was a tad disappointing.  The risotto felt like as still hard on some bits.  Not cooked all the way through.  The lobster, which should be the star, was flavorless, which made me wonder if they had just thawed it enough to cook. 

We got a side of spinach, which we were hoping it's the mushier kind, not this leafy kind.  That was a tad saltier than I'd liked but mainly was the texture kinda thing for me. 

I would say, if you plan on coming here, a reservation is definitely highly encouraged.  We came without one and got seated by the bar.  Even though it was before the dinner rush, our service is not as quick as our main dining room counter parts.  Mind you, the servers all go by the bar to pick up drinks for their guests, so they have to see us, but for sure prioritize lowered than otherwise. 

Anyway, if you get there early enough, parking is not a problem.  The back of the building does get encroached by Chuy's next door.  Or they do have a valet too. 

Lulu's

2518 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77019

713-590-7350

https://www.lulustx.com/

 

Hungry's

Dropped off the kiddo at a playdate and made time to go brunch.

Haven't been to Hungry's since they went bougie. 

The main dining room is absolutely like nothing in the previous at least 2 or 3 renditions that I know having being in Houston for more than 25 years. 

Got an Arnold Palmer to start and our server is cheerful to the max on a weekend brunch shift.

I ordered the egg and prosciutto skillet.  Oh geez, the thing is huge.  I got the traditional breakfast and its 3 eggs scrambled with bacon.  I skipped the the bread.  But with the fries and all that, it's still alot of food.  

We have a great server, and food got there in a decent amount of time.  Granted we were early enough that there weren't alot of people around.  Tables were just started to get filled, so everything came in a good time.

We found street parking across from the church's side street.  But of course you can do valet, there's a small sets of spots against the wall for self-park, meaning, don't bother.  If you can get in the food is good and worth your time. 

Hungry's

Rice Village

2356 Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-523-8652

https://hungryscafe.com/locations/rice-village/

 

Hui Lau Shan

Went back to Hui Lau Shan to cure a craving.

They are busy as ever, so do remember to bring patience. 

Got my usual Mango & Coconut Sago.  It's just not alot of places does Sago, or do them well.  So if they have it, I'll get it every time.  They have decent chunks of mango every bite, so I appreciate that.

Then I got the mango pudding.

Also has mango chunks in there.

It comes with condensed milk, which is the not sweet kind.  So it buffers out the overly sweet part of the pudding.  It's very nice.

Mango on top of Coconut pudding.

It comes with chewy mochi and jelly on top of mango chunks, which sites on top of coconut pudding.  I like to get several things into one bite, but I will say by the time you put your spoon in, everything runneth over.   Had to use the lid as my extra plate and put some of it there.  It was nice to extend my dessert for sure.

Anyway, keep an eye on time, after meals are definitely busy time.  So you have to catch it right in between.  Weekdays are definitely the least busy time.  It is nice when you can get in when it's not 8 people deep in all directions.  But on weekend, be sure to bring patience. 

Hui Lau Shan

9889 Bellaire Blvd

C317

Houston, TX 77030

713-234-7719

https://huilaushan.us/menu/

 

Fluff Bake Bar

Drove over to Fluff Bake to grab breakfast.

That doesn't happen often and often their breakfast are so hot that lines are formed and items get sold out.

I was already late getting there... didn't mean to take a creepy photo of the owner, but here it is.

Got the last few biscuit.  At first, I have no clue what that meant until the whole thing is put together and arrived in my hands.  There are smoked beef rib from Louie Mueller BBQ.  House made biscuit, extra flaky and gravy was just right, not too salty and not too milky.  Everything hit just right and I had to lick my fork. 

Then I got the Everything Bagel Dog - the seasonings are spot on.  I took it home, warmed it for 15 seconds and added the mustard.  It's just so good.  Definitely worth getting in line for it.

Saturday menu is on a rotating basis, so go to their social and see what the menu is.  Your choices are go early and line up, and they do sell out.  Or like me, try your luck late in the morning and see what's left.

Fluff Bake Bar

1701 W. 15h St

Houston, TX 77008

713-522-1900

https://www.fluffbakebar.com/

 

Ugly Donuts & Corn Dogs

Came across Ugly Donuts when we were walking around.

And you know, curiosity always adds the pounds.

You walked in, you can place your order via their kiosk.  They have photos to go along with the order description, very convenient.  If you don't have a credit card, you can take the receipt to the counter and pay.

In case you have no idea what they're talking about, they have sample of what you could possibly order.  But mainly corndogs.  The one with the twist is called an Ugnut (aka ugly donut).

I went with filled donuts.

They are like a regular filled donuts but with more filling and they are made to order.

I got the strawberry and Nutella.  You can see there's lots of filling in the middle.

Every bite is filled with filling.

Other filling flavors: red bean, red bean and walnut, cream cheese, blueberry, dulce de leech, strawberry cream and combo thereof.  Lots of combo you can make there.  

They literally get your order and put it together and fry it on the spot.  So it take a few minutes it's already ready to go.  Definitely quick snack.  You can order online and it'll be ready for pickup.

You can't miss the place, it is a standalone building in front of the gazebo and lawn, when it's a good day you can sit there and enjoy the donut.

Ugly Donuts and Corn Dogs

11200 Broadway St

Ste 1210

Pearland, TX 77584

832-328-8566

https://www.uglydonutsncorndogs.com/

 

Bluestone Lane

Came to Heights Location of Bluestone Lane.

Parking is a little like Hunger Game there.  But that said, seating was fine even when it's packed.

Started out with a Chai Latte.  

Trying the Lemon Ricotta Pancake.  The lemon curd and ricotta mix is pretty good spread.  Of course the skillet is so full, easily spilled out.  But if you can pancake, ricotta, lemon curd and berry all in one bite, that's pretty delightful.  I didn't even really need the syrup they gave you.   Even if the skillet looked small, it is packed all the way.  So cut daintily.  

As I was saying parking is a little challenge, they have 2 mini lots you can park but they don't cut thru each other, essentially they're separate lots.  Once you can get in, it's fine.  As I was saying, once you get in, they have tables to seat you and service is quick.  So don't get intimidated by that, go in anyway.

Bluestone Lane

115 W. 19th St

Houston, TX 77008

https://bluestonelane.com/cafes/houston-heights-115-w-19th-st/

 

Rita's custard

I got the Italian Ice - it's basically slushy en masse, and that looked good.  You can get it blended so it's looser and not as dense.  They also have frozen custard, which is like an ice cream.  They also have milkshake if you like.  And you know they also can mix frozen custard and Italian Ice together too.  It's a nice little break for sure.

Rita's Ice

2802 White Oak Dr

Houston, Tx 77007

832-987-4827

https://www.ritasice.com/location/ritas-of-houston-heights-tx/