Ruggles Green

So for dinner al dente, we went back to Ruggles Green for their pizza.

Sadly, the Natural Roasted Chicken Pizza was a bit disappointing.  I doubt it's because there's no tomato sauce, the chicken is a bit dry, and the sun dried tomato isn't as flavorful as I had hoped.  The onions was good though...

Here's the ham and swiss and brie cheese.  I liked the taste of it, but then I wasn't supposed to have brie, so...  The taste is good, and definitely go with the sweet potato fries. 

I am never disappointed with their sandwiches, but this pizza was definitely not up to the Ruggles par.  I think I'll stick with the other ones.  Was hoping the natural chicken pizza be a good gluten free pizza alternative, but unfortunately, it didn't make the grade.    

Ruggles Green

2311 W. Alabama

Houston, TX 

713-533-0777

http://www.rugglesgreen.com/

Kobecue

I realized I haven't been back to Kobecue for quite some time, so for a quickie good meal, I stopped by.

Watch out for parking in the area, they meant it when they say they will tow, so be careful where you park.

For appetizer, I had fried tofu, it had scallions and yummy sauce on top.

For main course, this is the Spicy Pork Hot Stone Bowl.  I know you can't see it, but the egg had some roe, and the chili pepper, which you see, but there are pork underneath with veggie.  Of course, you are to mix it all up and all the spices, veggie, rice, and egg, into a delicious mix.  Don't forget the bowl is hot, so it'll be piping hot when you get it.

I love their food, and never tired of their kimchi mixed with everything.  The spice is always spiced to the right flavor for me.  I'm lovin' it.

Kobecue

3957 Richmond Ave
at Weslayan

Houston, TX 77027

832-767-1533

http://kobecuegrill.com/

Fat Bao

When I saw on Fat Bao's Facebook page that they have ramen, and I have no dinner plans, I made my way there.

Follow them on their FB page, because ramen is not available every night.

The Bao, however, are always available there.  For an appetizer, I had the Bulgogi Bao, which has kimchi, beef ribeye and their in house made sauce. 

This is their version of the Tonkotsu.  Lovely broth, and you see the pork, there's mushroom, and egg.  For $1 extra, you can get kimchi, another egg, or more pork for $2.  I love that it the meat and the broth has this harmony.  The noodles are the egg ramen, seems like been with the soup long enough to give you a nice full picture of the dish.

If you haven't been, you just walk up to the cashier, place your order and they give you a mini construction cone with your number and they bring you your dish.  Ramen is not offered every night, they usually do it on Monday and Wednesday, but it is best to go to their FB page and double check.  Even if you go on a night that they don't sell ramen, their bao's ain't shabby either.  So either way, you will not go home hungry.

Fat Bao

3419 Kirby Dr.

Houston, TX 

713-677-0341

http://www.fatbaohouston.com/

Definitely follow them on FB:

https://www.facebook.com/fatbaohouston  

Chi'lantro

So I saw on Twitter that food truck shows up at Whole Foods at Bellaire, I have to go check them out.

Today's choice was Chi'Lantro (from Austin).  Since I haven't tried them before, I am hungry enough to give them a shot.

You can see they are a Korean/Mexican fusion, the menu is: Taco, Kimchi Fries, Burritos, Quesadillas, Bowls, Hamburger, Fries.

Here we have the spicy fries, it's definitely spicy, because you see they have alot of spices on it.  They give you this 'magic' sauce, which taste a little like mayo mixed with something spicy....

This is their Pork Quesadilla, with bulgogi pork, of course.  I love it because the mix with the cheese, of course, it has kimchi inside to spice things up too.

I find it interesting that this is at least the 3rd Korean/Mexican fusion mix.  Do we really have the population for 3 similar food truck?  Between OhMyGogi, Coreanos, and now Chi'Lantros, not to mention the brick and mortar of Kobecue, does Houston have enough people who are willing to try it, love, and sustain it?  Now mind you, two of the four aforementioned are implants from Austin.  So, not only are the Houstonians compete against each other, they also have to compete with Austinites investing/invading this city.  

How does it measure?  I like their food, just because I appreciate the cross cultural fusion.  Does it stand out?  I think it stand shoulder to shoulder to the others.  OMG will always have a spot in my heart and any Korean/Mexican fusion, I find myself measuring it against them.  I will say that Chi'Lantros can throw in a bit more spice on the kimchi, but it's not bad and the staff are vibrant and great!

Chi'Lantros

http://www.chilantrobbq.com/

for Houston, follow their Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ChiLantroHTX

Sorrel's Sunday night dinner

So I got a gift certificate at Sorrel so I grabbed couple of friends to go dinner.

This is the Pan Roasted chicken with fingerling potato, with spinach.  It came with fries, which are very good.  I can do without the herbed pan jus that was a bit rich.  I think the flavors with the chicken was great just by itself.  

It was weird, the food was good, but on a Sunday night the entire place was empty.  I thought that was strange too that at the entry way at the hostess station, and at a corner, they have a camera showing the kitchen.  Unless you're on Iron Chef or Chopped, camera in the kitchen is boring and not much to look at.  

Sorrel

2202 W. Alabama

Houston, TX

713-677-0391

http://www.sorrelhouston.com/

Thai Spice

One Saturday just met up with some friends for lunch at Thai Spice in the Heights.

I got the Pad Thai with beef, it was saltier than I remembered, but I was really there for their Thai Tea, which was super good.  And when you sit down, they give you the shrimp flavor crackers, which you don't get anywhere anymore.  

It was nice to get there early on Saturday during lunch time, you get great service and of course, food is hot off the wok.  That is definitely the time to go.

Thai Spice

460 19th Street

Houston, TX 

713-880-9992

http://www.thaispice.com/menus.htm

Melange Creperie

Now that I work in the Galleria area, haven't had much chance to go to see Sean for crepe for some times.  So when my watch said 9:50a, it's time to drive down to Montrose to see how long that line is going to be.

As usual, as Sean is still setting up, there were 3 or 4 families already waiting for crepe.  It's alot of people that live in the neighborhood that bring their dogs and their kids down to see Sean and see what creation Sean cooked up.

Since it's not strawberries season, there's no Patty Special to be had.  So instead, we had Nutella, Banana and Walnut.  It was just as good, but just because he had mastered the batter for the crepe, which makes every filling inside tastes good.

My advice about going to see Sean for crepe, go early and bring exact change so he can process your transaction and go back to making crepe faster.  I always bring exact couple bucks for tips and while it's not tradition to tip to proprietor but since he always takes care of us you never feel bad for paying extra.

Melange Creperie

http://melangecreperie.wordpress.com/

best follow him on Twitter
https://twitter.com/MelangeCreperie