Fat Bao

Haven't been to Fat Bao forever.  Lunch crowd is super busy, luckily, diners order, sit down eat, and leave.  So you don't have to wait long for a seat.

Got some fries to start.   I love how it's not greasy at all, some were crispy too.

Alright, the reason for being here.  I got the Duck (left) and the Pork Belly (right).  Everytime I get the duck, I'm always impressed that the meat is juicy and not dried up.  The only thing I would add is more Hoison sauce, the sweetness balance the meat.  Love!  The pork belly was nice and tender, and just love everything about it.  Nice and soft and not chewy at all, though I forgot about the pickle part, nothing against it, just not a fan growing up.  Know better next time.

Fat Bao

3419 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77098

713-677-0341

http://www.fatbaohouston.com/

Cooking Girl

Been meaning to try Cooking Girl, so excited to finally get here.

Luckily, my friend has the wisdom to come early, because without reservation, you probably be waiting for a while.

We got a pot of Honey Lemon tea, it was very nice and smooth and sweet.  Really reminds me of childhood, when we were little we get drinks like that to keep warm and sweet.  For your reference, they do free refill on the pot.  Instead, we go another pot, that's Dr. Lee's Hawthorne tea.  Neither of us have had it before, but I know that hawthorn helps lower blood pressure.  That was also nice, good tea for sure.

We got the twice cooked pork.  That's a childhood favorite, something about the sauce and the veggie mixed with rice just give me a warm feeling.  According to the owner, they cooked the pork for 40 hours, which you can tell because once you stick the fork in, all the meat came apart.   

For our "veggie", we got Ma Po Tofu, this version does not have any meat in it.  What surprised me was the they use spiced black beans in the dish, the taste does stand out, not bad, just a surprised.  Good thing is that it's not super spicy.  Nice thing was that the sauce was nice to mix with rice.  YUM!

Last but not least, Volcano Cod with rice noodles.  The noodle was nice with the sauce and the red pepper past, but was surprised the fish was not as flavorful as the noodles.  I was underwhelmed by this dish.

Another thing is that they do not serve alcohol, but you can bring your own, and they charge a small fee for corking.  Lots of people brought their own, and it was a popular thing for diners here.  

The whole set up is very nice, the place is small but you get the feeling that you're eating at someone's home.  The whole family works here, one sister in the front of the house, one at the back, their mom, one of the sister's husband, and cousin works here to make it all work.  Don't forget to either come early or call for a reservation!

Cooking Girls

315 Fairview St

Houston, TX 77006

832-649-7175

http://www.thecookinggirls.com

Borgo

I went back to Borgo, rather quickly since my last visit.

It's a quick stop for great food.

Since I didn't get coffee last time and the owner seemed disappointed, I'd figure I'll get one to try it out.

But not before getting a breakfast croissant.  It has meat, egg, and cheese.  Don't think this is just a mere sandwich, it was super filling.  They took the time to warm it up for me.  At first, I thought it was strange that they heated the paper that wrapped the sandwich.  But the result was that the croissant remain in tact.  It was still nice and warm when I got to my office.

Of course, I got the coffee (not pictured), they are super accommodating.  Whatever milk you want, they grid the beans as you order it, so it's super fresh.  It was a good cup of coffee.  Goes nicely with my breakfast croissant.

Borgo Food Station

3641 W. Alabama

Houston, TX 77027

832-940-2126

http://www.borgofoodstation.com

Beck's Prime

Went to Beck's to meet a friend for lunch.  It's been a long time since I've been to Beck's.  

I love their Ahi Tuna burger.  even though it's not Friday, I still order it. I got the basket, so, it comes with fries.

Lovely fish, with feta cheese, their own pickle.  Which I'm normally not a fan of pickle, but theirs I love.  There's red onion, tomato, and a secret sauce. All cooked well and tasted delicious.  Not pictured was the dessert portion of milk shake, which my little one just drank the whole thing.

Becks Prime

2615 Augusta

on Westheimer

Houston, TX 77057

713-266-9901

http://becksprime.com/locations/augusta/ 

Tea Bar

Saw a review for Tea Bar, since it was close to me, figured I'd give that a shot.

It took over the old Taiko spot in the shopping center on Fondren & Westheimer.

Since I'm getting dinner, I just got tea without the Boba (Tapioca).

For the little one, I got the cucumber roll.  Of course, he never touched it, which means I ate it all.

For appetizer, I got the vegetable tempura.  Very nicely done.

I got unagi, chopped scallop, and salmon.  Frankly, the salmon is fresher than a lot of places I've eaten.  But, no one seems to noted that fact.  I was actually super impressed that a place that is more focused on tea and boba, and their food is actually pretty damn good.  

Service is so-so, but they do have nice happy hour, maybe I'll try that next time.  The only problem with that place, and perhaps why their predecessor, Taiko, moved was the parking.  Dinner time parking is super super competitive.  There's the restaurants around, salon has customers that are wrapping up, across the way, there's karate school where kids are doing their lesson into the dinner hour.  Then, you have a few big anchor restaurants that are popular, and always draws a big crowd.  The valet guys, do not miss a spot.  So, you do need to take advantage of the Happy Hour, just so you have a place to park.  Even the Wings place has their own valet, it's that bad.  Go early!

Tea Bar Organics Houston

5857 Westheimer Rd

Houston, TX 77057

713-532-2399

http://www.teabarorganics.com/tbofusion/locations/teabar-and-organics-fusion/westheimer

Hello Kitty Macarons

Several weeks ago, the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck came into town.

I've actually met them back in 2014 at the Hello Kitty Con, where they debut there.  Subsequently, they were to open a physical location in LA.  But then, no word until we hear the truck is making a trek across the country.

Here's their menu.  Super Kawaii!

Here's my loot.  The bow water is different from last time, which as Hello Kitty Red with no logo, but since it's so distinct that everyone knows who it is.  Of course, the T-shirt and mug are limited editions.

Cute box that holds my macarons!

Cutesy macs.  You have one of the Twin Stars, Pink Hair should be Kiki.  Her brother is Lala.

So, the flavors are: Green was Almond, Blue was Chocolate, Red was either Raspberry or Strawberry, Orange was Citrus.  The character one I can't tell the flavor, but it was super sweet like Kitty herself.

Try to catch the truck wherever you are.

Hello Kitty Cafe

https://www.facebook.com/HelloKittyCafe/

Cousins Maine Lobster Truck

Fridays during Lent, have to find something yummy yet non-meat... luckily I found this food truck by the office.

I've actually never heard of them before, but looking at their site, they have anywhere 3-4 trucks across the city on a regular basis.  Really cover the town.

Didn't realized they've been on so many TV shows, including Shark Tank.

I got the messy oogy, Lobster Tots.  Obviously tater tots with Maine Lobster, pico de gallo, and cilantro lime sauce all over.  It has a little spice, a little crunchy, and a lot of lobster meat.  I was pretty happy with the amount of lobster meat they have on there.  Generous enough that I felt like I paid for my lobster.

I also got the Lobster Bisque.  It's a little thicker than I'd like.  I like it to be less thick and less on the corn starch because as some point, it became chunky.  The meat was decent enough for the soup, no complaint there, but less thickener would've been great.

While I was in line, I was talking to a guy who said he had to chase down the truck.  So, if he sees it, he'll stop and order something to go.  Another person drove from Downtown to Galleria area just for a Lobster Roll.  And speaking of Lobster Rolls, there's one for Maine and one for Connecticut.  Basically the Maine style is served chilled and the Connecticut style is served warmed.  Both sounds great, yes please!

Overall, the price totally justify the quality of the product.  I'm quite happy with what they serve.  Can't wait till summer and see what's in the Lobster Ice Cream.  That'll be interesting.  Check their site to see where they're serving.

Cousins Maine Lobster Truck

http://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/houston/