Wing Kee

Located in the same shopping center as ECK.

They've been opened since December, but we finally went back after their soft opening.  They are now rolling $5.50 lunch special.  If you're in the Westchase/Alief area, you should go check them out. 

I got the Hong Kong Styled Iced Lemon Tea. Not as sweet as I like them, but it's decent tea nonetheless.

Toss Fried Yee Mein, which is another type of egg noodles, but stir fried dried.  There's mushroom, scallion, pretty vegetarian friendly.

Ordered some veggie, just because we needed some green.  These are Chinese Broccoli, the leaves are super nutritious. 

Singapore Street Noodles, which is a bit curry with shrimp, pork, and vermicelli.  

This is an homecoming for Wing, who had retired from the Houston market for 8 years.  As a matter of fact, his former business partner is the one that started Ding Ding.  Their place used to be out on Synott & Bellaire, which was super far for me.  This location is pretty convenient, but still not close.  And since this is an reinvent of the old concept, I can only hope that they're successful in this rendition.  The food is definitely reminiscing of the old food, but can the location stand for it, that time will tell.

Wing Kee

6938 Wilcrest Dr

#B

Houston, TX 77072

281-741-7118

La Table

For my bday dinner, my friend took me to La Table.  Been hearing a lot about them...

 ... and been here many of times as its previous renditions.

 First floor is the bar and a mini market that sell their delicious looking dessert.  Of course, if you wish to dine there, you don't need to get a reservation for that.  Just go early to try your luck.

 For upstairs dining,  you do need to make a reservation.

 This is the Orchard Sangria, which has pear liquor, apple cider, and cinnamon.  You can eat those fruit out of there.... 

This is the amuse bouche, which is a tomato carpaccio.  Not a big fan, it seems like I'm drinking salsa.

 Ordered a dozen oyster.  So, nice and fresh, totally delicious, not slimy at all.  The horseradish sauce is mild and not at all in-your-face-punch.  Just a bit lemon was already refreshing enough.

 I ordered the Lobster Bisque, and they serve it, like so...

 Then they pour the soup base...

 ... and it melts the little flan looking thing together.  The soup base is very nice and thick, not to mention actually taste like it was made with lobsters.  As opposed to posers who uses scraps and add it in later.  

 I got the Hudson Valley Duck Breast, this is medium per chef recommendation.  Let me tell, that was just perfect.  Not chewy, not gamey, and it's just right.  The little bulbs in the middle are turnips.

 Then, it came with potato puree, just the fancier mashed potatoes.  It was very delicious, but by this point, I was already full.  So, had a quick taste, which was good, and I gave up on it.

Here's a hidden Mickey for you...

For Dessert, I got the macaron assortment which has Pistachio, Vanilla, Blood Orange, Chocolate, and Lemon.  I am a bit tougher on critiquing this part.  The macarons, you can taste that they frozen it and thawed it.  The shell are soft, but it was super mushy, and what's worse is that when you lift it up, the top layer shell comes off...  So, I am disappointed for that part.  What would Francois Payard going to say?!

So, definitely make a reservation.  You can use their complimentary valet or park at the back of the building.  The weather is still nice, definitely sit at the patio and enjoy a sangria.  I've seen a lot of people order their chicken, which I guess their popular item.  It's neat because the manager, and only the manager carve the chicken for you.  He first drips the juice onto the vegetable, then carve like a beautiful ballet, for you and your guest.  Oh yeah, usually good for 2-3 people.  But, just how he carved is like watching a conductor conducting the orchestra, it was THAT good.  Order that.  I also advise going early, usually you get better attention and service.

La Table 

6 BLVD Place

1800 Post Oak Blvd

Houston, TX 77056

713-439-1000

https://latablehouston.com/

Coco's Crepe

Haven't been back to Coco's for a while.  And I always enjoyed the atmosphere and the service there.

I got the Nutella & Banana crepe, and thank goodness that they're super generous on the Nutella, because let's face it, that's the whole reason for ordering it.  The home made cream does add a touch and balance the sweetness out.  

Don't get me wrong, they ain't no Melange.  But for a place close by that serves decent crepe.  I do stand by Coco.  Not pretentious, friendly staff and owner, decent coffee and good service always.  The staff there really want to please you and make sure your visit is enjoyable.  Not to mention, when the weather is nice, they open the doors and it's so nice to be there and enjoying the Texas weather like the Europeans do.

Coco's Crepe

2339 University Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

346-980-5525

http://www.cococrepes.com/locations/rice-village/ 

Little Liberty

Went to grab a quick lunch, my favorite place had a long line and no parking in the Village.

Just as I was getting discouraged, I remembered: hey, Little Liberty should be open!  Sure enough, it was!  Hooray for parking and good food.

 Decided to sit at the bar to get some company.  And they did not disappoint.  The bartender guy and one of the cashier banter, and chefs coming by to chit chat, it was a fun place that afternoon. 

 I got the lunch special that day, it was ribs cooked for 14hrs, and rub marinated for 45 mins.  It was nice with a sweet honey taste and a bit of tang of spice.  It was a nice mix.  The chef was telling me that he has a sauce that is honey soy with tameric and couple other spices with an Asian flair but still has a good kick to it.  He was not lying, it was tangy and delicious.  It came with a cole slaw, which was ok, it was spicier than I like my slaw.  And the fries were nice and crispy.  Overall, it was finger licking good.

The set up at Little Liberty is very much like its predecessor, you order at the counter, then grab a table or a booth and they deliver the food to you.  If you have a special drink to be made, however, remember to come back for it.  While I was sitting at the bar, someone ordered a cappuccino, but they forgot it, by the time I left it was still sitting there.  If you sit at the bar, you pretty much get full service there.  And don't forget they have happy hour specials and check out what's on their board too.  Don't forget to take advantage of their wifi

Little Liberty

2365A Rice Blvd

Houston, TX 77005

713-807-7224

http://littlelibertyhouston.com

Bramble Happy Hour

Met up with my friend for a quick catch up.

 I've heard a lot of great things about Bramble, so I was happy to go meet her there when she suggested that.  Though, after I told my coworkers, they were telling me how great their chicken are.  And sadly, the awesome chicken was only served on Monday.  Boo.

 Raspberry Lemonade, cannot tell you what alcohol is in it, but it is delicious.  Of course, it was kinda mixed in with someone that was sampling Round Rock Alcohol, which has whiskey, bourbon and peach whiskey.

This is the gumbo with fried oyster.  This was super delicious, the sausage, mix with the roux, it just was filling but not overly thick.  The mix with the fried oyster was super yummy, wish they have a whole plate of it.  

Sitting at the bar does give you a lot of perks.  You're close to the alcohol and the bartender is very knowledgeable of the menu and what was good that day.  I totally go with the recommendation by the servers and the staff.  They have to taste the food to sell it, and they'd know best.  Remember, yummy Fried Chicken is Monday!

Bramble

2231 S. Voss Rd
Houston, TX 77057
832-819-0322
http://restaurantbramble.com/

Liberty Kitchen Oysterette Happy Hour

Liberty Kitchen Oysterette is super close to the office, so it was a nice afternoon to walk over and not have the hassle of finding parking.

 Got the Karbach Love Street, it was an awesome summer beer.  It has a light body and no heavy after taste.

 We got the queso with crab meat.  The chips are super good, and the crab meat wasn't as generous as they can be, but the cheese was good, so I'll forgive them for that.  

Since I"ve been hanging with my coworker who is a oyster snob, it's nice.  I've only been having the best oysters since hanging out with her.  This time, we have Wellfleet (left) and Blue Point (right).  Both are super clean and delicious.  No ounce of sand whatsoever.   The meat is nice a not sludgy at all.  I loved the sauce, not so much of a fan of the horseradish, but it's pretty good.

Liberty Kitchen Oysterette

4224 San Felipe

Houston, TX 77027

713-622-1010

http://www.libertykitchenoysterette.com/

Jenni's Noodle House

Was jonesing for pho in the Galleria area.  The first thing I thought of was Jenni's Noodle House.  Thank goodness it's right around the corner.

So, we have yummy pho with flank steak.  They are a tad more rare than I like, but it'll do the trick.  I ordered an egg roll.  I didn't really want an entire order, just for taste, so that's perfect.  

I like the Galleria location, easy to get in and out, plenty of parking, not to mention, you can sit outside if you like.  But to top it all, their staff are super friendly and goofy.  They make small chats and sometimes goofy jokes.  So, it creates a light and friendly environment.  Even though I was by myself they came and check on me and make small talk, but not overly hovering.  I felt like they were looking out for me, so that's nice.  They also have quiet a few regulars that they have gotten to know, it's like a Cheers except serves noodles.

Jenni's Noodle House

2027 Post Oak Blvd

Houston, TX 77056

713-NOODLES

http://www.noodlesrule.com