New England Lobster Market & Eatery

We were in a conference nearby and so lucky to have this place.

When I saw it on the map, I was so looking forward to lobster anything.

But first, I started out with an Arnold Palmer.  Yay for people putting it on the menu and selling it.

Then our food arrived....

I got the Lobster Corn Chowder.  As much as I am NOT a corn chowder person, that lobster chunks converts me.

I went for the Lobster Nachos.  And the lobster chunks here are too small.  But the nachos is made with house-made chips, there's jack cheese, that jalapeño sauce is amazing.  There's corn and black beans with the little lobster chunks.  I will say because of the jalapeño sauce that makes it so much more addictive. 

The place is very casual, there's a market on one side, and restaurants the other.  They even have live crab and lobsters for sale.  The restaurant has tons of seating both inside and outside, which is great when it's beautiful weather out. 

New England Lobster Market & Eatery

824 Cowan Rd

Burlingame, CA 94010

650-443-1559

https://newenglandlobster.net/

 

Ipoh Garden Malaysian Cuisine

We arrived in San Francisco mid-afternoon, but by the time we get to the hotel, checked in, settle in, it was getting to be dinner time.

That said, was kinda excited to find Malaysian food near by.  Turns out, it's not that near, we walked quite a bit, but luckily, I was ready for it. 

After all the walking, needed a Thai tea to quench the thirst.  

We started with Chicken Satay with peanut sauce.  Pretty nice.

Then we ordered the Hainanese Chicken which is poached chicken and it's cooked in chicken broth.   But to be honest, I'm here for that rice.  

This is Acar, which is assorted veggie & pineapple that are pickled.  

Got the Char Koay Teow - stir fried flat noodles with seafood, sprouts, eggs and soy sauce. 

Everything here is super flavorful, which was really a delight.  Of course, not having authentic Malaysian food in a long time also would do that too.   But it is family owned and the ladies are super kind and even though we were there near closing, you don't feel rushed out.   If you pay cash, they give you a discount. 

Ipoh Garden Malaysian Cuisine

100 El Camino Real

Millbrae, CA 94030

https://www.ipohgarden.com/

 

Vintage Cakes HTX

I signed up for a cake decorating class when I saw the promo by Sugar Bubs. 

Apparently, it's a Green Themed class.  The teacher took the time to bake individual cakes.

Everyone's chair came with tools, buttercream, decorations.

After a few practice, it was time to start.  Obviously, I am no cake decorator and also have tremendous respect for cake decorators and fully understand and willing to pay for that cost.  It was no easy task to make it smooth in all directions.  

Then now have to learn how to pipe the butter cream.  Having the decorative tips helps, but to be consistent is no easy task.  And it's not easy to scrap it if it's not matching.

And of course, the final touch!  Ha! yes, it's a Hello Kitty cake.  It actually tasted nice and fresh and not too sweet.  For an experience, it's a fun way to spend an afternoon.  But truly, having learned the process, I am definitely more appreciative to the art form and understand why they charge what they do - and rightly so. 

For sure, I do know they will do full fledge cakes for weddings or special occasions.  But they also do these classes for different themes and for different seasons too.  

Vintage Cakes HTX

https://www.instagram.com/vintagecakeshtx/

https://vintagecakeshtx.square.site/

 

Sugar Bubs

Matcha latte brought to you by Sugar Bubs.

So it was a bit deja vu when I saw the Sugar Bubs booth at an event that I was at.  Except, replaced the cakes with lattes.  

It's definitely a different take from dessert.  The latte I ordered was lavender matcha latte.  It's pretty good, not too much lavender, the latte was nice and smooth.  She also has banana matcha and a strawberry matcha, which that one reminds me of the Italian flag with the three colors (red, white and green). 

When chatting with Cyndi, owner of Sugar Bubs, she said that she's still doing Basque cheesecake, but trying to expand her business.  As a matter of fact, she's having an anniversary party coming up.  And the setting is 'what would it'd be if she were to open a real cafe/dessert shop'.   I wish her all the success, and more importantly, bring the box cake back!

Sugar Bubs

https://www.instagram.com/sugarbubs.htx

 

Original Chop Shop

This is my first time at Chop Shop.

Location was convenient enough, plus I was there for an event. 

I got the Scottsdale Cobb.  It has eggs, house green, tomato, avocado, bacon, and white cheddar.  It's actually a pretty good salad, I might add more protein next time, the egg was good, but I feel like for a late lunch I needed more.  

I was there for an event, but next time coming back, I would probably try another salad and see how it goes. 

Original Chop Shop

3027 Kirby Dr

Houston, TX 77098

713-589-7981

https://originalchopshop.com/locations/texas/river-oaks/

 

Vonlane

*Note: this is to a paid advertisement nor did I receive any compensation;  the opinion expressed here wholly owned by me*

Not sure if I'm the last person to know, but riding on Vonlane is kinda fun.

For those who are not familiar, Vonlane is a fancy bus that commutes from Houston to various cities in Texas.  Nice seats, you can stretch out.  Of course, they have blanket, lap desk, charger and pillow too.

When you first sit down, they bring a basket of Tylenol, Dramamine, ear plugs, tissues, toothbrush. 

Then, they serve drinks, you can obviously do soda, coffee/tea, juice, high brew, and sparkling water.  They have alcohol for purchase if you so oblige. 

They bring the snack basket by, there was slim jims, various kinds of cookies, chips of several kinds, different kinds of nuts the fancy kinds. 

For breakfast hours, they serve muffins, oatmeal, yogurt.  For lunch, there are choices for sandwiches, salads, and wraps of different kinds. 

For me, I go the Caprese Sandwich in Ciabatta bread with dressing.  It was still a bit cold from thawing.  But I appreciated the offerings.  On the trip back, I got a salad, and that worked out very nicely. 

While I started to dig into my sandwich, the snack basket made its appearance again.  Which at the time, I was thinking, that makes sense, since chips goes with sandwiches... Pretty good service.

An hour outside of the city, the snack basket came back around again!  That basket has showed up 3 times in a 4 hour ride.  For drinks, they come by and check on you and refill.  

Truly, overall, the service was great, since the bus seats 24 max, it was very nice to have them so attentive.   You don't even get that kind of service when you pay more than that for a flight.  This is definitely worth checking out.   And yes, even the bathroom is nice.

Vonlane

https://vonlane.com/

 

Braum's

I pulled my kid into my childhood favorite.

Keep in mind, it is a childhood nostalgia thing, not it's the best in the world thing.

We ordered meal for both of us.  It came with a sandwich and fries with a drink.  We upgraded one to a shake and just regular drink for the other. 

Yep, nothing spectacular, it's just something I used to have when I was a kid.  Cheeseburger... of course, if you finish your meal, you get an ice cream (read: reward, not free from the place).

I got me a scoop of Rocky Road, my go-to.  Super creamy, super flavorful.  Mainly because they are a diary shop and ice cream parlor. 

I was surprised to see they have a mini market.  They have their own bread & brownie on top of ice cream, sorbet and the like.  

They have regular groceries too. 

If you're ever in a pinch, you can really just hop in, grab a meal or an ice cream and get what you need, so you don't have to haul yourself to the store and get lost strolling around.

Growing up, friends had worked at Braum's after school.  So we would go to hang out with friends and buy an ice cream (or two).  I did know they sell food, maybe have gotten fries, but I don't often eat there.  They do serve alot of breakfast food, but otherwise, burgers, chicken sandwich, or chicken tenders. Not too many choices to pick from.  Again, this is just a nostalgia stop and showing my kid where we hang out after school. 

Braum's

518 Centennial Blvd

Richardson, TX 75081

972-783-9945

https://www.braums.com/store/518-centennial-blvd-richardson-tx/