March Food Updates

I think I may have to start breaking these up in to weekly updates or something. I feel bad not being able to just write about the initial smells, tastes, and feelings I get. Anyway, here’s the new list and please enjoy!

Tuesday March 1, 2011
The sushi is not magnificent or anything ridiculous, but it’s so close and inexpensive. Joseph and I had a good chit chat about life over a few bottles of nigori and sushi. Good times!

Saturday, March 5, 2011
The weather that day was so perfect. I remember walking by this place a few times, but never stopped by. I had the “South of France Poached Eggs with Salmon” – Poached eggs on toasted olive oil bread, marinated salmon, citrus ricotta, avocado, scallion. We even got a side of, well, figs and olives. They don’t go well together, I might say.

Saturday, March 5, 2011
Since Ippudo had over an hour wait, Christina (an old friend from high school!) and I went over to this ramen place nearby. We started off with the yellowtail cheek and I never expected it to be so freaking awesome. The ramen definitely kept me a happy eater.

Saturday, March 5, 2011
Holy crap, giant french fries and some really good dipping sauces? Who knew it could survive, but one bite and you will be hooked.

Saturday, March 6, 2011 (Part 1/3)
I really did not know where I ended up after taking a cab with a couple friends to this place. When we arrived, there was already about a dozen people there and already started on the unlimited bloody mary’s and sangria. They even waited for us to arrive before ordering, how nice!

Anyway, I got a Chorizo Sandwich (spicy chorizo, fried egg, salsa verde, salad, truffled hash browns). I might say, a spicy chorizo burger is freaking awesome. All it needed was bacon…so I ordered some. Too bad it came out late, but well worth it. Each piece was about a 1/8 inches thick with a crunchy outside and super fatty/juicy inside.

Sunday, March 6, 2011
I walk by this place everyday when going to or coming back from work. I finally dropped by and it’s not too bad.

Monday March 7, 2011
Alan was in town and so Joseph and I travelled all the way over to see him. Good food and good drinks – definitely coming back for the beers and crazy, but delicious food there – Chicken Liver & Bacon Pate:
chicken livers, slow roasted bacon, port reduction w/ cornichons & toasted bread and the Kick-Ass Pork Butt: slow cooked pork butt with a smear of romesco sauce, broccoli rabe, sharp provolone on rosemary
foccacia.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011
If you have a chance to get reservations, I definitely recommend you to go. Drinks are freaking awesome – you just say what you’re in the mood for and they’ll make it. I should have asked for bacon! I can’t remember much of what I’ve got, but I kind of took notes: “Sick. Refreshing cognac, lime juice, spritzer. Egg, oragnec, nutmeg, Gordon’s breakfast muddled cucumber, cholula, Tabasco, etc?”

Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Taking this food to go was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Although I hate taking food to go in this town, I got home and scarfed it all down and even had extra for the night after. If I can find my way back down there again, I will definitely be bringing more food to take home.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Elizabeth got in town kind of late, so I took her to a familiar place what was open and not too far.

Thursday March 10, 2011
After watching The Book of Mormon, we all went to dinner. This place serves Italian food, family style. If you’re hungry, have a big party, and ready to be stuffed, come here. Oh, and their giant inexpensive bottle of wine is totally worth it.

Friday March 11, 2011
After some wandering around, we found this place nearby. It was BYOW, so even better! This is definitely a fusion place, so expect some weird combinations on their menu. I will come back here when I’m down for something interesting.

March 12, 2011
Everyone has mentioned this place in their list for me to visit. I have passed by a couple times, but the wait was over an hour! While Elizabeth and Thu were visiting, we stopped by about thirty minutes before it opened on what turned out to be a really nice Saturday morning after a day of the disgusting rain. There were about ten people in front of us, but we all were seated very quickly.

We started off with some tea and the freaking Hirata pork buns (Steamed buns filled with your choice of pork or chicken, served with Ippudo original spicy buns sauce) arrived. They’re wrapped in a warm bun (like the from Peking duck) with what looked like mayonnaise, lettuce, and a crazy seasoned strip of pork belly.

As we were savoring the buns, a plate of the Samurai Ribs (Pork spare ribs, seasoned with soy based ‘tare’ sauce served with seven-spice chili pepper). Elizabeth tore them apart for us and the meat literally fell of the bone. I tried the side of their dipping thing, but it was not a very palatable combination. There was one bun left (they came in pairs and we ordered two) and they gave it to me. There was a couple pieces of the Samurai Rib left, so I saved some of the bun and threw in a piece of it in the middle. Instant mouth explosion, no joke. I feel bad for not sharing, but I could not help myself!

While our emotions died down a bit for our “appetizers” (or maybe it just mine), our ramen came out to us. Mine was the special, Kumamoto Tonkotsu Ramen (salt flavored tonkotsu soup noodles, topped with chashu pork, cabbage, spinach, red pickled ginger & scallions), and it was fantastic. I even added some Chashu Pork to it but no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t finish everything! I felt so bad, but I definitely know I will be coming back.

Saturday, March 12, 2011 (Part 2/3)
As we walked toward Hudson River, we bumped into Highline Park and roamed around there until we made our way to Chelsea Market. We initially just went there to roam, but I had to have some really fresh sushi and their special was uni – my favorite! As the chef piled on the uni, he had a hard time making sure it fit, I mean c’mon…just look at the thing!

Saturday, March 12, 2011 (Part 3/3)
This is another place many people have recommended. I didn’t really believe there could be so many ways to make a hot dog, but a bacon-wrapped on is completely fine with me, so I ordered myself a Spicy Red Neck (a house dog, bacon wrapped, with chili, cole slaw & jalapenos) and a PBR, Elizabeth ordered some other dog with cheese and onions, and Thu ordered a basket of tater tots. While were eating, someone forgot to pick up a hot dog they ordered and the ladies kept yelling out his name…Troy I think. After devouring my first hot dog, I knew I had to get another, so I came to the counter and order another with an avocado, the Chihuahua (a bacon wrapped dog covered with avocadoes & sour cream). It looked so good, I forgot to take a picture of it before eating it.

Saturday March 12, 2011
There’s always a wait here, but it’s well worth it. The desserts here are really well made and very filling.

Sunday, March 13, 2011
After Elizabeth and Thu left, I had lunch with Joseph and Yuwi. It’s definitely not like any Mexican restaurant in Houston, but it will do. It’s a fun little spot, but not necessarily a must go, but nice to visit given the atmosphere. FYI, this hot sauce definitely cranked up the heat!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011
So this is a really weird place to post good food…where I work. Apparently, the cafe has a chef that makes a limited dish everyday and that day was crab cakes! I got the second to last one and it was completely worth the wait.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
After The Oatmeal book signing we hung around the area for a freaking Polish feast. Everything was great. I’m definitely coming back here even though it’s all the way in Brooklyn.

Saturday, March 19, 2011
Soup dumplings are awesome. Although this place had horrible service, the food was great! Portions were small, but the quality was good. I most likely won’t be coming back, but it was well worth the try.

Saturday, March 19, 2011
After lunch, this was the perfect place for dessert. The cannolis herea ginormous!

Saturday, March 19, 2011
While waiting for our table, we wandered around and ended up here for a bit. We only had a couple drinks here, but it’s definitely an interesting place to go.

Saturday, March 19, 2011
I finally met up with Ashley for dinner and the Brenner Burger here was just ridiculously made. The only thing missing from the additional toppings was a fried egg.

Sunday, March 20, 2011
We came here for just a bottle of wine, but I really should come back for the ceviche!

Sunday, March 20, 2011
We decided to come here for dinner and the scored and roasted pork definitely hit the spot! I’m coming back here to try the sandwich.

Sunday, March 20, 2011
This is quite a fancy little place, perfect for a date or just some good wine with a friend.

Thursday March 24, 2011
This place is magnificent. They have great beer, great pretzels and an awesome atmosphere. Malvin, you’ll be proud of this place!

Saturday March 26, 2011
This place recently just opened up and I happened to be in Houston. I literally walked over to it since it was just outside my brother’s neighborhood. It was quite refreshing to walk into this place, not just because of the tempurature, but mainly the entire layout. If you go, you must try the Euro Tart – it is unbelievable!

Friday March 25, 2011
I took a trip home to surprise my parents, have a crawfish boil, and have some of that good old Houston food again. New York’s Vietnamese and Mexican food have NOTHING on Houston!

Sunday March 27, 2011
I’ve been here before, but surprisingly this place has gotten quite popular. Their tacos are so freaking delicious and the horchata is something I need to learn to make. Definitely a place to visit when on the northwest side of Houston.

Tuesday March 29, 2011
This is just a quick and easy place to get a pizza or calzone.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Yet again, the cafe brings more good food!

Thursday March 31, 2011
After getting home from work, I decided to just walk around and actually stop by a place nearby that I have never been before. I ended up here and expecting only enough for one meal, but got enough for three meals, what a deal! I will definitely be coming back here when I’m in a rush for some quick Chinese food.