I finally found the perfect home for my NY broker's license at Stribling & Associates, Soho. Texas and New York, two great states in the US to own real estate!
Coffee in NY
is just so good. Delicious yummies from Ground Support in Soho.
Downhouse (Heights)
This is not exactly my first time here, but it actually is. I've had food catered from Downhouse and have walked in once when they first opened, but I'm pretty sure Downhouse has evolved since then. I just don't remember it being as attractive inside as it is now. I think more lights have been added or something, but whatever it was, the place looks really great! I love it's rugged, vintage, rich textures, very nice interior.
I order the stuffed French toast with a side of egg whites, scrambled. Matt ordered the breakfast tacos and grits. We both really liked and enjoyed our meals. I think I ate more of Matt's food than he did. His grits were so good. I did not know grits were made of corn, and these grits, you could taste bits of corn, it had so much substance to it, I loved it! My French toast was good, I think I could have skipped the apple sauce on my French toast. I did like the pear in the sauce though. The problem with a lot of breakfast places is that the food is too oily. My eggs did not feel greasy and there was no oil on the plate at all. I thought the quality of food was great. I really loved everything, even our server. Downhouse will definitely be on the list of regular places to go!
Happy Bark Box Fan
Our first bark box giveaway to Ryan Baker! He looks so happy, haha. If you too would like our next barkbox, just leave us a comment and it's yours!
Spring Break in Colorado!
This year's ski trip to Breckenridge and Vail was more of a family oriented trip. I loved it! First time with the Burgards. We had a really great time, full of skiing/boarding, snowball fights, cooking/eating, apple pie, games, laughing, staying up late and making it an all nighter home. It's nice to be home, time to relax and sleep!
Boomtown Coffee (Heights)
I would guess Boomtown has been around, not too long, not too recent. On walking in, I found myself not really loving it. It also smelled like people had smoked in there at one time, but that can't be because it has been around, not too long.
The guys at the counter are really nice. I order the "Clean Sweets" cookies and they are both really awesome! They both tasted, surprisingly good. I say surprising because they don't look very tasty, but they were! They weren't too sweet, but had substance and good texture. On drink, I was planning to order a soy latte but saw the "Salted Caramel", and that's what I got. It was good, but wasn't over the top. I was expecting it to be a lot sweeter, but it wasn't, and I liked that. Also, when they draw the little art on the latte, I unconsciously think it's a better latte, thus a better coffee house. For one, I don't think you can do the art drawing if the foam isn't the correct kind of foam. It usually does taste better too. I have found most baristas at the more commercial coffee houses do not know how to make good foam. But, Boomtown makes really good foam.
Everybody in there is there to do whatever they came to do. It didn't feel like a people watching place, which is nice. It took a little bit, but I liked it and it's right around the corner from my office, which will be a nice place to go when I need to work but want to be out of the office. It's a nice alternative to Antidote.
Oxheart (East Downtown)
This is probably my most anticipated eat ever! Getting married Fall of last year put Oxheart on the list, where it stayed for 9 months! But, it's not like I didn't try. Actually, I tried a couple of times, but due to restaurant closings, for breaks or something, and being all booked, we are just now getting a chance to visit...and I am super duper excited!
On arriving, I'm realizing I haven't been over to this part of town much, if ever. It almost has a San Francisco feel to it, very eclectic. I love the old brick warehouses on this part of town, very vintage, love it. To find the restaurant, you'll have to go by the address because there is no sign anywhere, at least we didn't see one. We actually only saw the name of the company on the menu and no where else...very under the radar.
We ordered a bottle of wine, the Garden Menu and Tasting Menu. I don't think I have ever been to a restaurant that feels so intimate, so interesting and creative. I love the quaint feel inside, and the design and decor makes you feel like you're at someone's home, it's very low key and comfortable. The staff was great, our server's name was Brigette. She was amazing! She really knew her stuff and was friendly, and very helpful. I just remember as every dish came out, I was really impressed by the creativity and blending of foods. The flavors and textures were very unique. My favorites were the carrots in bouillon and the soup. I mean, the soup was just so tasty! It was very flavorful and tangy, just a great blend of spices and flavors. Definite favorite. Everything was so so tasteful and creative, brilliant! I loved my entire experience. Between the two of us, our bill plus tip came out to just under $300. It's expensive, but definitely worth the visit.
My walk away thought was that the food was creative and tasteful, not the best food I've ever had, but it was all very unique and probably the most interesting food. But, it wasn't just the food, it was the combination of creative, artful, and tasty foods with the intimate, low key vibe of the restaurant, which seems as odd of a pairing as combining vintage and contemporary styles. I just thought it was a very creative restaurant and the dining experience was the most interesting I've ever had...very interesting.
Flying Saucer Pie Company (Crosstimbers/Shepherd)
in Desserts
Not to be confused with the Flying Saucer in downtown under St. Germaine Lofts, which is a bar. The Flying Saucer Pie Company is all pies! Strawberry, Chocolate, Lemon, Key Lime, Pecan, etc...they have it all! It's way off the beaten path, formerly located on 20th street. It's a far ways away. I think I would make a trip out for one of their special pies, but lately, I've only stopped by on the way to a get together in the area.
My husband worries about the location when we visit late at night because of the fact that it looks like they have 3 bullet holes in the front glass door. Well, some might claim the pies might just be worth taking the risk, as FSPC says, "our pies are out of this world!". I don't know if I would describe them as "out of this world", so that you won't expect more then what they are. They are just good pies. FSPC says strawberry cream is the most popular, which I had last time. Which was definitely good, simple, good crust. This time I got the chocolate pie. I know I've had this one before and did like it. Key lime might be the next on the list! If you like you some pie this is probably the place to go.
3 Brothers Bakery (Washington)
3 Brothers Bakery on Washington is now open! They're celebrating the opening with sample treats, cake, boston and apple cream pie, bread, etc, definitely go by, now! They have every kind of dessert, cakes, cupcakes, pastries, bagels, macaroons, cookies, and the list goes on!
I purchased some customer favorites and sampled them all with friend, Oscar. He loved the eclair! Said he loved the balance between the not so sweet cream with the sweet chocolate on top. I think I have had better eclairs. I also tried the lemon bar, peanut butter, sprinkle, chocolate chip, and Mexican cookie. I think my favorite was the Mexican cookie, which is different from the sand tart because it has walnuts and not pecans. Finally, it's nice to have a bakery in the neighborhood instead of having to make a trip to Rice Village. A great one stop shop for all baked goods.