Enjoy a Smoothie in Houston at Smoothie King

Smoothie King, now an international franchise, grew from humble roots. Back in the 1960s, founder Steve Kuhnau ​set out to mix up a smoothie that would ease his allergies and low blood sugar. Equipped with just some fresh fruit, other nutrients and proteins, and his home blender, Steve eventually found the perfect balance. His health started improving, and in 1973 he decided to share his discovery with the masses at his first nutritional smoothie shop.

The lone shop evolved into more than 650 Smoothie King locations that, today, serve the same nutritional smoothies to customers in the continental U.S., Korea, Singapore, and the Cayman Islands. That includes a location on West Holcombe, where customers note that the staff is especially friendly and the owner often personally oversees operations.

Many of the smoothies can replace an entire meal, with anywhere from 7 to 45 grams of protein in each serving of 20 ounces. Try a Lean1 chocolate smoothie with bananas and almond. It packs 27 vitamins and minerals and 22 grams of protein into a mere 293 calories, staving off later cravings and helping your body burn fat. Or nourish your body with a fruity snack in between normal meals, such as the apple kiwi kale smoothie—it's full of illness-fighting vitamin C and antioxidants.

Smoothie King
2617 W. Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77025
(713) 661-1663
www.smoothieking.com/stores/store.php/134

www.yelp.com/biz/smoothie-king-houston-15

Rethink Pie Crust in These Savory Recipes

While pie has a seemingly endless number of different variations, the savory pie is often overlooked. For those whose taste buds skew toward the savory, there are a lot of reasons to love these savory pie recipes.

Lucinda’s Spinach and Ham Pie [marthastewart.com]
Equal parts salty and flaky, this Italian-style pie is everything that a savory pie should be. Eat it for breakfast, with a salad as a light lunch, or even as a dinnertime side dish—the possibilities are endless with such a uniquely versatile dish.

Mushroom Pie [allrecipes.com]
Mushroom lovers will simply adore this dense, flavorful pie that is filled with fresh mushrooms. Swiss cheese and heavy cream give it a deliciously rich taste, while bacon acts as a surprise ingredient to offset the earthy taste of the mushrooms.

Leek and Bacon Pie [huffingtonpost.com]
Although this dish technically looks like a pie, it doesn’t have the usual pastry crust. Instead, a savory custard layer acts as the base for all of the delicious bacon and leeks inside, and a crumbly top gives it just the right amount of extra crunch. It may seem complicated, but this pie includes only seven ingredients and takes just 45 minutes in the oven.

Tout Suite Cafe: Hurry In for a Caramel Cupcake and a Vietnamese Sandwich

In French, “tout de suite” translates to “right away”, which is appropriate for a place that serves cupcakes so decadent, you’ll want to hurry in to try them. While Houston's Tout Suite Cafe is a combination bakery and cafe that specializes in cupcakes, that's not all that you’ll find on the expansive menu here. Salted caramel and tiramisu cupcakes mingle with Vietnamese steak sandwiches and avocados stuffed with quinoa and fried eggs, while cold-pressed juices and hot, fresh coffees are available to wash it all down.

The restaurant’s spacious interior has a stylish, industrial vibe, with long, communal tables, smaller cafe tables, and bare lights hanging from the ceiling. There are even benches covered in pillows where you can cozy up with your laptop to catch up on work!

Tout Suite Cafe is open daily.

Tout Suite Cafe
2001 Commerce St.
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 227-8688
www.toutsuite.co
www.yelp.com/biz/tout-suite-cafe-houston

Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day as we remember the many heroes who have served our country.

Treebeards: Your Lunch Spot

Looking for a real southern lunch? Come to Treebeards. Located right in the heart of the downtown, Treebeards brings the tastes of the South to your table. Check out the appetizers and soups, which features Cajun fare favorites like red beans and rice, shrimp etouffee, and three different styles of gumbo: duck, chicken and seafood.

The daily specials have down home favorites like meatloaf, catfish and pork chops. Fried chicken with gravy is a special every day! Make sure that you try the jalapeno cornbread, and save room for some classic desserts. Treebeards is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a perfect place for a relaxing lunch. Catering is also available.

Treebeards
315 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-2622

www.treebeards.com
www.yelp.com/biz/treebeards-houston

Bombay Pizza Company Offers A Fusion of International Cuisines

Bombay Pizza Company fuses traditional Italian-style pizza with Indian fare flavors to deliver truly unique tastes to Houston. The restaurant is cozy, complete with old fashioned low lights and warm colors.

Consider ordering a specialty pizza or two and splitting it with the table, especially if it’s your first time at Bombay. Try the saag paneer with spicy spinach, collard greens, and three types of cheese or the masala pizza with chicken, chorizo, and potatoes sprinkled with cumin. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, Bombay has some equally tasty burgers. One interesting option is the potato patty fried in chickpea batter or the beef burger seasoned with traditional Indian cuisine spices. There are also pasta dishes and curries to enjoy.

Visit on Mondays to take advantage of Bombay's $10 pizza night, complete with a salad and a drink, or stop by for happy hour on weekdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., for $3 off any pizza.

Bombay Pizza Company
914 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 654-4444
www.bombaypizzaco.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bombay-pizza-co-houston

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother's Day! How are you planning to celebrate mom today?

Discovery Green: Jog, Canoe or Watch a Movie at This Scenic Green Space

Though Houston may be a sprawling metropolis, it provides ample opportunities for locals to get outdoors at parks like Discovery Green. This modern green space and community hub hosts beautiful gardens, playgrounds for the little ones, and an ever-changing array of inspirational outdoor art installations.

The park’s large pond is often used for canoeing around Houston’s beautiful cityscape, while in the winter, it doubles as an outdoor ice rink for visitors of all ages to enjoy. There are sprawling green spaces where people can play catch or enjoy a picnic, walking paths for those who want to get a bit of exercise, and even a dog park where you can take your furry friend. Discovery Green contains a few different restaurants on its grounds, and there are also areas where the park hosts live music performances, outdoor movies, and festivals during the summer months.

For a full list of happenings at Discovery Green, visit the park’s website!

Discovery Green
1500 McKinney
Houston, TX 77010
(713) 400-7336
www.discoverygreen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/discovery-green-houston

Savor Sweet Treats at Houston’s Cookies by Design

A bouquet of flowers may be the traditional way to brighten someone's day, but Cookies by Design doesn't care much for tradition. This Houston business reinvents the bouquet by swapping out flowers for colorfully embellished cookies.

Say thank you with a posy of musical notes and instruments—cleverly dubbed "A Note of Thanks." That's what the card-cookie tucked at the top proclaims, amid other sweets shaped and decorated like a violin, saxophone, piano, and notes on the treble clef. Or wish someone a "Speedy Recovery" with an arrangement of cute, colorful turtle cookies.

For even more sugar power, opt for a "Cookie Boutray" over a bouquet. These swap in a foundation of chocolate chip and sugar cookies for the bouquets' containers. You can also order your cookies piled into a basket, spread out on a tray, or blown up to the size of a huge single-cookie cake (embellished with the same celebratory words as standard cookies).

Cookies by Design
2524 Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-7900
www.cookiesbydesign.com

www.yelp.com/biz/cookies-by-design-houston

Benjy’s Restaurant: Lounge Around at This New American Eatery

Benjy’s is an American restaurant done in the style of a 1920s lounge bar, complete with round leather booths, orb-shaped chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and a handsome wooden bar well-suited to enjoying an evening cocktail. While its ambiance is retro, Benjy’s remains one of the hippest spots in all of central Houston.

Here, the focus is on farm-to-table fare. Customers enjoy artfully plated dishes like crispy chicken, ricotta gnocchi, and sake kasu salmon. Wood oven pizzas and entree salads are ideal for lunch, while the brunch menu features a selection of omelets, biscuit sandwiches, and Fresh toast entrees that will cap a weekend off the right way. Although Benjy’s is known for its food, its cocktails, locally brewed craft beer, and an impressive wine list are just as important to the dining experience!

Benjy’s Restaurant
2424 Dunstan Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 522-7602
www.benjys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/benjys-houston-3

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