We hope everyone has a safe and happy day as we celebrate America's Independence. Happy 4th of July!
Memorial Park: Explore Thirty Miles of Trails
June 24, 2014 by
The convenient location of Houston’s Memorial Park in the River Oaks neighborhood makes this a popular spot for exercise enthusiasts and picnickers alike. Most come for the many trails for hiking, jogging, and biking. The three mile loop is popular for runners, but there are over thirty miles that meander through woods. The large space provides plenty of room for visitors to spread out, so you don’t feel cramped. Although it may draw a crowd, parking is hardly ever an issue.
Other facilities include sand volleyball, tennis and basketball courts, as well as baseball and soccer fields, even a municipal golf course and indoor fitness center! Pack a picnic and enjoy the fresh air. There are plenty of picnic tables throughout the park, along with restrooms and water fountains. The playground makes a great family-friendly destination, and the whole park is dog friendly.
Memorial Park
6501 Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77007
http://memorialparkconservancy.org
http://www.yelp.com/biz/memorial-park-houston
Prima Pasta: Vegetarian-Friendly Italian Cuisine
June 17, 2014 by
The backbone of traditional Italian is meat, so you might not expect to find vegetarian options at an Italian restaurant—let alone an entire menu. But Prima Pasta in Houston values only one thing above Italian tradition, and that is its clientele. So the eatery offers a vegetarian-friendly menu that still captures the spirit of Italian fare with dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo (a favorite among regulars), spaghetti with marinara, and veggie lasagna.
Of course, Prima Pasta also serves a meat-laden menu to its customers with some similar options. Try the Alfredo with grilled chicken or shrimp, the spaghetti with meatballs, or the lasagna with its classic ingredient, beef. No matter what you order—pizza, pasta, or classic entree—it will always be fresh, since chefs craft everything in-house every day. And the menu changes every week to incorporate a few new dishes, so while your tried-and-trued standards are always offered, so are some fresh options every time you visit.
Pasta Prima
6811 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 666-4047
www.primapastarestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/prima-pasta-houston-3
Happy Father’s Day!
June 15, 2014 by
Today we want to take time to wish all the Dads out there a very happy day! We hope all the Fathers near and far have a great day relaxing with loved ones!
Follow the Cask to Taps House of Beer in Houston
June 10, 2014 by
It'd be almost impossible to miss Taps House of Beer. In lieu of a front door, there sits a huge cask with an entryway carved out. Walk right through into Taps' open, industrial-style space. Much like the brew house's exterior, the interior is a little off-beat. Wooden picnic tables are scattered throughout the bar, complementing a framework of exposed wooden beams and walls of brick. A shuffleboard table, arcade games, and foosball reside inside, whereas cornhole, bocce ball, and ladder golf are outside. Needless to say, this isn't your typical late-night bar.
That fact comes into clearer focus with a glance at the bar's list of beers, which showcases more than 90 different suds on tap and many by the bottle. From classic Corona or Blue Moon to Strongbow, Bombshell Blonde, and Flying Dog Tire Bite, the brews land all over a spectrum that spans "Light and Easy" to "Amber, Pale, or Pils." Although beer clearly plays the starring role at Taps, a modest food menu offers a handful of shared plates such as Jack Daniels pulled pork sliders and pizzas.
Taps House of Beer
5120 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 426-1105
www.tapshouseofbeer.com
www.yelp.com/biz/taps-house-of-beer-houston
Greet a Snack Attack With These 5 Creative Popcorn Recipes
June 3, 2014 by
The typical movie theater buttered popcorn is delicious, but sometimes you just want a little something extra from your popcorn. These creative recipes will show you a variety of surprising toppings to spice up your snack, from sweet to savory and every flavor in between.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn [Swanky]
It may seem strange, but the sweet flavors from everyone’s favorite childhood lunch sandwich work just as well as a topping on your evening snack. Peanut butter and jelly popcorn takes only a few simple ingredients, and it even uses white chocolate for an extra boost of sweetness.
Nutted Popcorn [Real Simple]
Popcorn and nuts are both popular snacks, and this fun recipe combines the two into one filling bowl. Pecans, almonds, and pumpkin seeds stick to each popcorn kernel with a light, cinnamon flavored syrup, much like the kettle corn at county fairs and baseball games.
Samoa Popcorn [Babble]
Achieve the taste of the beloved Girl Scout cookie by drizzling toasted coconut, caramel, and chocolate over your salted popcorn.
Spicy Nutella Popcorn [Healthy Jalapeno]
Nutella is everyone’s favorite sweet spread, and adding spicy ancho chile powder takes this popcorn from a common snack to a gourmet treat.
Bacon and Cheese Popcorn [Popcorn.org]
Bacon is an increasingly popular addition to many dishes, and it works just as well on popcorn. In just five minutes and with a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy this bacon and cheese popcorn snack.
Catalina Coffee: Nice Pours from Locally Roasted Beans
May 27, 2014 by
For quality coffee without the chain atmosphere, try Houston’s Catalina Coffee, a simple cafe that focuses on quality beverages. Customers rave about the well balanced flavors from the locally roasted beans. If you are looking for a pour over, you can find one here, along with all the espresso drink standards.
Whether you judge a coffee shop by their regular cup of joe or a latte, you’ll be impressed with Catalina’s, and they are reasonably priced at $1.95 for a cup of coffee. Fresh pastries are delivered daily. Bring a book since they don’t offer Wi-Fi. This cafe features simple rustic-modern decor with indoor and outdoor seating.
Catalina Coffee
2201 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-8448
http://catalinacoffeeshop.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/catalina-coffee-houston
Happy Memorial Day!
May 26, 2014 by
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday as we remember all those heroes who have served our nation.
Roost: Fusion Fare in Houston, Texas
May 20, 2014 by
Using farm fresh ingredients and a seasonal tapas menu that fuses Southern, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, Roost has earned itself a favorite place on the Houston dining scene. The menu changes every three weeks, so you can always count on new flavors emerging from the kitchen. Sumptuous plates – to share, or not – include a Mason Jar Pickles of Local Produce, Smoked Trout Mousse with rye toast points, Fried Cauliflower with miso dressing & pine nuts, Beer Can Cornish Hen with honey mustard sauce, Curried Crab Cakes with chayote squash slaw and Angus Flatiron Steak with pickled watermelon. The ‘Gimme Some Suga’ dessert menu features taste tempters like Coffee N’ Donut Holes with salted caramel & coffee ice cream. Yum!
Moments from Marquis Lofts on Sabine, Roost is open for dinner Monday through Saturday.
Roost
1972 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 523-7667
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roost-houston
Bite a Biscuit, Go For a Growler at BRC Gastropub
May 13, 2014 by
Eaters experience bacon a little differently at BRC Gastropub. For example, eatery's signature cheddar biscuits come slathered in bacon jam, instead of crowned with crispy strips. You can order one for yourself or an entire box of them to-go—along with a growler of beer. Because in addition to creating reimagined versions of comfort food, BRC's staff also pours rare craft beers, more than 28 at a time (plus 25 bottled varieties).
Both local microbrews and nationally applauded craft suds come from the taps at BRC. The drafts rotate all the time, but you'll often find everything from a Sierra Nevada IPA to Karbach Weisse Versa Wheat, brewed right in Houston. BRC also keeps some brews in the cellar, debuting them in limited batches. You can always expect a new trending brew to accompany your cheddar biscuits, which you can order with fried chicken. Or pair your pint with a pub burger, vegan falafel burger, or starter like fried Gulf oysters.
BRC Gastropub
519 Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-2233
www.brcgastropub.com/index.php
www.yelp.com/biz/brc-gastropub-houston
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