Baked goods with a side of beer? Okay! Red Dessert Dive serves up baked goods in a different kind of environment, an environment that serves beer and wine, too. Red Dessert Dive promises all of the baked goods you know and expect to see on the menu — muffins, scones, croissants, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and blondies, for starters.

If your sweet tooth isn't in effect, don't fret. Soups and sandwiches are also available, too. Whatever you decide to order, rest assured that it'll pair well with the craft beer and the red and white wine on the menu.

The bakery has received rave reviews on Yelp with patrons calling the bake shop a “fancy little place” and noting its “great food, great atmosphere.”

Red Dessert Dive is just about two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights and is open Tuesday through Sunday for everything from early morning breakfast to dinner. Wi-Fi s available for anyone looking to get some work done as they nosh and sip.

Red Dessert Dive
1045 Studewood St.
Houston, TX 77008
(832) 649-2977
reddessertdive.com
www.yelp.com/biz/red-dessert-dive-houston-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr hussainshafei

Big Blue Whale looks very little like the big-name toy stores scattered across the country. This small, independent store in Houston stocks playthings that you won't find anywhere else, including old-school classics and educational toys. You see, the folks behind Big Blue Whale know that toys are more than just sources of entertainment, they're also the building blocks for better cognitive development in children.

So make the short trip from Siena at Memorial Heights to Big Blue Whale (it's less than three miles) and pick out something fun for your little one. You'll find everything from board games to animal masks at the toy store, all stocked in seemingly never-ending aisles. Just follow the black-and-white checkered floor to the section that suits your kids' play-tastes.

Big Blue Whale Toys and Curiosities
237 W. 19th Street
Houston, TX 77008
(832) 623-6990
www.bigbluewhaletoys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/big-blue-whale-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr srqpix

Seafood is the focal point at Calamari's, a new restaurant that is only 1.5 miles from Siena at Memorial Heights.

The seafood-focused menu consists of items like fried fish sandwiches, shrimp tacos, and ceviche, as well as the restaurant's namesake item, calamari.

The vibe at Calamari’s can’t be ignored, either. The restaurant is home to an expansive outdoor space with oversized lounge chairs, heat lamps, twinkling lights, televisions, and plenty of room for drinking and dining al fresco. Games like ping pong, corn hole, and giant Jenga are available for guest’s enjoyment, too. As the night continues until the wee hours, a DJ provides tunes for guests. In short, this place has a bunch of great things going on beyond food!

Calamari’s is open until 2 a.m. nightly, so if you don’t stop by for seafood, be sure to make plans to visit the eatery for drinks and partying.

Calamari’s
|5111 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX 77007
(832) 804-7981
calamarisbar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/calamaris-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr shannashrum