Enjoy Tasty and Nutritious Fare at Fuel Kitchen and Health Bar

The minds behind Fuel Kitchen and Health Bar know that healthy food doesn't have to taste healthy. It can actually be just as delicious and satisfying as food loaded with fat or salt—you just have to know how to prepare it. The chefs at Fuel certainly do, which is why locals keep coming back for more and more healthy, flavorful fare.

Many customers come for the fresh smoothies and juices, like the Green Monster blend. This smoothie contains a healthy mix of greens, but you'll barely notice them (apart from the hue) thanks to the peanut butter and chocolate protein powder. One customer actually likens the Green Monster to a peanut butter cup. The Detoxer juice is a popular option too; it's a concoction of kale, spinach, parsley, celery, apple, and ginger. From wraps to snacks, seafood to salads, the rest of the menu here encompasses something for everyone.

Fuel Kitchen and Health Bar
1005 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 528-3835
www.fuelhealthbar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fuel-kitchen-and-health-bar-houston

Drink in the View from the Deck at Platypus Brewing This Summer

Platypus Brewing owners Rachna, Sean, and Morgan have lived in both Australia and Texas, which is why many of their beers are modeled after Australian ales though their fare features local Texas-grown ingredients. Some of the brews pull from more traditional American and European processes too, so there should be something for everyone at Platypus Brewing when it officially opens this summer.

According to Eater Houston, the big debut will happen in the next few months, so keep an eye on Platypus Brewing's Facebook page for updates. Although it doesn't have a lot of details about the brewery and adjacent taproom just yet, it has recently revealed that Platypus Brewing will have a deck that looks right out over Houston. This summer, it might be the perfect place to enjoy a frosty pint of house-brewed beer.

Platypus Brewing
1902 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(832) 985-8007
www.platypusbrewing.com
www.facebook.com/platypusbrewingllc

Sprouts Farmers Market: Local, Organic Food at Budget-Friendly Prices

The family behind Sprouts Farmers Market has long believed that fresh, organic produce and other foods should be available to everyone, not just people with enough money to pay high prices. That's why the family of grocers decided to open the very first Sprouts Farmers Market in 2002, a no-frills grocery store focused on low prices and high quality foods.

Sprouts responsibly sources its inventory from eco-friendly producers and also operates in a way that's conscious of the earth's limited resources, so you can feel good about shopping here. Its budget-friendly, earth-friendly stockpile includes rows and rows of produce bins nearly overflowing with organic and local fruits and vegetables as well as a large bulk food section with more than 200 rices, coffees, spices, and everything in between. Full deli, meat, and seafood counters as well as extensive beer and wine, frozen foods, and vitamin sections round out the floor plan at Sprouts Farmers Market.

Sprouts Farmers Market
22506 Tomball Parkway
Houston, TX 77070
(832) 698-0004
www.sprouts.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sprouts-farmers-market-houston-9

Art Car Museum: Where Autos Become Works of Art

The sphere of art extends well beyond classic paintings and sculptures, which is exactly why the Art Car Museum exists. It not only shows off a collection of art cars—that is, vehicles decked out to become true works of art—but also serves as a home for other offbeat masterpieces that wouldn't fit in at your standard museum.

If you want to know more about the art car movement, just head to the museum and ogle its resident art cars firsthand. Expect to see a classic car embellished with fiery deities and ebbing ocean waves, a station wagon decked out in glitzy holiday lights, and even a roadster almost completely obscured by an enormous (and slightly terrifying) stuffed bunny called Rex Rabbit. Check out the museum's schedule for special exhibits that will only be in town for a limited time.

Art Car Museum
140 Heights Boulevard
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-5526
artcarmuseum.com
www.yelp.com/biz/art-car-museum-houston

Get Some Fresh Air Without Leaving Houston at Buffalo Bayou Park

In a former life, The Water Works at Sabine Street were not a destination; they were a part of the City of Houston's water system. But when The Water Works stopped functioning for the water system, they were transformed into the focal point of Buffalo Bayou Park, a four-acre perch from which locals can drink in a view of the city's skyline.

Stroll beyond The Water Works to see what else this beloved 160-acre park in the heart of Houston has to offer. Many locals tout it as a natural escape in the midst of the city's hustle and bustle, going here to hike, bike, boat, and to enjoy the nice weather. There's a lot to see at Buffalo Bayou Park, and it regularly hosts outdoor events for the community. So keep an eye out for things to do on the calendar, like the Second Saturday Boat Ride or the Waugh Bat Colony Boat Tour.

Buffalo Bayou Park
18-3600 Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 752-0314
buffalobayou.org/visit
www.yelp.com/biz/buffalo-bayou-park-houston

The Lucky Fig Serves Farm-Fresh Italian Food Near Siena at Memorial Heights

Don’t let the humble food truck fool you, The Lucky Fig serves upscale farm-fresh Italian fare by a well-trained chef. Owned and operated by chef Luca Manfe—a television personality and author—who promises fresh ingredients from local farms and farmers’ markets. The menu is constantly changing to meet the demands of the season, so guests can expect different menus to accompany different times of the year. All items on the menu are inspired by classic Italian dishes but are served with a modern food truck flair. The current menu consists of classics like meatballs, pancetta sandwiches, gnocchi, pappardelle with braised lamb shank, and tiramisu.

Since The Lucky Fig is a roaming restaurant, the food vendor can be found all around town throughout the week. Some of its most popular locations include the Urban Harvest Farmers’ Market, Houston Community College, and the Palazzo at Cypresswood. The truck's serving schedule is available online.

The Lucky Fig
Various locations
Houston, TX
(832) 776-7507
http://theluckyfig.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lucky-fig-houston?osq=hot+and+new

Absolve Wine Lounge: A Lovely Wine Spot in a Great Location Near Siena at Memorial Heights

Located in a strip mall just a couple minutes from Siena at Memorial Heights, Absolve Wine Lounge’s unremarkable exterior hides a gem of the Houston wine bar scene. It’s a cozy but comfortable spot that's perfect for date night or a night with friends. The eclectic and colorful décor of striped armchairs with bright blue ottomans, wood and fern accents, and 19th century paintings makes this a cool place to hang out—it feels more like relaxing in someone’s swanky living room than a bar.

Absolve offers a wide variety of wines by the glass and bottle as well as cocktails. Are you a beer drinker? Fear not—there are tons of craft ales available too. The food goes above typical wine bar fare with interesting options like the Punjabi popcorn, the duck baked brie, and the champagne donut bread pudding. The bartenders are knowledgeable and would love to guide you to a great glass of vino.

Absolve Wine Lounge
920 Studemont Street
Houston, TX 77007
(281) 501-1788
http://absolvewinelounge.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/absolve-wine-lounge-houston?sort_by=date_desc

Beaver’s Near Siena at Memorial Heights: From Brisket Tacos to Nut Burgers

It's not very often that you find top-notch barbecue and a stellar vegan burger in the same place, but Beaver's boasts both. The "gastropub meets icehouse" near Siena at Memorial Heights is known for its brisket and its nut burger, not to mention the many other revised American dishes.

If you want to try the brisket, order eight ounces of it over toast. It comes hot from a smoker stoked with oak and maple wood, and it's dished out with pickles, onions, cole slaw, and, of course, a healthy smattering of barbecue sauce. Pork ribs and pork sausage are also on the list of smoked meats. You can savor the brisket stuffed inside tacos as well or get more adventurous with something like the alligator and crawfish grits. If you want to skip the meat, try the Beaver nut burger. Its blend of brown rice, cashews, and walnuts mimics the texture of a beef burger without most of the unhealthy fat.

Beaver's
2310 Decatur Street
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 864-2328
beavershouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/beavers-houston

Eat Crawfish And Groove To Live Music At The Annual Houston Crawfish Festival

Crawfish is practically a food group in the South, and every year the annual Houston Crawfish Festival celebrates the crustacean. The festival returns on Saturday, March 5 with lots of crawfish and good times. This year’s festival will take place in the Heights—just 10 minutes from Siena at Memorial Heights—from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

More than 7,000 people are expected to turn up for the festival. Throughout the day, guests can look forward to tons of crawfish with all the fixings (potatoes and corn, of course!), live music, shopping, kid-friendly activities, booths from local businesses, and more. Those who don’t eat crawfish can nosh on pizza and hot dogs from a number of local vendors. Admission to the festival is free, but all food and drinks are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. Will you be heading out for the crawfish festival? If so, come hungry!

Houston Crawfish Festival
Saturday, March 5, 11 a.m – 6:30 p.m.
411 W. 20th Street
Houston, TX 77008
heightschamber.com/crawfish-festival_copy_noart

Rogue Improv: Funny People, Flowing Drinks and Lots of Fun

Performing weekly at Rudyard's British Pub, Rogue Improv is a group of comedians and actors who come together to do what they love best: make people laugh. With a show every Thursday night, Rogue Improv is one of the only long-form improv troupes in Houston. Fans love the unexpected humor that comes with improv performances, and appreciate that, while the audience can participate, they aren’t picked on like they may be during other comedy shows.

Tickets are only $5, making a show a great cheap date, and there are awesome drink specials to accompany the show (like $2 pints). If you’re interested in getting in on the fun, the group also offers improv classes. Parking in the bar’s small lot can be tricky at show time, so street parking is suggested. Rogue Improv is a blast for all, and, perhaps best of all, the troupe performs less than two miles from Siena at Memorial Heights.

Rogue Improv
Rudyard's British Pub
​Every Thursday
2010 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77006
www.facebook.com/RogueImprov
www.yelp.com/biz/rogue-improv-houston

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