Shipley Do-Nuts: Make Your Morning Sweeter

Shipley Do-Nuts is a small chain of doughnut shops that has served its own unique blend of doughnuts and kolaches for more than 78 years. The La Porte location is an area favorite for breakfast or a sweet treat anytime throughout the day because of its convenient drive-through and its delicious selection of baked goods.

Traditional glazed doughnuts are some of the shop’s most popular items, but it also serves yeast, filled, and cake doughnuts in a variety of flavors to offer customers even more options. For those with more savory tastes, Shipley Do-Nuts serves warm kolaches filled with sausage and cheese or ham and cheese that make a hearty breakfast. Hot coffee also pairs perfectly with any of the shop’s items.

Whether you come to work on the free Wi-Fi or to take a dozen to go, locals say Shipley Do-Nuts is a tasty and convenient choice.

Shipley Do-Nuts
120 North Highway 146
La Porte TX, 77571
(281) 842-9522
www.shipleydonuts.com

Pipeline Pizza: Serious Slices

Pizza is deservedly popular. That’s why Pipeline Pizza has built such a dedicated clientele of fans. When you walk in, place your order at the counter – there’s no table service. The menu is extensive, but regulars regard the pizza as the best option. The crust is slightly thicker than classic New York style, but it doesn’t overwhelm the pie. The sauce is fresh and tasty and they don’t skimp on toppings.

Some favorite combinations include the spinach and artichoke and the spicy Cajun combo. They make everything from scratch, so it can take the kitchen some time to get your order out, but regulars regard it as worth the wait. If you don’t feel like pizza, the lavash wraps (a thin bread) are well-liked, and the chicken Florentine calzone is another good choice. Try to save some room for a slice of peanut butter pie for dessert.

Visit Pipeline Pizza's website to learn more.

Pipeline Pizza
3931 Spencer Hwy
Pasadena, TX 77504
(832) 386-0000
http://www.pipelinepizzatx.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pipeline-pizza-pasadena

3 Brunch Cocktails to Greet a Lazy Sunday

From savory omelets stuffed with melted cheese to maple syrup-drizzled French toast, weekend brunch is arguably the best meal of the whole week, made even better by a sip of a bloody Mary or a bellini. Whether you're serving brunch to two people or twenty, these three brunchtime cocktail recipes will get your Sunday off to a great start.

Champagne Punch [Martha Stewart]
Not only does Martha's take on champagne punch taste great, it looks pretty in the pitcher. Her recipe combines fresh blueberries, raspberries, sliced peaches, ice, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher, then champagne is poured over top.

New-Look Bloody Mary [Bon Appetit]
This bloody Mary receives a spicy kick from the unique combo of sriracha sauce, horseradish, black pepper, and curry powder. Dill pickle and lemon juice brighten the mix, while celery stalks and lemon wedges provide the finishing touch.

Pamplemousse [Food & Wine]
Kick off your Sunday with this refreshing cocktail, which is relatively low in alcohol. The juices of grapefruit and lemon are shaken with gin and elderflower liqueur, then garnished with a basil leaf.

Dean’s Downtown: Throw a Few Back at This Throwback Cocktail Lounge

Dean’s Downtown is the type of throwback cocktail lounge where you would imagine meeting an old friend to meet you for an after-dinner nightcap. With plush, velvet upholstered sofas, a rustic wooden bar, and antique chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, Dean’s has a vintage look that makes it truly stylish and comfortable. The bar’s signature items are craft beers, handcrafted, old-fashioned cocktails, and a few specialty drinks made with unique ingredients. There’s even an entire menu dedicated to different takes on the Old Fashioned.

Don’t worry if you don’t have weekend plans, because Dean’s always has something going on, from the songwriter series showcasing Houston’s endless musical talent to weeknight happy hours and talks from creative locals. Get out and enjoy the town with a visit to Dean’s Downtown.

Dean’s Downtown is open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Check the online calendar for upcoming events.

Dean’s Downtown
316 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(281) 624-5541
www.deansdowntown.com
www.yelp.com/biz/deans-downtown-houston

Cooking 101: How to Sharpen a Kitchen Knife

It may seem strange, but sharpening your kitchen knives is actually one of the best ways to avoid cutting yourself while cooking. A sharp knife means an easier cut with less effort from you, which gives you more control and requires less force. Here are a few tips for sharpening kitchen knives at home.

  1. Place a whetstone, or a rough-surfaced stone made for sharpening knives, on top of a cutting board to offer more stability.
  2. Holding your knife by the handle, place it on a very slight angle against the whetstone (blade facing away, of course).
  3. With moderate pressure, glide the knife forward across the whetstone 10 times. Flip it over and repeat on the other side.
  4. The whetstone has two different types of grit, so flip the whole thing over to the finer side. Repeat the last step to smooth the knife's rough edges.
  5. Finally, hone the blade with a sharpening steel. Place the long, steel rod point-down onto the cutting board, just as you would a nail. Touch the part of the knife closest to the handle against the steel, then pull the blade toward you and slightly downward with a bit of pressure. Repeat this 10 times on each side of the knife, and again any time the knife needs a touch-up.

How to Sharpen a Knife [About Food]
Knife Skills: How to Sharpen a Knife [Serious Eats]
How to Properly Sharpen a Kitchen Knife [Le Cordon Bleu]

Southmore Asian Restaurant: Chinese Cuisine and More

If you’re looking for a meal that offers a little something different, stop in at Southmore Asian Restaurant, considered by some Pasadena diners to be one of the town’s hidden treasures. From the outside, it may not look like much, as it's lodged in a strip mall and has slightly dated signange. However, the food here is the real draw.

The menu covers an array of Chinese food dishes, with some recommended offerings including the Kung Pao chicken and the chicken with garlic sauce. They also serve tasty Vietnamese food, including pho, the iconic noodle soup dish that’s hearty and filling. To refresh your taste buds, get an order of tapioca bubble tea in one of the many flavors they offer. Prices are incredibly reasonable, with a wide list of lunch specials coming in at just $5.95 apiece.

Visit Southmore's Facebook page to learn more about this Pasadena restaurant!

Southmore Asian Restaurant
2222 Southmore Avenue
Pasadena, TX 77502
(832) 623-6491
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southmore-Asian-Fast-Food/405048569570534
http://www.yelp.com/biz/southmore-asian-restaurant-pasadena

Today’s Imponderable: Do Penguins Ever Get Cold?

Penguins sure are adorable with their silly waddle and their tuxedo-inspired coloring, but they’re actually much tougher than they seem. These cold-climate birds live in the snow and ice, and they make it seem pretty effortless. Don’t penguins ever get cold?

First of all, penguins are quite hefty for their size. Emperor penguins weigh around 66 pounds, much of which is a thick layer of fat underneath the skin, which means that it takes them quite a bit longer to cool off than it would smaller birds. Penguins’ feathers also help to shield them from the Arctic climate. Unlike most birds’ feathers, the feathers on a penguin are very short and have an under-layer of wool-like down, which keeps them warm and dry. As for their feet, penguins have a much more developed circulatory system that enables them to adjust blood flow to the feet depending on the temperature. And, if you’ve ever watched penguins in a zoo or on television, you know that they have the impressive tendency to huddle together in a group to keep one another warm!

Penguins don't freeze, but they do get very, very cold [New Scientist]
Do Penguins Get Cold? [Super Science]
How Penguins Survive Cold Conditions [Cool Antarctica]
Why Penguins’ Feet Don’t Freeze [Today I Found Out]

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20: Catch a Film for a Low Price

The Cinemark movie theater chain is one of the country’s most popular due to its low prices and its wide selection of the latest Hollywood films, and the Cinemark Pasadena location doesn’t disappoint.

Regulars of this spacious movie theater say that although it might be a bit dated, its convenient location and affordable prices make it well worth a visit. There is a full service snack bar with the usual movie favorites, from soft drinks to buttered popcorn, as well as a full arcade with a number of fun games perfect for passing the time before a movie. The theater was updated a few years back, and it now has RealD 3D technology, stadium seating, and high frame rate projectors that make the movie-going experience even more enjoyable.

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20 costs $5.50 for an adult matinee and $6.50 for an adult evening ticket. Senior and child discounts are available. Check the website for a full list of showtimes.

Cinemark Hollywood Movies 20
2101 East Beltway 8
Pasadena, TX 77503
(713) 475-8180
www.cinemark.com/theatre-detail.aspx?node_id=1494&
www.yelp.com/biz/cinemark-hollywood-movies-20-pasadena

The Republic House: A Stomping Ground for Pasadena’s Beer Enthusiasts

If you’re a craft beer aficionado in the Pasadena area, The Republic House is the place to be. This stylish pub carries a very impressive selection of craft beers, including a good number of rare options that you won't find anywhere else in town. More than 51 taps line the beer wall, a variety of cans and bottles fill the coolers, and there are always five nitro kegs that frequently rotate with different types of beer.

The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about each item on the menu, and there’s even a “Beer Nerd” who maintains the menu and can provide even more information about each beer. The Republic House also offers a great selection of spirits and wines for those who—gasp!—aren’t fans of beer.

In addition to its beer menu, the Republic House serves a food menu full of upscale bar food items.

The Republic House
7219 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, TX 77505
(832) 385-1553
www.facebook.com/TheRepublicHouseTX/timeline
www.yelp.com/biz/the-republic-house-pasadena

Ichibon: Sushi and a Hibachi Show in Pasadena

Ichibon Japanese Seafood and Steakhouse is a part of the hibachi-style Japanese restaurant trend, in which the talented chefs put on a show by cooking your food right in front of you at the table.

In addition to its hibachi meals, Ichibon serves a full sushi menu complete with maki rolls and sashimi options made using only the freshest ingredients. The restaurant features a modern, sleek style that makes it ideal for date night, but its fun atmosphere and the wild antics of its hibachi chefs make it great for families, as well. Ichibon’s menu also includes a variety of Japanese desserts like green tea ice cream, banana tempura and fried ice cream, and there is a full bar with wine, beer, and spirits for of-age guests.

Ichibon is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekends. Sunday hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Ichibon
4908 Fairmont Parkway
Pasadena, TX 77505
(281) 991-0486
www.ichibonhouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ichibons-pasadena

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