Uchi: Contemporary Japanese Dining

Uchi offers elegant, modern fare in an atmosphere that works well for everything from a romantic date to a business dinner with new clients. This central Houston restaurant is inspired by Japanese flavors and techniques, though it serves seafood from around the globe in a series of small, shareable dishes.

You'll find traditional sushi and sashimi, like sea eel with orange and ginger or salmon belly with ikura, but you'll also find a number of unique options, like the "ham and eggs" sushi roll, which combines katsu pork belly with an egg yolk custard and espelette. Other menu items include things like smoked duck confit served with endives and bacon and tempura fried cauliflower, and regulars say you shouldn’t miss the crispy Brussels sprouts served with a squeeze of lemon chili. Finally, you should know that this place is popular and fills up during peak hours, so making a reservation is definitely the way to go.

Uchi
904 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4808
www.uchirestaurants.com/houston
www.yelp.com/biz/uchi-houston

What’s Your Favorite Class at YogaOne Studios?

Along with yoga's rising popularity in recent years has come a proliferation of classes featuring different styles of yoga, and it can sometimes be hard to find a studio that offers your preferred yoga style. That's where YogaOne comes in: this yoga studio's Bellaire location offers just about everything, from bikram-style hot yoga and vinyasa flow to forrest yoga, so no matter what you're looking for, you can probably find it here.

What's more, since the folks at YogaOne understand how important it is to find an instructor you connect with and a class that fits your needs, newcomers to the studio can get a heavily discounted 30-day trial membership that allows you to try over 350 classes taught by several dozen instructors at any of YogaOne's five locations. Yelp reviewers say the Bellaire staff is especially friendly and motivational, so whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned yogi, you'll likely find yourself welcome here.

YogaOne Studio
5427 Bellaire Boulevard
Bellaire, TX 77401
(281) 888-7724
www.yogaonehouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yogaone-studios-bellaire

Read All About It: Nifty Ways to Reuse Old Magazines and Newspapers

You love reading magazines and newspapers, but you don’t love having to throw them out after you’re done reading. Instead of tossing out your old reading materials, use these creative tips for making something new and exciting out of your favorite periodicals.

Starburst Clock [happinessisblog.com]
Use this surprisingly simple DIY project to make a gorgeous mid-century modern-inspired clock that actually works. Simply roll the pages of magazines into small tubes, string them together using sturdy twine and attach some attractive hands to the center.

Recycled Gift Bows [craftingagreenworld.com]
Instead of purchasing pre-made gift bows for birthdays or holidays, make your own out of colorful magazine or newspaper pages. Cut the paper into strips, do some crafty folding, and glue it together to create a bow that looks just like the ones from the store.

Woven Magazine Basket [niftythriftythings.com]
Weave a cute and quirky basket by folding the pages into accordion shapes and securing them with a bit of string. These can be used to hold knick knacks or brighten up an empty shelf.

Nail Art [fashionandpoise.blogspot.com]
Press old newspaper pages onto your fingernails for a unique manicure that you won’t find at the nail salon. All it takes is some nail polish, rubbing alcohol, and a few pages from an old newspaper.

K1 Speed: Enjoy Go-Kart Racing in Houston, Texas

K1 Speed gives patrons' inner daredevils a safe place to show themselves. The indoor go-kart racing arena in Houston sticks guests in safe, eco-friendly electric go karts and sends them soaring around the racetrack. Though K1 only opened its first location in 2003, the flagship California located quickly launched 19 others, with more planned in the near future.

Its popularity as a spot for families and groups of friends is solidified by the extras that surround the race track. Even if you don't like to speed, you can still play a game of pool or grab a bite in the pit cafe. Professional race car driver Boris Said even acts as a K1 Speed co-owner, and the experience is meant to help you get as close to the feel of real racing as possible.

K1 Speed
14900 N.W. Freeway
Houston, TX 77040
(281) 674-8012
www.k1speed.com

www.yelp.com/biz/k1-speed-houston

Happy Memorial Day!

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

Ba Mien Bistro: Enjoy Authentic Vietnamese Pho at This Houston BYOB

Ba Mien Bistro’s authentic Vietnamese cuisine may come from three regions of Thailand, but you will only find the restaurant in one place: Houston. Along with rice plates, vermicelli bowls, and sandwiches, the restaurant serves pho, which is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of a rich, savory broth that teems with noodles, herbs, and meat. The soup’s meat could include rare flank steak, seafood, or brisket. Diners who prefer meat-free plates can choose from Ba Mien Bistro’s vegetarian selection, which features tofu spring rolls, sandwiches, and rice plates. Bring your favorite drink to pair with your meal; Ba Mien is BYOB.

Inside the small restaurant, white plates and black and white photos hang on gray walls over silver tables and chairs and an industrial floor. The restaurant also has an outdoor patio for those hoping to dine al fresco.

Ba Mien Bistro
5102 FM 1960 Road West
Houston, TX 77069
(281) 781-8138
www.facebook.com/BaMienBistro
www.yelp.com/biz/ba-mien-bistro-houston

Happy Thursday!

Hope everyone is having a great Thursday! We can't wait for the weekend.

Discover Your New Favorite Artist at Off the Wall Gallery

Located on the first floor of The Galleria, Off the Wall Gallery is a high-end art gallery specializing in what owner Mimi Sperber calls "Urban Eclecticism." This genre of art is a blend of artistic elements believed to nourish "today's urban souls."

Family-owned and -operated for over three decades, Off the Wall houses 4,600 square feet of original art, sculpture, and prints by mid-level career from all over the world. Expert staff is on hand to introduce collectors and novices to their favorite new artists, and the gallery frequently plays host to temporary exhibits, as well. Past exhibits have displayed pieces by famous artists like Dali, Matisse, Picasso, Manet, and Renoir.

Situated near Neiman Marcus, Off the Wall Gallery is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Off the Wall Gallery
5015 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 871-0940
www.offthewallgallery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/off-the-wall-gallery-houston

Happy Mother’s Day!

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

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends June 30th, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

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