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Houston’s Most Popular Independent Coffeehouses

May 5, 2015 by

Though Texas is known more for its barbecued meats than its coffee beans, Houston’s many independent coffeehouses are surely starting a new dialog in the area. Check out these two great Houston coffee shops and taste a cup for yourself.

Boomtown Coffee
This artisan coffee roaster and retailer aims to unite the world’s coffee growers with the coffee drinkers, and it does this by developing relationships with growers and importers from around the world. Each small batch of coffee is roasted on-site daily, and the selection always includes favorites from a number of different countries. Boomtown Coffee’s welcoming, relaxing cafe also offers a full food menu of items made with local ingredients to pair with your perfect cup of joe.

Catalina Coffee
Houston’s Catalina Coffee brews coffee from Amaya Roasting Co., a local roaster that uses only responsible, fair trade practices and the finest ingredients. The shop itself is located in Houston’s Sixth Ward neighborhood and offers a cozy, rustic feel with dim lighting and a few tables scattered about. It’s not uncommon to see people sharing a fresh pastry and a Chemex of coffee with a friend, though because the shop doesn’t offer Wi-Fi, this isn’t the best choice to catch up on work.

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Nothing Bundt Cakes: Treat Yourself to Something Sweet

April 28, 2015 by

The folks at Nothing Bundt Cakes know that few things in life are better than savoring a bite of sweet, delicious cake made with fresh eggs and real butter, so that's exactly what this Sugar Land bakery specializes in making. You'll find plenty of full-sized, 8- and 10-inch bundt cakes, which can be frosted and decorated however you like (they can even be stacked into a custom tiered cake for special occasions).

But the real specialties of Nothing Bundt Cakes are its single-serving "bundtlets" and bite-sized "bundtinis," each of which are sold by the dozen and come in your choice of 10 different flavors. Try ordering a dozen or two for your next party in a variety of flavors like red velvet (made with real buttermilk), pecan praline (studded with candied pecans), and classic chocolate (ask for chocolate chips to be added to the batter for an extra-decadent version).

Nothing Bundt Cakes
1531 Highway 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 491-2253
www.nothingbundtcakes.com/bakery/tx/sugar-land
www.yelp.com/biz/nothing-bundt-cakes-sugar-land-2

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Blue Water Seafood: Try Crawfish Three Ways

April 21, 2015 by

Brad Aplin comes from a long line of anglers. He's a third-generation commercial fisherman, which means he's dipped a toe in virtually every type of fishing: shrimping, crabbing, and oystering, to name a few. Along with Ping Aplin, Brad puts his expertise to good use at Blue Water Seafood. The pair opened the Houston seafood restaurant in 1996 with the goal of serving fresh fish, much of it sourced from other active fishermen in the Aplin family.

Customers seem to agree that the crawfish dishes are some of the tastiest! You can try it boiled, in a po'boy, or as part of the etouffee—a traditional New Orleans eat. They also love the fresh oysters for a starter, but you can order anything from fried alligator to a Mexican shrimp cocktail. There are other dishes to explore …… try the Mariners platter, which comes with shrimp and scallops, shrimp and oysters. Whatever you decide upon… you will not be disappointed!!

Blue Water Seafood
12914 FM 1960 Road
Houston, TX 77065
(281) 894-9221
www.bluewaterseafoodonline.com
www.yelp.com/biz/blue-water-seafood-houston

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Rich Gelato Is Served Atop Brioche Buns at SweetCup in Houston

April 14, 2015 by

After traveling through Italy during her honeymoon, the founder of SweetCup returned to the U.S. with a new purpose: to bring the authentic Italian gelato cafe experience to Houston. Her cafe, SweetCup, opened in February 2012, bringing with it authentic elements ranging from its all-natural gelato to its freshly brewed espresso that makes use of locally roasted beans.

At SweetCup, gelato is prepared in small batches on a daily basis. Flavors vary by season, but past highlights have included peanut butter stracciatella, caramelized banana, and bourbon caramel alongside everyday favorites such as bacio and zabaione. Order your gelato atop a warm brioche bun or enjoy it "affogato" style, topped with two shots of fresh espresso. Regulars note that the sorbetto here is also not to be missed, especially when the flavors highlight summertime fruits and berries.

SweetCup is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

SweetCup
3939 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-2226
sweetcupgelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sweetcup-houston

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Challenge Your Brain With the Four Glasses Puzzle

April 7, 2015 by

First published in the "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American magazine way back in 1979, the Four Glasses Puzzle continues to stump even the greatest minds. Using logic skills and mathematical thinking, this word puzzle is meant to improve your reasoning in a fun, challenging way.

The puzzle is also known as the “Blind Bartender’s Problem” because it envisions a fictional bartender. Four glasses are placed on each corner of a square lazy Susan, with some turned upright and some upside down. A blindfolded bartender is then asked to rearrange the glasses so that they are either all facing up or all upside down. The lazy Susan is rotated over and over again, and the same bartender is allowed to feel only two of the glasses after each rotation to determine which to flip over in order to ensure that they are all facing the same way after a finite number of turns. Once they are all facing the same way, a bell rings.

Can you develop an algorithm to ensure that the bell rings after five turns? Check your answer here!

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Happy Spring!

April 2, 2015 by

Everything is starting to bud and bloom! What are you doing to enjoy this lovely change in weather?

Filed Under: Life at The Marq on Voss Apartments Tagged With:

Thompson’s Antique Center of Texas: Vintage Pieces Ranging From Furniture to Fishing Tackle

March 24, 2015 by

From furniture to fishing tackle, Thompson's Antique Center of Texas boasts an all-encompassing inventory. It plays host to 17 aisles' worth of collectibles and antique items from more than 100 different dealers. Explore the massive 108,000-square-foot space in search of your next treasure.

Start your own coin collection with some of the collectible pieces at Thompson's Antique Center of Texas. Grab a new end table or comfy chair to accentuate your living room. Embellish your neck or wrists with a piece of vintage jewelry. You can also pick up a new hat or top, sift through various pieces of artwork, and even buy a few books. Thompson's Antique Center of Texas also boasts a collection of dish sets, so you should be able to find one that suits your taste at the store. If you're buying any item as a gift, Thompson's staff will be happy to wrap it for you—and they always take great care to keep the piece in perfect condition.

Thompson's Antique Center of Texas
9950 Hempstead Road
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 688-4211
antiquecenteroftexas.com
www.yelp.com/biz/thompsons-antique-center-of-texas-houston-2

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Sweet Tomatoes: Veggie-Friendly Meals for Everyone

March 17, 2015 by

Let Sweet Tomatoes come to the rescue on days when you just don't feel like cooking. This unique eatery in northwestern Houston offers a huge, all-you-can-eat selection of fresh, veggie-centric dishes that are just as beautiful on the plate as they are delicious and healthy.

The menu changes regularly with the seasons, so you won't get bored with the same meal over and over again. Try the spicy cucumber watermelon salad with sriracha sauce that adds an extra kick to the sweet flavors, or go for the Asian ginger broth with mushrooms, cubed tofu, and chopped scallions for a fresh and light dinner. Sweet Tomatoes also strives to offer kid-friendly options such as tossed salads and the festive red white and blue potato salad with bacon. And of course, don't forget dessert, which includes lemon lava cake and peach cobbler soft-serve ice cream.

Sweet Tomatoes
8775 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 365-9594
www.souplantation.com/locations/restaurant.aspx?store_id=59&store_name=Katy_Fwy
www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-tomatoes-houston

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 17, 2015 by

May the luck of the Irish be with you! How will you be celebrating today?

Filed Under: Life at The Marq on Voss Apartments Tagged With:

Garden Kitchen: Raw Food Is Just What the Doctor Ordered

March 10, 2015 by

As a cardiologist, Dr. Baxter Montgomery had an excellent grasp on the way the human body worked. Yet at age 38, his own wasn't functioning very well. His cholesterol was far outside a healthy range, and with a family history of diabetes and heart disease looming, he knew he had to launch a preemptive strike against future health complications. His first step in doing so was cleaning up his diet. Dr. Montgomery began eating more raw, plant-based foods, and prescribing the same diet to his patients. Eventually his recommendations evolved into an eatery in Houston where his patients could find such food: Garden Kitchen.

Of course, today Garden Kitchen's reach has expanded beyond the scope of Dr. Montgomery's patient base. Anyone with a predilection for raw, healthy food will find it at Garden Kitchen. Try the popular corn chips, crafted with organic corn, sea salt, and a special house blend of spices. For the main course, dig into a salad, raw veggie burger, wrap, or pizza. Garden Kitchen even offers healthy desserts like sorbet and key lime pie.

Garden Kitchen
10480 Main Street
Houston, TX 77025
(832) 350-7534
www.gardenkitchenfoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/garden-kitchen-houston

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