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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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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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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