Indulge in a Cupcake From Ooh La La Dessert Boutique

Since 2007, pastry chef Vanessa O’Donnell of Ooh La La Dessert Boutique has been serving fresh, made-from-scratch desserts, like cupcakes, pies, cookies, dessert bars, and French macarons to Katy.

Cupcakes are the specialty here. Everyday flavors include Birthday Cake, Velvet Elvis, The Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake, and Boston Cream Pie. There are also daily cupcake flavors. Throughout the year, Ooh La La introduces new seasonal cupcake flavors, which are only available by custom order. In addition to these sweet treats, there’s also a smoothie shop and coffee bar. A variety of espresso drinks (hot or iced) are offered, along with frappes, hot or frozen cocoa, and the intriguing Party In A Cup.

Regulars report that prices are reasonable for the quality of the desserts. You can pick up your order and you can even drive-through! Check the website for news, pricing, seasonal sweets, and more information.

Ooh La La Dessert Boutique
23920 Westheimer Parkway
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 391- 2253
www.oohlalasweets.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ooh-la-la-dessert-boutique-katy

Painting with a Twist: Vintage Art

What’s the ‘twist’ in Painting with a Twist? A glass of wine, if you’re so inclined. A little bit of paint, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of fun is the tagline of this special place to relax with or without friends while you indulge your creative instincts. You might not turn out to be the next Georgia O’Keeffe or Leonardo da Vinci, but the object is to have fun, not to create the next Mona Lisa. They supply everything you need: paint, canvasses, and brushes and an assortment of paintings you can use as subjects, whether you want to do landscapes, portraits or abstracts. An experienced artist leads you through your painting session, after which, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind creation to take home to Marquis at Katy.

Painting With A Twist
3569 Highway 6
Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 491-9200
http://www.yelp.com/biz/painting-with-a-twist-sugar-land

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe: Katy Desserts

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe is a Katy favorite that has been serving up delicious treats to locals for years. Tucked away in the back corner of a strip mall, it can be hard to spot but once you’ve sampled their wares you'll likely become a fan. All of their super premium ice cream is made right there in the shop in extra-small batches for optimal freshness and flavor, and their devoted clientele wouldn’t have it any other way.

Some of the more popular concoctions include the cinnamon toast and the white chocolate macadamia nut, but they rotate flavors frequently and offer samples to help you make up your mind. They also make their own marshmallow fluff and other toppings. Prices are very reasonable – ice cream is sold by weight, not by scoop size – and the staff is exceptionally friendly.

Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe
1251 Pin Oak Road
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 391-5423
http://www.sweetthingsnmore.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-things-ice-cream-shoppe-katy

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch: Shopping and More in Katy, Texas

If you’re in the Katy area and looking for a serious shopping destination, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch could become your new favorite place. Offering a unique mélange of old town elegance and modern retailers located in the heart of the Cinco Ranch planned community, this retail palace boasts over 200,000 square feet of retail space, occupied by stores including Eddie Bauer, Coldwater Creek and Chico’s. It’s an awesome place to just walk around and also great for people-watching. There are even plenty of excellent places to eat here if you get peckish.

On Saturday nights, live music starts at 7 p.m. in the Central Green area. Bring a picnic blanket and make an evening of it. There’s plenty of parking available through several underground garages as well as surface lots. LaCenterra also hosts numerous special events throughout the year, including a popular holiday tree lighting that draws celebrants from all over the community.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch
23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 395-5533
http://www.lacenterra.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/lacenterra-at-cinco-ranch-katy

The Past Is a Present at Vogelsang Antiques Emporium

A good day of antiquing starts in a familiar spot and then leads you in a new direction, a shopping experience that Vogelsang Antique Emporium has sustained for 15 years. Located in the century-old Vogelsang building in the historic downtown district, Vogelsang Antique Emporium offers a wide variety of antiques, including paintings, furniture, clothing, and books.

Aside from the antiques, Vogelsang is home to several businesses; you can begin your day at the Ol’ RR Café with a big country breakfast, pick up delicious craft jellies at Brazos River Provision Co., and then relax with a glass of wine at BR Vino. Bring the family back on the weekend to enjoy a show at Cast Theatrical, Vogelsang’s in-house live performance theater. Check out their website for the performance, shopping and dining times. Discovering new treasures and historical variety at Vogelsang Antique Emporium is a great way to spend any day.

Vogelsang Antique Emporium
1909 Avenue G
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
281-342-6804
http://www.vogelsangantiques.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vogelsang-antique-emporium-rosenberg

Fusion 36 Degrees: Healthful Juice

Since opening in 2010, Fusion 36 Degrees has become one of the most popular spots for health-conscious Katy residents to pick up a beverage. Their incredible customer service is illustrated by their guarantee – if you don’t like what you ordered for any reason, they’ll make you a new drink for free! Not many people take advantage of that offer, though, as the quality of their juices is incredibly high.

Fusion has an incredible array of flavors available in their smoothies, including common fruits like strawberry and banana and more exotic preparations like taro and jasmine tea. Fusion 36 Degrees also serves a variety of milk teas, bubble teas and other beverages. It’s become a popular spot for students to work because there’s plenty of very comfortable seating and many wall outlets to power laptops and other electronics. There’s also a restaurant next door if you’re looking for a bite to eat!

Fusion 36 Degrees
3950 Fry Road
Katy, TX 77449
(281) 579-1828
http://www.fusion36degree.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fusion-36-degree-katy

Pinot’s Palette: Painting and Wine

Pinot’s Palette in Katy a hot stop for art lovers to mix creativity and alcohol into something truly unique. Here’s how it works: there’s a schedule of classes that changes every month, each one revolving around a specific painting. Groups book seats and show up with wine, beer, snacks and whatever else they might enjoy as they learn the skills necessary to create their own interpretation of the featured painting.

Even if you don’t have an artistic bone in your body, the patient instructors will help you get up to speed with the techniques and materials and by the end of your class you’ll have an interesting keepsake. Sessions last for three hours but the time flies by so fast you may not even notice. It’s important to reserve spaces well in advance as classes tend to fill up quickly, a testament to how popular this place is.

Pinot’s Palette
2910 Commercial Center Boulevard
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 769-2961
http://www.pinotspalette.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pinots-palette-katy

Cloud Café: Coffee and More in Katy, Texas

This bright, sunlit locally-owned café has become a go-to spot for Katy locals looking for a nice place to relax, sip a drink and enjoy life. Cloud Café is located in a shopping center in between a martial arts dojo and a truck repair shop and serves as an oasis for locals.

The menu here starts off with bubble tea, a beverage that incorporates pearls of tapioca starch to give a unique texture and taste. Numerous flavors are available, and they also make slushy drinks. More traditional fare is also on offer, with both free trade and organic coffee and teas. They also have free wireless Internet if you'd like to browse the web while you eat. There is also plenty of opportunities for recreation there – board games, reading material and even an open piano all draw crowds!

One additional nice touch: the walls are hung with works for sale by local artists.

Cloud Café
1131 S. Mason Road
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 829-8474
http://www.cloudkaty.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cloud-cafe-katy

Mary Jo Peckham Park: A Beautiful Katy Park

Spend a nice day enjoying the weather at Mary Jo Peckham Park. This wonderful park in Katy is a great spot to bring the kids to work off some energy on the playground complete with swings and some bouncy toys. Get some exercise with a jog around the lake on the trails or just enjoy the scenic view while feeding the ducks. One trail is designated for running and one is for walking. Harris county residents can use the gym for free. The gym has a mix of machines, cardio equipment, and workout classes. There is also an indoor pool, sports fields, gazebo, fishing pier, and mini golf course. Feel free to bring your lunch to the picnic area. If you want to have an outdoor cookout just call to reserve the pavilion with grills. Mary Jo Peckham Park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 

Mary Jo Peckham Park
5597 Gardenia Lane
Katy, TX 77491
(281) 496-2177
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mary-jo-peckham-park-katy

Ritters Frozen Custard: Sundaes in Katy

Craving something different than regular ice cream? Take a trip to Ritters Frozen Custard. Get ready for fresh-made, frozen custard treats. The fresh banana custard is very popular. Flavors rotate regularly. Try traditional vanilla or something more creative like cherry cheesecake, rocky road, butter almond, espresso bean, mango, and the strawberry shortcake sundae. Every flavor is fresh, rich, and creamy. Regular ice cream, water ice, hot dogs, and nachos are also available. Prices are very reasonable. The line does get long for this delicious treat but it is well worth the wait. There is limited outdoor seating. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday. 

Ritters Frozen Custard
3427 North Fry Road
Katy, TX 77449
(281) 646-1211
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ritters-frozen-custard-katy

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