Build Your Own Tea at Teapresso

If you're a fan of boba tea, you should know about Teapresso Bar. A branch of this Houston-based teahouse arrived in Houston in May with an impressive list of specialty boba teas, as well as the option to "build your own" tea. So no matter how you take your bubble tea, you'll find a beverage to like on the menu.

If you choose to design your tea, start by selecting hot or iced tea and a size. Then choose the type of leaves you'd like to form the foundation of your tea, from Assam and black to Earl Grey and oolong. Next, add a flavor or two, like mango or vanilla. Then select your milk—options include non-dairy creamer, coconut milk, and organic whole milk—choose a sweetness level, and toss in add-ons like boba pearls and jelly. You can also choose a pre-designed tea like the Thai tea with half and half or the Tealade, a mix of black tea and organic lemonade.

Head to the Newly Opened Poitin for Happy Hour

Poitin made its debut in May with a menu designed to take customers on a culinary adventure. Its kitchen team draws inspiration from all different parts of the world, condensing the eclectic bits and pieces into a collection of lunch, brunch, dinner, and bar menus.

Head to Poitin for happy hour (3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday) and share some snacks like the fried chicken sliders, grilled edamame, or house-made hummus. The bites pair perfectly with cocktails like the Smoked Old Fashioned and the Clear-ba Libre, a swanky version of the classic Jack and Coke. Can't make it for happy hour? Grab a table during the weekend brunch. The menu is just as diverse and creative with options like the porridge, a bowl of jasmine rice, toasted coconut, and grilled mango, or the confit duck leg hash with eggs.

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Fat Cat Creamery: Locally Sourced, Sustainably Crafted Ice Cream

Milk and heavy cream from Mill-King Creamery, eggs from Ole Dad Farms, and figs and citrus fruits from The Barry Farm form the foundation for the artisan ice cream at Fat Cat Creamery. The team at Fat Cat Creamery supports its fellow local businesses not only out of a sense of camaraderie, but also because it's better for the earth, and they're committed to sustainability. That's why they also use recycled, compostable packaging and eco-friendly spoons.

Come to Fat Cat Creamery to savor a scoop of the small-batch ice cream. Its year-round gourmet flavors include the Cat's Meow Mexican Vanilla, Waterloo Strawberry Buttermilk, Amaya Coffee & Cream, beer-infused Milk Chocolate Stout, and dairy-free Chai Tea Coconut. But in addition, the staff constantly crafts seasonal flavors. They change all the time, but you might see options like Salted Butter Caramel or Bourbon Pecan Pie.

Houston Restaurant Weeks Have Returned

For every meal you enjoy during Houston Restaurant Weeks 2018, the Houston Food Bank is able to dish out at least nine meals to local people and families in need. That's because each participating eatery donates a portion of the proceeds from Houston Restaurant Weeks to the food bank, anywhere from $3 to $7. And these seemingly small donations can generate as many as 21 meals each.

Plus, the benefits of taking part in Houston Restaurant Weeks extend to customers like you, too. From August 1st through Labor Day, restaurants around Houston will offer set prix fixe, multi-course menus that allow you to sample their cuisine for an affordable price, starting at $20 for lunch and $35 for dinner. In the past, eateries such as Antica Osteria, Kirby's Prime Steakhouse, and Prohibition Supperclub & Bar have all participated. So pick your restaurant, peruse the menu online, and do some good as you do date night during Houston Restaurant Weeks.

Head to Postino Heights for Happy Hour

Postino Heights just debuted in April, but local imbibers are already starting to generate some buzz for the wine bar and restaurant. It's quickly becoming a popular place for happy hour thanks to its top-notch wine list and roster of craft beers. You can grab a glass from famous wine-producing nations like Italy and France or enjoy a sip from Napa Valley in California.

Either way, pair your chosen libation with a few of the contemporary bites on the menu. Share some tapas like the pub board with soft pretzels, chorizo, and aged cheddar cheese or a bruschetta board with brie and apples, fresh mozzarella and tomato, and smoked salmon with pesto. Then try one of the paninis, perhaps the lavish Nine Iron. It features strips of crispy sugar-cured smoked bacon with grilled chicken, fresh burrata mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, and Dijonnaise.

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Try the Avocado Fries at the Newly Opened Doberman’s Bar & Grill

Even though Doberman's Bar & Grill just opened in April, its impressive lineup of craft beer and creative Southern bites have already earned it a loyal following among locals. They highly recommend that, whether you come for happy hour or brunch, you start with the avocado fries. They're slices of avocado rolled in panko crumbs and baked to golden-brown and crispy.

Pair your avocado fries with a pint of locally sourced craft beer from the bar and savor the combination while you peruse the rest of the menu. For the main course, dig into a juicy Angus beef or brisket burger loaded with extras like cheddar cheese, seared onions, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, and chipotle mayo. Try the fried ribs seasoned with lemon pepper, Cajun seasonings, and a dry rub. Or slurp down some "French Kiss" oysters, a fan favorite. They're chargrilled with Cajun-parmesan shrimp and spinach.

Truck Yard Is Quickly Becoming a Houston Institution for Beer Lovers of All Ages

You can't actually ride the Ferris wheel at Truck Yard just yet, but be patient. When the beer garden opened in May with the glowing Ferris wheel slowly spinning, the owner promised that customers would be able to climb aboard just as soon as they had the right insurance—and he fully intends to stick to that promise. For now, the carnival ride serves as a moving piece of scenery just beyond the fringes of this hip junkyard-inspired beer garden.

The mismatched lawn furniture, Airstream food trucks, and menus crafted out of license plates somehow create a cohesive aesthetic at Truck Yard and contribute to a laid-back atmosphere where all feel welcome. The bar pours a rotating lineup of locally brewed beers and artisan cocktails on draft while the kitchen churns out its signature cheesesteak sandwiches. In addition, Truck Yard welcomes at least three Houston food trucks each day to dole out their unique fares.

Sink Your Teeth Into a Buzzworthy Burger at Rodeo Goat

Rodeo Goat may have only opened in March, but you'd think it was a longstanding Houston institution given the amount of media buzz it's already garnered. CultureMap, Eater, and the Dallas Observer are just a few of the high-profile publications to praise the newly opened eatery, particularly its burgers.

The Marvin Zindler burger sets mouths watering with its stack of applewood-smoked bacon, a beefsteak tomato, jalapenos, fried onions, cheddar, pickle chutney, lettuce, and house-made barbecue sauce on top of a freshly ground beef patty. The Salted Sow mixes things up a bit with its patty of Italian sausage and beef with basil, pesto, mozzarella, balsamic-infused mayo, and a bit of fresh prosciutto on top. If you want to skip the meat, Rodeo Goat also offers two veggie burgers, one made of quinoa, barley, radishes, and mushrooms (the Billy F. Gibbons) and the other crafted strictly from a blend of veggies (the Neil Young).

Come to the Houstonian Hotel Grande Ballroom Brunch for Mother’s Day

This Mother's Day, show your mom you care by taking her out to a special bunch. The Mother's Day brunch at the Houstonian Hotel Grande Ballroom is a solid option. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 13th, the restaurant will host a special meal for all of the hard-working moms in Houston.

Make reservations for brunch ($84 per person) to enjoy a morning of feasting with your family. The bottomless buffet showcases light bites like fresh fruits, artisan cheese, and even an array of sushi and sashimi. Nearby at the Breakfast Table, chefs whip up omelets to patrons' exact specifications and vanilla waffles topped with caramelized apples wait to be scooped onto a plate and devoured. Larger entrees range from herb-rubbed prime rib to ricotta ravioli dressed in the lobster ragu. Cap off your brunch with a mimosa, a piece of blueberry crisp, or a warm chocolate chip cookie.

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Treat Yourself to a Craft Cocktail at Newly Debuted High & Dry, a Rum Bar

Exposed brick. Hand-carved tiki statues. Century-old hardwood floors. High & Dry blends elements of old-school Houston and island vibes in a way that somehow totally works. Since the rum bar opened in February downtown, it's already earned a reputation for boasting some of the best cocktails around. They're mostly rooted in craft rums—after all, the bar plays host to more than 75 varieties from around the globe.

If you're looking for a drink that tastes like summer, try the Sunshower. The bartender infuses its refreshing base of cucumber water with ginger and dill aquavit for a unique balance of sweet and salty. The Bajan Brew goes a different direction, a mix of cold-brew coffee with creamy coconut milk, tiki bitters, and authentic Bajan rums. Anyone craving something light and sweet should try the Mai Girl, which brings together freshly pressed pineapple and pure cane sugar with a house-crafted allspice dram. You can also enjoy artisan shots of rum, like the H&D Cannon Ball, a straight shot of house-infused cinnamon-spiced rum.

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