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.

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.

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).

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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Grab a Pint at the Newly Opened Holman Draft Hall

A mix of exposed brick, iron elements, and rustic rough-hewn slats of wood creates an industrial-chic environment at Holman Draft Hall. From the wooden swings and firepits out on the brick patio to the plush velour couches and farmhouse-style chandeliers inside, each and every design component of the space has been handpicked for the sake of delighting your senses. Of course, the 100 beers on tap don't hurt, either.

Since Holman Draft Hall opened in January, customers have quickly caught on to its presence. They love the happy hour libations, and not just the beers, many of which are crafted right here in Texas. The bartenders also dole out unique frozen cocktails, like the Slippery Rabbit with Reyka Vodka, blueberry, lavender, cardamom, and lemon. Pair your chosen libation with one of the snacks, sammies, or "shareables," like the curry-golden raisin chicken wings or the fried green tomatoes.

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Design Your Own Doughnut at Duck Donuts

Duck Donuts does things differently than any bakery you've been to before. For one thing, its bakers make their build-your-own doughnuts to-order. This means you'll never end up with a stale treat. What's more, the team constantly comes up with new specialty doughnuts that reflect the season and current culinary trends—so there's always something new to try. Since a Duck Donuts opened near you in Houston this January, you now have easy access to the unique sweets.

Stop by Duck Donuts to check out the selection of featured artisan confections. Currently, the bakery offers up unique options like a doughnut coated with key lime icing and dusted with crushed graham cracker, a lemon-frosted doughnut speckled with shredded coconut, and a strawberry-iced doughnut flecked with springtime sprinkles.

If you want to design your own doughnut, it's a three-step process. First, pick your coating, like cinnamon sugar or chocolate icing. Then, add toppings such as sprinkles, chopped peanuts, or Oreo crumbs. Finally, choose a drizzle of hot fudge, salted caramel, or blackberry syrup.

What’s Your Go-To Order at the Bubble Tea House?

Offering much more than just bubble tea, the Bubble Tea House in the Energy Corridor offers an eclectic menu for all palates. With their specialty being beverages of all kinds, you’ll have a lot of choices to make. The cream teas are a local favorite, coming in flavors like almond, coconut, honey ginger, even rose, so every tastebud can find their match on this menu. Fresh juices are also a highlight, with a variety of unique lemonade flavors you need to try. You can’t forget the incredible variety of smoothies, floats, slurpees and and coffee on the list with more than varieties. Choosing might take a bit!

On the food side of things, there is a mix of Asian influenced dishes and fried favorites. Try the shrimp wonton noodle soup or a mix of decadent fried fish balls or fried chicken. All the options are tasty and perfect for a quick bite. If you’re in a pinch for time, use their online ordering system and pick up on the go.

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