Happy Fall

May this autumn bring you a harvest of fun times and laughter with family and friends!

La India Bonita: Visit the Little Taqueria That Could

La India Bonita is a little hole in the wall eatery that doesn’t take credit cards, doesn’t deliver, doesn’t have Wi-Fi or TV, doesn’t have hipster decor, and doesn't have a wait staff in cute uniforms. What this League City restaurant does have is some of the most delicious, authentic tacos and tortas this side of the Rio Grande. You'll be happy to chow down on smoky barbacoa tortas or chorizo tacos, and regulars say you should definitely remember to help yourself to some of the free charro beans at the salsa bar.

Place your order at the window, grab a soda or a lemonade from a cooler of Mexican drinks, and take your red plastic basket of food into a little yellow booth in the tiny dining room to enjoy. You'll be glad you've taken a cue from the crowds that pack La India Bonita every lunch hour.

La India Bonita
213 East Main Street
League City, TX 77573
(281) 557-1710
www.yelp.com/biz/la-india-bonita-league-city

Choose From 150 Wines at Chelsea Wine Bar

Wine lovers from all over the state rave about League City’s Chelsea Wine Bar for its exceptional ambience and staggering selection. On your first visit, the prime thing you’ll notice is the bar’s great location. Overlooking picturesque Taylor Lake, the decoration is classy and European-inspired, with exposed wood, gorgeous wall murals, and intimate lighting.

When you open the menu, you’ll be met by over 150 hand-selected wines, sherries, and ports. The staff is incredibly conversant with the attributes of everything they serve, so they’re happy to describe a bottle before you open it. They also prepare homemade sangria every day, which regulars note is delicious. If you’re a beer lover, the bar offers a selection of 20 draft brews and 50 more in bottles. The kitchen makes tasty flatbread pizzas, cheese plates, and other small dishes. There’s live music three nights a week, a nightly happy hour and more fun events to enjoy, as well.

Chelsea Wine Bar
4106 Nasa Parkway
El Lago, TX 77586
(281) 326-5282
chelseawinebartexas.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chelsea-wine-bar-el-lago

Design a Gallery Wall These Pro Pointers

A gallery wall can elevate the style of your space and really make a personal statement about your life and style. However, the process takes time, preparation, and patience. Here are some tips to help you build your own gallery wall!

  • Pick out your frames and create diagrams to help play around with some layout ideas.
  • Lay out your frames on your floor before hanging them on your wall to measure everything out.
  • If you find purchasing prints to be too pricey, use your own photography, pictures of family, or restore old photos to place in the frames for a personal touch.
  • You can also hang up empty frames and collect pieces of art over time so you won’t have to splurge on a lot of pieces all at once.
  • Use one large piece to start your collection, then use different sizes and orientation of the pieces to fill space and keep your eyes moving.
  • If you’re going for more of a classic look, use a nine-square grid layout with even space between each frame.
  • Use sturdy frame hangers to protect your walls and your photos against scratches and nicks.

How To Create A Gallery Wall [Pottery Barn]
How To Create a Gallery Wall on a Budget [Apartment Therapy]​
The Guide To A Well Hung Gallery Wall [Emily Henderson]

The Herb Cafe and Market: Soups and Sandwiches Served Up Fresh

The Herb Café and Market serves up wholesome sandwiches and soups in a smart environment. Standing out from other Dickinson restaurants The Herb Café gives off a laid back vibe with a menu of top shelf casual eats. Proving convenience has no bearing on taste, you can get a smart, quick meal at The Herb Café without spending an arm and a leg. Little touches, like homemade soups and tortilla chips illustrate that this restaurant is unlike the others in town. Pick up a hearty Philly cheese steak with a side of fries, or try the classic grilled cheese with some yummy tomato basil soup. Other great dishes include pulled pork topped with coleslaw, fresh salads, and delicious house made guacamole.

The Herb Cafe and Market
5828 FM 517 East
Dickinson, TX 77539
(281) 337-4080
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-herb-cafe-and-market-dickinson

Happy Labor Day!

Have a relaxing day with fun and laughter!

Dine on Dishes from Around the World at Opus Bistro

The next time you’re looking for an elegant and exciting place to eat in League City, try Opus Bistro. This stylish eatery doesn’t specialize in any one style of cuisine, but rather offers a diverse menu of dishes from around the country and the world. From the Veal New Orleans to the Fettuccini Aspen, you’ll feel like you’re embarking on a worldly journey each time you eat at this upscale restaurant.

Aside from its exceptional food, Opus Bistro boasts a charming neighborhood location just a short walk from the Kemah boardwalk, plus comfortable dining tables to suit parties both large and small and a lively yet romantic ambiance that is ideal for any occasion. Whether you stop in for lunch, dinner or for a nightcap at the full bar, Opus Bistro is always an exceptional choice for dinner and drinks.

Opus Bistro
1002 Aspen Road
Clear Lake Shores, TX 77565
(281) 334-5225​
www.opusbistro.net

Lone Star Grill: Better Bring a Big Appetite

Lone Star Grill is a popular Bacliff roadhouse offering Texas-size portions of American fare at a great price.

Steaks, seafood, and burgers are the focus here, with a different special offered Mondays through Fridays. On Monday nights, crawfish—arguably Lone Star's most popular menu item—is a bargain at just $4 a pound and is served with corn and potatoes. Also offered on Mondays is a beer special: domestic buckets of six beers for just $15. Other favorites include Tuesday's chicken fried steak, which is breaded and served with mashed potatoes, green beans, and gravy. Steak lovers also rave about Lone Star's country ribeye.

Visit Lone Star's Facebook page to learn more about this local eatery!

Lone Star Grill
3435 Highway 146
Bacliff, TX 77518
(832) 864-3788
www.facebook.com/TheLoneStarGrill
www.yelp.com/biz/lone-star-grill-bacliff

Host Your Own At-Home Wine Tasting With These Pro Tips

Having a wine tasting in the comfort of your home is an inexpensive and simple way to find new wines you might love. Invite a few friends over, gather a group of bottles, a cork screw, and maybe some food to pair with the wine, and you’ll be good to go. Follow these simple tips to help host your next get together!

  • Gather a white tablecloth, big wine glasses, spittoons, crackers, and some coffee grounds to use as an odor neutralizer between wines.
  • Prepare your wines to their ideal temperatures. Serve white wines at around 50 degrees and red wines at around 60 degrees. Open the bottles at least 30 minutes before you plan on serving.
  • If you’re planning on serving a variety of different wines, be sure to start with the least refined and work your way to the most refined. You should always start with the lightest wine first.
  • Pour the glasses an inch below the equator, or the widest part of the glass.
  • Don’t rinse the glasses between servings, as water can dilute the wine.
  • After tasting all of the wines, discuss with your guests the aromas and tasting notes of them all and your likes and dislikes.
  • After listening to everyone’s thoughts, re-taste the wines to see whether they have changed with aeration.

How To Have The Perfect Wine Tasting At Home [The Huffington Post]
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party [Real Simple]
How to Host a Wine Tasting [Food & Wine]

Get Active in the Fresh Air at Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside

Baseball or softball. Soccer or football. Basketball or volleyball. Options abound at Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside, a community space dedicated to getting League City residents outdoors and active, regardless of their chosen style of exercise. A slew of sporting fields and courts, each devoted to a different pastime, works toward this charge.

You don't have to have particularly good hand-eye coordination to work out at Lynn Gripon Park, though. You can also just go for a bike ride, run, or a hike on the winding trails that weave throughout the park. Or you can take a spin around the fitness course, lined with exercise equipment along the way. There's also a spot to launch your kayak or canoe if you prefer to spend your free time floating atop the water. With a playground for kids and picnic tables for everyone (plus restrooms), you should have no problem spending an entire day in the great outdoors at Lynn Gripon Park.

Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside
100 Alderwood
​League City, TX 77573
www.leaguecity.com/index.aspx?nid=1265
www.yelp.com/biz/countryside-park-league-city

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