Asian – Page 3

El Kourmet | Panntea | Katy, Texas

February 29, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Salim always joked about having to pack an overnight bag and get a hotel whenever he makes a trip to visit me in Katy.

He committed to making that drive today and noticed just how far I trek every time I used to go out there for work, happy hours with ex-coworkers, or any hangouts with him I did.

He said he’ll do better in making our hangouts more equal but we’ll see it to believe it.

He came to my house and I drove us to El Kourmet. He’s from Venezuela and I was told by my Venezuelan friends, this was the best. We ordered arepas and tequenos. Tequenos are like mozzarella sticks, but better. And the arepas were so freaking delicious. I want to come back and try the empanadas. He also ordered Maltin soda. Thankful we only got one since it was so sweet. It reminded him of home so I guess it did it’s thing.

We stopped by at Mallory’s to drop off her keys she left in my car. JJ was so dang sweet. He jumped into my arms and gave me so many kisses.

Salim and I went on our merry way to our next destination for boba which has become a thing of tradition everytime we hangout. I chose Panntea since I’ve never been and if didn’t dissapoint. He got the regular Royal Milk Tea and I got the Matcha Brown Sugar Milk Tea. He liked mine more than his and I’d have to agree. We also ordered spicy popcorn chicken and a eel onigiri. both pretty good but nothing to rave about.

We went to HMart after hoping to find durian for him to try. He said he’s smelled it before and thought it smelled really good. We didn’t find the durian but found jackfruit and now that he things about it, he thinks the person trying to sell him durian lied and it was actually jackfruit.

When we bid our farewells, we talked about having to go back to El Kourmet for empanadas, get Crawfish, and durian. Not sure when our next hangout is but I’m already ready to eat!

I took a nice nap and did some side projects before I made dinner. Mum got me a nice piece of steak and I paired it with roasted asparagus and broccoli. This is probably one of the best steaks I’ve ever made. Getting better every time!

More side projects and Gotham before bed. Night world!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1

February 19, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

I did my packing three hours before I had to get to the airport. I’m not too sure what’s going on with me other than feeling a bit lazy in getting packing done, not to mention, Amy and I didn’t really fully plan out our days other than making sure food was accounted for.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Houston to Phoenix | Hubcap Grill | Houston, Texas

Dad volunteered to drive me to the airport when he heard I was going so early. Nothing was opened when I got there so when Hubcap Grill opened, I went and got a small breakfast taco and water. I was pretty happy to see that I got the whole entire row to myself. I pretty much slept two and a half hours and spent the other time watching a movie.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Phoenix to San Diego | Peet's Coffee | San Diego

When we landed in Phoenix I made my walk to the other gate. I read a few chapters and watched a bit more of my movie before we finally landed in San Diego. I stopped and got a coffee cake from Peet’s Coffee since I was starving.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Westfield Shopping Mall | San Diego, California | Amy

Amy finally landed and we met up and decided to go to Westfield Shopping Mall since that’s where our lunch reservations were. We saw such gorgeous succulents on the walls. We walked into a few skincare stores before making our way to those chairs. We sat there fixing our makeup and catching up. I actually want one. They are super comfy!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Din Tai Fung | San Diego, California

Our lunch at Din Tai Fung was so worth it. We got spare ribs, green beans, spicy pork and veggie wontons, pork Xiao long baos, and pork and crab Xiao long baos.

By far the pork and crab xiao long baos were our favourite. The best was when I dipped them into the spicy wonton sauce!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Din Tai Fung | San Diego, California | Amy

Amy confirmed tonight that this was the best meal so far! Which I’m so happy to hear since I’m always afraid people won’t like the choices I make!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Origins | San Diego, California | Amy Mellie Dee Facials

Since check-in wasn’t until two, we had time to kill. We went into Origins and decided to get a free facial. Since we sat across from one another we noticed the other was in our own bodies and thus these pictures came to fruition. It still gets us everytime we see it. I guess this is what I would look like if I had Sissy’s body. We ended each buying a few things. I got mine shipped home and I’m so excited to use them!

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Dog Park | San Diego, California

We took a dog park path to cut through to CVS. This picture makes it seem like she’s packed her bags and ran away with her problems which isn’t truly false since we are in another state.

After CVS we took an Uber to our Airbnb where we unloaded and took naps before heading back out again.

We got our Uber driver to take us to Liberty Public Market. Where we were dropped off, we saw gorgeous half spheres everywhere! It was a pop-up and if I remember correctly, it’s $80 to rent a bubble and $109 per person for dinner. Oh and not to mention, four people minimum. Since we aren’t rich and definitely don’t have anyone but each other we decided to continue with our plans.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | Amy

Liberty Public Market has restaurants and shopping. I bought some cute earrings and even some popcorn. Minocqua sells these delicious potato puffs, jalapeno flavour is the best while Any opted for a sweeter type. You can order online as well and I’m hoping they deliver to Houston.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | Parana Empanadas Argentinas

We decided on a snack at Parana Empanadas Argentinas. I got the Spicy Beef flavour, “SB” as engraved on the empanada, which I thought was pretty cool. Amy got the Malbec empanada. Their chumichurri and Chipotle chumichurri was perfect. Their green olive sauce was pretty great too.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | The Hot Spot | Mosaics | Amy Mellie Dee

Afterwards we walked around and bumped into an art center in the art district! We could have made pottery, candles, etc. But decided on mosaics. I think they came out pretty well! Plus the conversations we had helped me connect more with her.

2020 San Diego Trip | Day 1 | Liberty Public Market | San Diego, California | Soda & Swine

Liberty Public Market was closing so we searched around for food and decided on Soda & Swine. They’re known for their cocktails here but we decided on a Granny Apple salad, broccolini, brussel sprouts, smashed potatoes, and scotch eggs. Everything was great and the atmosphere was nice. They were a little heavy with the salt but overall, it was still a great experience.

Tomorrow is a new day. This two hour time zone is making me tired. Night world!

LTK Crawfish | Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar | Houston, Texas

February 15, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Starbucks & Kolache Factory | Katy, Texas

The day started off with Starbucks and Kolaches. The Kolache Factory had a grand opening and I got the spin a wheel. My bad luck followed me as I passed the gift card arrow by two pins. I ended up getting a lanyard from Monster instead. Lame.

Jacob has been better lately. Maybe he’s getting older but he seems to not cry as much when I hold him. He doesn’t like pictures though so this was the best I got. Such big eyes!

We headed to the Katy Rodeo Parade. JJ loves all the candy that gets thrown his way. Mallory and I watched the parade while Jacob slept and John … Well John was having his own fun. He made friends with a cop and talked to him the entire time. I joked if they were going to be on a second date. I love when I get invited to little things like these because memories like that will be with me forever.

Afterward we went and spun some Pokestops so that I can get gifts to send them since I never play. When we got back I headed home and took a nice short nap.

I headed over to Priscilla’s and we went with Padit and Ryan to pick up some Crawfish from LTK Crawfish and eat back at the house. The spice level was there but the flavour is lacking. We ordered the Traditional Garlic Butter but it was missing some depth. I don’t hate it though and for the price of was well worth it. I ordered snow crabs as well and we all got corn, potatoes and sausage. Sadly the corn was not fully cooked. The fried rice was surprisingly good as well, especially adding in the garlic butter sauce.

Copper Kettle Chocolate Factory | Tomball, Texas

On our way back to the house we stopped by Copper Kettle Chocolate Factory. The whole entire upper box was $10 for all of those chocolate covered strawberries!

I know how to play the system now. Come day after Valentine’s day and buy half a pound of chocolate covered strawberries and get way over a pounds worth since they have to get rid of it! Plus they were about to close so it’s perfect!

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar | Houston, Texas

I met Pradz at Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar. This was THE best piece of bacon I’ve ever had. The beer flight is actually one of the best flights ever put together as well. I would definitely come back here to try other things as we only shared Brussels sprouts since we were still stuffed from our late lunches.

Driving all over today has been exhausting but it’s been great memories all around. Few more days until I get to spend time with an amazing person and eat delicious foods.

Hot Pot at Amelia’s

February 7, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Today was a pretty great and relaxing day. I took Dad to the doctor, got a new car battery and spent the rest of the day doing practically nothing.

Hot Pot | Amelia, Chase, Juhi, Vijay, Yang, Mary, Miao, Daniel, Cameron, Caleb

I went over to Amelia’s to prep for hot pot night with her while we caught up. It was with some people from my old team and some of their significant others (Amelia, Chase, Juhi, Vijay, Yang, Mary, Miao, Daniel, Cameron and Caleb). It was so bizarre because Yang and Mary used to go to high school with me. They were only a year and two years younger than me!

Before hot pot, I brought my grill with me and we made some boneless galbi which everyone seemed to love so yay!!

Secret Hitler and Werewolf Board Games | Amelia, Chase, Juhi, Vijay, Yang, Mary, Daniel, Cameron, Caleb

After talking for a long while we started to clean up and went upstairs for board games that Daniel brought. It was a lot of fun and we played so many rounds that by the time I got home, it was almost one am.

I’m pooped and ready for Saturday! It’s going to be a great day to … So I hope.

Tasty Point | Katy, Texas

February 6, 2020 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Yesterday after work I met up with Odell at Next Door Lounge. We threw back a couple of drinks and talked about random things. After awhile we bid our farewells. I saw a Dairy Queen and had to stop by. I ordered the steak fingers which brought back a lot of memories. I forgot how delicious they tasted. The fries, not so much. I wonder if they sell these in the freezer aisles …

Today, I finally got my Indian fix. I don’t get much of that nowadays so even though it’s not at my favourite Indian restaurant, I’ll take it anyway I get.

Work has been splendid all week. I have been the most successful in ticking off my tasks without my boss around stressing me out. I don’t think that I’ve ever felt so completed with my tasks as I did this week and I’m not sure if I’ll ever get it again. Here’s to hoping.

Rose came and picked me up and we went to Tasty Point. It’s actually one of my newest favourite places with all the choices they have. We ordered too much as usual.

For appetizers, in the order of my most favourite to not, the pig ears, stinky tofu, super long fries. I’d probably only order the pig ears again.

As for the main entrees we got the black garlic oil ramen and porchini hot pot. I believe that’s what they are called. Both hit the spot since it’s so cold out but I’d probably stick with the hot pot next time.

We were going to go somewhere else for dessert but after much debate we decided to stay where we were. Instead of their plethora of dessert choices, we both ordered drinks to go instead.

We stopped by Walgreens so I could buy more hand sanitizer then went over to her house for the main reason we were meeting up. To teach her how to knit. After a couple of hours, she finally got it down. She is still having issues holding on too tight with her right but other than that, practice makes perfect!

Kathrine was nice enough to hang out with us as we were knitting and she offered me boba ice cream. How crazy right? You’d think the boba would be hard but they weren’t and Rose said she read that the balls were made differently. She says there’s a taro flavour as well which I really want to try now. Super expensive for four but it’s now on my list of wants.

No work tomorrow means relaxation at its finest. Going to watch one of my many shows until I fall asleep. Night world!