Mellie Dee ♥

Lifestyle | Food | Travel

Seafood, Reunions, Theater, & Bar Hopping

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Yesterday was so busy I didn’t have time to blog! It’s been a long while since that has happened. Overall, it was a great relaxing day. I put down the worries and didn’t care. I went with the flow and everything went very well.

Nail Bar | Katy, Texas | Mimosa, Pedicure, Manicure

I started off getting a manicure and pedicure by myself to relax and enjoyed a mimosa while doing so. In less than half an hour I was out the door. They have great timing and get so many customers because of it.

Footworks with June

I went home and relaxed for half an hour before heading back out the door with June. We went and got reflexology massage at Footworks. $30 per person for an hour. So freaking worth it.

Yummy Crawfish & Seafood | Katy, Texas | The Yummy-nator, Crawfish, Shrimp
The Yummy-Nator [2 pieces snow crabs, 2 pieces blue crabs, 2 lb crawfish, 6 pieces shrimp, 2 pieces corn, 2 pieces potatoes, mushrooms in combo mixer, spicy] | ~$50 • 1 lb crawfish [Cajun, medium spicy] | $6.99 • 1 lb shrimp [yummy house delight, medium spicy] | $12.99

June and I went to Yummy Crawfish and Seafood. We weren’t sure if it’ll be good but since my usual place closed down I’ve been searching for a new one. They have great flavour but not spicy enough. We will definitely come back even though it’s a bit expensive. I love having the snow crabs but didn’t care much about the blue crabs.

June and I believe I might be allergic to crawfish since I never feel well after. Shrimp and snow crabs only might be what I’ll have to end up having if that’s the case. With sporadic crawfish feast … obviously.

Hong Kong Cafe | Houston, Texas | Nancy

I took a nap and talked to London before heading out the door for dinner with Nancy. I haven’t seen her in a couple years since Thuy’s wedding. We shared beef noodles, pork chop bake, and Hong Kong French toast. I was glad she loved it and it warmed my heart that the toast reminds her of her dad. He would be super proud of the woman she’s become.

The Hobby Center | Houston, Texas | A Chorus Line | Nancy

Her boss gave her free tickets to the play, A Chorus Line, since they couldn’t make it anymore. We had no clue what it was about and it ended to being so good. We can’t believe her boss paid $90 for each ticket!

Electric Feel-good | Houston, Texas | Nancy, Carmen, Adam

We got an Uber and meet up with Carmen and Adam at Electric Feelgood. We ordered drinks and took a lot of pictures and boomerangs before heading to other places to check out the scene.

It’s the latest I’ve stayed out for a long while and was happy that I got to go and enjoy a night out in downtown, something I always want to do once in a while.

I finished Love Alarm from Netflix since I wasn’t able to fall asleep until 5am. I ended up sleeping for a good two hours before waking up. Today has been relaxing. Sissy and BIL came over with lunch from Aji Ramen, watched the Texans game and bought thickets to the Astros game. Meal prep took only 20 minutes thanks to the instant pot. I need to look for more recipes!

Wanna Bao | Houston, Texas

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I finally did my Big Brother Big Sister interview. It usually takes two hours but mine ended up being an two and a half hours. I’m not sure how it went but I’m hoping I made it through. I would love to watch the kid grow up and everything. But I heard a lot of people get rejected so … Oh well if that happens to me.

Wanna Bao | Houston, Texas | Pork Crispy Bottom Bao, Shrimp Xiao Long Bao, Pork Xiao Long Bao, Colorful Dumplings Adventure
Pork Crispy Bottom Bao [pork filling pan fried crispy bottom bao drizzled with scallion and sesame] | $8.50 • Shrimp Xiao Long Bao [shrimp and pork filling soup dumpling] | $9.50 • Pork Xiao Long Bao [pork filling soup dumpling] | $8.50 • Colorful Dumplings Adventure [steamed dumpling sampler, Yellow: chicken + shiitake + bamboo shoots, Pink: shrimp + pork + corn, Green: mixed vegetables wrapped by fresh house made colourful vegetable dough] | $8

Afterward, I read a book my boss gave me for a bit before picking Salim up from work. Last minute plans since I was downtown already. We went to Wanna Bao, a place I’ve been wanting to try since they opened.

Definitely way better than the one we went to in Chinatown. There was actually soup in the dumplings! We ended up order a second batch of Xiao long bao because it wasn’t enough food for us both.

Overall everything was perfect and I’d want to come back in the future. It was packed even when we left around one so you know it’s good!

Kung Fu Tea | Houston, Texas | Boba Milk Tea and Yogurt Grapefruit

We went to Kung Fu after to talk about work and girls again. I tried a yogurt drink and it ended up being freaking delicious. They use real fruit juice and mix in Yakult which is a type of yogurt drink Asians have.

I took him home soon after and headed home myself. I took an amazing nap before getting ready again.

Mellie Dee with Jack and Claire at Michelle's

Michelle and Matt were in town from Buffalo and brought the kids as well. I finally got to meet Jack who is about to be seven months old and Claire who is turning two in a couple weeks. Her party is tomorrow which I’ll be going to as well.

Dinner at Michelle's

She had her aunt and grandparents over and we had some food made by her dad. I didn’t get much as I wasn’t too hungry but it all tasted delicious.

Michelle and I got to catch up a bit which was nice. It’s harder now since she’s so far away and busy with two kids, a job, and a husband who is in residency. Two more years and they’ll be back home. I’m making plans to visit them sometime next year, when it’s not cold as eff.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen – Memorial | Houston, Texas

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Work went by fairly quickly today. Before we knew it, it was time to meet Juhi, Amelia, and Chase at The Union Kitchen in Memorial for my last planned HRW for $35 per person.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen - Memorial | Houston, Texas | Cajun Deviled Eggs with Colossal Crab, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Shrimp and Crab Fondue
Shrimp and Crab Fondue [with roasted garlic crostini] | Cajun Deviled Eggs with Colossal Crab [4 each half eggs with creamy Cajun seasoned yolk filled topped with flash fried blue, smoked paprika and Chipotle aioli] | Chicken Tortilla Soup [braised chicken, roasted poblano and corn, topped with fresh avocado, fried tortilla strips, Pico de Gallo and cotija cheese]

The best out of the three was the fondue. Filling and delicious. The soup was nothing special as you can usually get that anywhere and the deviled eggs per Chase wouldn’t be his choice since he’s a man and portion size trumps taste sometimes.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen - Memorial | Houston, Texas | Veal Osso Bucco Milanese, Surf and Turf, Gulf Coast Jumbo Lump Crab Cake
Veal Osso Bucco Milanese [braised veal shank with saffron risotto and gremolata] | Surf and Turf [14 oz ribeye and shrimp embrochette with cheddar au gratin potatoes] | Gulf Coast Jumbo Lump Crab Cake [with cavum lemon butter sauce, dirty rice and grilled asparagus]

The veal was a little dry on top but the inside was fine. The sauce on top didn’t do much since it dried up a little as well. Green beans could be cooked a little longer though. I loved the bone marrow in my veal though!

The crab cake was very good and the rice seemed to be a dirty pilaf type. Chase loved his steak and cleaned his plate! I’d probably get the steak or crab cake if I got to do it over again.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | The Union Kitchen - Memorial | Houston, Texas | White Chocolate Champagne Pound Cake, Almond Raspberry Torte
White Chocolate Champagne Pound Cake [with warm grilled peach compote and vanilla ice cream] | Almond Raspberry Torte [layered yellow butter cake and raspberry filling with almond cream cheese icing]

No one seemed to want the flan but thinking back, maybe that would have been better. These two desserts weren’t good at all. The pound cake tasted a little stale. I think the white chocolate made it dense. I didn’t taste the vanilla in the ice cream either.

As for the torte, the raspberry filling was too tart and overpowered the cake layers and almond cream cheese. None of us finished our desserts and we didn’t pack it up either which says a lot of me.

The food overall was good but I don’t know if it’s a place I’d come if it wasn’t for the HRW. I did hear from a coworker the breakfast is very good. Maybe I need to check it out.

Taylor Swift's Lover Album Version 1 to 4

My Lover Taylor Swift albums arrived!!!! I know. It’s stupid to get them all but ever since she came out with her first album I’ve always bought all the different versions and I just had to! I like reading the things she wrote when she was a kid. Shows you how much she’s grown too!

I’m hoping tomorrow goes by fast so that I can start my four day weekend! Eeeeeek!

Dumplings and Deep Conversations

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Golden Dumpling House | Houston, Texas

The day started off with a lot of playing with Emmy before heading to Golden Dumpling House to meet up with Salim. It’s been awhile and we figured a catch-up was needed.

Golden Dumpling House | Houston, Texas | Dumplings
Xiao Long Bao; Fried Pork & Vegetable Dumplings; Steamed Pork, Shrimp, & Vegetable Dumplings

I haven’t found a good place for Xiao Long Bao in Houston so we figured we’d try this place. The flavour was the best out of the other dumplings but it was lacking in soup which was the whole reason for them.

The dumplings, though not bad, aren’t the best I’ve had. They could do better with flavouring their dumplings and the wrapper was a little too thick.

Golden Dumpling House | Houston, Texas | Millet Soup
Millet Soup

We later found out they had free soup which is more like a congee with a different type of grain. I thought the flavour was good but Salim needed salt so to each their own.

7 Leaves Cafe | Houston, Texas | Oolong Milk Tea with Honey Boba and Taro Milk Tea
Oolong Milk Tea with Honey Boba and Taro Milk Tea

We went and got teas, both delicious. We sat here for a really long time talking about relationships and life. He told me I’m too nice so that’s probably why I’m single but I don’t understand how that’s a negative. I guess guys want someone who’s an ass like girls tend to like in a guy? I’m confused about it all but I’ve decided I’m in the wrong decade. I’m going to be single for life.

Afterward we said our goodbyes. I went home and hung out with Emmy a bit before we headed out to Bellaire again where we met up with SIL’s parents. We went and visited Grandma before heading back to Bellaire for dinner with everyone. Yeah, I don’t understand all the driving either. I’m pooped and ready to relax with Rizzo.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas

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Annual mother daughter Houston Restaurant Week. This time I picked a Cafe Benedicte. It’s not a far drive and for $35 three course meal.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Bread and Butter
Bread and Butter

They started off by giving free bread and butter. The butter was a little too hard to spread and the bread was so soft it tore through. The bread was nothing to write about but per usual Mum loved it. Carbs is her downfall when it comes to eating better. But who am I kidding, we are feasting!

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Chunky Gazpacho and Lobster Bisque
Chunky Gazpacho [with shrimp and avocado] | Lobster Bisque

I don’t believe that I’ve ever had gazpacho before but it was quite refreshing having cold soup and chunks of shrimp and avocado inside. It was a little sour but overall I enjoyed it.

The bisque was a bit heavy but Mum enjoyed it. She was bummed there weren’t little lobster pieces but I don’t think that’s normal, is it?

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Beef Wellington and Seared Diver Scallops
Beef Wellington [crimini mushrooms, chestnuts and Parma ham over Yukon mashed potatoes] | Seared Diver Scallops [over saffron risotto, asparagus and baby portabella mushrooms]

I chose this place so Mum can get her seafood fix. Her risotto was so freaking good too. She is now on a scallop been hoping to create the same scallops you see here.

I chose this place also for myself. I’ve never tried Beef Wellington before and I’ve seen Chef Gordon Ramsey make it enough times. The beef was medium rare, the pastry was flaky on top though the bottom could be better as it was a bit soggy but it’s now on the list of things I want to make. I could do without the mashed potatoes and had grilled vegetables or something instead. Then it would be perfection.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Cafe Benedicte | Houston, Texas | Chocolate Pyramids & Macarons and Creme Caramel
Chocolate Pyramids & Macarons | Creme Caramel [griottines]

The dessert choices didn’t fancy us but I was surprised by the chocolate pyramids. They were so smooth and had a bit of dark chocolate feel. Macaroons were nothing to write home about as they didn’t have the shell i was expecting and the flavours are pretty normal: lemon, coffee, and strawberry.

We wouldn’t have chosen the Creme Caramel if we knew it’d be flan as it’s not really our favourite. I think the Tiramisu would have been a better choice for us.

Overall, it was a great choice and we enjoyed people watching while we ate. I want to come back and try their Lobster Risotto. It sounds dang delicious.