Italian – Page 3

2019 Cousin’s Trip | Day 1

October 5, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Hi from Arizona! Our 1st annual cousin’s trip has begun. It could be our last depending on how things go but so far so good.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Houston to Phoenix | Pappasitos Steak Breakfast Taco

I spent the night at Sissy and BIL’s so Sarah ended up meeting up at the house. We drove, parked our car and made our way through TSA. We ended up getting a taco from Pappasitos. It was not the very best as it was super greasy and hard to hold. Never again.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Houston to Phoenix | Southwest Mimosa

I got a free drink ticket from Sarah and ordered myself a mimosa. I didn’t know they give you the whole tiny bottle! I started Five Feet Apart and cried the whole time until we landed. Ugly crying with snot and all. I didn’t finish the ending yet but it’s definitely not a plane movie with all the emotions that runs through you.

The Houston folk and Dallas folk had around the same time flights. Timothy on the other hand came from Seattle. But it all worked out that by the time we got our rental cars we were all there at the same time. We stopped at Target to buy snacks and water before heading to lunch.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Matt's Big Breakfast | Phoenix, Arizona

We ended up at Matt’s Big Breakfast. I got to try a bloody Mary, which is not something I’d ever order with all that sodium, and a mimosa flight. I really liked the apricot mimosa. Food wise was the scramble scramble. I ordered a side of bacon just in case it didn’t come out okay. Everything ended up being pretty dang good but if I come here next time I’m good with bacon and potatoes. With an apricot mimosa of course!

2019 Cousin's Trip | Papago Park Hole in the Wall | Phoenix, Arizona

We drove and hiked up Papago Park’s Hole in a Rock. It’s crazy how nature makes such beautiful views. This wasn’t a crazy hike but the kind of hike I like. Short, not hours and hours long, and you get to see such beautiful views.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Driving to Flagstaff

Then began the two and a half hour drive to Flagstaff. I jammed out to music while I drove and we stopped for a pee break and for the other car to change drivers before we finally made it. The views were so beautiful and I was a little sad I couldn’t take pictures since I was driving.

Joanna had loot from her conference so we now have a lot of snacks. One of them is the Portabella Jerky. Surprisingly not bad and BIL, the hater of mushrooms even tried and ate it all. If he could chose, he wouldn’t eat it but he doesn’t hate it which says a lot.

2019 Cousin's Trip | Fat Olives | Flagstaff, Arizona

We chilled around the house watching football and baseball before heading out for dinner at Fat Olives. Guy Fieri came her for Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives. We ended up ordering both the things he tried and they were both a lot more amazing than I thought. There were two pieces of deli meat in Sissy’s salad and it was pretty dang good too. I wish I knew what it was so I could get some!

2019 Cousin's Trip | Starry Night from Airbnb

We went back to our Airbnb and looked out at the sky. The temperature feels so nice to where I was freezing. I managed to get a shitty picture of the stars in the sky. I’m hoping I will get better when I actually have more time and with foreground.

Half of us are asleep or getting ready to sleep while the other half is up watching the Astros game. It’s against Kiran’s team, Tampa Bay, so it’s funny to hear them.

Night world!

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas

August 23, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

The day started off with a physical at the doctor’s office. Many people told me it took many hours and sometimes half a day. I was in and out in less than 2 hours and part of it was waiting in the waiting room for the doctors to show up since I was early!

Since I was fasting, they had a tray of snacks and drinks. They said if I wanted tea or coffee to let them know and they’d brew it for me. I was good with water and a bar and after peeing it a cup I was out the door.

I went and picked up some tacos before heading home. Emmy licked on a lime while she waited for me to finish eating then it was play time. We danced and jumped around then she pointed at my guitar and said, “Play please.” I played her songs on her request and even some she didn’t. She even jumped off the bed to strum while I played. When I was finally tired I put down the guitar and she hugged and kissed it. It’s safe to say she loves music and she’s ready to go to some classes.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas

Mallory and I spontaneously made plans to go out for dinner. She and JJ have been out of town all week and she wanted some girlfriend time. We chose Grazia Italian Kitchen since she’s on a carbs kick. We both did their Houston Restaurant Week menu for $35 three course meal.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas | Bread Rolls and Italian Bread Dip — Bread Rolls and Italian Bread Dip

They started off by giving us free bread but it wasn’t good at all. Mine was under baked and still a bit doughy. It made us a little afraid of how the rest of the meal would be.

Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas | Malbec — Malbec

Wine because wine not? Get it? Hehehe

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas | Rock Shrimp Croccante & Italian Wedge Salad — Rock Shrimp Croccante [crispy tempura battered, sweet Chile glaze, peppadew and pepperoncini peppers, peanuts, cilantro] | Italian Wedge Salad [iceberg lettuce, diced pancetta, applewood smoked bacon, roasted cherry tomatoes, sweet red onions, caramelized garlic-maytagn blue cheese dressing]

I loved the shrimp but it had an Asian taste which was weird since it’s an Italian restaurant. I’m not a fan of blue cheese dressing on the iceberg but Mallory seemed to enjoy it.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas | Stuffed Flounder Florentine & Mike and Jen — Stuffed Flounder Florentine [jumbo lump crab, spinach, roasted red peppers, goat and mozzarella cheese, charred tomato basil beurre Blanc, risotto] | Mike & Jen [grilled chicken, how tie pasta, garlic, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, Romano cream]

We both like the other person’s dish more but both were great. I took the rest of the risotto home and Mum finished it off. She loved it as well but wished it wasn’t as oily.

Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas | Dijon Gorgonzola Brussel Sprouts — Dijon Gorgonzola Brussel Sprouts | $7

Not part of HRW menu. Our server wasn’t the best and this came when we were full from our main dish but we loved it. The Gorgonzola does give it a blue cheesy taste per Mallory but I guess it wasn’t as strong as the actual blue cheese.

2019 Houston Restaurant Week | Grazia Italian Kitchen | Katy, Texas | Ooey Gooey Butter Cake & Bacon Bourbon Brownie — Ooey Gooey Butter Cake [served with vanilla ice cream, cinnamon, butterscotch sauce] | Bacon Bourbon Brownie [served with vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce]

They have the same presentation which made me kinda sad.the brownie was more cake like and the ice creams taste like a whipped cream textured ice cream. The Ooey Gooey taste better than the brownie in my opinion.

We both probably won’t come here again since it was a little too fancy and the price reflected that. We could have Italian food elsewhere for a better price with better service as well.

After dinner, we headed to Kroger to pick up some things. I finally got my Tillamook ice cream, the caramel hazelnut one. I’ve searched a couple Kroger’s and am so happy I finally found it!

I went home, played with Emmy for a little bit before she had to go to bed. I’ve finally set up Mum’s iPad and I’m happy to see her get the hang of it! Proud daughter.

Crawfish & Noods

June 8, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

A long overdue crawfish session with Salim. It was apparently his second time having it and the first time this year. Who is this kid? We went to Jolynn’s since it seems to be equal driving for both of us. They’re more pricey and we didn’t really see many other customers there but their flavouring is still pretty great. I was surprised that he was okay with eating the heads!

Afterward, his fingers were burning and his lips were on fire so he suggested ice cream but he got too excited when I said there were a lot of boba places around so we ended up at Sharetea. I got the Taro Milk Tea and he got some kind of other milk tea. I wasn’t really paying attention. It was nice getting to talk nerdy stuff with him as we usually tend to be in a group.

Damian's Cucina Italiana | Houston, Texas | Tim & Tara's Going Away Dinner

Tim and Tara had a going away dinner tonight at Damian’s Cucina Italiana. She is so adorable with the decorations and games. It was crazy how Eric walked in and the girl he has been seeing for the last four months is My-Linh, a girl that I knew back in college. We pretty much just all sat together and caught up.

Damian’s Cucina Italiana | Houston, Texas | Tim & Tara’s Going Away Dinner | Food

Free bread for the table. Tara was sweet enough to order a few plates of appetizers (breaded asparagus, calamari, and some type of gnocchi) for the table. I got lobster bisque and Shrimp Damian. I was so full that I gave some of my food away. Every single thing there was delicious. This might just be my favourite Italian restaurant now. Well worth the money I spent. My-Linh was sweet enough to pay for my old fashioned. I don’t suggest ordering an old fashioned there though because they splashed in tonic water which is not how it’s made so that was a bummer.

Today has been filled with delicious foods that my stomach is a little too happy. I’m going to try and fit in a bit of studies before bed and maybe finish Chernobyl. Night, world!

Steak Night

March 27, 2019 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

Today was Safety Day at work. It’s crazy how one year can change the way this day. It’s so much simpler and a one hour meeting checks all the boxes.

By the time we got out, worked on some things, it was time for Erin and I to meet up with Kristen for lunch. We were able to catch up and Kristen even paid to welcome me back. It was nice to get away from the office because since I started it’s been way over time staring at the walls.

After work Christopher and I parked our cars at Erin’s and we all walked to Public House for their steak night. I guess one thing Scruffy instilled in me was the art of old fashioned. Dry Bar, I think it’s called, is still my favourite place for them though.

Their menu is pretty large compared to others and I was excited to try everything.

Well, almost everything. Christopher and I both got Ribeyes, Erin the NY strip, and we all shared a half rack of lamb.

By far one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. I asked for medium rare and it was so dang on point. They know how to do it right.

I am thankful for these two individuals. We’ve become a unit and I understand people at work are probably not happy about it but when you work close, you get to know one another so well that it’s inevitable. I do hope we stay friends forever but I know things change. But until that day comes, I’m going to cherish all those moments with them.

Juhi Goes to London

November 6, 2018 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

I went out to lunch with some co-workers and it was paid for! Nice!! We went to Mia Bella and I had THE best make it yourself pasta. This place is pricey but it’s worth it.

[2018] 310/365: Juhi’s Goodbye Dinner

I stayed at work later than usual then headed to Sissy and BIL’s for a little bit of relaxation before making it to Juhi’s Goodbye dinner at Lupe’s Tortilla. She’s going to London for four months for work! How crazy is that?!

It was nice to see her, finally meet her boyfriend, catch up with Erin and Jade and his girlfriend and meet so many people! They are all goody and hilarious. It was great times all around!

Now it’s shower and bed time. I am so tired!