Unexpected Fun

September 18, 2011 by Mellie Dee 2 Comments

Jenny and I rarely get the chance to hang out. Yeah we do study together and maybe watch the occasional One Tree Hill episodes together. But going out and doing dinner and just straight chilling? Rarely.

So to my surprise, Jenny was craving steak and wanted to go out for it. Therefore we decided on Logan’s Steakhouse then drinks afterward at Flying Saucer.

But since we realized it was Happy Hour at Logan’s we each got a beer. I got BudLight and she got MillerLight (I think). Double fisting both our beers for pictures.

Can I just finally say, I think I’m warming up to my red streak. It really shows up on pictures and in a way makes me feel pretty? Is that weird?

Our table of yumminess. Jenny and I somehow ordered the exact same thing without knowing.

Our free bread. A mug of beer for each of us. And a plate of rib-eye, sautéed mushrooms, and a baked sweet potato with butter and cinnamon. I could have done without the butter.

I finished everything but my steak. Jenny finished her steak and beer only. That’s how great this meal is.

I ordered these little shot-like desserts to share with Jenny. Brownie with ice cream, some kind of Nutter-Butter dessert, and Strawberry Cheesecake.

It was 3 for $5 so we decided to try them all. Oh did I mention you get to keep the buckets? Sahweet!

Jenny and I’s favorite? The Nutter-Butter! Definitely ordering ONLY that flavor next time.

We weren’t ready to go home yet so we decided to go to the Dollar Theater. Sadly, they weren’t selling anymore tickets since it was already 11pm and were already on their last showings.

Which resulted in Jenny texting her friend and asking her if she was still going out drinking.

Jenny and I met her friend at Sparky’s Pub. It’s a gay bar so Jenny and I were out of place and felt out of place. Her friend as well. She was there for her friend’s birthday who is a lesbian.

We didn’t know what to do so we took pictures.

Just fyi, that’s Jenny’s beer.

Afterward, I texted my friend to see what he was up to. We headed over to where he was. A place called Rush. It used to be called Posh but they fixed it up and changed its name. It’s the first time I’ve been there since they changed and I must say, it’s for the better.

I got to see people I rarely see and it just felt like everything was right in the world.

I would put up pictures of my friends other than Jenny but I don’t know how they’ll feel about it. Especially because they don’t know about this blog.

We got home around 3am and watched an episode of One Tree Hill. I woke up at 9am and fell back asleep. By the time I woke up again, I realized I was 10 minutes late for football practice with FSA. Whoops. So I hauled ass and had a great 2ish hours of practice.

It was a great night that I had. It was great to just go out and put off studying. Which was a bad idea seeing how I have a test on Tuesday. Eeep!

Wish me luck as I study my ass off!

Le Mistral | Houston, Texas

August 18, 2011 by Mellie Dee 5 Comments

***Caution: Long post but filled with pictures.***

Today was Mummy and Me day!

Ah yes, we are cool.

I have wanted to do Houston Restaurant Weeks for the longest time. I think I’ve done the dinner at a restaurant once or twice but I don’t remember it so I don’t count it.

For those that don’t know what it is, HRW is planned by volunteers so that 100% of the funds are donated to the Houston Food Bank. $20 for lunch where $3 per lunch is donated. $35 for dinner where $5 are donated.

Eating for a cause? Sounds good to me.

Since my Mum took the day off from work to hang out with me, I decided on lunch at one of the HRW restaurants.

Le Mistral
1400 Eldridge Pkwy
Houston, TX 77077
(832) 379-8322
www.lemistralhouston.com

Isn’t the front door GORGEOUS?!

The menu for HRW lunch is a 3 course.

Bread & Butter | free

It’s a special type of butter. Not the usual ones you get. It was very easy to spread. The bread was cold but so soft on the inside with a hard outer. Delicious.

I thought this was a trashcan.

My mum’s reply?

Why would they put a trashcan on the table in a high class place. Touché, mum, touché.

My mum and I each ordered something from ever single course and decided to try each other’s dishes. Mmm, six dishes total to try? I’m down! The first dishes of each course is my mum’s and the one following are mine. Just FYI. Winking smile

1st Course:

Crostini de Rillette de Canard {duck rillette crostini, arugula salad, extra virgin olive oil vinaigrette}

I was not a fan of the arugula salad. I don’t think I like arugula to begin with. My mum loved it though. I had half of the duck rillette crostini. Mmm … I wish I had more. It was delicious. The crostini was crunchy hard and the duck rillette was so soft and creamy. I would go back just to order this. My mum has asked me to go online and look for a recipe. That’s how good it was.

Carpaccio de Jambon de Parme, Melon et Mozzarelle {Parma prosciutto Carpaccio, melon, buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, cracked black pepper}

There was a LOT of olive oil on this sucker. I think I could do with a little less. I rolled up the prosciutto with the mozzarella and melon inside. It mixed together so well! The melon was so sweet and the prosciutto was so salty. Such a good mix. The mozzarella made it so smooth and gave me the melt in your mouth feeling.

2nd Course:

Bavette de Boeuf en Persillade {pan-seared hanger steak en persillade, shallot confit, dauphine potatoes, garlic confit romano beans}

My mum loved the beans and wouldn’t share it with me. Crying face So I’m not sure how it tastes. Must be delicious! She was not a fan of the steak. She said it had a taste like the weird taste lamb has. I didn’t mind it and loved it. She got it well done but I think if it was medium rare, it would have been even tastier. The potatoes are to die for! TO DIE! Mushy insides filled with potatoes and the outside is crunchy! Mmmm … I love potatoes.

Gnocchis de Pommes de Terre {homemade potato gnocchi, pesto sauce, heirloom tomato coulis, shaved aged parmasen}

I have always wanted to try the gnocchi but always got scared that I wouldn’t like it. Verdict? It wasn’t anything special. It was mushy but good. I didn’t hate it and won’t be scared to order it anymore. My mum ate most of it since I took most of her beef. I really liked the coulis. I never like tomato sauce that looks like that because it feels so bitter so many times but this was very good and paired up nicely with the gnocchi.

3rd Course:

Truffe au Chocolat Valrhona {Colossal valrhona chocolate truffle, chilled espresso sauce, almond orange tuile}

Um, can I just say how cute the plate is?! I loved the tuile! I’ve always wanted to make it but it seems so hard. I heard it was easy to burn? The truffle was very chocolatey! VERY! My mum wasn’t a big fan nor was I because we’re not the sweets eating type of people but I liked it. It was very smooth, dark, delicious.

Fraises Matinées au Sauternes {strawberries marinated in sauternes wine, cracked Szechuan pepper, crème fraiche ice cream}

I told my mum to get this but she insisted on the truffle because of the espresso sauce. I ordered this because I knew she will love it. I was correct. When we got our desserts, she said that she was afraid because I had to drive and it had wine in it. She’s so cute. It was so good and she loved it so much I gave it all to her. The crème fraiche was smooth and creamy. The wine sauce was sweet. (I’m not a fan of wine.) And the strawberries, some were tart but it went all so well together.

I was so full after we were done which was surprising because our family eats a lot. So that’s how French people stay so thin! Little portions with lots of courses. CHECK!

It was $20 per person so I thought it was super worth it. My mum have already stated she wants to go to more of these places once in a while. Agreed!

***************************************

My mum already stated she wanted to go to Central Market after lunch so I looked up the place. It was our first time there and it was so much fun! It’s like Whole Foods!!

This is the loot we got back!

HOUSTONIANS!!

Read that sign! Buy One, Get One Free on PB&Co. Plus on 2 of them, it has a $0.55 off coupon! So 4 jars for $8.48. Go get yours!! It’s the one on Westheimer!!

They don’t expire til 2013 so I think it’s worth it. Plus I know I’ll finish them all way before then. I got one of every flavor. The maple one, honey one, white chocolate, and dark chocolate. Mmm.

On top of that we got 2 cake tester sticks, banana chips, wasabi peas, Stoneyfield Vanilla Yogurt, Beef Fajita Seasoning, some other kind of seasoning.

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A little while ago I met up with Nicole at Chick-fil-a. She was leaving to Lubbock later tomorrow for a wedding weekend and wanted to see me before I left for San Antonio.

Mmm .. fatass right here. I got a vanilla milkshake since I’ve never tried one here before, medium fries, and ketchup!

The milkshake was okay. I know now I’m not a fan. For the fries, I use to LOVE LOVE LOVE them but they’re just blah now. But I love the ketchup!! It’s so cute. Tear the top to squeeze, tear the side to dip. Genius to whoever invented this. Can someone snag me some? I want to have a handful at hand … always!

When we left, Nicole asked if we were going to take a picture together and I said that I looked gross. Then she made fun of me for taking pictures of the food but not people. So … here’s a really gross picture of me and the beautiful Nicole.

We’ll keep it tiny. Smile with tongue out

***************************************

I was suppose to wash and pack all my clothes today but … time got the best of me. Now all I want to do is rest. But I know I can’t. I guess I’ll clean the room up a bit before bed.

Night y’all!

Black Walnut Café |Katy, Texas and Bravos Mexican Restaurant | Sugar Land, Texas

August 17, 2011 by Mellie Dee 6 Comments

Ed and I met at Black Walnut Café in Cinco Ranch.

Black Walnut Café
23233 Cinco Ranch Blvd.
Katy, TX
(281) 371-2233
www.blackwalnutcafe.com

Ed and I shared the Garlic Cheese Bread for starters. These are the devil. They were so good that we couldn’t stop and was sad when it was over.

I got the Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup as my main entree. The soup wasn’t something to talk about and if you love cheese, this grilled cheese is perfect for you.

I was so full but Ed wanted to hang out some more before he had to go to work so we went to Starbucks down the street. He paid for my Green Tea Frap since I paid for the appetizer.

Afterward, I went home and played my guitar. Ed re-strung all the strings for me since I’m always afraid it will pop in my face (because that has happened before).

Reunited and it feels so good!

I headed into Sugar Land to meet up with Amanda. It was supposed to be us and two of her other friends but they couldn’t make it. Oh well, more time for us to catch up!

I went to pick her up and we headed to:

Bravos Mexican Restaurant
4514 Texas 6
Sugar Land, TX
(281) 494-3340

Amanda has never been to happy hour before so we popped her happy hour cherry. I believe it was also the first time she’s drank since her birthday celebration.

Chips & Dip | Free. Much needed with our drinking.

Strawberry Margarita. There is too much alcohol in that shizz. After this, I know I do not like margaritas. Beer for me, please.

Bravos Mexican Restaurant | Sugar Land, Texas | Amanda & Magarita

Amanda and her margarita

After much talking and sucking those babies down, I drove her home and headed home.

After reading Rachael’s post about Recommitting, I hopped on the treadmill. I obviously did not do a 6-mile tempo run like she did (I haven’t even reached that point yet!) but I did do a 25-minute run and a 25-minute butt and thigh exercise.

I feel better already but it’s going to be hard to go back to how I did three weeks ago. I should have not quitted for so long! Ah, you’re stupid, Melissa. But I did better than I thought. I even up the tempo a little more than I usually did.

Thanks, Rachael, for that post. You saved me.

Now I’m sucking down a blueberry smoothie with too much milk. I ran out of yogurt so it’s mostly milk and ice. Still delicious.

Tomorrow is going to be another Food-venture!! Mum and I will be attending lunch at one of the Houston Restaurant Week locations. Then I can cross it off my Bucket List!

Night!

Inaugural 2011 Houston Beer Fest

August 1, 2011 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

I was looking through my pictures on my camera and realized … I never wrote about my beer fest experience! So here I am more than a month later, writing it.

I’ve been wanting to go to a beer fest since I’ve heard about it and when Houston was going to have one I begged Sissy, Mum, and June to go but everyone ignored me.

It wasn’t until Groupon had a deal. Thank you, Groupon. Only Sissy, Mum, and I ended up going though. But many people were in the Groupon line. Oy vey.

It was set at Hermann Square Park – worst place to have a beer fest with the amount of people around. There was not enough standing space and it was freaking hot out. People started standing in the pond and the security kept trying to get them out. They started to give up trying to get them out though.

Each of our tickets came with 10 free drinking stubs which was pretty sweet. For my first tasting, I got an amazing New Belgium Fat Tire. Sadly, our first tasting was also our last.

By the time we made our way around to the other booths .. all the beer were out. All that was left were the usual beers that you drink when you don’t want to buy anything expensive. It was a waste of money because experiencing a beer fest is to try stuff you never would. Sigh …

We ended up just pigging out on samosas, Asian food, pineapple drink, funnel cake, sausage on a stick, curly fries, and sweet tea.

We paid for all our food except for the teas which was paid for by tickets. We gave the rest of our tickets to some stranger that just came in. I hope he had more fun than us.

I understand this is their first ever Beer Fest here in Houston so I’m not mad at how it turned out. I just wished they thought this through more. They have to know that Houston goes crazy wild with drinking. Especially when you put it on Groupon or Living Social or any other site to help promote your event … you’re going to be getting A LOT of customers.

I hope next year it’ll be better. But now I can cross it off my Bucket List! and tell everyone I’ve been to an inaugural beer fest. Winking smile

I probably won’t go to one for a really long time here in Houston … maybe a few years when they know for sure how things go.

I know they’ll be having a wine fest though so … if you guys are interested, go check it out. It’s in September I believe and they should know how things go now.

Lasagna House III | Houston, Texas

July 31, 2011 by Mellie Dee Leave a Comment

For lunch, Saturday, Mum, June, and I went to the:

Lasagna House III
13306 Westheimer Road,
Houston, TX
(281) 496-9114

You get free Garlic Bread. Pretty much all you can eat.

The same goes for the Salad. They even let you pick your own choice of dressing.

Stuffed Jalapenos [jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese, lightly breaded and deep fried] | $5.99

These were 100% better than the ones we got from Red Oak Grill. Their marinara sauce that came with it was divine. I dipped some garlic bread in it. Yum!

Cannelloni Meat [large pasta tubes stuffed with meat, topped with Pomodoro Sauce and shredded mozzarella and baked] | $10.99

They went heavy on the cheese which I ended up ripping off and giving to Mum. Even with the missing layer of cheese, the layer of chopped up meat makes the dish. They gave so much that I had a lot of leftovers.

After lunch, we went to the new Whole Foods at Montrose. We all felt like a kid in a candy shop and bought a lot of unnecessary goodies.

I channeled my inner child and watched Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure. She goes to New York to audition for Broadway and ends up finding out the part was for her dog, Boy. I will admit that even though her voice is all squeaky and such, the movie itself was very sweet and I ended up liking it more than I thought I would.

Hope you guys had a great weekend!!