Breakfast in Houston: Breakfast Klub

Info: Breakfast Klub

3711 Travis St

Houston, TX 77002

http://www.thebreakfastklub.com/

Must Tries: Chicken and waffles! Coffee!

Healthy Options: The menu has egg and protein options.

Price: Around $10 a dish.

What to Expect: Annually rated as one of the best places to get breakfast in Houston the Breakfast Klub is a must try. Be warned these dishes will stick to your ribs. Come early! After 9:30am the line will be out the front door and you will have to wait while the early birds enjoy.

My Experience: The breakfast I ordered came with pancakes, eggs, meat, and a biscuit. I tried to curve my calorie splurge by sticking with ham but calorie curving is not easy with these delicious southern dishes.

The Klub is famous for its chicken and waffles breakfast! The chicken wings were flavorful and crunchy. Seasoned with a unique spice these wings were juicy and had a flavor of their own. The plate size waffle was fluffy and had good flavor. I wasn't wowed by the waffle but the elements of the waffle and the flavor and crunch of the wings made this dish a must try. Be sure to try a little warm syrup on you wings, you know the thought crossed you mind!

No camera tricks here! The pancakes are huge! The pancakes were fluffy and went great with the warm syrup available. Considered yourself warned these cakes are heavy!

A generous portion of ham, a simple serving of scrambled eggs, a biscuit and a good cup of coffee rounded up my Klub experience.

Get up early and bring an appetite.

Sweet Finds: Chez Beignets Chinatown

Info: Chez Beignets

10623 Bellaire Blvd Houston, TX 77072

Must Tries: Beignets!!

Healthy Options: Dessert splurge, again!

Price: Around $5 for a basket of 3

What to Expect: Located in New Chinatown off to the corner in a shopping center you will find Chez Beignets. Often reviewed to be conquerable to New Orleans Famous Café Du Monde, I had to try Chez Beignets. The building has a quaint coffee shop vibe to it but don’t let that fool you, the main attraction is the beignets!

My Experience: The Beignets were awesome! Come try this warm pastry snowed with power sugar.

The beignets are hot! You have been warned! Once they cool, these beignets are fluffy inside with an outer crunch, very much like a donut or funnel cake. But this was not donut or funnel cake! The power sugar added just a hint of sweetness to the top of this hot pocket of sweetness. I can't wait to try the incumbent, Cafe Du Monde.

I ordered a chocolate stuffed beignet to try it out. The cooler filling did cool the hot outer layer of the beignet but I think I will stick to the original.

Sweet Finds: Lee's Sandwiches Deli Manjoo Pastries

Info: Lee’s Sandwiches

11210 Bellaire Blvd.

Houston, TX 77072

www.leesandwiches.com

Must Tries: Deli Manjoo pastry treat!

Healthy Options: Dessert splurge!

Price: $5 for a box of 20

What to Expect: Lee’s Sandwiches is a California transplant. Located in the heart of Houston’s Chinatown Lee’s is the happening hot spot to eat sandwiches and enjoy some quick treats. If you’re intimidated by the crowd, fear not for Lee’s features a friendly drive thru.

My Experience: I had previously enjoyed sandwiches at Lee’s but only recently did I discover the Deli Manjoo pastries! The corn shaped pastries are best when eater warm right off the press.

The pasties are packaged in this small lunch box shaped carrier.

The pastries are made on sight using this flavor nugget press!

The bite size pastries are addicting so I suggest you stock up.

I am not sure why they are shaped in a corn mold but the flavor is what will keep you coming back. The pastry itself is a sweet vanilla cake which is soft and spongy. The real treat is the vanilla custard inside!

Yes, this nugget is filled with warm vanilla custard that makes this a guilty pleasure!

Drop in or drive thru and get yourself a box, you won't regret it.

Sweet Finds: Pacuigo Italian Gelato Caffe

Info: Pacuigo Italian Gelato Caffe

5172 Buffalo Speedway

Houston, TX 7700

http://www.paciugo.com

Must Tries: Gelato, Affogato al Cioccolata!

Healthy Options: Several low cal gelatos, nutritional handouts available at counter.

Price: Small gelato $3.50, Affogato al Caffe around $6.

What to Expect: Paciugo serves up some of the tastiest gelato in town. This Gelato Shoppe is located in a shopping center across from the Buffalo Speedway HEB.

My Experience: I had previously enjoyed the gelato at Paciugo, they have an array of favors to choose from. Some of my past favorites have been Panna Cota (wedding cake), Hazelnut, Tiramisu, and Mint Chocolate. I suggest you try them all! Samples are given at the counter, just ask!

During this winter season gelato is not usually on my mind, but I heard of a warm creamy concoction that Pacuigo was serving up. Pacuigo calls it, "Affogato al Cioccolata."

.

Affogato al Cioccolata, is made up of Italian style hot chocolate poured over two scoops of gelato (your flavor of choice) and topped with whipped cream.

The hot chocolate slowly melts the gelato and they both mesh to create a warm cup of creamy winter delight. Considered yourself warned, this is not your normal hot chocolate.

PHO WEATHER: Pho Saigon

Info: Pho Saigon Noodle House

2808 Milam St

Houston, TX 77006

http://www.phosaigonnoodlehouse.com/

Must Tries: Spring rolls, Pho, Pho Ga!

Healthy Options: Choose from chicken or lean beef soup dishes.

Price: Under $6 for a large bowl.

What to Expect: So what is Pho? Pho is a Vietnamese soup made from boiling beef bones and spices. The investment of time and patience renders a clear beef broth which is served with rice noodles and thin cuts of meat. The broth itself is the star, with every spoon you have a stream of flavors such as cinnamon, ginger, clove, etc, all blending together to form the ultimate cold day cure all.

My Experience: I have been waiting for the weather to cool off that way I can declare PHO WEATHER! Many people claim that Pho has healing powers! Once you have a bowl of this rich flavor filled broth you will understand.

The spring rolls are a perfect way to start off at Pho Saigon. The peanut sauce is not too sweet and complements the shrimp rolls. 

Pho is served with basil, bean sprouts, sliced jalapeño peppers, and lime. 

The colorful presentation of the Pho is only the beginning. The broth had a rich flavor of beef which was accented with the fresh basil and lime juice.

Pho Saigon sells fresh rolls which I assume come from the French Bakery next door. The bread is a perfect addition to an already great dish. 

This dish was so goods I had to take my tie off.

All I can say with a smile is, "es bueno!"

Dim Sum: Fung's Kitchen, Houston, Tx

Info:

Fung’s Kitchen

7320 SW Freeway (59)
Ste 115
Houston, TX 77074
www.fungskitchen.com

Must Tries: Dim Sum!
Healthy Options: Several steamed vegetable and chicken dishes.
Price: Dim Sum prices vary from the amount of plates you choose.
What to Expect: Fung’s is very busy during Sunday Dim Sum. The building itself is huge and has many large round tables. As you walk take a minute to notice the wall of famous visitors which includes Former President George H. Bush, a crowd of current and former Houston Rocket players and overseas royalty.

My Experience: I have been waiting to try the weekend brunch experience known as DIM SUM! For those of you that have never had Dim Sum, it is similar to the Spanish concept of Tapas. You are served small plates of food which allow you to choose a variety of flavors and textures. It makes for a fun and flavorful eating experience. At Fung's Kitchen the wait staff pushes carts around the room which have small signs on the front signifying the Dim Sum items each hot cart carries. I suggest you come hungry and be adventurous! You never know what great flavors the next cart might bring!

As I approached the doors of Fung's Kitchen I told myself I would try everything I could! It was this type of mentality that allowed me to truly enjoy Dim Sum.

Carts filled with appetizers, sides, main dishes and dessert are pushed throughout the main ballroom. Servers might not speak much English, its best to read the cart signs and point at what attracts your attention. 

I was told Dim Sum began with a staple of 3-4 dishes. Here at Fung's the menu has grown to incorporate other dishes which are not solely Chinese. Most orders come in sets of 4. The website has a menu of all Dim Sum Items.

The steamed pork dumplings had great flavor and were very hearty. 

The shrimp dumplings were soft and a bit chewy.

One of my favorites was a steamed bun stuffed with bbq pork. The steamed bun was light and fluffy, the bbq pork was warm and had the distinct sweet Chinese barbeque taste.  

I indulged in an array of dishes ranging from shark fin dumplings, chicken feet, a rice patty, steamed custard buns, but the most intriguing was this noodle stuffed with shrimp dish. 

The egg custard tarts were lukewarm and had a strong egg taste. This was not one of my favorite selections.

I really enjoyed my first Dim Sum experience at Fung's Kitchen. As much as I ate, I know there are some dishes out there that I did not try, I look forward to my future Dim Sum adventures.

Froberg's Farm, Alvin, TX

Destination : Froberg's Farm

11875 County Road 190

Alvin, TX 77511-1333

(281) 585-3531

www.alvintexas.org/run.cgi?froberg

Must Tries: Fresh produce, roasted peanuts, pies, fried pies!

Healthy Options: Plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and sugar free pies available!

Price: Fried pie turnovers $1.75, Roasted Peanuts $2.00.

What to Expect: With the fall weather upon us driving out to Froberg’s Farm near Alvin, TX is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Shop for fresh produce which is literally twenty feet from the vine! When asking the locals for a great place to get an afternoon snack all hands pointed to Froberg’s fried pies.

My Experience: I found myself in need of a getaway this weekend, so I headed 288 South to the county. I enjoy these unplanned escapes because they usually lead to some new discoveries. As you walk into Froberg's you are greeted with wooden counters stacked with fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts. While the selection was good, I usually save my produce shopping for Canino's Market off airline. I made my way to the back wall of this produce barn and found the snack bar. 

 I usually shell a bag of peanuts for 9 innings at my Astro's game appearances. So at half the price and heated!! I could not turn down a bag.

So what's the real big difference from Hot Roasted to Roasted?

Well for the first five minutes the top peanuts were warm, after that it was all the same. The plain non-salted peanuts were still worth the $2 tag.

Also on the back wall I discovered the "PIE CATALOG". The fried pies are wrapped in a wax paper sleeve and sorted by the various flavors similar to a library card system. 

The pies are kept under a heat lamp to ensure the filling is still warm and gooey.

The flavors seemed to be arranged in no particular order. Most patrons had their favorites and several customers scooped up the last of some flavors before I could read the whole catalog! 

I decided the Apple-Raisin pie would be my snack of choice.

The Pie itself was constructed much like an "empanada".

A crispy dough filled with a warm and soft fruit filling.

The Apple-Raisin was a good choice. The filling was very similar to a bread pudding texture, warm and sweet with the familiar flavor of homemade apple pie filling mixed with warm raisins.

The encore selection was a great Peach-Cream pie. Much smoother in texture the Peach-Cream pie was filled with the delicious and very rich combination of peach and cream.

Looking to get out and breathe some fresh air?

Froberg's farm is a good choice, es bueno!