Houston Street Food - Part 2


More Houston Street Food that I've tried during other visits to Houston, Texas, United States Of America, continuing from Part 1.

Smoked Beef Brisket

Pappas Bar-B-Q
1217 Pierce Street
Downtown Houston
Houston
Texas 77002
United States Of America

https://pappasbbq.com/

Barnaby's Cafe
1701 South Shepherd Drive
River Oaks
Houston
Texas 77019
United States Of America

604 Fairview Street
Montrose
Houston
Texas 77006
United States Of America

https://www.barnabyscafe.com/

Chili Dog (USD $17)

Backstreet Cafe
1103 South Shepherd Drive
River Oaks
Houston
Texas 77019
United States Of America

1201 South Shepherd Drive
River Oaks
Houston
Texas 77019
United States Of America

https://www.backstreetcafe.net/

Gulf Shrimp And Stone-Ground Cheese Grits (USD $32)

Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District
5701 Main Street
Museum District
Houston
Texas 77005
United States Of America

https://www.hotelzaza.com/houston-museum-district


Luxurious, Cultured Stay

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Visited: Dec-2024
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 6
Budget about USD $790 / SGD $1,090 per person.
- $1,090 Accommodation 4D3N


Nearby Attractions: Houston Space Center, Downtown Aquarium, San Jacinto Museum, The Museum Of Fine Arts, Kemah Boardwalk, Bayou Bend, Buffalo Bayou Park, Hermann Park, Houston Zoo, Houston Museum Of Natural Science, Old Town Spring, Children's Museum Houston, The Menil Collection, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, The Health Museum, Lone Star Flight Museum, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Discovery Green, Memorial Park, Houston Botanic Garden, Lake Houston, Houston Center For Photography, Houston Arboretum And Nature Center, Houston Museum Of African American Culture, John C. Freeman Weather Museum, El Jardin Beach, Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, Beer Can House


Hotel Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, Gymnasium, 1 Spa (ZaSpa), Sauna, Swimming Pool, Terrace Sun Deck, 1 Restaurant (Monarch), 3 Lounges (Lobby Lounge, Piano Man Pre-Function Lounge, Phantom Pre-Function Lounge), Cable Television, Business Centre, Meeting Rooms, Laundry Service, Off-Site Valet Parking (USD $59 Per Day), Morning Butler Pantry, Complimentary Shuttle Service, Currency Exchange Service


Hotel Activities: Internet Surfing, Meetings, Business Parties, Exercising, Swimming, Spa, Sauna, Massage, Art Viewing


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Introduction
Located about 30 minutes drive away from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, United States Of America, the Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District is a modern 4-star boutique hotel that channels the cultural spirit of the area. Within walking distance to many highly rated museums and attractions, Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District served as a comfortable and convenient base when I visited and explored the area across several days, though the prices it commands are premium.


Ambience
Ambience at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District has a luxurious artsy chic vibe. A mix of fine art and pop culture pieces adorns the dimly lit lobby and sharply lit meeting spaces, while gleaming chandeliers and plush carpets exude extravagant opulence. Lift landings open to walls hung with quirky artwork or photographs, but the corridors leading to the rooms are muted.


Room
Rooms at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District are spacious, clean, and comfortable. I stayed at the Standard Room With Balcony, which offered a view of the city. The bed was large and comfortable and clean, the working desk sturdy and spacious, the in-room wi-fi was fast and stable, and the pantry was well-stocked but expensive. The bathroom was large and clean, and I loved the powerful shower.


Food
Food at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District is served at Monarch, a fine dining Modern American restaurant. The intimate vibe enhanced with quirky decor lends well to business meals or romantic occasions. Dishes are freshly prepared with quality ingredients, tagged with premium prices, but are utterly delicious and filling. Saw many groups celebrating the festive holidays here.


Service
Service at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District is friendly and professional. Staff are quick to fulfil requests, and checking in or out is seamless and fast. Housekeeping is hardworking and efficient, with one at least being a kindly grandmother type. Of note are the valets; as there is no on-site parking, all cars have to be handed over for valet parking. They are quick to retrieve your vehicle when called as well.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District are well maintained. The gymnasium has a good variety of exercise machines, while the meetings rooms are spacious. Saw several guests playing the piano too. The swimming pool, surrounded by the towering facade of the hotel, inspires awe. The business centre is small but functional, while quiet corners allow for private conversations. Overall, I enjoyed staying at Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District though it was expensive.


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The Monarch is the in-house restaurant of Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District. Ambience at Monarch carries the same luxurious artsy chic vibe, if not more so. The dim lighting is offset by quirky decorative pieces, such as a mounted faux zebra head. The lights themselves are reflected by shiny globules, casting shadows on the large but comfortable furnishings. The indoor space has a refined restaurant feel, while the outdoor terrace has a classy casual feel. Service at Monarch is attentive and personalised, with staff according good attention to diners. They work quickly, have decent product knowledge on the menu, and clean up tables fast. Food at Monarch is fine dining American cuisine, with each dish consistently well executed with premium ingredients and the greatest of care. Portions are large for individuals. Prices are high, budget about USD $87 per person.

Decorative Lights

Table Under Zebra

Seating

The Beer Karbach Hoplectic (USD $8) is an American West Coast India Pale Ale (IPA), brewed by the Karbach Brewing Company in Spring Branch East, Houston, Texas, United States Of America. It has a clear copper brown colour, with aromas and tastes of grapefruit, pine cones, honeydew melon, and grass. The body is sticky, thin, and light, with fruity earthy sour bitter sweet flavour, and a lingering finish.

Beer Karbach Hoplectic (USD $8)

Beer Karbach Hoplectic

The Deviled Eggs Trio (USD $16) is a good premium sharing appetizer, with the morsels perfectly portioned for 2 people. Each of the trio runs the gamut from the common to the luxurious, all with bouncy mushy soft textures. The Deviled Eggs Cajun (with paprika) has eggy sour sweet spice flavour, the Deviled Eggs Caviar (with sturgeon fish caviar) has eggy sour sweet briny salty fishy flavour, and the Deviled Eggs Prosciutto (with prosciutto cotto / cooked dry-cured ham) has eggy sour sweet meaty salty smoky flavour. Good!

Deviled Eggs Trio (USD $16)

Deviled Eggs Cajun

Deviled Eggs Cajun

Deviled Eggs Caviar

Deviled Eggs Caviar

Deviled Eggs Prosciutto

Deviled Eggs Prosciutto

Deviled Eggs Trio

Enjoyed the Surf & Surf (USD $48), as it showcases 2 luxurious seafood items. The duo of Crab Cake has a crisp golden exterior, a tender chunky interior, and enticing meaty sweet savoury briny salty herbal spice flavour. The 4 large Grilled Scallops are basted in lemon butter sauce, have a tender bouncy texture, and smoky meaty savoury salty sweet flavour. Served with crunchy grilled garlic broccolini with vegetal sweet bitter herbal spice salty flavour, crisp sautéed bell peppers / capsicum with smoky vegetal sweet sour flavour, and crisp potato shoestring fries with starchy salty savoury flavour. Condiments of a grilled lemon and rich tomato ketchup complete. Super filling, I packed the remainder for another meal. Highly recommended!

Surf & Surf (USD $48)

Surf & Surf

Crab Cake

Grilled Scallops

Surf & Surf

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T-Bone Tom's
707 North Highway 146
Kemah
Houston
Texas 77565
United States Of America

https://www.tbonetoms.com/

Sliced Brisket Plate

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
5 Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah
Houston
Texas 77565
United States Of America

https://www.bubbagump.com/location/bubba-gump-kemah-tx/

Blackened Redfish

International House Of Pancakes (IHOP) Restaurants
803 East NASA Parkway
Webster
Houston
Texas 77598
United States Of America

2515 Southwest Freeway
University Place
Houston
Texas 77098
United States Of America

https://www.ihop.com/en

Pancakes

Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake
3000 East NASA Parkway
Nassau Bay
Houston
Texas 77058
United States Of America

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hounbhf-hilton-houston-nasa-clear-lake/


Quiet & Comfortable Stay

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Visited: Dec-2024
Ambience & Setting: 8
Food & Beverage: 7
Service: 8
Value for Money: 9
Budget about USD $660 / SGD $900 per person.
- $900 Accommodation 6D5N


Nearby Attractions: Houston Space Center, Downtown Aquarium, San Jacinto Museum, The Museum Of Fine Arts, Kemah Boardwalk, Bayou Bend, Buffalo Bayou Park, Hermann Park, Houston Zoo, Houston Museum Of Natural Science, Old Town Spring, Children's Museum Houston, The Menil Collection, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, The Health Museum, Lone Star Flight Museum, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Discovery Green, Memorial Park, Houston Botanic Garden, Lake Houston, Houston Center For Photography, Houston Arboretum And Nature Center, Houston Museum Of African American Culture, John C. Freeman Weather Museum, El Jardin Beach, Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, Beer Can House


Hotel Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, Gymnasium, 1 Restaurant (Luna Restaurant & Bar), 1 Lounge (Lobby Lounge), Cable Television, Business Centre, Meeting Rooms, Swimming Pool, Minimarket / Convenience Store, On-Site Parking (USD $9 Per Day), Currency Exchange Service


Hotel Activities: Internet Surfing, Meetings, Exercising, Swimming, Shopping


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Introduction
Located about 50 minutes drive away from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, United States Of America, the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake is an aging 4-star business hotel overlooking the tranquil Clear Lake. The Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake serves as a good vacation base to explore the area, chief of which is the famous National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) field centre the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC), home to NASA's astronaut corps.


Ambience
Ambience at Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake is aging and functional. The space is livened with decor during seasonal and festive occasions, but is otherwise minimalist and clean. Callouts to the space programme adorn the space, from photographs to curated decor.


Room
Rooms at Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake are spacious and comfortable, though the design shows signs of aging. I stayed at the King Room, which offered a lake view, and had a comfortable sleeping and working experience. The water pressure in the shower was overly strong though, and the low mood lighting within the room wasn't quite sufficient for reading.


Food
Food at Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake is served at the Luna Restaurant & Bar, which has a relaxed ambience, attentive service, and well-executed and delicious food and beverages. Dishes are prepared to order, hearty and large in portion, with fresh ingredients.


Service
Service at Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake is friendly and accommodating, with staff being helpful in fulfilling requests. Housekeeping is thorough and efficient. I like that they offer an onsite minimarket / convenience store, as the hotel is located far from shops, none within walking distance.


Facilities & Activities
The facilities and activities at Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake are mostly geared towards business travel, with good meeting and conference facilities. There's a pool which offers a view of the surrounding marina by Clear Lake, and a well-equipped gymnasium. Beyond these, there isn't much to do within Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake, most people will utilise it as a base to explore the area.


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The Luna Restaurant & Bar is the in-house restaurant of the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake hotel. Ambience is relaxed and calm, with few diners around. Furnishings are sturdy and comfortable, and they take the effort to decorate during festive seasons. Service is attentive and friendly, with staff ensuring your dining experience is proceeding smoothly. They demonstrate good product knowledge on the menu, and proactively offer to clear finished plates. Food is American cuisine, made-to-order with fresh ingredients. Portions are large for individuals. There's a good range of beverages too. However, prices command a premium.

Luna Restaurant & Bar Private Dining Space

Luna Restaurant & Bar Menu Food

Luna Restaurant & Bar Menu Drinks

The Beer Bud Light (USD $10) is a low-calorie light beer, formerly known as Budweiser Light, brewed by Anheuser-Busch in Pleasantville Area, Houston, Texas, United States Of America. It has a pale golden straw colour, with aromas and tastes of barley, spring water, corn, and wheat. The body is clean, crisp, and light, with grainy bitter sweet flavour, and a fast finish.

Beer Bud Light (USD $10)

Beer Bud Light

The Beer Saint Arnold Christmas Ale (USD $11) is a seasonal festive ale, brewed by the Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Downtown Houston, Houston, Texas, United States Of America. It has a brown copper colour, with aromas and tastes of barley, cinnamon, black raisins, and caramel. The body is rich, smooth, and malty, with grainy floral earthy bitter herbal sweet spice flavour, and a layered finish.

Beer Saint Arnold Christmas Ale (USD $11)

Beer Saint Arnold Christmas Ale

Loved the Pan-Seared Sustainable Salmon Fish Fillet (USD $38), which features a large boneless fillet of fresh salmon fish, glazed with light maple syrup, pan-seared to perfection. It has tender flaky moist texture, with smoky sweet floral savoury flavour. Served with crunchy firm charred broccolini with vegetal salty sweet earthy savoury flavour, and fluffy oily mixed grains wild rice with starchy grainy earthy sweet savoury flavour. Highly recommended!

Pan-Seared Sustainable Salmon Fish Fillet (USD $38)

Pan-Seared Sustainable Salmon Fish Fillet

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