Monday, October 31, 2011

Montrose/Midtown Deliciousness - Jeannines Bistro & Lankford Grocery


Jeannine's Bistro & Lankford Grocery, both places kind of in between Midtown and Montrose have been some of my biggest surprises recently. I have driven by Jeannine's for years and always wondered what Belgian food in Houston would be like (since I tried it once in Belgium on my way to Amsterdam on a train stop). Lankford - I had never seen or heard of until I was on my quest for the best hamburger in Houston (it's one of my favorite meals with my favorite side item - fries)and saw it on Food Network!

Jeannine's is a quaint place with great service and amazingly delicious and different food. They are located right off Westheimer and Bagby at the end of a small shopping center. We ordered a bit of everything, appetizer - mussels, entrees were the Bouchee Ostendaise and Cordon Blue last but definitely not least, dessert - Crepe Normande. I love seafood but I have never been a big mussel lover, I have tried them a few times but always felt weird about their chewiness. They have to be fresh and melt in your mouth! Guess who accomplishes this? Yes - Jeannine's! The best mussels I have ever had and honestly the only place I will order mussels from. The fries?? OMG, salty fries with a mayo mixture to dip in, to die for!! I couldn't stop eating them! One of the things I loved the most about European food was the finger lickin good mayo! I want it on everything! The Bouchee Ostendaise was a seafood concoction with a thick, creamy, savory sauce, I loved it but couldn't finish it. The Cordon Blue was also by far one of the best I have ever had, I am not a good judge for chicken since I don't really like it very much. If I do, then it needs to be stuffed or drowned in a sauce. I was stuffed but the desserts sounded so appetizing that I could not resist. I am a huge fan of crepes and ice cream and ordered the apple crepe with ice cream. Wow! Let me just say nothing was left on the plate and its one of the most beautiful crepes I have ever seen! I wish I had taken a picture of it :( Totally delicious with the cold ice cream and warm apple crepe. Also, these are big rounds of apple not small watered down pieces, but chewy and great with a crepe! Their lunch specials are reasonably priced and I can't wait to go back for more! For more info visit their site jeaninesbistro.com or see their yelp reviews.

Legendary Lankford Grocery, this place has been around for ages! It started off as a fruit stand in 1938 and then a year later they moved to their current location across the street. As the neighborhood and times changed, they added items to their menu and got away from the grocery store concept. This is a family owned business with a fabulous mission statement that you have to read: "We have nothing small, nothing healthy, and nothing fast. We never give you a check, but that does not mean its free. You pay at the register as you leave. If you do not have 30 minutes to spend, you should try us another day. We have great food, but its not fast food. Everything is made to order just like you like it!" Like I said before, I love hamburgers and fries and unfortunately I am so obsessed with the GRIM burger that I have not been able to try anything else. Are you ready to hear about the ingredients of this hamburger? Mac & cheese, bacon, fried egg and jalapeno. OMG! A mouthful of flavor, textures and spice. Not a good first date spot, if you are on a diet or if you aren't ravenous! I spoke about this burger for a week and accidentally told people over and over how in love I was with this burger! I had to go back shortly after to have it again. I can only eat half in one seating but it still tastes just as good a little later on when you are ready for more! I don't think I have tried their fries because I get tator tots or the tex mex. Tex mex is fried jalapenos and onion strips, pretty freakin good! Darn, its getting close to lunch time and now all I have on the brain is a juicy hamburger! For more info visit their website at lankfordgrocery.com or see their yelp ratings.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Houston Heights Favorite - Glass Wall n Java Java


The Houston Heights can be very out there or can be quite the opposite and inconspicuous - in my opinion. That's one of the many things I love about the Heights. I can go on and on about why I feel like I am not in Houston when in the Heights, I feel transformed and for me it was love at first sight. You may think, how does one fall in love with a neighborhood? But, I guess when you love to travel and love houses and your career is a realtor that is a very easy thing! Some may not agree but to me the Heights area is home. It's a lifestyle!

Glass Wall and Java Java are quite different yet similar in many ways. Both with incredible comfort food, cozy atmosphere and hard to miss when in the Heights. I have been to both several times and love all my experiences. Big plus for both is the great service which is a little difficult to find nowadays.

Glass Wall makes you feel like you are in the coolest hot spot, great ambiance, stiff drinks (which I love and prefer!) and very attentive service. It's difficult to talk about their food since their menu changes and they like to make whats in season which is a great concept and ensures freshness! Their scallops are juicy, fresh, some of the best crab cakes I have ever had. When we went for Houston Restaurant Week it was our favorite! Visit their site at http://www.glasswalltherestaurant.com/GW_Site/home.html

Java Java has a book long menu which can be great for us picky eaters but terrible for those of us who are indecisive. They have anything and everything and even a la carte. Everything looks and tastes fresh and homemade. I always look at other people's food to see what they have b/c it looks so tempting and delicious! Breakfast is amazing! One of the best places in my opinion for breakfast. Homemade quiche is to die for! An amazingly crafted meal with cheese, bread, your choice of quiche, fruits and very filling - take it to go and there is your lunch as well. The crust of the quiche was super crunchy, fresh and straight from the oven. Can't wait to try all their flavors. Salad bar is filled with plenty of options and also very filling and exciting! Pasta salad, carrot salad, homemade croutons and more. Visit their site at http://www.javajavahouston.com/index.html

Visit these Heights delicatessens!