I first had these a few weeks ago, and they immediately became my go-to starter at Hugo’s, alongside one of the house margaritas — with salt, thanks.

Small blue corn tortillas topped with a slather of those heavenly refried black beans that Hugo’s makes, a bit of slaw and diced tomatoes, a slice [...]]]>

I first had these a few weeks ago, and they immediately became my go-to starter at Hugo’s, alongside one of the house margaritas — with salt, thanks.

Small blue corn tortillas topped with a slather of those heavenly refried black beans that Hugo’s makes, a bit of slaw and diced tomatoes, a slice of grilled snapper (huachinango), and a drizzle of chipotle mayo. Just anoint with a squeeze of lime, fold and eat. Delish. They come two to an order, so be sure and get enough for the table!

Hugo’s
1600 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006
713-524-7744
Taquitos de Huachinango (2) $10

When I need a Tex-Mex fix, it’s hard to beat the carnitas nachos at El Tiempo (Richmond location). A hot plate of tortilla chips topped with a bit of beans and cheese and then liberally blanketed with shredded carnitas (that’s braised and roasted pork, for the sadly uninitiated) with just the right balance of tender interior [...]]]>

When I need a Tex-Mex fix, it’s hard to beat the carnitas nachos at El Tiempo (Richmond location). A hot plate of tortilla chips topped with a bit of beans and cheese and then liberally blanketed with shredded carnitas (that’s braised and roasted pork, for the sadly uninitiated) with just the right balance of tender interior and crispy edges. Dollops of sour cream, sliced pickled jalapeños and chopped tomatoes finish the deal.

Really, really good.

El Tiempo
3130 Richmond Ave.
Houston TX 77098
713-807-1600
Carnitas nachos $12.79 (small) and $15.79 (large)

International Welcome to Houston video – English from Texas Medical Center on Vimeo.

Makes me want to get out there and see stuff!

But I’m feeling perkier now and about to turn up the volume on seeing, tasting and shopping [...]]]> Wish I could blame it on some fabulous vacation or torrid affair, but the real reason behind the extreme delay since the last Gobonza post is that I just gave in to a severe case of drought malaise.

But I’m feeling perkier now and about to turn up the volume on seeing, tasting and shopping all that Houston has to offer. About time, right?

In a town this size, you just never know where you’ll find your next favorite thing. These gorgeous scarves were spotted at Bella Spatique, a manicure salon near Highland Village. The scarves are handmade in India, are so-soft summer-weight blend of silk and wool, and are absolutely gorgeous.

This paisley-esque number felt a little [...]]]>

In a town this size, you just never know where you’ll find your next favorite thing. These gorgeous scarves were spotted at Bella Spatique, a manicure salon near Highland Village. The scarves are handmade in India, are so-soft summer-weight blend of silk and wool, and are absolutely gorgeous.

This paisley-esque number felt a little Prince (his Purple Majesty), a little boho, and inspired more than a little longing for cooler temps.

Bella Spatique
3734 Westheimer
Houston TX 77027
713-520-0122
Indian scarves $85

This lovely concoction jolted me out of a summer haze — just lightly sweet, with pretty floral, dried herb and spice aromatics and a refreshing finish. It’s made from Old Tom Gin, Cocchi Americano (a low-alcohol, wine-based aperitif that’s sort of the Italian equivalent of Lillet) and Aperol, shaken gently with ice, and served up [...]]]>

This lovely concoction jolted me out of a summer haze — just lightly sweet, with pretty floral, dried herb and spice aromatics and a refreshing finish. It’s made from Old Tom Gin, Cocchi Americano (a low-alcohol, wine-based aperitif that’s sort of the Italian equivalent of Lillet) and Aperol, shaken gently with ice, and served up with a twirl of orange rind.

If you like your cocktails with a touch of bitters — think Campari, vermouth and the like, then this one is for you!

Haven
2502 Algerian Way
Houston TX 77098
713-581-6101
A Moderate Aperitif $9

A recent lunch at Mockingbird Bistro included this off-the-menu duck salad. Falling off the bone tender duck leg topped fresh greens drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette and accompanied by slices of smoked duck breast, fresh tomatoes and a just-hardboiled egg.

It made a nice summer lunch – satisfying, flavorful, but not overly heavy. We’re [...]]]>

A recent lunch at Mockingbird Bistro included this off-the-menu duck salad. Falling off the bone tender duck leg topped fresh greens drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette and accompanied by slices of smoked duck breast, fresh tomatoes and a just-hardboiled egg.

It made a nice summer lunch – satisfying, flavorful, but not overly heavy. We’re told that Chef/Owner John Sheely runs this about once a month, but that if you call ahead, he can probably do it for you on any day. Worth that bit of advance planning!

Mockingbird Bistro
1985 Welch
Houston, TX 77019
713-533-0200
Duck salad $25-ish

sloan/hall always offers a wonderfully curated selection of artisan goodies, like jewelry, fragrances, wickedly funny greeting cards, and more. A recent browse spotted these unique eye portraits from Houston artist Brenda Holmes-Gilbert, exclusively at sloan/hall.

They revisit what has all but become a lost art – portraiture – with a sort of realist Manet-meets-goth twist. They involve four [...]]]>

sloan/hall always offers a wonderfully curated selection of artisan goodies, like jewelry, fragrances, wickedly funny greeting cards, and more. A recent browse spotted these unique eye portraits from Houston artist Brenda Holmes-Gilbert, exclusively at sloan/hall.

They revisit what has all but become a lost art – portraiture – with a sort of realist Manet-meets-goth twist. They involve four sittings with the artist for about $1500. Apparently the portraits can be done from a photograph, but why would you miss the opportunity to experience the process in person?

sloan/hall
2620 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77098
713-942-0202
Eye portrait, $1500-ish

Moeller’s Bakery has been around since 1930, and it’s still an old-fashioned kind of place. There is no discernible evidence of newfangled ideas like gluten-free, organic anything, or Martha Stewart-esque perfection. And if anyone behind the counter has any kind of tattoo or body piercing, it has stayed very well hidden for a very long time.

Moeller’s [...]]]>

Moeller’s Bakery has been around since 1930, and it’s still an old-fashioned kind of place. There is no discernible evidence of newfangled ideas like gluten-free, organic anything, or Martha Stewart-esque perfection. And if anyone behind the counter has any kind of tattoo or body piercing, it has stayed very well hidden for a very long time.

Moeller’s is where longtime Houstonians buy sheet cakes and these melt-in-your-mouth petit fours. Some would argue that these are not technically petit fours, since they are not covered in fondant. I say fondant, shmondant. These are just delicious, and are basically two-bite versions of the sheet cakes.

As a rule, I tend to think that vanilla is perfectly fine, but that it hardly ever trumps chocolate. Except for these little babies. For some reason, I just prefer the vanilla — and not because it’s twenty-four cents cheaper. (But it’s always a good idea to pick up a few extra of each flavor, just to be safe…) The decorations change with the seasons, but the moist cake and sugary icing never vary.

The last time I was in Moeller’s, it was unsettlingly unbusy. Come on people — it would be a tragedy (yes, a tragedy) if this place ever shuttered. Everybody, stop what you’re doing right now and go buy a petit four. (Or five.)

Moeller’s Bakery
4201 Bellaire Blvd.
Houston, TX 77025
713-667-0983
Vanilla petit four $1.71
Chocolate petit four $1.95

A most charming British expat — imagine a 45-ish, energy exec version of Prince Harry – recently let us in on the secret of his swell smell.

The men’s collection from James Bronnley offers a classic scent, slightly soapy, with rich cedar and intense bitter citrus accented with topnotes of frankincense and sage. The line [...]]]>

A most charming British expat — imagine a 45-ish, energy exec version of Prince Harry – recently let us in on the secret of his swell smell.

The men’s collection from James Bronnley offers a classic scent, slightly soapy, with rich cedar and intense bitter citrus accented with topnotes of frankincense and sage. The line includes traditional shaving cream (in a jar, to be used with a brush — oh, if only someone would!), cologne, aftershave, as well as the Gentlemens Moisturising Aftershave Balm that we just picked up as a birthday gift for another, equally charming, fellow.

The local source? British Isles in the Village. If you’ve never been, you simply must swing by. It’s located on Rice Boulevard, between Morningside and Greenbriar. They stock all kinds of imported UK goodies — china, teas, toiletries, chocolates and much more.

British Isles
2366 Rice Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005
713-522-6868
James Bronnley Gentlemens Aftershave Balm $44