What Satisfaction Canst Thou Have Tonight?

My sweet just made me a dessert that left my oft-neglected sweet tooth happily satisfied. This got me to thinking about how although I enjoy dining out in Italy, one of the things I miss most about the food scene back home is all the wonderful cafes, diners, restaurants and whatnots where you can go specifically for dessert. Going out for dessert (besides gelato) is just not done here.

One of my favorite spots "just for dessert" was right down the road from my apartment in Houston. And while everything shone brightly on the Ruggles menu, I always ordered my entree with dessert on my mind. As is often the case with me, choosing was never a one-two closed door. How could it be with choices like molten chocolate cake, carrot cake, Reese's pie, crossiant bread budding, red velvet cake, brownie a la mode, German chocolate cake, tiramisu..... about 40 tasty treats, brilliantly displayed in all their frosted, whipped glory just beckoning you from the moment you walk in.

Hello peanut butter crunch pie

Besides the quality of the little gems, what always put Ruggles head and shoulders above the rest for me was the care that went into plating up your selection. Always a sprig, swirl, or chocolate trellis that made going out just for dessert a little celebration each time.

Ruggles Cafe Bakery
2365 Rice Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005
713-520-6662

Lai Lai Love

As I wrote last week from Milan, in addition to taking advantage of the shoe sales, I also took myself out for a Chinese dinner. And since it'd been a year since I had Chinese food ('torture' - watching Eat, Drink, Man, Woman while living out in the middle of nowhere Italy) , I certainly won't complain; it satisfingly filled the void. But when I long for a hearty Chinese meal, there is only one place I really want to be. Well, two really, but the other is for date night with Mom and Grandma.

Lai Lai Dumpling House out in Chinatown Houston. Now I have had several New Yorkers smugly inform me that the only real Chinese food in the U.S. is found on their streets. Whatever. Houston, like many other U.S. cities has a totally thriving Chinese community and with that of course, many amazing restaurants.

As its name would suggest, the place is rightly known for its dumplings and they are hands down my absolute favorite. The photo here is no joke; they really are that plump and filled with goodness. Go for the assorted steam choice - vegetable, beef and pork - and happily dunk away in the ginger-spiked soy dipping sauce that comes alongside. Dividing an order with a friend is almost enough for a solid meal on its own, but since parsimony is not my strong point when it comes to ordering, I tend to top off the meal with a huge bowl of shredded pork cold noodles in peanut sauce (and now I know what to do with the huge jar of peanut butter that just arrived in the mail). Just as the dumplings win my vote for best dumpling, these noodles are definitely at the tiptop of my list for favorite Asian noodles: slightly sweet and tangy from the creamy sauce, crisp from the bean sprouts thrown on top.

Sure the interior might raise an eyebrow or two for first time visitors, but after your first bite you quickly get that they are just investing their time and energy in the magic happening in the kitchen. And isn't that as it should be?

Lai Lai Dumpling House

9262 Bellaire Blvd.

Houston, TX 77036

713-271-0080

Grandma's Grocery

Living in Houston, few things could tempt me out of my inner-loop life, onto the interstate to brave the endless, bumper to bumper traffic. And when I say few, well only one really comes to mind: Sandy's! Which apparently has changed its name to Georgia's. So, what I mean is Georgia's!

Imagine, if you will, a big grocery store like Krogers. You know, warehouse building, produce, frozen foods, and in one corner a salad bar buffet, maybe a hot food line too and some gnarly plastic chairs to sit and eat, if you so choose. Kind of depressing, right? Well then imagine that you could substitute all the items for sale into local, organic produce. Getting better, but doesn't sound too different than Whole Foods. What launches Georgia's onto another plain is that it is just like that, except it's like a team of grandmas and grandpas joined forces to not only operate the business, but decorate it and cook up all the delish food offered in the buffet. Love it!

The buffet takes up the center of the store. Antique furniture is arranged throughout, so even though you are in this huge warehouse, your dining experience still manages to feel charmingly homey and cozy. And the food seriously does not disappoint. It's what you would hope for if you could stand over most grocery's buffets and wave a magic wand: totally fresh, local organic produce, gorgeous lettuces, tons of herbs, homemade, creative dressings, fun salad toppings like jicama, all types of seeds, even ginger. The hot buffet delivers more of this quality with beautiful homemade soup options, breads, casseroles, briskets (this is Texas after all), lasagnas, lots of vegeterian and vegan options. Fantastic!

Georgia's has one of the most extensive bulk tea collections I have ever seen and one of the most charming parts of dining there is when a staff member pushes the tea cart up to your table. Let her know what kind you like and she'll whip up an individual pot for you. If you are feeling under the weather or have any health ailments, she can mix a special brew just for you.

This is the type of place where you leave feeling totally satisifed, not only because you just ate a delicious meal but also because you put such good things into your body. Oh and I do want to mention that this buffet of "grass-fed, free range and local produce" will only set you back $11.00. Too bad every neighborhood doesn't have a Georgia's.

So the next time you are at a standstill on Katy Freeway, don't let the exterior of another ubiquitous strip mall throw you off. By all means, stop, enjoy, shop and linger. I know I wish I could.


Georgia's Farm to Market
12171 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77079
281-940-0990
www.georgiasmarket.com

Tacos A Go-Go!

It goes without saying that there is no shortage of great Mexican food in Houston. But sometimes you don't necessarily want a full-on restaurant meal, but at the same time you're looking for a bit more than Taco Cabana or God forbid Taco Bell eeks!.

And it's times likes these that you can overlook the traffic and the heat and the humidity and the, ok, that's enough, and just be happy that such a city gave birth to such a place as Tacos A Go-Go.

You know you are in for a good time with a greeting like this.

How fun! It has such a mom and pop feel to it, like the guy behind the counter ran to the local Fiesta that morning to buy the ingredients for your breakfast taco (which maybe he actually did). The food holds all the charm of a whipped up, homecooked meal - generous, honest and delicious.

The made-to-order breakfast tacos were always calling to me as I placed my order (bacon, eggs and cheese please!) but rave reviews go to all the other tacos, burritos, and tamales. Dress yours up as you like with fresh, not overly hot salsas and sauces from the extensive condiment bar. And besides the ridiculously delish food, the decor is totally lovable with its retro Mexican cinema posters and kitschy vintage flair.

Love it! Virgin Guadalupe with chili pepper lights!

Go, go go go, GO!

Tacos A GoGo
3704 South Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
713-807-8226