Houston – Page 2 – …on the B.L.

State of Grace

August 31, 2017 RaeAnna

I found out about State of Grace through the Instagram rabbit hole, go figure. The food looked too yummy to pass up. After following them for a solid eight months, I finally made a reservation for brunch. I pulled up to the restaurant to see they have complimentary valet parking. I had no cash to tip – no one should be that dick. I parked on the street, where there was tons of parking.

Walking into the entrance of the restaurant I was taken aback by the beautiful decor. To the front is a round bar, which dominates the Instagram-scape for the restaurant. The bar has tons of windows and a brightness to it coming from the light colors. There are several areas for diners, some more private than others. Gold is a recurring color throughout whether it is darker or brighter.

I would love to tell you I hadn’t looked over the menu repeatedly, but I had. I still had a problem choosing what I wanted to eat because it all looked so good. I was finally able to narrow my order down from the entire menu to two appetizers, two entrees, lattes, and dessert. The burrata was amazing! One of the more creative burrata dishes I have had. The biscuit with proscuitto and jam was absolutely lovely; the kind of biscuit reminiscent of my great grandmothers. The chicken fried steak was phenomenal. The shrimp and grits was bland. Not my favorite, but everything else made up for it. I had to try both the bacon and the sausage… Amazing. The bacon is candied. The sausage is made in house.

The service is truly amazing. They were kind and helpful with suggestions. The server knew a lot about the restaurant and the process. The seating was really comfortable, and once I had stuffed myself, I had a hard time convincing myself to get up.

One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is leaving… This sounds bad, but it’s not. As you walk out, they offer gingersnap moon pies. Ohhhh so good. I would have eaten four or twenty-seven if that had been an option.

I definitely want to go back for Sunday Supper, which they just started. It’s several courses for almost thirty dollars a person. Which really is not bad. I spent more per person on brunch. Although, you don’t have to because I just like to stuff my face when I go out to eat.

It’s a great place to read. There is so much upholstery it dampens the noise level, which would probably be quite high otherwise. If seated in a booth, it is incredibly comfortable to sit back and read while sipping on a coffee.

State of Grace
3258 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas 77098

Houston, On the Town

Buffalo Bayou & Allen’s Landing

August 18, 2017June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

As I’m trying to make my way through Houston, I realized Buffalo Bayou and Allen’s Landing are frequently mentioned and pictured. So, I wandered my way along the river through downtown Houston.

I parked the car and wandered down the steps completely unsure of what I would find. I was almost immediately met by the living incarnation of the Thanksgiving oddity the turducken. This turkey large bird had the feet of a duck and the gobbler of a rooster. It was a sight, but very friendly.

Buffalo Bayou was reopened in 2015 by Buffalo Bayou Partnership and is a intended for outdoor recreation encouraging Houstonians to walk, run, play, bike, and more. It wasn’t until Buffalo Bayou with its five foot wide kinder paths, waterways, dog parks, and more opened anew that Houstonians realized they had been missing an outlet for their outdoorsy desires. Surprisingly, in the few short months it has been open to the public, it has become a landmark for the city to adore and boast about. A real plus about the park is that it is designed for flooding unlike the rest of the city, which just floods how it pleases.

Buffalo Bayou is considered a park. A walkway runs alongside the meandering river. Every once in awhile a boat floats by on the slow current. I have no idea what they’re caring, but it looks like a peaceful job from the banks. There are brick buildings running along each side of the river and casting shadows over the water. Some date back to a time without computers and some are modern. Bridges run over the river every so often. There is a lot of concrete and very little green space.

Allen’s Landing is the true place where the city of Houston originated. It predates Texas being a part of the United States. The Allen brothers purchased a large tract of land on the banks of Buffalo Bayou where they settled in 1936 and began constructing a dock. Allen’s Landing was the original Port of Houston in 1841 and was the lifeblood of the city. What used to be a central point of Houston, it has become a small park. In 2001, the park was redone with a concrete wharf to replicate the original port dedicated to remembering this monumental site in Houston’s history.

Allen’s Landing is a beautiful section of Buffalo Bayou. It is located at the end of the park. The river keeps going past the end of the walkway, but the brick buildings continue on. Along the walkway there are steps down into the water, words of traded goods stamped into the concrete, large chains lying on the ground.

Buffalo Bayou and Allen’s Landing are gorgeous and perfect for the outdoorsy bibliophile. It has a hustle and bustle about it because it is a popular destination for the athletically outdoorsy, but it does also prove to be a brilliant reading spot. For me, there is nothing more perfect than reading to sounds of nature.

Bookstores, Houston, On the Town

Texas Independent Bookstore Day

August 5, 2017June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

August 5th, 2017 is Texas Independent Bookstore Day! BookPeople in Austin, Texas and Brazos Bookstore in Houston, Texas came together to begin this new tradition in 2017 with the hope it will become an annual, widespread celebration.

I have been in and out of Houston so much since I moved to the city, I really have not had enough time to explore the city I live in. I knew Brazos Bookstore was a place I had to see because being a part of the Bookstagram community, Houston can’t stop talking about this lovely store. I had been to Brazos the weekend before spending more than I needed to, which happened to be my first time in the store. When I found out about this celebration, I knew I had to go back two weekends in a row. So… I spent even more money!

In this ever changing world of technology and online shopping, I do my best to support small businesses especially independent bookstores. There are so many people and so few active readers, I want to do my best to support and encourage writers, the publishing industry, and bookstores. As much as I love Barnes & Noble, I love the little bookstores that feel like home when you walk in the door.

To celebrate Texas Independent Bookstore Day, Brazos had a number of events. They kicked off the day with a Texas themed family morning, the debut of their Paper and Pen Pal Club, a Happy Hour, and a vendor market! I had wanted to be there for the Paper and Pen Pal Club since I enjoy writing letters and do so as much as possible. Alas, I laid on the couch reading too long. I made it in time for the Happy Hour, but I don’t drink. So I bought two books instead. It was hoppin’! Lots of people buzzing around the bookstore looking, chatting, and buying. Nothing I love more than listening to the hum of people discussing books, authors, and what makes a good book.

I really enjoy Brazos Bookstore. It is well organized. The decor is sparse with all the walls, shelves, and tables painted white allowing the books to become the centerpiece of the shop. Every month, they highlight a different cause. This month they are honoring female writers in translation. (As a woman and a translator, I am very excited about this.) The large windows at the front of the store are currently painted with a mural of Jane Austen. There are comfy leather chairs sitting by the windows for those too eager to wait until they get home to start reading, or maybe for those who are waiting on the more inclined readers. It is evident everything in Brazos is geared toward the reader, the writer, and the reader-writer because the most dedicated readers are usually aspiring authors. The people behind the counter making the magic happen are wonderful, knowledgeable, and helpful. Shelves are dedicated to staff picks, plural because it’s impossible to pick just one. Throughout the store, there are cards with helpful hints and facts about books and authors making it easier to decide which ones to take home. The store is full of gorgeous notebooks, stationery, which is incredibly dangerous for me, and other items helpful to the reader.

Brazos does not just sell books. They foster a sense of community creating spaces for those of all ages with a love of the written word. They are currently hosting a summer long series entitled “Summer of Austen” celebrating the life and work of Jane Austen. I’m hoping to make it to their final book club if I can read Sense and Sensibility in time. There calendar is full of events from Book Clubs to Story Times to readings and things in between! I love how involved they are in the literary scene and the Houston community.

I will be back… When I can afford it.

Brazos Bookstore
2421 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005

Eateries, Houston

Snooze an A.M. Eatery

August 2, 2017 RaeAnna

I am a huge fan of food. I love cooking just slightly less than I love eating, and I love eating just barely less than I love reading. For me, eating and reading are intrinsically linked in my heart. In my humble opinion, the best way to start the day is a hearty helping of nourishment for the body and the soul. Snooze an A.M. Eatery is a fabulous place to do just that! I love eating, so I’m trying to eat my way through the multitudinous neighborhoods of Houston. I am trying my hardest not to repeat, but I failed.

The first time I went to Snooze was in March. A friend was visiting from out of town, and we were looking for somewhere memorable to brunch on a Wednesday midmorning. After some digging through Yelp, Zagat, and Instagram we decided on Snooze. Figuring it was 10:45 on a Wednesday, we didn’t think there would be a wait. Woah. Were we wrong. We ended up waiting for forty-five minutes before being seated. It was worth the wait. I had the breakfast pot pie: yum. I don’t recall what she had, but it was sweet and delicious.

Yesterday morning, I broke my one time rule for restaurants.

I had to be up dreadfully early this morning. After my obligations were fulfilled, I decided breakfast was in order. It was only 8:30, and I was on the south side of downtown Houston, which, with the traffic, is anywhere between twenty minutes and an hour away from my home. Since I was only a 1.2 miles from Snooze, I decided it was a must.

I enjoyed the Benny Duo. Basically, it’s for those indecisive people who can’t choose just one Eggs Benedict. So I had the Bella Bella Benny and the Summer Benny (or whatever it was called). The Summer one consisted of a pesto quinoa patty topped with a poached egg, caprese salad, cream cheese hollandaise, and balsamic glaze. Delicious. The Bella Bella Benny was prosciutto, a poached egg, cream cheese hollandaise sauce, balsamic glaze piled on top of a ciabatta accompanied with a arugula salad. This one was my favorite. I love prosciutto. When on a sandwich, I like it a bit thicker cut. Snooze did not disappoint with their thicker slices. So, so, so good. Snooze also has a load of drinks – alcoholic and non. Since I’m not a drinker and it was 8:30 on a Tuesday morning, I decided to stick with a classic: a hazelnut latte with almond milk.

I love the decor. It’s upbeat 50’s. They play music from all over the decades. There’s not tons of waiting room inside. There is a patio to hang out on while you wait because you will wait. It is known in Houston as one of the best breakfast/brunch spots in town, and it’s true. Snooze is fun, laid back, and yummy. It is also inexpensive! I love splurging, but for the day-to-day life, I prefer keeping it affordable, so I can buy books.

The atmosphere is fun, and the noise is what you would expect of a bopping breakfast joint. I read without a problem. You will not be alone in your solitary reading. I saw a whole bunch of readers ensconced in their books!

Snooze an A.M. Eatery
3217 Montrose Blvd Suite 100
Houston, TX 77006
Daily 6:30am – 2:30pm
713.574.6655
Instagram: @snoozeameatery

Houston, On the Town

Colette Miller Wings

July 3, 2017June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

A week and a half ago, I got to head to downtown Houston. Specifically 1600 Smith Street. Really beautiful! Go check it out if you have the chance. There is this an awesome mural by Colette Miller. She is known for her angel wings traveling all over the country to put display them. She is a Los Angeles based artist. Extremely talented!

Normal angel wings take people off to heaven, but for me they carried me away with a book. So… it’s my version of heaven!

I am heading off on a road trip today, so I wanted to post the wings as they carry me off on my next adventure! To San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Grand Canyon. Maybe I’ll be able to track down another set of Colette Miller’s wings in her city this time.