Restaurant – …on the B.L.

Instagram Tax

April 28, 2019June 23, 2019 RaeAnna

Me posing with an overpriced lemonade in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood at a kitschy unicorn cafe. |Sweater|Scarf|Yogas

New theory. Instagram tax. No, it’s not just another new and terrible thing Instagram is doing, but it is a thing we are paying for as consumers and content creators. Places are cropping up everywhere with a visually appealing and stimulating aesthetic trying to be the next local must-be-seen local place. As a traveler and blogger, I have come across a ton of them here in Houston and all over. They’re fun, inviting, cute, and trendy. It’s fun taking pictures and posting from these places. Content creators are under pressure to be at these places constantly and always be on the lookout for the next one. It’s not just content creators who are on the lookout. Anyone who likes a cute picture for their feed is out and about. We’re all just trying to look cute. Cute is not cheap. These hotspots are not accessible to everyone, and they’re not meant to be. The market is targeting this need for cute content, and prices are rising because the demand will pay for that picture.

If you have spent any time around me, you are probably aware I don’t like spending money. I am a saver, a scrimper, a spend as little as possible kind of person. I don’t make a lot of money, and I have a travel addiction. I am picky where and what I spend ma monies. As a blogger, there are lots of things pulling me in a lot of directions. I love it. I hate it. I wish it were free.

Everything costs money. I live in the fourth largest city in the U.S. I know I’m going to pay more for dinner here than I would in small town Illinois. I like city living, and I’m willing to pay that price. Cities have a range, and that range now includes an Instagram tax. Aesthetic costs money. In the Insta-era, people are going places just for the picture with the thing. I’ve done it. I’ve spent more money on some things than I normally would because Instagram. I hate spending money. Sure it’s fun, but it’s fleeting. That lifestyle costs money I don’t have. Even if I did have it, I can’t justify spending $15 on an ok milkshake for the picture in the unicorn place. No thank you. I can make that shake at home. Instagram is all about aesthetic. I mean, I love aesthetic; it’s great. A coffee shop turns into a floral paradise. Why have a dessert shop when you can have a unicorn dessert shop? White, sleek, and modern. Go for it. Rustic, leather, and low to the ground. Have at it. There’s a niche for everything. Find it, design it, add $4 to every item.

Aesthetic is what draws us in. It’s what keeps us taking pictures and telling our friends about it. It’s CUTE! It may not make for loyal or return customers. Once you have the picture, do you really need to keep going back? Probably not. I have a picture of me eating ice cream out of a watermelon. I’ve not been back. Why pay $8 across town, when I like my $3 ice cream just down the street.

I have no problems paying market value for whatever it is I want. I’m kind of tired going to places to buy the thing to have the picture and paying double or triple the cost. It’s crazy stupid. No judgement. I will probably continue having those pictures when my friends go, but I’m not going to search them out. I search out the food not the look. I’d rather have $10 in my bank account than spending time in a poorly decorated unicorn dessert bar. Speaking of which. The picture was taken at a unicorn themed dessert bar in Montrose. It looks like a unicorn wet dream. Anything unicorn, pink, or sparkles is there. No continuity what-so-ever. My friend got a $8 lavender lemonade. It was fine, but you’re paying the Instagram tax. It has cotton candy and lights up. Not worth it. I borrowed her drink for the picture because I prefer plane tickets.

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Travel, Travel Eats

Salt + Lime

August 9, 2018 RaeAnna

Salt + Lime is a wonderful Mexican restaurant in downtown Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I wanted to enjoy a rooftop dining experience before leaving town, and I had heard good things about this restaurant.

The decor is really cute and modern. I had to wait a few minutes for a rooftop table to open up – worth the wait. I ordered a mocktail at the bar, which is a concrete with a black and white tile base.

Once at the rooftop table, I enjoyed another mocktail because there were just so many yummy options. The server brought over chips and salsa. I am telling you, they are crack. Whatever seasoning they sprinkle on top, it is addictive, and I am slobbering just thinking about it. As the food connoisseur I am, chips and salsa just wasn’t enough. The chorizo fundido combined with crack chips are fabulous.

I ordered two tacos the al pastor and the lamb. Honestly, all other tacos are trying to be this al pastor taco. So much so, I ordered another one. I just about exploded. The bison burrito: also wonderful. No one gets to go out to eat with me without sharing at least a bite. Not sorry.

I didn’t have room for dessert, but the menu looked yummy.

I highly recommend this fun restaurant. The view is unbeatable. So grab a bite, grab a drink, and send me the recipe for the crack chips!!! I’m desperate!

Salt + Lime
628 Lincoln Avenue
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
970.871.6277
Facebook – @SteamboatDining
Instagram – @saltandlimesteamboat
Twitter – @DineSteamboat
#suckalime

Travel, Travel Eats

Bésame

July 30, 2018 RaeAnna

I hadn’t been to Steamboat Springs, Colorado in nine years. Almost exactly. The first full day in town, I wanted to walk around and scout out all the new stuff. I walked passed Bésame, smelled what was wafting out the door, stopped to look at the menu, and I knew I would be back before long.

Fast forward a couple days.

The decor is fabulous. At the bar, there are blue velvet chairs. Equal parts comfy and luxurious. There are floor to ceiling windows looking onto downtown, which open up during service to let in the fresh mountain air. There is a small patio with four tables. Succulents adorn each table. The dining area is beautiful decorated with dark wood. An upstairs has extra seating for parties or the busy season. Spanish music plays in the background. (I danced on my way in and out.)

These photos are taken from two different trips to Bésame. I was too full for dessert the first time; I had to go back in order to try their kickass desserts. The first time we sat on the patio, and the second time we sat at the bar. There’s just the right amount of shade to make it fabulous.

The service was impeccable. Hayzen was our server and the bartender both times. Being a non-drinker who still likes unique, fancy drinks is not always easy for bartenders. He is my new favorite, so if I come into a pile of money and have an event, I will hire him immediately. I had a virgin peach mojito (fantastic) and then a virgin spicy, sweet passion fruit margarita. Seriously, amazing. Not only is he a talented tender of bars, he is incredibly personable, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about the restaurant.

The food was fantastic. There is a smatter of South American and Spanish dishes. I saw Patatas Bravas on the menu and, duh, had to order it. Then I ordered the Tostada de Vieja Ropa. I dated a Cuban for a bit in college, and he introduced me to Vieja Ropa, which is now one of my favorite foods. I have high standards and Bésame met them. What I loved about the dish: it was served on a sweet plantain disk. Believe me, it’s awesome! The kitchen accidentally made an extra order of their special of the day, which was a chorizo tostada with a small green salad. Hayzen – being the fabulous man he is – sent it our way. He jokingly said “Just leave a good review!” Little did he know, I was already geared up to write this phenomenal review. I should probably go post on yelp too…. Anyways! The chorizo was awesome. I don’t love refried beans because they usually have an au de tin can after taste. Not these! Yum. The table next to mine wanted me to let you all know the ceviche was the best they’d ever had. I am inclined to believe them because they were older with what seems like a good handful of money by their dress and jewelry. Anyways, the ceviche is always changing depending on the fresh fish market, and that day it was made with salmon.

For dessert on the very last day in Steamboat Springs, I enjoyed the Kaffir Lime Churros and the Banana Bowl. Hayzen said the Kaffir Lime Churros have a slight fruit loop taste because of the unique flavor combination. He is not wrong. It’s not in an intense fruit loop flavor, and it definitely does not have the refined sugar throat coating quality. It’s served with frozen wine grapes and a Mexican hot chocolate dipping sauce. The Banana Bowl came highly recommended, and I will recommend it to you. So good! I can’t even describe it to you in any other words than heavenly.

So the reason the food is so delectable is because everything on the plate is made in house. It’s hard to beat fresh ingredients. It’s even harder to beat food made in house. You can taste the difference in the tortillas and plantains and especially in the refried beans. Pickled onions are amazing when they are freshly pickled. I love that sweet crunch they added to the Vieja Ropa!

I went to Bésame for lunch because we were trying to keep vacation costs low by cooking dinner at home, and lunch tends to be cheaper for equally great food. (Pro tip: go out for lunch on the weekends, you’ll save a bunch!) Anyways, it is definitely more expensive than McDonald’s, but it is affordable and a really wonderful experience. I would like to go back and enjoy dinner; the menu is bigger and looks delightful.

If you’re ever in Steamboat, this is the place you need to go to!

Bésame
818 Lincoln Avenue
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
970.761.2561
Instagram – @besamesteamboat
Facebook – Besame Steamboat

Travel, Travel Eats

Superior Bathhouse Brewery

June 8, 2018 RaeAnna

Superior Bathhouse Brewery in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas is a must. I go every time I am in town. I have introduced several friends and even family to this lovely place.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is known for their hot springs. Wow! Shocker, I know. Beautiful bathhouses sprung up in downtown for the rich and famous way-back-when. They fell into disrepair for many years. Many have been refurbished because they’re historic, and it would be a tragedy to see the architecture go to waste. There are two which have remained functional bathhouses. One is a store. One is a museum. Another was turned into a BREWERY!

Beau was trying to get in on my root beer.

I am not a drinker anymore, but all my friends and family are. They do have a killer root beer, which I imbibe with much gusto. I am super picky about root beer, so this is a glowing and hard earned recommendation. They have eighteen beers on tap. Some they make themselves; others they bring in. The floor is white hexagon tile with black grout, trés retro. There are tables, a hightop, seats along the huge window front, and picnic benches out front – hello dog friendly! The servers are always lovely and knowledgeable about the beers on tap. It’s a great place to sit and enjoy a drink after or before a day of shopping or spas or just to people watch.

My family got a flight of all 18 beers on tap.

The building they inhabit is Superior Bathhouse, so the name stays true to its roots. It stood vacant for thirty-ish years before Rose Schweikhart moved to Hot Springs in 2011 to open a brewery. It’s the first of its kind in several ways. It is the first and only brewery housed in a U.S. National Park. It took Schweikhart two years to negotiate a lease agreement with the federal government, but she did it! The city is famous for their 144° spring water, which is used at the brewery to brew beer. They are the only brewery in the world to use thermal spring water for brewing. Woah. They opened their doors in 2013 and continually make new and unusual beers to satisfy pallets of all inclination. Seriously. They’re cool. Not only are they are brewery, they are also a full service restaurant and event space. The food is pretty awesome too.

I love going. I don’t think I have been to Hot Springs without stopping in for a root beer since I discovered it in 2014. I’m a touch obsessed. If you ever stop in and post to Instagram, make sure to use #hotspringsontap.

Superior Bathhouse Brewery
329 Central Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Opens at 11:00

A mandatory ‘let’s see the cool floor’ picture.

Eateries, Houston

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

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