Alex Reviews All

Author: Alex

  • Sea of Tranquility

    Sea of Tranquility

    Emily St. John Mandel has a long name. Just like Station Eleven, this was an oddly beautiful slow burn. It dragged at times, but I saw the vision.

    Book Summary (spoilers)

    I hadn’t read a synopsis before I started, so I thought this whole book would be able Edwin’s journey around the world. Then I was thinking it’d be vampires with the fake priest interviewing him and running after getting caught as a poser. Then we switched characters and went from 1912 to 2020.

    It took a while for all of the dots to connect. We got to known three characters fairly well who all had an inexplicable “glitch” happen to them. Edwin passed out while in the forest, Mirella is questioned about her friend’s video in that same forest, and Olive was in the airport for the moment of the glitch that the other two see. They all hear a violinist playing a few notes and an air shuttle flying off for a few seconds before reality kicks back in.

    Now we switch again to Gaspery in 2401. He learns his sister is actually working for a secret time travel agency and has been investigating these anomalies. Her theory is that they all live in a simulation and this moment could be that breaking. Gasprey ends up convincing an old friend who works at that agency to let him be the one to go back in time and interview all the people this happened to.

    Gaspery learns about these peoples stories. Edwin ends up fighting in a war, gets severe PTSD, and is sent to an insane asylum. Olive dies while on her book tour from a new pandemic. Gaspery just can’t let these things happens and does the classic move of breaking the time-space continuum by telling Olive to go back home. Then he doubles down and visits Edwin after the war to tell him that the forest incident was real to help him with his sanity. The agents can’t have this and he’s sent back to the past once again to be framed for a murder and spend his life in jail…

    Until his sister saves him. He is saved and brought to a place to live his life secluded. He learns that his neighbor is his former crush who was also in time travel witness protection and they get married. The twist is that after she dies, Gaspery ventures out and learns that he is supposed to be the old violinist. It wasn’t a glitch in a simulation, it was the continuum trying to correct itself that caused all these issues.

    Thoughts

    The author has a way of making us care about all of her characters. The writing and prose is beautiful and flows naturally. I’m currently reading a fantasy book and it really highlights how Sea of Tranquility is a step above in that department. It’s not at a breakneck speed with action on every page, but you keep reading anyways.

    The story had me guessing all the way through. I wish I had the foresight to see the twist coming cause it made so much sense afterwards. I’m glad that Gaspery got the ending he wanted and that he got to live his adventure. He was going through the motions and needed that more than anything else in his life. If I had that opportunity it’s hard to imagine how I’d have reacted.

    My favorite part was how Gaspery said that it doesn’t matter if it’s all a simulation. That it misses the mark completely. Everything is still real to them and that’s not an excuse to disregard humanity.

    Rating: 764/1000

  • FIX Coffeebar

    FIX Coffeebar

    I needed my coffee fix, so this seemed the place to go. My first obstacle to obtaining that was parking. They have a shared lot where spots are reserved for different businesses. FIX’s 3-4 spots are 10-minute parking only and I had to find street parking as a result. There were an okay amount of options behind the area, but still kind of annoying.

    I did a bit of research before coming today and everyone online raved about the Honey Lavender Latte. I asked the barista (who was the owner) about it and he said it’s his grandmothers recipe. They use Texas honey and steep the lavender to avoid giving it that soapy flavor. He was very friendly and seemed to have great rapport with a lot of the clientele.

    It isn’t incredibly spacious and I didn’t like how close together some of the tables were, so I decided on the window bar seat. I did appreciate how these had back rests instead of the usual stool setup other cafes use. For wifi you get a 3 hour code with your order which is a generous amount of time, but I was having issues with my Spanish videos buffering. No biggie as I just used cellular.

    The drink came out and I loved the spooky foam art. The actual latte was very flavorful. I’d say it leaned more lavender than honey with those flowery notes really pushing through. I could tell it had honey, but I wanted that component to be more enhanced. It was a side character instead of the second protagonist. Still, it was a nice sipper in a deep mug to enjoy over time.

    Rating: 702/1000

  • Buzz & Bites

    Buzz & Bites

    I decided to stop in here today before lunch plans. I needed the caffeine buzz without the bites. I used to frequent this place as one of my go-to’s, but it has lost its charm over the years. Maybe today will reinvoke my initial feelings.

    Of course I had to get the buzz latte which is pretty much honey. There’s not too many seating options inside and it can fill up quickly, but today was chill at 11am and I got a nice back rested seat. There was zero music playing which made it easy to lock in for Spanish hours. Parking is also a cinch with plenty of spots even when it’s crowded.

    My latte art was beautiful. How do these maestros do this? I may start ordering only hot drinks from here on out to really let these baristas shine during these cooler months. The actual drink didn’t quite match the aesthetic. It got better as I progressed, but my initial impressions were that the espresso came off too bitter and the honey was muted. Maybe the honey sank because it got better the deeper I got into my mug. Still, even at its deepest it didn’t stand out enough. For a place with Buzz in the name and a bee as the logo, I expect honey greatness.

    Even with the average drink the vibes here are always good. It’s a cute spot for the Spring Branch area to come hang out in.

    Rating: 564/1000

  • The Pitt Season 1

    The Pitt Season 1

    I’ve been on season 9 of ER forever and a recent visit to the hospital brought back memories of the show. A nurse mentioned The Pitt and after having watched the first two episodes when they originally aired, I decided to start it back up. A few days later and the 15 episode season is devoured.

    This show is set in the Emergency Room of a Pennsylvania hospital. It’s underfunded, understaffed, and constantly busy. Each episode represents an hour long segment of a day shift from 7am to 9pm. It’s day 1 for a handful of new student doctors that we get to watch gain confidence as the day progresses. Noah Lyle stars as their attendee and it was fun to imagine him as an older John Carter.

    The Pitt evoked all the emotions. I couldn’t help but build an attachment to every single cast member of the show. It’s hard not to feel close to people in such a chaotic setting. It’s a ludicrous comparison, but it really brought me back to my time in public accounting. Working long hours, constantly juggling and switching between tasks, speaking delicately to clients, and adjusting to various management styles. What helps you get through it is the people.

    The main draw of the show is how it keeps getting crazier while still staying realistic and believable. This isn’t a show that will coddle you with everything always working out. People will die, things will go wrong, and your heart will break. Somehow, it will still find times to make you laugh throughout all this.

    Noah shines in his ability to show just how beaten down and drained he becomes as Robby. He has PSTD from losing his boss during COVID and you can see it hitting him throughout the day. He has to deal with a million things such as a girl drowning from saving her younger sister, a kid dying from fentanyl-laced drugs meant for studying, and an insane mass shooting at a concert.

    The part that absolutely destroyed me was when he couldn’t save his (like-sons) girlfriend. Jake was blaming him for it when looking at the body and Robby completely breaks down. He tells Jake all the deaths he’s seen today and how they’ll all stick with him, then says he’ll remember Leah long after he forgets about her. He realizes what he just said and wheels Jake out of the room before curling up against the wall and sobbing. The rawness and realness of this scene might have been top ten for me. We’ve gone through this whole day with Robby and it’s impossible not to see where he’s coming from and why it has overwhelmed him. He did everything to save Leah and Jake blaming him was the last straw.

    The Pitt is also a sign of the times. It’s depressing to see just how angry and impatient people have become. The show addresses it when one of the nurses gets punched in the face from someone tired of waiting. The long wait times, low security for the workers, and staffing issues are products of just how neglected our health care system can be. How can you not empathize with their plight?

    I just saw that The Pitt won the Emmy for best Drama, lead actor, and supporting actress. It deserves all the flowers and more.

    Rating: 973/1000

  • Bean & Bottle

    Bean & Bottle

    I love having two great coffee days in a row. Kohiko really impressed me the other day and B&B decided to match their freak.

    Located in a corporate type environment, I parked in a one story garage and walked right in to the barista counter. I was greeted with a friendly smile and I asked for the move. I got a couple options, but the one that seemed most excitable to the barista was the Cup of Ambition. It’s a specialty year-round latte with mocha and salted caramel (which is apparently the best ever.) They also have a breakfast menu and I landed on the breakfast sandwich to complement.

    Front
    Back room

    I went to the back room as the front area is mainly meant for ordering. It wasn’t too full when I got here, but has since filled up. I’m surrounded by chatter that all blends together in that peaceful way I love. My drink was ready to pick up at the counter and the first thing I noticed was the beautiful latte art. This is a contender for my #1 latte art as of now.

    The cup certainly is ambitious. I’d best describe it as a lighter and spiced up hot chocolate. It’s incredibly balanced and isn’t overpowered by any one element. It all blends together to make a cohesive and delicious drink. I should have prefaced by saying I’ve never been a mocha fan, but there’s exceptions to every rule. The salted element also jumps out with every sip in the best way. I was not lead astray today.

    The sandwich was reminiscent of a grilled cheese I’d enjoy as a kid, but with eggs and bacon. Bacon in these kinda things are usually soft and cooked without love, but not here. It was crunchy and smoky. However, what really made this shine was that salsa jam. It had that consistency and texture you’d get from those cafes to complement your toast, but with heat. It was an incredible mish mash of styles that I wanted in every bite of my sandy.

    This is a great visit for any occasion. Either solo or with others you’ll fit right in here. There’s also outdoor seating for those months where we can enjoy it. My one knickpick is that it does for a touch corporate with the colors, tones, and environment.

    Rating: 881/1000

  • Kohiko

    Kohiko

    Kohiko has been on quite a few top coffee shops in Houston even with its Sugar Land location. I can see why with its unique drink offerings and aesthetic. They’re smart enough to know that when the weathers nice you don’t need a drive through, you need outside seats. Sorry car that drove in, you gotta back out cause we’re seated here. Also, where else can you find a drink with both espresso and matcha?

    They have four main specialty lattes and I gravitated towards the Moshi Moshi. It has that matcha/espresso blend I’m interested in trying, plus banana and brown sugar. After admiring the inside with the cute cubby holes for the solo workers, we headed outside.

    My first sip reaction was one of confusion. I’ve never encouraged these tastes together and I had to process. Do I like it? Do I not? I couldn’t tell. After drinking for a bit, yes I do like it. It’s both earthy from that matcha and acidic from what I’m guessing is the espresso. The banana is really subtle, but you can tell it’s there. I wouldn’t say I got the menu tasting note of banana bread, but it still works. All these flavors blend together and mesh into your tastebuds. It’s a lot to take in at first.

    One other highlight is that they own the space next door as well. We didn’t even notice till we were leaving, but that entire room is used as a quiet space to “lock in.” Peering through the glass we saw lots of tables to work or study at. I absolutely love that idea and if I lived nearby it’s something I’d take full advantage of.

    This was such a fun and unique experience. It’s wasn’t my favorite drink or one I’d yearn to have again, but it’s cool, complex, nuanced, and different. I’d love to come back and try out the other specialty options. Amelia said it best today: “in a sea full of basic lattes, this one makes waves.” I’d recommend everyone try Kohiko out… just don’t forget your surfboard.

    Rating: 834/1000

  • The Yellow Cup

    The Yellow Cup

    You can usually tell a place will be good based on the clientele. So how do you judge when it’s mainly one dude who wants to show you his one-wheel scooter and tell you about his divorce. Don’t worry, he’s doing much better now.

    Recreation of his wheel.

    Whenever I’m in an area I love going to google maps and seeing what coffee shops are nearby. It’s weird how Yellow Cup never really pops up with the others. It feels like one of those hidden neighborhood spots you just have to know about.

    The recommendation today was a cold brew with almond milk and their gingerbread syrup. As we waited, we conversed with the other chatty patron for a good 10 minutes. I didn’t mind connecting, although my girlfriend was a little annoyed by his energy. She didn’t care to hear about his divorce and all the 25 year olds he could be dating. Very fair.

    The coffee was alright. It tasted very much like an iced tea and coffee mashup. It’s weird because there was another coffee shop recently that left me feeling the same way. The gingerbread and cold brew were both very light. I prefer a stronger coffee and this felt too watered down. I was also disappointed that our cups weren’t yellow. Missed opportunity.

    Rating: 456/1000

  • Sugared Lemonade & Blueberry Sugar Candle

    Sugared Lemonade & Blueberry Sugar Candle

    It has the word sugar in it twice, but will it have everything nice?

    The first thing about the candle is that as the wax melts it has a nice blue consistency to it. It makes me wanna pour some out into a Bundt cake mold to make the most delicious desert. However, it is candlewax and that would probably make me go to the hospital.

    So the candle is very well blueberry and leaves no doubt. The lemonade is a bit more subtle. It smells as if you put that wax in the oven to make a blueberry cake. I’m in Willy Wonka‘s Wonderland as I close my eyes. I can see a blueberry river. I can see trees full of blueberry. I can see a slide going into a blueberry ball pit and another whiff gives me the image of an Oompa Loompa with a blueberry stomach he uses to bounce around on.

    I eat blueberries all the time. I have them in oatmeal, with yogurt and granola, or even as a sweet treat when frozen with heavy cream. Still, I don’t think it’s a universally loved smell that I’d want to subject others to over a less offensive choice. Good thing I’m home alone today.

    Rating: 728/1000

  • Bugonia

    Bugonia

    I remember reading about how certain theaters were offering free tickets to people who’d come and shave their head. That now makes sense.

    Bugonia is wild. The premise is that two brothers believe a high powered CEO is actually an Adromidon. They kidnap her with the objective to get her to take them to her mothership and bargain for the survival of the human race. I couldn’t help but expect a twist of this being true, but the more the movie ran the less I believed that.

    The acting was phenomenal. You could feel Emma Stone as the trapped CEO trying to strategize her way out and that was part of why I stopped believing the twist was coming. Jesse played the conspiracy theorist to perfection and any attempts by Michelle to “wake him up from the echo chamber” were met with well thought out responses. You could tell Teddy had 100% conviction that he was right even with how insane and incredibly wrong his actions were.

    It did drag a little in the middle, but I get how that was setup and suspense building towards the main climax. And what a climax that was! First Don kills himself, next Teddy kills Casey by ripping off his bee suit, Michelle convinces Teddy to put antifreeze in his moms bloodstream, and then Michelle unlocks herself and sees all the research and bodily disfiguration Teddy has done on others. Once she went into the dialogue when Teddy returned, her demeanor and tone were like a completely different person. That made me fully believe everything she was saying about being an alien, but my girlfriend later told me she thought her seeing Teddy’s room made her realize how dire the stakes were to give the performance of a lifetime.

    The rest of the movie was tense and I kept flip flopping on what to believe. Was she playing him or was it real? It was almost satirical when Teddy accidentally blows himself up before teleporting and then we see that everything he believed was money. Even to the schematics of the ship. The theater was laughing at how ridiculous it felt.

    One thing I didn’t get was why Michelle was counting down from three and backing up as if she was trying to escape while Teddy was in the closet. Maybe she wanted him apprehended so she could go back to the mothership alone? I didn’t fully understand the rationale there and I wanted to.

    Other than that I’m glad the film ended on the aftermath of the human races annihilation. It was fun and out of left field with how serious the movie was for most of its runtime.

    Rating: 758/1000

  • Day 6 Coffee

    Day 6 Coffee

    “On the sixth day god gave us coffee”

    This is printed on every coffee cup (I’m assuming… it was on mine at least) so there’s no confusion on the name. My initial guess was that not everyone needs to be your Day 1 in order to be a friend.

    This Sugar Land coffee shop is located in a shopping strip right next to a Half Price Books. I know what I’m doing after. The front is set up like your standard coffee shop with tables scattered about and the barista stand. I felt a little awkward taking a picture since it was packed and I couldn’t help but feel that people took note of me checking out the aesthetic. That’s something I should probably get over. Anyways, the back is the standout. It feels like you’re in a cozy cabin with the ambient lighting, fireplace, leather couches and seats.

    Like usual I asked for a recommendation and was given the Texas Latte. It features two shots of espresso with vanilla powder and caramel. I was served this in a to-go cup and didn’t notice anyone else with mugs, but maybe they assumed I wasn’t staying. I choose a seat in the back room to enjoy and it was interesting to overhear two guys chat about Houston sports. CJ Stroud being elite was a hot topic.

    The drink was average. It tasted like your standard latte with vanilla and caramel. Nothing really stood out to me or was noteworthy. It’s something to drink if you need to focus and don’t want to be distracted too much on the flavors. An inoffensive background drink to enjoy in my mini cabin.

    Rating: 509/1000

  • Game Night

    Game Night

    Get a fun cast of actors with a cheesy script that doesn’t take itself too seriously and you get a comfy little movie like Game Night.

    Game night is about a hyper-competitive couple that loves to host game night with their friends and loves to win. Enter Max’s older brother, Brooks. He’s always been better and more successful at pretty much everything he does. After coming from out of town he offers to host the ultimate game night. Let the games begin.

    The whole plot revolves around Brooks staging a murder mystery party and then getting kidnapped in a way to make us think it’s actually real. It’s fun to watch as the cast jokes about everything happening before they start to have doubts. For example, Annie holds the kidnappers at gun point and tells them to get down and hold a childs pose. Then they take a selfie with her holding that gun in her mouth as a joke. It got some solid laughs out of all of us and kept us interested throughout.

    The cop was my favorite character. He’s been left out of game nights for a while and expresses his desire to get back in completely deadpan. You can’t help but feel bad for the weirdo. The scene where Max uses his cop computer to get information and ends up bleeding all over the dog who shakes and splatters it everywhere was hysterical.

    A quick scene in the beginning that was really cute was when they were playing guess that drawing. Max and Annie drew a wedding ring to tell their friends they were getting married. Then at the end Annie drew bread in the oven to announce their baby. It was so adorable I had to shout that out.

    The ending action sequence with the plane felt shoehorned in there. Like they just needed a crazy sequence to use up the rest of the movie budget.

    Overall it’s not a movie meant to win any awards, but to turn your brain off and enjoy.

    Rating: 639/1000

  • Le’ Drip

    Le’ Drip

    You better come here wearing Le’ Drip if you don’t want to stick out. Only the most stylish people seem to drink coffee here… so I felt right at home of course 🤥

    Le’ Drip is the third of my chinatown coffee shop visits. I loved the first two and had high expectations for here as well. I’ve walked by before and there’s always a long line to get in. The inside is meant more to get you in and out over enjoying the space. Luckily for my gf and me, we arrived early enough to obtain a coveted table before the rush started.

    I’ve been REALLY interested in trying a banana coffee and my prayers have been answered. Similarly to Trung Nguyen, they use Vietnamese coffee as the base and enhance with cold foams. The barista asked if we wanted to add boba or jelly and I inquired on if that would work with my drink. She responded that coffee jelly was the move for a man such as me. Time to Le’ Drink

    First off, the Vietnamese coffee portion. It’s unfortunately my least favorite of the three so far. It was lacking those bold and balanced flavors you’d expect. However, the banana foam was killer. It reminded us of the flavor you’d get from laffy taffy. Don’t shake that too hard though, you might le drip due to the coffee and foam not merging into one cohesive and delectable drink. I only craved the banana cream.

    Now onto that jelly. I wish I said no because it was lacking flavor and the amount given was way too generous. I don’t need all these presents, just a stocking stuffer is fine. Once I got to the bottom third of my drink I longed for more liquid instead of the solids. It was like I was the world’s worst operation player. I was doing my best to avoid touching the edges, but each misstep punished me with another buzz of jelly.

    Overall it wasn’t my favorite drink. With the plethora of options in the area I can’t see myself coming back, but I am interested in how that banana would do with a matcha.

    Rating: 531/1000

  • The Purge: Anarchy

    The Purge: Anarchy

    I still remember all the rage these movies where when they first came out. I’m with my sister and mom and “we” decided to play the second one in the trilogy. It ended up being one of those movies that’s so bad it’s a little good.

    The Purge is an annual event where there’s no laws for one night. Stealing, robbing, and anything else goes. The movie explores the idea of how it’s targeted against the lower class that can’t afford to defend or protect itself. While the homeless are hiding underground, the rich are hosting purging parties and purchasing people to kill. Then the rest of the year the government claims crime is at all time lows due to people waiting for their jail free crime day. As crazy as the whole concept sounds; it’s something I could see happening in an alternate universe.

    This follows a group of 5 civilians during the purge who end up united together. Leo saves the mother and daughter combo from a government raid and Shane and Liz end up joining after being chased from a group of anarchists targeting them. They had made the dumbass decision to get groceries an hour before the purge started and their car was tampered with leaving them stranded. It’s decisions like these and the uninspired dialogue that follows them that leaves me baffled and frustrated with this movie. I want to suspend my belief, but cmon y’all are asking for it.

    So yeah the dialogue is horrendous. Leo saves their asses and then all four beg him to escort them to a safe place. Then as he’s reluctantly escorting them and doing a pretty damn good job at it as they keep getting in his way, they start questioning why he’s out during the purge and his motives. It frustrated me just as much as it frustrated him.

    The actual action is ok and it has both bad and good moments. I enjoyed seeming them sold into the rich person party where the wealthy bid on the ability to hunt them. It was satisfying watching Leo going from huntee to hunter. It was also interesting finally discovering what Leo’s initial objective was. His son was killed by a drunk driver who got off mostly scott free. The driver has a wife and kids and Leo wants to “avenge” his son. The twist was that he spared him and then the driver saves Leos life when the head baddie shows up. Cheesy but fun.

    Rating: 386/1000

  • Kafeina Kafe

    Kafeina Kafe

    Autocorrect vs. Katrina Kate. There can only be one winner.

    Kafeina is a cute, tiny cafe located outside of Houston in Spring. It’s run by an Italian and that shows in the decor, vibes, and coffee. It was packed in here on a weekday morning which is the best sign for a local shop such as this.

    If there’s a drink with the shops name in it, then that’s what I have to get. Their Kafeina latte has both pistachio and white chocolate flavors. It’s an interesting combo I’d never order myself, so I’m enthusiastic to try it.

    The drink comes in a high quality black coffee cup with a golden logo. The napkins are similar. He doesn’t skimp on the to-go materials and that follows into the coffee. I’d say it was more pistachio forward, but you could hone in on the white chocolate when focusing on the flavor. The pistachio crumble on top added a weirdly pleasing soggy crunchy texture. My main thought over time was that it wasn’t cravable. The two flavors didn’t overwhelm with sweetness which was a worry of mine, but it also didn’t bring a lot of punch. I like subtle flavors; this felt a little too subtle.

    I’ve always loved the idea of cannoli since my obsession with Cake Boss. Seeing a cherry one in the display stand brought be back and was the move. This was probably the best one I’ve ever had as my experience with them has never been great. The outer shell was crunchy and easy to bite into. The filling was creamy and smooth. The cherry was pronounced and tasted natural over the artificial taste cherry branded options can sometimes induce. It was a nice option to try without ruining my appetite later.

    Overall it’s a pretty unique local shop to try out. They go for upscale and class with the quality of everything they use. Even the to-go container for the cannoli was high quality. It can get pretty intimate inside when full, so keep that in mind if you’re wanting to hang out during primetime.

    Rating: 684/1000

  • Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere

    Springsteen Deliver Me From Nowhere

    Last year I was enamored with Timothy Chalamet led biopic on Bob Dylan. I saw every best picture nominee that year and it was one of my favorites. I’m a big Jeremy Allen White fan and had high expectations for another engaging biopic.

    I was unfortunately let down. One thing I loved about A Complete Unknown was how it transported me back into that time period. It really felt like getting back into a Time Machine with the outfits, sets, and overall charm. Springsteen lacked that same magnetic pull. The only Time Machine I wanted was one to bring me to the end of the movie.

    The main issue for me was pacing and connection. The movie is all about how Springsteen wrote the Nebraska album. It comes from a dark place in his life and he struggles with those demons and understanding just what he wants the tracks to be. He writes some bangers, but then decides that’s not what he wants to put out. He battles depression and those traumatic feelings from his childhood that we learn about through flashbacks. It’s a solid premise, but they decided to let it develop at a snails pace.

    The love interest garnered zero interest from me. They speedrun them getting to know each other and then ended it before we really got to know them. I believe the point was to show how Springsteen was engulfed in his process, but it also felt shoehorned in there. I didn’t care or buy the connection that they shared in that short period.

    I loved Jeremy Strong as the manager. He was extremely supportive of Springsteen and I kept expecting him to have a villain arc. However, this is ultimately based on Springsteens real life and the antagonist is his past. Sure the labels are upset that he doesn’t want press, singles, and a tour, but they have to cave to someone as big as him.

    No Oscar contender here. It needed more life in it to feel like a breath of fresh air. Instead it felt more like Springsteen recording Nebraska on his cassette tape and deciding that it needed no further edits.

    Rating: 294/1000

  • CoffeeTrend

    CoffeeTrend

    I love a neighborhood coffee shop. A mini oasis to enjoy a beverage and catch up with friends and family. Baristas you get to know over time. A second home away from home.

    CoffeeTrend is straight up adorable. I walked in and was instantly enamored with the aesthetic and space. I was greeted with a smile and I asked for a recommendation. Iced pistachio vanilla latte was my answer. It was a temporary drink that they made permanent after huge demand. I grew to love pistachio ice cream during my short stint in Spain, so I liked this idea of a latte.

    Cool art
    The back wall is a chalkboard full of notes from guests

    I loved what I overheard after taking a seat. One woman came in who frequents the shop daily. Another man waltzed in and joked with the barista that he was actually having to make coffee today. Turns out the barista was also the owner and had to work due to short staffedness that day. I loved the banter and conversations that each patron brought.

    I really enjoyed my drink. I know it’s not much of a looker in my cover photo, but that’s not what this place is. The flavors from the pistachio and vanilla were light and subtle while still leaving no question of the flavors. It had that distinct pistachio flavor without being overly sweetened from sugary syrups. The notes of vanilla backed that up and everything merged together nicely. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the last sip as much as the first, but it held up well enough.

    One item that rubbed me the wrong way was that they had tacos on sale for $2.50. I decided to get one with the expectation that I’d leave it off the review because the tacos weren’t in house and I expected it to be mid. I was just hungry and needed something. However, after two bites I understood why they were so cheap. First off, I couldn’t even unwrap the tortilla to add salsa because it was glued shut. Then when I took a bite the eggs, potato, and tortilla all tasted stale. I knew if I kept eating I’d get sick. It felt wrong to me that they were selling these with how old they felt. They needed to be tossed (which is what I did with mine) instead of used to make an extra few bucks.

    It’s a shame that I felt so slighted over such a minimal thing, but it’s how I felt. I can’t help but lower my rating due to it. If you’re ever in the area I’d still recommend stopping by… just don’t get any food that’s on sale.

    Rating: 603/1000

  • 90 Reviews Later – A Check In

    90 Reviews Later – A Check In

    I’m excited and proud of the progress I’ve made on my blog site. It looked barebones and uninspired when I first started. I had to push through that and focus on writing reviews even with the misdesigned layout and format. It has been extremely fun and rewarding being intentional with the things I’ve reviewed so far and I have a much clearer picture of how I want to continue.

    My #1 goal is to review every coffee shop in Houston. I’ve actually had this objective twice throughout the years and fell off both times. My first attempt was back in 2017! Now, having a more clear structure where I can post pictures and thoughts has kept me motivated and broadened my scope. There’s something about seeing that coffee page with all my posts displayed that brings me immense joy. The rankings list and google maps feature makes my silly little project feel more realized. It’s something that I don’t need to rush and it will continue to grow and grow till that day I’ve hit them all.

    Old reviews written in iPhone notes (from attempt #2)
    Google map of coffee shops rated so far (adore this part of my reviews and want to make for restaurants as well)

    Reviewing other random items has also been fun. For example, when I was sick it was nice to take my mind off things and review all the products I was using. When I started this site I originally had the idea to do a review a day. However, I think at this point I’m ready to slow down a bit and be a little more intentional. I’m starting to get to the point where I’m writing a review I’m not inspired about. This is supposed to be a fun hobby, not a chore.

    There’s instances where a review is told in three short paragraphs. Sometimes that’s perfect and I’m content that the whole picture was painted. Other times I know I had more to say, but just wanted to check that box of having a review added to the queue. I’d like to eventually have all my music records reviewed, but that’s one I now know I can’t speedrun. If I want to spin a record without the intention of reviewing it, then I will. If I’m later inspired to write about it, I’ll do that too. In the same vain, I’d like to be more thorough with certain books I read and treat this similarly to a reading journal.

    I really do like to just jump into things and I think my #1 priority right now is improving my Spanish comprehension. That takes up a lot of brainpower and I’ve never been a very creative person, so those juices aren’t always flowing freely to begin with. I want this to be something I keep running my whole life and can look back on throughout.

    Cheers to the next 90!

  • Empire Cafe

    Empire Cafe

    Dang I really dropped the ball on that cover photo lighting. Well hopefully you can still tell that it looks pretty.

    I’ve never been here before and it brought me right back to my Europe trips. You wait in line to order while looking at delicious pastries, then get a number and can choose to sit either inside or on the patio surrounded by shrubbery. It’s impressive given its location on Westheimer. Yes you can hear the cars coming and going, but at least my eyes deceive me.

    With that European feeling in my bones I opted for a cappuccino and croissant breakfast sandwich. Without tip it totaled to $21 which surprised me a bit. Guess I forgot how pricey it can be over there.

    Starting with the cappuccino… it was excellent. If you looked up a textbook capp, this would be it. The foam was velvety and the espresso was distinct. It hit all the notes perfectly and was great to sip on the patio and enjoy the weather. If I wanted I could have spent hours out here with how deep the mug was.

    The croissant was flaky and fresh. Something I appreciated extra after my recent trip to EaDough. The filling included scrambled eggs, guacamole, cream, tomato, and salsa to add. The guac was an elite addition and paired nicely with the other ingredients. Everything played its part and the different textures/consistency’s made for a flavor bomb in every bite.

    Rating: 832/1000

  • Revelación by Selena Gomez

    Revelación by Selena Gomez

    You probably thought you were safe after my Rare album review, but you always gotta keep an eye out for Selener.

    I remember being enamored by this EP when it first came out. I recall reading about how Selena wanted to get more in touch with her Spanish speaking side and had a linguist help her with pronunciation and authenticity. Maybe that’s all bullshit, but I can’t be arsed to fact check years later.

    Now that I’m on my Spanish journey I knew I had to cop this at some point. I was at Sigs Lagoon, a record shop in Houston, when I saw this the moment before heading out. It was fate. I had no idea what she was saying five years ago and it’s amazing to revisit and have a better understanding of the lyrics.

    The music is extremely tranquil, laid back, and beautiful. I think Vicio is one of my favorite songs from her whole discography. Selena’s vocals, instrumentals, and production is insane. There’s a reason Spanish is the language of love and her voice compliments that perfectly. One thing I appreciated from Rare is how different it sounds from other pop albums and this is another testament to that. She stays confident throughout even while being different.

    I also can’t get enough of any EDM songs she is featured in. Luckily, we get one in Selfish Love to end the EP and give us that summer jam. The only thing I’m sad about is how short the runtime is. Give us a full album of this Selener!

    Rating: 858/1000

  • Brass Tacks

    Brass Tacks

    Brass Tacks may just be the coziest and most productive coffee shop in all of Houston. They have enclosed cubbies for petes sack. There’s a small second story, ambient lighting, an outside with plenty of tables (not all shaded), and a back room with even more space. They practically invite you to come and hang out for as long as you need.

    Cubbies and upper level shown on the right
    Outside area with shop in the back

    I asked for a recommendation and was given the Vietnamese coffee with cold foam and cinnamon on top. This has become one of my favorite combos so I was excited to try and even more excited when it was ready. One note is that you have to come pick up your drinks, so if you’re far away from the bar you’ll have to keep checking in or hang out till they’re ready.

    I think it’s a little unfair to this place that I’ve had the most amazing Viet coffee’s lately in Chinatown. I’m not sure I gave Brass a fighting chance. Regardless, the barista hyped it up and it’s time to delve in. I was initially surprised on the foam taking up 1/3 of the glass. However, it was frothy, delicious, and the perfect mustache creator. The cinnamon topping complimented it well. Lastly, the actual Viet coffee was smooth and tasty. I wish it was a little stronger due to the foam cutting down on that classic flavor, but not enough to harp on it. Overall a solid choice.

    I’d say if you need a place to go study, hang out, or even go on a date then this is easily top 3. The coffee won’t blow you away, but it will satisfy.

    Rating: 810/1000