2011 brought some extraordinary improvements to Houston. Its allure in all things consumer is becoming a veritable Grow Monster, submerged in beer and queso. Some establishments added to that growth with grand openings, others opened second locations (Tacos A Go-Go, Christian’s Tailgate), and still some closed down, leaving a short lived vacancy for another’s aspiring fortune.
Revival Market opened its doors back in March. It promised great tasting ethically treated meats of all kinds, fresh local produce, baked goods from a revolving list of local bakers, and coffees from the Houston areas different roasters. Thus far, it’s not disappointed. They’ve brought together delicious creations from Layla Farms, Slow Dough Bread Company, Fluff Bake Bar, Hugo’s Restaurant, Catalina Coffee, and Houston Dairymaids—I’m sure this list is incomplete. Know of more, add ‘em in the comments.
The quantity and variety of mouth watering local fare is mind boggling. In trying to sample each specialty offered, we had to split this up amongst three of us. Without further ado, let’s go to market.
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Inside of a former Heights neighborhood bank sits the newest addition to Houston’s coffee shop, bar, and restaurant scene. Sure, it sounds like a heavy undertaking, but from the small preview we’ve had, Down House firing on all cylinders.
In 5 Words: Green, Grey, Scarlet, Black, Tea
I recently moved to another rental house, and while my new place is only about a mile from the old one, it might as well have been a cross-country expedition. Move a thousand feet or move a thousand miles, and you still have to own up to how much superfluous crap you have, incur scratches on anything wood you may own, and perform the quantum physics it takes to wiggle a sofa through a doorway. The only glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is the prospect of exploring your new surroundings. After the bed frame bolts were located and the neighbors had been greeted in a half-assed but friendly fashion, I arranged the Fast Five posters in my room and took to the streets to find some refreshment. And there it was… Té House of Tea. I was taken aback. How could they have known that I was coming? What manner of sorcery was this? Whether it was divine intervention or they had inserted a chip into my brain when I wasn’t wearing my tin foil sleep helmet, these people somehow knew I was moving to the neighborhood and had named their place of business in my honor.
It’s not often that I stray away from my go-to coffee shop for a latte or cappuccino, so I was jumping out of my comfort zone when I did so this past weekend. While doing a quick browse of my Twitter feed, I saw the name of a new coffee shop in Montrose mentioned a couple of times and decided to check it out for myself. All I knew was the name, Bungalow, and that they were new to Twitter.
The door sticks when you try to push it open and doesn’t shut without a good shove, but that’s as much of a comment on the new coats of paint the frame is wearing as it is the dipping temperatures. It’s just nice to have a door to walk through after the fire crept over from the antique shop and ravaged Agora on the night of Halloween. Two and a half months has surely felt like an eternity for the owners, employees and the faithful lovers of the Greek coffee shop on Westheimer.
“You’re going to have to find a new hangout,” said the text message I read on Sunday morning through a glassy-eyed hangover.
“What do you mean?” I asked in response.
“Agora burned down last night.”
In 5 Words: Love, Fair, Coffee, Fresh, Brown
It would seem that when exploring the tabs at the top of the page – Coffee Shops is sorely lacking. Judging by the coffee rich – pun intended – emails we’ve received, you’ve noticed this little short-coming as well. I’ve tried cruising outside the Loop to bring in all that the Greater Houston area has to offer, so far with La Casita and T-Bone Tom’s. Pearland, as far south as you may be, you can’t escape this dragnet.
In 8 Words: Creaking, Bungalow, Heights, Music, Anything, Sketches, B.Y.O.B., Unpretentious
When narrowing down coffee shops at which to loiter, the house-turned-establishments, like Agora and Byzantio, are usually more appealing to my delicate sensibilities. Maybe I feel uncomfortable sitting in minimalist furniture while the guy next to me brushes his bangs across his forehead or maybe I’m a sucker for the dark disagreeable dispositions common at Agora or Byzantio. Quite possibly, my taste buds just aren’t sensitive enough to discern what some deem as great coffee and what those same folks determine as somewhat lesser brews.
As our 200th article rolls hot off the wire and silicon, we open up old wounds, smile fondly and shed a tear or two with the Nostalgic 100 of Houston. Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments.
