My blog

Author: Sandy Yount

  • B&B Butchers & Restaurant

    B&B Butchers & Restaurant

    B&B BUTCHERS & RESTAURANT
    B&B BUTCHERS & RESTAURANT

    1814 Washington Avenue

    Houston, TX 77007

    (713)862-1814

    With locations in Houston and Fort Worth, B&B Butchers & Restaurant is an award-winning Texas-based upscale steakhouse and traditional butcher shop specializing in high-quality meats and elevated customer service. We are dedicated to serving the finest Texas and Japanese Wagyu beef as well as in-house dry-aged USDA Prime beef – all hand cut in The Butcher Shop. Named one of OpenTable’s “Top 100 Steakhouses in America,” both locations of B&B are now two of only 38 U.S. restaurants certified by the Kobe Beef Association in Japan, offering 100% authentic, A5 certified Kobe beef from Tajima cattle.

    Open daily for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch with live music on Sundays from 11am-3pm, the steakhouse provides an elegant dining experience with a full selection of local and global spirits, beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Tthe steakhouse provides an elegant dining experience as patrons enjoy the architectural personality of the nearly century-old building. The bar areas on both floors offer a full selection of local and global spirits, beer and wine, cocktails on tap and a separate, smaller food menu. The spacious rooftop patio, with views of downtown Houston, offers full service dining and is available to rent for private parties along with the upstairs dining room and The Butcher Shop.

  • Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen

    Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen

    6401 Woodway Dr.

    Houston, TX 77057

    (713) 334-7295

    Sylvia Casares is a renowned chef and restaurateur, not only within Texas but across the USA. From her beginnings as a food scientist for Uncle Ben’s Rice, she learned that never compromising on flavor means always choosing the best ingredients and refusing to take shortcuts. Sylvia took this wisdom and resolved to share her passion for the delicious flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine. She has since built an empire on enchiladas, fajitas, and the distinctive tastes of Tex-Mex for all to enjoy!

    The secret behind Sylvia’s success is in how her authentic Mexican food dishes are meticulously created, but it’s a secret she will share. Sylvia hosts regular classes in her cooking school where she teaches how to make her most popular dishes at home. Come today and discover why Sylvia’s Tex-Mex cooking classes are the talk of the town!

  • Laurenzo’s El Tiempo Cantina

    Laurenzo’s El Tiempo Cantina

    6100 Westheimer Rd

    Houston, TX 77057

    (832) 649-8790

    info@eltiempocantina.com

    El Tiempo Cantina defines the extraordinary flavors and culture of Tex Mex cuisine. Years ago, our family made fajitas popular in the United States. For the past 65 years, we have dedicated ourselves to perfecting what Houstonians know today as authentic Tex Mex cuisine. Our ultimate dedication is to you – our customer.

    At each El Tiempo location, we have vested much diligence and effort into developing our recipes and training our staff.

     Whether you’re craving fresh chicken breast fajitas with bell peppers and onions, or margaritas with fresh-squeezed lime juice, we’ll give you the best Tex Mex dining experience you’ll ever have! Stop by any of our El Tiempo locations and enjoy our famous fajitas and extensive Tex Mex cuisine. We look forward to meeting you soon!At each El Tiempo location, we have vested much diligence and effort into developing our recipes and training our staff.

     Whether you’re craving fresh chicken breast fajitas with bell peppers and onions, or margaritas with fresh-squeezed lime juice, we’ll give you the best Tex Mex dining experience you’ll ever have! Stop by any of our El Tiempo locations and enjoy our famous fajitas and extensive Tex Mex cuisine. We look forward to meeting you soon!

  • Schulenburg

    Schulenburg

    SCHULENBURG
    SCHULENBURG

    SCHULENBURG

    With a motto of “Halfway to Everywhere,” Schulenburg is not only 1.5 hours from downtown Houston City but the same distance from Austin and San Antonio too.

    As a result, Schulenburg is a popular stopping point on Texas road trips. But we think it’s a destination in its own right!

    You’ll be greeted by a picturesque main street, rich Czech and German heritage, and lots of Southern comfort food. 

    To make the most of the latter, hit City Meat Market for BBQ and Potter Country Store for all kinds of pecan treats.

    The main attraction, however, is the Painted Churches, a series of 15 small cathedrals scattered around the area, of which 4 can be visited throughout the week. The others are either no longer functioning or open only on Sundays.

    CULTURE

    THE PAINTED CHURCHES

    This area of Texas is best know of its rich German and Czech heritage. When these settlers immigrated to Fayette County in the 1800’s, they brought their culture, food and faith. Following the deep traditions of the motherland, they built amazing churches that rival the cathedrals of Europe – known today as the “Painted Churches.” From the outside, they look like ordinary country churches, but inside you’ll find ornate altars, intricately painted frescoes and details that make you feel as if you’re standing in Old World Europe. Saint Mary’s Catholic Church of High Hill is considered the “Queen of the Painted Churches.” One step inside and you’ll understand why. St. John the Baptist Church in Ammansville is known as the “pink one” (at least inside.)  And Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church gives visitors a quaint view of religious life, but still in painted church glory.

     TEXAS POLKA MUSIC MUSEUM

    Another important part of German and Czech heritage is indeed music, specifically POLKA! Downtown on Schulenberg’s Main Street you’ll find the Texas Polka Music Museum. It’s full of instruments, pictures, outfits and a map showing every polka band in the Lone Star State. If your feet aren’t tapping by the time you leave, “czech” your pulse. For some real dancing, head to Sengelmann Hall on Wednesday nights or other special occasions. Find more on this venue down in the “food” section.

     STANZEL MODEL AIRCRAFT MUSEUM

    Another museum not to be missed is the Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum honoring the Stanzel family and their rise to becoming one of the top model aircraft brands in the world. They were even inducted into the model aircraft hall of fame for their iconic “Tiger Shark” model. This well-done museum is full of models, maps and information on how “control-line” model airplanes work. I highly recommend it.

  • Corpus Christi

    Corpus Christi

    CORPUS CHRIST
    CORPUS CHRIST

    Did you know that there are beautiful sandy beaches near Houston?

    Sandy shores and blue skies are just what you need to truly feel like you’ve left the city behind, so there’s no wonder Corpus Christi is one of the most popular places to visit near Houston.

    Among its most popular attractions are the USS Lexington, a WWII-era aircraft carrier converted into a floating museum, as well as the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, which features rose, hummingbird, and succulent gardens.

    As for seashore spots, North Beach is the most popular place to set up an umbrella and enjoy the waves. You can also stroll a 1.5-mile-long Beachwalk and score a bird’s eye view of the ocean from atop a colorful Ferris wheel.

    Coast like a Texan in the Gulf Coast Capital. Explore nine unique beaches in Corpus Christi and unleash your adventurous side by windsurfing, parasailing and kayaking out on the water. Craving inspiration in the outdoors? Try a paddleboard yoga class or horseback riding on the sand. Corpus Christi is also the center of iconic attractions like the Texas State Aquarium and USS Lexington With diverse dining that suits every taste, Tex-Mex and seafood restaurants in Corpus Christi are special standouts and local chefs can even cook up your catch of the day. Whether you’re ready for a family vacation or getting away with friends, find hotels in Corpus Christi to fit every need. Come to Corpus Christi and go your own way.

  • Conroe

    Conroe

    CONROE
    CONROE

    CONROE

    Few Houston day trips are as convenient as an escape to Conroe, found just 40 minutes north of the big city.

    Escape the crowds along the trails of the oh-so-peaceful W G Jones State Forest, enjoy pumpkin patches or sunflower fields at P-6 farms (depending on the season), or peek into the past at the living museum and log cabins of Fernland Historical Park.

    If you’re traveling with little ones, 7 Acre Wood is a must-visit. They offer a playground, zipline, petting zoo, mini-golf course, and tons of fun for the whole family!

    In addition, Lake Conroe is a few minutes from downtown, and you can find a fishing pier, sports fields, pavilions, and more.

    Conroe is the perfect blend of starry nights and city lights. And being the fastest-growing city in Texas, Conroe has so much to offer. Conroe is bordered by 22,000-acre Lake Conroe, Sam Houston National Forest, and W. Goodrich Jones State Forest, making for a veritable utopia for the outdoor lover in us all.

    Aside from the outdoors, Conroe has a bustling downtown with breweries, theatres and plenty of shopping. There is also plenty of live music, which has earned Conroe the designation of Music Friendly Community by the state of Texas. Whether you are looking for an adventure or a little rest and relaxation, you will find it in Conroe.

  • San Marcos

    San Marcos

    SAN MARCOS
    SAN MARCOS

    SAN MARCOS

    Whether you’re planning that family summer vacation, your next romantic getaway, a girls’ shopping marathon, or a professional conference with all the bells and whistles, San Marcos always has something to celebrate. Conveniently located in Central Texas between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos truly is the center of everything. So no matter where you are, you won’t have far to go. 

    If you prefer a slower pace and full weekend trips from Houston are more your style, San Marcos is an excellent choice.

    Located 3 hours from downtown, it’s close enough for a day trip but surrounded by enough natural beauty to keep you occupied for longer.

    Hike the trails at Purgatory Creek Natural Area, tube and kayak at Rio Vista Park, or cool off in the gorgeous swimming hole at Five Mile Dam Park.

    Prefer your outdoor time with a side of adrenaline? Thrill-seekers will love water skiing or wakeboarding at Texas Ski Ranch.

    At Palmer’s Restaurant Bar & Courtyard you can enjoy Texas Hill Country cuisine, luscious cocktails and a carefully selected beer and wine list that includes some of Texas’ best. Located in historic west San Marcos, Palmer’s is a beautifully renovated building constructed in the 1920s. The courtyard is a showcase for dozens of plant species that include many rare Texas natives. Discover Palmer’s for yourself on a romantic date, a lively lunch, a warm family gathering, or a pleasant business dinner.

  • Brazos Bend State Park

    Brazos Bend State Park

    BRAZOS BEND STATE PARK
    BRAZOS BEND STATE PARK

    21901 FM 762

    Needville, TX 461

    (979)-553-5101

    Brazos Bend Visitors Center

    Designed and fabricated in partnership with HW Exhibits, this visitors center features a total remodel. Educational graphics and displays around the space give guests a lesson in the history and environmental importance of the area. Brazos Bend State Park is a 4,897-acre state park along the Brazos River near Houston, run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The park is a haven for a diverse mix of native wildlife and plants covering an equally diverse range of ecosystems.

    Less than an hour outside Houston, you can treat yourself to pristine nature, 37 miles of hiking trails (and biking trails, too), and one of the largest domed telescopes in the country open to the public (found at the George Observatory).

    The park’s most iconic residents are the American alligators, but it also houses river otters, wild pigs, white-tailed deer, and well over 300 species of birds.

    To learn more about the wildlife, you can opt for a guided hike offered through the nature center. Entrance to the state park costs $7 per person for a day pass.

  • Lewis Jewelers Clear Lake

    Lewis Jewelers Clear Lake

    LEWIS JEWELERS CLEAR LAKE
    LEWIS JEWELERS CLEAR LAKE

    For over 30 years, Lewis Jewelers has served the Houston and Clear Lake area, focusing on our relationships with our clients. Now with second-generation owners, the Lewis family tradition of customer service remains the same, even as the store has changed its location and updated its look.Lewis Diamonds and Timepieces is a full service jewelry store that designs and manufactures custom jewelry and does minor to major jewelry and watch repairs on site. We search the world for the best watches, new designers and diamonds so you do not have to be a world traveler to have the best the globe has to offer. It is our goal to bring these amazing gems back to our store, to wrap you in the best luxury buying experiance you can receive in the USA!

    19395 GULF FREEWAY

    Webster TX 77598

    (281) 332-8433

    “It all started in 1981 when Sandy Lewis opened a small jewelry storefront in Houston’s Clear Lake area. At first, Lewis Jewelers wasn’t much more than a side interest for Sandy. As she will admit, “I preferred talking to people to selling jewelry.” All that talking worked in her favor because Sandy’s emphasis on relationships over sales brought more and more people through the doors. Lewis Jewelers is an Official Rolex Jeweler and offers a comprehensive collection of designer jewelry including David Yurman, Penny Preville, Roberto Coin, Phillips House, Forevermark, Mikimoto, Breitling, Omega, and Tudor to name a few.

  • Goode Co. Seafood

    Goode Co. Seafood

    10201 Katy Freeway Suite 400

    Houston, TX 77024

    (713) 464-7933

    Two Locations

    2621 Westpark Drive

    Houston, TX 77098

    (713)523-7154

    customercare@goodecompany.com

    LET THE GOOD TIMES FLOW

    Somewhere between mesquite smoke and spice is where you’ll​ find the inspiration behind each of our Texas signatures and coastal classics. Think garlic-buttered po-boys and redfish beignets. Shrimp étouffée and crabmeat fettuccine. And let’s not forget an oyster bar sparkling with specialty cocktails, Gulf shellfish, and southern charm.

    Goode Company Seafood is a staple in Houston and even though they have multiple locations, the food is always on point.