I went to Phoenicia Specialty foods for the first time ever and realized I have wasted the last 8…read moreyears since I moved to Houston having never been here before, because wow! I mean my pocket book is probably better for it because I want to buy the whole store but honestly I've been missing out. The place is cute and welcoming from the corner sign on the building to the moment you step in- bright, inviting, great displays so you know where to go. You can't get lost in here with the signage, but you can't definitely get lost in the aisles with all the great, unique choices. The ready food display has so many Mediterranean treats, some I've had before some I've never heard of and everything I tried was amazing. We got the cabbage rolls and Armenian veggie dolmas. Great flavor, both specific items I haven't had before. Nice citrus, spiced flavor to these. I'd say they're have to try items. Not only found jarred tomato paste, which I've been on the hunt for but they had choices in this category and that's another first for me. Will have to go back and try the others. Also got the cured Serrano ham -amazing. And I thought the prices were going to be insane having a spot right in the middle of the city and nope- pleasantly surprised for my goodies, great prices even less than some of the other stores I frequent in the suburbs. I'll be back again and again and again until I try the whole store lol. Definitely give them a try, you won't regret it

My niece and I checked out Phoenicia's for lunch, which was surprisingly delicious…read more My niece has simplistic tastes, so she opted for the chicken burger, which I tried of course. Perfectly seasoned, crispy exterior. The sweet potato fries were equally delicious. I got the Hill Country salad. Same tender but crispy chicken on a bed of greens with berries. So good. Definitely bookmarked as a return option.

R-C Ranch is a local butcher shop located inside the Houston Farmer's Market specializing in Wagyu…read morebeef. It's definitely on the pricier side, but the quality of the meat makes it worth it. They also carry prepackaged frozen soups made with their wagyu beef, which is a nice bonus. Service is always friendly and efficient. I've had good experiences every time I've gone, and I'm hoping to try their tomahawk one day for a special occasion!

RC Ranch is always fantastic! We appreciate the partnership with HLSR! We just recently ordered…read moreonline & had it shipped! It came packaged perfect & the freshness was 's!!

Stumbled on this spot and it looked like it would feed my hippie, with a interest in unique items,…read morespirit so I went in and browsed. The music was very relaxing and I was greeted. There isn't a huge variety of items for a gift shop but it's just enough to get lost in. I ended up purchasing immunity tea and am excited to try. It's a small shop which adds to the vibey intimate ambiance. The man who assisted me was very friendly and informative. I would definitely peek in here again and maybe get a plant next time.

Passed by this little shop several times over the past few months. I decided to pop in today to…read morecheck it out. I ended up spending a little over an hour in store having the most engaging conversation with the gentleman packaging my tea. The sheer amount of knowledge of the health benefits of each item I purchased was incredible. Additionally the general interaction with him was so engaging and I felt like a long time customer. I noticed how engaging he was with everyone that walked in, they have definitely gained a new long term customer! I initially was going to purchase 2 things and walked out with several ounces of different things to try. I can't wait to return and try more teas!

Baklava, Middle Eastern Candy, chocolates, ice cream, fruit pastries, cake, nuts, lattes, crepes,…read moreand so much more. The service is wonderful and speedy here. You may walk in and see a long line, make sure you're in the correct line and don't worry, the line moves quickly. Royal Roastery Houston, is open late for those who want to stop in for dessert, there are plenty of choices, it's a coffee shop and cafe so there's plenty of seating inside as well. Everything I tried was delicious. What will you have when you visit?

This is an interesting bakery. I went because I saw they had some interesting drinks, but when I…read morearrived the menu was a little more limited than what I'd seen online (may have been dated). They have a lot of really cool stuff here though, from handmade/crafted ice creams to candies to boxes of chocolates. It really is a one-stop-shop if you want interesting/middle eastern desserts! I ended up not getting anything since even the dubai chocolate crepe I'd been looking at just looked like it would be too much sugar at once, but will say -- the place was quite packed when we went on a Saturday. There were almost no tables available! It was during the world cup which they did have showing on a couple TVs in there and a lot of people were watching so not sure if that was contributing to more foot traffic than usual (odd to me people would go to a sweets shop rather than a bar or something, but to each their own!). Of note, it is inside a small strip mall, so plenty of parking is available.

My family wanted to try some Texas BBQ while they were visiting and a friend recommended this…read moreplace, and I'm glad I gave it a go! I like how low-key and chill the vibe was. Tasty food, friendly staff, and a welcoming atmosphere, what more can one ask for? We had two plates of brisket - half and half (lean and fatty) and chopped. Mac & cheese, potato salad, and creamed corn. And both types of puddings! The brisket was so tender and fell apart easily, which also went very well with the spicy bbq sauce. The chopped brisket was tasty too and went great with all the sides and the piece of bread. Everything was so good and to the point, which made it such a comfort food. If I really had to nitpick, I felt the potato in the potato salad was slightly underdone and crunchy, but not a big deal. Mac & cheese hit the spot and wow, the cream corn came out hot and was such a hit! The surprise standout for me was the banana pudding. It was perfectly sweet, delicious, and somehow didn't feel too heavy at all! I'm still craving it and wish I lived closer to this area just so I can swing by anytime. They also have a great assortment of beverages and a cute little souvenir stand. Definitely recommend!

Food: Food tasted different. BBQ smoking flavor and seasoning tasted unique. Not good or bad but…read moreits own flavoring. The garlic green beans was ok. The Mexican pinto beans was salty. 3 Stars Service: Friendly. 4 Stars Ambiance: Vintage feel. Store front with restaurant, similar to Cracker Barrel. 5 Stars Overall: 4 Stars

It's a good feeling to support farmers; most of the fruits and vegetables are organic. I would…read morerecommend becoming a member and then you get a discount. I would not go there expecting to save money.

Alternative grocery stores and I have a complicated relationship. They often want me to believe…read morethat wilted vegetables with trust-issues are "more wholesome" than crisp, vibrant ones. So I arrived here armed with skepticism... and low expectations. But: surprise! Inside, the groceries look like they've actually slept well. Excellent cheeses, proud-looking meats and fish, frozen and fresh goods that feel properly curated -- a genuinely high-quality selection of vittles (yes, that's the word). There's also a second room full of charming nonprofit knick-knacks and refill stations for fancy soaps and detergents -- the kind that make you feel morally superior just by smelling them. Why not five stars? Personal chemistry. Something about the vibe still whispers, "We recycle more earnestly than you do." And maybe they're right -- but I don't need my groceries judging me. Still: great products, thoughtful assortment, friendly humans. A solid four stars -- even from someone who rarely bonds with co-ops.

I'd been searching for a place that specialized in selling caviar. I stumbled upon DR Delicacy…read morethrough google. So glad I found them. The gentleman that helped us was very nice and informative about their products. We ended up buying the Kaluga Amber caviar and the Ostera Black caviar. We also got the blinis. The caviar was exquisite! They have so many amazing products. Next time I want to try their gourmet butter and smoked salmon roe. I definitely recommend trying their caviar. We will 100% be back.

I've been meaning to drop in here for years and my wife finally said let's go…read more A small boutique shop with many of the finer things. Caviar, pate, foie gras, duck, truffles, chocolates, oils, pastas and some wine. They also have a variety of serving dishes and accoutrements. Edible gold flakes - Check! Service was helpful and not pushy. Drop in and practice your French.

Came by to sample their weekly cheese rotation and somehow walked out with more than planned (zero…read moreregrets). We ended up leaving with the Salva Cremasco (my BF's pick) while I chose a random interesting-looking cheese called Screamer--because sometimes the mystery pick just calls to you. Half the fun here is getting to try cheeses you'd probably never think to bring home otherwise. The Salva Cremasco was surprisingly easy to love. Mild, buttery, and savory in a way that felt approachable rather than intimidating, with a smooth semi-firm texture that got creamier as you ate it. At first, it tasted very clean and milky with a light nuttiness, but the finish had this subtle earthy, almost mushroomy/vegetal note that kept things interesting without ever becoming funky or sharp. It felt like the kind of cheese you accidentally keep cutting "one more slice" of until suddenly... half of it is gone. We were also sold on trying the FLUFF Bake Bar cookies made with goat milk, which honestly felt very on-brand for the whole experience. Dangerous place for impulse purchases--but in the best possible way. What really keeps making this place memorable, though, is the people. I love the knowledgeable and warm welcome we always get from the staff. Even on a visit that barely lasted 15 minutes, they somehow still made the experience feel memorable--like you stopped by to chat with people who genuinely love what they do and want to share it with you.

I can't believe I've lived in Houston for this many years and never stopped by Houston Dairymaids…read more I learned that they're the backbones of many restaurants' cheese selections, and I had to trace it back to the origin. A small, discreet shop with a backyard-like parking lot, it's unassuming on the outside but full of character on the inside. Upon entering, you're welcomed with samples of the five cheeses of the week, generally going from soft to firmer and stronger. Their cheeses are displayed in a small fridge, but you can always request varietals ahead of time if you've got something in mind. We bought blue cheese they had on sample (the "Ewe Calf to be Kidding" from Wisconsin, a triple-milk (sheep, cow, and goat)) and the last of their Capricorn Goat Blue cheeses for about $10/piece. Since they rotate out their cheeses weekly, it may become a regular stop on our weekend grocery trips (they mention that many people do that). They also mentioned that their wines rotate out and they have a good relationship with local distributors to understand what pairs well with their cheeses. They also let you start an account so that you can keep a history of all the cheese you buy. You better bet that I signed up. They're celebrating their 20 year anniversary in Houston. I wish I had come earlier to experience some of those years. It's got to be a cornerstone of Houston cheese and probably the among the best cheesemongers in Houston.

I met sal one day and he told me to check out his place and luckily I had an absolute pleasure to…read morevisit Granel! Every single person that worked there made sure I knew how to do everything, ensured I had the most help I really loved it. On top of that the price for a pound of seasoning is so good! I didn't know there were so many spices to choose from, I got spirulina and hibiscus flowers as well. They have pure vanilla and cinnamon for bakers and all the seasonings you could imagine for the chefs and cooks it was truly a dream. P.S I'll be back when I run out of seasoning.

Still very pleased with this place. The quality is unmatched and the service is superior! I will…read morealways buy spices from here!!

Located inside the Lyric Food Hall. So there's open seating and walk up ordering. No wait service…read moreor drink refills. The whole food hall probably has a different feel depending on if you're here during work hours vs theatre hours. Unironically the best sushi restaurant in Downtown Houston, since Covid killed all the others. With a large selection of rolls taking up most menu. Went through like 4 of them and they all tasted good. Fair Mix of textures and flavors. Rolls come in pieces of 10, so it's great for sharing. Fish was fresh tasting as well, no need to pass on this place because it's not brick and mortar sushi restaurant.

Located inside the Lyric Food Hall; a newly opened upscale food hall similar to Finn Hall and…read moreBravery Hall in the north side of downtown. Interior has 10ish shops with no various cuisines. Service is pretty minimal; they take your order and you go and pick up your order when it's ready. We tried a bunch of items on the menu; from the tuna tower to the specialty rolls and crudo. For the price point, it's very similar to Bluefish and Azuma. There's quite a bit of fusion style. The sashimi and crudo were both alright, and the rolls were also good but also somewhat forgettable and basic (like you've had elsewhere). Overall, it seems like a quick lunch stop style sushi spot in a nice and new food hall. Is it mind blowing? Nope, but everything is also on par with a mid- level sushi restaurant.