Jupiter Pizza & Waffle Co.

It’s not very often we head out to Sugar Land to grab a bite to eat, but when we do we always say it’s closer than we think and how come we don’t do this more often? I’ve had Jupiter Pizza & Waffle Co. on my list to try since they opened.

Walking in the restaurant is really open and loud. I forgot to take a picture. I’m not sure if it’s because we had a kid with us but we got seated in the very back behind a partitioned wall. The waiter seem super overwhelmed and forgot about us on several occasions. He had a line about them being a craft brewery outlet, yet didn’t know any of the seasonal beers on tap nor did they have a beer list.

For my son we ordered a kids pizza $6. The waiter brought him a cheese one instead of a pepperoni. The portion size was good and he really enjoyed the flavor.

Hubby and I both did their lunch special for $12 each. You choose an item for 3 courses.

I went with the House Salad (spring mix, arugula, strawberries, dates, buffalo mozzarella, candied pecans with an herb balsamic), Speed Dating (dates filled with goat cheese, wrapped in pancetta bacon served on belgian waffle triangles sprinkled with powdered sugar with a side of maple syrup and balsamic reduction) and Southern Belle (Crispy fried all natural chicken breast served over a Belgian waffle topped with  our homemade maple cream)

The salad was good, it just lacked some dressing, but I liked how big and fresh the strawberries where. The speed dating was out of this world good. That balsamic reduction was life changing good. I really wanted to hoard it and lick the bowl. As for the chicken and waffles their waffles are really fluffy and the flavor isn’t cakey or too sweet. The chicken was melt in your mouth tender and moist and the seasoning in the coating was really good. Eating a bite of the chicken and waffle really took away from each other which I was sad about, so best to try on their own.

D ordered the Chix (spring mix, arugula, curried grilled chicken breast, gorgonzola
cheese crumbles, candied pecans, bacon and dill honey mustard), sweet potato fries (add cheese for $1, bacon or pulled pork for $3) and Meat Hugger Pizza (tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, italian sausage, and pecan smoked bacon)

The salad was ok, the potato fries where really good with the truffle oil they served, but the waiter forgot the add on of bacon and just brings a plate of bacon out. It was kindof random and not what we expected. The pizza was large in size and we took home half for another lunch.

Would we come back? Depends on who you ask. Hubby said no, I said yes. The prices are reasonable and the food seemed to have a lot of flavor. Yes it’s loud, but go when the weather is nice and sit outside.

Aura Brasserie

For tonights Houston Restaurant menu selection we chose a French restaurant Aura Brasserie for $45 a person.

The inside area is modern and colorful with hand blown glass covering the wall. While the space is small I recommend setting a reservation before showing up just in case. The bar service was a little slow as it was a new bartender we where told, but the drinks where still really good.

While looking over the menu then brought out bread a selection of bread with a tomato mayo. The sauce is to die for it’s tomato paste mixed with mayo, as strange as it sounds it’s really really good. The bread is nice and warm too, which I loved.

For appetizers we got the Escargots (Served in Crocks with Parsley Butter) and Crab Beignets with Tabasco Remoulade. Both a delicious choice!

Next came the Intermezzo (Cauliflower Truffle Cappuccino). I happened to really enjoy this even though D said he would not order it again if ask. The texture was nice and smooth. I think it should have been a smaller serving and it may have been more enjoyable than a larger bowl.

For the second course we ordered Braised Beef Short Ribs (Bone-in, Served with Potato Gratin, Asparagus, Cabernet Reduction) and Ahi Tuna Migoise (Served with Crispy Shallots and Boquerones). We also ordered additional sides that where worth the splurge. The short ribs where so tender and the sauce, oh the sauce is melt in your mouth good. The tuna dish was good, I just didn’t care for the cold salad under it as well as the hunk of anchovy. The truffle mac and cheese I could eat all day on it’s own!

Third course we chose the Crème Brûlée and Chocolate Fondant (with Pistachio Ice Cream). Ok just so you know there is an order to eat these in. You have to eat the Chocolate Fondant first then the creme brulee otherwise your palate changes for the worst and the chocolate taste bitter. Both are delicious, but when ordered together beware.

As I’m eating the leftovers the next day it’s still amazing and I can’t wait to give this place a try on their regular menu.

Veritas Steak and Seafood

We happened to meet up with some friends out in the Sugar Land area to try out Veritas Steak and Seafood on the Houston Restaurant Week menu list. I have to say for 6pm on a Sunday with just a few couples in the restaurant the service was slow and lacking.

We started off with the Calamari $14 (choice of peppers + red onions + marinara or spicy Thai peanut sauce + peanuts). I think a little over priced at $14 but man that spicy peanut sauce is to die for!

For the First Course we ordered the lamb lollipops (normally $14 on the menu) with spicy hoisin sauce and shrimp bisque ($13 on menu). I forgot to take a final picture of the bisque since they pour it table side. Both dishes where a great start with lots of flavor.

Second Course we ordered the Red Snapper (topped with crawfish in a Cajun butter sauce and served with grilled vegetables & basmati rice) and 6 oz. Filet Mignon ($35 on regular menu) (with garlic mashed potatoes). On the snapper the dish was wonderful the rice however wasn’t really edible because the finished it off under a warmer and it made the rice hard and crispy. The lemon was rock hard so you couldn’t squeeze it on the fish, which would have been a nice touch, but not a deal breaker. Loved the spice on the fish and the crawfish cajun butter was really good. The filet really was one of the better ones we have had out. I was a little thrown off by the 1 asparagus which looked a little odd on the plate, but overall their steaks are a must try!

We also added additional sides for the table to share. The Brussel Sprouts with Bacon $10 has now made my hubby’s #2 spot for favorite brussel sprouts. I thought they where good, but not the best I’ve had. As for the Crab Mac & Cheese $19 it’s a little pricy, but OMG is it packed with lump crab and delish. I probably would have licked the bowl if we where not out to dinner with people.

For the dessert course we both ordered the Chocolate Cake (dolce leche, heath bar & chocolate ganache) I was a little sad the mango panna cotta wasn’t ready yet or they ran out one of the two. The cake was really thinly cut, which was ok since it was so rich.

Would I come back, yes, but hopefully service is better because their food really is good I would like to try some other dishes.