Houston Restaurant Award: Best Atmosphere (and cookies)

It’s official.  Bags are packed and hubby Z and I are on our way to the Louisiana bayou – TODAY!  So it’s goodbye Houston, helllllllllllllo Cajun Country.  Can’t believe it’s finally here.

Since the September wedding I’ve spent a little less than 5 months here in H-town and my favorite restaurant happy place (as far as atmosphere goes) is none other than Tiny Boxwood’s.  The pictures speak for themselves, but this diamond in the rough is a cozy café nestled in the secret garden of Thompson & Hanson landscape shop.  Take a friend, a date or a good book* to soak up some sun, happy greenery and the gooeiest chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever placed on my tongue.  They also have a wine and cheese happy hour from 3:30-5 Tues-Sat…

Happiest of the happy hours...

*If you need a good book recommendation, read The Art of Racing in the Rain.  It’s a witty, emotionally stirring story of a family’s ups and downs seen through the eyes of their loyal pup.

View and food too...

So that’s my Houston favorite.  A+ for atmosphere.  If you want food, I dig our old neighborhood favorites – Benjy’s and El Tiempo Mexican Cantina (the fajitas will change your life).

Zach-o-meter: He liked Tiny Boxwood’s.  Loved the cookie and they do serve beers, but I gotta say this is more of a ladies lunch, sit and chat kinda place.  As far as Louisiana goes Zach REALLY loves the cajun food we’ve had so far…the Zach-o-meter might be off the charts in our new town!  Get ready!!

As a promise to you, my fellow foodies, as soon as I can learn ‘em I will be sending Cajun flavas and recipes your way…stay tuned!

Heaven on Earth: Patina Green

Patina Green Home and Market is a slice of paradise simultaneously delicious to your tummy and eyes.  Pause with me for a second and imagine vintage furniture and home décor meets local organic products (from artisan cheeses and fresh produce to candles and soaps).  For the cherry on top they serve a come-and-get-it lunch that you don’t want to miss.  Get there early because when it’s gone, its gone…and you reeeeeeally don’t want it to be gone!

I’m telling you, walking in the front door takes my breath away every time…more so than Central Market and Restoration Hardware combined.  Those of you who know me know that is a BOLD statement!

Even the store sign is awesome...

Chef and co-owner Robert Lyford dreams up his mouth-watering lunch creations daily using local and seasonal ingredients brought in fresh from hard-working farmers, bakers and artisans.  His wife, Kaci, is the Interior Designer (I envy/admire her designability) and her mother, Luann, is the Retailer.  The family owned and operated concept fits perfectly inside the exposed brick walls adorned with European vintage treasures and is a gem adding tremendous value to the precious downtown McKinney Square.

Chef Robert

Luann - Retailer (Isn't she the CUTEST?!)

Kaci - Design Genius

On this particular Patina visit my mom and I savored:
–  Kale and Local Sweet Potato Soup
–  Roasted Butternut Squash, Sweet Onion, Organic White Cheddar on Sourdough

(insert tummy growl here…)

Out of This World Lunch!

The flavors they offer are as one of a kind as the décor.  I’m tempted to get in my car and drive to McKinney from Houston right now.  Is a 4 1/2 hour drive for lunch too extreme?

If you are anywhere near the vicinity of McKinney or the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex for that matter, get to Patina Green as soon as humanly possible!  Make it a day trip…you will need your wallet, a hungry belly and a truck with lots of room to take home your antique one-of-a-kind finds.   You will thank me.

Patina Green Home and Market
116 N. Tennessee, Suite 102
McKinney, TX 75069
972-548-9141
patina.green@yahoo.com
Monday – Saturday
10am – 5pm

Also – sign up to get their blog emails.  It’s like getting a little gift to unwrap and enjoy in your email inbox.  www.patinagreen.typepad.com

Here’s a little in-store sneak peek to wet your whistle…

LOVE this table and these chairs...

Hutch with an antique window door & incred upholstered chair! Yes, please!!

Purple dried hydrangea - Beautiful and lasts FOREVER!

Zach-o-meter: Zach isn’t so much into the “décor”, but he sure was raving about his lunch.  Don’t worry guys, it’s not just a “lady’s lunch” kinda place – you’ll get some substance.  Another note to dudes:  give the ladies some breathing room while they’re shopping and head across the square to Rick’s Chophouse bar for a Stella and some ESPN or something…(Go wild, ladies!)

Better Than Starbucks Latte

I’m a Starbucks ‘skinny hazelnut’ latte big-time-fan!  However, the latte at Inversion Coffee House, a recent find, tops Starbucks in flavor and design. This quaint coffee shop doubles as an art gallery and the “locals” who hang near the coffee bar never fail to entertain.

If you are in Houston and have a latte fetish like me, go check it out.  If you do not reside in this fabulous city, marvel at the below image of glorious latte design.  How do they do that?!

http://www.inversioncoffee.com/

Inversion Coffee House Latte

Zach-o-meter: He has yet to have the pleasure of an Inversion Coffee House Latte, but I can assure you that he’d love it.  His brother, Greg, gets all credit for introducing me to this stellar establishment.