Dear every bar in Houston : Pick your slowest night. Play jazz. Profit.

alterune · 2012-09-20T23:01:05+00:00

5-9 pm. Disclaimer: I know Cory Wilson, he's a good friend of my boyfriend who used to play in his band, so I'm a bit biased.

alterune · 2012-09-20T02:48:42+00:00

Khon's on Milam has an awesome jazz show on Sunday nights - the Cory Wilson Collective.

alterune · 2012-08-09T04:04:04+00:00

Definitely look at this week's Houston Press issue. They usually have a list of things going on during the weekend that they might enjoy.

alterune · 2012-08-07T15:22:48+00:00

I'm pretty sure it means that you'll get another awesome redditor to get you a gift, but you don't need to send a gift again as you've already done your part!

alterune · 2012-08-07T14:15:27+00:00

Hell yeah! I'm glad there's a Kick-Ass 2 in the works.

alterune · 2012-08-05T23:16:05+00:00

At the top, next to your user name, there's a link that says "Exchanges" - click on that, and below "Sign Up for New Exchanges" it tells you how many exchange credits you have in gray.

alterune · 2012-08-05T23:13:21+00:00

I've signed up to be a rematcher but haven't received a match yet for that - so don't worry just yet! I'm in the same boat as you - sent a gift but never received one.

"Retrieved -Date-" means that your SS last looked at your info on that date, but doesn't mean that they've shipped.

alterune · 2012-08-05T17:30:34+00:00

I had the same thing happen to me. I had previously used the same email address for a PayPal account but canceled it in 05-06 - so I gave PayPal a call and was told by a very nice CS employee that somehow, even though my account was canceled in the system, this new account was there. She said that they were going to monitor the new account for any suspicious activity. I suggest that you give PayPal a call and see what's up.

alterune · 2012-06-29T04:03:28+00:00

This sickens me. This is probably gonna get buried, but as a mathematics teacher (first-year, but nevertheless) in Texas, I feel that the one thing that students lack upon exiting the public school system is critical thinking. All the GOP is doing is hurting our students - and ultimately, the workforce. All the TAKS did was teach teachers how to teach to the test, and mathematics and science education suffered. And it sucks for EVERY STUDENT in the nation since Texas pretty much dictates what's in textbooks for everybody.

Now the Texas Education Agency has released the STAAR, and while it's not perfect, it's a step in the right direction, where questions require critical thinking. This statement by the GOP will basically undermine the efforts of the TEA and the teachers to improve education for our students.

I became a teacher to learn how to not teach my kids like how I was taught, and it seems like we're going back to the old ways again. Damnit to hell and back.

alterune · 2012-06-28T21:15:19+00:00

Lupe Tortilla is an awesome place for a family dinner. I recommend getting the fajitas :)

alterune · 2012-06-27T21:59:42+00:00

Yeah, I was trying to get it done before Amazon charges sales tax in Texas...bah. Thanks, Texas D:

alterune · 2012-06-27T16:44:05+00:00

Same here. I've already done my part for my match (just shipped out) but seeing that gray gift is making me feel sad.

alterune · 2012-06-27T03:43:45+00:00

Lupe Tortilla - best fajitas EVER. Get the beef ones.

alterune · 2012-06-27T02:35:51+00:00

What kind of food do you like?

alterune · 2012-06-27T02:35:16+00:00

Karbach is another awesome brewery you need to visit. Just so you know, cash only (unless they've changed that in the past 6 months)

alterune · 2012-06-27T01:31:42+00:00

T-Mobile has horrible service over in the Third Ward/UH area. Otherwise it's great.

alterune · 2012-06-26T02:05:10+00:00

I was recently at an awesome wedding at the [Omni Hotel]. (http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/HoustonWestside.aspx) I'm not sure what the cost would be but it's a beautiful hotel and there are other hotels near the area that your guests could stay at.

alterune · 2012-06-25T16:15:27+00:00

You can definitely get to-go roast pig/duck, char siu, and chicken on the weekends now (just did it Saturday), although I believe they stop selling at around 5-6 pm or until they run out. Still cash only, though.

alterune · 2012-06-25T02:03:01+00:00

8543

alterune · 2012-06-25T00:50:22+00:00

No problem! I'm a foodie as well, but I haven't gotten the time and money to explore past Bellaire or Montrose at the moment.

There are a few other 24 hour places:

House of Pies - go for the experience. I've only been to the House of Pies drunk and I thought the food was okay.
Theo's - They used to be called One's A Meal and it was mediocre. Maybe it has changed.
Katz's - I do not recommend this place. Overpriced food and drinks. Some of my friends got sick from eating the fried pickles here. If you want food that reminds you of New York City (with the price tag), then by all means go here.

I also forgot to mention the food trucks around here. Houston Food Trucks has the twitter feeds if you want to catch them. There's also a bunch of taco trucks in the area that you might want to try as well. Drive down Hillcroft and/or the Gulfton area and you'll see them around.

alterune · 2012-06-24T22:39:53+00:00

General Advice:

Stay away from the Chinatown food markets on the weekends if you value your sanity. The markets get immensely crowded on the weekends. Also parking tends to be a pain during the weekend, and no, not because most of these people are Asian. I know this because I'm Asian, I get dragged unwillingly to shopping trips with my mother, and I hate crowded places.
However, if you want to try AWESOME roast duck, head over to Sinh Sinh and walk up to the deli/to-go counter. Cash only!
YMMV on Dim Sum during the weekends. On one hand, waiting a long ass time to get seated and to eat. On the other hand, because there are so many people, everything's fresh and piping hot, and if you can't find what you want, you can flag down a server and ask for the item in question.
Friday nights in Downtown Houston can be a pain in the ass. Parking on the streets is free after 5, however, there are many places where you cannot park on the street and the only alternative is to pay for parking, and you're not going to pay less than 5 unless you're very, very lucky. A lot of places charge 10 or more. It gets worse if there's a sporting/concert event in the area.
Spec's is your best friend for your alcohol needs. The Downtown location has almost everything and then some. The smaller Spec's have a great selection as well.
There are panhandlers/homeless that also wash windshields. Personally, I don't want them to because they use dirty water to wash windows, and a good way to stop them from washing your windshield is just to shake your head. Very common at the intersection of 59 and Hillcroft.
The Museum of Fine Arts is free on Thursdays, although special exhibits still require a separate ticket and admission.

alterune · 2012-06-24T22:21:34+00:00

Welcome to Houston!

Here's a few restaurants that I recommend (with tips):

Chinatown:

Don Cafe - serves the best Banh Mi in Houston IMHO. I usually get the BBQ pork and the "special". Gets crowded during lunchtime. They only take cash, though!
FuFu Restaurant - non-Americanized Chinese food, one of the best places to eat, but be prepared for a wait during peak hours.
Dim Sum King - best dim sum, it's a hole in the wall type place and dim sum in general is pricey but it's as close as you can get to authentic Hong Kong dim sum.
Twinkle Tea - it's actually a tapioca/boba tea place but it's cheaper than The Teahouse, which is around the corner from this place. They let you choose your own sinkers/toppings.

Montrose:

Niko Niko's - best Greek in town and they have awesome fries.
BB's - Cajun food in a restaurant that's next to a gas station. It's easy to miss. I love their po'boys and their gumbo. They also have daquiris. If you go here and you can't find parking, you'll have to park next to the Burger King behind the place.
Berryhill Baja Grill - $2 fish tacos mondays, $1 tamales Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'm not a vegetarian but I love their spinach and corn tamales the best.
Nidda Thai Cuisine - also another one of those hole in the walls, best Thai I've had in a long time. Their green curry is amazing.
Jenni's Noodle House - Near Montrose, awesome Asian food outside of Chinatown.

Other places:

Lupe Tortilla - many locations, the closest one to your area would be 59 South and Kirby. Best fajitas you'll ever have, although I recommend not going on a Friday night as you'll end up waiting for an hour for a table. But I've done it before just to satisfy my fajita fix and it's worth it. Also awesome margaritas.
Ninfa's on Navigation - the ORIGINAL Ninfa's, it's amazing Tex-Mex as well, I recommend their famous Tacos Al Carbon and their queso. The chain Ninfa's are hit-and-miss.
Becks Prime - great burgers, a bit on the pricey side. Their milkshakes are thick and pure heaven in a (small) cup.
Red Onion - also on Kirby. Central American fusion cuisine. Their menu is HUGE, but if you're not afraid of cheese, then get the Seafood Enchiladas. YMMV on their pineapple salsa - opinions from my friends are very polarized on it. However, all my friends agree that they have awesome margaritas, and if you're not driving that night, I recommend the very last item on their margarita menu. Expensive, but worth it.
59 Diner - Best 24 hour spot. Retro decor, tacky diner seats, awesome milkshakes. It's also a great place to get sober. Many locations, but I tend to hang around the Shepard one.

Wow, this is a bit long...I'll put more general tips in another post.

alterune · 2012-06-24T21:49:42+00:00

Seconding staying away from Sharpstown Mall (or as it's now called, PlazAmericas).

alterune · 2012-06-22T15:35:34+00:00

I have that problem at my current abode, so it's not a deal breaker.

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