Beignets in Houston (photo courtesy: Toulouse)

Do I need to say more?

In case you still need some enticement, Toulouse Cafe and Bar is a cute little spot, located outside the Galleria, in the new River Oaks Shopping District and it is one of my favorite new brunch spots (spoiler alert: top reasons listed in the headline of this post!).

Here they offer half price rosé, which pairs perfectly with an order of beignets. This Paris-like spot has been open for almost a year now – so it’s time to check it out if you haven’t already. Plus, you’ll love their amazing and spacious patio with retractable screens to help with Houston’s notoriously inconsistent weather – you know the kind, where we experience all four seasons in just one week. Yay!

Note that brunch is only Sat and Sun starting at 11a-330pm or perhaps until the rosé runs out. Which can totally happen by the way, especially if I’m there.

Toulouse creates a warm Parisian feel throughout the establishment, and weather permitting, the expansive patio is the perfect place to partake in brunch where you can start (or finish) with beignets, grab a half-priced bottle of rosé (you guys seriously had me at hello), Orange French Toast, Eggs Florentine, or about 20 other delicious options to choose from.

This cute little brunch spot is just another restaurant located within 10-15 minutes from my home at The Millennium Kirby, so don’t be surprised if you run into me here. I blame the half-priced bottles of rosé!

It’s no secret we live in a big city. In fact, did you know that at 655 square miles, the city of Houston could contain the cities of New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis and Miami?

And in the spirit of Valentine’s Day (ugh), now on to things I love about the city of Houston…

My favorite thing about Houston – and it’s one that always gets me in trouble with the locals – is that we have 2 International airports. That is great for my job (as a travel writer) and just anyone with a Wanderlust spirit. I love that it’s easy to escape the city and that Austin – one of the best cities in the U.S. is just a 2.5-hour drive away.

But on to other great things about our city:

The Houston Rodeo is about to hit this town, almost as hard as Super Bowl 51. Except it’s not a week full of events, it’s an entire month. I love being able to wear cowboy boots with any and every outfit and feel totally Texan.

The lineup for the rodeo every year is always a big deal, and for the first time in quite a few years, I’m quite impressed with this year’s lineup.

Chris Stapleton, Alicia Keys, Luke Bryan, WILLIE NELSON (!!), Blink 182, and Dierks Bentley just to name a few.

Moving on to a whole new topic, sports, duh. While I won’t go crazy into detail here, because again, duh, Houston is one of like 14 cities that has four pro sports teams. We’ve got the Texans, Astros, Rockets, Dynamo and now the National Women’s Soccer Team, the Dash. Yes – JJ Watt’s girlfriend’s team. But more importantly girls like Carli Lloyd, Mo Brian, Janine Beckie and so many other amazingly talented females that could literally kick all our asses. See what I did there?

Our stadiums and arenas are pretty legit too – even enough to have hosted 3 Super Bowls, which has been awesome – none could top this last one though. Air-conditioned baseball was hard to get on board with at first, but now, I’m in LOVE.

The fans here – that may be a different story. I personally know a lot of hardcore fans, but Houston hates to admit how this city is actually built. Most of us are transplants (myself included, though after 10 years, I think I can and should be considered a Texan) and our love for our sports teams is about as varied as they come.

And while we’re still on the topic…our teams play their games IN our city. Not like that other Texas city up north!

Also, while we’re on the topic – I love the Houston Texans too. But those of you constantly complaining that you’ve never won a Super Bowl, you’re talking to an Eagles fan here. And trust me, there are other teams who have put in their dirty work over decades and decades worth of play, so I don’t feel so bad for you. Yet…

Need another reason to LOVE this city? How about the fact there are fajitas, queso and margaritas practically everywhere? I’ll confess – when I moved here back in 06, I didn’t like Mexican food or margaritas. My life basically sucked. But now I’m outrageously obsessed with both!

My favorite: Lupe Tortilla (the one on Shepherd and 59!)

While I love traveling to get out of Houston, I also love the allure much of our city has to visit here. Last week interviewing more than 50 celebs and athletes about our great city, it dawned on me that so many people love it here, and for good reason.

Like the brand new Texas shaped lazy river at the new Marriott Marquis Downtown.

Lastly, let’s not forget about all the artwork – both museum style and murals around town. This city has more going on – promise!

As much as I say this is a small big town (which it is), I too need to remember there are 2.2 million residents here. So back I need to remember that when it comes to dating and finding new brunch spots – I am such a creature of habit and it’s time to expand my bubble. You too!

You can also check out the YouTube video on Things to Love About Houston here. Thanks to Uproar.Design for the video work and the video was sponsored by The Millennium Kirby and The Millennium High Street.

BRUNCH! (photo: @bckitchen Instagram)

To say I’ve been stalking these guys on Instagram for some time would be an understatement. Their brunch game looks strong and it’s finally coming to Houston in about a month. In my mind, I am already in line. Seriously, they have brunch items like a Fruity Pebble Pancake Souffle (pictured), and don’t forget bottomless mimosas and bloody marys for the win.

But back to my dinner the other night. Short and sweet: it was fabulous. It’s definitely a cheat-meal kind of spot (though the salads were definitely worth a look if that’s more your thing) and the vibe of the entire spot was something Houston needs to embrace with open arms.

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations is definitely comfort food, they’ve got TVs to keep up with your sports, and don’t forget about their 260+ whiskeys to choose from. If you’re more of a wine gal (or guy), you won’t be disappointed with the wine list. Or the barrel-aged cocktails. Speaking of their cocktails – here’s just a little peak – The Bosscat (Basil Hayden’s bourbon, citrus bitters, rosemary), House Old Fashioned (made with Maker’s Mark) and Bosslady Vol. 2 (Wild Turkey bourbon, blackberry citrus-infused syrup, thyme). The spot also promises to have a seasonally rotating cocktail menu, so there’s definitely something for everyone.

And when it comes to comfort food, these folks know just what the doctor ordered. Try the Pork Belly Poutine (Bosscat Fries with crisp pork belly, Ellsworth Creamery cheese curds and Andouille sausage gravy, optional duck fat fried egg) or the Bosscat Press (slow-roasted BBQ pulled pork, ham, cheese, house-made pickles, mustard on an American baguette), just to name a few.

Photo via @bckitchen Instagram

Menu aside, if you want to know why this place will be a popular Houston spot, here’s another reason: It’s a quaint, rustic, industrial-chic interior – with 14-foot ceilings, stained concrete floors and expertly finished reclaimed wood, steel and brick. Plus, it seats 220 of your best friends, with 40 additional patio seats. Not a bad little spot for dinner, pre-game or brunch (yes, I’m still stuck on brunch).

Also, one more thing I found totally random but I adore. When your server greets you, they will say “I’ll be your best friend for the evening.” I thought it was kinda cute, but then when the drinks kept coming, I realized he really was my new BFF.

This spot is just another restaurant located near The Millennium Kirby, making it a favorite in the making! 

Conversation Heart Donut Recipe

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I tested a few festive recipes and this one was the cutest and most fun (although be warned, I bought a crappy kind of conversation heart candy, so that part was kind of gross). I mean, what else am I going to do on Valentine’s Day other than frolic in the kitchen in my underwear?

I got this Conversation Heart Donut recipe here from Aww Sam, which has amazing stuff to try out if you want to make some impressive stuff in the kitchen (or just social media, haha).

Check out the recipe below (with a few modifications and cheats from yours truly!):

For the donuts:

2 cups flour
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
3/4 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Gel food coloring in pink, green, blue, yellow, and purple

For the glaze:

1/4 cup melted butter
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-4 teaspoons hot water
Crushed conversation hearts

*I cheated and used vanilla frosting, as it coats thicker.

Dog-Approved Donut Recipe

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, mix vanilla, eggs, milk, and butter. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Separate batter into 5 bowls.
3. Color one bowl pink, one green, one yellow, one blue, and one purple. (I tried to get the colors close to the colors of the conversation hearts.) Put each color of batter into a piping bag (I just use a ziploc bag and cut off a corner, since I’ve yet to purchase a piping bag.)
4. Followthese instructionson how to marble the colors together in a greased donut pan. Put in oven for 10 minutes and allow to cool completely. (Basically get a toothpick and swirl the colors around to they get that tie-dyed look. I suggest making sure your toothpick gets all the way to the bottom or the bottom will look just like your base color, which is boring.)
5. Crush up 1/2 cup of conversation hearts. Combine all of the ingredients for the glaze. Dip the donuts into the glaze and top with the crushed conversation hearts. Give to your bestie for Galentine’s day!

Here are some other Pinterest-worthy Valentine’s Day ideas, recipes and DIYs.

And it should come as no surprise how much I love donuts. Check out Houston’s ultimate donut guide.

This post is part of my “learn and love to cook” resolution for 2017 and getting in the “holiday” spirit – even if it is a Hallmark holiday. I love living at The Millennium Kirby because of the massive kitchen, to test out and DEVOUR these great recipes.  SPONSORED