In mid-February 2020, I visited my best friends from college and we had one of the sweetest reunions at their new home in Houston. During the long weekend, we explored several local attractions and sampled exquisite bites along the way.
Day 1
Gourmet dinner at home
I flew from Los Angeles and arrived in Houston on Friday afternoon. This trip was special since it was my first time visiting this regional hub. My dear friends Diana and Imran were the first people in my undergraduate social circle to get married and they invited everybody to their lavish reception in Laguna Beach. They had been so supportive of me on so many levels ever since Diana and I first started teacher education together early on. Although they had been living in Houston for almost two years, they often spent the Christmas holidays with family and friends in Southern California. When we had holiday meals over Christmas break, they offered to host me at their new home.
Since I arrived in Houston early Friday morning, I rested at home while they were at work. Although their house was completely new to me, I immediately sensed their signature warmth and hospitality. Our weekend kicked off with a gourmet dinner at home.
Although we had gone out to eat during the holidays, back home in Southern California, observing my favorite couple together in the kitchen grounded me in a way I hadn’t experienced in years. Their teamwork in the kitchen reminded me of synchronized swimming, and their coordination was sincerely breathtaking.
Diana introduced me to one of her favorite seasonings called Famous Dave’s devil’s spit seasoning. This chili spice blend added that extra zinger and heat that sneaks onto the palette when the taster least expects.
This dry rub can be applied on different meats in place of a marinade and could be added to almost any dish. I tend to add this blend to my eggs, inside my sandwich, and my soup broths when I’m craving a spice kick.
Whenever I sprinkle the seasoning on my food, I am always reminded of my friendship with Diana and Imran and all the memories we share.
Day 2
Seafood feast at Caracol Kitchen
The crown jewel of the holiday weekend was Saturday brunch at Caracol Kitchen. Since Houston is geographically located near the Gulf of Mexico, the seafood is fresh and plentiful. James Beard Award recipient Hugo Ortega showcased Mexican coastal cuisine, with the highest quality proteins, lush produce, and exquisite preparation. The delicate briny oysters and the crispy salads filled our bellies and we recharged for minds for the next trip of the day.
Blasting off at the Johnson Space Center!
After we devoured our brunch at Caracol Kitchen, we headed over the Johnson Space Center! Although I watched several video clips about astronaut training in Houston, the exhibits filled our minds with awe childlike wonder. We browsed the equipment used for space travel from all different eras such as Project Mercury, early Gemini flights, the glorious Apollo missions, the Space Shuttle program, early space stations like the Mir, and the current International Space Station ISS).
My favorite attraction was the walk through exhibit when we were able walk through the interior of the Space Shuttle Independence and the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) “NASA 905.”
Crave Cupcakes
After an afternoon of inspiration, we stopped by Crave Cupcakes on the way home. Gourmet cupcakes became very popular across the country this past decade and I remember when Sprinkles Cupcakes emerged as the flagship shop for gourmet cupcakes. I also spent many afternoons watching Cupcake Wars on the Food Network Channel in my undergraduate dorm days. The moist, luscious strawberry cupcake with icing was worth the wait in line.
Day 3
Houston Zoo
The following morning, the three of us decided to visit the Houston Zoo. We drove down to the Texas Medical Center and took the shuttle bus to the zoo entrance. Once we arrived, we stepped into the gift shop, we browsed all the keepsakes and souvenirs. We spent the whole afternoon strolling down the paths and peering through the large enclosures. This was a much needed break from my weekly routine of hiding behind my laptop at my studio apartment. Observing the animals reminded me of all the beauty and colors that occurred in nature.
Exquisite Italian at Amalfi’s
After an afternoon at the zoo, we arrived at Amalfi’s Ristorante Italiano & Bar. This cozy Italian restaurant prepared pasta from scratch offered addicting cheesy garlic bread as a starter.
I ordered the gnocchi alfredo with topped with chicken and a drizzle of truffle oil. The tender gnocchi was prepared perfectly al dente and the texture was soft, but firm. The various textures, colors, and flavors provided the perfect balance.
This weekend getaway in Houston reminded me about the importance of valuing friendships and cherishing the quality time. Although the COVID pandemic kept so many people working remotely and put a halt to seasonal travel plans, I look forward to the next set of adventures with Diana and Imran.
Lilly C. Lew Ph.D. 