Luxury Accomodations

ASSI – The Omni Hotel in West Houston, TX is a four-diamond hotel that is located off of Highway 10 West it is not centrally located, but you can enter downtown Houston directly from Highway 10 East, and it is minutes from Highway 610 and the other adjoining Highways. It is about 30 minutes from Bush InterContinental Airport. We had the pleasure of staying there over the Holiday weekend. It was our first time purchasing gas for under $3.00, which was a welcomed surprise. The lobby of the Omni Hotel has an indoor lake that runs East and West of the atrium, Café on the Lake is nestled off to the right, and the Black Gold Bar is a casual bar that’s ideal if you are interested in bar atmosphere without the smoke and drunks.

The standard rooms are comfortable with modern décor, flat screen television with cable, High Speed Internet, and other standard amenities. Although it was 80 degrees and Sunny, the outdoor heated pool looked inviting, but we decided to work-out in the gym that was complete with four treadmills, two stationary bikes, two flat screens, several weight machines, free weights, towels, cold lemon water, and fruit that was a nice touch. The hotel also offers in room fitness for an additional fee. A section of the general store is zoned for the Business Center where you can use a computer and make copies. I also like the glass elevators that allow you to appreciate the lobby’s ambience.

I left my battery charger for my camera at the hotel, I phoned them three times, and have yet to receive a call back. As I see it the complimentary morning news paper and beverages are just a few services that differentiate between the Omni’s luxury status and a low-end motel. I give the Omni Westside Hotel 3.5 blinks.

LaMadeleine in the Galleria Mall

ASSI - While in Houston, TX for the weekend, I wanted have breakfast at a restaurant that was unfamiliar to us, but when we ended up at the "Galleria Mall" our choices were limited. However, when we asked if there was a restaurant in the Mall that was offering breakfast our choice was "LaMadeleine" a Country French Cafe that offered six dishes for breakfast and none appealed to my palate, I wanted a waffle or pancakes, but was unwilling to leave the Mall after spending more than an hour looking for breakfast food. I settled for Chicken Friand - Puff pastry filled with chicken, mushrooms and bechamel sauce, topped with mushroom sauce for $5.99 and a Potato Galette for $2.49 that was different but enjoyable. I would have preferred that the Chicken Friand had more chicken instead of a piece here and there. He had a hot Chicken Parisien Sandwich - Marinated chicken breast, bacon, melted cheddar, mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato on a sourdough roll for $7.95 and two waters. As I see it, if you like french food LaMadeleine is an ideal place to grab something to eat while watching the ice skaters, skating at the indoor rink in the Mall. I give "LaMadeleine" 3 blinks.

Block Party In Houston Texas

Football at Buffalo Wings

ASSI - Buffalo Wings in Houston, TX, is a great place to watch sports, eat wings, through back a couple of beers or shots, while cheering for your favorite team. The bar has about 27 televisions so that every sports fan can see their team, there were six of us in our party, none of us shared a team, which made for an interesting evening that started at Scott Gertner's Sports Bar, and ended at Tom's Boat. The food at Buffalo Wings was really good we ordered: Asian spice and Garlic wings, Boneless Buffalo Wings, Chicken Quasidias, and a bucket of Heinekin Beer to start the evening. As I see if and when you are in Houston, Tx, make sure you take the time to stop by Buffalo Wings for a good eating and sporting experience. I give Buffalo Wings 4 blinks.

AHSI-Buffalo Wings located in Houston ,Texas, is a great place to visit. We were able to catch all of the games on "Football Sunday", enjoy a friendly environment while meeting new people and at the same time drinking premium beer and liquor at a great price. The food was great with a variety of wings, subs/sandwiches, appetizers and full course meals. Their was a very diverse crowd with the "home crowd" representing and them D@#$% Cowboys fans were in the house crying after they lost against the Cardinals, and QB Tony Romo broke his pinkie finger and will miss at least 4 weeks. A very quiet Terrel Owens dressed a bit "young" and like Erkel from the sitcom "Family Matters" in the locker room. I give Buffalo Wings 4 eyeballs, the only downside is that that did not have any flat screen TVs and although they had a lot of TVs they were small.

Scott Gertner's Sky Bar and Grill in Houston Texas

ASSI - We traveled to Houston, TX to visit with a friend over the Columbus Day Holiday. We had the pleasure of going to the "Skybar" that's located in the Penthouse level of an Office Building. The "Skybar" has three bars, two outdoor terraces, offers catered food, and features a live band and DJ who plays when the band breaks.

The band was excellent and the DJ kept the crowd on the dance floor, I danced so much that my sweat removed my make-up, there was a diverse group of people from age to race and everyone was having an enjoyable time. If you were out looking for a Sugar Daddy or Tender Roni, he was at the "Skybar", there were attractive to unattractive men, some folk were casually dressed while others dressed in advance for Sunday, and most of all the drinks were inexpensive compared to clubs in Washington, DC.

I had the pleasure of meeting two very nice people at the "Skybar" who hung out with us on Sunday when we Scott Gertner's Sports Bar, Buffalo Wings, and Tom Boats, we had such an exciting time that my visit to Houston will always be remembered. As I see it if and when you are in Houston you must plan to hang-out at Scott Gertner's "Skybar" or "Sports Bar" they are both worth looking into and stopping by for a good night out. I give the "Skybar" 4.5 blinks.