Isle Pedi Spa

Before Belize Bernadine, that sweet red thing, surprised me with a trip to get pedicures. Don't tell her, but I was not down for this idea at...all. But after going I definitely have no regrets. She took me to a place called Isle Pedi Spa. They have locations near West University, West Ave in upper Kirby, and Memorial on Voss. We went to the newest location in West Ave, very clean and professional. (And expensive!!) this is not a walk ins welcome, neighborhood nail salon. You'll need to call a few days to week in advance if you are picky on times. Bernadine thankfully got us a private room that fits 4 where you can get a mani and pedi at the same time while sitting in your own large cushioned booth. I saw a duck with a manicure once.. Looked like she dipped her wings in paint... So naturally, we just hot pedis. After being offered a hot neck wrap and glass of wine I was starting to get into it. The nail techs brought us menus of our pedi choices; services ranging from a basic pedicure to adding all sorts of paraffin, salts and scrubs. Manis the same, also offering shellac and gel nails. 

The staff was very friendly, actually making conversation with you. The services are pricey but you are also paying for great service, very sanitary equipment, pampering, and a job well done. 

Where: Isle Pedi Spa
When: Thursday night 
Price: pedi $50 (minus tip)
Overall: 5 feathers 

You better Belize it!

I think I'm officially the worst blogger in the history of bloggers. I may also be the only one that has learned to type with webbed feet. It's a bitch.

Another reason for my month hiatus was because I went to Belize with a few peeps! Unfortunately Bernadine wasn't able to join, but in case you were curious, things are going quacktastic. I don't know where to begin or end so I'm going to give it to you fast; If that's possible. I work with a lovely woman who owns an excursion company in San Pedro on Ambergis Caye, an island tourist destination close off Belize City. She helped us decide where to stay and what to do. I was going to do some diving but it ended up being abnormally windy the whole week and too dangerous to dive. So instead we got set up doing some things with Seaduced by Belize, the excursion company. We went on a catamaran to the next island, Caye Caulker, reef fished for hours,  went on a Mayan ruin tour (I don't suggest doing this by boat, it took all day), and snorkeled at shark ray alley. Holy hell there's nothin like treading water with a bunch of sharks all around you. I almost flew this tail back to Texas.

We stayed at a fabulous resort, The Grand Caribe, a few miles north of town. They don't really use cars, so if you don't have wings, golf carts or bikes are available to rent.

 

Food in Belize was good, a lot of seafood and fruit, but I'm biased because Houston has such great eats.
Fave restaurants- Mangos: get the Rita. Blue Water Grill: delicious sushi, suggest a reservation. Ahi Tapas: quaint outdoor next to the beach with Christmas (or anytime) lights strung everywhere.

If you are looking for a nice beach front where you can take a dip or build a sand castle, this isn't the place. If your hotel maintains their beach front, it can be nice but the ocean is covered in sea grass and the sand is essentially crushed sea shells. Belize is a diving, snorkeling, and excursion type of place.  Don't get my wrong, you could lay by the pool or next on beach all day if you wanted, I still did my fare share and came back quite rested.

I would definitely go back to Ambergis Caye. The peeps were so friendly, it's safe, and there are plenty of things to keep busy.


Where: Ambergis Caye, Belize
Peak season: November - early May
Flight: 2 hrs direct from Houston to Belize City
Transportation: Tropic Air from Belize City to Ambergis Caye
Overall: 4 feathers

Houston...Rockets...Houston...Rockets!

Hey "y'all!" (Still practicing my Texas slang) Sorry to have been ducking down for a month now! I've just been one busy bird with travel and work.. You know how it goes. But I do have some outings and pics from the past few weeks to share.

For all you sports fans, we know Houston has its ups and downs when it comes to winning...especially lately. Being a San Franciscan I obviously have my favorite teams but I like to put pride aside and support our local sports. I was fortunate enough to have some friends who invited me to one of the Houston Rockets playoff games at the Toyota Center downtown. I've been a couple times before earlier in the season but this game, regardless of the loss, was nothing less then great. We had tickets to the Bud Light Party Suite (this is truly the way to go! Unless you have 2nd row... But not all of us can swing that). 
Before the game we got there a bit early and went to the pre game area in the park adjacent to the arena. They had beer, a cover band, and fun things for the kids. If you want to kill time and get pumped up, it's free and fun (the beer is not free, sorry). Once inside through crazy lines, my peeps and I sat up at the bar that overlooked the game and directly looked into the great big tv screens decending from the center. This allowed us to all talk and sit around each other, or watch the game comfortably without a head in front of you. Being in a suite we had a fully stocked bar with a very helpful and friendly bartender, Brian. I think the best part of the suites though is having a clean, not over crowded bathroom in the hall. I know it makes the ladies quack!
I wish I could be of more help with parking around Toyota Center but we had a parking pass...another huge perk of knowing someone. No matter where you park around the center it will cost nothing shy of $10 and the closer you get the pricier. The closer you get the longer it takes to get out as well... So if you don't mind, I'd suggest getting there early, parking a little farther away in a lot, and waddling your ol tail up to the game. Remember, no glass or guns please; security is tight!
I'd say whether you are a sports fan or not, the games are a great time with friends, family or even a casual date. They have a lot of entertainment during the game and they really get the crowd pumped up!

What: Houston Rockets game
Where: Toyota Center downtown www.houstontoyotacenter.com
When: playoffs game 2 vs Portland Trail Blazers
Score: POR 112, HOU 105 (wah wah)
Overall: 5 feathers!

Cook and Collins

 Duckdating.com = win.

Took my first online match, Bernadine, to Cook and Collins in Midtown for a casual but nice date.  The owner owns a few other bars and restaurants around town including Pub Fiction and Crisp in the Heights. This place is an American fine dining with a decently casual vibe. Big upstairs and downstairs patio with retractable windows for nice days. The interior area has subway tiles behind bar, 1920s black and white floor tiles, along with dark stained wood and homey but chic decor on the walls. Yeah... I said chic. We sat at the bar per Bernadine's request, which turned out to be great. I did call a few days ahead and made a reservation for 8:00, which was smart. By 9:00 it was slammed. The two fine ladies helping us were so attentive and very friendly.  The chef made an extra order of black eyed  hummus so they brought it to us. Better then it sounded; I would definitely order it in the future. The place opened more recently so they were having a special of a free appy when you order an entree when you sit at the bar. So we started with the duck tacos as well(!!!!!)  Cannibalism at its finest. They were so good I'm not even ashamed of it. I did make sure the ducks murdered for these tacos were not from the west, couldn't risk eating a family member. Main course I got buffalo meatloaf; it was so full of flavor and spices. It was on top of spinach and mashed potatoes. Bernadine got the sweet potato ravioli with goat cheese. I liked it but wasn't in the mood for it. But she dove her beak right in there and seemed to be very happy with her choice. No dessert but I hear the butterscotch pudding is unreal. I attended their soft opening with some of my peeps that know some peeps and we had the bread pudding then. Holy quackamole it was fan-ducking-tastic! Will definitely be waddling back to Cook and Collins soon!

Deeeeelish duck tacos :X

Black eyed hummus

So much meatloaf

Ravioli

Hopefully it wasn't the wine talking but Bernadine said yes to a second date!

Restaurant: Cook and Collins http://www.cookandcollins.com

Time and day: Saturday 8:00 pm reservation

Vibe: avg 30's+,  snappy casual, well lit 

Overall: 4 feathers

Duck Dating

I've always been a skeptic to online dating but I thought I'd sign up on duckdating.com for fun to see what kind of quack jobs were on there. I seemed to have found quite the swan though... But then again anyone can seem perfectly nice and cute until you meet them and they end up being a psycho who wants to get married and have your ducklings after the first month then ends up ducking your best friend and taking all your money along with it.  Her name is Bernadine. She's red. And I'm taking her to Cook and Collins.  Wish me luck! 

All hail The Queen Vic

This long tiring day at the ol office really called for some cocktails and good grubbin tonight! Been to The Queen Vic recently and thought it was pretty ducking good so some coworkers and myself headed there after work to stuff our beaks. For a Thursday at 7:30 it was crowded but we got a table pretty quackly. The scene was younger; average 32. I had a few quacktails so that's a rough estimate. Food is heavier but if you're feeling like not counting calories, the British Indian fusion cuisine is to die for! Ive been maxing out on neck lifts at the LA Fit lately so a big indian kabab burger was in store. Our waitress Kristina, with a K, was pleasant and attentive. My peeps I was with were a bit camera shy tonight.. I'll get em next time. But I did try a little of everyones food. Everyone likes a well fed duck, they don't charge that much for fois gras for nothing. 

As far as the scene goes here, cool open room, pretty small and not terribly intimate. Were tables of couples, guys after work, and friends. If you're looking to pick up girls, not the place. If you're looking to pick up dudes, this is the place. Great for a casual date or sitting at the bar and watching the bartenders craft boozy masterpieces. 

Appy: Seafood Mac n cheese.. So good! Definitely to share. If not you may be a little "complicated" for a few days. Possibly worth it though! 
I got:
Indian kabab burger - Served on naan, which sounds cooler than it tastes. Was told lamb was cooked medium to rare. It was over well done. Duck that. Had this before and liked it. Must have been an off night. 
Everyone else got:
Saag paneer masala, hydroponic salad, royale burger, and fish and chips. Yum yum yum!! All so good. 

Next time the fish and chips will be ordered again. Previously have had Goan fishermans masala. A-may-zing!!! Chicken tiki masala=spicy as hell! But if your into that, 
Great flavor. 

Place. The Queen Vic http://www.thequeenvicpub.com
When: Thursday 7:30 pm
Crowd: Lots of peeps but no wading. 
Atmosphere: "snappy casual"
Overall: 4 feathers

 

The rum re-fashioned. I love boozy.. But this one ruffled my tail feathers! But I suggest trying a couple new beverages that you wouldn't normally get, they have an art for creative quacktails! 

 

Seafood mac n cheese 

Fish n chips 

Tuco takes Houston

Hey 'y'all', I'm Tuco the duck. Not to be confused with the Mexican drug lord, he's dead.  I'm new to this blogging thing and you'll have to excuse my slow posting... I don't have hands. Since I'm typing with a bill, I'll keep this short and sweet. I was born at the Chancellor Hotel in San Francisco and spent a good majority of my life there with my 37 brothers and sisters. I was recently transferred to "H-town" ( that's what the kids are calling it) and was anticipating a big clusterduck of people and oil refineries. But I'll tell you what, I was mistaken! I've come to find out that Houston is filled with a ton of quacktastic restaurants and things to do around town. I hope my blog helps anyone visiting or who resides here realize that Houston really is a pretty ducking fun town.  

Here's a few pix from my old party days in SF. 

                                           

The Buena Vista makes Irish coffees so good they'll have you foaming at the mouth!

Just a typical Tuesday night in Union Square. 

Nothing ruffles my feathers more then spending Halloween at Asia SF. What duck doesn't like an Asian tranny drag show with a three course dinner?I got the lamb.