Alma "SoulfulApple" V.'s Profile

Organic? Yes? Yummy? Yes...in other words, perfect! I never knew that you could be in love with bath products but Naked has shown me the way, and yes you can.

Various concoctions greet you at the door of this West Village haunt, meeting up in the soaps section for various blocks of soap that will make your skin tingle, in a good way. The wonderful and light scents direct you to the perfume " bar," where you can mix and match - with the help of a qualified professional - the right scent you want to sport and call your own. You can also just give your nose a workout and spend time - like I do - smelling all the scents.

Try the lavender and grass scents, as well as the linen and any other lighter scents that are truly relaxing. Once you're done with the tour of scents, you can head over to the soaking tubs, where the professionals will soak your footsies in some warm water sprinkled with bath salts.

Just remember that when you're waiting for your turn surrounded by other equally-eager women. Or better yet, shop around and then come for a much-needed soak.

Antidote just kind of creeped up into The Heights and it was definitely a good thing. I remember when it first opened up, before anyone actually knew that the new place next to the convenience store and an empty storefront was a coffeehouse.

The first time I walked in, I was met by the smell of coffee, friendly staff (some that I now even know by name) and various choices of drink. There was coffee, beer and wine and even some delicacies - sandwiches and pastries - all made locally and fresh. The cafe itself is a nice little oasis, not uncommon for The Heights but something you will definitely not find anywhere else.

The place's decor is encapsulated in a retro-look, it is a definite plus, paired up with '60s furniture that would a Portland-based hipster jealous beyond belief. There is even a back patio that is a good place to hang out on a summer Saturday afternoon, when it's not too hot or just on a Saturday evening to chill and mellow out. The string of lights and metal tables and chairs,along with the greenery, make you feel like you're in an oasis and there is nothing wrong with the world.

Now it's time to hit up the drink choices, because really, it's a cafe. It was great to see some small tweaks and original takes on staples of all cafes. The Cajeta - a combination of goats milk and its sweetness, similar to condensed milk and coffee - is a definite attention grabber. It's sweet and tasty drink, a nice change from the ordinary latte and a definite plus as an iced concoction to have on a summer afternoon.

My own personal favorite is the Antidote, two shots of espresso with coffee that will kick start your day in the right way. And if you need somewhere to study, this might not be the greatest place, after all, it's a hangout and there is nothing wrong with that. Seating can be a problem, as well as parking - so get ready for a walk - and plugs and chairs can be a commodity when working on a laptop.

The wifi can be a bit sensitive, so don't expect to rely on it too much but if that isn't the main reason you're here, then enjoy the nice little place in The Heights, grab some cajeta coffee or a beer - there is a drink special from 4pm to 7pm every weekday - and enjoy mellowing out and talking to a few good friends. Also, go and peruse the books next door at Kaboom Books.

Note: When dealing with parking, don't park your car in front of the convenience store, you will be towed. Also, don't be surprised if people double park.

Need some comfort food and calories aren't a worry? Then Barnaby's is the best bang for your buck.

Located in Midtown, it's nestled in the perfect place for a dinner run or just if you manage to find yourself on West Gray and need some large meals.

After a day in Montrose, a friend and I decided to eat some wonderful food at Barnaby's and let's say that we weren't disappointed. Though parking can be a nightmare during a busy time, just driving around you will find somewhere and then it's off to Barnaby's.

From the minute you walk in, it feels like you're right at home. We took in the kitchy paint job, with various animals and objects with wings, floating around on the walls that gives the place a cozyness that is unmistakable.

After we settled down on the table, we perused the menu and decided on some meatloaf and a chicken salad sandwich. Our waiter was helpful and we waited patiently for our meal, unaware that it was going to be massive and weigh as much as a small baby. When it arrived, my friend and I were in total awe of the size of the meals and ate with gusto, savoring every homey taste and literally stuffing ourselves because the food was so good.

The meatloaf was soft and delectable and the chicken salad was mouthwatering mix of mayonnaise and crunchy celery and other veggies. Stuffed between two soft pieces of bread, the meal was fit for a queen or king and filled in the gnawing hunger I felt earlier in the day.

After a good half-hour (we needed to take breaks) we still weren't done with our food and there was enough food left for another meal or so, for each person. Definitely a good deal since it wasn't expensive and you definitely received an extra kick with the fulfillment of a home cooked meal.

In other words, we're definitely coming back.

La Fendee is another Mediterranean cuisine in Montrose and its location speaks volumes of how it plans to attract customers. Unfortunately, the location is the only thing going in its favor. The decor is unoriginal inside, though the wooden tables would look well somewhere with some kind of original decor.

The first time I walked into the restaurant, the patio definitely blew me away and the hookah smoking was an upside. Where else can you people watch and smoke a hookah? Not many places. The food wasn't as mindblowing. The hummus was passable but I'd prefer some from Aldaddin's down the street; the menu choices were what you'd expect and what I ordered didn't end up a good choice.

I was on a veggie kick, so I ordered an order of falafel balls. They looked appetizing enough but they had a tinge of what I can only describe as dish washing detergent. It felt like it was passable until the very end, when the taste would overtake the food. Needless to say, didn't finish the meal and left pretty dissatisfied.

The second time I went, because I wanted to give the place another chance, I tried the hummus and a chicken wrap. The chicken was tolerable but the hummus and it was a nightmare, it was badly seasoned and left another bad taste in my mouth. It was so horrible that I refused to eat the rest of it and it was money basically being thrown away.

Overall, it was a waste of time and if I only need somewhere to smoke a hookah, then this is the place. If it's somewhere to eat, I'll take a raincheck and rather go down to Aladdin's or, better yet, Niko Niko's.

Mytiburger has been a Oak Forest staple for a long time and while the nostalgia is there, the food isn't the reason to go and visit this place. It looks like a '50s diner from the outside and is still intimate and fun on the inside.

There is limited seating inside, with a '70s decor that doesn't exactly give the place its '50s persona it regales people from the outside. Walking in, just get in line and check out the old school menu signs, which lists a variety of burgers and check out the chalkboard for the daily specials. So far, the food hasn't been an eye-opening experience but the prices aren't that expensive; there is a variety to choose from and next time, I will definitely order a malt from the place. This might be the saving grace of the place.

Also, I was intrigued by the drive-thru that I seemed to have glazed over on my quest for a nice greasy hamburger. You might get the food faster if you do the drive-thru (I waited a good 10-15 minutes for my order, which I suspect was because of the large orders ahead of me but also because of their homemade onion rings) but overall, the inside of the place kept me entertained with its kitchness and Coca-Cola memorabilia.

Still, the kitch can only save it for so longer. The hamburgers aren't as big and as juicy as I thought and the onion rings were a bit too greasy for my taste. Even with this, I still will be interested in coming back and having a malt or a root beer float.

Insiders note: You can call ahead and order a large meal for pick up. Will definitely get rid of the waiting time.

It's a shame I don't come here more often because it's got some of the best soul and blues music in town. Granted, I always seem to walk past it when I'm heading to The Mink or the taco place owned by The Continental Club, but I've managed to stop in a few times.

The music is great, ready up for dancing and I've even seen Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears there a few times. Once you're done dancing up a storm, head into the back for some barbecue, tacos or whatever they are selling in the back that night. And if you want to enjoy the weather, walk over to the back patio and chill out with a few friends while enjoying some more artwork.

Favorite piece: the ELVIS lit up sign.

Best fish tacos in town, hands down! My magazine staff and I would come here religiously every Friday, or just whenever we needed to mellow out and enjoy the great summer weather.

The fish tacos, I was a bit skeptical at first, but they won me over faster than you can say "Can I have some more red cabbage with that?" The sauce is tangy and just the right of seasoning for the fish, the red cabbage is crisp and crunchy, making the taste delicious beyond compare.

Sure, I've tried some of the other menu offerings: burritos, chimichangas and a even a few tacos but the fish tacos earn the best points. Don't forget to try the chips and queso, it's to die for as well.

When I used to work in The Heights, this was the place I came in at least once a week to enjoy my favorite dish: the chicken schwarma. it was a great big old sandwich with fresh tasty veggies and the greatest sauce ever made. Granted, the chicken was a bit dry at times but the sauce always made up for it and it was just fabulous.

Once you waltz in, it's surprising to see a cafeteria-style seating and cafeteria-style ordering but once you get the hang of it, it's beyond fun to choose from the various appetizing plates. Of course, the first thing you see when you order in line is whether or not you want some hummus. This has been some of the best hummus I've had in Houston and the freshly-made bread literally melts along with the hummus. It's just so nice and warm.

Overall, I've only experienced this sit-down place once or twice as a customer in the restaurant but it's always fast, good and worth the price you paid for. And you can always enjoy Montrose after you're done eating with good friends, some who are vegetarians and love the selections at Aladdin.

This is the place I love to go and do some work in; even if I have to drive from the other side of town to do it. It's quiet and has a super friendly staff, I personally have had great experiences with both the morning staff and the afternoon staff.

If you have come in here long enough, they actually remember your order - or even just your face. It might be a little computer-overrun (I'm one of those annoying peeps that does work on a laptop and takes up a lot of space) but no one seems to mind.

If you just want to chill, then just grab some coffee and enjoy the local art. It seems to change every week to two weeks, so there is always some new art to check out and it's a nice reprieve from the overhauling lifestyle of the city.

It's a great place to come when you're feeling particularly in the need of something cozy. Come in on a Friday night to enjoy a BYOB event with $5 cover and listen to local artists.