Where: Thai Pepper, 2049 W. Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098
When: February 18, 2013

On this date, Brenden and I left his house on foot, not sure where we’d end up. This kind of spontaneous date is Brenden’s favorite way to choose where to go, as where I like to do research and plan days, times and all the details. Probably says a lot about our relationship! It’s hilarious that his dates are usually the more successful ones too and Thai Pepper was no exception.

We walked in, not sure what to expect, but it seemed more upscale than I expected – white tablecloths, real flowers, couples dressed up, etc. After we sat down (within earshot of a couple on a first date, I might add), the server made me feel at ease with her courteous service.

I had just started a weight loss challenge at work “Team Geek Physique” and wasn’t sure how 52 Houston Dates would configure into it. But on this date I decided that date nights would be considered “cheat meals” and I wouldn’t hold back.

With that in mind, we started with the cheese rolls, “A mixture of cream cheese, shredded carrot, and shrimp stuffed in a thin rice wrapper and deep-fried.” They must’ve not made too much of an impact on me, because I can’t quite remember them.

We ordered, if I recall, drunken basil beef noodles (which the server assured me they wouldn’t be spicy at all per my request and they weren’t), basil beef, and tom kha gai. The noodles were a bit gloopy and stuck together in a mass, but we enjoyed our meal. It was right after Valentine’s Day and the server gifted us with a small ceramic heart, which I still use on my vanity to hold bobby pins. That was probably my favorite part of the entire meal.

Another part of the date I recall – there was a downpour on our walk home! Overall, a very fun date and a place we would return to (probably not in our hoodies next time).