Hi, Joe! We’re so glad that you’re coming to Houston to play the Summerfest in a couple of weeks. If you’re in town at breakfast time, here are a few places for great tastes that are also authentic “Houston” experiences or flavors:

The Breakfast Klub (http://thebreakfastklub.com/, http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-breakfast-klub-houston-2) is close to downtown. Have you ever wondered what soul food looked like in the morning? Wonder no longer: waffles and wings. The pancakes are massive and fluffy, and the biscuits have cubed ham in the gravy. The clientele these days is a cross-section of our city, but most mornings you can still find the movers and shakers of Houston’s African-American community – the true heart, soul, and backbone of The Breakfast Klub – doing business and catching up. Be warned, though: there’s frequently a line out the door to get in. Houstonians don’t wait outside in the heat for just anything, so you know what’s inside is worth it if you have the time!

If you just want a cup of coffee and maybe a nice muffin, I have two recommendations:

Catalina Coffee (http://catalinacoffeeshop.com/, http://www.yelp.com/biz/catalina-coffee-houston) on the Washington Ave. corridor just north of downtown serves brew from local Houston roaster Amaya Roasting Co. (http://www.amayaroasting.com/). Their lattes are the smoothest I’ve found in town. Washington Ave is Houston’s latest see-and-be-seen nightlife area, but in the morning its places like Catalina are buzzing both with suits catching a cup on their way to their cubes and a casual crew sipping in between keystrokes or mouse clicks.

The Inversion Coffee House (http://inversioncoffee.com/, http://www.yelp.com/biz/inversion-coffee-house-houston) is in the Montrose neighborhood just west of downtown, Houston’s artsy, eclectic, and alternative backyard. Inversion also brews a local Houston roaster, Katz Coffee (http://katzcoffee.com/store.php). The inside is small, but there is a lovely shaded patio that’s relaxing when the weather is pleasant. Associated with the Art League of Houston, the walls are decorated with canvasses by local Houston artists. Texas Art Supply (http://texasart.com/) just across the parking lot to the south is candy store of color (paint, pens and pencils, paper) in case you need…well, just about anything for the visual arts.

Lunch/dinner bear a little more thought. I’ll let you know!

Cheers, Amy