The new Honey Art Cafe, located on South Shepherd at Richmond Avenue, is an absolutely darling dessert spot with colorful murals and table decor representing artful labors of love. Opened by Lulu Fang and Amy Lin, Rice University graduates with degrees in visual arts, architecture and biochemistry, this new cafe offers Asian-inspired desserts, tea cakes and some savory dishes to enjoy alongside their beginner art classes that specialize in drawing, painting and “bring-your-own-bottle” tutorials. (Yes, you can bring in a bottle of your favorite wine.) The concept is a new addition to the pair’s Houston Art Lessons studio so that people can come to a creative hub to eat, drink and make art. All art supplies is provided, and the cost per person is $15 to $35.
The space is truly eye-catching, featuring two expansive murals that flank the room, lined with banquette seating made comfy with soft sea-glass-green pillows. Even the bathrooms have adorable, cartoonish bears and cats hand-painted on the walls.
The menu offers a variety of sweets that range from strawberry smoothie bowls to chocolate mousse cake. We recently stopped in for an afternoon snack, and Fang told us that popular choices include the mango coconut smoothie (boba can be added to it, too), the Hong Kong waffle and the matcha latte. There is also vegetable curry, a citrus chicken salad and macarons, all made in-house. Since we have seen few Hong Kong egg waffles in Houston, that one was a must-try.
Honey Art Cafe’s version of the egg waffle ($8.50, photo above) honors the street vendors in Hong Kong who sell these honeycomb-shaped waffle puffs as an on-the-go snack or dessert. Honey Art Cafe adds a bit of flair to the confection with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and two toppings of your choice (mochi, sprinkles, chocolate chips, granola and/or fruit). The puffy egg waffles themselves taste spongy and a little crusty, dashed with a hint of vanilla and beaten egg.
The eight-layer parfait ($7, photo above), another of Honey Art’s popular options, caught our attention with a pretty round glass bowl filled to the brim with a mixture of healthful and decadent ingredients: nonfat yogurt, chia seed pudding, two layers of whipped cream, two layers of fresh fruit (seasonal), toasted coconut and almond granola and one topping of your choice. Stabbed with two Pocky sticks, this treat is photo-ready.
Fang and Lin’s concept draws in patrons through art and beauty, providing a creative space for people to enjoy. Besides encouraging people to sign up for weekly art lessons or free events — picking up a new craft or art hobby could be a good New Year’s resolution — they emphasize food as an art itself by presenting dainty, appealing desserts that give a nod to Asian culture.
Honey Art Cafe, 3516 South Shepherd at Richmond, 832-582-0672, honeyartcafe.com
Hours: Wed. to Thurs. 2 pm to 11 pm; Fri. 2 pm to 12 am; Sat. 10 am to 12 am; Sun. 12:30 pm – 10 pm