Tuesday, June 29, 2010
RIP Aurora
Named after my favorite Disney princess (not really, at least I don't think?), Aurora is closing at the end of next month. It is one of the few true fine dining restaurants in Dallas (and I think the only one in a strip mall). Located on Oak Lawn, it is a true dining experience. Synchronized service and impeccable French cuisine. They've been opened for lunch for the last 2 years or so and I've never been, so I think I'll try it again before they close.
Restaurant Week Is Coming!!!!!
It is almost one of my favorite times of year - KRLD's Restaurant Week. Where will I go this year? Hmmmmm. . . . Find out next month!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Rusty Taco
So I woke up this morning with a hankering for breakfast tacos. Hankering most likely caused by the 3 vodka martinis I consumed last night (btw, Eddie V's makes a great martini). So I decided to check out Rusty Taco on Greenville, south of Lovers. It's an old converted gas station with a great patio area. I could see myself spending time on the patio when we stop living on the face of the sun.
Tacos are $2. I got the potato egg and cheese and the jalepeno sausage, egg and cheese. They were quite good and satisfied the hankering. Just greasy enough to help with the post-martini feeling too. Interested in going back for lunch or dinner (there is some seating indoors so the heat would not be an issue) to see what else they have to offer.
Tacos are $2. I got the potato egg and cheese and the jalepeno sausage, egg and cheese. They were quite good and satisfied the hankering. Just greasy enough to help with the post-martini feeling too. Interested in going back for lunch or dinner (there is some seating indoors so the heat would not be an issue) to see what else they have to offer.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Cafe Madrid
I went to Cafe Madrid last night after a couple of happy hours. A girlfriend and I had been talking about going since we came back from Madrid this spring. Now, I'll admit, prior to Madrid, I was never a big fan of tapas dining. Seemed to me that you spent a whole bunch of money to get a couple of bites (if you were lucky) of a random array of stuff. Then I went to Madrid and fell in love with the tapas style of eating. Big bountiful plates of vegetables and cheeses followed by a plate calamari. You always seemed to have just enough without ever feeling so full. Was hoping to relive that experiece last night, but alas, no. Cafe Madrid reminded me why I wasn't a fan of tapas dining before Madrid. Small plates of bland but garlicky food. There were three of us and we ordered calamari (which was pretty good but had a slight floury taste to it), spinach and pinenuts (needed salt), cheese plate (i heart cheese), mushrooms in garlic (lots of stems, no real flavor), a chicken breast and a salmon filet. Nothing really wowed me and I left very full but unsatisfied. Guess I'll need to go back to Madrid!
Their sangria was tasty, although I thought my neighbor's sangria at my first happy hour was tastier. Need to get that recipe.
Going to Eddie V's tonight to see Hunter Sullivan. Too broke to have dinner but I'm sure the manhattans (or martinis) will be quite tasty.
Cheers!
Their sangria was tasty, although I thought my neighbor's sangria at my first happy hour was tastier. Need to get that recipe.
Going to Eddie V's tonight to see Hunter Sullivan. Too broke to have dinner but I'm sure the manhattans (or martinis) will be quite tasty.
Cheers!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Truffle Salt
So, after my dinner at Abacus with the girls I met up with the guy I was dating (GIWD) (note: past tense) and, well, that's all I'm going to write about that as this is not that kind of blog. Anyway, part of my post-mortem routine is to try to figure out what I took away with each relationship. Most of what I take away are (now) funny stories - the sources of my deep seeded hatred for juicers and incense and the now facebook famous Earring-Gate. But sometimes I take away something new I didn't have in my life before. This time, I got truffle salt (and I'm sure I'll take away a few more things but it's been 2 days people. Give me some time). This guy (who is a great cook) introduced me to it. You can get it at CM in the spice/sugar aisle. It's ridiculously expensive. I think I paid $29.95 for the jar when I picked some up a couple of weeks ago but a little goes along way so it's totally worth it. You should know I'm not a salt girl. My mom didn't use it much since my dad had high blood pressure so I've never really developed a taste for it. When I see people I know add additional salt on food before they taste it, I'm horrified. And when I see people salt their salads and their pizza, I get a little nauseous. But the truffly taste of this salt is my current food obsession. I've found so many things to put it on. I put it on an avocado and tomato salad I made the other day. Last night I sprinkled it on the ribeye and the corn on the cob I grilled. Really couldn't taste it on the steak but it added such a wonderful flavor to the corn. You should try it! Thanks GIWD!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Abacus
I went to Abacus last night. It is Copper River Salmon season and Chef Rathbun always does Copper River so well. He did not disappoint last night. We started with martinis then lobster shooters (my fave). They had the perfect bite them. Then came the Copper River Salmon. All three of us ordered it. While it was good and cooked perfectly, there was a smoky saltiness to the salmon that overwhelmed the overall taste. The serrano grits were so spicy they became all all you could taste. None of this stopped me from cleaning my plate. Finished the meal with a nice muscat. Good dinner with good friends. All you can ask for on a Saturday night. :)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Hump Day Eating
(That title is not very appetizing, is it?)
Went out for both lunch and dinner yesterday. Tried Vapiano in Mockingbird Station for lunch for the first time. Not really digging Vapiano's. Its interior is quite pretty but not sure about the food or the process. See, you have to get a card from the hostess when you first walk in. Then you go to a station based upon what you want (pasta, pizza, salad, etc) and put your card up to this little scanner which records your order. You then wait for your food and give your card to the cashier to ring you up when you leave. Too gimmicky for me. And, if the hostess is busy or not paying attention, you end up roaming around lost. Not a good thing. I tried the mushroom pasta and was underwhelmed. They said had a cream sauce, but it was more of a lemony buerre blanc. I had them add extra garlic but I didn't really taste anything from that. Quite frankly, I like the pasta better at Cafe Express around the corner and CE has my favorite iced tea and the yummy pickle and olive bar too. But I'll give Vapiano one more try before I cross it off the list.
I then went to Gloria's on Greenville for dinner. Happy hour all day Sunday through Thursday people. $5 house wine and margaritas! Can't go wrong. I got the dinner version of my usual lunch order (Glenda's favorite) which is a papusa, tamale, beans, rice, slaw and plantains. (for lunch you skip the plantains and get charged 1/2 the price). I love Salvadoran tamales with their potatoes and banana leaves. I made the mistake I always make when ordering the papusa -- don't order the pork, Rachel. It's always dry and unappealing. Order the cheese instead. Maybe someone saw my disappointment because we kept getting visited by people asking us how we were doing. After about the 5th time, we thought about making a drinking game out of it.But drinking games with margaritas really are never a good idea . . .
Cheers!
Went out for both lunch and dinner yesterday. Tried Vapiano in Mockingbird Station for lunch for the first time. Not really digging Vapiano's. Its interior is quite pretty but not sure about the food or the process. See, you have to get a card from the hostess when you first walk in. Then you go to a station based upon what you want (pasta, pizza, salad, etc) and put your card up to this little scanner which records your order. You then wait for your food and give your card to the cashier to ring you up when you leave. Too gimmicky for me. And, if the hostess is busy or not paying attention, you end up roaming around lost. Not a good thing. I tried the mushroom pasta and was underwhelmed. They said had a cream sauce, but it was more of a lemony buerre blanc. I had them add extra garlic but I didn't really taste anything from that. Quite frankly, I like the pasta better at Cafe Express around the corner and CE has my favorite iced tea and the yummy pickle and olive bar too. But I'll give Vapiano one more try before I cross it off the list.
I then went to Gloria's on Greenville for dinner. Happy hour all day Sunday through Thursday people. $5 house wine and margaritas! Can't go wrong. I got the dinner version of my usual lunch order (Glenda's favorite) which is a papusa, tamale, beans, rice, slaw and plantains. (for lunch you skip the plantains and get charged 1/2 the price). I love Salvadoran tamales with their potatoes and banana leaves. I made the mistake I always make when ordering the papusa -- don't order the pork, Rachel. It's always dry and unappealing. Order the cheese instead. Maybe someone saw my disappointment because we kept getting visited by people asking us how we were doing. After about the 5th time, we thought about making a drinking game out of it.But drinking games with margaritas really are never a good idea . . .
Cheers!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Top 10 list
Texas Monthly recently put out the Top 10 restaurants in Dallas, which you can find here: http://www.texasmonthly.com/1000-01-01/webextra28-2.php. How Dali got to be No. 1, I have no idea. The wine is pretty good but the food just doesn't wow me. As for the rest of the list, I haven't tried Tillman's or York Street yet but I've heard they are both list worthy. Five Sixty underwhelmed but everyone in Dallas should go there at least once just for view.
Here's my list of the 10 places you should try in Dallas. It's not necessarily a Top 10 list per se. But they are the places I recommend when asked. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. 48 nights (Oak Cliff)- Only have a few night left (ends end of July) but this gorilla restaurant is worth checking out if you aren't a picky eater and want to have a new type of dining experience. It's in a strip mall across from the Valero off 30 and is only opened for 2 seatings Monday and Tuesday nights. Guest chef creates a 4 to 5 course menu which isn't disclosed until week prior and it's BYOB. You sit where you want at tables with canned goods as the centerpiece. Grab a table next to someone that looks fun and enjoy the experience.
2. Fearing's (Ritz)- The food is basically how I imagine fine dining in Texas should be without all the pretense. He does interestng things with interesting proteins. Try some venison or antelope while you're there. It'll be worth it. Start with the the oyster appetizer (my fave). And don't be surprised if the Chef stops by to say hello. Dean Fearing is proud that his name is on the door and sells it.
3. Stephan Pyles (Ross) - A lot more subtle than Fearing's but still worth the price of admission. Try a ceviche sampler for a culinary adventure. Stephan Pyles has one of the best up and coming chefs in Dallas (shout out Matt McAllister). He's one to watch.
4. Abacus (McKinney Ave)- I have never had a meal that disappointed me here. It's bar is fun (try it on Thursday nights) but the food is where it's at. And if you don't order the lobster shooters, you'll be sorry.
5. Nick & Sam's (not to be confused with Nick & Sam's Grill - don't bother) (Maple). It may not be the best steak in Dallas but it's the steakhouse that keeps me coming back for more. Love the complimentary cavier at the beginning and port at the end. The staff is always on top of things and the food is always consistently good. My favorite bar in Dallas during the winter.
6. Louie's (Henderson). It's a dive. The bartenders and staff can be surly but the pizza is delicious as is the Greek salad. Bring cash. They may not take your credit card.
7. Madras Pavillion (Richardson). I love Indian food. I wish there was really good Indian closer to where I live (although Roti comes close). Madras is not for everyone, I know. It's vegetarian and kosher so if you like your tandoori chicken or lamb curry, it's not for you.
8. Hattie's (Oak Cliff). Man, I need to go back there for brunch soon. Chicken and waffles is calling my name.
9. Sushi Axiom (Henderson). Ok, may not be the most amazing sushi in town (go to Tei Tei and ask the sushi chef to surprise you for that) but it's good sushi at a good price. Try the Mustang Roll. It can get a little loud in there when the DJ shows up but that's part of the fun.
10. Taverna (near Travis walk). I'm not a huge Lombardi fan. I think he tries too many concepts and should stick with what he's good at. Taverna is what he's good at. Try the risotto.
Well, that's it. I'm sure there's a few I've left off but there's plenty of blog left in me.
And yeah! I have my first follower! Thanks, Julie!
Cheers!
Here's my list of the 10 places you should try in Dallas. It's not necessarily a Top 10 list per se. But they are the places I recommend when asked. Here they are, in no particular order:
1. 48 nights (Oak Cliff)- Only have a few night left (ends end of July) but this gorilla restaurant is worth checking out if you aren't a picky eater and want to have a new type of dining experience. It's in a strip mall across from the Valero off 30 and is only opened for 2 seatings Monday and Tuesday nights. Guest chef creates a 4 to 5 course menu which isn't disclosed until week prior and it's BYOB. You sit where you want at tables with canned goods as the centerpiece. Grab a table next to someone that looks fun and enjoy the experience.
2. Fearing's (Ritz)- The food is basically how I imagine fine dining in Texas should be without all the pretense. He does interestng things with interesting proteins. Try some venison or antelope while you're there. It'll be worth it. Start with the the oyster appetizer (my fave). And don't be surprised if the Chef stops by to say hello. Dean Fearing is proud that his name is on the door and sells it.
3. Stephan Pyles (Ross) - A lot more subtle than Fearing's but still worth the price of admission. Try a ceviche sampler for a culinary adventure. Stephan Pyles has one of the best up and coming chefs in Dallas (shout out Matt McAllister). He's one to watch.
4. Abacus (McKinney Ave)- I have never had a meal that disappointed me here. It's bar is fun (try it on Thursday nights) but the food is where it's at. And if you don't order the lobster shooters, you'll be sorry.
5. Nick & Sam's (not to be confused with Nick & Sam's Grill - don't bother) (Maple). It may not be the best steak in Dallas but it's the steakhouse that keeps me coming back for more. Love the complimentary cavier at the beginning and port at the end. The staff is always on top of things and the food is always consistently good. My favorite bar in Dallas during the winter.
6. Louie's (Henderson). It's a dive. The bartenders and staff can be surly but the pizza is delicious as is the Greek salad. Bring cash. They may not take your credit card.
7. Madras Pavillion (Richardson). I love Indian food. I wish there was really good Indian closer to where I live (although Roti comes close). Madras is not for everyone, I know. It's vegetarian and kosher so if you like your tandoori chicken or lamb curry, it's not for you.
8. Hattie's (Oak Cliff). Man, I need to go back there for brunch soon. Chicken and waffles is calling my name.
9. Sushi Axiom (Henderson). Ok, may not be the most amazing sushi in town (go to Tei Tei and ask the sushi chef to surprise you for that) but it's good sushi at a good price. Try the Mustang Roll. It can get a little loud in there when the DJ shows up but that's part of the fun.
10. Taverna (near Travis walk). I'm not a huge Lombardi fan. I think he tries too many concepts and should stick with what he's good at. Taverna is what he's good at. Try the risotto.
Well, that's it. I'm sure there's a few I've left off but there's plenty of blog left in me.
And yeah! I have my first follower! Thanks, Julie!
Cheers!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Here goes nothing
People are always asking me, "How do you know so much about where to eat in Dallas?" Well, the answer to that is pretty simple -- I like to eat and I like to read up on the new places in town. I often get requests for recommendations so I thought I'd start this blog to help ya'll out.
Since I'm starting from square one, here's a list of my latest adventures:
1. Meddlesome Moth (Oak Lawn) - I really, really want to like you. You have a great vibe and and great beer list. But your food is just not any good. You are trying to be a lot fancier than you are capable of (bone marrow, seriously?). Be less gastro and more pub and maybe you'll win me over. Victor Tango (which I will never eat at again -- the food I had there twice was so bad)had to learn this lesson. You should too,
2. Neighborhood Services Tavern (Henderson) - Definitely check it out. Food is pretty darned good. And their desserts are probably the best in town. Ding Dong 2.0 was my fave until I tried the rice crispie treat ice cream sandwich. Not super crazy about your wine list though.
3. Eddie V's (Oak Lawn)- what Ocean Prime would be if OP's food was any good. The bar is quite a scene but their seafood is the reason to go. My seared ahi was delicious. Manhattans were delicious.
4. Hacienda on Henderson (Henderson - duh) - might be good for drinks but the food is AWFUL. My brisket tacos made me so sick I had to leave the party. Queso is decent but that's about it.
5. Bailey's Prime (Park Lane) - It's a chain steakhouse but I encourage people to check it out. Steaks are quite tasty and so were the crabcakes. They claim their onion rings are the best in Dallas - don't know how you make that claim when you've only been open a couple of months. They're good; not Dallas greatest good. And they need to up their sides a bit. Dear Steakhouses, asparagus is easy to make tasty. Grill it up with a little olive oil and salt. Avoid the steaming and drab hollandaise. Bonus points to Bailey's for their new sommelier - Ashley. She knows her stuff and used to work at one of my favorite restaurants in America -- The Oak Room in Louisville.
6 Charlie Palmer at the Joule. Checked it out again recently after a long absence. Food is great. More people should go. Went on a Friday night and it was pretty dead (good HH scene though) which is sad since the food is so very good.
Well that's it for today. It's Copper River season and I am going to try to have some at Abacus (after my lobster shooters, of course) this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes. Kent Rathbun never disappoints.
Since I'm starting from square one, here's a list of my latest adventures:
1. Meddlesome Moth (Oak Lawn) - I really, really want to like you. You have a great vibe and and great beer list. But your food is just not any good. You are trying to be a lot fancier than you are capable of (bone marrow, seriously?). Be less gastro and more pub and maybe you'll win me over. Victor Tango (which I will never eat at again -- the food I had there twice was so bad)had to learn this lesson. You should too,
2. Neighborhood Services Tavern (Henderson) - Definitely check it out. Food is pretty darned good. And their desserts are probably the best in town. Ding Dong 2.0 was my fave until I tried the rice crispie treat ice cream sandwich. Not super crazy about your wine list though.
3. Eddie V's (Oak Lawn)- what Ocean Prime would be if OP's food was any good. The bar is quite a scene but their seafood is the reason to go. My seared ahi was delicious. Manhattans were delicious.
4. Hacienda on Henderson (Henderson - duh) - might be good for drinks but the food is AWFUL. My brisket tacos made me so sick I had to leave the party. Queso is decent but that's about it.
5. Bailey's Prime (Park Lane) - It's a chain steakhouse but I encourage people to check it out. Steaks are quite tasty and so were the crabcakes. They claim their onion rings are the best in Dallas - don't know how you make that claim when you've only been open a couple of months. They're good; not Dallas greatest good. And they need to up their sides a bit. Dear Steakhouses, asparagus is easy to make tasty. Grill it up with a little olive oil and salt. Avoid the steaming and drab hollandaise. Bonus points to Bailey's for their new sommelier - Ashley. She knows her stuff and used to work at one of my favorite restaurants in America -- The Oak Room in Louisville.
6 Charlie Palmer at the Joule. Checked it out again recently after a long absence. Food is great. More people should go. Went on a Friday night and it was pretty dead (good HH scene though) which is sad since the food is so very good.
Well that's it for today. It's Copper River season and I am going to try to have some at Abacus (after my lobster shooters, of course) this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes. Kent Rathbun never disappoints.
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