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Dalrock Diner

Mar25

Rowlett, TX

This is a nice little diner located near the intersection of Highway 66 and Dalrock Road in Rowlett, Texas. It feels like you step back in time when you enter through the front door. This old-school diner has the black & white checkered floor and red & white booths that take you back to the 1950’s. Everything is very clean, neat and intimate.

Chef Salad
Border Skillet

I have dined here several times now and have really enjoyed it each time. Dalrock Diner serves American homestyle breakfast, lunch and dinner. The surprise for me was the Greek influences throughout the menu.

The menu is quite varied – with breakfast foods, sandwiches, salads, and “down home” foods. Breakfast choices include Tex Mex migas, omelets, pancakes, fried chicken & waffles, breakfast skillets, and a gyro breakfast. Their burgers and sandwiches are all delicious and come with French fries. (The Yankee Ruben is my favorite!) They also have a few seafood and cajun options, which are very good. The Greek salad (with gyro, grilled chicken or grilled shrimp), the gyro sandwich and chicken souvlaki are especially tasty and a welcome change when in the mood for something different. The meat is very tender and perfectly seasoned. This diner also serves the usual comfort foods – chicken fried steaks, chili, smothered steaks, fried chicken, and a variety of homemade country vegetables and sides. The food is served in a timely manner and is always piping hot. All the meals have nice-sized portions and are very reasonably priced.

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Chicken Souvlaki

Each time we have dined here, the service has been very attentive. The servers are very personable, helpful, and are on hand to refill your drinks and check on you. The owner is present most days and personally greets patrons and visits with regulars. Dalrock Diner is definitely a little neighborhood gem and is perfect for dining solo, couples, or families.

Be sure to check out the glass display up front when you enter or when you pay your check. It is filled with all types of delicious house-made pies and cakes. Have a slice for dessert or buy a whole one to take home. 

Dalrock Diner is simply good food at good prices – nothing fancy – no more, no less. Check it out.

 

Sassi

Mar8

Scottsdale, AZ

Sassi Restaurant
walkway into the restaurant
sunset view

Sometimes you manage to stumble across perfection without any effort. That is exactly what happened to me on a girls’ trip with my daughter and sister-in-law a couple of weeks ago when we visited Scottsdale. A friend has texted me the name of this restaurant and bragged on the beautiful views. I checked reviews on Trip Advisor – all were fantastic, so I made reservations. Why not?

sunset view
fireplace in every room

Sassi is located in North Scottsdale in the Troon area. It was just a 20 minute drive from our hotel near Old Town. The building is beautiful and you feel like you have arrived in Tuscany when you drive into the parking lot. The sunset was breathtaking and I wish we had arrived a few minutes earlier to see Pinnacle Peak and the beautiful backdrop it provided. Everyone highly suggested having drinks on the patio but it was closed this particular evening due to cool winds and inclement weather. I bet it is a sight to behold. The sunset photos I included in this article were actually taken by me from the parking lot before we went inside the restaurant.

The interior of the building is traditional Italian. We were told by the friendly hostesses that it was modeled after an Italian farmhouse – a very nice one, for sure! We were greeted warmly and seated in a lovely room with a large-topped corner table and a roaring fireplace on one end of the room. The lighting was low and the ambiance was quiet and serene. Our server Maureen was wonderful! She walked us through the specials, drink lists, and menu items. The menu is set up for an authentic Italian meal with several courses. We had eaten a late lunch and were not terribly hungry at this point, so she helped us with items to share to get a true taste of their foods. It was a perfect suggestion.

warm mixed nuts
fantastic cabernet

First of all, the wines were amazing! (see my smile and rosy cheeks?!) We were soon served warm mixed nuts and fresh baked Italian bread. Both were delicious. We shared two appetizers: a caprese salad and a prosciutto plate. The caprese salad consisted of lovely heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and a ball of Buffalo mozzarella flown in that day from Italy. The prosciutto was thin, lean, flavorful and very close to what you get in Italy. It was served with halved red grapes that were seasoned with orange, olive oil, salt and pepper and were a most delicious accompaniment to the salty meat. Loved it all.

proscuitto and grapes
caprese salad
grilled octopus

My sister-in-law ordered the grilled octopus with microgreens and olives and I must say, it was very tasty. I am not an octopus fan (mind over matter), but this was very tender, smoky and well-seasoned. My daughter and I actually split a pasta dish, Sassi’s Orecchiette. It had small cup-like orecchiette pasta shells, housemade sweet/spicy Italian sausage, broccolini and pecorino. It was FABULOUS!  For dessert, we had the most wonderful cappuccinos, almond biscotti, and a butter pear cake.

family feast
orecchiette
butter pear cake

The company, the views, the ambiance, the excellent service, and the impeccable food was sheer PERFECTION.  We had a truly amazing night.

One of the best parts of the evening was when my daughter stopped stressing over the food to serve at her wedding this summer and decided this was it….Italian it is! Sassi is now her menu blueprint and this proud Momma could not be any happier.

This is a first for me in my blog, but I am including the wonderful recipe for the pasta we enjoyed so much. Try it….you will not be disappointed.

 

recipe

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Mercat Bistro

Feb22

Dallas, Texas

sign out front
drinking a Peche Mignon

Mercat Bistro is located in Uptown Dallas but feels like you are dining at a little sidewalk cafe in Paris, France. It is tucked into a little building off Harwood and is located on the corner next to St. Anne’s Cafe. This small eatery serves contemporary French and American cuisine and is now one of my favorite brunch places. It is an intimate venue that is perfect for couples, friends or family. The noise level is energetic and the service has been very attentive when I have dined here.

The main dining room is quite small with very cozy marble-topped tables. The artsy, hand-lettered menu is located over the bar. The decor is European modern with touches of antiques and recycled items throughout…I feel safe calling it “French Charm.” There is an outside covered patio that truly looks as if it is steps away from the Metro in Paris. The metal scrollwork and open air dining is very indicative of an authentic French cafe. There is a beautiful view of Uptown from the patio as you overlook a spacious lawn, shady trees, fountains, strings of lights, etc.

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delicious Peche Mignons

The cocktails at Mercat Bistro are magnifique! You can order delicious Mimosas by the carafe. On my first visit, I enjoyed the Santa Rosa – a very refreshing cocktail made with St. Germaine and champagne. The “star” for me was the Peche Mignon (pictured above). Champagne was poured over a frozen fruit ball made of muddled berries, orange juice, pineapple, peaches, and Creme de Violette Liqueur. It was light and delicious and as the fruit melted – it sweetened the dry champagne. Be sure to ask for a spoon to eat the remaining ice ball when your glass is empty….it was yummy!

Croque Madame
Green Chile Crepe

The menu had a nice selection of pastries, salads, sandwiches, wraps, egg dishes, crepes, quiches and desserts. Their Ricotta & Honeycomb dish was my favorite appetizer. It consisted of creamy ricotta cheese, a fresh honey-filled honeycomb and crostinis. My only complaint was that I wanted more! The Green Chile Crepe was also impressive. It was a thin crepe filled with scrambled eggs, green chiles, cheddar cheese and herbs with a creamy mornay sauce and was served with roasted fingerling potatoes on the side. The Strawberry & Mascarpone Crepe was so light and delicate that it literally melted in my mouth. One word -DELICIOUS!

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Strawberry Mascarpone Crepe

For those of you looking for a cool new brunch place to try and would like to experience a little piece of Paris, put Mercat Bistro on your list. Portions were on the smaller side but the quality was top notch…I guess this just gives you an excuse to order more! 

Valet parking was available in front of the restaurant and across the street. I am looking forward to returning and trying out lunch and dinner. They have a wonderful dinner menu and also feature live music a couple of nights. I hope to see you there. Au revoir!

 

Ida Claire

Feb7

Addison, Texas

signage
bar area

When I first heard of this restaurant called “Ida Claire,” I knew instantly that this was for me! While growing up in Mississippi, I know I heard my grandmother exclaim, “Well, I declare!” hundreds – if not thousands – of times throughout her life. With this phrase meaning “I am surprised to hear that” or “my goodness!”, those words brought back memories.  This was definitely a restaurant calling me back well south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Airstream
upcycled lighting

Ida Claire is located in Addison off Beltline Road and the Tollway. The building itself is the warehouse style that is quite popular now. The interior is very open and welcoming. The noise level is energetic. The design and upcycled decor can be described as quirky and/or funky. There are beautiful hanging lamps, bird cages, decorative plates, blackboard signs, open books nailed to the wall, an Elvis bust and Buddha statues. Right outside the front door is an Airstream trailer used as a cozy “hippie-esque” dining space. There is also a well-lit outdoor dining area with tables and umbrellas. It is quite eclectic and very appealing.

Oh Beehave & Hurricane Punch
Margarita julep and fried green tomatoes

The two times we dined here the service has been really impressive. We had brunch the first visit and dinner the second time. The cocktails were very enjoyable. The Bloody Mary, Pear-fect Martini, Margarita Julep and Hurricane Punch were all cold, strong, and delicious. For appetizers, we sampled Ida’s Biscuits (with butter & jam and bacon gravy), Fried Green Tomatoes (with lemon herb dipping sauce) and the Low Country Chopped Salad (fresh butter lettuce, okra, pickled peppers, boiled egg, bacon and a honey mustard dressing). All were delicious, but this Southerner will readily return for the fried green tomatoes – perfection!

Low Country Salad
Muffuletta

We enjoyed sharing the Coffee Crumble Pancakes for brunch and did not leave one single bite. These pancakes were light & fluffy with a blueberry & cardamom topping, maple flavored butter, whipped cream and toffee crumbles. Delicious! The Muffuletta with sweet potato chips was very good. The Wild Isles Sea Trout was very similar to salmon and was served with yellow and red roasted beets. The Nashville Hot Fried Chicken was my favorite entree. The chicken was moist and very flavorful (think Buffalo style) and was served with pimento cheese toast, pickled cucumbers and onions. The smaller brunch portion was also served with a crunchy okra salad. The chicken was quite spicy…..thankfully I had plenty of ice cold rum punch to cool my mouth off. 🙂

brunch portion Nashville Hot Chicken
Dinner Nashville Hot Chicken

For dessert we ordered Ida Claire’s special Vice Cake. Wow! It consisted of a huge slice of stout cake, layers of coffee buttercream icing, and chocolate ganache topping. It was decorated with a piece of candied bacon (yep….I ate that too!).

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Vice Cake

If you are looking for a new place to have brunch or dinner, I hope you will try Ida Claire’s. They do have a bit of a limited menu, but what we have tried so far has been delicious. The restaurant also serves burgers, shrimp & grits, sandwiches, turkey & biscuits, crawfish beignets, etc. They have definitely taken Southern food, updated it and added a twist. I think there is more of a Louisiana feel to their dishes – rather than just pure ole “Deep South” cuisine.

Both of our dining experiences here were quite enjoyable. More fried green tomatoes and okra, anyone?

If you have eaten at Ida Claire’s, please share your experiences in the comment section. I would love to hear from you! If you enjoy reading my dining and travel blogs, please subscribe in the upper right hand corner.  Thanks.

 

Dushanbe Teahouse

Jan25

Boulder, Colorado

front entrance
advertisements

Boulder is now one of my favorite cities! You drive through the town and see mountains in one direction and modern buildings in another. There are trendy restaurants, open shopping areas, parks, creeks, evergreen trees, and sculptures scattered in between. It is a sensory overload for me. Love it!

One building that stands out from all others is the elaborate Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. Photos do not do it justice. It is an artistic structure designed in bright blues, yellows, greens, reds, golds, etc. and the more you gaze at the details – the more you see. No two panels or cedar columns are alike. The entire place is handcrafted, carved, and painted with beautiful intricate patterns that are traditional in Persian Art.

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handcrafted ceiling & cedar columns

Dushanbe is the capital of Tajikistan and this teahouse was actually constructed there and sent as a gift to Boulder, their “sister city.” It was completely built by hand without the use of any power tools whatsoever. It was finished, disassembled, crated up and sent to Boulder to be rebuilt. The teahouse stands today as a symbol of friendship and to remind the citizens of Boulder to value cultural diversity, global cooperation and international friendship. 

pained ceiling
posing out front

Besides just being a gorgeous building, Dushanbe Teahouse is one of my absolute favorite places to eat when visiting Boulder. I have never found iced chai tea anywhere that can compare to the spicy deliciousness of the ones served here. I have had the privilege of dining here for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and have sampled many of their tasty and somewhat unusual dishes.

You can choose to be seated indoors and enjoy the building’s architecture and beautiful plants and fountains. You can also choose to be seated outside under flowering trellises or canopies and enjoy the outdoor sights. The teahouse is a work of art to enjoy either way.

The menu is very diverse! Try Kookoo Sabzi (a Persian omelette with baba ghanoush and rice), a Honduran Beleada (tortilla, black beans, eggs, cheese, and avocado), Chickpea Kufteh (chickpea croquettes with Persian tomato sauce, greens and pomegranate) or maybe delicious Indian Samosas (with  spicy potatoes and peas). 

outside by the creek
samosas
hummus and veggies
lunch special
selfie

For the more traditional diners – try the Hummus, Whole Wheat Chai Pancakes, Russian Beet Salad, or American Breakfast (complete with a homemade pop tart). There is also a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and pastas on the menu but I am always game to try something new and different. The desserts have always been especially good with my favorites being their Tangerine Tea Gingerbread and Mexican Chocolate Cake (which packs quite a chili pepper punch!). 

Mexican chocolate cake
chai pancakes
breakfast

Their drink menu is extensive with wines and cocktails but I keep going back for the chai tea…..it is just too delicious to pass up. If you want something different, try one of their Blooming Teas – where a flowery dried tea ball is actually dropped into your clear glass of hot water and the artisan tea literally “blooms” as it steeps. It is quite an unusual drink, to say the least. 

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blooming tea

One of my favorite trips to Dushanbe Teahouse was last October when the Boulder Farmer’s Market was being held on a gorgeous Saturday morning. The whole area in front of and around Dushanbe is filled with booths and stalls selling various products: plants, flowers, granola, fruits & vegetables, soaps, jams & jellies, honey, goat cheese, breads, artisan crafts, T-shirts, etc. It is truly a sight to behold! My morning was filled with sights, sounds, scents and tastes from this wonderful market. What a fantastic and memorable way to spend an autumn day in Boulder – a stroll through the Farmer’s Market and then brunch at Dushanbe with good friends and family. Life doesn’t get much better.

fall flowers
Farmer’s Market
colorful mums
goat
squash
turnips
carrots
watermelon radishes
colorful beets

I also learned a very valuable chemistry lesson once while dining at Dushanbe Teahouse. While enjoying a wonderful brunch here and dining on French Toast stuffed with Orange Cream (fantastic dish!), I decided to stir a little pack of sugar into my mimosa for added sweetness. What came bubbling out of that champagne flute looked like a third grade volcano science project! Warning: NEVER add sugar to champagne and then stir. Lesson learned.

If you ever have the pleasure to visit Boulder, please make it a priority to visit Dushanbe Teahouse. I do not think you will be disappointed. And if you have visited before, please leave your comments on this blog page. I would enjoy hearing about other’s experiences. 

I hope you enjoyed this article. If so, please subscribe to this blog and read more of my dining and travel experiences. Thanks!

Bankhead Brewing Company

Jan17

Rowlett, Texas

I had the opportunity to dine at Bankhead Brewing Company soon after they opened in October 2016. As a huge fan of Zanata’s in downtown Rockwall, I had eagerly been awaiting the opening of this new brewpub. In my humble opinion, if Kevin and Al Lefere (from Zanata’s) had anything to do with this new place, I figured it would be another hit. I think I was correct!

Harvest salad with a Rear Ended martini
pepperoni pizza

Bankhead Brewing Co. is named after the Bankhead Highway which stretched 850 miles across Texas at one time. (The highway also ran from my hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi to Memphis, Tennessee!) Parts of the original highway bridges can be seen in Lake Ray Hubbard off of Highway 66. The logo and decor follow this theme throughout the restaurant.

If you find yourself in Rowlett in the near future and are ready for a delicious meal, check them out. They are located on Main Street in downtown Rowlett – very close to the DART station and George Bush Tollway. Parking is conveniently located on the front and side streets.

Hefe
Beer flight

The new building is well-designed with great lighting, modern furniture & fixtures, and lovely stained concrete floors. Tables are large, roomy, and comfortable. There is a lively bar area (with television screens), cocktail tables for two, large tables for four, and several high tables and stools set up for eight to ten people. There is also a nice outside dining area with large picnic-style tables and window box type greenery. Several interior windows look out from the dining area into the brewing area and the large silver tanks. The noise level is energetic. Dining is casual and good for couples, friends, groups or families.

cheesy bread with pepper jam
salmon, Brussels sprouts & risotto
shrimp and cajun spaghetti

Service has always been very attentive the times I have dined here. My biggest problem is always deciding what to order! The cocktails are always delicious and there is also an impressive wine list. The craft beer is always a hit and the available brews change from time to time. I suggest trying one of their beer flights which is served in a metal tray with 5 four-ounce goblets (see photo above). Choose your favorite 5 to try!  They will be labeled on your tray and the cost is $2 to $2.50 per sample ( IPA, stout, wheat beer and fruit/spice infused flavors are just a few on their list). Bankhead’s food menu is very diverse and has something for everyone: appetizers, salads, pizza, meat loaf, fish & chips, sandwiches, burgers, pork chops, ravioli, etc. They also have a weekly appetizer and an entree special. Some of my favorites to date have been the beer sriracha cheese soup, the grilled cheese & brisket sandwich, seasoned fries, and bread pudding. 

brisket grilled cheese
fish and chips

I think this new restaurant is a great addition to downtown Rowlett. Kudos to the the management and I think your hard work will pay off. I am already looking forward to my next visit so that I can try some new drinks and menu items. Please check Bankhead Brewing Co. out if this blog has peaked your interest.  I hope I will see you there soon!

Please feel free to leave your comments and personal experiences.

 

Medina Oven & Bar

Jan9

Dallas, Texas

Whenever we have an event to attend at the American Airlines Center (AAC) in Dallas, part of the fun is deciding where to dine in that area. Several times we have returned to Medina Oven & Bar because we enjoy it so much. When you tire of Tex Mex, steaks & seafood or hamburgers and such – give this little Moroccan/Mediterranean place a try! It is only two blocks in front of Victory Plaza and is an easy walk to and from parking or the actual AAC. The interior is small and well-decorated with comfy seats and lots of Middle Eastern decor, lighting, and metalworks.

Let me begin with their drinks! They have an extensive wine list, but I never get past their specialty “sexy cocktails”.  The main item that keeps bringing me back to this restaurant is their Caramel Fig Martini. Words cannot describe it and the photo doesn’t do it justice. Just imagine vodka and lemon juice poured into an ice cold glass with caramel swirled inside and a roasted fig floating in the bottom and ice slivers on top. To me, it is pure perfection. The Pomecello Martini comes in a close second. 

We usually begin our meal with the Mixed Platter appetizer that comes with 4 spreads (hummus, eggplant, roasted pepper and harissa) and some of the best Mediterranean olives we have ever eaten. This is accompanied by a basket of fresh pita bread triangles. Everything was delicious.

Our most recent entrees were the Marrakesh Chicken Breast and the Chicken Apricot Tagine (pictured above). The Marrakesh Chicken Breast consisted of two juicy, boneless chicken breasts with  olives, roasted potatoes and a lemon sauce. The Chicken Apricot Tagine had two chicken breast fillets seasoned with saffron, cinnamon, honey spices and was served over roasted potato slices and apricots. This dish sounds really sweet but was actually very tasty and more savory than expected. For those diners who are not so adventurous, Medina also serves delicious meat skewers with rice, salads, and flatbread pizzas.

We finished up our meal by sharing a Caramel Bread Pudding with ice cream and nuts. It was served warm, covered in caramel and was most enjoyable. In other words….there was not a morsel remaining!

I hope you will give this little place a try. I do not think you will be disappointed. I do suggest reservations since they are very small and only seat around 40-50 patrons inside. When the weather is nice, they also have a nice little patio for outside dining. 

Did I mention the Caramel Fig Martini??? I hope you will check it out!

 

 

 

Stock and Barrel

Jan1

Dallas, Texas

One day before New Year’s Eve, I was online searching for a restaurant that still had available reservations for dinner. Our usual holiday party plans had fallen through and I really did not want to sit home alone in our pajamas like the empty-nesters we now are! Open Table came through for us and reminded me via email that several places still had availability. After a few minutes of searching, I happened upon Stock & Barrel in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas. Why not? There was no price-fixed menu, the food choices looked great, it was casual dining and they had a few early dining slots open. Click. We were in!  

Valet parking was conveniently located behind the restaurant. ($5 and you text when you leave the restaurant for your car to be brought up) We were cheerfully greeted by the host and were seated at a center table. The decor is the new upcycled, warehouse look – very modern with clean lines. The noise level was moderate but energetic. There were large mirrors, a nice bar, an open kitchen, pendant lighting and additional seating in an enclosed patio. Our server, Evan, was a great addition to our evening. We tried the drink special, “Sure Thing” made with vodka, bubbly, elderflower and peach. Delicious! We enjoyed the smoked red beets for our appetizer and it did not disappoint. We ordered the Smoked Sakura Pork Shoulder and the Wagyu Meatloaf (below left) for our entrees and both dishes were fantastic. The meats were a little unusual but perfectly seasoned, cooked, and tasty to the last bite. We also shared a dish of Caramelized Brussels Sprouts and Crispy Okra – and this Southern Girl can tell you that both were spot-on! Portions were nice but not overly huge, so we decided to share a dessert. The Warm Toffee Croissant Bread Pudding (below right) was one of the best bread puddings that I have ever eaten. It was a moderate portion (and I wished I had ordered my own at this point) with caramel ice cream and salted English toffee sprinkles. (think Heath bar crumbles….yum!) It was perfection.

Wagyu Meatloaf
Toffee Bread Pudding

Overall -this last minute, thrown together planning ended up being a wonderful night! We found a fantastic restaurant that I cannot wait to go back to. We enjoyed the beautiful lights and decorations walking the streets in the Bishop Arts District. We felt like we at least did SOMETHING for New Year’s Eve and best of all…..we were in our pajamas at 10:00 and safe at home watching the big celebrations on television! Happy New Year and welcome 2017!!