Pepper Smash

I went to a friend's bday lunch this past Saturday. They chose to try Pepper Smash in the Shops at Legacy. It's been open for awhile now and I still haven't been, so I was looking forward to it. It seems like they're known for their mixology, the drinks all have interesting names and looked fun. I was hoping the food would be good too.

Unfortunately we had another event before lunch so we were going to be about 45 minutes late. Everyone else was meeting there at noon. I told them don't wait up.

Pepper Smash
7200 Bishop Rd.
Plano, TX 75024
(972) 943-0499
http://www.peppersmash.com/
Price (brunch): $$

We arrived around 12:50PM. We had 2 tables close to the patio. It was such a nice day to sit outside. We joined one table and it seemed like they were almost done eating. However, we realized that the other table hadn't even gotten their food yet... eh?

We asked around the table to see what was good... We got responses of what NOT to order... :-/

(Sorry I don't have pictures of other people's food since they either ate them or were at another table... )
Chicken Mmm' Biscuits (real deal buttermilk biscuits, secret recipe fried chicken, habanero honey butter) $10~ Was strongly advised not to get this as it is super dry. I saw him take the last bite and it did look really dry. And coincidentally he coughed when he was answering us... haha. Like swallowing dry crumbs or something. :(

Black & White - BLT (blacken'd white fish, crisp bacon, pepper aioli, shredded romaine, tomato on focaccia) $10~ I was told this was super salty. She only ate half of it. But the fries were good.

They said the flatbreads are good though. One guy ordered one. Either the Mediterranean or Spiced Lamb Sausage.

We finally got around to ordering for ourselves. And this is also when the other table's food started arriving... wow.. that really took a long time.

Spicy Beef Katmandu (ginger, lemongrass, Thai chili, cilantro) $9~ This was really tasty. The beef is flash fried and it's really got a kick in flavor. And it's spicy for those who like spicy. I almost ordered this, but I asked the waitress if it came with anything... rice? bread? naan? and she said no. So I nixed it. I don't know how you can eat a dish like this with out some sort of carb to go with it. Or maybe some lettuce wraps??

Ceviche Tostadas (shrimp, crab, mango, jalapeno, cilantro, red onion, lime) $10~ This was a joke. And the guy who ordered it didn't try to cover up his disappointment. It was 4 little triangles of corn chips topped with a tiny bit of ceviche. $2.50 a pop eh?? That's just ridiculous. He ended up ordering a burger cuz he was hungry.

Hummus & Naan $8~ Was told this was good.

Oh... something cool that they did when the group first got there was pour liquid nitrogen on popcorn. It's all smokey and cold and when you eat it, smoke comes out of your mouth. Since we got there late, I asked if they could do it for us. It was a fun experience. :) 

Oh-M-P (fat stack of three cakes; choose 2 ingredients; maple syrup, whipped butter) $10~

 

I chose blackberry and bacon. Sweet and savory baby! Our food took about 35+ minutes to come out. Kind of ridiculous. But I was happy with my selection. The pancakes were crazy big and fluffy. I have no idea how they made them this way. Maybe a special pancake maker or mould or something. It fell apart pretty easily.. the consistency was more like a cake than normal pancakes. But yummy! It wasn't too heavy. There were large chunks of bacon throughout, could've used more blackberries though. I noticed the middle layer was burnt on the bottom, but it didn't affect the flavor much so I didn't mind it. The pairing with the whipped butter and maple syrup was delicious. My bf realized that he didn't like bacon mixed into the batter. But I do! hehe, that means more bacon for me! :P Apparently a girl from the other table ordered this when they first arrived. When it finally came, her pancakes were undercooked in the middle, so she had to send them back. Her new pancakes didn't make it out until we got our food...

Whiskey Chick Stack (grilled chicken marinated in house smoked whiskey white cheddar, caramelized onions, chipotle mayo) $10~ 

My bf ordered this. Tiniest piece of chicken on a sandwich ever!! But the flavors were good so we kinda overlooked the size. Fries were good, not the greatest, but yummy when dipped in the chipotle mayo.

Triple M's Explosion (pineapple and strawberry infused vodka, frozen with liquid nitrogen) $10~ 

He also got a drink, since this place seems to be known for their cocktails. It's pretty cool cuz it's made with liquid nitrogen and comes smoking when served. Aside from the cool assembling process, it was ok. It was like a strong strawberry daiquiri, not really worth the money.

So I'd say this place was a bust. They didn't have much business while we were there. We were 2 of maybe 4 tables and the wait for food was just ridiculous. Our waitress was good though. At least we got frequent refills on our water. And it's not her fault that the kitchen was slow or messing up orders... I'm glad I enjoyed my food, but just seeing how everyone waited almost 45 minutes to get the food, and the overall quality was just sad. Needless to say, we won't be returning. That location hasn't lasted long in the past. So they better shape up!!

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Whiskey Cake Brunching

Before we left for Canyon Lake for the Christmas holiday, we finally made it back to Whiskey Cake for brunch. We've wanted to go ever since they changed up their french toast option. :)

Whiskey Cake
3601 Dallas Pkwy
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 993-2253
whiskey-cake.com
Price: $$

We went on a Saturday about 1PM, the place was still super packed. Good thing I called ahead so we were seated pretty quickly.

Of course we ordered the French Toast Switch-Up (seasonal fruits layered with something the chef likes) $11~ 

The current french toast is loaded with Greek yogurt, fresh blackberries and strawberries, and pure maple syrup. It was such a pretty plate. All the different colors and textures looked so delicious. And it was. The french toast was soft but still had a griddled crust. I liked the blend of the berries with the yogurt. It was sweet and tangy and the flavors balanced well. I still liked their last french toast with the nectarines better. But definitely have no complaints about this one!!

My bf also got the Corned Beef & Caramelized Fontina (slaw, louie aioli, brioche) $12~ 

I had a different idea of the dish when he ordered it. I had mistaken it to be something else. So I was pleasantly surprised. This was so good. The bread was soft yet held up really well to the filling. The corned beef was salty but the caramelized fontina and the slaw contrasted the saltiness and worked really well together. We both loved it and fought over every bite. haha.

Delicata Squash (roasted with gorgonzola, pepitas, garlic, fresh herbs). 

I had seen Whiskey Cake post a picture of this on their facebook page months ago. I was so happy that they still had it. It was everything I dreamed it would be. The squash was roasted nicely so it was sweet and tender with a slight char. The topping of blue cheese, pumpkin seeds and bread crumbs were awesome. Salty, creamy, crunchy... equals NOM! We fought over this as well.
**Side note: I went for dinner last night and got this again. It's SOOOO good!

It was a fantastic brunch. A great way to start the holiday break. I can't wait for the next time we go back. And I look forward to them changing up the menu again.

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Vegas 2012: Hash House a Go Go

Saturday night we planned on hitting up Hash House a Go Go, a place where EVERYONE told me to go! And I've seen pictures of the food and it looks pretty epic! It made my list for sure!

Hash House a Go Go - Imperial Palace
3535 Las Vegas Blvd S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 254-4646
http://www.hashhouseagogo.com/vegas
Price: $$

They have 3 locations in Vegas with only one on the strip inside Imperial Palace which is currently undergoing renovations to become The Quad Resort. Since we had no car, that's where we went. We arrive around 11:15PM...we were still so full from lunch so it was a super late dinner! The place was pretty empty to my surprise. I wonder if the original location off the strip is busier than that.

There were 3 of us so we got 2 things to share. Of course we had to get the famous Sage Fried Chicken & Waffles (two sage fried chicken breasts with hardwood smoked bacon waffle tower, hot maple reduction and fried leeks) $15.95~ New York Times favorite.

I've seen so many people take pictures of this dish and it looked amazing. Stacked up high full of bacon, waffles and fried chicken. I was very excited to finally try this. However, I wasn't impressed...by the taste. It was as big as I imagined but the waffles were a bit dense and not crispy on the outside. I did like the massive amounts of bacon in the waffle though. The chicken had a great batter and the crispy skin was the best part. The chicken itself was dry and slightly bland. I threw some tabasco on there and solved that problem! :P I mean, it was fine, but after all the hype I was disappointed.

We also got the HH Famous Flapjacks (Blackberry granola) $7.95~ Plus whipped cream +$0.95~ 

I loveee pancakes and this one was soooo good! First of all, it was huge! At least the size of a medium pizza. The flapjack is different than other pancakes I've had before, the texture was a bit more spongey? The granola was my favorite part and they weren't stingy with it. Added a great nuttiness and crunchy texture. Topped with butter, maple syrup and whipped cream... YUM!

I was super stuffed! I wasn't even hungry to begin with. haha. But I definitely ate more than my fair share of the flapjack. We couldn't finish the chicken and waffles though. I wouldn't mind going back in the future to try some other dishes, or to get another flapjack (they have a bunch of different flavors). This location is open until 1AM.

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NYC Apr12: Doughnut Plant

I've seen the Doughnut Plant featured on the Travel Channel so many times now. And every time, it doesn't look any less delicious than the first time I watched it. haha. It was definitely high up on my list of places to visit in NYC. Plus I have friends that also highly recommend it.

Doughnut Plant - In Chelsea
220 W 23rd St.
New York, NY 10011
(212) 675-9100
http://www.doughnutplant.com/
Price: $

I think they have 2 locations in the city? We went to the on in Chelsea which I believe is the newer one. It's not a very big place but it was cute. Decorations of colorful circles and giant donut pillows line the walls, and a giant 4 screen display for the menu items.

These are gourmet donuts. Made with natural ingredients. No trans fats, no preservatives, no artificial flavorings, no eggs. The glazes are made with seasonal fresh fruits and fresh roasted nuts and the jelly fillings are all made in-house.

There's only 2 of us and the donuts are pretty massive but I had to try more than just one!! :P

Peanut Butter and Blackberry Jelly $3.25~

I knew for sure I wanted to try this ever since I saw them make it on TV. I LOVE peanut butter and always thought it was cool that for a filled donut, it still had a hole in the middle and the jelly is piped throughout the donut. Unlike regular filled donuts with just a glop in the middle. This way you get a bit of jelly in every bite. It totally did not disappoint. The texture of the donut was fantastic. Just dense enough but still fluffy. It was full of peanut butter flavor and had a nice change of texture with the chopped nuts on top. I could've liked a bit more jelly but I liked that it wasn't too sweet overall. My favorite of the bunch.

Strawberry (yeast donut) $3~

This was one of their seasonal flavors so I decided to get it. It was good. Same awesome consistency as the PB donut. But not as special. I asked the guys at the counter for recommendations and this is what they suggested... They seemed to be keen on the cake donuts (which normally isn't my favorite.)

Wild Blueberry (cake donut) $2.75~

I love blueberry! In yogurt, ice cream, cakes, breads...it's all good! And the color of this donut was beautiful! A deep rich purple on the outside and blue on the inside and you can see the pieces of actual blueberries. Super moist. It was like eating blueberry pound cake in donut form. A definite winner. It's a close second to the PB!

Toasted Sesame (cake donut) $2.75~

This was good in the sense that you can really taste the toasted nuttiness of the sesame. But overall it was a bit dry. Not the best in the bunch.

They had sooo many other flavors I wanted to try, but I don't think my stomach could handle it. :( Tres Leches, Vanilla Bean, Creme Brulee?? YUMMY!

**Just a side note: The cake donuts were just as good the day after, but the yeast ones got a little harder/drier. So I suggest finishing the yeast ones the same day you buy them!!

I'm so glad we were able to make it there. They are truly delicious. (But...for a truly decadent gourmet donut, Gordoughs in Austin still wins for me. Go check them out if you are ever in Austin, TX.) I would definitely recommend stopping here if you are in NYC. And don't feel bad for ordering some extras so you can try more flavors! hehe :P

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LA!! Onyx Lounge

I found a place on yelp that was only 3 blocks from The Edison. Reviews seemed pretty positive so we decided to walk there and check it out.

Onyx Lounge
118 West 5th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 891-1144
http://onyxloungela.com/
Price: $$

This was a great find! It was a pretty small restaurant/bar and it was packed when we got there so we had to just stand around and wait for a table. The hostess was really nice and said she would let us know whenever a table opens up.

We headed for the bar in the mean time. The bartender greeted us immediately. Wow! You don't usually get that type of service from bartenders...especially when they are that busy. It was a refreshing surprise.

I got a cocktail to share with a friend. Spring St. Smash (Bourbon, blackberry, basil, lemon, sambuca) $11~

This was their signature cocktail. I thought it was so cute in the jar. And it was a pretty large drink! It was yummy too! Similar to the blackberry mojito I had at the Library Bar (not AS good) but still quite fantastic. The sambuca really added another layer of flavor to it. Plus it's so pretty! :)

Trojan (watermelon, gin, allagash white, chili) $11~

Allagash White is actually a beer. I didn't really like this drink...kinda tasted soapy to me.. haha.

We waited quite a while. Seemed like a really happening place so only new people came in but none of the existing customers wanted to leave! haha. The hostess was nice enough to come by and check on us every once in a while. She told us that one table seemed like they were going to leave (but they ended up sticking around until super late...) Eh. BUT...while standing around, I noticed some guy walk in and he looked quite familiar. I asked my friend if he recognizes him. It took us a while to pinpoint where we'd seen him before and finally we did. It was the actor, Lee Thompson Young, who was Cyborg in Smallville, and also had roles in other TV shows such as Friday Night Lights and Flash Forward!! Our first real celebrity sighting!! haha. We approached him and he was super nice. And we got our photos!! Woot! That definitely made the night even better!

Finally we got a table! And we ordered a few snacks for everyone.

Spicy Garlic Fries (herb buttermilk dressing) $6~

OMG! Amazing! Fantastic! These fries were like crack! So freaking addictive. They were fried perfectly, seasoned perfectly with just a dust of chili powder on top to add some spiciness. I can eat these forever!!!

Warm Ricotta Mixed Berry Pancakes $9~

Very delicate, pillowy pancakes. Not your typical dessert but it was very good.

Chocolate Bread Pudding $11~

This dessert was a bit pricey, but it was fantastic! Sorry for the blurry picture. :( The bread pudding was rich in chocolate flavor and the texture was almost like a thick mousse. Super moist and decadent. I wanted to lick it off the plate!

This was a really cool, chill place. I'm so glad we gave it a chance! The decor is nice, the food and drinks were good and the service was really great. Also, they had a live DJ there but the music level wasn't too loud. We were still able to carry on a conversation with our friends. I can see myself chilling there more often if I lived in LA. I wouldn't mind going back to try more of the menu items either!!

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