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Happy New Year Everyone!
Initially I wanted to do a "CHOMP! 2017 Top 5 Best Eats" until I started going through all my pictures and realized there's NO way I can narrow it down to just 5! I mean, c'mon! I've had wayyyy too much good food this year! So now I've split up between Sweet vs Savory, and it's going to be CHOMP! “Top 10” Best Eats. Hehe. :P (And letting y'all in on a secret... I chose "10" because that's the max number of photos I can include on a single post on Instagram. hahaha. All for the gram, amiright?)
First up! The Savory! I chose these places, some for really obvious reason likes "I go there, literally, once a week", and others because it was just very memorable. And tbh I often don't remember what I ate 2 days ago because it's almost always something new and different. haha.
I don't really want to rank these because they are all fantastic in my book, so I will list them by how often I visit them.
1. Pōk (West Village).
I mean... are you even surprised?! I basically went 1-2 times a week for a good 6 months straight. I literally have 20+ folders on my computer of photos from every visit. I freaking love this place and I actually crave it. They have the BEST poke bowls imo, plus the best matcha drinks… My favorite being the Matcha x Coco. I always build my own bowl.
Here's my go-to combination:
- Base: Bamboo Rice + Kelp Zucchini Slaw
- Protein: Salmon
- Sauce: Spicy Ponzu
- Toppings: Edamame, Kale (no longer on the menu, so I switched to Napa Cabbage), Pickled Ginger, Crispy Onions
- Premium Toppings (+$1): Avocado and/or Seaweed Salad
I rarely deviate from this. It's just TOO good! And guess what? I just had it for lunch today!
2. Pōk the Raw Bar (West Village).
I only had the chance to sit in front of Chef Jimmy Park twice at the 5 seater raw bar. I'm sad he's not at Pok anymore... it was definitely the best sushi experience I've ever had other than when I was in Japan. The Omakase/"chef tasting" was freaking amazing. I got to try many things I've never had before. I anxiously await what he's working on next.
3 & 4. Commissary (Downtown).
This place only opened back in November but is already one of my favorite spots. I started going there weekly as well and each visit would cost me around $50 because I just wanted to buy everything! XD Also, most of the time I’m there by myself so I get a lot of stares from other people. It's just me... and a whole table of food. haha. This takes spot 3 and 4 because I love their Rigatoni (pork sugo, parmesan) and their Pulled Pork Sandwich (slaw, pickles, chipotle BBQ) is the BEST I've ever had, no joke.
5. Oni Ramen (Deep Ellum).
I've only been to this location, which is his second. This location only opened back in Sept but I've been there at least 5+ times already. Each time I go, I take new people because it's so good I have to tell everyone! BEST ramen in Dallas, hands down. All the different broths are super flavorful without being super salty. And most of the bowls come standard with a ton of toppings, you rarely have to add anything else, so it's more affordable than a lot of other ramen spots. My current favorite? The Rich Tonkotsu, plus a soft boiled egg. Yum! If you want even MORE flavor? Get the Kyushu Tonkotsu (with black garlic oil).
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| That pork belly tho.... |
6. North Italia (Legacy West).
I freaking love the entire Legacy West center. All the eateries there are fantastic. But I have a weakness for pasta and North Italia has got that down! Every single pasta dish I've had there has been on point. One of my favorites being the Short Rib Radiatori (parmesan cream, fresh horseradish, wilted arugula, herbed breadcrumb). The name for the pasta is just like it's shape! Like an old style radiator! haha. But seriously, can't go wrong with ANY of their pastas.
7. Haywire (Legacy West).
I told y'all I loved this area. Haywire is one of the newest additions, only opened at the end of November. The newest member under Front Burner Restaurants who also own winners such as Sixty Vines, Whiskey Cake, The Ranch in Las Colinas, and more! I was immediately impressed walking in. 3 stories high, each floor is decked out in unique Texas decor, and they have a killer patio (and an Airstream) on the 3rd floor. Not to mention the people here are so nice, I felt so welcomed. And the food? Amazing! My favorite dish right now is the TX Whiskey BBQ Baby Back Ribs... it's off the bone tender and comes with the 2 best sides they have... the mac n cheese and the cornbread. OH the cornbread! It's amazing. I will always order one for myself. They're only a buck each! It's absolutely my favorite thing there. In the span of 3 weeks, I went 3 times. Did I mention that it's about an hour drive for me from home to Legacy West? Worth it!
8. City Hall Bistro (The Adolphus Hotel).
Probably one of the most gorgeous spaces I've seen this year. It's hidden inside the newly renovated, and so beautiful, Adolphus hotel. The food is killer and unique. They change up their menu though so my favorite item is no longer on there... Atayef (savory Lebanese pancake, duck confit, pear, black garlic aioli). But that's ok, because everything else on the menu is also amazing. Pasta game is strong!
9. Mudhen Meat & Greens (Dallas Farmers Market).
I was obsessed with this place for a while. Their food is healthy yet tasty and filling. I don't go as often as I'd like because their weekend brunch gets pretty packed so I have to plan ahead and make reservations. My favorite brunch dish here is the New English Breakfast (two eggs, applewood bacon, chicken sausage, sweet potato mash, roasted heirloom tomato, toast, and dressed arugula). So many colors, flavors, and textures on this plate. And it's pretty healthy too. I never feel heavy or overly full after leaving here.
10. Edith's French Bistro (Mockingbird Station)
This is a hidden gem. I never used to go to Mockingbird Station much because there wasn't a whole lot, but I'm loving this new addition. First of all, one of the CUTEST places, decor wise. And secondly, the food is bomb! I've only been there 3 times but I haven't had anything bad. I especially love their sandwiches. I've gotten a different one on each visit. My favorite being The Pastrami (apple fennel sauerkraut, avocado, white american cheese). I always get the Caesar salad as the side. So freaking good!! Also make sure you save room for dessert. They have a crepe station as well as several cases of cakes and pastries on display.
So many other great restaurants and dishes in 2017... I wish I could include them all. It took me several hours today to finally get it down to 10! And here's to so much more deliciousness in 2018!!!
I'll be posting the Sweets tomorrow! Stay tuned! :)
~~ CHOMP CHOMP ~~
Last week, I had the pleasure of checking out Earls in Legacy West for the first time. I had been hearing great things of the restaurant so I was excited when I was invited to come check out their new Fall Menu. I'm obsessed with Legacy West btw... and I cannot wait for their Food Hall to finally open! So far every restaurant in this area has been excellent.
Earls - Legacy West
7401 Windrose Ave. Suite D100
Plano, TX 75024
(469) 969-2490
https://earls.ca/locations/legacy-west
Price: $$$+
Earls is a Canadian restaurant chain but each location is regionally specialized as far as the menu goes and I believe how they source their ingredients as well. The menu is pretty eclectic... worldly. It ranges from Asian influences, to some Jamaican inspired dishes.
On a Monday night, the place was pretty busy! The decor is warm and dimly lit. Not the best lighting for food bloggers but definitely has a more intimate atmosphere if you want to do date night. But is also good for groups as well.
They started us with some cocktails. Y'all know me... don't really drink. But I sampled 2 of the cocktails.
Charred Jalapeno Margarita (El Jimador reposado tequila, Ancho Reyes, Triple Sec, charred jalapeno, fresh lime) $9~
If you go on Mondays, this is $5 all day! They have some pretty amazing Happy Hour specials btw. AND they have Reverse HH too. Lots of food and drink specials. My friend enjoyed this. It does have a kick to it!
Jasmine (Tanqueray gin, Cointreau, Campari, fresh lemon, peach and black tea bitters) $10.50~ A beautiful cocktail. I liked it but was still too strong for me so my friend helped me drink it. If you like sweet, this is a good choice.
We got a preview of some of their new seasonal items before it rolled out the next day...
Maui Ahi Poke (sesame soy marinated ahi tuna, avocado, mango, with tortilla chips) $13~
A colorful dish. I had to get mine without the mango since I'm allergic, but the mango really added a splash of bright colors. Really enjoyed this. The tuna chunks were large and tender, very fresh. I loved all the veggies in there as well. A great starter to share with friends.
Blackened Swordfish Tacos (two flour tortillas with melted white cheddar, roasted jalapeno crema, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro) $12~ My favorite thing about this? That roasted jalapeno crema!! It definitely made this dish. The fish was a bit tough and dry, but swordfish is generally quite dense.
Warm Kale Salad (black kale, baby potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, cranberries, toasted almonds, brown butter vinaigrette) $16~
This dish typically comes with Grilled Chicken but we got a version without meat, which is fine because I was already getting full. haha. Freaking loved this salad. So many textures and flavors! My favorite part was the roasted brussels sprouts but it was all delicious. Everyone raved about this salad. I don't think I even needed the chicken, but having chicken would definitely make a filling meal. The salad was dressed perfectly, not drowning and not bland. I would totally eat this again.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken (chicken breast in an authentic jerk marinade, glazed with sweet tamarind and seared to a smoky finish, served with coleslaw, dirty rice, and black beans) $20.50~
We got mini versions to sample, thank goodness. Cuz the full portion is huge!! You can totally feed 2 people easily. Love this dish too. Bold flavors, you can really taste the smokiness, and everything worked together so well. The chicken was super tender. I loved the crispy toppings on the chicken too, more texture.
We were stuffed but they were serving us pie. Yaassss! Pumpkin Pie (cinnamon, sugar, chantilly cream) $8~
I thought we were going to get sample portions but no, they basically gave us each a quarter of a pie! Wow. Needless to say I had to take most of it home. It was a good pumpkin pie. I wish the crust was a bit more flaky with crunchy edges, but the flavor itself was great. And loved the whipped cream on top.
It was a great meal. I will definitely go back to Earls to try more things. In the mean time, y'all better get over there to try the seasonal menu items, they won't be around forever! Also shout out to our wait staff, they were all wonderful. Very diligent and accommodating with all the different food allergies in the group. Thank you so much for hosting me, Earls, and welcome to Plano! :)
*The meal was comped but all opinions are my own.*
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Lovers Seafood & Market is officially open for lunch and dinner service, starting Monday 3/6!
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I had the pleasure and honor of being among the group of media and bloggers that got a sneak peek last week before they opened up service to the public. This is the new concept by Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing, the amazing duo behind Shinsei. With names like Rathbun and Fearing, I was so happy that I was actually invited! I've been a big fan forever! Needless to say, they were both there, along with Chef Kent Rathbun! I got a little star struck. hehe. Chef Rathbun actually sat at my table and dined with us for most of the night too. It was great hearing what influence and vision he has for the place in the future.
They've joined with Executive Chef Aaron Staudenmaier, who has been with Chef Rathbun since the beginning of his restaurants. What a great asset! He's cute too. :P Too bad he's married. haha. I'm married too, so I was curious for a friend. :P JK!
Lovers Seafood & Market
5200 West Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 414-9880
www.loversseafoodmarket.com
Price: $$$+
The decor of this place is so much fun. From the wood shingled front door to the crystal decanter lights. Lots of sea foam green and wood to give the ambiance of the sea. They will also be selling fresh seafood that you can buy and cook at home, hence the "Market" part. In addition, there's going to be a raw bar... for those of you who like shrimp cocktails and oysters... get yourself a seat at that bar. It's not a big place so you'll probably want to make a reservation. For reservations call or go on their website.
We had 2 long tables to sit at. Since several of the courses were for sharing, that was a good set up. Plus this way we all get to talk to more people. Once everyone arrived, got drinks, and sat down, Tracy and Lynae gave a short intro, then passed it off to Chef Aaron to give us an introduction on the concept and ideas behind the food. The fish are all flown in and super fresh. They'll feature the freshest catches so be sure to check them out and see what they've got. There's also influences from the teams' various travels... traditional gumbo from New Orleans, or tuna poke from Hawaii. I cannot wait!
To start, we got several things to share at the table.
Dill Pickle Popcorn. This is served at every table as a little pre-meal snack. The seasoning on this was yummy. Never had a dill pickle flavored popcorn.
Ty's Warm Terracotta Pot Bread (black pepper, herb butter) $5~
This is the cutest thing ever and that browned crust looked absolutely mouth-watering. This totally set the tone for the rest of the evening and was one of my favorite bites of the night. The bread was so fluffy, and that crust... oh my! Full of rosemary and garlicky flavors, I pretty much ate a whole one by myself.
Grilled Shrimp Dip (focaccia croutons) $11~
Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip (focaccia croutons) $10~
These are fun to share with a group of people. I really enjoyed the shrimp dip while several others loved the pimento. The focaccia croutons are more like bread sticks. Airy and crunchy. Although I would've preferred more of the terracotta pot bread for these dips. hehe.
Tuna Poke (Ahi tuna, sesame, wakame, cucumber, togarashi) $15~
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I've been obsessed with poke lately. hehe. This was very traditional, like the ones you'd get in Hawaii. Not so much like all the poke bowls we've been seeing pop up around Dallas. The tuna was super fresh. The thin chip was perfect with it, a little added texture. I enjoyed it very much!
Gumbo Ya Ya (chicken and andouille sausage) $7/10~
Loved this gumbo! It was full of meat and flavor. They put Tobasco at the table but it didn't even need it. The gumbo itself had a slight kick to it. The rice was also cooked nicely, great texture. I hate it when rice becomes mushy. Chef Kent Rathbun was telling us that this recipe is straight from New Orleans, can't get more authentic than that.
For the next course we had 2 different Market Fish:
Seared Walleyed Pike (from the Great Lakes). I've never had Pike before. One of the other bloggers said it was her favorite fish. I'm excited to try it. It had a fabulous sear. The meat was very tender as well.
Seared Red Snapper (from Florida Gulf). Sorry... no picture. I liked this one too. The meat was also super tender. It went so well with the side dishes.
Sides:
Charred Broccoli (cajun ranch) $7~ The sauce on that broccoli. Wow. This was also one of my favorite bites of the night.
Brussels Sprouts (malt vinegar, bacon) $9~
I love me some Brussels Sprouts. These were good, but could have even more char. And I never thought these words would come out of my mouth, but there was too much bacon. I actually wished there would be more Brussels Sprouts to bacon ratio. haha. Another girl agreed with me. So... whew! :P
Roasted Poblano Jack Grits $8~
Loved this!! So did everyone else. It was so creamy and buttery. A great side to any entree!
And let's not forget dessert! We were all pretty full, but when they started bringing out the various desserts, it was like our stomachs emptied again. What a spread!
Chocolate S'mores Pie (shaved chocolate, sea salt caramel, graham). Decadent and silky chocolate, toasted marshmallows... Can't go wrong with that.
Vanilla Cheese Cake (seasonal fruit jam). This was my least favorite. It was still good, but with all the other dessert options, the vanilla cheesecake got lost among the other flavors. Without the berries, I found it a little bland. The texture was nice though. Not your typical super heavy cheesecakes.
The "Elvis" (peanut butter banana pie). This was a show stopper. I loved the presentation. The peanut butter cream was actually quite light! And there was a thin layer of chocolate between the cream and the crust. That was a nice surprise. The chocolate was hardened so it added a crunch to the crust. It was delish!
Key Lime Pie (vanilla anglaise dipping sauce). This y'all... was fantastic. I don't usually like key lime pies but I loved this. The flavors were on point. Just the right amount of tart vs sweet. I find that key lime pies typically are wayyy too tart. You can see the flakes of lime zest in there too.
What a fantastic night. Great company and delicious food, what more can you ask for?? And we only got a GLIMPSE of their menu... there so much more to try! This had been one of my favorite media dinners to date. I have to give a shout out to Ariana Hajibashi, from Adastra PR. She's sooooo much fun and definitely made the evening even better. :D Congratulations to the team behind this new restaurant. I think it will be a hit!
*This meal was comped but all opinions are my own.
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**FYI. Their Grand Opening is tomorrow (2/18/17). From 11:30AM-10PM. Complimentary Matcha. Specialty Sake Shots. Raw Bar Teaser.**
I have a new obsession you guys... My favorite new place of 2017. Pok the Raw Bar in West Village. Since discovering it at the end of January, I've been there 4 times in the last 3 weeks. And living in Rockwall and working close to Richardson... this is not a neighborhood that's remotely close to me. However! On the weekends I sometimes go workout in the Highland Park area. I've been taking advantage of that whenever I can! And since I'm working out, I deserve a treat, right?
Pok The Raw Bar
3699 McKinney Ave #306
Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 484-1139
www.poktherawbar.com
Price: $$
This place just makes me happy. From the bright and modern decor to the quality of the food and drinks. They are super busy all the time though, so you gotta be patient. But trust me, it's worth it.
They have a very specific focus: poké bowls and matcha, so they can get the best ingredients and deliver the best quality. Their ingredients are sources from local farmers and the fish is flown in daily. I can taste the freshness in every bowl I've had so far. Their sushi chef is Chef Jimmy Park, originally from Nobu.
They have a small menu... which is good for people like me who can't have too many choices. I would want to try everything! But they also have a BYOB (build your own bowl) option, so you can pick exactly what you want. I've always built my own bowl. I'm slowly working through all the different sauces. Oh btw,everything here is gluten free. :)
First Visit: I got my order to go because I told my husband I would bring some back for him.
While waiting for the food, I started chatting with the bartender, Emilio, and he was giving me info on the restaurant and the matcha. It's sourced directly from Uji, a city in the outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. They actually know the people in the village so they get the matcha powder directly. How much more authentic can you get?!? I also met one of the owners, Francois, who was just super nice! I've seen both of them on every visit so far and it's awesome that they recognize me and I'm able to chat with them. It makes the waiting so much more enjoyable. :)
I got 2 drinks because I wanted to try different things. I had every intention to give one to my husband but I started drinking both while waiting for my food. :P I liked both of them.
The Ceremony (pure whisked matcha) - iced $4~ I don't think I know anywhere else that does pure ceremonial matcha. It's literally water and whisked matcha. I get it unsweetened because I absolutely love the natural flavor of matcha. But if you want some sweetness they add raw honey so it's still super healthy.
Matcha X Coco (coconut milk) - iced $5~ Emilio was telling me that they make their coconut milk and almond milk in house. I got it just barely sweetened so it was still really pure. I loved the light hint of coconut with the matcha. Plus the layers of color were aesthetically pleasing. hehe. Did you know that dairy (cow's milk) negates all the benefits of matcha? I did some research and found out that other milks don't... (soy, almond, coconut, etc.) so I wonder if that's the reason why Pok doesn't offer dairy as an option. Most people think they're getting all sorts of nutritional benefits when they get a typical matcha latte... buuuut it's really just green milk and sugar... XP
Small BYOB $8.95~
Base: Bamboo Rice
Top: Salmon
Sauce: Spicy Aioli
Add Ons: chopped kale, seaweed salad, pickled ginger, micro greens
Large BYOB $12.95~
Base: Bamboo Rice
Top: Tuna
Sauce: Classic Sauce
Add Ons: edamame, seaweed salad, cucumber, pickled ginger
These bowls are absolutely gorgeous! Packed with bright colors and really fresh ingredients. I totally love their bamboo rice which they explained is rice grown in bamboo so it is fortified with extra vitamins and minerals like chlorophyll. And it's green, which makes the bowl even prettier. I fell in love as soon as I dug in. You can taste all the individual ingredients and the quality of it all. I thought the small bowl was quite small but it was surprisingly filling. My husband loved it as well.
Second Visit: I went on a weekday, after a noon workout. I realized it wasn't the best idea since it was super packed and I had to wait quite a while to order and then wait for my food. Oh well, that just means I'll get back to work a little later. haha. But if you are looking for a quick lunch, this isn't it.
This time I got the Matcha X Macadamia (macadamia nut milk) - iced $5.50~ This is the only milk they don't make. But they use the Unsweetened macadamia nut milk from Milkadamia... which comes from free-range trees in Australia and is free of dairy, soy, GMO's and gluten. This was my favorite milk with the matcha so far. It's creamier than the other two and just feels a little more like an indulgence. It also has a light natural sweetness. So no additional sweetness needed for me.
Small BYOB $8.95
Base: Bamboo Rice
Top: Salmon
Sauce: Spicy Yuzu (a mix between Spicy Ponzu & Sweet Yuzu)
Premium: Avocado +$1~
I added avocado this time. It's in the premium add on section which is $1 more. It also adds more substance so I was happily full after I finished eating. I also tried the Spicy Yuzu sauce... which for some reason is only in their Signature Poké Bowls section but not under BYOB. But I requested it. I found out it's basically their Spicy Ponzu plus the Sweet Yuzu sauce. I love yuzu, and you can definitely taste the citrus tang. It just gives it an extra zing to the flavors. Love!
Third Visit: I actually dined in this time. It was a Sunday, I brought a book, and just took my time. I'm glad I wasn't in a rush because they were soooo busy. It took about 20 minutes before I got my food.
I got The Ceremony (pure whisked matcha) - iced $4~ Emilio gave me a double shot of matcha. :D It was amazing. That extra matcha flavor was perfection.
Small BYOB $8.95
Base: Bamboo Rice
Top: Salmon
Sauce: Spicy Ponzu
Add Ons: chopped kale, seaweed salad, pickled ginger, lotus chips
Premium: Avocado +$1~
I went with just the Spicy Ponzu this time and added lotus chips. The chips made for pretty toppings. I also like the additional crispy texture. I really should venture out and try some of the other bases: cauliflower rice, citrus kale, or kelp zucchini slaw, but I just love their bamboo rice so much!
Fourth Visit: I didn't have time to wait for food this time as it was a weekday... but I was in the area so I just stopped by to get a drink. I also found out that for every matcha drink purchased on a Monday in Feb, you get a free class to SoulCycle which is just 2 stores down. Free workout? Heck yea! I went with the
Matcha X Coco (housemade coconut milk) - iced $5~ The drinks are soooo pretty!!
I'm counting the days until I can go back. I can't remember the last time I was obsessed with one restaurant. Yes, it's a little pricey. But for the quality of food, I'll just shut up and throw all my monies at them. hahaha. Plus it's healthy! So that's something right?
If raw fish is your thing... definitely go check them out. And if you love matcha... then you really have to go. This place is legit. And I hope they stick around for a really really long time! :D
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~~ CHOMP CHOMP ~~
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