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Part 2 of my Barley & Board experience.
I could not stop thinking about the amazing experience we had back in Feb. Especially that burger!! Plus we had gotten there too late to partake in their Sunday brunch menu. So for my birthday this year, my only wish was to go back and have brunch. I had been on a month long diet all of March to prep for the wedding, but for my birthday (4/2), I made an exception and Barley & Board was what I wanted. I also really wanted to take my then fiance to try this place...cuz I can't stop talking about it. haha.
Barley & Board
100 W Oak St.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 566-3900
http://barleyandboard.com
Price: $$-$$$
I connected with Narciso and he said they were happy to have us come out again. He was there at the restaurant to greet me, and I even got to meet Jason Lee (one of the investors). Yes, the Jason Lee, the actor. He was super nice and chill. Just having brunch with his family in a corner booth. How cool!
We didn't go AS crazy with the ordering this time, but still ordered enough to feed a family of 4. hahaha.
He got the Sarah Brown (vodka, kahlua, maple syrup, half & half) $8~ It was yummy. Like a White Russian, but with maple syrup. It's a great brunch drink. And it matches their plates (which I totally love)! Thought that was fun.
Truffled Portobello Fries (mustard aioli) $10~ This was amazing! Super thick cut portobello fried to perfection. Can you believe this was just ONE portobello cap?!?! Them and their giant produce! haha. We wanted to finish the whole plate but had to remind ourselves that this was the first dish. hahaha.
Kind of Blue Pancake (blueberry, lemon maple, with homemade whipped cream) $12~
Narciso highly recommended this. I can't say no to pancakes. I love them. This blew our minds. Both the presentation and the flavor. This was literally a pan "cake". It was over an inch thick, sitting in a lemon maple syrup and topped with a mound of homemade whipped cream. It was so epic we could not stop staring at it. Even tables next to us were staring at it. haha. And it was so good. Nice and fluffy, I felt like I could eat the whole thing. I didn't... but I could've. :P That syrup was bomb. When they boxed up the leftover pancake, we asked them to pack us some extra syrup.
Mi Masa (masa corncake, chorizo, sunny side up egg) $12~ Another pretty dish. I love it when restaurants stack food. I realized I'm not a fan of masa tho. I've only had it a few times but it reminds me of corn tortilla, which I don't like. But the other parts of the dish was good. And it was some serious #yolkporn!
I thought their brunch items were reasonably priced. Their menu has a good range of prices. They have a lot of options under $15 each, but also has dishes around $30 a plate or so.
Sweet Pig & Angry Bird (half rack ribs, brazen quail, slaw, b&b pickles) $28~ They had just added this to the menu. I definitely wanted the quail again and this way I get to try the ribs too. The quail was great. It's good that they are consistent with their quality. It was too spicy for my fiance so all for me! :D The ribs were great. Nice and tender. And those pickles!!!!!!!!!!
B&B Burger (sweet onion, b&b pickle, house sauce, american cheese) $12~ Can't come to Barley & Board and not get their burger. It's just like I remembered. My fiance bit into it and said I didn't exaggerate on how good it is. Don't believe me? Go try it for yourself!
Another successful visit. We were stuffed and had a lot of leftovers for the rest of the weekend. Our waiter was awesome and took care of us well. Again, the meal was comped... Happy Birthday to ME! But we gave a nice tip. Sigh, if they were closer I'd make monthly, or even weekly visits. So jealous of Denton right now! XD
I love you, Barley & Board!
Quality of Food:
Service:
Ambiance:
Value: *comped*
Overall Experience:
~~ CHOMP CHOMP ~~
Every time I go to NYC, I have to have Shake Shack. It's a MUST. It is absolutely amazing and you totally have to go. And now there's one in Austin, TX and we're getting one in Dallas next year!! I'M SO PSYCHED!!!
Their burgers are so freaking good. It's not gourmet with all the added frills and thrills but it's a solid, legit burger. The quality of the ingredients, the flavor, the way the buns hold up to all the inside components. Mmmmmmm!!! I'm drooling as I'm writing this. I miss it. I want one right now!
I planned to hit up Shake Shack our first day there. He's never had it before. So if he likes it, then we'll have time to get it at least once more before leaving. And why wouldn't he love it?? Everyone does. He was skeptical of the hype, just like I was before I tried it. But after the first bite, he loved it just as much as I do! :P
We went to 2 locations.
First is at:
Shake Shack
154 E 86th St.
New York, NY 10028
(646) 237-5036
www.shakeshack.com
Price: $
2nd one was inside Grand Central Terminal in the downstairs food court (which you should check out anyways cuz there's lots of good stuff there.)
Here's how it works... You (usually stand in line), then order at the counter, then find a table. They give you a buzzer to pick up your order when it's ready. There's always a line, but it usually moves quickly. One word of caution... their bathrooms are not the nicest, and bathrooms in NYC are pretty limited. XP
First time:
He got the Shack Burger (cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato and Shack Sauce) Single $5.19~
Loved it! Just a simple, yet amazing, burger. All the ratios are properly done from amount of meat to bun to sauce. Every bite is awesome.
I got the 'Shroom Burger (crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato and Shack sauce) $6.99~
This is vegetarian. My personal favorite. I never get the other ones because this one is just so great. Cheese, stuffed inside a portabello and then fried?? As I bite into it, the cheese oozes out. YUMMERS~
Crinkle Cut Fries $2.95~
Their fries are so good! A wonderful pairing to any of the burgers. And everything is made to order so they are all as fresh and hot as can be.
Black & White Concrete (vanilla and chocolate ice cream with brownie bites and cookie dough) $3.50~
I got a concrete last visit to Shake Shack, but I guess I forgot which one we got... cuz this wasn't it. It was still good though. The concrete is pretty rich. And I ended up eating most of this because he didn't care for the chocolate side. FULL!!
Second time:
Grand Central Terminal
All 3 of us got a Shack Burger (cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato and Shack Sauce) Single $5.19~ I figured I had the 'Shroom already so I should get the regular burger. Sooooo tasty. But the 'Shroom is still my fav.
He also got a Root Beer Float. The first time we went my friend said her go to combo is always Shack Burger, fries, and a root beer float. And my fiance loved that combo, so decided to get one for himself this time. It DOES pair wonderfully.
We had been eating non-stop for 3 days now, so we didn't get any fries. Although, after I finished my burger, I actually contemplated getting another. They are THAT good.
Oh man... I miss it so. I really hope the one in Dallas will be just as good. I CANNOT WAIT! :D
Quality of Food:
Service:
Ambiance:
Value:
Overall Experience:
~~ CHOMP CHOMP ~~
We went to NYC during Memorial Day weekend. It was my fiance's first time there. His sister lives in Brooklyn and I've actually gone to visit her (2 years ago) before he has! :P
We were there from Thurs-Sun. When I booked the trip, I didn't realize it was Memorial Day weekend! Otherwise I would've stayed longer. Although, after all the eating we did, it's probably a good thing that we didn't stay longer. haha. XD
I'm going to post about our 3 full days there separately, so I can give you an idea of what my vacations are like... or "foodcation" as some call it. :P Then I will individually go into detail about the different restaurants later. So... get ready for the
CHOMP! Food Tour: NYC Edition!
THURSDAY: Day 1.
We were on our own since everyone was working. We checked into our Airbnb apartment and went off to a breakfast/early lunch.
Okonomi
150 Ainslie St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
www.okonomibk.com
This place just so happened to be a 15 min walk from our apartment. Woot! During the day they serve a Set Breakfast/Lunch $15~ There is no menu, and very limited options. It's a very traditional Japanese style meal with smaller portions, very clean and light eating.
We were served Hot Tea to start.
For our entrees we got to choose from their Fish of the Day: Tuna Belly, Blue Fish Collar, and Blue Fish something else... And each dish comes with sides of Bok Choy with Tofu Sauce, Baked Egg, Pickled Vegetables, Miso Soup, and Brown Rice. Then... you can add the Uni with Poached Egg +$6~
I got the Tuna Belly.
We both got the uni with poached egg. You make a well in the rice, pour the mixture in, and mix it all together. Deeeelicious!
He got the Blue Fish Collar. A pretty decent size. Also yummy.
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We met up with a friend sometime in between, and had some matcha lattes from Cafe Jax on the UES (upper east side). I forgot to take a picture!
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Then we had a late lunch with more friends at Shake Shack!!!! One of my favorite spots. He's never been, and was skeptical of my hype. But he loved it just as much as me! :P
Shake Shack
154 E 86th St.
New York, NY 10028
Shack Burger (cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato and Shack Sauce) Single $5.19~ My fiance got this. Loved it! Just a simple, yet amazing, burger.
'Shroom Burger (crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato and Shack sauce) $6.99~ This is vegetarian. My personal favorite. YUMMERS~
Crinkle Cut Fries $2.95~ Their fries are so good!
Black & White Concrete (vanilla and chocolate ice cream with brownie bites and cookie dough) $3.50~ I ended up eating most of this because he didn't care for the chocolate side.
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So... going to NYC, I already had a huge list of places to eat. But everyone we talk to had their own recommendations. So my friends insisted we check out this place.
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard St.
New York, NY 10013
(212) 608-4170
www.chinatownicecreamfactory.com
I hadn't even heard of it. Seriously... one of the best ice creams of our lives.
Almond Cookie & Pandan (2 scoops) $6.99~ Where else can you get these flavors?! And the combo of these 2 was magical.
Black Sesame (1 scoop) $4.35~
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Went back to Okonomi for a late dinner. It becomes Yuji Ramen at night. And they only do ramen during dinner, M-F only.
Okonomi/Yuji Ramen
150 Ainslie St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
www.okonomibk.com
Sashimi Plate (blackfin tuna, boston mackerel, porgy) $24~ Porgy is a small red snapper. It came with 2 condiments: Kosho...kind of a spicy yuzu relish, and fish roe sauce. Super fresh. Kosho is awesome! I've never had it before.
Bacon and Egg Mazemen (brothless ramen with meat hook bacon, onsen egg, kale, bonito flakes) $15~ Add cheese +$1~
Kaisen Hiyashi Chuka Mazemen (brothless; chilled noodle, squid, boston mackerel, porgy, clam lip, sweet vinegar soy, sesame) $18~
Ankimo Miso Ramen (creamy monkfish liver broth, torched whelk, arugula) $17~
3 of us shared everything. It was more than enough since we ate all day. Their ramen and mazemen is not to be missed!
I highly recommend EVERYTHING we had today. If you click on each restaurant name, you can see the full review!!! :)
~~ CHOMP CHOMP ~~
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