Spice and Street Food

Generally, I prefer a smaller menu at a restaurant. When I eat somewhere with too many delicious sounding choices, it makes it too hard to choose. I trust a good chef to narrow it down for me. The menu at Spice Street, in University Mall, is not narrow. The menu includes a few choices in many different cuisines, including sushi, Kung Pao, linguine and greek style kabobs. It's quite a menu to process. The benefit to this extensive selection, lies in group decisions. If you're going to dinner with a group of 8 or more (as I have at Spice Street), there's something for every palate. Thursday nights boast half price sushi and $5 martinis. Now, the $5 martinis were fabulous, they have a refreshing and intoxicating array of specialty vodka and gin drinks. However, I cannot judge the sushi because our waitress warned that we would have to wait over an hour to partake in the Thursday night special. This was really frustrating for me, because you should only hold such a special if your restaurant can handle it. That said, some really eclectic dinner choices kept everyone happy and satisfied. The restaurant is huge, and has a really nice patio, something that seems rare around Chapel Hill. It's definitely an enjoyable place to eat, and they have something for whatever mood you're in.

Spice Street

Indian Food: Dallas v. Chapel Hill

In Dallas, we have plenty of Indian restaurants to choose from. There's an entire suburb that has a neighborhood, Valley Ranch, with outstanding and authentic Indian cuisine offered in abundance. My favorite, actually at Knox and McKinney, is Roti Grill. The Kofta Masala is a vegetarian spicy food lover's dream. It's going to be tough to replace. Or so I thought. I recently tried Saffron, a more upscale Indian restaurant in the East 54 complex. The decor is outrageous, and I'm pretty sure it's not exactly authentic Indian food. It is, however, totally delicious. I shared the Nargisi Kofta, Gobi Musslam and Daal Bukhara with two other friends. Everything was very flavorful with sweet and spicy dishes. Dinner was a little pricey, but also much more food than we needed, so we certainly could have done well with less. Indian food is always a good choice for vegetarians and carnivores alike, and no one ends up sacrificing on flavor. So, which Indian restaurant reigns supreme? I'll take either one any time.

Saffron

Roti Grill in Dallas

American Tapas at Humble Pie

It's been a while since my last post, but this recent restaurant adventure has me excited and ready to continue blogging! This last Saturday, some friends and I decided to visit Raleigh, the "big city" about 30 minutes from Chapel Hill. We were going to try Poole's Downtown Diner, but after learning of a two and a half hour wait, we abandoned that plan really quickly. The hostess recommended Humble Pie, an American tapas restaurant nearby. Humble Pie is located in the warehouse district, and is in an old warehouse. The decor is industrial, but nothing to write home about. The food, however, was some of my favorite that I've tried in the Triangle. It's an innovative menu with various tapas plates that range from southern fare (fried green tomatoes) to Asian-fusion cuisine (sesame seared ahi tuna) and even pasta (butternut squashed stuffed conchiglioni). Everything was full of flavor, and Humble Pie definitely experiments with new flavor combinations. Tapas are usually best with a big group, and with three people we tried five different dishes. I want to go back for more! Humble Pie is definitely a restaurant where "the more, the merrier" applies.

Humble Pie

Poole's Downtown Diner (I am determined to review this one soon, maybe I'll have better luck if I go around 6PM)

Chic and Unique: Dinner at Lantern

It's rare that a restaurant lives up to great expectations. Believe me, Lantern actually exceeds them. It's an Asian-fusion-esque restaurant on Franklin street, and has received some of the best reviews in Chapel Hill. I absolutely loved my recent date night there. The atmosphere is hip but clean, with watermelons in the window and heirloom tomatoes in between booths. It's a very small interior and I noticed that everyone who arrived had a reservation. Despite the higher price point and chic menu, Lantern is still a casual place, with some customers in sandals and even cargo pants (oy vey). I had steamed halibut with baby bok choi, jasmine rice and lemongrass. It was light and totally lovely. The flavors at Lantern are definitely innovative, and it's almost like Asian-fusion with accents of Southern flavors. Oh, and did I mention, rumor has it that the owner is married to the head of Arcade Fire's record label? Lantern's cool factor is so high.

Lantern

Merge Records

Shop on a Grad Student's Budget

While I do love the Streets at Southpoint Mall in Durham, I really prefer shopping in small boutiques. Chapel Hill has plenty of cool smaller shops that I can easily spend some cash in. Thankfully, there's Fab'rik. A new friend of mine in law school in Chapel Hill recommended it, so I stopped by the store last weekend in East 54. Every dress, skirt and tank is under $100. The only pieces that rank a little higher on the price scale are the designer jeans, and those I expect to pay more for. I found out online that this is a small chain of stores that are primarily in Georgia, but there's also a location in Austin, Texas! The pieces are fun and flirty, and dresses seem to dominate the inventory. I could definitely find something fabulous for date night. If you're not sure how to pick that out, visit the Fab'rik Files blog, a good source for fashion inspiration.

Fab'rik

Streets at Southpoint

If Design*Sponge Recommends Toast...

The hype surrounding restaurants in Durham never ends. Prior to my move to Chapel Hill I read the Design*Sponge guide, New York Times and many other publications to find the best of the triangle. Often, Durham dining is the highest rated. My favorite spot so far is Toast. This is located downtown in an area called "five points." Parking isn't easy, but it's worth a walk to get to Toast. It's a casual spot with simple decor, you order at a counter and servers bring the food to you. Toast has a great beer selection, including local favorites, and an interesting wine offering. Everything revolves around toasted bread; paninis, crostinis and bruschetta are the staples in the menu. I had a three cheese white truffle panini and the chilled tomato puree soup. It was an amazing combination on a hot summer day. Everything that went out of the kitchen looked fabulous, and despite the simple decor, the plating is well-thought out. My friend and I had a wonderful time, just chatting over our bottle of wine and toasty delights. Toast is a fabulous place for a girls dinner, but could also be a gourmet quick bite.

Toast

New York Times

Design*Sponge

Note: The photo above is from Design*Sponge

Southern Sunday

Sunday brunch is my favorite time of the weekend. Whether you need of a mimosa, a hangover cure or just some fresh breakfast, brunch at Crook's Corner satisfies any brunch need. A friend and I both heard of Crook's Corner without much research, so we decided to try out the small house on the border between Franklin Street Chapel Hill and Main Street Carrboro. Apparently some other friends had heard the same, because they showed up a little later. The menu was small but not simple. We had delicious hush puppies to start (with cocktail sauce, which is new to me). My friend had the recommended Shrimp and Grits, a southern favorite, and I had the Summer Omelette. Both were fresh and just what the doctor ordered. I did see the French Toast go by to another table, and that will certainly bring me back. It wasn't as dive-y as I had thought it would be, but that wasn't an unwelcome surprise. When the weather is nice, I look forward to sitting on the large outside patio. Crook's Corner could definitely become a Sunday staple.

Crook's Corner

Gourmet Shopping

I recently had my first Chapel Hill brunch experience! Some new friends and I ventured to Weathervane, at A Southern Season. Let's start with the restaurant, Weathervane. The atmosphere was cozy, and the food was good, but not outstanding. They have a really big menu for brunch including lunch and breakfast items, and you can't go wrong with a Sunday mimosa!

But the highlight of our Sunday get-together wasn't the restaurant, it was the store that owns it! A Southern Season is like a foodie paradise. Some combination of EatZi's, Sur La Table and a candy store will get you a good idea. A Southern Season has a salad bar and prepared foods that you can take home and eat. It's also a store with a huge selection of wines, spices, chocolates and did I mention cooking utensils? Knives, Cuisinarts and anything else you need to prepare a gourmet meal are all for sale. It was all I could do to get out of there without spending a fortune. Spiced Vosges chocolate and herbal tea were all that I bought this time, but I will come home with more in the future.

A Southern Season

Sur La Table

Vosges Chocolate

EatZi's Blog Post

I Feel Like Lil' Jon

Occasionally, you know you have to visit a bar just because of it's name. That's the reaction I had when I heard about The Crunkleton. I had imagined a dive bar, but I was way off. This fine Franklin Street bar serves some of the best cocktails you can find. Many items are unique, but bartenders also serve up the classics, like a nice Manhattan. The drinks are strong, but most are delicious. I say most because one of my friends was served a red drink that tasted like turpentine. The service wasn't great, but I don't think that the Crunkleton was expecting around 60 MBA students to show up on a Tuesday night around 10:00PM, and only one bartender was on staff. The atmosphere is warm and luxurious, definitely a welcome departure from the bare bones sports bars that make up most of downtown Chapel Hill. For a hot Tuesday, it was a great place to get Crunk.

The Crunkleton

*Note, this post has been edited since the original publishing.

Dessert in Carolina Blue

I think that Sprinkles Cupcakes are the most delicious dessert in all the world. I'm a little sad to live in a city without one. They're always great for any special occasion, and giving one to my dad keeps me on his good side. But back to the point of this blog post, Sugarland in Chapel Hill. I saw this cute little shop on Franklin Street and it's Food Network approved! The cupcakes were delicious with fluffy icing, almost like homemade. They have really original flavors, and the dulce de leche was my favorite. What's best, they even serve beer and gelato, in addition to full size cakes. Several people were walking around town with the gelato and it will be great for warm summer days. I don't recommend the red velvet cupcake if you're a fan of Sprinkles, it doesn't begin to compare. But don't worry, the vanilla cupcakes even impressed my dad.

Sugarland

Sprinkles

What Exactly Are We Trading?

In Chapel Hill, I finally came into contact with the infamous Trader Joe's. Everyone I've met who has been to the place loves it. I, on the other hand, was a little disappointed. First of all, I didn't really have appropriate expectations. I thought that Trader Joe's was sort of like a low rent version of EatZi's. The other night, I was craving an EatZi's salad, and went to Trader Joe's to find one. I was completely wrong. No salad line, no sandwich line. It's basically a cheap grocery store. The store carries a bunch of private branded frozen foods and other processed packaged stuff. They have some produce and a bunch of booze. I bought bananas only to regret my purchase when I saw the beautiful unbruised bunches a few days later at Harris Teeter. The frozen and packaged foods I bought were really good and they have an excellent method for marking their vegetarian items. A plus for me any time. I will definitely go back and with the appropriate expectations, I'll learn to appreciate it more. However, I'll mostly stick to the Teeter, right across the street with lovely bananas and wine openers for when mine break.

Trader Joe's

Harris Teeter

"Underground" is an Understatement

Saturday night, following dinner, the boyfriend and I wandered further down Franklin Street and overheard some live music. That's generally a hit with us, so we decided to investigate. There was just a small door, and stairs that led us underneath the building. It was perfect. The Cave is an ideal little live music spot. There are very few people there, and the bartender tells us that it's the oldest bar in Chapel Hill. The front room housed the band (who was great by the way) and the bar. The ceilings are painfully low, and there are about three booths in addition to a little bit of bar seating. After the band finished, we wandered to the back room. Apparently this is where the regulars hang. Because there's no cell service in The Cave, they're passing around the bar's cordless phone. It's two guys and a girl. One of the guys is at least forty with dirty long blond hair, wearing a Jerry Garcia style tie dye t-shirt, and carrying around a chihuahua. The three are fervently watching a soccer game. There's a few video game machines, and a pool table. I definitely plan to go back, it sounds odd, but I loved it. Everyone ordered the $2 Miller High Life, so I did too! Maybe if I go back enough, they'll let me use the phone.

The Cave

First Saturday on Franklin

Franklin Street is THE place to dine and drink in Chapel Hill. At least as far as I can tell. This weekend, the boyfriend and I tried 411 West, an Italian Cafe that has a sister restaurant in Raleigh. The atmosphere was really lovely, and it had a quaint courtyard in the back for outdoor dining. The salads were super fresh and the pasta was really good. A step above your regular Italian restaurant. I had a lighter linguine with scallops and shrimp. The location was fabulous and we were able to parallel park in front (I've been forced to practice my parallel parking). We even found a good place to drink afterwards, but that's another story... I've mostly relied on the Independent Weekly for restaurant suggestions and it has yet to disappoint. It was romantic and low key, perfect for a first trip to Franklin.

411 West

Independent Weekly

A Southern Irish Pub

And now, Tarheel in High Heels takes its turn to Chapel Hill. I've been here for a few days, but haven't had the internet until now. Apologies for the brief hiatus.

On my first night, the boyfriend and I ventured over to Durham, a full eight miles from my place, to Bull McCabe's. It's a great Irish pub, something that every town has, and that makes everyone feel at home. Granted, I'm not from Ireland, but Dallas was covered in so many pubs that they become staples in the dinner and drinks rotation. Bull McCabe's has great food, including a veggie burger that I loved! I'm guessing there are more vegetarians in the triangle than in Dallas because veggie items are pretty popular on restaurant and bar menus. This pub will be a great place for the boyfriend to watch soccer! The waitresses are super friendly, another symptom of the South. We really wanted to dine in the downtown Durham area, where all of the old tobacco manufacturing facilities are, and they provide a great backdrop for any bar night (I took the photo above). Though there are plenty of pubs in Chapel Hill as well, I think I will be back to Bull McCabe's.

Bull McCabe's

A Less Dangerous Breakfast Than the Cornballer

I am rarely in the mood to cook for breakfast. Yes, homemade waffles are delicious, and cereal is fine, but on the weekend, I want something better that takes no effort on my part. While brunch at the Dream Cafe is delicious, it's an hour long process with waiters that are probably high and too many calories to get a good jump on the day. Enter Benny's Bagels. This neighborhood gem is in Lakewood and is a favorite of mine and the boyfriend. We usually get the veggie bagel with cream cheese. They have tons of different toppings and you can get hot breakfast sandwiches or cold lox and cream cheese. All of the bagels are made in their shop. I love it. It's an easy spot where you order at the counter and get some hot coffee. The guys working there always make some weird joke that I don't get, but that's part of the oddball charm. It's not the most convenient location (particularly if there happens to be a marathon or bike race in town) but it's worth it to drive around all that mess. Best friends venture to Benny's for hot bagels on hangover days. The best breakfast makes you feel better without any stress.

Benny's Bagels

Dream Cafe

If You Need to Buy Me a Gift...

The coolest store off Knox is absolutely Nest. It's a high end home, jewelry and paper boutique. I'm a huge paper geek and their line of stationery, by Bell'Invito, is 100% gorgeous. Lined envelopes and letterpress note cards make a statement in the mail every time. Every set is elegant and unique. In addition to paper, Nest carries chandeliers, bracelets, bags and more Jonathan Adler than you ever knew existed. I love the jewelry that isn't your regular cookie cutter pieces, but sophisticated and whimsical all at once. It's a very chic environment with a wide open room so that you can take in all of the inventory at once. It's situated between Chuy's and Forty Five Ten, just south of Knox on McKinney. If you want to give a statement gift, Nest is the place to find it.

Nest

Bell'Invito

My Bar: Milo's

Selecting a hang out for my last night in Dallas was not a difficult task. The best friend took one look at me and we both knew, it had to be Milo Butterfinger's. Milo's was my favorite bar in my senior year at SMU, and then for the first few years after. The crowd was mostly locals and it was known for catching fake IDs, keeping out the younger kids. My best guy friends taught me the proper form to play darts and I got pretty good. I once came in my Tinker Bell costume and walked around barefoot. Yuck. But my attention span for Milo's waned and I stopped going as frequently. Enter a new best friend from the Carolinas, a kickball league and a reputation for flip cup mastery. Milo's is partially responsible for our unwavering friendship. In the most recent years, I've only been a few times. The blond waitress that served beer while pregnant in the smoke filled bar is still working there, she was there in the beginning. The french fries are still probably the best in town (a title that Milo's shares with Soup & Sandwich). They've made some updates. Instead of a sticky mystery floor, Milo's now has some sort of hotel hallway carpet, and there's no smoking inside. The dart games are still there, along with the other standard bar games. One BFF spent most of the night at the juke box. For 10 of us, the tab was under $100, and we were there from 9 until almost 2. And we had our fair share of drinks. It's a place unlike any other that makes me happier than any where else in town. No matter where I am in life, Milo's never lets me down.

Milo Butterfinger's

Hold the Pickle

Do you ever wonder what happened to the Soup Nazi, from Seinfeld? I have a theory. I believe he went to anger management therapy and ended up at Soup & Sandwich, right here in Dallas, Texas. This little gem in a semi-industrial office park is a Clampitt Paper favorite. It doesn't look like anything from outside, as you can see in the photo. You're almost guaranteed to run into someone in the paper or printing business while you're there. Most likely, my Fort Worth friend. You can pick up a quick bite to eat and you rarely pay more than $6. The guy who takes the orders at the counter is no nonsense and I believe he's the owner. Let's just say that he's efficient. He knows that Lee doesn't want a pickle and that I like mustard and not mayo. The french fries are some of the best in town. And basically, it's just a sandwich place. The sandwiches are on toast like you would make at home. If you're in heels, you're probably the only one. Well, you, me and my Fort Worth friend.

Soup & Sandwich

Hip to be Square

In keeping with my earlier blog post about original Henderson spots, I have to talk about Louie's! It's dark and ugly inside. It hasn't been re-decorated in... well… probably ever. But Louie's has the best pizza in Dallas. The pizzas are thin crust and cut into squares. Everyone knows that square slices taste better (a la Big Al's pizza from SMU days). You can pile on the toppings, or keep it simple. One of my BFFs really loves Louie's for it's simple and fresh Caesar Salad. I have to agree, it's a darn good salad. The tiny dive restaurant is probably the least trendy place on Henderson, and it still smells a little like cigarettes, though you can't smoke inside any more. Families come in, and there are always locals at the bar. And, a little piece of trivia, Louie's was once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network. And if Guy Fieri likes it... okay, don't take his word for it, take mine. Louie's is good.

Louie's

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Two Words: Pomegranate Margarita

I take advice from Maria and Dana at Osgood O'Neil like it's gold. And not just about hair... about food, movies and life in general. The best recommendation that I received from Maria was a restaurant, called Cafe San Miguel. It's down on Henderson, near Louie's and Barcadia. It was there before Henderson became the hot spot it is now. Barcadia was a laundromat. They've since added a patio and valet parking for the weekends. Still, Cafe San Miguel is never crowded. They have some of the most delicious Mexican food I've ever eaten. The Lobster Enchiladas are decadent, The Tacos Pacifico are crunchy fried and the Pomegranate Margaritas perfectly refreshing. It's a great place to start your Saturday night before heading to the bar and club scene that's developed, like the Beauty Bar and Bar Celine. It's not expensive, but not cheap and the service is fabulous.

Cafe San Miguel
Barcadia
Beauty Bar
Bar Celine
Note: Bar Celine is my favorite bar in Dallas right now. More on that later...

I Heart Carbs

Hands down, my favorite restaurant in Dallas is Patrizio, specifically in Highland Park Village. My mom and I ate at Patrizio on one of our first visits to SMU. It's affordable and amazing Italian food. My favorites are the Crispy Goat Cheese appetizer, the Grilled Chicken Salad, the Eggplant Parmesan, and the Tortellini with Sundried Tomato Pesto. I love Patrizio because you can go on a Monday night and wear flip flops and a t-shirt. If you want to dress up for the evening, many of the Highland Park guests are wearing summer dresses and heels on the weekends. The cars in front look like a luxury car show. The patio, in the back of Highland Park Village, is the best in town. It's well shaded, with fans in the summer and heaters in the winter. I don't feel like I'm in the middle of a big city when I'm on the patio at Patrizio. In the wintertime, Highland Park Village covers all of its trees in tiny white lights. The outdoor shopping venue is absolutely breathtaking, and Patrizio is the perfect place to admire the Christmas season. It's my favorite spot for a best friend date night. I've had so many wonderful girl friends through these years and Patrizio has always been a favorite place to split an appetizer, eat a bunch of carbs and catch up over bellinis.

Patrizio
Highland Park Village

The Room is Spinning (and you're not drunk)

In my 10 years living in Dallas, I have never been in the revolving restaurant in Reunion Tower. It's a Dallas landmark, and many of those that eat there are probably tourists. So, I decided to call on the boyfriend to take part in my quintessential Dallas experience. First of all, many of my friends reviewed the new Reunion Tower restaurant, Five Sixty, as over-priced with mediocre food. Fair enough, I didn't necessarily need to eat there, I wanted to see the view and maybe enjoy a drink. The restaurant gets its name from its height, 560 feet in the air. The seating area of the restaurant revolves, giving diners stunning views of Oak Cliff, Downtown, Uptown and everything in between. We had a few of the signature cocktails and an appetizer. If you regularly read my blog, you know that I love people-watching. If you do too, this is an excellent spot. Behind us was a couple with a man who was totally preppy in loafers and polo, and a woman with black hair with white streaks, giant fake jewelry and sky high platforms. Another couple seemed to be on an early date in their relationship, the girl in a tiny black dress and the guy in a suit (both overdressed for the restaurant). Yes, the cocktails were expensive, and we just sat at the bar, but the views were priceless, and helped me remember all of my good memories in various parts of the city.

I have actually been to Reunion Tower once before, but not in the revolving restaurant. My college best friend and I went there with dates for a fraternity formal. They rented out the private rooms, just below the restaurant. The views from inside were okay, but there, you can actually go outside and enjoy the night air with your cocktail and the view. It was, like my recent date night, one of those unforgettable Dallas moments.

Five Sixty
Reunion Tower

Hipster Date Night

Greenville Avenue is a part of Dallas that's lost its luster since my time at SMU. Sororities and fraternities would rent out the bars on Lower Greenville for parties, and the Cavern was my favorite random music venue. Now, crowds frequent Uptown, and Henderson. There is still one location on Greenville that I will always love, The Libertine. This bar/restaurant is the ultimate hipster spot. The bar features local and unique beers, while the menu is anything but bar food. Friday, I had the shrimp and grits. The mussels (a staple in hipster cuisine) are an absolute favorite. The people watching is fabulous, but it's not so hip that you feel unwelcome, or out of place. Handle bar mustaches, multi-colored tights and loads of body art are each part of the uniform for The Libertine's patrons. There's plenty of parking because, frankly, Greenville Avenue isn't what it used to be. At least The Libertine can still draw a crowd.

The Libertine

A Fashionable Lunch

I love Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas. There's something alluring about it. Maybe it's the urban location, the height of the escalators, the bridal boutique or the Zodiac Room. I had never actually eaten at the Zodiac downtown until this weekend. It's elegant and luxurious. Each diner receives a signature popover with strawberry butter and a tiny cup of chicken broth. It's a truly decadent experience. I wanted to taste everything, but I settled on the deconstructed tuna salad sandwich. It was full of flavor, and looked as beautiful tuna salad can. Of course I made a short pit stop on the first floor in women's shoes (there's a pair of Pedro Garcia wedges on sale!) and did a little browsing around the Contemporary floor. My mom used to shop in Neiman Marcus downtown when she lived here and worked in the city, almost 30 years ago! It's a don't miss Dallas experience.

Zodiac Room

In Love With Lovers Lane

For those of us that can't stand NorthPark mall on a Saturday, or one more store that sells Theory, boutiques are a savior. I all but lost faith in independent shops since Kacky & Karl closed its Uptown store a few years ago. But do not despair, I have found salvation on Lovers Lane. Funny enough, it's not far from SMU, though I never visited these well-respected shops the entire time I was in school. The exact locale is between Preston Road and the Tollway on Lovers. The traffic is terrible, that's how you know you're in the right spot. Elements is a Dallas staple. The high end store carries designer brands and unique pieces that you won't find in department stores. Their belts are to die for. Next door (actually connected to Elements) is Elle, a great place for slightly less expensive but still unusual choices. Great jeans. Across the street, you'll find Mine and Hemline. Mine is a modern store while Hemline is a little more traditional. Now, none of these options are particularly "bargain," but new to the street is Strut. This boutique mainly focuses on shoes but also carries tons of jewelry and clothing, and has great prices. I believe it's out of Austin. While recently shopping there, I bought a pair of flats for twenty-seven dollars. Nothing I touched was more than sixty.

Lovers Lane is not only for the clothing obsessed, it's also the home to Stella Dallas, a fabulous and unique furniture store that is small, but can order anything you need. The pieces are kind of girly, and many are from New York designers. Love! The store has a few jewelry items and luxurious paper goods. I'm definitely into over-priced paper goods. That's not sarcasm. I have the yellow stripe throw pillow in the photo at left.

Frankly, I do love Theory and it's available on Lovers Lane too. If you go a little too far down Lovers, almost to Inwood, you find Neiman Marcus Last Call. This is not like a regular outlet shop. It is small, well-organized and supremely well stocked with all of my favorite brands from the department store. I should never have to pay full price for denim ever again.

Elements/Elle
Mine
Hemline
Strut
Stella Dallas
Neiman Marcus Last Call

Golf Carts, TexMex and Purple Beer. Fort Worth!

I rarely venture out of the bubble in Dallas (that's 75 to Inwood, NW Highway to downtown) but I do have an amazing friend in Fort Worth. So last night we decided to mix it up in Cow-Town! We started the evening with the coldest beer in the metroplex at Angelo's BBQ restaurant. Since I'm not a carnivore, we didn't stay for dinner. However, the smell was amazing and I may have had a taste of the brisket. For dinner, we moved on to La Familia, a TexMex Fort Worth institution. Inside, they serve very cold beer, and you get a choice of soup with your entree. My Fort Worth connection promises me that this soup helps prevent hangovers. I felt pretty good today so she must be right! Finally, we ended the night watching the Mavs play at Rock Bottom. No, not the brewery chain, but a cool bar in the TCU area. They even serve purple beer! I tried to order one, but unfortunately they were out of the dye. Apparently it's just Miller Lite. Since my friends live so close to the TCU scene, they often take a golf cart out on the streets to enjoy the lovely summer nights. That's a trend I could definitely get into. Maybe I can start it in Chapel Hill...

You may be wondering why I'm chattering about cold beer. It's because my Fort Worth connection has a blog of her own, all about the best places for cold beer. Check it out: The Warmest Beer I Ever Had Was Warm

Angelo's BBQ
La Familia
Rock Bottom

For Sushi & Cheeseburgers

Everyone in Dallas is wild about Houston's (now called Hillstone), and it's actually part of a chain of restaurants that diners around the country love. As much as I like Houston's (it will never be Hillstone to me), the atmosphere and smaller menu at R+D Kitchen really lure me in for dinner time and time again. The menu is quite eclectic. For example, I can order sushi and the boyfriend can order a cheeseburger. They also have meatloaf, and deviled eggs. The best appetizer is the dip duo featuring guacamole and cold queso. Yes, cold queso is a little weird at first, but totally delicious once you're used to the concept. It's a great spot to spy some Highland Park cougars sitting at the bar together. I can't barely stand the unreasonable wait for dinner at Houston's, and the wait is never as long at R+D Kitchen. I can't understand why.

R+D Kitchen
Hillstone (aka Houston's)

Music, Wine and Quite a View from the Belmont

There are a few items still on my Dallas "bucket list." This is a list of all of the things in Dallas I need to do before moving. One of those, was Barefoot at the Belmont. This concert series at the Belmont Hotel takes place by the pool, with the grandest view of downtown Dallas I've ever seen. The Belmont is a great place for drinks and apps, and they have a fabulous restaurant called Smoke next door. It's particularly nice for carnivores as it's an upscale BBQ joint. But back to the concert. Last Thursday night, Jason Isbell and Maria Taylor played small acoustic sets. The sun was setting, it wasn't too hot and just behind the musicians was downtown. Everyone sits in lawn chairs or directly on the grass, so it's a comfortable and relaxing place for a great date. The boyfriend and I went and really enjoyed sitting next to each other, drinking white wine in a plastic cup, and listening to the music. It's amazing to see how the skyline of Dallas has grown. It's really non-stop all the way to Cityplace, when just a few years ago there were hardly any large buildings north of Woodall. It really got me thinking, as Dallas has grown, so have I. Maybe now I've outgrown Dallas, as it has outgrown the boundaries of downtown into uptown, through Oak Cliff and beyond Frisco. I tell you, this evening was just about perfect, and I'm so glad I didn't neglect Barefoot at the Belmont on my bucket list.

Barefoot at the Belmont
Belmont Hotel
Smoke
*Note, this photo is not of the show that I attended, but of the King Bucks show

The Drama that is EatZi's Lunch

There is one place in Dallas that you either love or hate. That place is EatZi's. It's a delicious restaurant/market where you can take home pre-made meals, build your own sandwich or salad, or even just pick up a great bottle of wine and some fine cheese for a party. I love EatZi's. There is no better salad than the one that I build with their chefs. The sushi is always fresh. The people watching is always hilarious. There are sorority girls in Juicy sweats that look like they just woke up at 2 in the afternoon, and trendy business women there for a quick lunch on the go. Chances are good that you'll see someone you know, so put on a little make-up. So who would hate this amazing food experience? The boyfriend, for one. EatZi's is a popular spot, the parking lot is a dog-eat-dog experience, and the lines can be absurd. All are worth the struggle if you have a little time to kill. If you are in a hurry, I don't recommend EatZi's on Oak Lawn between noon and 12:30 on weekdays. I'm particularly fond of the new EatZi's on Lovers Lane for lunch. The location at Lovers and Inwood is the perfect spot right between Elements, Mine and Neiman Marcus Last Call. But more on those another time. Generally, the crowd is very Highland Park student, or Preston Hollow mom, so I'm also less likely to run into someone after a workout, and the atmosphere is a little more laid back.

EatZi's

Lions, Tigers & Penguins

For Memorial Day, the boyfriend and I decided to visit the Modern Museum of Art in Fort Worth. Unfortunately, it was closed. So instead we went to Fuzzy's Tacos and The Fort Worth Zoo. I had never been to the FW Zoo, but it definitely lived up to expectations. The zoo had all the big ticket animals, lions, tigers, zebras, and penguins. It also has an excellent exhibit called the Museum of Living Art. The main focus of the MOLA is amphibians, reptiles and insects. The insects, I don't care for, but the the reptiles were fascinating. I feel bad saying this, but there was definitely a snake that I would love to make some shoes out of. Don't worry, it was venomous and wasn't endangered! Even in the hot hot Texas Summer, the FW Zoo has plenty of shade, and Dippin' Dots to keep you cool.

If You're Not Into Running...

The Katy Trail is a big perk for people living in Uptown. This 5 mile or so long pathway is designed for bicyclists, runners and other outdoor workout enthusiasts. But I'm not one of those people. I've never found a reason to really cherish the Katy Trail. I prefer workouts indoors, I'm seriously allergic to outside, and the bicyclists scare me when I'm trying to walk down the Trail. Now, there's a reason for me to love the Trail, the Katy Trail Ice House. A wonderful joint for beer, burgers and queso, the Katy Trail Ice House has a large outdoor area full of picnic tables in the sun and shade. You can arrive via the Katy Trail, or valet parking, a necessary feature for any successful bar in Uptown. I like the ice cold beers in large goblets, and food is pretty good too. It's just a great place to enjoy a hot summer day with friends. With a large selection of beer, wine and food, there's something for everyone, including Jason Garrett, who we spied today. Don't wear your heels though, the entire outdoor area is gravel, and most people are in tennis shoes.

Katy Trail Ice House
Jason Garrett

Dear Lovers of Patios and Cocktails

The big food movement of the moment is buying local ingredients, like cheeses, and vegetables in particular. No restaurant has embraced this concept and stayed as stylish as Bolsa. Located in Oak Cliff (not the scary part), Bolsa is a landmark in the area. The restaurant lures diners from all around the metroplex, including those in the far north suburbs. It's the very first restaurant I tried in Oak Cliff, in fact. The dinner menu can change as often as daily, in order to provide only the freshest foods to customers. And the restaurant has a fabulous array of cocktails! Friends and I have enjoyed many a beautiful hand-crafted Bolsa cocktail on hot Dallas summer afternoons. The patio is gorgeous, and the interior is actually an old converted garage. Little cacti are planted in electrical sockets, furthering the industrial vibe. It's a great place for any foodie, design lover, or fan of beautiful patios.

Bolsa Dallas

Happiness is Expensive

If I could live in a store, it would be Forty Five Ten. It's the most fabulous store in Dallas. It's located at 4510 McKinney Avenue (hence the name) just about a block from my place. The ultra-high-end store carries the most elegant clothes, unique jewelry, and glamorous home goods. I've only bought one thing in Forty Five Ten, a book for the best friend. I did notice a pre-sale going on, so maybe I'll go back for a pair of Givenchy grommet booties or a Rag and Bone kit tank. However wonderful the shopping may be at Forty Five Ten, my favorite aspect is the restaurant, the T Room. Located in the back of the shop, they serve only four things, soups, salads, quiches and panini sandwiches. You can mix and match any item on the menu to come up with the combo that's just right for you. Like an infinitely more fabulous version of Panera Bread. All of the sandwiches are like different versions of a grilled cheese. For a semi-vegetarian this is the ideal menu. All are reasons why I love Forty Five Ten. Feel free to weigh in on my potential purchases below.

Forty Five Ten
Givenchy Grommet Shoes
Rag & Bone Adair Tank

Jinbeh, Home of the Creamy Crunchy

Before my brief stint as a blogger/stay-at-home-girlfriend, I worked for Dallas-based Clampitt Paper Company. Because it's in a weird industrial part of town, I relied on co-workers to introduce me to good lunch places. A staple in the Clampitt Paper diet is Jinbeh, in Las Colinas. It's close to Clampitt's warehouse, and has its own parking garage. Parking is key. The main reason to eat at Jinbeh though, is the Creamy Crunchy Roll. It contains salmon, cream cheese and probably some other things, tempura fried on the outside and then covered in little fried bits and eel sauce. My last day at work, I wanted to go to Jinbeh. For Andrew's birthday, Jinbeh. Taking someone new to Clampitt out for lunch, let's go to Jinbeh. There's never a wait and servers refill your diet coke quickly. We would know. My group drinks a lot of diet coke. If you're in the area, definitely go for the Creamy Crunchy at Jinbeh. Other sushi restaurants, take note, and maybe come up with your own version of this fabulous treat, I'll definitely eat at your restaurant.

Clampitt Paper Company
Jinbeh

Osgood O'Neil (aka, Hair Heaven)

For the last 5+ years, I've gone to Maria and Dana at Osgood O'Neil Salon, for hair color and styling, respectively. My hair has never looked better, and I trust them with my life! I refer everyone to both of them. If you're looking for the best blond highlights in Dallas, this is where to go! I know all about Maria's baby girl, Andrea. I can't wait to try a yoga class with Dana's "yoga boy" at Lifetime at Premier Place. Angie, at the Snider Plaza location, has also colored my hair, and is one of the best colorists they have! And her husband works with the boyfriend, we keep it in the family. They've all become great friends of mine, really. Beyond the best colorists and stylists, Osgood O'Neil carries the best products. I'm a little obsessed with Hair Products, and Shu Uemura and Davines are the keys to my hair confidence. So maybe I have a few too many of these products and three different types of shampoo in my bathtub. It's all part of the system! Current favorites are the Muroto Volume Amplifying Shampoo, Liquid Fabric Mineral Texture Spray (both from Shu) and the No 1 Finest Oil Non Oil for Wizards from Davines. Thankfully, I've already found a salon within walking distance of my new place in Chapel Hill that carries the Shu products. Let's hope their stylists can live up to the Osgood O'Neil standards.

Osgood O'Neil Salon, Dallas

Caju Salon, Chapel Hill

Shu Uemura

Davines

The Curry Clay Pot

There are few dishes I love as much as the Shrimp Curry Clay Pot, from Mai's Vietnamese Restaurant. Mai's was voted Best Vietnamese restaurant in Dallas by the Dallas Observer. The Curry Clay Pot is the dish they feature. Admittedly, the first time I went to Mai's, I ordered something other than the Clay Pot, against the boyfriend's recommendations. Ever since then, I have always ordered the Curry Clay Pot. Last night, in fact, I introduced some friends to Mai's, and some ordered the Clay Pot, some didn't. Those that did were completely happy. Of those that didn't, at least one wished he had the Clay Pot. So what makes this dish so delicious? The curry sauce comes with the spicy-ness level that you like, it's not too sweet, and the rice on the bottom of the pot is a little burned, and crispy. As you mix, you find more layers. It comes out bubbling hot. I also like that the Mai's website acknowledges the sketchy neighborhood. It's the type of place that my friends are surprised to learn that I would ever eat in. That's how good the Curry Clay Pot really is.

Mai's Vietnamese Website

Read the Dallas Observer Review

The Summit Belcourt

That's the original name of the apartment building where I currently live. Now, it's the AMLI Knox Henderson, but to me it will always be the Belcourt. I've lived here on and off for about 8 years. That's a long time in apartment living. I've lived in three units. I've drank more than my fair share of Boone's Farm here. I've even used the basketball court once or twice. Once, a few boys I know were making "punch" for a frat party and they ended up setting their place on fire. Luckily, the Belcourt has an excellent sprinkler system. This apartment building has been my true home here in Dallas, and I think I'll miss it even more than I'm anticipating.