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.