A Girl. Her Food. And a Blog.

Chubby Cow

caro — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:14:15 +0000

Oh little Food Diary, how I’ve neglected you so.

A few weeks back a friend and I decided to try out the new restaurant in Rockwall called THE FATTED CALF. It was super busy and we had a 30-minute wait. We didn’t mind because we had a plethora of topics to discuss…and that we did!

Where: The Fatted Calf-Rockwall, TX

What: The Granola Pancakes with Sausage// A sweet Potato Pancake// 2 Egg Breakfast with Applewood Smoked Bacon

All this stuff was shared between my friend and I. We each wanted to try those pancakes and man did they NOT disappoint. I am one who happens to be a pancake LOVER and am not easily impressed. But I have to say, these are probably my favorite pancakes I’ve had in the Dallas (area) thus far, with the ones from The All Good Cafe at a close second. I know, I have many a more pancake to try, but for now, these are THE BEST!

I am currently going through a massive sweet potato phase, so when I saw these on the menu, I HAD TO STUFF MY FACE WITH THEM IMMEDIATELY! Serious pancake goodness happened that day my friends…SERIOUS!

So if you’re ever out EAST in Rockwall or thereabouts (I know for some of you that’s practically Tyler, ha!) and are in need of a good pancake…GO HERE!

That is all.

Just a Shot of Whiskey

caro — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:34:10 +0000

I’ve been wanting to try Whiskey Cake for a hot minute. Last Saturday on the way up to IKEA, we spotted it off the Tollway. We had already decided to head back down to Bishop Arts for lunch and once we saw how convenient it would be to stop at Whiskey Cake, that’s what we did. It was a wise choice my friends.

Where: Whiskey Cake- Plano, TX

What: The “OMG” Burger// Hanhna’s BBQ Bahn Mi// Hot Pastrami Melt// THE Whiskey Cake

This burger absolutely lived up to its name. OMG, it was good! If you love burgers, this is one to try! It was juicy and packed with flavor. The meat patty was just perfect. I wish I had better descriptors, because there just aren’t words, really.

The Bahn Mi was just OK. The bread was stand out as it should be in this type of sandwich. I think I didn’t really care too much for the pulled bbq pork in it. I love the traditional Bahn Mi too much, that I would have preferred it instead. But tablemates were impressed and loved the conglomerate of flavors going on. All in all, a solid/flavorful offering.

I love pastrami paired with the sourness of sauerkraut AND I also happen to love Rye bread. I can’t imagine this sandwich being to most people’s liking, but if you enjoy the aforementioned, this is a GOOD one!

And the grand finale…the namesake of the restaurant…the WHISKEY CAKE. I don’t LOVE desserts so I don’t feel a good judge of them. But, I will say that the flavors were really good together. I usually don’t care for a “wet” cake, but call me a lush because this bourbon drenched chocolate cake wasn’t bad at all. Tablemates were making all kinds of uncomfortable “oooing & awwing” noises, so I’m assuming they thought it was the shizz.

The thing about this place is that it serves up quality farm to table food all from local providers and delivers it in a very approachable & comfortable “neighborhood eatery” kind of way. What I mean by “neighborhood eatery” is those places that most suburban families choose to frequent on any given day for a meal. You know, the Chilis’, Aplebees’, Olive Gardens etc & so forth. While we were there on Saturday afternoon it was full of mostly families with childrens running around.

In conclusion, it’s higher quality food/drinks for the sweat pant & t-shirt crowd. For you location snobs, it’s definitely worth the drive up the Tollway.

Catch-Up: Snuffers Cheese Fry Love

caro — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:40:49 +0000

Tanya & I doing our usual. Only this time she was dying to have Snuffers cheese fries and insisted we go there. I, being the “true Dallasite” that I am, had never been there, ever! Please note the sarcasm in “true Dallasite”.

Where: Snuffers-Dallas, TX (Highland Park Village location)

What: CHEESE FRIES

It was nothing short of delicious. A for sure heart attack moment, but delicious nonetheless. It was adorable how Tanya lovingly showed me how to properly eat these fries. She is very well versed in this art and I’m most appreciative that she shared it with me.

Meeting for “Coffee”

caro — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:14:53 +0000

On Saturday I met a friend deep in the heart of the gayborhood and of course eating was involved. We were supposed to only be meeting for “coffee”, but food was being served and I was suddenly very hungry, shock!

Where: Buli Cafe- Dallas, TX (Oak Lawn Area)

What: Southwest Shoot-Out Panini

This was the most darling presentation I’ve ever seen. I mean, throw back, tin school lunch boxes? Ughhh, precious! Mine came in one of the Ironman variety.

The panini came accompanied by baked veggie chips and an apple…healthy for-the-win!

Here is the description of the panini I ordered: Spicy Grilled Chicken, Roasted Red Peppers, Cream Cheese, Spinach, Tomatoes & Apricot Habanero Chutney on Ciabatta Bread.

Read that over one more time and tell me that doesn’t sound delicious! What? You don’t think so? Hmm….

The star of this sandwich was the apricot habanero chutney combined with the cream cheese. The sweet spice in conjunction with the cool cream cheese made for a perfect sandwich spread. Especially if you’re one who is obsessed with sweet/salty combinations like I am!

I also enjoyed a sugar-free caramel iced coffee. Yes, this is actually a coffee house. It has a totally laid-back vibe, with a plethora of caffeinated goodies, AND yummy food.

My only complaint…I would have liked the bread slightly more toasted, but I’m a weirdo who likes hard, toasty bread. Really, I’m just a weirdo in general. You’ve been warned.

Catch-Up: Buzzbrews (takes 2 & 3)

caro — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:54:03 +0000

You get it by now right? I go here a lot!

It’s not so much that I LOOOOOVE the food and have to have it at all times, but more the convenience in the hours (24/7) & availability of free Wi-Fi to get my study on. Just so happens that every time I try something new, I end up loooooving it!

Where: Buzzbrews-Dallas, TX- (75/Fitzhugh Location)

What: All Kinds O’ Stuff

For weeks and days and such, I had been insanely craving pancakes. I happen to adore pancakes and these definitely hit the spot. Light, fluffy and perfectly cake-y.

These are the black bean stuffed crepes. It’s apparent I’m all about the sauces, and this poblano creme sauce that the crepes are lovingly bathed in, is SO EFFING GOOD! If you like black beans, you should GO EAT THIS NOW!

Just “BEE”

caro — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:16:39 +0000

I got off work early on Friday & decided to venture down to Oak Cliff for a movie. I was starving and needed to eat something before my stomach raged an all out war.

I needed something relatively quick and something I’ve never tried before.

Enter BEE Enchiladeria (Best Enchiladas Ever)…

Where: Bee Enchiladeria-Dallas, TX (Bishop Arts District)

What: 2 Enchiladas (Chicken Tinga & Spinach with Chipotle Crema Sauce)

This is a build-your-own-enchilada place. You walk in, fill out a card with everything you want, and hand it to the cashier.

Oh Bee, sigh…

My mom taught me that if you can’t say nice things, you shouldn’t say anything at all. But I will say this, this place was absolutely not what I expected. It has been so incredibly hyped up all over the blogosphere & twittersphere. I was expecting enchilada magic in my mouth and just got a big fat..WHOMP WHOMP! NO, literally, that’s exactly what happened when I took a bite.

Somehow I’m hoping that I just ordered the wrong thing and got the worst combination possible and that someone who does know how to create that deliciousness that I can’t possibly miss out on, will accompany me on another trip, to get it right this time.

Is this you? Could you help me discover what everyone is raving about? Someone? Anyone?

Now, the chipotle crema sauce was perfectly spicy and creamy and delicious. This sauce very much lives up to its hype. Yes, this sauce has hype!

Love Letter

caro — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 17:08:58 +0000

Dear In-N-Out:

I fell in love with you on a crisp Southern California morning over 12 years ago. To me, you are perfect and I love you just the way you are. Even though everyone loves to criticize you and compare you to every other burger place in existence, just know you are first in my heart.

You will forever remind me of a time when I came of age, slowly figuring out who I was and what kind of food I would really love.

And now, you’re in Texas and it makes me happier than you know.

Love,

Carolina

Ate here last Wednesday and as always, it was divine!!

Catch-Up: Kona Grill

caro — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:38:18 +0000

On one of our numerous dinner/movie outings, Tanya & I decided on doing so at Northpark Mall. We chose our movie and settled on trying out Kona Grill. I didn’t know anything about the place except that it’s a HUGE Patio Happy Hour spot, which is weird for a mall, but why question it.

Where: Kona Grill-Dallas, TX (Northpark Mall)

What: Lobster & Ahi Flatbread

Look, what I really want to tell you is that for me, this flatbread is AMAZING! I mean, I LOVE & CRAVE this thing. I’ve gone back TWICE and ordered it each time.

For me, that is a true indication that something is delicious. The conglomerate of flavors are just so perfect together along with the tender yellowfin tuna. And the sauce…oh, the sauce.

I want to make out with it. End of story.

Playing Catch-Up

caro — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:09:19 +0000

So I eat out A LOT…way too much if you ask me, but you’re not, so I’ll just tell you. Yes, it’s a lot!

Sometimes I’ll just stop in somewhere and grab a drink and an appetizer or just a drink. For some reason, I’ve felt that those quick food stops don’t deserve mentioning here. But then that defeats the whole purpose of having a food “diary”, right? I’m totally eyrolling myself right now because that is going against the whole premise of this space! Blehhh.

Anywho, I will be doing a number of “catch up” posts to document ALL my eating escapades as of late, whether big or small.

Ready??

I Miss Taco Trucks

caro — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 04:21:46 +0000

Apparently Dallas is a Taco city. I, however, have found it very lacking in true Mexican street taco authenticity. I lived in California for 8 years and was subjected to the most amazing street tacos in life, so the bar has been set high and Dallas just hasn’t lived up to that.

Last week, I was ferrociously craving tacos. I was in the neighborhood so I stopped at the infamous red/white taco stand on the corner.

Where: Tacos Y Mas-Dallas, TX (Lower Greenville area)

What: Steak Fajita Tacos

I found it strange that instead of calling this carne asada, they call it steak fajita. But whatev.

The tacos weren’t really all that. They were just bland meat with onion & cilantro on top.

Maybe I should have tried the breakfast tacos or something else, but for a place called “Tacos y Mas” I thought the tacos would be the main event!

I guess I was wrong.