Lately I've been obsessed with the Food Network Show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate". I think it gives viewers a good sense of where the chefs eat, and what they order when they go out. They're much more daring than I am, I must admit. For example, Duff Goldman talks about this place in Beverly Hills called Animal. His favorite thing there is this Bacon Crunch cake, which is just chocolate and bacon shaped into a bacon strip. But, what Animal is really famous for is putting MANY kinds of animal on their menu; rabbit, elk, pig tails, octopus, frog, head cheese, bone marrow, chicken liver, etc. Not sure I'd ever stop into a place like that... maybe I need to get more daring. Anyways, I digress..
I don't even know where to begin describing this pie. Yes, it's just Key Lime Pie, and everywhere has it. But this pie is so silky, velvety, tart, sweet, and smooth and the same time, that there's just nothing like it. The crust seems to be just pure butter and graham cracker, and the whipped cream on top is fresh, REAL whipped cream. Fabulous.
I've blogged about this pizza before- it's just that good. From the minute I saw this pizza on the menu, I knew it'd be a winner. Proscuitto, Arugula, Goat Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar, and fig preserves.. you can't beat it!
I tried these fries my first week of living in Dallas, and it was love at first bite. Let's start with the fries- they have their own salty, spicy seasoning on them, and are good just by themselves! But then they top them with loads of real cheddar cheese, and stick them under the broiler to melt. Top with crisped bacon, sliced jalapenos, and fresh chives, with a side of their HOMEMADE ranch dressing, and you've got the best cheesefries in the world.
I first tried Chuy's when I was in Austin and loved it, so I was thrilled to hear that Chuy's was coming to Plano! I tried a couple different things on their menu, and they were great, but it wasn't until I came across this burrito that I knew I'd never order anything else. It's a "Giant Ass Burrito" filled with beans and roasted pulled chicken, smothered in queso. There are rice and beans on the side, but really, at that point, who gives a shit about the side items??
I went into The Grape, a Dallas institution, with high expectations for this burger. After all, it had been ranked the #1 Burger (out of 100!) in all of Texas by Texas Monthly magazine. That sets a pretty high standard! So I went to try this burger, which is only available on Sundays during brunch, and was not let down. The pickles are pickled fresh in the restaurant, the ketchup is homemade, the french fries are cut fresh, the bun is toasted with lots of butter, and the burger... well, the burger is just fantastic. It was cooked to a perfect medium, as requested, and was deliciously juicy. The dijionaisse sauce and white cheddar worked perfectly together, and the bacon just made it decadent. It was #1 for a good reason!
I ordered this dish with no expectations, because I had no idea what Chow Fun and x.o sauce were, but when it came and I took that first bite.... oh.my.word.
There aren't many restaurants that serve panzanella salad, so when I saw it on the menu, I knew I had to order it. Panzanella salad really was first made as a way to use old bread, or croutons. You cut the bread up into cubes, and then it soaks up all of the juices from the fruit, veggies, and dressing. This particular version was extra special because it had watermelon in it, which was as fresh as it could get since it was the middle of the summer. There were also heirloom tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, microbasil, ricotta salata, and regular tomatoes. Luckily, I found the recipe from Culina online, so I can make it again if I get a craving and can't get to LA! The freshest, best tasting salad you'll find, with flavors that really complement each other! Everyone knows they don't like the lettuce in salad, only the toppings, and this salad is just like toppings in a bowl!
Between Bread
I've had some great brisket in my 3 years in Texas.. Sonny Bryan's takes the cake for Dallas, Louie Mueller takes the cake for the BBQ Trail, but nothing, NOTHING, compares to the beef brisket sandwich at The Salt Lick on the outskirts of Austin. NOTHING. First off, take a look at that bun! That's homemade goodness right there. A nice yeasty roll. Then you ask for the brisket chopped, not sliced, and add on a healthy douse of bbq sauce, their garlic dill pickles, and dig in. Again, the side items- I can totally live without them. The BBQ is where it's at. The best thing of all? The Salt Lick is BYOB, so you can bring a fabulous Shiner Bock to enjoy with your sandwich!
You might sense a theme here that I love watermelon. It's the most refreshing food of the summer, and brings back memories of childhood. But, when I can enjoy this fruit as an adult, I like it shaken and chilled, with a splash of vodka. At Grand Lux, the bartender told me that all they do to make this drink is to put chunk of watermelon in a shaker, add Grey Goose, and shake. I tried this at home and didn't get the same results, so I think there's something he's not telling me! Anyways, this drink is fabulous, not too sweet, and is perfect for enjoying in the summer!
Toasted Marshmallow fluff, fudgy chocolate, almond ding, and Oreo cookie crust. How can you go wrong? This adult version of the campfire classic is so good, it's been on the Food Network! Nestled in a little restaurant on a backstreet in St. Helena, CA, this restaurant has so much charm, and great food. Go in, sit on the patio with some great wine, and get a slice of this pie, because it will MAKE.YOUR.DAY.
The real reason for this blog post is to discuss the best things I've ever eaten. Now I'm only 25, and I've only been a real foodie for about 7 years, so my list isn't as long as it should be. I do have some excellent items though.
Best Thing I Ever Ate...
Sweet Tooth
Key Lime Pie- Houston's Restaurant, Dallas, TX
I don't even know where to begin describing this pie. Yes, it's just Key Lime Pie, and everywhere has it. But this pie is so silky, velvety, tart, sweet, and smooth and the same time, that there's just nothing like it. The crust seems to be just pure butter and graham cracker, and the whipped cream on top is fresh, REAL whipped cream. Fabulous.Pizza
Urban Amore Pizza- Urban Crust, Plano, TX
I've blogged about this pizza before- it's just that good. From the minute I saw this pizza on the menu, I knew it'd be a winner. Proscuitto, Arugula, Goat Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar, and fig preserves.. you can't beat it!Salty Goodness
Loaded Cheddar Fries-Snuffer's, Dallas, TX
I tried these fries my first week of living in Dallas, and it was love at first bite. Let's start with the fries- they have their own salty, spicy seasoning on them, and are good just by themselves! But then they top them with loads of real cheddar cheese, and stick them under the broiler to melt. Top with crisped bacon, sliced jalapenos, and fresh chives, with a side of their HOMEMADE ranch dressing, and you've got the best cheesefries in the world.Cheesy
Roasted Chicken Burrito with Queso- Chuy's, Plano, TX
I first tried Chuy's when I was in Austin and loved it, so I was thrilled to hear that Chuy's was coming to Plano! I tried a couple different things on their menu, and they were great, but it wasn't until I came across this burrito that I knew I'd never order anything else. It's a "Giant Ass Burrito" filled with beans and roasted pulled chicken, smothered in queso. There are rice and beans on the side, but really, at that point, who gives a shit about the side items??Burgers
Cheeseburger- The Grape, Dallas, TX
I went into The Grape, a Dallas institution, with high expectations for this burger. After all, it had been ranked the #1 Burger (out of 100!) in all of Texas by Texas Monthly magazine. That sets a pretty high standard! So I went to try this burger, which is only available on Sundays during brunch, and was not let down. The pickles are pickled fresh in the restaurant, the ketchup is homemade, the french fries are cut fresh, the bun is toasted with lots of butter, and the burger... well, the burger is just fantastic. It was cooked to a perfect medium, as requested, and was deliciously juicy. The dijionaisse sauce and white cheddar worked perfectly together, and the bacon just made it decadent. It was #1 for a good reason!Bacon
Jalapeno Bacon Mac N Cheese- The Reata, Ft. Worth, TX
Sadly, I have no picture for this Mac N Cheese :( Everytime I've eaten it, I've been without a camera, nor could I find a picture online! However, I'm going to describe this southwestern cowboy goodness in the best way I can. I've had almost every Mac n Cheese imaginable, with any cheese imaginable, with any protein imaginable (all within reason of course), but this Mac n Cheese at the Reata just caught my attention. It has just a slight sweet heat from the jalapenos and Tabasco sauce, with a crunch from the breadcrumb topping, and the heartiness of the bacon. Not sure what cheese they use, but their bechamel sauce is so creamy and thick that it makes everything mesh very well together. Definitely worth a visit!!
In a Bowl
Shrimp and Lobster Chow Fun with x.o sauce- Buddakan, New York, NY
I ordered this dish with no expectations, because I had no idea what Chow Fun and x.o sauce were, but when it came and I took that first bite.... oh.my.word.This dish had the freshest lobster and shrimp, which obviously were the main attraction of the dish, but what really got me were the chow fun noodles. They were homemade, so fresh, and so soft, but somehow had a bite to them unlike anything I'd ever eaten before. The x.o sauce is a spicy seafood sauce, made from chili, onions, garlic, oil, and dried seafoods, and perfectly complemented the seafood, noodles, and onions. At Buddakan they say their really embrace sharing, but I can tell you one thing for sure- I ate the whole damn bowl!!
With Fruit
Panzanella Salad- Culina at the Four Seasons, Beverly Hills, CA
There aren't many restaurants that serve panzanella salad, so when I saw it on the menu, I knew I had to order it. Panzanella salad really was first made as a way to use old bread, or croutons. You cut the bread up into cubes, and then it soaks up all of the juices from the fruit, veggies, and dressing. This particular version was extra special because it had watermelon in it, which was as fresh as it could get since it was the middle of the summer. There were also heirloom tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, microbasil, ricotta salata, and regular tomatoes. Luckily, I found the recipe from Culina online, so I can make it again if I get a craving and can't get to LA! The freshest, best tasting salad you'll find, with flavors that really complement each other! Everyone knows they don't like the lettuce in salad, only the toppings, and this salad is just like toppings in a bowl!Between Bread
Beef Brisket Sandwich- The Salt Lick, Driftwood, TX
I've had some great brisket in my 3 years in Texas.. Sonny Bryan's takes the cake for Dallas, Louie Mueller takes the cake for the BBQ Trail, but nothing, NOTHING, compares to the beef brisket sandwich at The Salt Lick on the outskirts of Austin. NOTHING. First off, take a look at that bun! That's homemade goodness right there. A nice yeasty roll. Then you ask for the brisket chopped, not sliced, and add on a healthy douse of bbq sauce, their garlic dill pickles, and dig in. Again, the side items- I can totally live without them. The BBQ is where it's at. The best thing of all? The Salt Lick is BYOB, so you can bring a fabulous Shiner Bock to enjoy with your sandwich!Best I Ever Drank
Watermelon Martini- Grand Lux Cafe, Dallas, TX
You might sense a theme here that I love watermelon. It's the most refreshing food of the summer, and brings back memories of childhood. But, when I can enjoy this fruit as an adult, I like it shaken and chilled, with a splash of vodka. At Grand Lux, the bartender told me that all they do to make this drink is to put chunk of watermelon in a shaker, add Grey Goose, and shake. I tried this at home and didn't get the same results, so I think there's something he's not telling me! Anyways, this drink is fabulous, not too sweet, and is perfect for enjoying in the summer!Sugar Rush
Campfire Pie- Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, St. Helena, CA
Toasted Marshmallow fluff, fudgy chocolate, almond ding, and Oreo cookie crust. How can you go wrong? This adult version of the campfire classic is so good, it's been on the Food Network! Nestled in a little restaurant on a backstreet in St. Helena, CA, this restaurant has so much charm, and great food. Go in, sit on the patio with some great wine, and get a slice of this pie, because it will MAKE.YOUR.DAY.
