Dallas Restaurant Week

Dallas Restaurant Week is right around the corner and for most foodies it is a highlight of the year. Annually several restaurants in Dallas participate in what I like to consider Charitable Eating, officially known as KRLD Restaurant Week. Many highly reputable and expensive restaurants will offer a three course menu for $35 a person. It is considered charitable eating as $7 from every meal is donated to the North Texas Food Bank or the Lena Pope Home. While it is for a good cause and many of the restaurants break even or possibly loose a little, it is great opportunity to sample menus from elite Dallas restaurants.

KRLD Restaurant week official begins August 13th and ends on the 19th. There are some restaurants that extend the three course meal to September 2nd. Reservations opened July 16th and if you haven't done so already I suggest you rush out and make your reservations. Many restaurants take reservations on Open Table while others are exclusively phone reservations. Don't worry it isn't too late to still partake in a foodie delight but don't be surprised if Wolfgang Puck's 560 or The French Room no longer have availability. Often the more prestigious the restaurant and the higher the menu regularly the increased difficulty to get reservations. 

If a three course meal isn't enough for you, many participating restaurants offer a fourth course option. In order to get a fourth course certificate all you have to do is shop at Central Market. Yes, I did say shop at Central Market which I know to many foodies is a dream come true. Simply spend $25 or more at Central Market between July 16th and September 2nd to receive a fourth course certificate.

After restaurant week I will gladly share my findings and rate my favorite participating restaurant for 2012. 

A list of all the participating restaurants and official menus and other information is available here.  

Diet Buster

Have you been on a diet and now want to reward yourself with some extra calories for all your hard work? Now I'm not talking cheating a little with a piece of chocolate or a few fries. No, I mean do you really, really want to cheat, as in you don't even count the calories? Sound a little extreme? Well, trust me dinner at Sissy's Southern Kitchen is worth it. The menu is filled with items like a layered salad topped with Hellman’s dressing. These dishes are like the ones our Southern grandmothers used to make when butter was a  side and cheesy creamy mash potatoes were considered a well-rounded vegetable; the words healthy and diet are no where in sight! And let's not forget dessert, the titles alone sound so delicious, it doesn’t matter how many pieces of fried chicken or biscuits you have had you will want that Better than Sex Chocolate Cake with a side of Sissy's Bourbon Balls (dipped in chocolate and covered in powdered sugar). 

Sissy's is authentic down to the decor and even the clothing of the staff, expect checkered shirts with bow ties and suspenders or vintage dresses with aprons. You definitely feel like you have stepped back to a simpler time. Well, that is until you look around and see the stereotypical Dallas patrons, then you quickly remember you live in Dallas. The intricate china that the food is served on and the overall décor makes you feel like you are in grandmother’s kitchen or sun room (if you sit on the closed patio area). However, grandmother’s house is really crowded and at times you feel like you may be as deaf as grandpa, but don’t worry it’s not your hearing! The small open space is not conducive for several dinners all conversing simultaneously, as nothing absorbs the sound. Aside from the fact I felt deaf in one ear for most of the night, it was a really enjoyable experience. Sip an ice cold Arnold Palmer or if you are really adventurous maybe try the Jalapeno Margarita. While Sissy’s may make specialty cocktails, I’m pretty sure my grandmother wouldn’t make this drink. The drink needs to come with an explicit warning that when it says Jalapeno it isn't playing around. Thank goodness I had my glass of water to cool my mouth off. With every sip I was pretty sure I was drinking liquid jalapeno, the floating jalapeno seeds were definitely an indicator of the drink's spice. Wow, I am sure you are just dying to run out and sample one after that description! However, it is definitely worth trying and with each sip as the ice melts, I promise, it does taste better. 

Jalapeno Margarita

Of course, don't forget to order lots of food to accompany your Jalapeno beverage! However, it is important to note that many of the salads are light on the veggies and heavy on dressing and other non-vegetable ingredients. While Sissy's fried chicken with biscuits and gravy is the main draw, during this trip we avoided the chicken to venture out to sample more unique dishes. 


I'm not a crawfish lover, but I found the Spicy Crawfish Salad to be the perfect balance of Crawfish sans mayo, on top of fresh butter lettuce and thinly sliced potatoes. The Pan Seared Striped Bass & Low Country Rice was another great combination of sea bass, roe, and of course a crab butter sauce. Unfortunately, we didn't sample the 10pc Sissy's Fried Chicken bucket. Sound a little bit like Kentucky Fried Chicken? Well, it is served in a bucket but a more upscale silver pail, after all this is Dallas even our gourmet fried Chicken wouldn't be served in a paper container. While I hear I missed out on the chicken I had to have the Better than Sex Chocolate Cake.  And yes, I did eat it right down to the last bite, but don't worry I restrained from licking the remains off grandma's vintage China plate.

                                                          Sissy's Southern Kitchen Entrance 
Even after avoiding the many fried, buttery options I still see lots of raw vegetables in my future meals. The looming hot weather is calling me to the pool, and I don't think I can go around telling everyone my swimsuit is tight because I over indulged in a delicious meal at Sissy's Southern Kitchen.
 Sissy's Website

Greenville vs. Katy Trail

Have you ever wondered when restaurants have multiple locations which location is better? The location where the food and concept was developed? Or the newer, bigger and better location? Or is there even a difference between the two aside from location?  I am sure you have asked yourself these questions when choosing which location for Company Cafe.

The original was opened on Greenville back in 2011. While the new location on the Katy Trail opened this past December 2011. Yes, I know both locations were opened in the same year, merely months apart. Thanks to my iPhone, I discovered the two locations are only 3.6 miles apart, roughly a ten minute drive. The food at this mostly gluten free, hormone free restaurant must not only be healthy but delicious. With months between openings and only 3.6 miles between locations, which location do you choose? The only logical thing was for me to dine at both and select the location that delivered the overall preferred dining experience.

This proved to be quite difficult as there aren't too many distinguishing factors between the two locations. Both serve an identical menu of delicious food that is healthier than most restaurants. Food is served in a very laid back atmosphere. Company Cafe has taken queues from Cafe Brazil by providing a self serve coffee bar during breakfast and brunch hours. If sitting outside on one of the picnic style tables, don't be surprised if another party is seated at the same table. Although the atmosphere appears effortless, the food is definitely the opposite. The dishes are very simplistic, but expect ingredients so fresh that they make up for the lack of complexity and are still gourmet. My brunch recommendations for both locations include:  

Veggie RX- An open faced omelet topped with veggies, sure to please any vegetable lover.
The Beat- A heartier dish for those wanting something filling. 
Fresh Fruit Side- Forget the un-ripe cantaloupes and melons; a Company Cafe fruit salad is a dish comprised of fruit we really like- apples, dried cranberries, blueberries, and yes, even blackberries.
If you are eating dinner at either of the locations, I suggest you try one of the following dishes:

Salad- Any of the salads at Company Cafe are large in portion and are layered with lots of fresh lettuce and ingredients that will please any salad or non-salad lover.
Chef Fred's Gluten Free Chicken and Waffles- Even gluten lovers will enjoy this gluten free version of a classic southern dish.
Sides- And don't forget to try one of their many delicious sides with your meal!

I have gone on and on about the food and the experience, but I have not helped you come any closer to picking a location. So what distinguishes the two locations? Don't worry I have created a little chart to assist:

   
   


   
   
Greenville
   
   
Katy Trail
  
   
   


Patio View
   
   
Look past the valet stand and you can see the vacated   building across the street.
   
   
Watch   the attractive, fit people run by. Warning:   You might question your decision to order dessert! 
  
   
   


Dog Friendly
   
   
Grab your four-legged buddy and   take a seat on the patio. 
   
   
Bring Fido along when eating on   the large dog friendly patio.
  
   
   




The Patio
   
   
Partially   shaded, but then again it’s so small it’s not hard to shade.
   
   
Lather   on the sunscreen, outdoor seating is full sun. (With a Texas summer rapidly   approaching, this location should consider investing in fans and umbrellas.)
  
   
   


Exercise   Friendly
   
   
Would you want to take a run down   Greenville before popping in for a bite a Company Cafe?
   
   
Put on your Lululemon yoga clothes   and go for a light run, Company Cafe on the Trail is   en-route.
  

As you can see I haven't found many differences between the two locations. While I do enjoy eating at both locations, the time has come to choose one over the other.  If I was going to pick only one location for Company Cafe I would choose Katy Trail over Greenville.
I might be biased, after all the Katy Trail location is in walking distance. (I guess location, location, location really is the most important thing!) Finally, I can feel good about indulging in the gluten free French toast, because today after brunch I'm walking home!

-SJ

Company Cafe Website

Going Back to 1970

Pull out you maxi dress or your halter pantsuit with your largest platform shoes; we're going back to 1970!

Well, you can at least pretend it’s 1970 if you visit The Cedars Social. (And don't worry no one will make you throw your watch in a bowl.) While the drinks are throwbacks to eras gone by, the food is a sophisticated, fresh, modern, and not reminiscent of casseroles or inedible delights of the 70s. The deviled eggs are a little bit dated, but what they bring in terms of flavor reinvents them and won’t remind you of a buffet at a house with shag carpet. However, I’m not sure they bring flavor to justify the value, especially considering many restaurants have adopted a deviled egg dish. Besides, is it that hard to make a good deviled egg? Aside from my uncertainty on the eggs, the rest of the food holds its own, even if the portions are very small. I love the fries and definitely recommended upgrading them to the truffle oil version. Other favorites include the macaroni and cheese and the pulled short rib tacos. Try one of those dishes or branch out to try one of their many other offerings, but I would recommend passing on the cheese board.


Even though the food is delicious the drinks are the focus of The Cedars Social. It is apparent from walking in the door; half of the restaurant is allocated to the bar/lounge area. If you haven't been there before, believe me when I say the bar is half the restaurant- that's not saying much. It is a very small intimate space resembling a 1970s ranch style home. When its not patio weather, seating at the bar and dinning area is limited. But if you’re lucky to snag a chair you can have the option to sample one of their many nostalgic drinks like the Moscow Mule. The Moscow Mule was (actually invented in the 40s) is served in the traditional copper cup; but I must warn you to enjoy this beverage you need to be a ginger lover. The Mint Julip is another drink that should be tried. In addition to other vintage drinks like the Sazerac, they also have an inventive cocktail menu unique to The Cedars Social.

At a few dollars off cocktail prices during happy hour it's not worth attending solely for that purpose. The Cedars Social is perfect for after dinner late night snacks or, my favorite, is on a dreary cold day to sit by the indoor fire pit. -SJ

A Serene Brunch in Dallas?

As everyone in Dallas knows brunch is kind of a big deal to Dallasites. Patrons flock on Saturday and Sunday mornings to restaurants serving brunch. If there is a patio and nice weather, you might as well forget about sitting on the coveted patio, at least not without extreme amounts of patience. Which is why last Sunday after church I was surprised on a nice day to find a brunch spot to dine with an opening on the patio. Not only was patio seating available, the food was delicious. The name of this hidden gem suprisingly was Malai Kitchen in West Village.  

We started with some fresh spring rolls stuffed with fresh vegetables, which made me feel better about my indulgent entree selection, Thai Eggs Benedict. The spring rolls were subpar. The only intriguing factor was the neon yellow and fuchsia bean sprouts. Either there is a new type of bean sprouts that my Central Market does not carry or I suspect there was some food coloring foul play. Nonetheless, they weren't anything spectacular or worthy of reordering. The Benedict was delicious, hot biscuits infused with coconut topped with spinach, Thai basil, shrimp and a poached egg which were all slightly hidden beneath a Thai Chili Hollandaise. My boyfriend went with what we assumed to be a more traditional choice, the Bangkok Scramble. The scramble arrived to the table and appeared to be an open-face green omelet. Yes, I did say green. At first I suspected a tactic to promote a recent opening of a movie based on a Dr. Seuss book. However, upon tasting the scramble we realized green curry had been mixed in with the eggs. As curry lovers we found the surprise delightful and elevated the scramble to exceed expectations. If I'm not craving the Asian influenced brunch dishes, I am sure I will long to sit on the patio enjoying a cool breeze and watch people walking by.
 
As we were paying the bill, we inquired if brunch was always this calm. The waitress didn’t directly answer, but instead said Malai Kitchen was mentioned as a top brunch spot in Dallas in a recent issue of D Magazine. My boyfriend and I immediately looked at each other and sighed, with spring approaching and a D Magazine accolade the crowds were soon to come and the serenity of this brunch would only be a memory.
 
Happy Hour Specials: $5 specialty cocktails, $5 select wine, $3 select beer Monday - Friday 4:00pm to 7:00pm and all day Sunday

If dining for dinner I recommend the Pad Kee Mow or the Iron Pot Chicken Curry. Sitting at the bar is a great experience and the bartenders are the friendly type that can easily be befriended as a confident for any desiring regulars. But creating my own Cheers scenario will have to be put on hold as I am on a mission to eat through Dallas!   -SJ