Around the world in 40 bites

Worldfest Addison



South American foods



This weekend Addison held its Worldfest

Slightly disappointed by the 89 degree temperatures (its October dammit..and I want to start dressing cozy)  we drove up to"Village on the Parkway" which is basically a cluster of restaurants on Beltline road in Addison.

The parking lot had been transformed onto "The World" with craft and food stalls. Stages hosted Turkish dancers, African singers and Middle Eastern belly dancers and the food court featured food samples from many of the local, more exotic (not all..I did see a TGI Fridays) restaurants

With free entry and pay as you go (as opposed to the ridiculous coupon purchasing that festivals here are so fond of) this was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

The Latin American Zaguan Cafe had some delicious pastries as well as a Cacjapa ( or Cachapas) which I had never tried before. A soft sweet corn wrap filled with shredded beef and  Queso de mano cheese popular at Venezuelan roadside stands










Bulgarian food






Amongst the Bulgarian foods was a long sausage called Karnache which had a wonderful crisp skin fresh of the BBQ








Next on our stop around the world was the Ethiopian stall from the QUEEN OF SHEBA restaurant.

 Here we sampled the Bebeg Wott- spicy slow cooked chunks of lamb in a stew-like sauce served with  injera-a large sourdough bread made from fermented teff flour. The bread had rubber feel (compared to our western wraps) but tasted fabulous. Ethiopians eat with their right hands, using pieces of injera to pick up their food. Needless to say this takes practice and our fingers will be stained Orange with the lamb curry for some time!



 Our final stop around the world (before we exploded) was Poland for one of my all time favourite starchy foods Pierogis! Fried dumplings of heaven stuffed with cheese, meats, onions, cabbage or whatever comes to hand. My favourite is the cheese, onion and potato and then they are cooked and then fried to add a sear to the dumpling they are the best food ever.


Polish Pierogi

I didn't realize travelling the world would be this filling! BURP

Nova

NOVA is another new restaurant in the gentrified Oak Cliff area, just a short distance from other greats such as Bolsa and Tillmans in the Bishops Arts district.

It has a casual 50s diner feel, I had heard it was an old dairy queen in years gone by and more recently Kavala which had closed before I got chance to visit.
However Kavala chef Kelly Hightower eventually replaced the spot with Nova and foodies have been talking about this "gastro pub" since it opened 8 weeks ago.

We had a birthday party of nine which would cause seating problems in this new and popular place thanks to the no reservations policy. (grrrrrr) However, the feisty Scottish co-owner, John, kept us entertained and in the loop throughout the wait..... the well stocked bar and impressive wine list helped a lot too.
I would return just for their Pimms cup. Yummy
Once seated the drinks kept flowing. Now a dj had set up playing quiet trance tunes whilst SKYY vodka girls handed out free samples and they could do no wrong.

happy!

Well not quite. There were a few blips on the landscape as appetizers threatened to dampen our initial buzz. First they were out of hummus,and the chorus of disappointed groans (we were hungry after our wait) attracted Scottish Johns attention. A moment later they had whipped up a fresh batch of hummus to calm the masses (and impress me).
But wait..next there were no Mussels either and our expectations for the rest of the evening started to plummet
We sat back, downed a few more SKYY infusions and expected the worst.

How wonderful it is to be proved wrong. Dish after dish of amazing (and I mean amazing) foods arrived making us all OOooOo and AhhhHHHhh throughout the remaining evening.
The appetizers that did arrive included the Blow Torch Salmon with Yuzu Miso Glaze ($9) which melted in my mouth and the House Smoked Salmon Potato Skins Horseradish Creme Fraiche ($7) putting the gastro well and truly into the pub!

Blow torch salmon and house smoked salmon potato skins

As for the entrees:
People who have travelled to Japan exclaimed that the Tempura Udon with Shaved Sirloin, Tempura Mushrooms and Vidalia Onions ($12) blew away even their culinary experiences in Asia. The
Grilled Center Cut Pork Chop with Tomato Sage Brown Butter and Stone Ground Heirloom Grits $21 impressed hubby into silence, bar the occasional lip-smacking
My Jamaican Beer Can Chicken ($14) was quite simple delicious.

Jamaican beer can chicken

The chicken was moist and tender, the jerk spice had a nice kick and the coconut rice and (fruit) salsa was the perfect accompaniment.
John checked on us throughout the meal and it felt like he genuinely cared that we had the best experience possible...which we really did!
I would recommend this new joint to anyone and I will most certainly return, especially as remodelling of the patio continues and seating will get easier, as I'm assuming the  popularity of Nova will not lessen any time soon!

Seasons 52

I entered Seasons 52 feeling skeptical. How could a restaurant provide great taste yet stick with its promise of only 475 calories per item. My dinner guest quizzed the waiter:
"Is that 475 calories for each food item..or per meal?".
" what about the sauce..does that count?"
"..and the bread?"
Could low calorie food really equal big taste..? Is this the old fashioned thoughts that keep me at the gym 3 times a week?

Lets start from the beginning.
Seasons 52 is new to Dallas and has been talked about since opening its doors just two weeks ago. This small chain (by the same people at Red lobster, Olive Garden and Capital Grille) this restaurant is the first in Texas and originates from Florida where light seasonal fare is more the norm than here in the Big D.
This is another new place for the Shops at Legacy and as Ive stated in previous blogs is an ideal restaurant location for us with its urban feel and ample parking.
So...first impressions were great. Walking in the restaurant was hopping, with an older elegant crowd. On this rarely pleasant Texas evening the outdoor patio was lively. The interior decor, soft with earth tones and dim lighting. Its been likened to Houstons and I get that. I fell in love with the bar and its big heavy chairs. Oddly the live music was a man on a piano behind the bar. A little loud and in your face yet I liked it
The drink menu is impressive with lots of choices for wines by the glass and some more unusual options, including organic wines and a "drink them before they are famous" category. The cocktail list was fun and fruity but drew complaints from hubby who would have preferred to see some less girlie options.
The bar staff were knowledgeable and friendly, quick to offer free pours and advice whilst we waited for our table.
This continued through to the restaurant, where our waiter made the evening memorable with personal banter, jokes and attentive (without being overbearing) service.
5 stars for the staff so far.
Once settled, appetizers started us on a good note with a wonderful chicken tortilla soup, flat bread and the most amazing goat cheese ravioli (thin delicate pasta around melted deliciousness). My mussels were cooked well but all the garlic and tomato broth in the world couldn't hide a slightly fishy after taste which led me to believe they were not as fresh as i expected.

Unfortunately, the entrees fell short in the taste department. My caramelized scallops were plentiful and tender but the pearl couscous alongside was bland.


Caramelized Scallops with Pearl Couscous



Hubby's artichoke stuffed shrimp didn't tantalize the taste buds either which was was unfortunate as the presentation had his mouth watering

I didn't try the Tiger shrimp pasta which our guest ordered but whilst it wasn't bad there was nothing to make it stand out either.



Seasons 52 is known for its mini indulgence desserts, so to make up for a disappointing dinner we loaded up on the tall shooter glasses filled with goodness; Chocolate peanut butter mousse (rich and decadent), Pumpkin pie with ginger snap crust (seasonal and flavoursome), key lime pie (a little bland), market fresh fruit (tasty) and lemon pie (unanimously voted the best on the table)!

I love the idea of Seasons 52 and it was a great night out even if some of the healthy fare fell short in the flavour department

Mini Indulgences

I'm sure I'll visit Seasons 52 again but I think I will stick with the starters and/or dessert and skip the entrees next time around.

I have a feeling Ill be sticking with my allotted gym time and forgetting about the "low cal" food from now on when I'm treating myself to a night out

Sea food..eat food

We got a groupon  to use at Coast Global Seafood which is in the lovely Shops at Legacy suburban (wanna be urban) development in Plano.
I happen to love this area in far North Dallas. Not only is it close by but it really does not feel like you are deep in suburbia here. Coast has an ideal location right by the fountains which can be seen through the huge glass windows or on the patio if al fresco is your dining choice.
This restaurant is decorated beautifully and I just feel instantly relaxed when i walk through the doors; from the art coral "growing" up from the hostess station to the art deco bar with its water bubble design Coast manages to fit an elegant theme without tacky kitsch.

The beautiful bar at Coast Global Seafood

This was my second visit and I find it a little sad that this restaurant is never very busy, say compared to Ra or Gordon Biersch which are both spitting distance from here.
On this occasion, the hostesses seemed stressed and the room chaotic even though it was no where near to capacity. We soon learned (from our bartender) that they were struggling with staff being off sick, and braced ourselves for a rough night.

Turns out our bartender, (Wade) ,was also our waiter and guardian angel as it turns out as he was all smiles and calm in the Coast global storm. He didn't let the chaos of the night reach us and was as grateful to us for our humour and patience as we were of his experience and genial manner. He even brought us over a free martini cocktail (alcohol always helps keep the masses at bay).
We had a false start with the appetizer, a creamy green chili crab dip, which had little flavour and was not served piping hot.
However, the Mains completely erased this disappointment.
The sea scallops at $25 were not cheap but cheaper than others I've had which didn't match Coast's tender deliciousness and these were served with an oh so tasty garlic roasted spaghetti squash; so kudos to them for making vegetables so appealing.
Hubby chose the Scottish salmon, which I shy away from in restaurants just because its something we make at home and never elicits that "rare treat" quality that I like from eating out. My bad!!! It was amazing, served with (the largest pearls I've seen) lemon couscous. Hubby couldn't stop carrying on about the greatness of his meal (may be directly related to the amount of alcohol at this point) but it was exceptionally good and worth the $22.



reserved lemon cous cous & citrus butter

Scottish Salmon with p


I certainly hope Coast Global seafood survives, it really is a beautiful restaurant with excellent seafood; but without a few tweaks here and there I worry about their longevity in the fickle Dallas market!

Posh Nosh

We never made it to Aurora, the Samual Avner fancy smancy eatery in Oak Lawn because by the time we were ready to splurge it had closed down.
In its place Avner opened NOSH a self claimed Euro Bistro and looking at the menu it appeared cheaper and more relaxed that the original.
Given Dallas' fickle restaurant business we thought we had better pay it a visit before that too vanished.

Nosh is new (opened in September 2010) but already seems to have a steady following. The restaurant was busy, all tables taken and a steady stream of chatter resounding from the walls
Tonight was an older well heeled crowd. I'm thinking they are loyal diners from the Aurora era; given their age and their intimacy with Avner and his wife Celeste who worked the room greeting patrons as old friends.
The bar was fantastic... Thick old wood with heavy comfortable chairs. The barman was knowledgeable and friendly and best of all behind the bar there's a flat screen TV showing screens from the kitchen and the chefs in action. The voyeuristic appeal is high but the new chef they brought in (Jon Stevens) didn't appear to be as volatile as a Gordon Ramsey type making for tame watching. Even without the television its easy to see the goings on, as the kitchen is open to the restaurant with some key seats right there along the kitchen counter (I'm sitting there next!)
The boys started with a couple of Blueberry Collins (a take on the Tom Collins) whilst we waited for our table
A+ for first impressions Nosh

Nosh Euro Bistro

Now on to the food

The menu has a good mix of small plates -"To Nosh on"- as well as Mains. I'm not sure what really defines a menu as European/Mediterranean but being a fan of French cuisine (they have to have something good right??) I opted for the escargot fritters which didn't disappoint and for $5 quite a good price! A little easier on the American palate than regular escargot these are fried up with Parmesan and tasted decadent

Escargot Fritters

The other dish to Nosh on which my dinner companions ordered was the special. An egg custard type dish which sounded like it belonged on the dessert menu. Arriving at the table it looked more like the soft boiled eggs we eat in England (with soldiers) but the shell was stuffed with creamy egg and mushrooms...heaven!

Egg custard special

Service was impeccable. In fact our waitress saw that it ran like clockwork. A less keen eye would have missed a few minor errors that she quickly corrected with subtle flair
The MAINS continued to impress. Seared diver scallops so tender they melted in your mouth and better than I have tasted at other seafood establishments for a lot more than the $19 these cost. Expresso braised beef short rib  served with the cheddar grits in an accompanying pan for $16. For my dish i chose the crispy duck confit ($15) which came with a side of cauliflower leek mash and never have vegetables tasted so good. The duck was beautifully presented and had a crisp skin with tender meat inside



Crispy duck confit



Expresso Braised beef short rib

With all that good food we couldn't possibly manage dessert so coffee it was til my greedy hubby spotted the apple tart on the menu and "just had to have it".



Apple tart tatin with Tahitian vanilla ice cream

 Coming out looking more like a brownie a la mode with a dark rich crust the apple tart was delicious. Drizzled in caramel sauce the outside was crisp with a soft apple center.
Need I say more......
Nosh translates as a snack or light meal. Nosh Euro Bistro is a whole lot more than that.....I think Avner Samuel is on to a winner here!

Pass the steak...Im hungry

This Blog will be a little different.

Not a review at all. Its more personal to me, a big dietary change I made in my life

After 23 years of not eating red meat I had my first steak. OK, honestly i didn't have a whole steak I just tasted steak, for fear of my body shouting "reject" and making life suck for that night. Baby steps dear readers..baby steps

Now after two decades I'm a fully fledged carnivore. Can you believe I have lived in Texas for over 10 years now without touching steak?

WHY NOW?

Well, here is my honest but politically correct answer..

* In college I was very much a hippy chick. I bought body shop products and stopped eating meat for my love of the little furry creatures on this planet. Basically its just what you did back then when you wanted to make a stand. Times have certainly changed since those balmy teenage days and choosing "ethically raised/Grass fed" meat is an option that I have been considering for some time.

I feel that buying sustainable meat purchased from small farmers is a form of activism in this new era—a modern way of striking a blow against the factory farming of livestock and I do feel strongly today about preserving small-scale farming

That is not to say I will only eat certain meats or I will ask in restaurants to prove documentation to support this; but I have and will buy my own foods this way in the future.

Dallas is moving forward and farmers markets, whilst small, are gaining popularity

However there are other (and much more selfish) reasons for my life changes

* Despite having a huge food restriction I have never been viewed as a picky eater.I love food and love trying new foods. Over the years I slowly introduced chicken and fish to my diet but red meat was still a no no. I basically wanted the freedom to eat whatever I wanted. To have the label "will try anything once". These days it goes better with my adventurous, travel side more than the hippy chick I was at 19.

* In Japan this year I felt rude and embarrassed to have to turn down food offerings from new friends. I hid food they gave me and passed it silently along to my happy carnivorous hubby. I wanted to fit in to their culture and be grateful of what they were presenting me with. But in reality I felt like a naughty five year old at her parents table hiding meats in my napkin

*Anthony Bordain. I have been addicted to his travel/food show "No reservations" and I decided i just didn't want reservations either. I wanted to be free to explore the culinary world of new countries. To stop worrying what might be in certain dishes and to be able immerse myself more fully into new cultures. Its really quite a new world that has opened up to me, and I'm excited by it! So Tony...your talk of pig ears and pig cheeks and crispy pig skin has a lot to answer for!

I never preached vegetarian ways or tried to encourage anyone else from not eating meat. My hubby was a fully fledged carnivore from the day i met him as are the majority of my friends so whilst my change may seem shocking to some who have never seen me eat meat, most I'm sure won't notice a difference



A little dutch courage



My first bite of steak in 23 years!



Except my Mum... who after 23 years can finally be happy that my vegetarian ways really were "just a phase"
.....and in answer to the question on everyones lips "Yes it tasted GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD"