Taste
When You Need a Burger and Beer – Dallas
September 14, 2011
Maple & Motor. Possibly a dive, but a clean, cool one, with an awesome staff and great burgers, fries, etc. The owner Jack, calls it “low class cool.” No veggie burger, but they do have some sort of salmon burger, and a chicken tender basket perfect for the kiddos. 4810 Maple Ave. Dallas.
Location: Dallas
Sprinkles Minis
September 7, 2011
I am a Sprinkles addict, so I am especially happy to report that the famous cupcakes now come in a mini size, debuting tomorrow to coincide with Fashion’s Night Out. Guess I know what I’m serving for dessert at my daughter’s birthday party!
Tiff’s Treats – Dallas and Austin
September 4, 2011
Be sweet/send sweets. Award-winning Tiff’s Treats offers cookie delivery in Dallas and Austin. (You can also stop in and enjoy the desserts onsite, including the famous ice cream cookie sandwich that can’t be delivered.) Special packaging is available with various celebration themes, and there’s even game day options for Longhorn fans. None of the Dallas teams seem to have made the cut, but for you Austin people, go orange!
Meso Maya – Dallas
September 1, 2011
Meso Maya, a modern Mexican food concept now open at Preston and Forest in Dallas, is a refreshing change to the same old Mexican restaurant cuisine. It’s more regional Mexican food than Tex-Mex, with specialties like Budin Azteca, a sort of Mexican lasagna made with tortillas. The margs were good too. A much needed addition to the Preston Hollow restaurant landscape. And it’s kid-friendly. There’s not a website yet, but you can check it out on Facebook.
Location: Dallas
Hash House A Go Go – San Diego and Vegas
August 30, 2011
Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but I’ve been packing in these last few days of summer. Here is my favorite new discovery: breakfast at hip hangout, Hash House A Go Go. Just look at the size of the pancakes (and they were really good!) Everything on the menu was creative and fun, as was the presentation and the ambiance. It’s not surprising location #2 is now open in Vegas. Famous for breakfast/brunch, but also open for lunch and dinner.
Same pancake after all we could eat. We hear they flip them with a shovel!
Dallas Affaires Cake Co.
August 3, 2011
This cake has me looking forward to the Barbie phase. And the birthday girl is pretty cute too! Custom cake by Dallas Affaires Cake Co.
Location: Dallas
Jacala Beach Restaurant – Anguilla
August 2, 2011
The summer of travel discoveries continues. Here’s another find in Anguilla from Bart. Jacala Beach Restaurant is open from 10am-9pm Wednesday through Sunday. The owners are very involved in their customers’ dining experiences, and supposedly not shy to suggest alternatives if they don’t like which salad you pick to accompany your main course. The food is inventive and delicious (if I ever make it there I am definitely ordering the watermelon goat cheese salad), the atmosphere casual and, most importantly, right on the beach.
Location: Anguilla
The Golden Pear Café – the Hamptons
July 30, 2011
This casual little café is as good today as it was when I had my first turkey, brie, and honey mustard sandwich (”the Southampton”) over a decade ago. With locations in four of the Hamptons main villages–Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, and Sag Harbor–The Golden Pear is the perfect stop for breakfast or lunch before heading to the beach. Tables are scarce at peak hours and you may have to wait in line, but the sandwiches, salads, soups, and bakery treats are always worth the trip. You’ll likely also go home with something for dinner, such as delicious chicken dumplings with stir fry veggies.
Location: Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Sag Harbour, Southampton, the Hamptons
The Backyard Restaurant – Montauk
July 26, 2011
This find is from my friend Piper, who recently lunched here (with kids) and loved it. The Backyard Restaurant is located mostly outside in the gardens of Solé East Resort in Montauk, with a fire pit, tiki torches, day beds, and occasional live music (Thursday night is reggae night and Sunday brunch brings Brazilian tunes). The menu offers fresh seafood from local fisherman, organic meats, and vegetables from local farms. It’s also known for it’s five specialty cocktails, named after the owner’s children. Tell me the Myles doesn’t sound heavenly: Cruzan silver, peach puree, nectarines, mint and lime.
Photo from Hamptons magazine.
Location: Montauk
The Surf Lodge – Montauk
July 25, 2011
One of the best places to drop in for a sunset drink (overlooking Fort Pond) in Montauk. And don’t miss the boutique. The Surf Lodge is also a 32-room hotel that offers a summer concert series, outdoor surf movies, surf lessons, and a popular restaurant. This is its fourth summer and it’s still going strong.
Location: Montauk
