Leaving the fate of your meal up to someone else isn’t always the easiest thing. Surprises around every corner, unknowing line ups of plated wonder coming every few minutes. At Uchi Dallas however, giving the reigns to talented Chef Du Cuisine Nilton “Junior” Borges, Jr is the best choice you can make. They call it the ‘Omakase Tasting Menu’ and what I experience when invited in to try it out courtesy of Uchi can only be described as “the greatest hits” of Uchi’s menu and beyond. We were treated to the chef’s tasting, a multi-course chef’s daily tasting menu that included some favorites and some seasonal dishes that came upon a delicious whim.

Small starters included wellfleet oysters with cilantro mignonette, famous ‘hama chili’ composed of baby yellowtail, ponzu and thai chili and an inventive Uchi salad with hydroponic baby romaine, edamame and jalapeno dipping sauce. Light and delightful, these first course small plates were so tasty. One of my favorites was the salad which the waitress recommended we eat like chips and salsa. In!

After a brief introduction by overall Uchi/Uchiko Executive Chef Tyson Cole, we began to enjoy the next plates. A Madai (Delicate and Sweet, from the Snapper family) nigiri was prepared and enjoyed by tasting the fish first to capture a citrusy lemon flavor, so basically magic. Local Comeback Creek Farm tomatoes were paired with plum, house umeboshi and a5 lardo oil. Finally we tasted ‘Sakana Mushi’, a steamed white fish parcel with tom yum broth, tomato and mushroom. Are you getting hungry yet? The mains are not to be missed.

A third and final trio of savory dishes arrived soon after. ‘Karaage’ was a delightful take on fried marinated chicken, sweet chili, fish sauce caramel and a seasonal pickle. This ain’t your mamas fried chicken, no mam, but it is delicious and super crispy. Following, ‘Akami Te’, a bigeye tuna, watermelon and fish sauce was subtle to the palate but strong on flavor. I could eat that all day! Finally the ‘Bacon Steakie’, a hearty dish of pork belly, radish, citrus and herbs was a sumptuously composed plate that screamed ‘where’s the bacon?!’.

After your meal, order dessert. I don’t know how Uchi is able to do it so well, but seeing as they have a personal pastry chef magic is created. My favorite? An explosion of yum better known as peanut butter semifreddo with apple-miso sorbet and raisins. I’m drooling as I type this because that dessert is so good!

Uchi Dallas is everything you want it to be. A sexy dining room with understated wood accents, kitchen talent that leaves your taste buds wanting to know how they do it and a support staff of individuals who keep the show running in tip-top shape. Put this one down for must-try, trust me.

Admittedly, I am a food lover. Whether it’s going out, staying in or cooking with friends. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s grocery shopping. The art of perusing a store for the fresh, locally sourced produce I dream of is lost on me. Don’t be aghast to this notion, dear reader. We all have our faults and I’m asking you to still accept me through my loathing of the grocery store.

Luckily for lazy, food focused cooks and eaters like me there is a service that fits us perfectly. Artizone is an online food delivery service connecting customers in selected U.S. cities with local artisans through one website. Luckily when my stomach was rumbling (as it often does) earlier this month, I stumbled across their website. What I witnessed while checking out the page was a mecca for finding a curated collection of the very best artisans in my area. Grocers, local food business, small stores and more! The unique portal provides aggregated access to authentic, handcrafted food stuff from the finest purveyors who have carefully created high-quality products.

After becoming quickly enamored with the notion that I could have fresh groceries delivered to my front door on my time, I knew I needed to join the cult. I worked with the good, kindly folks over at Artizone to put together an incredible backyard bbq for a few of my closes friends and family. What you see above is the delicious, hard to say no to, incredible assortment of foods available on Artizone that assisted my soiree. That’s right, there was pimento cheese on crackers, tender beef brisket, broccoli salad, kale salad and wait for it … s’mores! All the ingredients arrived at my door the day of the event and I was so surprised to see all the local farms, purveyors and farmers involved in my order.

So, when you find yourself too tired or unwilling to drag yourself to the store, let the grocer come to you! Thanks Artizone!

I come to you bearing good news. It’s officially patio season and with that comes a fresh take on food that will keep you nourished through the heatwave of Summer. Savor, Klyde Warren Park’s main restaurant, is a modern gastropub located in the 5.2-acre deck park. Chef John Coleman has thoughtfully constructed a new menu for the warmest season of the year filled with a fresh bounty of delicious dishes to sample whether on the patio or safely cool inside.

I was invited in to sample the forthcoming food and I certainly found myself satisfied with the veteran chefs presentation. The Crispy Shrimp & Calamari “Fritto Misto” would pair perfectly with a glass of Rosé. The starter includes Baby Gulf Shrimp & Point Judith Calamari, Haricot Vert, Chili Glaze topped with Fresh Herbs. A great way to begin a plentiful plated journey through the Summer season. Need a salad starter? Go with the Compressed Watermelon with Burrata Cheese, Watercress, Balsamic Syrup. It was executed with perfection while not being overly dressed or sweet.

Next came a few main course samples. Pan Roasted Sea Scallops pay homage to Chef Coleman’s wifes southern routes by pairing them with Maque Choux, Pickled Rhubarb and a Bourbon Bacon Jam. Deliciously meaty and tender scallops were a great match for its other elements. A well prepared Blackened Gulf Red Snapper with Jalapeno Cheddar Grits, Lemon Butter and Arugula Salad was another winner. Light and fresh components met spice from the pepper and arugula. Lastly the simple Rotisserie Chicken atop Israeli Couscous, Baby Artichokes and Roasted Garlic Aioli was classically done with middle eastern influence.

I found myself extremely excited about many of the items we tasted and had trouble saving room for dessert this time. But never fear, when the swimsuits are put away and beaches aren’t a factor, the sweets shall rise again.

Settle into the idea that you can enjoy an astounding steak dinner in the sky. Poised atop the iconic Hilton Anatole and boasting unparalleled views of the Dallas skyline, SĒR Steak offers a sophisticated and urban dining experience unlike any other. Executive Chef Anthony Van Camp is one of the country’s finest young chefs, a Dallas-raised food prodigy renowned for his culinary precision and innovative dishes.

Recently I celebrated a very special occasion at the restaurant and had a front row seat to spectacular views and eats. We began with a glass of wine while we caught our breath staring at the unparalleled view of Downtown Dallas. Even on a somewhat cloudy evening, we were treated to sights that merit all eyes.

After finishing our pre-dinner drinks, we moved on to starters. Delicious herbed cheese bread is brought to the table, and you’d better believe I had 3 pieces of the golden, carb filled goodness. Ahi Tuna Tar Tar with Ponzu, Serrano and cucumber was super fresh and delicate. The fish melted in my mouth and the tart ness of the ponzu was a great balancing point for the fresh Ahi. We also sampled the local arugula salad with marcona almonds and preserved lemon vinaigrette. I regret to inform you this salad seemed to be missing something. We kept digging at the meager greens hoping to discover something to bring it all together, but it didn’t happen.

SĒR is certainly know for being a steakhouse, and while there are several prime cuts to choose from there are other options that could be comparably good for non-red meat eaters. The filet of beef was very tasty and moist. Cooked to a medium perfection, it came with sides of orange glazed carrots and a light bordelaise sauce. Another winner, the Atlantic Salmon was very juicy and tender without being overly done. A very dry pairing of roasted onions and broccolini had me reaching for my water glass, however. I’d hate to say a side dish could overshine a main but the creamed corn with shallot-jalapeno marmalade and popped corn gave our main plates a run for their money. Deliciously indulgent corn kernels were paired with an unusually charming popped corn topper to complete the side.

Knowing we’d had our fair share, we almost turned our back on dessert. Who am I kidding? We had to try at least one. In my opinion there is only one clear choice for sweet at SĒR and we chose it. The special “Millionaires Pie” combined a layer of raspberry ice cream and vanilla ice cream before topping it all off with a Texas sized meringue. It’s a heavyweight not to be missed.

This past weekend was my birthday. This past weekend was also the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards. Combining the two was no easy feat, but I got by with a little help from my friends over at Del Frisco’s Steakhouse in Dallas. The location hosted a special ACM Brunch to honor to celebrities and industry superstars in town.

The steakhouse known for its delicious dining experiences and opulent surroundings spared no expense making the brunch memorable. The menu usually pairs steak and succulent seafood with the finest ingredients to deliver truly unforgettable chef-driven cuisine. The late breakfast, early lunch occasion only added a couple signature dishes to the line up. The filet mignon benedict (poached eggs, asparagus, toasted english muffin, traditional hollandaise) was juicy and tender with a nice creamy touch from the sauce. We also tried the lobster florentine omelette which was super savory and fresh with succulent seafood tucked inside fluffy eggs.

Make sure to inquire about the signature off-the-menu gooey butter cake. It was probably one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth when combined with the homemade pecan praline ice cream. So perfect. Brunch isn’t a normal affair for Del Frisco’s but they are hosting a very special Mothers Day version on May 10th that you won’t wait to miss!

Still looking for the perfect way to celebrate Valentines Day? Well, whether your coupled up or on the prowl, W Dallas -Victory Hotel & Residences has the the right stuff to make the magic happen. If you’ve got that loving feeling, head over to the hotel located in Victory Park and enjoy an evening of great food, drink, music and mischief.

I’ve partnered with the W Dallas this year to showcase their celebrations and boy do they have quite the line up. One of my favorite things about the hotel is their knack for the playful stay and experience. Whenever I stay at a W Hotel, I know its bound to blow my mind with all of the amenities available and Dallas is no exception.

Cook Hall Dallas is serving up an amazing meal sure to satisfy your sweetie complete with 2 glasses of champagne. Make it a stay-cation afterward with a night in one of the hotels newly renovated and expertly styled rooms.

Craving something a bit more sexy? This year, they are offering a one of a kind night you aren’t soon to forget. May I present you with ‘Fifty Shades of W’:

Awaken your senses and indulge you and your special someone with a night of Fifty Shades of W. You’re in for an unforgettable and sensual escape of a lifetime. After all, at W Dallas – Victory it’s Whatever/Whenever 24-7 and we aim to please.

Fifty Shades of W Includes:

• One night of Play in the Extreme Wow Suite
• Bliss Spa Blissage75 In-Room Couples Massage
• Private In-Room Aphrodisiac Dinner for 2
• Bottle of Bubbly & Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• Scattered Rose Petals Throughout the Suite
• Little Black Box of Tantalizing Toys

That’s right, you can go Fifty Shades without even visiting the hardware store! And it’s sure to be classy as well.

I hope this Valentine’s Day you find yourself celebrating cupid at my favorite hotel in Dallas!

“Matt McCallister, Chef/Owner of FT33, proudly announces his second restaurant, Filament. Filament will honor simply prepared ingredients of the South and is slated to open in Spring 2015 in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood.  Known for his naturalistic style and modern approach to seasonal fare at FT33, Chef McCallister’s Filament will hold true to the same philosophy, with a more casual approach to dining.

“The menu at Filament will be full of items that I eat on my own time. A couple of months ago I took a road trip with a couple members of my team and really thought about the food that is representative of our region,” says Chef McCallister. “Filament’s menu will be approachable, but not without the unexpected.  The menu I’m working on looks straightforward on paper, like Spicy Pork Sausage with fire roasted peppers, pickled onions, and yogurt.  There will be surprises, though.”

Filament’s large, horseshoe-shaped bar, which seats 24, will feature a selection curated by Managing Partner Jeff Gregory, who has created and maintains the award-winning beverage program at FT33. There will be a list of about 100 bottles of wine, a rotating lineup of craft beers on tap, and an inventive selection of seasonal cocktails.  An early look at the bar program hints at variations on the Julep, Sazerac, and Milk Punch, as well as an emphasis on use of preserved fruits.

The space was first an early 1900s machinist shop, and the restaurant will preserve parts of the original interior, including exposed brick walls and wooden beam ceilings. Filament’s industrial style fits with the vibe in Deep Ellum, a neighborhood known as a destination for local art, music, and more.

Filament, Chef Matt McCallister’s second Dallas restaurant will open for dinner in Spring 2015. The restaurant is located at 2626 Main Street in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood.”

The Design District is known for it’s chic array of storefronts, restaurants and residential properties. Things are about to get kitschy and south-of-the-border soon though. Wandering through, I spotted a brand new sign in the former, failed Central Standard spot (now a shell) that read ‘Primo’s Tex-Mex‘. I tried hard to remember why that name sounded familiar and then I put two and two together.

Uptown Dallas’ beloved Tex-Mex joint closed back earlier last year but the chain is bringing back the burritos and beans to the Design District at 1400 Hi Line. Promises of $2 margarita tuesdays and half-burnt tacos haven’t been secured yet but who knows, we may see a different side to Dallas’ favorite ‘Primo’ this time around. More to come.

Cook Hall Dallas at the W Hotel in Victory Park hosted it’s final beer dinner of 2014 last night, and it was a buzzed about event.

Chef Nick Jimenez guided us course by course as a local distributor, Ben E. Keith, provided the beers to pair.

We sampled 5 courses with a variety of brews from all over the country. The courses and pairings were as follows below.

A delicious and creamy roasted cauliflower & parmesan soup with a herbed oil garnish. This went well with a mild and dark Pepe Nero from Goose Island. Sesame Chicken Nuggets followed second. Yes, chicken nuggets. An upscale and perfectly crispy take on the dish was sided with a Black Pepper & Lime Aioli. We also sipped on a Trinity Tripel from Community Brewing. A fun version of Foie Gras Brûlée came next with a Spiced Fig Jam on Toasted Brioche. The salt and sweet combo was a nice tone to mix with a spicy and warm Inspiration from Community.

To finish the savory portion of our meal, Chef Jimenez prepared Glazed Short Ribs with Tender Carrots & Herbs. The short rib itself could have used more time, but the glaze blended with the brew, a Delirium Noel beer from Brouweril Huyghe. The room filled with a happy hum for our dessert course. Banana Cream Pie, Walnut Shortbread was an amazing end to a long meal of brews and bites. The craziest (and my favorite) beer came last in the form of Voodoo Doughnut Chocolate Peanut Butter & Banana Ale from Rogue. Heck yes.

Cook Hall will kick things off again in January with a beer and whiskey dinner. More details to come on that but be sure to reserve your spot early!

Brace yourself for what is sure to be an onslaught of food feels after reading this post.

I stopped in to the brand new Eureka!, a California chain with fourteen locations throughout California, Washington and Texas, serving up a “chef-driven menu” that’s heavy on the burgers, craft brews, and American whiskey. The location landed smack dab in the middle of Uptown Dallas as a part of the 3500M mixed-use residential project. It is a cozy space that focuses heavily on the bar and patio aspects (which will be perfect for warmer weather). Eureka! West Village serves the Uptown area with a trendy casual place to dine, drink, and socialize while enjoying weekly events, like Steal The Glass, live music, and daily “Hoppy” Hour. General Manager Matthew Ellis describes the feel as the ‘living room of Uptown’ and I can certainly get down with that. Now hand over the clicker.

The bar game is serious at Eureka! and we tried a couple of the cocktails to begin. The Moscow Mule and Greyhound cocktails were incredibly tasty on a chilly evening. All of the infusions are made in house, which is the theme for most of the dishes served here as well.

After being invited in, Eureka! lined up a few options from their menu to sample. My favorites from the starters were the Truffle Cheese Fries with creamy Havarti truffle sauce (OMG good!), Golden Ale Mussels in a jalapeño bacon stock topped with crispy pancetta and golden ale beer and the Lollipop Corn Dogs. All three options are highly shareable and with hours bending into the late-night scene, I can tell I’ll be craving those cheese fries.

Eureka! has an amazing burger selection, but several of the mains hold their own as well. Beef Cheek Tacos were moist and had a nice spicy touch from the chipotle hot sauce they ladle on top. A Bone Marrow Burger landed on the table to awe and stomach growls. This baby is loaded with bone marrow porcini butter, a charbroiled onion and mustard aioli. Certainly a two-fist kind of sandwich, this burger was one of the best I’ve had in town and comes with limited availability note on the menu.

I needed to know how Eureka! stacked up in the sweets department, naturally. The Butterscotch Rum Pudding was a favorite with flaky sea salt on top. A Chocolate Espresso Soufflé and Americana Apple Crisp were delicious as well. I got a chuckle when the dessert menu listed a “more beer!” option as well.

Have a happy thought and chant “Eureka!” when you stumble upon this great new addition in Dallas soon.