Tag: dallas

On the Road Eats: Road Trip from Dallas to 30A

Published on by Always Travel With Peanut Butter

Summer + COVID means a road trip.  Different scenery but still social distancing.  This trip was Dallas to 30A with stops in Little Rock, Memphis, Alabama and Louisiana.

Hotel: TownePlace Suites Memphis Olive Branch
Would I stay again?  Yes.  It was clean and the checkin was contactless.  We checked in around 9:30pm and were back on the road by 7:30am but breakfast was available and I took a cup of coffee to go.

Restaurants:

Lunch to-go (Little Rock, Arkansas): ZAZA Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co.
Would I dine again? Yes.  Great salads, pizza and gelato when they are open.  I had been here years back for work travel so I knew it would be a family friendly experience.  Eating in the car was not ideal BUT good food!

Snack (Memphis, TN): Gibson’s Donuts
Would I dine again? Yes.  We stopped in Memphis to visit friends on the way to 30A, not on the way but a must do trip.  They picked up Gibson’s as a treat and they were delicious.

Breakfast (Birmingham, AL): Tip Top Grill
Would I dine again? Well, we tried to dine.  We showed up and saw the view but they closed early for breakfast due to a large lunch order.  All I wanted was a biscuit!

Breakfast (Birmingham, AL): Edgar’s Bakery & Cafe
Would I dine again? Yes.  I got my biscuit.  And the whole family had a great meal, sitting outside with lots of distance between the tables.

Breakfast: Charlie’s Donut Truck
Would I dine again? Yes.  We biked from the house to Alys Beach and found the truck with a short line.  Donuts and Smoothies and a shady spot to eat!

Breakfast: Big Bad Breakfast
Would I dine again? Yes.  We ate outside, had a great breakfast and were lucky to get there early because there was a short wait when we left.

Dinner: 30a Burger
Would I dine again? Maybe.  My daughter loves burgers.  She got to choose dinner so burgers it is.

Dinner: Pizza by the Sea
Would I dine again? Yes.  Regardless of where we are, we will always order italian and this spot was easy to pick up on the way home.

Dinner: goatfeathers
Would I dine again? Yes.  We picked up fish, we had them cook and even got tuna sashimi.  There are multiple markets so it was an easy option for dinner one night.

Dinner: Lola Coastal Italian
Would I dine again? Yes. I used to live in Atlanta and found out about a new Tom Catherall restaurant on 30a so I had to try it. Wood fired chicken with an amazing lemon sauce, a shrimp scampi that made me smile and spaghetti and meatballs with a sauce I wish I could eat daily. Happy we started our trip with takeout from Lola.

Dinner: Perfect Pig Grill and Fish House
Would I dine again? Yes. Another great takeout night in 30a! Tonight was pork tenderloin medallions over gruyere grits with a blackberry pinot noir sauce and a tomahawk pork chop with grilled veggies and a pineapple chutney.

Dinner: Seagrove Village MarketCafe
Would I dine again? Maybe.  Fried fish.  And a burger for our daughter.  Sometimes you just need some fried food.

Snack (Louisiana): Cafe Du Monde
Would I dine again? Yes.  Of course.  Now I will admit this was not in New Orleans, but at a small spot on the way back to Dallas.  Regardless, we had to introduce our daughter to a beignet.  She wasn’t that impressed but I think doing beignets via drive thru took away some of the thrill.

On the Road Eats: Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck

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I have something to share with you.

It’s a Sunday afternoon, I am running errands and realize I never ate lunch.  I look at the window and two food trucks.  Really? The food truck from Shark Tank?  I didn’t know they were in Dallas.  Cool!

Cousins Main Lobster Food Truck
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I asked someone inside and they said they tried it last week.  They said they skimped on the lobster.  Hmm…do I bother?  The other option is an ice cream truck and I would hate to admit at dinner that all I had for lunch was ice cream.  So, I check out the menu an try the lobster roll, Connecticut style(warm with butter and lemon) since I love lobster and was very curious.  The good news, they did not skimp on the lobster but for $15, I was still hungry.  Would I have it again?  Yes, but I would need something else with it (maybe a cup of chowder or bisque) or a nearby dessert truck.

 

Click here to find their location in Dallas and other cities.

Brunch on Mother’s Day 2015 in Dallas

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I have something to share with you. I love Mother’s Day!  For me, there is no pressure to decorate the house, no need to plan for presents, and it can be as lazy or as active as we want.  Plus my daughter is usually on her best behavior since it is Mommy’s special day.  Instead of doing a big dinner out, we love to “brunch”! nasher2Over the years we have spent Mother’s Day at a lot of great restaurants in Dallas.  I remember a quiet meal at the Dallas Fish Market with my newborn daughter, a more casual meal with the whole family at The Grape, a southern meal at Hattie’s in Oak Cliff, and my absolute favorite, a special brunch at the Nasher Sculpture Center(brunch by Wolfgang Puck with special family activities and performances) that my husband reserved for the three of us as a surprise. Of course, as a mom, I always ask friends for recommendations on where they spend Mother’s day, whether it be brunch or dinner.  A few of their favorites:  brunch at Café on the Green at the Four Seasons in Irving(very family friendly), Al Biernats (for brunch or dinner) and Nick and Sam’s Grill(very energetic). This year I want to try something that is “new to me” but a place that I would be happy to go to on any given Sunday(with the hope that someone else is doing the food shopping and running errands while I am “brunching”).  I went to my two trusted “foodie” sources and not too many posts about Mother’s Day yet.  Then I pulled up OpenTable and started looking for the best brunch spots in North Dallas and their page specific for Mother’s Day brunch spots.  This is the EASIEST way to make reservations and it all syncs with my calendar!  So where might you find me on Mother’s Day?

  • SMOKE Plano – I have been to Smoke down in Oak Cliff and enjoyed both brunch and dinner. I think it is time to visit them again for some thick cut pork belly bacon!   Unfortunately, you cannot make reservations for brunch.
  • DISH Preston Hollow – I used to live near DISH on Cedar Springs and unfortunately never made it there for lunch, dinner or brunch. Now that there is one closer to me and they serve Fried Chicken and Waffles, this is definitely on my list.
  • Mexican Sugar – There is something for everyone here – Benedictos Rancheros, Chilaquiles or Egg White Migas. Plus I can spend some time shopping at Legacy after we eat!
  • Knife Dallas – The Short Rib Benedict and Pork Belly Hash are calling my name.  We have been for dinner and it may be time to visit for brunch!
  • Ivy Kitchen – I visited Ivy Kitchen right after it opened for a girls’ night out and enjoyed my meal. I have heard some mixed reviews but I have not been for brunch.  Depending on the weather, brunch and a movie may be a great way to spend the day!  I know my husband would be thrilled!

 Happy Mother’s Day!!!

 

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On the Road Eats: Dallas

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I have something to share with you.

The experience started out rough. I was dining alone, there were no seats at the bar, and no WiFi. Let me repeat- no WiFi for someone dining alone is the worst. You have to make sure you have synced your kindle app or have the latest version of USA Today or The NY Times to read. Or you have to play games through dinner.

But the manager helped me get a seat and after the crowds slowed my bartender was most helpful. She made lots of recommendations and I decide to go with the deviled eggs with bacon jam, the chicken pot pie and a side of Brussels sprouts.  I sat with my iPad playing solitaire and listening to Neil Diamond before dinner was served(they do play good music).

The deviled eggs- a bit heavy on the yolk but the bacon jam brought a great sweetness. A good start to the meal.

Next was the Chicken Fricassee Pot Pie. Very good, not too heavy and great flavors. I skipped the side salad with it and enjoyed the Brussels sprouts, a little pepper mixed with sweet. I think my husband may need to try these!

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Take this advice: find a date or bring a MiFi and come eat at Neighborhood Services in Addison.