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January 4, 2013

Foodie Friday: Holiday Eats in Washington, D.C.

Filed under: Fashionable Restaurant,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , , — Nik @ 10:39 pm

Fashionistas,

Here’s a quick recap of eats and treats sampled in Washington, D.C. over Christmas with family and friends.  Hope your holidays were meaningful and memorable!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

October 5, 2012

Foodie Friday: FoodHeads Cafe in Austin

Filed under: Food/Restaurant Review,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , — Nik @ 10:00 am

 

Dear Foodie Fashionistas,

In September a friend suggested we get out of the office and have an early lunch at a place called FoodHeads Cafe, north of downtown Austin.  I admit, I’d never heard of this cafe and I was excited to try something new.  I was not disappointed.  The interior was colorful, eclectic and quaint, and the menu included the familiar theme of soup, salad and sandwich but with deliciously interesting combinations.  For example:

GYPSY GROVE SANDWICH

Marinated and grilled pork tenderloin &
grilled ham on toasted bolillo with Swiss
cheese, jalapeno relish, Tabasco slaw and a
fried egg.

CHICKEN & EGGPLANT (Pictured Above with Greek Salad)

Grilled chicken breast & roasted eggplant on
toasted multigrain bread with goat cheese,
basil pesto, spinach, tomato & blackberry
balsamic vinaigrette.

Service was quick and friendly, perfect for a quick lunch-time bite.  Depending on the time of year, I recommend sitting outside on the front porch to take in the fresh air and energy of the neighborhood.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

August 31, 2012

Foodie Friday: Turf N Surf Food Truck in Downtown Austin

Filed under: Food/Restaurant Review,Foodie Fridays — Tags: — Nik @ 10:00 am

.

Foodie Fashionistas,

Turf N Surf embodies two words: Amazingly delicious.

This charmingly rugged (a la Pirates of the Caribbean) food truck is one of my favorite lunch spots in downtown Austin.  Portions are generous, yet prices remain reasonable.  Located at 4th and Congress, I recommend getting out of the office, or wherever you are, and heading over to try the shrimp po’ boy and jalapeno hush puppies.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

August 24, 2012

Foodie Friday: Legal Sea Foods Arlington, VA

Filed under: Fashionable Restaurant,Food/Restaurant Review,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , , — Nik @ 10:00 am

Dear Foodie Fashionistas,

Any time I visit the D.C. area I make sure I stop by Legal Sea Foods.  I always have the clam chowder, but during my recent visit I went a little off the beaten path. Rather than having crab cakes or a lobster roll, I opted for the mushroom ravioli. Light, yet rich, it was the perfect switch up from the typical (but superb) seafood fare.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

June 21, 2012

Foodie Friday: Izumi Sushi & Grill in Austin

Filed under: Food/Restaurant Review,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , — Nik @ 11:08 pm

Fashionistas,

I think I’ve found my new favorite sushi spot in Austin: Izumi Sushi & Grill.  It’s located northwest of downtown near Highway 360 and Bee Cave Road.  I’ve tried a handful since relocating here, and by far this one’s my favorite and well worth the drive from downtown.  Don’t leave without having the tempura ice cream- great for sharing and delicious!  I’m just going to say it: I liked it more  than Uchi!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

May 17, 2012

Foodie Friday: Gourdough’s Big. Fat. Donuts. in Austin

Filed under: Food/Restaurant Review,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , — Nik @ 11:06 pm

For those of you who are outside the Austin area, let me tell you about Gourdough’s Big. Fat. Donuts.  The motto here is “Keep Austin Weird” and Gourdough’s takes that to heart with some truly unique sweets such as the Boss Hog, Son of a Peach and Naughty & Nice specialty donuts.

Gourdough’s has also been featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.  Foodies, you know what that means- it’s the real deal.

Back to the food.  Trends are sometime frivolous and unfounded.  However, I see now why bacon has taken the dessert world by storm.  Bacon makes it better.  And Gourdough’s does bacon and donuts the best.  I present to you, the Flying Pig.  Maple syrup icing topped with bacon- add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it super special and schedule an extra session with your personal trainer.

This is the best donut I’ve ever had in my entire life.  Ever.  Hands down.  Krispy who??  Please.  Happy drooling.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

April 26, 2012

Foodie Friday: Austin Food and Wine Fest- Apr. 27-29, 2012

Filed under: Art and Culture,Fashionable Restaurant,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , , — Nik @ 11:16 pm

 

Fashionistas,

Here’s another place to see and be seen in your most fashionable attire, while dining on the most decadent bites prepared by some of the culinary world’s most talented stars.  Guests at the Austin Food & Wine Festival include the Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Marcus Samuelsson and Texas’s own Tim Love.  Be warned, tickets are a bit pricey, starting at $250 per person.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

April 19, 2012

Foodie Friday: Shrimp & Grits- Ft. Worth’s Ferre vs. Austin’s South Congress Cafe

Filed under: Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , — Nik @ 11:21 pm

Dear Fashionistas,

When it comes to dining, I have a few items that I always have to try if they’re on the menu: 1) Eggs Benedict, 2) Chai Tea, 3) Crab Cakes and 4) Tempura Ice Cream.  God help me if they ever happen to show up on the same menu.  I’ve written about brunch in the past, and now I’d like to feature one of my favorite dishes offered for dinner: Shrimp and Grits.  An indisputable southern classic, and like most things, better with cheese.  Drum roll, please.

FERRE FORT WORTH

VS.

SOUTH CONGRESS CAFE

 And the winner is:

SOUTH CONGRESS CAFE

I admit, this was a close one.  Ferre is an exceptional establishment in downtown Fort Worth that consistently delivers great food and service.  However, what pushes South Congress Cafe over the edge is one component, the sweet and savory crawfish broth- it’s rich, yet light, and unbelievably good.  Heads up, this dish is a featured special, and not always offered.  When it shows up on the menu, I highly recommend trying it.  You won’t be disappointed.

Nik

April 12, 2012

Foodie Friday: Malaga in Austin and Samar in Dallas

Filed under: Fashionable Restaurant,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , , — Nik @ 11:13 pm

Fashionistas,

Here are two restaurants I love, Malaga Tapas & Bar in Austin and Samar by Stephan Pyles in Dallas. Both equally exotic and delicious, they’re perfect downtown hot spots to dine and shine in your most fashionable ensemble. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Samar, so the menu may have changed, but I’m sure whatever they’re serving is phenomenal.  Malaga favorite: breaded and fried goat cheese drizzled with honey.  It will change your life.  Samar favorite: Potatoes and chorizo with egg.  So good, it’s on the lunch and dinner menu.  Enjoy!

MALAGA TAPAS & BAR

Mexican Martini

 

Plato de Quesos y Fruta

Crab Stuffed Portabella (middle plate)- "Hongos Rellenos de Txangurro"

 

Mejillones en Salsa de Pimientos

SAMAR by STEPHAN PYLES

Potatoes and Chorizo with Organic Egg

I think this was fried calamari. It was paired with rice with squid ink and aioli. Delicious!

Spinach and Goat Cheese Naan (right)- Perfect addition to any meal.

March 23, 2012

Foodie Friday: Blue Fish Irving vs. Sushi Axiom Ft. Worth

Filed under: Food/Restaurant Review,Foodie Fridays — Tags: , , , , , — Nik @ 10:00 am

I love sushi and I’m mystified why some people refuse to even try it.  Sashimi and I go way back.  Before grad school I frequented Piranha Killer Sushi in Arlington.  Then, there was one summer during grad school when I felt like I visited Sushi Axiom in Fort Worth on a weekly basis.  I absolutely love that place, but recently I tried another sushi hot spot that rivals my beloved Axiom: Blue Fish in Irving.  Three words: Mega Lobster Roll.  Sweet Jesus and God Bless Texas.

 SUSHI AXIOM

Sushi Axiom Appetizer: Salmon Sashimi, Unagi and Quail Egg

Sushi Axiom Signature Roll

Sushi Axiom Tempura Ice Cream

BLUE FISH

Blue Fish Appetizer: Crab Cake with Mashed Potatoes

Blue Fish Appetizer: Kobe Sizzler

Blue Fish Appetizer: Calamari

Blue Fish Signature Roll: Super Dragon

Blue Fish Signature Roll: Mega Lobster Roll

Blue Fish Tempura Ice Cream

And the winner is:

Atmosphere: Sushi Axiom

Appetizer Selection: Blue Fish

Signature Sushi Rolls: Blue Fish

Dessert: Sushi Axiom

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

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