Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Eddie V's - Fort Worth, TX

Cowboy Ron did so well in Texas. The night of his finals he marked a solid 215.5 which is very good to non-horsey people who read this blog. In celebration of his work well done we went out to a nice dinner at Eddie V's. Based on recommendation we just had to give it a try! 

Trefethen Winery is not only a sponsor at the cutting but a friend. We decided we should support them as we celebrated. Great wine! 

My friend Bobbi said the Crab Cakes are amazing so we all decided to give one a go. It definitely filled with crab. No fillers, it literally fell apart because it was solid crab. It was almost difficult to eat but was very tasty.

Scott ordered the CRab & Corn Chowder. I took this amazing action shot by accident, but I love it. The chowder was sweet with the caramelized corn and chunks of tender crab.  

I was almost jealous but my order came out next so I was ok. I ordered the Lobster Bisque and was thrilled. It was so creamy, silky, very naughty and high in calories. I love when a place actually makes their soup in house.  

Cowboy Ron went with a Heirloom Tomato Salad complete with Bufala Mozzarella, red onion, basil, olive oil and a reduced balsamic reduction. I have been craving these salads all summer. I just discovered Burrata. I put it on everything now!

Scott and I both set our sights on the Louisiana Red Fish. It is not something we can order at home so we went outside the box. It was served in a meunière sauce which brown butter, chopped parsley, lemon and in this case, I believe they included Worcestershire as well. They topped the fish with jump crab meat, a nice touch. I was not overwhelmed by the dish, but I am sure glad I ordered something different than what I normally would have gotten.

Cowboy Ron ordered the Halibut, it looks beautiful doesn't it. A solid piece of work!

I was stuffed at this point but Cowboy Ron encouraged me to order dessert. Okay, twist my arm! We all had a spoon in hand and sampled them Creme Brulee. It was fantastic. The little cookies they served with were nice to munch on as well.

Thank you Cowboy Ron and congratulations to you!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Thank you Texas!

We came, we saw, we left with a little change in our pockets. I ended up splitting 10th in the NCHA Summer Spectacular Limited Non-Pro Derby. These are memories of a lifetime. I have a nice horse, the best trainer and family & friends who are the ultimate supporters. 

Food posts will still keep coming, we ate a lot!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Papasito's Cantina- Fort Worth, TX

One of the things I love most about my stay in Fort Worth during the horse shows is watching all the finals during the competition. This night it was the Non Pro 5/6 Finals and it was sure to be good watching.

Cowboy Ron, Scott, my Mom and I all picked before hand who we thought would win. My Mom and I tied and we went out to dinner to celebrate afterwards.  

 We decided to go to Papasito's because I had never been there and I am cuckoo for Mexican food. The salsa was outstanding. They served both red and green. It was better than Chevy's, Chile's and On The Border, no comparison.

The margaritas are big and tasty. They do their job well! 

We ordered an appetizer to sample what the restaurant had to offer. On the left was Queso Blanco, it was thick and kind of tasted like plastic. Not my favorite. The middle was Guacamole and it needed some flavor, very bland. So we mixed in their good salsa with it and, voila! Magically delicious. The last one was the best. Pineapple Pico de Gallo with Shrimp. It tasted tropical, refreshing and totally exotic. This is a must order!

 Scott ordered the Chicken Taco salad complete with deep fried taco shell, tomatoes, poblanos, avocado, cheese, red onion, tortilla chips all dressed in a wonderfully creamy ranch dressy. It was so huge that Scott took it back to the hotel and he and I shared it the next night for dinner.

When I saw Tilapia Vera Cruz on the menu I knew that is what I wanted to eat. The plate was a wonderfully grilled tilapia fillet with shrimp, scallops, crawfish, spinach and mushrooms in a creamy wine sauce. It was outstanding, so much so we returned to the restaurant again on a separate night and I ordered the exact same thing.  

The Pappa's brothers opened their first restaurant in 1976. They now have 8 unique restaurants in 60 cities in the U.S. I have been to Papadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Papasito's Cantina - I cannot wait to try the remaning six. I am very impressed with their food and service. 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

La Familia Restaurant - Fort Worth, TX

Based on a recommendation from a friend we went to La Familia Restaurant for lunch one afternoon last week. I remember the chips and salsa just being average but the ambiance and greeting outstanding. 

What beats a Pacifico in a cold glass on a hot day? 

Al's Cactus and Bean Soup was outstanding! It was very simple but totally satisfying. One of my favorite things in my Fort Worth eating tour. 

I had heard rave reviews about the Tomatillo Enchiladas filled with sliced chicken. Apparently at La Familia they do not believe chicken should be shredded, huh? I prefer shredded meat in enchiladas, it soaks up the sauce better and makes for a tastier vehicle.  The sauce was very tangy, almost tart. 

Was I overly impressed? Yes and no, you cannot go wrong with atmosphere, cold beer and bean soup. Some days, that is all I need. But other days you want your chicken shredded. Right?  

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Flying Fish - Fort Worth, TX

We never need an excuse to go to Flying Fish, we just love it there. This trip Cowboy Ron, Scott and I grabbed the back booth and waited for all our treats to come to the table.

Oysters on the half shell because they delicious and low in calories too!

All fried goodness, not low in calories but totally worth it. Deep fried shrimp, okra and hush puppies. Wahoo. We shared, and enjoyed every bit of this basket. 

 Red Snapper Vera Cruz for Cowboy Ron. It made a beautiful photo but it was sure a lot of work to eat. That is a whole deep fried fish! What a crack up.

Grilled Tilapia made "Snappy" their version of spicy. I love the grilled squash and zucchini. it was very tasty. This was probably the healthiest meal I have had here. I was pretty proud of myself after this one!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Weatherford Cafe - Weatherford, TX

Scott, Cowboy Ron and I took a drive out to the country to visit some of the best cutting ranches in the area and watch their horses work. We left our hotel at about 4:30 A.M. so by 9:00 we were famished. Scott knew of the cafe so we drove through town and got a table.

 Upon reviewing the menu we came across a fabulously exciting option...

Chicken Fried Bacon! Oh yeah. 
It actually wasn't as good as I expected. I usually like my bacon very crispy and this tended to be chewy. 

 With the bacon, they served me grits and over medium eggs.

And biscuits and gravy too! Lets just say this was a major cheat day. They do things big here in Texas!

 Scott ordered a little more normally and have tomato slices, eggs and crispy bacon. 

I must say this was a fun breakfast though. The service was great, restaurant packed and a place i wouldn't mind visiting again! 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Fort Worth, TX

Sushi in Texas? Aren't we supposed to be eating big slabs of beef? Oh no, not anymore. Fort Worth has turned into a swanky, food focused town concentrating in the newest and best of culinary trends. I have eaten the best of the best, as far as sushi and Japanese cuisine is concerned and Blue Sushi Sake Grill is a top contender. Upon entry you are greeted by a well dressed, beautiful hostess and start swaying to the hip music playing. There is always a full bar and people hanging out in comfortable couches they have in the lounge.

Do you love Mexican Ceviche? Well, try the Japanese version with white fish, cucumber, shallots, cilantro, lime juice and a healthy dose of black pepper. Won ton chips are excellent accompaniment to the delicate ceviche. This is an excellent starter to the rest of your meal.

River Rocks cook your Beef Tenderloin right before your eyes! You can have it as rare or well as you like! How cool is that?

The Itchy Sisters - Baked Salmon and Sea Bass on beds of crab with a cilantro ponzu sauce. This is probably the best thing on the menu. Two come in an order so we ordered two orders of each type of fish. So good! It is cooked, so all you raw fish nay sayers this is your type of eats!

Hawaiian Poke anyone? Served very simply but it was just so perfect. Do you every notice how less is more when cooking with excellent ingredients? You let their freshness do the talking and you end up just fine.

 And now we get to the rolls! Three excellent selections were recommended to us by Blue Sushi's head waiter. On the left we have "The Beach" a play on spicy sushi with albacore, jalapeno, avocado, cilantro and that same delicious ponzu sauce that is found in many other of their dishes. The middle roll is the "Hot Popper" a cream cheese and smoked salmon dream come true. And the last roll, is the "Black Dragon" totally cool name and the best roll of the night. Topped with tempura fried shrimp, baked eel, black tobiko and then drizzled with a rich, sweet eel sauce. I wanted to order another roll but I was stuffed to the brim. 

Fort Worth has always been known for beef, but it better watch out there is a new sheriff in town, Sushi!


Blue Sushi Sake Grill - Fort Worth, TX

Sushi in Texas? Aren't we supposed to be eating big slabs of beef? Oh no, not anymore. Fort Worth has turned into a swanky, food focused town concentrating in the newest and best of culinary trends. I have eaten the best of the best, as far as sushi and Japanese cuisine is concerned and Blue Sushi Sake Grill is a top contender. Upon entry you are greeted by a well dressed, beautiful hostess and start swaying to the hip music playing. There is always a full bar and people hanging out in comfortable couches they have in the lounge.

Do you love Mexican Ceviche? Well, try the Japanese version with white fish, cucumber, shallots, cilantro, lime juice and a healthy dose of black pepper. Won ton chips are excellent accompaniment to the delicate ceviche. This is an excellent starter to the rest of your meal.

River Rocks cook your Beef Tenderloin right before your eyes! You can have it as rare or well as you like! How cool is that?

The Itchy Sisters - Baked Salmon and Sea Bass on beds of crab with a cilantro ponzu sauce. This is probably the best thing on the menu. Two come in an order so we ordered two orders of each type of fish. So good! It is cooked, so all you raw fish nay sayers this is your type of eats!

Hawaiian Poke anyone? Served very simply but it was just so perfect. Do you every notice how less is more when cooking with excellent ingredients? You let their freshness do the talking and you end up just fine.

 And now we get to the rolls! Three excellent selections were recommended to us by Blue Sushi's head waiter. On the left we have "The Beach" a play on spicy sushi with albacore, jalapeno, avocado, cilantro and that same delicious ponzu sauce that is found in many other of their dishes. The middle roll is the "Hot Popper" a cream cheese and smoked salmon dream come true. And the last roll, is the "Black Dragon" totally cool name and the best roll of the night. Topped with tempura fried shrimp, baked eel, black tobiko and then drizzled with a rich, sweet eel sauce. I wanted to order another roll but I was stuffed to the brim. 

Fort Worth has always been known for beef, but it better watch out there is a new sheriff in town, Sushi!


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Rio Mambo - Fort Worth, TX

A funky name and a just as cool decorations adorn the walls of Rio Mambo. Located in a strip mall in the outskirts of Fort Worth is where the restaurant calls home. With hungry tummies we sat down in a comfortable booth and waited to be impressed.

Standard chips and salsa. 

I ordered the Tilapia Ole! It may not look the most appetizing but it was out of this world amazing! Fresh tilapia, lightly fried, topped with a slightly spicy chipotle shrimp sauce. Served with arroz blanco and black beans. Super, duper order!

Scott ordered a lunch special of Chipotle Chicken Tacos. He said they were ok and really like the little dish of beans that came with it. I know for the price it was a heck of a deal.

You would have never thought on the outside walking in that the food and atmosphere was as good as it was. Don't you just love it when you are surprised by little gems? Operation Eat Fort Worth is going great!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Happy 4th Birthday!

A very special birthday to Melissa Good Taste! My blog turns 4 years old today. It is amazing how fast time flies! Cheers to all the food, friends and places this blog has taken me. 

I can't wait to see what the next 4 bring!

Rockfish - Fort Worth, TX

Every night is an adventure to find a new restaurant that we haven't tried yet. I had remembered the last time we were here that there was a place called, Rockfish, on the way out of town toward our hotel. We took our seat in the busy, little restaurant and rolled up our sleeves.

I ordered a dozen Oysters on the Half Shell because that is all I seem to be eating these days. They were good, I really like them! 

After the oysters, I ordered the Seafood Tower. It was a ring of crab, avocado and tuna served with plenty of wonton chips and strips of Siracha. It was a simple yet delicious pick. 

Ron and Scott were good little cowboys and ordered salads. This was like a franchise restaurant so I am not sure if we would return, I like things with some original flair. But, don't get me wrong - good, solid food.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Chimys - Fort Worth, TX

Since I have been in Fort Worth I have read three books. I am usually not without some sort of reading material whether I am hanging at the stalls or in the grandstands. I have a lot of good books ready for me to plow through. It is one of the best things I do for myself, besides running on the treadmill.

After completing some chores at the barn Scott and I set out for a place to lunch. We came across Chimys. It looked like it was a fun place to grab a quick bite. You order at the counter and your food is soon called out for you to pick up.

On the appetizer menu they had "Changa Mud"and so I decided because of the cool name, I would try it. If is basically queso with a scoop of guacamole. It was good. Th chips were dusted with seasoning, good touch.

Scott felt like he was lacking in vegetables so we decided to go for a Taco Salad. It did look pretty refreshing, as far as salads go. 

 I ordered two Crispy Pork Tacos, the salsa bar was a good place to dress them up. I added salsa verde and a black bean and corn salad. They were good, not great.

Chimys was fast food style Mexican food. They say they serve up a mean Margarita. I guess I should be the judge of that!