Blue Stove - Thousand Oaks, CA

What is better than finding a really classy Christmas Outfit at Nordstrom's half off? Well... Not much but the lunch I had at their in house restaurant, Blue Stove comes in a close second! Read on...

I have had a Nordstrom's Gift Card burning a hole in my pocket (Thank you Kate Good Taste) for quite sometime now and after scrolling online for something that caught my eye I just never used it. I decided maybe a trip to the actual store might do the trick and it worked! After my successful trip I was starting to get a little hungry. A glass of Chenin Blanc perked me up and I was ready to make a lunch decision. 

 They must of knew I was coming... A perfectly sized portion of scallop to risotto was waiting patiently for me on the menu. The Lemon Scented Risotto was lovely, as was the jumbo scallop that was nicely split three ways. I must say this deal of a meal was only $12. In fact nothing on their menu is over $13. I know the portions are smaller and meant for sharing but for me, they were just my size.

Do I love Nordstrom's? Of course. Do I love Blue Stove even more? Absolutely! I will be a repeat guest for sure!

Tlaquepaque - Santa Paula, CA

So we have been home from Texas for a few weeks now and I have been enjoying the time home. So much so that I designed an outdoor living space. We have a wrap around porch with two large bays so I decided to create a cute, comfy spot of early morning coffee and late evening cocktails. It is a work in progress but I love it.

Melissa Weis, Porch Decorator Extraordinaire.  

Spray painting all that wicker made me quite hungry one afternoon so I decided I better treat myself to a nice lunch. When I am looking to fill my tummy I always choose Mexican food and so I turned to Tlaquepaque to do the job. It has higher Yelp reviews than Familia Diaz or La Cabana, my usual spots so I was curious to see what the hype was all about.

The chips and salsa was ok. I munched on them aimlessly rather than for flavor. I think based on this course Famila Diaz has them beat and a tie with La Cabana.

 It is going to be hard to compare my main course with the two other restaurants because I went off course and just ordered a shredded beef taco with rice and beans here. But I will say, it is the best darn taco I have had in a long time. I appreciated that they made a little foil taco holder, so the shell did not get soggy or contents fall out. How clever! The shredded beef was totally flavorful. A winner. 

I cannot wait to come back and see how my beloved enchilada stacks up but I am sure it will be good as the meat was just really on point. The restaurant was packed at noon so it must be doing something right, a local's favorite.

Pacific Table - Fort Worth, TX

Danger! Do not read this post or go to this restaurant if you are not prepared to go shopping before your meal... J Crew, Banana Republic, Anthropologie are all located within feet of this restaurant!

I have always heard great things about Pacific Table but from my two last trips to Fort Worth I just wasn't able to squeeze it in. Scott and I browsed around the outdoor shopping mall killing time, after working Ruben at the NCHA Summer Spectacular practice pen and started to get pretty hungry. Delighted to check a new restaurant off my list we took a seat at Pacific Table. 

As we sat down I noticed that in their wine case they were featuring Turley Zinfandel I knew it had to be a great restaurant if they were that focused on detail. Turley is terrific!

Their lunch menu is outstanding. There truly is not one thing I wouldn't love to eat but I just couldn't get past the thought of the Singapore Chicken Salad. Roasted chicken, snow peas, cabbage, sweet peppers, mangos, cilantro, avocado marcona almonds and coconut lime dressing. It was the most refreshing, tasty salad I have ever had. I was totally content.

Scott went with one of their sandwich specials which was a Shrimp Po' Boy. Four large, tempura fried shrimp were served with bread, dressed lettuce, rings of red onion but the real challenge was getting it in your mouth at the same time! Hard to eat but totally delicious. The real kicker were the Rosemary French Fries, they were worth the order alone. Thin, crispy and totally addicting! A must order.

The menu at Pacific Table is a hard one for me because everything is seafood driven and is paired with all things I enjoy. They serve sushi, small plates of fried oysters (yum!) as well as large pieces of the freshest of fresh. I cannot wait to go back and try dinner! I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

Pacific Table - Fort Worth, TX

Danger! Do not read this post or go to this restaurant if you are not prepared to go shopping before your meal... J Crew, Banana Republic, Anthropologie are all located within feet of this restaurant!

I have always heard great things about Pacific Table but from my two last trips to Fort Worth I just wasn't able to squeeze it in. Scott and I browsed around the outdoor shopping mall killing time, after working Ruben at the NCHA Summer Spectacular practice pen and started to get pretty hungry. Delighted to check a new restaurant off my list we took a seat at Pacific Table. 

As we sat down I noticed that in their wine case they were featuring Turley Zinfandel I knew it had to be a great restaurant if they were that focused on detail. Turley is terrific!

Their lunch menu is outstanding. There truly is not one thing I wouldn't love to eat but I just couldn't get past the thought of the Singapore Chicken Salad. Roasted chicken, snow peas, cabbage, sweet peppers, mangos, cilantro, avocado marcona almonds and coconut lime dressing. It was the most refreshing, tasty salad I have ever had. I was totally content.

Scott went with one of their sandwich specials which was a Shrimp Po' Boy. Four large, tempura fried shrimp were served with bread, dressed lettuce, rings of red onion but the real challenge was getting it in your mouth at the same time! Hard to eat but totally delicious. The real kicker were the Rosemary French Fries, they were worth the order alone. Thin, crispy and totally addicting! A must order.

The menu at Pacific Table is a hard one for me because everything is seafood driven and is paired with all things I enjoy. They serve sushi, small plates of fried oysters (yum!) as well as large pieces of the freshest of fresh. I cannot wait to go back and try dinner! I am getting hungry just thinking about it.

TJ's Seafood - Dallas, TX

Just before we left for Texas I had an appointment to get my hair done. My regular gal had to cancel so I went for the option of having someone else doing it in the salon for the first time. Big mistake! My normally golden blonde was suddenly a brassy orange and I was devestated. I made the trip and for 1500 miles stared at my new do and was not having it. One phone call and I was hooked up for a hair recovery at ERA Salon in Dallas, Texas. Just across the street was this shopping mall and a place we could squeeze in lunch before my appointment.

TJ's Seafood Market is filled with terrific to-go fresh fish options but it also serves lunch! I loved looking through the case of seafood options but was starving so we ordered up, took a number and sat at one of the tables in the small eating area. 

Scott went for the Halibut Tacos and a cup of Seafood Chowder. The fish on the tacos was great and the smoky salsa was sneakily hot, hot, hot! The chowder was jam packed full of pieces of fish, shrimp and potatoes. It was very hearty! 

 I ordered the chowder as well and tried my best to not scald my mouth while eating it. It came out hot, just how I like it. The crab cake was heavenly. I haven't had a good one in so long so it was nice to savor every bite. I almost wish I had ordered two and skipped the chowder. It was that good. 

As for my hair, this is how is turned out... They salvaged the color but recommended I do my hair a favor and cut off a few inches... or 5. I was hesitant as I have always loved long hair but was ready for a change! What do you think?

TJ's Seafood - Dallas, TX

Just before we left for Texas I had an appointment to get my hair done. My regular gal had to cancel so I went for the option of having someone else doing it in the salon for the first time. Big mistake! My normally golden blonde was suddenly a brassy orange and I was devestated. I made the trip and for 1500 miles stared at my new do and was not having it. One phone call and I was hooked up for a hair recovery at ERA Salon in Dallas, Texas. Just across the street was this shopping mall and a place we could squeeze in lunch before my appointment.

TJ's Seafood Market is filled with terrific to-go fresh fish options but it also serves lunch! I loved looking through the case of seafood options but was starving so we ordered up, took a number and sat at one of the tables in the small eating area. 

Scott went for the Halibut Tacos and a cup of Seafood Chowder. The fish on the tacos was great and the smoky salsa was sneakily hot, hot, hot! The chowder was jam packed full of pieces of fish, shrimp and potatoes. It was very hearty! 

 I ordered the chowder as well and tried my best to not scald my mouth while eating it. It came out hot, just how I like it. The crab cake was heavenly. I haven't had a good one in so long so it was nice to savor every bite. I almost wish I had ordered two and skipped the chowder. It was that good. 

As for my hair, this is how is turned out... They salvaged the color but recommended I do my hair a favor and cut off a few inches... or 5. I was hesitant as I have always loved long hair but was ready for a change! What do you think?

Viva Las Vegas...

Melissa Good Taste is hitting the road and headed to Sin City! I am meeting my sister and gal pals for a girls trip to remember, or forgotten, we will be in Las Vegas after all! My sister booked a room at the MGM Hotel so you might just posts from...

Joel Roubuchon

His scallops were listed on "Best Things I Ever Ate" and I will be the one to declare it the best. Scallops are my thing and I will order this!

I will see if Emeril's dishes are as loud as his mouth at his restaurant located in the hotel...

Shrimp Etoufee anyone?

And last but not least, the happy chef - Wolfgang Puck!

Tuna Tartare, yes please!

We have a lot of time to sample within the hotel and outside as well. We have plans to go to Il Mulino in Caesar's over the weekend so I am highly looking forward to that. Other than that we will be catching up with old friends, shopping and having the time of our lives! Check in with you later... gators!

Oh Sushi - Oxnard, CA

Last week I had a few errands to run so I hopped in my sporty car and wondered down off the ranch and into the city. It is the little things that excite me!

I just had to get these boots too. They were so me! I couldn't let them get into the wrong hands, they live with me now.

I stoped into Oh Sushi for a quick lunch. I always bring a book in with me if I eat lunch by myself. Does anyone else do that? I love reading and eating!

I started of my meal with an order of Yellow Tail sushi. I substituted the rice with a bed of crab. It made for a very luxurious bite! 

Next up was the Volcano Roll. I was pretty disappointed with this order. It was not spicy and the tuna on top was so dry! I would venture off and try something different if I visit the restaurant again.

Cheers to the weekend! What is everyone doing?

Sunny Ojai, California

I just had to interrupt my Texas posts for a salute to my home state, California. The weather is amazing, local eats still out of this world and shopping still totally trend worthy.

Since getting home all I have wanted to do is make it beautiful. Both inside and out; my little nest is gorgeous and I am so lucky to live here!

I am still digging the Native American trend. Finding cool pieces of jewelry make my day, especially when you get a deal!

La Fuente is still kickin' out excellent eats for lunch and take out. I had carnitas tacos and a Mexican Coke. Heaven. I ordered four tamles to go - green chile and pork, the spiciest of salsas accompany these little precious presents of food.

My little guard dog has taken on the porch as his perch. He is the King of this Castle and is not afraid to show it! I had to brag on California just a little bit in-between the run down of my Texas vacation. Makes me appreciate where I am from. California Proud.

Fashionably Bombed

Two fashionista mixologist sisters Flannery and Katherine Good are the owners of the blog: Fashionably Bombed. One a fashion expert and other a former NYC Bartender, create all of the cocktail recipes themselves. They the show readers how to make them and  what to wear while drinking them!  They are from Fresno, California which makes me love them even more because I am a former Bulldog! I cannot wait to try some of their cocktails!

Sunday Funday: Beach, BBQ and Bubbly!

Hello my friends. I hope your weekend was as lovely as mine was. We woke up to a Lifetime movie and hot cocoa (talk about heaven...). And then made our way to the ocean.

After Scott surfed at C Street by the Ventura Fairground we took good ol' Buster for a walk on the beach. He was like a kid in a candy store, he rarely leaves the ranch!

Our little family.

Next we went and tried potential surf cars for Scott. He traded in his little Dodge Caliber last year when I got my Range Rover so now he is on a mission to replace it. First, we tried the HHR. I was skeptical at first but I must say it was a nice riding car and it topped my list.

Next up the Clubman Mini Cooper. It was a very pretty car, had a ton of get up and go but they were quite pricey! BMW owns them now so can you imagine the cost of service work as well? Anyway, they were too tiny for my taste. I wasn't sold.

All that b'boping around made me hungry so we stopped in at the Wood Ranch in Moorpark. I got the pulled Pork entree and it was entirely too much food. I took it to-go and was surprised Buster didn't try to tear into it on the way home.

Needless to say, the beers were huge. I was so full, I could not get mine down. A few stops on the way home were made but we did get back in time for the Oscars! Fashion time, my friends...

Oh, and a little champagne. 

First up, Michelle Williams. I love the dress but hate how the color clashes with the red carpet. They know what color the red carpet is every year, get a swatch and make sure the color does not clash. Sheesh. And, I am so over her pixie cut, grow your hair out and do some work! You are not 12 or an 80 year old man. 

Most of my blog friends say that Milla Jovovich was the clear winner of the fashion throw down at the Oscar's. What do you think?

One more thing, these chicks were a little too old to be acting like little girls. I thought the potential "wardrobe malfunction" was little classless on Jennifer's part. They seem like they are washing up quick, quit chasing that neon rainbow ladies!