Bacara Resort - Santa Barbara, CA

We have arrived! Valet takes over and we get to enjoy getting to know the resort...

Everything is beautifully decorated, I like the twist between holiday and whimsy.

The room is perfectly comfortable, complete with patio, jacuzzi tub and fireplace. 

Our patio had the view of the ocean but we decided to go get a closer look!

We found some wine on our adventure...

And look, the pool!

A perfect sunset, to a perfect day!

Fish House - Santa Barbara, CA

First Wedding Anniversary flowers. I love that they are so festive - One point to the husband! This was just the start to a fabulous food and wine filled weekend. We left the house mid day and made our way to Santa Barbara... 

We made our way to downtown Santa Barbara for a snack and drink after we got my paddle sized for our next paddle board excursion. A glass of pinot noir from Cellar 8 got us feeling pretty cozy.

Crab Cakes with a smushy texture but great slaw made its way into my tummy.

Scott tore into some ceviche to squash his hunger. It did the job and we were anxious to make our next stop... The Bacara Resort just outside of Santa Barbara. Stay tuned for the rest of weekend - posts to follow!

Taqueria Tepatitlan - Ventura, CA

I have been a Mexican food eating mama lately and loving it! There is nothing that screams comfort food more than a big old plate of enchilada sauce! I have just started to explore the "Avenue" in Ventura where the most authentic Mexican food comes out to play. Scott's surf friends invited us for a night out to Taqueria Tepatitlan - Home to the best Fish Tacos!

I didn't want a fish taco! I went for my favorite: Shredded Beef Enchilada, extra sauce, rice and beans. It was pretty good. Not the best but I wouldn't turn it down. The chips and salsa were not very good, that always disappoints me. The huge schooner of Pacifico on draft was fabulous though!

Scott never turns down a fish taco so he did good by ordering them for me. He didn't brag on them, in fact I don't remember him saying anything about them. Take that however you like!

I am anxious to try what else the "Avenue" has to offer!

Feeling Festive - Fashion, Home and Food!

I have felt pretty festive this year, even though we are doing a pretty Non Traditional Christmas - I think it will be a day at Universal Studios and lounging at our beach suite at Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica. But I am living it up as much as I can, while I can!

During the Holidays you are allowed to wear things you wouldn't necessarily wear on say, Easter. I like faux fur, leopard and knee high boots year round but I saved this outfit for this special season.

Even though I didn't set up my tree this year I did a few Holiday touches to accent the fire we have had roaring almost every night!

I did act as my own Santa and bought myself a new Dutch Oven, in red of course so I will always remember when the pot joined my cooking family. I made my own version of Beef Stew in it last week, it was easy and delicious. 

I served it over mashed potatoes and it was perfectly satisfying. Don't you just love the plate? My sister bought a whole set for me! If you are interested in my recipe, check out and make it for yourself!

Melissa's Beef Stew

Ingredients
• 2 pounds stew beef
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups beef broth (I like my stew with extra gravy)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Dash ground allspice or ground cloves
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 1/2 package of mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions
Brown meat in hot oil. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, paprika, and allspice. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Add carrots and mushrooms. Cover and cook 30 minutes longer. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot. Stir and cook until bubbly.

Joe T. Garcia's - Fort Worth, TX

Let me just start off this post to state that I love all things Mexican food. I pretty much started this blog only reviewing Mexican food because that is all I liked to eat. I have heard by many Texans, and non, that Joe T. Garcia's is the ultimate in Mexican cuisine and I, Melissa Good Taste, had to try it.

First up the chips and salsa. This is usually the first indication of whether or not your meal is about to be a good one. In my opinion the salsa was lacking flavor, it was certainly hot but that was it. Heat does not equal tasty but you know there has to be a fine balance of both.

K-Daz (aka my mom) ordered a Chile Relleno and it was a huge bummer. Stuffed with ground beef (weird) and the cheese inside was cold. The only thing that was delicious in this photo was the guacamole in the background. 

We shared the shredded beef tacos and they were probably the best thing we had overall. 

My plate: Shredded Beef Enchilada served with rice and beans. I hate when they put garnish on hot food. The lettuce gets all soggy and weird. Anyhow, the beans were paste, the rice suitable but the enchilada was pretty marginal. It just does not live up to my California standard. We have great Mexican food!

As you can tell by now, my food tour through Texas was not what I was hoping for. I was underwhelmed by the quality and was shocked when this place was Cash Only. How weird is that? 

Grace Restaurant - Fort Worth, TX

While I was in Texas I wanted to spend time with two of my dear friends - Kristin and Jazz, I hadn't seen them since my college days at Fresno State. They both just so happened to settled down outside of Fort Worth so potential visits will work nicely with my cutting trips. Kristin met my mom and I for dinner at Grace located in Downtown Fort Worth.

I ordered the Roasted Sweet Potato Soup with pork belly dumplings and granny smith apples. This was really good! I love when they bring you the bowl, and then pour your hot soup right in front of you! So much fun and delicious!

Poor quality photo and a poor quality risotto. My Maine Lobster Risotto with asparagus, marscapone and tarragon was supposed to knock it out of the park. It failed to deliver.

Kristin's Diver Scallops on Shallot Potato Cakes seemed to please her. She ate each bite in between catching me up with her life that I missed for the last ten years!

My Mom's Filet topped with caramelized onions and mushrooms and an order of the potato gratin in the background. I have never seen my mom order this much beef ever, I guess that is what you should do while in Texas! The middle was a little too rare but she just managed to eat around it!

For Dessert we shared the Pain Perdu - Butter Pecan Ice Cream, bruleed bananas and salted carmel. It was nice but nothing out of this world.

I was not that impressed with Grace, it was supposed to be one of the hot restaurants on the scene and it failed to wow me. It will stun your checkbooks so be prepared!

Ol' South Pancake House - Fort Worth, TX

Before heading Downtown Fort Worth for more shopping and site seeing I had to fuel up. The Ol' South Pancake House is TCU Country! PURPLE wearing fans were everywhere - Texans love College football! I ordered the Biscuits and Gravy with Sausage Gravy. The gravy tasted like lemon! I am not sure that I liked it. They were famous for their German Pancakes which were topped with powered sugar and lemons. I guess lemon is the theme here!

Lonesome Dove Bistro - Fort Worth, TX

My Mom and I made our way to the Fort Worth Stockyards because we were staying at the beautiful Hyatt Hotel. Luxury and comfort - and walking distance to honky tonks! We boot scoot boogied!

Long before we went the dance floor we ate lunch at the Lonesome Dove Bistro, owned by tim love - Iron Chef winner. I was very excited to check out the Cowboy Chef's food. The seating runs parallel to the bar seating and it is dark and western - my favorite!  

Starting at the top with Duck Confit Spring Rolls and Hoisin glaze. Second, the Hamachi Tostadas topped with Ponzu & Serrano. And lastly were the Kangaroo Carpaccio “Nachos,” Avocado Salsa and Habeñero-Fig Demi-Glace. Hands down the winner was the Duck Spring Rolls - I would order these again and again. The Kangaroo Nachos were spicy!!!

My Mom ordered smart and went with the most popular order: Roasted Garlic Stuffed Beef Tenderloin, Western Plaid Hash, Syrah Demi-Glace. She did right, and I ended up eating just as much off her plate than I did!

"Sweet Potato-Caramelized Onion Chile Relleno, Black Bean Emulsion, Corn Puree"

That was the exact description of the meal I ordered. Doesn't it sound fantastic? It was a big let down. The chile under cooked. Tons of undercooked onions and very little sweet potatoes. I was looking forward to this so much. The waiter saw the dish untouched and took it off the bill. I was very impressed, he must have known it wasn't up to standard.

Since I was kind of shorted on my entree I decided I could go one more round. Let me introduce you to the Deep Fried Apple Pie served with Jalapeno Ice Cream. I enjoyed it because the crust was good but the filling could have had a bit more sugar, not sweet enough.

All in all I was not floored from my experience. I expected the best of the best because of all the notoriety Tim Love received. I know he cannot satisfy everyone but I was just left a bit underwhelmed. I have to admit they do serve a mean cocktail. My mom and I returned Saturday night and enjoyed a Paloma - Tequila, Jarritos Grapefruit soda, agave syrup, lime juice and a pinch of salt. This should be your go to drink this Holiday season! It will get you feeling warm and fuzzy!