Thursday, July 31, 2014

Silver Fox - Fort Worth, TX

Sally Harrison Photo
Yesterday was such a fun day! Not only was it my husband's birthday but he won the NCHA Summer Spectacular open Derby Gelding Finals! He drew up first and "Ruben" came out firing! They cut two cows and stayed hooked for tons of working time. I was screaming my guts out cheering for the duo in my one man band! I have some pretty fierce lungs though...

Sally Harrison Photo
We had to wait through two sets to see if our score remained on the top of the leader board and sure enough it did! We are both so honored to have such a fabulous horse in our barn. The only thing missing from yesterday was this guy...

Sally Harrison Photo.
Cowboy Ron! We wish you were there to celebrate with us and see your horse in action! Congratulations on your horse's big win!

We wanted to celebrate our success in the arena last night but I also wanted to treat the birthday boy to a nice meal as well. It was getting late by the time we were done with chores so we decided to stay close to our digs and dine at the Silver Fox. We haven't been there for years so it seemed like a visit was due. I ordered a bottle of Silver Oak to go with the theme of the Silver Fox and away we went...

Scott started his meal with the famous III Forks Salad complete with field greens, blue cheese, granny smith apples and pecans. I am not sure why it is called the III Fork Salad but all I can imagine is maybe when one person at a table orders it three fork's of other diners try to go in and enjoy it as well.

I had a tough decision on how I wanted to start my meal I was thrown Lobster bisque, Scallops and a Crab Cake into the list of options and I was just so torn. Ultimately, I went for the Crab Cake. The Crab Cake always wins. It was a large portion, enough for two people to share or just one really hungry loper.

Mid way through our dining experience Scott was brought over a chest to pick his option of knife to use for his upcoming steak. I though it was so clever. It is the little things that make a dining experience memorable and this is one of them.

This bright, cheery plate was of course mine! I went for the Chilean Sea Bass because I a seafood eating machine. The fish was cooked perfectly and was a real whopper in size. The one thing I missed on my plate was mashed potatoes, I think wild rice is fine but I just love, love the mashed potato of heaven. Green snap peas, slices of tomato and creamed corn made me feel like I met my vegetable quota for the day so I left feeling quite healthy.

The birthday boy ordered a filet was pleased with his order of medium rare. He was lucky enough to receive the prized potatoes as well as his favorite creamed corn. We also ordered asparagus on the side but I didn't grab a photo of it. 

Our waiter was so kind to have brought out a little bite of dessert even though we declined when he offered. I sang "Happy Birthday" in my best outdoor voice and Scott closed his eyes and made a wish...

We came home to enjoy a cupcake made by my friend, Mica Chartier. She is extremely talented so I hit her up to make an order for Scott Good Taste. When we got back to the hotel last night we both enjoyed one and called it a day!

What a really great experience.
Happy Birthday Scott!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Vickery Cafe - Fort Worth, TX

Breakfast joints. They seem like they are few and far between in our part of the world but in Texas, they are very much alive! Scott and I have been up early every morning to beat the heat and crowds in the practice pen so by the time we are done with chores it is usually prime breakfast hours. Enter the Vickery Cafe... 

One morning Scott explored the Latin side of the menu and ordered the Huevos Rancheros... A crispy tostada shell rested as a base for over easy eggs, salsa and cheese. Refried beans served along side were smooth and totally creamy. We like our bacon crispy and this version was on the verge of almost burnt. I liked it, Scott didn't.

I love a good Chicken Fried Steak and this place does it right! The breading on the steak was super crunchy and the gravy whisked up from scratch. I can just tell. The hash browns were nice, I prefer them maybe cooked a little longer and I mostly ignored my egg. I was too full!  

On another separate visit I wanted to try the Corned Beef Hash as I have never tried it before. As I child I had a bad experience with corned beef so it has made me gun shy in my adult years but that morning I decided to give it a go. It was good, maybe a little fatty and salty. I ate most of it but worked my way around the potatoes that were not cooked until golden brown. I ate the yolk of the eggs because they are the most delicious, the whites are just not my thing.

Breakfast. My least favorite meal of the day. I guess it is good to explore all types of foods but I would rather just eat an enchilada for breakfast. Or Funyuns. 

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Rock Fish - Fort Worth, TX

 Hey foodies! I have been busy getting Scott's horse prepared for the 1st and 2nd go rounds of the NCHA Summer Spectacular so I have been a little late on regular posting... I have a free moment so year I am! We were feeling like something light so a seafood joint close to out hotel on Hulen was a nice choice... Charleston's.

It has been roasty, toasty so Scott ordered a refreshing Sangria and let it borrow his shades to stay cool. I personally am not a fan of sangrias made with red wine, I prefer white with tons of fruit. It started off strong but as the ice cooled it down and melted it muddled the strong flavor.

I knew exactly what I wanted: Salmon, Mashed Potatoes, and Sauteed Spinach. The wild Atlantic fish came on a bed of rice which I did not eat as well as a sauce I did not care for. The mixture of salmon, potato and spinach on each fork full is just like my heaven. Yum! 

Scott too went for Salmon and I was surprised he usually like white fish. His was Coho Salmon which is much more orange in color versus my choice. His plate was rounded out with asparagus and whipped sweet potatoes. What a bright plate!

We shared a Blueberry Creme Brulee just because... It was ok, we polished it off so it must have not been too bad. I liked he addition of blueberries I have not had that combination and think it is a keeper!

Charleston's is an excellent choice when you want a affordable, healthy meal. I like that they give you the option of choosing your protein, sides and vegetables. It makes you really happy when your dinner plate is set in front of you. I know I was!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Max's Wine Dive - Fort Worth, TX

You know I am always looking for new restaurants to explore so when I discovered Max's Wine Dive on 7th Street in the Cultural District of Fort Worth I was very happy. I had reservations and we were seated at a tall top in the very small dining space. It was buzzing with diners as the restaurant was quite full but I loved all the action.

We were treated with Chicken Meatballs by the Chef. He was placing them down left and right to patrons. I love that! It is such a fun way to get excited about your upcoming meal. It tasted alot like Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy, which I think is fantastic! 

After placing our orders the Chef surprised us with another goodie, Peanut Butter and Jelly Wings! It was actually Thai Peanut Sauce and a Blackberry Coulis but it was so much fun I could hardly contain myself. The fried chicken was messy but I had a great time getting my hands (and face) dirty. Yum, yum!

Scott went pretty simple for dinner and ordered a Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup. It really is a classic order when done right and this was! Guyere, provolne and a red pepper pimento cheese made this the perfect melt. I enjoyed the fried chips too, they were light and salty!

Cowboy Ron went for the Fried Chicken Dinner and loved ever bite. The pieces of chicken were moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The greens and mashed were tasty but served a little cold to his liking. The problem could have simply been because he dug into the chicken first, the taters may have been afterthought and cooled during his chicken devouring. 

And now for my wonderful dish, Blackened Diver Scallops. Three perfectly cooked scallops came afloat in jalapeno creamed corn complete with candied bacon and popcorn shoots. How delicious does that sound?! It tasted as good as expected and I recommend it to EVERYONE! Even to non-seafood lovers. It will make you a believer!

The house treated us to a sweet treat before we waddled out. How does a warm Bacon Sugar Cookie served with Blueberry Mascarpone sound? It was out of this world!! Cowboy Ron and Scott Good Taste let me do must of the calories damage on this one as I consumed 3/4 of this solo. It was just so good! They cut the regular amount of butter and replaced it with bacon lard so it was fatty, smoky heaven! I would go back for this again and again and again...

Max's and Chef Stefon Rishel surpassed all my expectations with our dinner here in Fort Worth. I do a lot of research on restaurants and Max's showed up on the radar but I never visited it before now and I feel foolish for not dining sooner! Make sure you make a reservation, order a bottle of Goldeneye Pinot and bring your favorite foodie friends. This place is fun!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

La Madeleine - Fort Worth, TX

Scott and I arrived in Texas last week and were welcomed to rain! Rain and warm weather has made the countryside so green! The rain fooled us into seeking a comforting setting and what could be more so than a quaint French cafe? 

I am not going to lie Le Madeleine is a little confusing when you walk in. You have to place your order or choose to take from the food line right when you walk in the door. It makes for an awkward experience when you feel pressure to hurry up and order something as the hostess stares at you. I felt the pressure and made my decision of Tomato Basil soup pretty quickly. 

All Scott wanted was coffee and breakfast. Eggs, tomatoes and a croissant is all he wanted. He made the hostess's life easy. I stared at her blanking a little too long for comfort deciding what I wanted with my soup.

Surely a French Dip from a French cafe would be tasty right? Despite the greasy au jus, which did not offend me at all, it was a hell of a sandwich. My only complaint was that I only ordered a half! I could have really dug into another side of that sandwich! 

I noticed the bakery case on my way out and as I lie in bed typing this I am kicking myself for not getting a little somethin' somethin'. A lemon tart or a chocolate macaroon sound really good right now!

La Madeleine - Fort Worth, TX

Scott and I arrived in Texas last week and were welcomed to rain! Rain and warm weather has made the countryside so green! The rain fooled us into seeking a comforting setting and what could be more so than a quaint French cafe? 

I am not going to lie Le Madeleine is a little confusing when you walk in. You have to place your order or choose to take from the food line right when you walk in the door. It makes for an awkward experience when you feel pressure to hurry up and order something as the hostess stares at you. I felt the pressure and made my decision of Tomato Basil soup pretty quickly. 

All Scott wanted was coffee and breakfast. Eggs, tomatoes and a croissant is all he wanted. He made the hostess's life easy. I stared at her blanking a little too long for comfort deciding what I wanted with my soup.

Surely a French Dip from a French cafe would be tasty right? Despite the greasy au jus, which did not offend me at all, it was a hell of a sandwich. My only complaint was that I only ordered a half! I could have really dug into another side of that sandwich! 

I noticed the bakery case on my way out and as I lie in bed typing this I am kicking myself for not getting a little somethin' somethin'. A lemon tart or a chocolate macaroon sound really good right now!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Kona Grill - Fort Worth, TX

I was a little bummed out from my last post so I decided it was time to post some positive. We love the Fort Worth dining scene so I decided that a lunch at one of our favorites would make us very happy! Located just a short drive from the Will Rogers Coliseum we scored a parking spot right up front, beating the lunch crowd.

We decided to start off our mid day meal with a Margherita Flatbread complete with mozzarella, parmesan, tomato, basil and balsamic reduction. It easily could be shared with 4 people, but it is so delicious that 2 people could wolf it down too. 

This Oriental Salad with salmon is just out of bounds delicious. The shredded cabbage, cilantro, pepper, almonds, crunchy ramen and sweet-soy dressing is just sublime. The salmon is an additional fee of $6 but well worth it. It makes a tasty salad a sustainable meal that will keep you satisfied until dinner time. 

Scott did flips for the Ahi Salad complete with strawberries, pineapple, red onion, wontons and a red pepper dressing. He too, thought the protein was just enough to make you feel comfortable and not need a snack before our night time meal. Great salads are the best! I love, love wonton strips on a salad, that is for sure!

Cowboy Ron wanted to experience the goodness of the Oriental Salad and I do not blame him. He thought it was just as lovely as I did. He also wanted a couple pieces of sushi with his meal. He said it tasted fresh and would return to explore more rolls.

Thank you Kona grill for being a consistent staple in our dining routine while here in Fort Worth. Keep pumping out tasty salads and fresh fish please!

Kona Grill - Fort Worth, TX

I was a little bummed out from my last post so I decided it was time to post some positive. We love the Fort Worth dining scene so I decided that a lunch at one of our favorites would make us very happy! Located just a short drive from the Will Rogers Coliseum we scored a parking spot right up front, beating the lunch crowd.

We decided to start off our mid day meal with a Margherita Flatbread complete with mozzarella, parmesan, tomato, basil and balsamic reduction. It easily could be shared with 4 people, but it is so delicious that 2 people could wolf it down too. 

This Oriental Salad with salmon is just out of bounds delicious. The shredded cabbage, cilantro, pepper, almonds, crunchy ramen and sweet-soy dressing is just sublime. The salmon is an additional fee of $6 but well worth it. It makes a tasty salad a sustainable meal that will keep you satisfied until dinner time. 

Scott did flips for the Ahi Salad complete with strawberries, pineapple, red onion, wontons and a red pepper dressing. He too, thought the protein was just enough to make you feel comfortable and not need a snack before our night time meal. Great salads are the best! I love, love wonton strips on a salad, that is for sure!

Cowboy Ron wanted to experience the goodness of the Oriental Salad and I do not blame him. He thought it was just as lovely as I did. He also wanted a couple pieces of sushi with his meal. He said it tasted fresh and would return to explore more rolls.

Thank you Kona grill for being a consistent staple in our dining routine while here in Fort Worth. Keep pumping out tasty salads and fresh fish please!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Button's - Fort Worth, TX

First off, I usually brag, brag, brag on Button's. We have always had a good time and left satisfied. Last night I went in with the same expectations and even made a reservation on Open Table. I checked in with the host and was seated in the bar, not the most desirable seat in the house but it worked.

As soon as we were seated we ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes because it was always a favorite of ours from past visits. When it was placed in front of us it looked NOTHING like and tasted what it did in 2012... 

This is what is what it looked like in 2012 - It looked as delicious as it tasted. Last nights version with its flavorless gravy and floppy ham was just sad. 

We thought ordering the Flash Fried Skrimps would make things better but it was just food. The shrimp was served nice and hot, I knew it was made immediately for us. I appreciate that.

Cowboy Ron ordered the Oxtails and it looked like a mess of food. I hope it tasted better than it looked because I was staring at it during my entire dinner service and it looked very unappetizing.

Scott ordered the most expensive steak on the menu and it looked and tasted like something the Golden Corral could have produced. It was as thin as jerky, they really could have sent out a more quality cut of meat. The medium rare order was more medium, and not to the chefs fault - It was so thin the carry over cooking baked the steak right through.

My Shrimp, Fish and Grits was blandsville due to the same gravy that was used on the green tomatoes. I was happy with the catfish but the grits and flavorless gravy just brought down the quality of the dish completely.

I figured maybe ordering dessert could salvage the meal but the "Pecan Sweet Thang" was so sweet, it hurt our teeth. That did not stop me from taking bites of vanilla ice cream and nibbling on the crust under the pecans. I am not a quitter.

Let me finish by saying, I have always loved Button's because the food was so tasty and it is was something different from what I was used to eating. The difference in a couple years is astounding! The food quality low, service quite snarky and the worst of all - the host did not honor my Open Table reservation so I was dinged for not honoring a reservation! It was not so busy that they should have missed it, in fact there were three employees at the hostess stand. 

Get it together Button's.