Day Trip to Dallas

My best gal pal Lori D turned 30 exactly 4 weeks after I did and one of the things we did  to celebrate was head to Dallas for a fun day of brunching and shopping.  Our friend Erinn joined in and we had a great day!

Side note: The other thing we did was eat at Fireside Pies.  You’ve got to try it if you are in Fort Worth.  They had an Iberico lardo pizza on her birthday.  Like whoa.

We tried Smoke, which is located off of I-30 on Fort Worth Avenue (take the Hampton Rd Exit), just before you get to downtown Dallas – next to Hotel Belmont.  And here is how you know the food is unique – the second it came out we all grabbed our cameras to take a picture.

I wouldn’t normally post a picture of half-eaten food because that is gross, but you have to see the different levels of this dish to appreciate just how delicious it was

Sweet corn griddlecake topped with smoked ham steak topped with Dr Pepper red eye gravy topped with a farm egg fritter

Lori’s pulled whole hog bbq eggs benedict

Is there any sauce better than hollandaise? I don't think so.

Erinn’s biscuits with spicy sausage and gravy.

Just the right amount of spicy

And if you think this was more than enough food, well you would be right, but this was also on the menu and I just had to try it.  Broiled raw sugar grapefruit with cheese-grits hominy casserole.

After brunch, we headed to North Park mall, which is the best mall in the metroplex.  I could write a whole post on Dallas boutique shopping, but we didn’t have time to deal with Dallas traffic and parking so we headed to North Park where you can find all the best shops in one place.

I’m so mad at myself for not taking more pictures.  We stopped by Society Bakery for a treat and I was so excited about my red velvet cupcake that I didn’t take a picture to show you.  There are as many cupcake shops as there are cupcake flavors, but here is what I’ll say for Society Bakery – it’s not the cutest cupcake, but it is the best tasting.  I think some places focus too much on how to make it cute and end up with a dry cupcake.  Not at Society.  They have a few flavors at a time to choose from and they bake them well.

At Smoke, one wall is decorated with old family photos and Lori swears this is me.  In case you are wondering what I looked like as a child, this is pretty close:

For a fun day of shopping with your girls, head to Dallas.  There are plenty of great places to eat and see. Just remember what they say ,”Dallas days, Fort Worth nights.”

Retail: Shopping in Austin

At my last job, I worked with an amazing group of ladies who I have missed every day since I have left.  Especially around lunch time, which is when we would cover a wide range of topics that I can’t disclose to you here.

As a parting gift, they put together a little gift bag of all things Austin, which included a “keep austin weird” bag (VERY important to take a reusable bag to the store here), a beautiful pair of Kendra Scott earrings (check out her website), Tito’s made-in-Austin vodka, and gift cards to some really great places around town.

And a cute little "keep austin weird" dog onesie for Brinkley

I set out to use my gift cards and hit up by george first.  It is located on Lamar across from Whole Foods and has a great layout – really bright and sleek.

Things tend to be more laid back in Austin and I will admit I was blowing bubbles with my gum until I looked at the price of one of their dresses.  And then I stopped popping bubbles and stood up straighter.  As it turns out, they sell high dollar fashion.  Beautiful clothes by designers like Lanvin, Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten, and The Row.  I decided to hold off on the high fashion and I found some really pretty earrings.

Note: I just realized this is the same store that is on South Congress and that location offers more affordable clothing.  Both are worth checking out.  If you are looking for a dress for a special occasion, the store on Lamar has a lot to offer.

The next place I went is called Breed and is located on 29th Street.  They carry things for the kitchen, home decor, gardening supplies, and hardware.  My kinda place.  If you are looking for a gift, they carry Jon Hart bags, Vera Bradley, candles, lotions, and baby stuff.  This may seem boring, but I picked up a much needed meat thermometer and a plant holder to put on my balcony – both are things I have been needing.

While I was out and about, I decided to head over to my favorite place to shop in Austin – south Congress.

Maya

This is one of my favorite boutiques for flirty dresses and fun jewelry

Feathers

And this is one of the best vintage shops you'll find anywhere.

On my way home, I spotted this

and decided to stop at Roadhouse Relics, which is an gallery that sells some very unique art.  And I found this

I think this artist and I have something in common – a love for Dolly!

I’m going to save my Guero’s gift card for a time when one of these wonderful ladies decides to visit 🙂

If you are trying to decide what to make for dinner tonight, check out www.ashleylikestocook.wordpress.com for one of my favorite meals.

Ashley likes to cook

It has always been my dream to have a market close by so that I can pick up fresh ingredients for whatever I felt like cooking that night.  Very European.  Very un-American.  In this same daydream, this spot also overlooked the ocean and I could get there by riding a teal cruiser bike with a big basket on the front.  Life is so scenic in my head.

I am happy to say I have a Sprouts within walking distance, but instead of passing the ocean I pass two dumpsters and a Chinese buffet.

Such is life.

All this to say, I am hoping to cook more in my new spot and if you like the recipes I post I created a separate blog devoted to all things cooking.  Mostly for my aunt Cathy and Mom who always want to know what I’m cooking.

Follow me at www.ashleylikestocook.wordpress.com

I also had a reader ask me to share with you a wiki page for antiquers.  If you love antiquing and know about the best spots around Texas, please contribute to this wiki page www.mycityantiquing.org.  The page is global so it looks like a really great resource for people who like to find antique stores when they are traveling.

Road Trip: Salado, TX

Welcome to Salado a town that is “artfully yours” or as I would say “a welcome respite from I-35.”

About 45 minutes north of Austin you will spot an exit for Salado and most likely you will keep on going because you are on your way somewhere, but you will miss a great little town with lots to see.  Sunday afternoon is not the best time to visit if all you want to do is shop because quite a few of the shops are closed or close at 4:00, but it would make a great day trip any other day you can make it.

I present to you “Scenes of Salado:”

Antique Rose of Bell - beautiful antique furniture

What I thought was so nice about the shops in Salado is that the ones we visited were in old, renovated houses, which always makes me think of Trudy’s shop in “Steel Magnolias.”

Horsefeathers - not open, but came highly recommended by another merchant

And the houses were beautifully landscaped and set back in the trees

Splendors - childrens' clothing, home decor, kitchen supplies

In case you need a place to stay

An art installation that I can appreciate

A hot dog wishing he could go to the swimming hole

There were a few wineries in town and it looks like they have a good use for the empty bottles

Salado Visitor Bureau

Salado would make a great place for a girls’ weekend or a family reunion.  It is just too beautiful to not visit once…..or twice.  When I drive around the Hill Country  I often wonder, “why would anyone want to live anywhere else in Texas?”  And then I remember a sweet little girl named Lucy who just started saying “Assh-leee” and remember that North Central has its own selling points.

Here’s to finding beauty in each of the regions of Texas and to finding a way to visit each of them as often as possible 🙂

Review: Tim Love’s Woodshed Smokehouse on the Trinity

A few months ago, I blogged about Tim Love’s Love Shack burger joint located on 7th street and mentioned his newest venture was in the works.  Well it’s finally here.

For a fun Fort Worth weekend getaway, you can head to town and have yourself aTim Love fest.  Spend Saturday night at the Lonesome Dove -his steakhouse in the stockyards that never disappoints – and spend Saturday at the finally opened Woodshed Smokehouse on the Trinity running/biking path.  Located just off University behind Hoffbrau is one of the most uniquely designed structures you’ll find on the Trinity river (actually it might be the only building on the Trinity in Fort Worth).  Tim Love seems to be a fan of the open-dining concept, which is bold for a restaurateur in Texas.  It gives the feeling of hanging out at a backyard party with games and picnic tables.  I am not sure how it will do this summer, but during fall and spring it will be quite an enjoyable dining experience.

The menu is one of the most inventive you’ll find in the Fort Worth area.  Camp bread with pit master fat kicks off the list of appetizers.  Well you know I had to try that since I have never seen it on a menu before.  And lest you be worried “master fat” would come out as a hardened lard that you smear on bread it is actually in liquid form.

I tried the animal of the day (lamb), which is served with Marta’s tortillas (made in house), cotija cheese, and salsa.  Normally I am opposed to eating baby anything, but I really wanted to see how he served the tacos.  And this is how and I approve. 🙂

My compadres had the chopped beef and pulled pork sandwiches and gave it rave reviews.

Those chips are really good in case you are wondering. I sampled some of Presley's since she was too busy checking out the statue of the cow.

They also offer dinner for four with offerings like paella, barbeque, and 16 hour smoked beef shin.  I’m guessing it’s not everyday you dine at a restaurant that offers beef shin.

AND just to make sure it is as good as I have been telling people, I went one more time and tried the Mexican roasted corn from the appetizer list and the brisket-stuffed peppers.

Next time I am going to try the redfish in papillote….or the paella……or if the animal of the day is venison then I’ll get the tacos.

As you can see, there is not much you won’t want to try at the Woodshed.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  Be sure and call ahead for reservations if you plan on going at night.

Recipe: Texas Rangers Caviar

Spring has sprung and it is beautiful here in TEXAS.

For some, Spring means it is time for pictures in a patch of these

or time to plant a garden like this

or find time to do this with friends

BUT for my dad , Spring means it is time for THIS

It's BASEBALL time in TEXAS!!

The boys are back in town and kicked off the 40th season with a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox.

Welcome to the Rangers Joe Nathan!

My brother grilled burgers and I brought the side dish to the tailgate.  And what is a good side dish for a tailgate at Rangers Ballpark?  Texas Caviar!!

Here’s what you’ll need:

2 cans of black eyed peas, rinsed and drained

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced

2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

4 green onions, chopped

2 Tbsp olive oil

Juice of 1 lime

1 tsp cumin, salt, pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

handful of cilantro

Red bell pepper, green onions, tomatoes, jalapenoes (for a little more color pop you could use yellow bell pepper)

Mix all of the ingredients together and chill for a bit.  Then throw in a container and head to your tailgate.

I hope y’all have a wonderful Easter weekend and can enjoy time with family and friends.

And for your next baseball watching party, try this recipe that I made last year during the World Series.