Neighborhood Services Tavern

Neighborhood Services Tavern

If you are looking to step out of your usual dining routine, and not go too over the top with crazy foods, then Neighborhood Services Tavern should be your next stop.
I’m pretty sure there is nothing bad on the menu here… I’ve been a hand full of times now and still haven’t found something I wouldn’t order again.

The Menu is set up a little differently than others… yes there are appetizers, entrées and desserts, but then there is also daily specials and (i.e. every Wednesday night is home-made Meatloaf; every Friday night is RIB NIGHT!) and then there are also 5 other specials that vary nightly: an east coast, west coast, pasta, beef, veggie and something else special that you can’t go wrong with.

As for appetizers, the spicy meatball tray is out of this world. Also the three different kinds of chick-pea (hummus) dips with flat bread are quite tasty!
When it comes to the main dish… you can’t go wrong with one of the nightly specials. However, if you like Chicken Fried Steak (which is the Thursday Night Special) be sure to arrive early… they sell out of this one. Yes, that’s how good it is.The Cleaver & Block Burger (ground chuck and brisket, cheddars, caramelized onions, frites) is scrumptious. We had the sliced Filet last time and it was De-lish!
This is a warning: YOU MUST SAVE ROOM FOR DESERT.

I can’t remember what it’s called, but they serve a rice crispy treat sandwich filled with chocolate/coffee ice-cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with coconut shavings… Devine.

The little quirky touches of NHS Tavern are what make your dining experience so much more better (Yes, I just used the term ‘more better’!) This might sound strange… But you need to check out the restroom when you have dinner here. It’s different than any other restaurant restroom in town. A book on tape is playing on the PA system, there are all sorts of things you might need… toothpicks, mouthwash, other things I can’t recall, and the décor is brilliant. Another added touch is way you receive your bill: it is delivered under the cover of a miniature hard-back volume of an Encyclopedia.

As mentioned at the beginning of this post: GO TRY THIS PLACE.
I think tonight would be the perfect night to give it a go. A) Its Thursday: Chicken Fried Steak Night. And B) they don’t take reservations anyway, so you don’t have an excuse that you didn’t plan ahead;)

AURORA

AURORA

If you are from Dallas or have lived here a while and have not heard of the greatness that is AURORA, don’t worry- it’s a well kept secret that we are about to expose. This place is so good- I don’t even know where to start….hmm... well maybe I’ll start by telling how why we ended up there for dinner the other night:

The world premiere of the Moby Dick opera was in Dallas at the magnificent Winspear Opera House , we had tickets, we're all dressed up and managed to sit through the first half of the performance. But come intermission, we looked at each other and it was clear we didn’t need to stick out the second half.

However, the problem with not eating before a performance in Dallas, is that almost every single kitchen closes at 10pm. It was 9:45pm… we made our way to the car trying to think of a place that would still seat us. My partner in crime came up with Aurora, we both hadn’t tried it so we called and announced our arrival!We sat down at 9:55pm and didn’t get up to leave until somewhere close to 1am.Ladies and gentlemen- this place is phenomenal!

From the understated stated building and front door- you would never expect to find such outstanding cuisine and tastes on the inside!The kitchen is open for every table to see, the service is out of this world and I can’t even being to explain the flavors and pairings that you will experience when you treat yourself to dine here.

On this occasion, my partner in crime spoiled us to the chefs tasting menu. And NOTHING was questionable. You would think the tasting menu would leave you hungry afterwards- this was quite the opposite. We were perfectly satisfied. Every course was a surprise- a great surprise at that. The flawlessly pan seared foie gras was a true highlight of the meal.
If you have tried foir gras before and not enjoyed the taste (like me) this will change your mind – trust me.

The service, attention to detail and overall experience was like no other dining experience in Dallas.
Save your pennies and treat yourself to this- you will not regret it.

NICK AND SAM'S

NICK AND SAM'S

Never…never does it disappoint!

And how could it, as one of dallas’ finest places to dine Nick and Sam’s you will be delighted from the moment you walk through the double doors until the valet pulls around your car upon your departure.

Although you might not know this, but the building used to be a morgue… there are even rumors that the secluded wine room is haunted. But trust me every flavor that you pop in your mouth at this place is very enchanting!

I have yet to actually spend time reading the menu, because my partner in crime orders all of his favorites when we dine here. And I have learned to trust his choices in food.
From the past times we have dined there.. here are a few of the delightfully tasting this we have indulged on:

Osetra caviar

Jumbo lump crab cakes

Fresh mozzarella beefsteak tomatoes and basil

‘Damn good’ fries

Maine lobster mac-n-cheese (it’s better minus this lobster!)

Filet mignon 10oz (I can even finish is, its that good!)

As for deserts…
I cant remember what we had a while back, but on our last visit this past weekend we ordered the way to large and extravagant chocolate Cake… There were four of us and we didn’t even make a dent in the slice they served us!

I would recommend Nick and Sam’s (probably) any day!
It is defiantly a great place to celebrate your next special occasion, a romantic night out and its especially a great place for foodies- everything is scrumptious!

Oh and I almost forgot to mention… Sick and Sam’s is where I discovered my currently very favorite red wine: Orion Swift Cellars 2008 ‘The Prisoner’.

LOCAL

LOCAL

If you don’t already know, the Dallas area is (over)filled with dining options… So on the rare occasion you find something out of the ordinary, knock-your-socks-off, excellent overall.. The place you want to make your new favorite- we had to share this experience with you.

As a side note, we are both from Dallas- Working, living and making the most of the Dallas/Fort Worth Food scene. We love to try new places… giving them all a fair chance… but we do have the select few favorites we try over and over again… With the blog, we will try and bring a taste of our ‘appetizing adventures’ to you, so that your taste testers can be steered in the right direction!
Most likely we’ll be very blunt, give our full and honest opinion. So feel free to let us know your honest opinion if you have tried the same places we tasted!

Back to tonight’s appetizing adventure… On a whim we decided to go out for dinner after work, it was my turn to choose… and LOCAL it was. Hidden in Deep Ellum, in the old BOYD HOTEL, is a perfectly kept secret of the best food in town. Chef Tracy Miller out does herself to say the least!
Since we are both foodies, we like to try one of everything, so tonight we went with the seven-course tasting menu. In short- it was out of this world.

ON THE MENU.
Amuse-Bouche:broccolini soup

Soup of the Day:roasted vegetable soup

Salad:balsamic roasted candy striped beets
local arugula, paula’s fresh chevre 
+ toasted pinenuts

First:
maine lobster cake
crispy beet + frisee slaw
+ meyer lemon dill cream
seared hudson valley foie gras
+ house_made texas
toast
oregon pinot + tawny port steeped texas strawberries
OR
scratch ravioli of thyme_scented 
roasted butternut
squash
spinach, prosciutto + acorn squash salad
+ sage_butter sauce
intermezzio tangerine_sorbet

Second:
herb marinated pan_seared
nantucket bay scallops
yukon gold, acorn
+ butternut squash risotto,
gene’s micro arugula + simple citrus butter glaze
AND
grilled farm_raised filet mignoncaramelized onion risotto + roasted garlic butter_balsamic finish

Desert:
classic banana pudding
bruleed bananas, fresh whipped cream
+
housemade vanilla wafers

Nothing here was sparred. The flavors were in perfect balance; not once did either of us ask for the saltshaker. (Fresh cracked pepper on the other hand is always a good thing).The atmosphere, the service and the overall vibe were an absolute delight! Its not too loud, nor did we ever feel rushed - The service did not fall short at any given time during the evening, from recommendations, to attentiveness and friendliness. The Chef herself even sat us at the table!
Local has been around for the past seven years, and this was the first time we made the effort? I hope you don’t make the same mistake and wait as long as we did to try this appetizing treasure…