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’.

ABACUS

ABACUS

Although it’s been a few weeks ago… the tastes, smells and contemporary atmosphere are still a close memory. We had something to celebrate - A BIRTHDAY- so we knew Abacus would do the trick- it was not a disappointment. While we love trying new things and places, sometimes you just need to go where it’s going to be a success.
So Abacus it was.

One of his favorite places in town, we met for an 8 o’clock reservation hoping to miss the dinner rush so we could take our time.

Wrong-o. For some reason they were bound to get us out of there ASAP.

But first things first…
The flavors did not disappoint!The portions on the other hand, were a little skimpy.

Here’s what we made up as our menu for the evening:
LOBSTER-SCALLION “SHOOTERS”
RED CHILE-COCONUT SAKE

HEARTS OF ROMAINE CAESAR,HOUSE DRIED AMAROSA TOMATOES
SHAVED PARMIGIANO REGGIANO

CREAM OF CORN CHOWDER SOUP
WITH ROASTED CARROTS

And here’s the best kept secret of Abacus:

WOOD ROASTED BUFFALO TENDERLOIN ON RED WINE BUTTERSERVED WITH TRUFFLE WHIPPED POTATOES AND BABY VEGETABLES
(We both had one of these suckers!)

Of course we also had a side of:
APPLEWOOD SMOKED BACON “MAC AND CHEESE”

While we really wanted this for desert:
THE GOODIE BOX
-SNICKERDOODLES-
ALMOND-PISTACHIO-DRIED CHERRY FLORENTINES
-CHOCOLATE-NUTELLA “SAMMIES”
-OATMEAL-DRIED CRANBERRY COOKIES

It was all gone… so we had this:
SPIKED BANANA-BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE STRUDEL
BANANA-NUTELLA CRUNCH ICE CREAM

Here is my take:Besides the fact that they were trying to get us out of there as soon possible, it was YUMMY!

A little over rated, but yummy!I give two-thumbs up to the Lobster Shooters for ‘shiz’…. And the sauce it comes with: DELISH! (Defiantly keep the sauce to dip the bread with…. Just a suggestion).


My other fav was the Buffalo…. Not that I would eat it every time I have meat but trust me meat eaters will be indulged. It’s not on the menu every time you dine there, so be sure to ASK your server for it! The truffle whipped potatoes were a bit too "truffley" for my appetence.


Useless Information Factoid: An Abacus is a counting tool used in Asia by merchants since 2nd century BC.

What’s your fav dish at abacus?
And how was your experience/evening there?!

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…