French Themed Valentine's Day Date Idea

     
     If you haven't made plans for Valentine's Day, I have a few ideas for you. Especially if you live in the Dallas area. This year I was inspired by a luxurious French-theme for Vday. Having a theme for Valentine's Day is fun to help mix things up. This year I thought a French theme would be fun. I happened to come up with a few ideas to have a fun and romantic evening.

     The first idea is to wear something either ridiculous Vday themed with cupids and French-style patterns, such as polka dots and lace. You can find the red sweater above at my Etsy shop at AnotherUse. If you need an idea on what to purchase your love, gifts from Lush are wonderful. Although this is not a French-themed item, you could certainly purchase L'occitane or some other French bath product. For dinner, make a date at a lovely French restaurant. In Dallas, I recommend Le Bilboquet or Mercat Bistro. I am sure there are plenty of other French restaurants in Dallas, but these are the only two I have been to and love them. After your dinner date, you could drive around and look for your dream home and get to know one another better. I always find it so exciting to talk about what you dream of in a home and yard, etc.

     I hope y'all have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Even if you don't have a date, you could still do all of the above by yourself. If I were single, you bet your bottom I would be enjoying a French-themed bath with a bottle of French Rose. I'm still not certain about my Valentine's Day plans, but I think this year the boyfriend might be bringing food home instead of taking me out. Eatzi's is doing some Valentine's Day specials on Lobster tail and other deliciousness. Either way, there will be photos. Check back for last minute Vday ideas, and what I actually end up doing. Let me know what y'all have planned!

     -xoxo-

         Stephanie

Mercat Bistro Dallas Texas

    A few weeks ago I went to Mercat Bistro here in Dallas, Texas with the boyfriend and his mom. We were out looking for a new place to rent, and his mom suggested we try out this restaurant. They were technically closed, as it was 2PM, but they were staying open for some reason, and said we could stay. When the boyfriend's mom went in to the restroom, she saw the Governor was having lunch. We were dining outside, and I never went in the Bistro, but I still thought it was cool we were the only ones present. It was such a lovely day! Sometimes, I would like to have snow sometimes, but on days like the day above, I don't really miss snow. 

     I really love the location of Mercat Bistro. As you can tell in the picture, the plates are beautiful. We tried the charcuterie for our appetizer, and I ordered the French onion soup as my lunch. I also ordered a black hat, which is an espresso shot on top of vanilla flavored cream. It's delicious! I also enjoyed everything else. I will definitely return and try more. 

     I hope y'all enjoyed this post! Happy weekend!

     -xoxo-

         Stephanie

Grand Lux Cafe Dallas Texas Brunch

     On Saturday I went to the Galleria Mall for my first time since moving to Dallas. I was feeling ambitious, and we got there around 10AM. Most of the places to dine were not open that early, but Grand Lux Cafe was. I've also never been to Grand Lux, so it was a great day of firsts. 

     I'm not sure if any of you have been there, but I guess it is a part of the Cheesecake Factory, so think lots of yummy, high-calorie dishes. The boyfriend had been to Grand Lux before, so he knew what to recommend, because if you have never been there, the menu is extensive. We ordered Asian nachos (to die) for our appetizer, eggs benedict, and a cup of the creamy chicken soup. You get six large nachos on wonton crisps, which are so amazing with a peanut sauce and wasabi aoli in the Asian nachos. I could have had my three as my meal, they were so filling and rich. I ordered the soup, which was also rich. I didn't actually try the eggs benedict, but the boyfriend loved them. 

     The meal sat heavy in my stomach, so I only went to Lush and went driving around looking for a new home to rent. So if you plan on shopping, I would either choose very light items from the menu, or eat once you are through with shopping. Check back later tomorrow for an update about my trip to Lush. 

     -xoxo-

         Stephanie

Fire XBOX Sushi Drive Thru Dallas Texas

     The other night my boyfriend found a drive-thru with high ratings in Dallas while he was looking up places to eat online. It's called Sushi Fire XBOX. If you are in the Dallas area, I highly recommend seeking out this drive-thru.

     We drove over between 7 and 8pm Central time. I was skeptical about the fact that it was sushi in a drive-thru, but once we ordered and waited outside of the window, my mind was swayed. The restaurant used to be a Taco Bell, and the sign above bold screaming, "Sushi" makes you think twice before stopping. But I assure you, STOP!. My boyfriend read all of the reviews and was convinced it was worth a try. 

     While waiting for our food after ordering, it smelled so delicious, I could tell the food would be good. You could see them making everything fresh, and the sushi vinegar is wonderful. I just ordered the chicken fried rice to be safe, and it was amazing. The photos above are from the next day when we went back, and I decided to order cheater sushi in the bottom photo.

     Let me know if any of you try it or have already.

     -xoxo-

        Stephanie

I Could Eat Soup at Every Meal

Via here

    I've been living in Dallas for a little over a year. Fortunately, I have been able to try a lot of the delicious restaurants around here, but there are so many more to try. One of my menu go-to items is soup. I love trying soups at different restaurants, especially if I am not feeling very hungry, or it is around lunch time. 

    One of my favorite soups is at Mesero over by Inwood. I believe it is called pollo y tomatillo. It is so delicious, I really savored it and made it last the whole time I was there. Mesero has only been on Inwood for a few months, and I have enjoyed my experience every time. I never go wrong when I order to tortilla soup at any mexican restaurant. I'm also a fan of the black bean soup at Cooper Fitness Center in their restaurant Cedars Woodfire Grill. You want to purchase it early because they might run out. 

    Another place I often order soup is at Pho Envy on Hillcrest. It's really close to my house, so I often find myself stopping there when I have a soup craving. I typically order the spicy shrimp, and put in all of the goods they give you on the side. I know it is not one of the best places to order pho, but I haven't been disappointed so far. I guess I would have to try pho elsewhere, since I have never ordered it at any other restaurant. D Magazine just put out an article about the Five Best Bowls of Pho. Let's just say they are on my to-do list. I also love the miso soup at Sushi Star on Preston, and the hot and sour soup at Royal China on Royal Lane. 

     I also enjoy any of the soups at Le Bilboquet. It is another restaurant with soup I could sip on for hours. Not to mention the soups on the menu at the Zodiac in Neiman Marcus, or Bistro N at Nordstrom. Eatzi's on Lover's isn't a restaurant, but it has some of the best soups I have ever tried. One of my absolute favorites is the chicken dumpling soup. 

     I'm a major foodie, and ever since my braces stopped feeling unbearable, I can now really indulge. I plan to post many more articles in the future about food. Check back often to find out what I talk about next. Feel free to ask me questions about food in Dallas, and I might even write an article about it. 

     -xoxo-

         Stephanie