There’s something so comforting about a big warm bowl of ramen. Also, no, get that instant dried noodle package out of your mind! I am talking about the good stuff. The creamy, filling and authentic noodle soup that’s beautifully piled high with delectables of your choosing that range from tender grilled pork slices called Chashu, roasted nori which is seaweed, blackened garlic oil, woodear mushrooms and green onions. Now imagine all that goodness hiding a bounty of ramen noodles that have a perfect chewy texture marinating in a steamy, savory, stout, pork broth. Mouth already watering? Good! What I just described is my absolute favorite go-to Ramen order, Shoyu Tonkotsu, otherwise known as the signature “Michi” ramen created in good ole’ Austin, Tx.

Head as fast as you can into Michi Ramen! This Ramen House describes themselves as “traditional…with a Texas flair.†With a dish like their “Texas Ramen,” that features smoked BBQ pork ribs and comes with a side of Texas toast, jalapeños and pickles- who can argue with that? Also, Veg-Heads not to worry! They offer options to make your ramen vegetarian or vegan! After slurping up your meal, they offer twelve different Mochi ice cream flavors, featuring a rotating seasonal flavor.

When I first moved to Austin in 2015, I became obsessed and ate at Michi Ramen at least a few times a week for a month or so before trying ramen anywhere else. I still haven’t found a ramen joint in Austin quite as tasty as here. I loved these delicious noodles so much I named my beloved cat after the place!
The best part is with a donation of a packaged non-perishable food item that the restaurant donates to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas; they thank your kind soul with free Mochi! That should make not only your heart feel good, but your stomach too!

Michi Ramen started as a food truck back in 2012 and was voted the Best Ramen in Austin just two years later. With their great beer, wine, and sake options and happy hours throughout the week, I would say all the more reason to celebrate their success! You can check out the brick and mortar location on North Lamar, pick up to-go at their South Lamar location or check them out in San Antonio!

Until the next joint!

Cha

Turning twenty-one was suppose to change everything. No longer would my friends and I wander around late at night, scratching our heads, puzzled on what to do because everything has closed. No longer would bold, black Xs mark and signal my youthfulness to the masses. No longer would I jealously chug water as my friends tipsily giggle an order for more rounds. I planned to rage- paint the town red some might say.

Pssh, what a fail that plan was. My birthday rolled up on me so quickly (on a Monday no less) that to celebrate I merely accompanied my friend to my favorite hangout, “Buzzmill,†for my first legal alcoholic beverage at that magic midnight marker.

If you drive into Montgomery Plaza, off 7th Street in Fort Worth, from any direction and roll your windows down- you can smell it. All you have to do is sniff the air, and I am sure you can smell the deliciousness cooking up at the NEW M Bistro. I did, I have dined at the M Bistro four times now, and each time, Chef Steve Mitchell has something new and exciting for me to try.

Good Day Chow Hounds,

I am going to say about 8 or 9 months ago; I was ripping down Hwy 121, in Euless with my foot mashed on the floor of my Dodge, like I usually drive, and looked over and saw this big, lodge-looking building in the process of being constructed. That is why I love driving so much in Texas; I get to see so many things you would not see otherwise. Don’t get me wrong, it is always nice to board a private jet or a helicopter to move about, but I love driving. I am so A.D.D. it is hard for me to sit still, but when I am behind the wheel, I feel better.

So, as I stated, I saw this beautiful lodge-looking building. My curiosity was running at full tilt! I just had to find out what it was. It didn’t take me long, after a few U-turns and couple of streets later, there I was. I jumped out and asked the guys working what they were building. The guy said, “Man, it’s a Lazy Dog!”

I then said, “Lazy Dog? What is that?”

Good Day,
Some years back- I can’t even remember how long ago now, I met this Chef and his name was Blaine Staniford. I enjoyed meeting Blaine and loved discussing food together. Blaine always likes to discuss his food and dishes with a passion. Time has evolved since then and so has GRACE, www.facebook.com/Grace-50687573514/Fort Worth.

The owner, Dain “Adam†Jones, focuses on providing the best dining experience possible, and Chef Blaine Stanford focuses on creating creative, colorful and delicious dishes. Chef Blaine works hard at his seasonal dish creations, and his flavor profiles are always on point. He changes his menu 4 to 6 times a year to keep up with the seasons, or just whenever he feels like adding something new.

They roughly describe Souk at Trinity Groves as Moroccan street eats in a warm, festive space with outdoor seating and a hookah lounge with belly dancing. I would just say, “Souk is Modern Moroccan Perfection.”

I was introduced to Souk, through the new Trinity Groves development in Dallas a few weeks ago. I looked up their menu and saw they offered brunch. Oh man, I thought, that’s my favorite thing to do! I search high and low for great brunching spots all year long, so I was extremely excited to try Souk’s.

When I arrived and first walked in the front door of Souk I heard a, “Can I help you sir?” from a soft voice. I love it when a restaurant staff is trained to speak to you right when you enter the restaurant. It’s a little thing I like to call “outstanding customer service.” Acknowledging you’re there makes you feel comfortable and starts the dining experience off with warm fuzzes. It’s always noticed and appreciated. I looked around and noticed all the fantastic decorations and beautiful Moroccan theme. I felt very comfortable and fell in love with the coziness and warmth of the restaurant right away. I loved it all even the extra mile that went into even the most minuscule of details.

Good Day Chow Down Fans,

Today I want to discuss a little house with lots of old world charm, a great atmosphere, fantastic interior colors with plenty of great Chinese dishes to choose. This beautiful chic paradise goes by the name of Cannon Chinese Kitchen.

Cannon Chinese Kitchen was built and designed in an old home on the South Side close to Magnolia Ave. on Cannon Street. It has an excellent old school paint job and is filled with colorful wallpaper, chairs, and decor. The owners left all the rooms intact, so when you’re inside the restaurant, it feels like you’re in a home of sorts.

Hello Candy Lovers,

Last week I heard a new candy store called Sugarfina opened at NorthPark Center in Dallas. I immediately stopped what I was doing, and Google’d “Sugarfina.” If you know anything at all about me, I’m a complete candy and sweets junkie. I grew up on Haribo Gummy products and even toured the Haribo Gummy factory in Germany when I was a boy.
When I heard the word “Sugarfina,” my senses went into overdrive, and I had thoughts of dancing gummies, chocolate bars, and pecan clusters just laid out waiting to be picked and eaten. But, when I looked it up, it said Sugarfina; A Candy Boutique? So in my Texan brain, I thought “Oh, a Candy Boutique? Are they selling candy dresses, shoes, purses, and candy jewelry?” Whatever it was I had to get to the opening and check this out.

Good Day, SweetTooth Hounds,

The other day, I was eating dinner with a friend at the wonderful Cork and Pig Tavern and she asks me if I had heard of the new French Macaron place across the street next to the Social House. After I quit shoving food in my mouth I said, “No!†She replied, “We need to go!”

Hello Foodie Fans,

A good friend invited me out to lunch for Mediterranean cuisine by his job one afternoon, but considering the twenty minute or so drive out there, I wasn’t exactly sold. That is until he started to describe the place to me. He talked of low stained glass hanging lights, the mural painted walls and even the option to sit on the floor with cushions and enjoy your meal, it was called Arpeggio Grill.

He then dropped the bomb, they had a $7.99 lunch special.

Obviously, I met him up there and was happy to rediscover the location to one of my favorite hookah lounges was right next door. The inside was definitely warm and cozy. The upbeat, casual greetings of the staff member behind the line of food instantly put a smile on my face. He happily answered any and all of my questions I had about the food and I confidently filled my plate with items I could barely pronounce.

Hello Beef Fans,
Dry aged beef changes the mouth feel, the bite, the tenderness and the flavor completely for me. There is no way to tell another what the different flavor is unless they had been eating it and figured out for themselves the difference.

The “experts,” with all their fancy tools will tell you that twenty-one days is all that is needed because it does not get tender much after that. I’m personally looking for something more than just the tenderness that comes from “Dry Aging”. I like the combination of all those qualities above plus the flavor. I prefer six weeks aging; yes, the cost increases A LOT because of the lengthier aging process, but so does the deliciousness of the meal.