Breakfast/Brunch
La Duni Latin Kitchen in Dallas, TX
Gah. Sorry about the quiet few days here, but I’ve been in Texas ya’ll! I flew down last weekend for my gorgeous friend Mariam’s wedding (I mean, STUNNING), and haven’t had much time at the comp. It was my very first time down in Texas and besides the wedding festivities, I was excited about the FOOD. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whole lot of time to explore Dallas by way of calories, but a group of us did manage to get away one day for brunch. My friend Masuma who lives down there recommended a few places, and we ended up going to La Duni Latin Kitchen at the Northpark mall location which was near our hotel.
La Duni
La Duni
Blue Dog Cafe in Midtown
Last weekend, I was trying — trying — to get some writing done bright and early in the morning right when I woke up at 11 AM. But on an empty stomach, I could barely get myself to write out a sentence. And it was one of those occasions in my kitchen where I had like five boxes of cereal but no milk, butter but no bread, pancake mix and no energy, etc. I wanted something quick too since I had a whole day planned that required me to be out and about, not sitting in front of my computer.
Blue Dog Cafe
I asked my cousin/roomie, Safia, where we can grab a quick breakfast and her eyes lit up as if she’s been waiting for me to ask her this all morning:
“Oh Shy! There’s this place I pass by everyday to work called Blue Dog Café and I’ve been meaning to check it out! Let’s go!” {direct quote}
Cooking brunch for dinner with Simply Orange
Simply Orange ambassadors
Last week, I was invited to cook “Brunch for Dinner” at an event hosted by Simply Orange. I already think brunch is the best meal ever, but to have it for dinner was a first (spoiler alert: it totally works!). Simply had the right idea by setting up a communal table out in front so we can first cook, then all sit together right after to enjoy our food.
Dinner table
Pre-cooking fruit and cheese
Georgio’s Country Grill – Midtown
I want to like Georgio’s Country Grill. Before going for the first time, I had heard good things from friends who lived near by. And when I did end up going for the first time to catch up with a friend for lunch, I liked the laidback, non-pretentious atmosphere of the place. Like you’re eating out in…well the country. But I found the food to be a little more disappointing. For lunch, I had an open-faced grilled chicken and roasted peppers sandwich.
Grilled Chicken and Roasted Peppers sandwich, $9.50
It comes with seasoned grilled chicken, caramelized onions, roasted peppers, lettuce and tomato on ciabatta bread. It looked great, sure. I think I feel like if I can make it at home, it takes a little bit of the fun out of the meal. The sandwich just didn’t have too much of a kick to qualify it as anything special. I thought maybe their brunch is where it’s really at…so I went back. And I think you know by now what I ordered…
Eggs Florentine, $13
Eggs Florentine
Arizona Omelette, $13
I don’t know what it is about poached eggs on an english muffin, but I can’t help but order it almost every time. They served theirs over sautéed spinach, with scallions, dill, feta cheese oreganato and a generous serving of hollandaise sauce. The problem I had with my eggs was it veered too much to the salty side. I’m not sure if it was the sauce or what, but I’ve had better. Plus potatoes on the side were just too much for one girl to handle. My friend Asma ordered the Arizona omelette, and seemed to just be mildly satisfied (maybe because the eggs she cooks herself are BOMB).
Eggs (and pretty nails) at Norma’s
I’ve written about Norma’s a couple of times before, and while I’ve heard others have had mixed feelings about their meal, I still have yet to have a bad experience. Last week, I went back with the lovely Christine White of Court & Hudson and her co-worker Lucy. We tried extra hard to ignore the sugary dishes (at least I was), and all went straight for the eggs. I tried the Artychoked Benedict this time poached eggs topped with a creamy truffle porcini sauce…mushrooms….yummmmm.
Artychoked benedict
Christine went for the Farm Fresh eggs that comes with homestyle sausage, and Lucy ordered Norma’s Eggs Benedict, served over a buttermilk pancake, grilled asparagus and Canadian bacon.
Brunch at Sarabeth’s Kitchen
Continuing on with my friends-sending-me-delicious-food-emails, this one’s from brunch at Sarabeth’s Kitchen. The last time I went there myself was a couple years ago, and
Sarabeth's pumpkin waffle
The pumpkin waffle looks pretty original, with sunflower seeds, “ginormous” raisins, and honey syrup which my friend described as “the perfect compliment to the pumpkin” and filling. Below is a picture of the veggie frittata, good but not as exciting as the different-tasting waffle.
Vegetable frittata, banana muffin and fresh raspberry jam
