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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Modmarket: Smart. Happy. Healthy. Food. Now. in Dallas

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When you think about what you want to eat shouldn’t that make you happy? But is it so much to ask for food that makes and keep you happy and healthy?

That’s the smart idea that brought Modmarket to Dallas/North Texas area (straight from Colorado) around a year ago to Flower Mound, then Plano and now to Dallas’ Preston Hollow neighborhood.

Our eating philosophy is quite straightforward, actually. We serve real food, which means using whole ingredients (things like whole grain flour, raw vegetables, fruits, legumes…you get the idea). We also incorporate real butter (gasp!) and quality meats and cheeses in our recipes. And we cook it all the way it was done hundreds of years ago – raw, grilled, or cooked in a stone hearth oven. We avoid things like preservatives and artificial sweeteners and keep our ingredient lists short and sweet. We make things from scratch, which is a total pain, but it makes our food taste better.


There’s a little bit of everything from breakfast to dinner and whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or a total carnivore, you’ll come out happy with any of the dishes they have. However, it’s the pizza, sandwiches and salads that make me the happiest. Here’s a few we felt the need to “research…”

Get the whole menu for your preferred Modmarket location online.

FLOWER MOUND
3651 Justin Road
Suite 100
Flower Mound, TX 75028
P. 469.312.5180

PLANO
8400 Preston Road
Suite 100
Plano, TX 75024
P. 469.573.6074

PRESTON HOLLOW
7949 Walnut Hill Lane
Suite 101
Dallas, TX 75230
Opening February 4

Ready to go get you some healthy, happy, fresh and fantastic food at Modmarket? One lucky winner wins $25 Gift Card to Modmarket.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Eggcellent: How to Make the Best Eggs

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Want to make eggcellent eggs? It’s not as hard as you thing with these tips on how to make the best eggs! 

Want to find out if you’re compatible with someone or get a group of people talking?

Ask them how they like their eggs.

I polled a big group of my friends and we got all kinds of answers and passionate ones at that.

Eggs-PopSugar

Photo credit: Popsugar

Eggs are SO Good for You

Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. With Vitamin A, Vitamin B5, B12, B2, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Zinc, Omega 3s and a whole nest of other healthy things your body needs. All from this simple oval that is only around 75 calories and high in protein. Now while eggs have cholesterol, it’s the HDL they raise which is the GOOD cholesterol, which lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and other various issues.

They also are very fulfilling! In one study I read of 30 overweight women, eating eggs instead of bagels for breakfast increased feelings of fullness and made them automatically eat fewer calories for the next 36 hours.

Difference Between Egg Types

One of the biggest questions asked is what is the difference between brown eggs and white eggs. I could give you a really long explanation…but long story short – one is brown, one is white.

However that’s not the only way you can slice and dice your eggs. Nowadays, the store has many options for your egg needs including:

  • Cage Free
  • Organic
  • Vegetarian
  • Free-Range
  • Pasteurized

Ways to Cook Eggs

  1. Hard Boiled: An egg cooked in boiling water with the shell intact. Hard boiled eggs are cooked through until both the whites and yolk have completely set.
  2. Omelet (Omelette):  Eggs that have been beaten and then cooked quickly in a frying pan. Omelets are often folded over a filling of cheese, vegetables, meat, or a combination of items.
  3. Over Easy: A fried egg that is flipped and cooked yolk side down only long enough to create a film over the top of the yolk, leaving the center of the yolk liquid.
  4. Over Hard: A fried egg that is flipped and cooked yolk side down until the yolk has completely cooked through.
  5. Poached: Eggs that have been removed from their shell and then cooked in a hot liquid. The cooking liquid can be water, broth, or any sauce. Poaching in water is often used as a way to cook eggs without having to use extra fat. Poaching in broth or sauce adds flavor to the cooked egg.
  6. Scrambled: Raw egg whites and yolks are beaten together and then cooked in a skillet. The beaten egg mixture is gently agitated as it sets to create a curdled texture.
  7. Shirred: Eggs that have been baked in a ramekin (sometimes with butter, cream or other sauces) until the whites have set but the yolk is still liquid.
  8. Soft Boiled: An egg cooked in boiling water with the shell intact. Soft-boiled eggs are cooked only to the point at which the whites are set but the yolk is still liquid.
  9. Sunny Side Up: A fried egg that is never flipped or cooked yolk side down. The whites cook until completely or partially set while the yolk remains liquid.
  10. Eggs Benedict: An English muffin topped with ham or bacon, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce.

what-your-style-of-eggs-says-about-you

Tips to Make the Perfect Egg Every Time

Now here’s where it gets really good! You’ve probably fried, boiled, or scrambled an egg, but it didn’t work out the way you intended. While an egg seems so easy to cook, it’s all in the details. I mean there’s a reason most people enjoy eggs benedict when they go out to eat and not at home, right? 

1. How to Boil an Egg: Ice water, old eggs and 12 minutes.

2. How to Poach an Egg: Fresh eggs and a mesh strainer not vinegar or salt make these eggs perfect.

3. How to Scramble an Egg: Key here is not to stir them too much.

4. How to Fry an Egg: Medium heat to evenly cook the egg and make sure to not bust the yolk!

5. How to Bake and Egg…in an Avocado!

baked-eggs-avocado

Print
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Baked Eggs in Avocado

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ripe avocados
  • 2 fresh eggs
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • fresh herbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Slice the avocados in half, and take out the pit. Scoop out enough from the avocado to fit egg.
  3. Place the avocados in a small baking dish.
  4. Crack an egg into each avocado half.
  5. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the eggs set.
  6. Remove from oven then season.

 

Other Great Ways to Eggs

Thanksgiving-Leftovers-English-Muffin-Tim-Love

Thanksgiving Leftovers English Muffins

Hatch-Chili-Chorizo-Breakfast

Hatch Chile and Chorizo Breakfast Pie

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Mini Quiches

 

Cheddars Brings You Home for the Holidays with $1,000 (Ends Dec. 7)

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Many holiday memories are made around the dinner table.

Whether it’s the smell of the sage in grandma’s stuffing or the year the year’s we invited all our single friends over for a “grownup eight-course meal” in our PJ’s, food, friends and family were just made to go together, especially at this time of year.

And if only I could have one of my best friend’s that I haven’t seen in years come back to join me for that Thanksgiving seven years ago we spent in our PJs drinking sangria?


Cheddar’s, the long-time neighborhood casual cafe, wants to encourage you to share your best food memories, especially with that special person you’d love to see this holiday, but unfortunately can’t with their “Home for the Holidays” promotion.

From now until Dec. 7, share your memorable holiday meal experience you had with a special person you can’t be with this season and you might win $1,000 gift card + $250 gift card to Cheddar’s with their “Home for the Holidays” Contest.

Cheddars-Home-for-the-Holidays

Cheddar’s scratch-cooking celebrates delicious, home cooked food in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. We are all about bringing people back to the table to enjoy each other’s company over a great tasting meal. What better time to celebrate the idea of scratch cooking and happy reunions together than over the holidays?

Recently I dined at a local Cheddar’s I hadn’t been to in ages. When we walked in there was a huge waiting line of people waiting on a Tuesday, but after only a few (like three) minutes of waiting, we were shown to our table and enjoyed comfort food at its best, super customer service and all at really inexpensive prices. As indecisive as I am, the Vegetable Plate was the answer to my dreams because it included four veggies, a bowl of their hearty tortilla soup and a croissant. I was pleased as pie and so was the rest of the family…For four of us with an appetizer and drinks our total was just at $50. And we weren’t even eating out of a box or a sack. t may have not been a holiday, but the entire experience did make our Tuesday night seem kinda special. I know we will definitely be going back very very soon.

Cheddars

Good food, good service and good memories. It’s that same idea that sparked Cheddar’s Home for the Holidays Contest and of course, who couldn’t use $1,000 at the holidays?

Ready to share yours your holiday memory?

In 150 words or less, tell Cheddars about a great holiday meal you had with someone you want to spend the holidays with again this year but can’t (person must be alive). What did you have? Where were you? What does this person mean to you? Include a picture and hit “Submit”. We will pick three winners to receive a holiday reunion prize package of a $1,000 VISA gift card and a $250 Cheddar’s gift card. CLICK HERE TO ENTER.

BJ’s New Mobile App Makes Happy Family Dinners Out POSSIBLE

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This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and BJ’s Restaurants, but all my opinions are my own. #DineInOrderAhead #pmedia http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Before kids, my husband and I enjoyed dining out often. We loved celebrating with friends and family as well as trying out new hot spots.



After kids, our dining out moments as a family are few and far between. Not because we don’t have life moments to celebrate, but more out of the whole chaos that comes with going out to eat – keeping the kids patience while we wait in line, taming the hoodlums while we get something ordered and to the table and by the time we actually get the entrees to the table, my hubs and I are so ready to pack it in that we get our food to go, while holding on to whatever we have left to keep the kids maintained until the check comes to the table and we can rush out the door.

Not really worth all the effort, right?

However, after four LONG years of law school, my hubs FINALLY received his graduation ring, the moment needed to be celebrated. But was the effort going to be worth it and would my honey wish we’d just stay home when it was all over with?

I was determined to make it a nice evening; it would just need a little preplanning.

Enter: BJ’s Restaurants New Mobile App! Available on both iPhone and Android. This new app did everything I’ve always wanted a restaurant to do and didn’t even know it! By opening the app and using the Dine in Order Ahead feature, I was able to not only order our food in advance, but as soon as we checked in and seated at BJs Restaurant, they would already start our food! 


Our reservation even let me include it was a special night, so they seated us in a big booth for fun! In less than 15 minutes, we had drinks and appetizers. The kids didn’t even have time to complain or ask for mom’s reserve snack stash (I always have to bring something when we go out to eat just in case, but with the BJ’s Restaurant Mobile app, I didn’t need it!) 

In less 25 minutes, dinner was served just as ordered! I couldn’t believe it! Normally at a restaurant we would be hitting that moment where the kids are starting to get fidgety, but everyone was happy and just enjoying the moment. AHA moment, really. I took a breath at this moment to appreciate a happy dinner out! 

And no experience at BJ’s Restaurant would be complete without a Pizookie, right? The perfect gooeyness, warmth, sweetness and chocolate, we all scooped up our bites and somehow mustered up the strength (or lack of willpower) to finish almost every bite. 

After around 40 minutes and close to bedtime, we didn’t want to let a good thing go bad, so as we finished up what we could (with the generous portions that BJ’s Restaurant gives, we had leftovers), we were ready to go. However, we didn’t have to wait for our ticket or our waiter/waitress to come over, take the card and return with the final receipt. I just went to my now favorite Bj’s Mobile App, opened up Mobile Pay and, viola! our ticket was already waiting for me to type in my payment! And even better – they already calculated several levels of gratuity so I could tip our waiter! One, two, click and done! 

Don’t think there won’t be more nights with the BJ’s Restaurant Mobile App to create a great family dinner out with no regrets! 

Now why didn’t I think of that?


Get yours now for Free! BJ’s Restaurants New Mobile App! 
Available on both iPhone and Android




Sweet! Buy dozen Tiff’s Treats for $4, Make a Dream Come True for Local Boy THIS SATURDAY

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When two of my favorite organizations, A Wish with Wings and Tiff’s Treats have partnered together to grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo, a survivor of Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, to go to Disney World, I needed to do whatever I could to help!


Tiff’s Treats will hold a grand opening fundraiser at its newest location in DFW – its sixth in DFW and its first Las Colinas store — at 114 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 110, Irving, 75062 (intersection of 114 and O’Connor), on Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will raise funds for A Wish with Wings, which grants wishes to special little Texans with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. These funds will grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo from Fort Worth, who loves Legos, Minecraft and the Beatles, and whose wish is to travel to Disney World this summer with his family, where he can focus on being a kid, instead of on the treatments he has had to endure for Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

On Saturday, April 26, celebrate the store’s opening and help raise funds for Viggo’s wish by purchasing up to six one-dozen boxes filled with one of Tiff’s Treats most irresistible flavors: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle or oatmeal raisin, for just $4 a box.  Proceeds up to $5,000 will be donated to A Wish with Wings. Sales at this event are cash only.  Viggo and his family will be there to share in the fun. It’s a flash grand opening event — and it’s all for a great cause!


Tiff’s Treats’ warm cookie concept normally requires a 30-minute notice for pick-up orders or one hour for delivery — however, for the grand opening fundraiser, no advance order is required, and customers can simply walk in to the new store and purchase hot cookies from 9 a.m. to noon.  This deal is valid only at the new Las Colinas Tiff’s Treats location.

As the delicious aroma of fresh-from-the-oven cookies and brownies fills the air at the new store, guests can enjoy festivities and chances to win prizes. Get there early: the first 10 people in line at the grand opening April 26 at 9 a.m. will win a $100 Tiff’s Treats gift card, while the next 10 will receive a $50 gift card, the next 10 will receive a $25 gift card and the next 10 will win a $10 gift card. Guests who purchase a box of cookies at the grand opening can also enter in a drawing to win free Tiff’s Treats cookies for a year! Anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the event to be donated to a Wish with Wings will also receive a $5 Tiff’s Treats gift card.


The mission of a Wish with Wings is to grant magical wishes to little Texans with life-threatening conditions. First chartered in 1982, this Texas-based non-profit has granted more than 1,200 wishes to children all over the Lone Star State with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. For more information on a Wish with Wings, visit the organization’s website at www.awishwithwings.com or call 817-469-9474. If you know of a child who is in need of a wish, please visit www.awishwithwings.com to get more information.

Tiff’s Treats in Las Colinas opens for regular business on Sunday, April 27. The new Las Colinas location can be reached at (972) 889-7700 or online at www.cookiedelivery.com.


Have a sweet week! 



Fish Friday: Celebrating Lent with Baked Tilapia with Shrimp from Olive Garden {Recipe}

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Those who are observing Lent and abstaining from meat may be struggling to come up with dinner options for their families. This Baked Tilapia with Shrimp recipe from one of our family’s favorite restaurants, Olive Garden, is perfect to conclude Lent or for any night your family is craving seafood. Serve it with your favorite vegetables. 

For a lighter version of this recipe, try Olive Garden’s new Baked Tilapia with Shrimp at only 340 calories!

Baked Tilapia with Shrimp Recipe
(Serves four)
Ingredients
4                     Tilapia filets
1.5 – 2 lbs.        Medium, unpeeled, deveined shrimp
1 tbsp              Butter   
1 tsp                Garlic, chopped
1 tbsp              Onion, finely chopped
1 cup               White Wine               
1 cup               Heavy Cream             
1 stick (4oz)      Butter, cubed        
1 tbsp.             Parsley, chopped
Pinch               Salt      
Pinch               Pepper                       
Instructions
Make the butter wine sauce. (Yields 2 cups/4 portions of 4 fl. oz.) 
Melt 1 tbsp. of butter, chopped garlic and finely chopped onion in pot for 3 minutes.  Stir with rubber spatula.  No browning.
Add white wine and heavy cream. Simmer gently until volume reduces by half.  About 1 cup.

Turn off fire.

Add cubed pieces of butter.  Stir until butter, wine and cream are combined.  Sauce should have a slightly thick consistency.

Finish with salt, pepper and chopped parsley.

* Important: A fresh butter sauce must be served after being made. This sauce will not chill and reheat. When adding the butter to the reduction, the temperature of the sauce cannot exceed 150 degrees.
Rinse the tilapia filets and shrimp under cold water and place in a baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes. (Filets’ internal temp should be 145 degrees.)


For plating, place the shrimp on top of the filet and top with the hot butter wine sauce. Serve with your favorite vegetable on the side.








#JOESGOESBLUE: Joe’s Crab Shack Kicks off Annual April Autism Speaks Fundraiser

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This month Joe’s Crab Shack has joined organizations across the globe in celebrating the international Light It Up Blue campaign on World Autism Awareness Day and kick off its second annual national fundraiser for Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization.

As one of Autism Speaks’ largest corporate partners, Joe’s raised more than $1 million in 2013 through in-restaurant donations, online donations and sales of Joe’s “Light It Up Blue” tie-dye T-shirts.


  • Head to Joe’s Crab Shack to donate and receive coupons for free food. For every $1 donation, receive a free kids meal entrée; $5 donation for a free Crazy Good CrabDip; and $10 donation for a free Classic Steampot. While readers are at Joe’s they can purchase a “Peace of the Puzzle” signature tie-dye T-shirt and 10 percent of proceeds will go to Autism Speaks.
  • Take in a Rangers game at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 16 for the autism awareness game.
  • Advocates can spread the word by posting photos of themselves supporting Autism Speaks with the hashtag #JoesGoesBlue. At the end of the campaign, Joe’s will award gift cards to photo winners and post guests’ photos in a puzzle mosaic on Joe’s social media.
  • Restaurants will also “Light it Up Blue” throughout the month to remind guests of the worthy cause. 
Information about local Autism Speaks efforts is available here. To find the closest Joe’s Crab Shack location, visit www.joescrabshack.com/locations.



Get Rolling Now for National Meatball Day, March 9 with the Best. Meatballs. Ever. {Recipe + Giveaway}

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I was invited to a special event to learn first-hand how to make Chef Kenny Bowers’ legendary Midnight Meatballs. I was also provided a gift card for the purposes of this giveaway. But my sincere love for Kenny and his meatballs is the real deal. I’ve spent much of my own money to get my fix along with the most amazing polenta croutons. So needless to say, this is some truthful content and you should try this recipe. It’s that good. #meatballmadness

 “On top of spaghetti…all covered with cheese…”


Meatballs are such an important part of the spaghetti experience, they earned their own song. 

 Actually, meatballs aren’t just an Italian thing, but actually play a part of several cultures although it looks like the Romans do claim fame to them first (according to the Colorful History of the Meatball.)  

 Whoever wants to claim them is fine by me, but for my family, they are the purpose for the pasta. And we’ve spent many hours attempting to perfect the right meat mixture, texture and cooking method to create the ideal meatball. While I can remember some really good meatballs, I can’t say I have found THE recipe that I’m willing to cut throats for. However, I have found one that stands pretty close. 


Unfortunately, the recipe is not mine. But Dallas Chef Kenny Bowers (Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill, Kenny’s Burger Joint, Kenny’s Smoke House and Kenny’s Italian Kitchen) was willing to share it with me and a few of my friends over cocktails one afternoon and a big raw mess of pork and hamburger meat. 



Yes, this is how we roll. 

 The cocktail is actually part of the recipe too – as Kenny shared his own story of how the meatball recipe came to fruition. Basically, only after several evenings until past midnight with a few drinks down (read: several) did the recipe finally come together just the right way. Hence, the name “Midnight Meatballs.” 

My cocktail choice for this meatball-making Monday: The Frenchie made with prosecco. And best of all it looks like it’s only $5 on Mondays…(but be careful, it can sneak up on you!)

 Completely different than any recipe I’ve ever made, Kenny showed us how to create a panade (a paste made with white bread and milk) to bind together the meat for just the right texture. And then with a few other ingredients we had Kenny’s legendary meatballs ready for the oven and then “atop of spaghetti.”  But they were so good, they really didn’t need a starch, just some red sauce and a glass of red wine!  



KENNY’S MIDNIGHT MEATBALLS

 Ingredients:

 12 oz (3/4 of a loaf) white bread
3 cups milk (whole)
To taste salt (iodized)
To taste black pepper (table grind)
1 cups parmesan cheese
1 oz wt. basil (fresh, chopped 3/8” no stem)
4 lbs ground beef or pork or sausage

 Instructions:

 Tear bread in to small pieces approx 1”. In a large bowl combine milk and bread. Mix together by hand making sure bread is completely dissolved in milk to form a soupy paste-like consistency. Add salt, pepper, cheese, basil and mix. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before next step.
Gently mix in meat making sure everything is evenly mixed with slightly wet hands form 4 oz wt. balls.
Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees for approx 20 minutes until medium brown and an internal temp of 160.
Note: meatballs freeze very well if you don’t use them all this time.

 I suggest you make the whole recipe and then freeze a portion of them so you have them ready to go whenever you need an appetizer or a quick meatball sub or spaghetti and meatballs! 

OR you can always head over to Kenny’s on any Sunday, and National Meatball Day, for Meatball Madness! For only $1 you’ll get one of Kenny’s 1/4 pound meatballs. Or you can always beat the meatball eating record (currently it’s 18) and you can get your meatballs free. 

Or win this gift card and consider you’ve got $15 worth of meatballs on MamaChallenge! 
Just enter this contest now and you could win! 

Kenny’s Italian Kitchen
5100 Belt Line, Suite 764
Dallas, Texas 75254 (technically it’s in Addison) 
972.661.9380
www.kennysitalian.com









Make it a Moment to Remember with Mimi’s NEW Menu

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Disclaimer: I was invited as a special guest to enjoy new menu items at Mimi’s Cafe. And enjoy them, yes, I did. Read on to find out what I liked most! (All the words here are completely my own!) 

Do you remember your first brunch? 


I was in college I had my first “real brunch” upon a friend’s invitation. Beginning sometime after normal lunch was supposed to happen, we enjoyed 2+ hours of mimosas, muffins and omelets at Mimi’s Cafe. The friend’s treat soon became a weekend ritual, as it was a great time to catch up with each other while we devoured all the cinnamon muffins we could handle – sometimes in our slacks and many times in last-night’s blue jeans and a pony tail. Either way, our Mimi’s moments became my benchmark for what brunching was meant to be – friends, fabulous food and fun. 


Fast forward ten years: things, of course, have changed.  While weekend to-dos have transitioned from brunches to babies, I still remember the fun, comfort and joy I had at Mimi’s. While I hadn’t been to Mimi’s in a long time, I was excited a few weeks ago when I received an invitation to re-experience Mimi’s.  I could only hope it would take me back to what I remembered before life was as complex as a decade of being an “adult” could be. 

Just like my life had changed, I learned Mimi’s had also changed over the last decade. As with any great restaurant, it had transitioned with the times and with it, so had the experience (and not necessarily for the better). So when its new owner, Le Duff America, Inc. purchased the french casual concept this year, they felt it was time to get back to the basics of what Mimi’s Cafe had been for me and many other fans years ago – an inviting, classic French bistro.  
And after months of work, dedication and tracking down many of the recipes to hard copies in the back of the file cabinet, the whole team including the very charming executive chef Executive Chef Katie Sutton (a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and previous Executive Chef at Hess Collection Winery in Napa), was ready to dust them off. 


Like a good champagne, I was anxious to uncork this baby. Let the trip down memory lane commence! 

First of all, the roasted tomato basil is exactly what you want on a cold day – or any day where you feel like you need a pick-me-up, this rich bisque will do the trick (and the bacon doesn’t hurt either.) I enjoyed other classic French dishes like Mimi’s Signature Bouillabaisse, Grilled Salmon Salade Niçoise, Coq au Vin and Spinach Crepe. But the Le Burger de Madame, crowned with a fried egg, was magnifique. 
I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the menu tasting as good in the past as it did that night – especially this baked brie with tart apples and apricot chutney (gush). 

Perhaps it was the company I was keeping (as they were all friends). 

Perhaps it was the staff that seemed like they had been my friends my whole life with their pure passion and generosity. 

Or perhaps it was surpassing my month’s quota of heavy cream in one sitting that made it just seem so buttery rich and perfect. 

Either way, I was not only taken back to those fun days of college, but actually advanced to a new experience that still could include mimosas. However, it also reminded me that life can take you many places but at Mimi’s, you’ll always have a little bit of Paris you can revisit again and again. And even if for no other reason than for those chocolate croissants. 

Just in time for the holidays: 
No time for a Mimi’s moment of your own? Then bring it home with you. Or better yet, let Mimi’s create a memorable holiday experience at home with their Holiday Feast To-Go that can feed all your holiday guests – for both brunch and dinner! 

Or are you looking for a personalized gift to give, but think gift cards don’t show your thoughtfulness? Mimi’s Cafe has gotten really creative with gift cards you can personalize for the holidays with voice messages and photos to really give it that personal touch!


For the nearest Mimi’s Cafe to you, visit their online locator.

Bon Appetit! 




Taste a Little Mediterranean Life with Zoë’s Kitchen

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Food Fridays:

I was invited to a special grand opening experience and received a complimentary lunch from Zoë’s Kitchen for the purposes of this review. But I have honestly shared my review with you. Let’s just say their hummus could be eaten daily. 

In the Greek language, “Zoë” means life. Now in Addison, Texas as well as throughout the DFW Metroplex, Zoë’s means natural and homemade Mediterranean-inspired fare that’s perfect for lunch, dinner and your special occasion. Conveniently located at the Belt Line and the Tollway next to the new Whole Foods at Village on the Parkway, you’ll find the welcoming doors to DFW’s newest Zoë’s Kitchen. 



The space is a great refuge whether you’re coming to meet a friend for lunch or just ordering up a meal for the office or the family on the way home from work. Meeting you right at the door you’ll find a large community table ideal for the office to take a break and enjoy a great brainstorming session over a slice of Yaya’s Hand-made Chocolate Cake. The interiors are bright and fun and creative touches that give it a community feel (just check out the artwork from St. Alcuin school.

However, it’s the menu that will keep you coming to take a spot on the large patio space or to do a quick call in for a last-minute meal. As a girl that craves feta, olive and hummus on a pretty frequent basis, it’s wonderful to have options that are delicious, but won’t break the calorie bank. There are many options to choose from including dishes you wouldn’t expect at a fast-casual spot like shrimp kabobs and braised white beans. In a hurry, we ordered up two dishes to try and like many local folks will be doing, for take out. 

Our two best sellers, were delicious and still very warm after we got to our own table. Always a fan of shrimp, it was great to enjoy some fresh veggies and grilled shrimp instead of a hamburger or boring salad. The shrimp was large and not over-cooked and the veggies were the mix of crisp and plump you want in a grilled kabob. And the pilaf, we could have continued to eat for dinner if it had lasted. The orzo pasta had the perfect lemon-hint of flavor with cherry tomatoes and feta cheese. The portions were just the right size; for both eating now and maybe a smaller-sized dinner or for sharing if you just wanted a healthy snack. 

SHRIMP KABOBS
two charbroiled kabobs, zucchini, rice pilaf, cucumber raita, side greek salad

We could have just ordered two of the shrimp kabobs, but we wanted to try something a little different, so we opted for the Steak Stack, considered a big favorite. Packed with steak, onions and feta on sourdough, this was a good alternative for someone looking for something different than a pita wrap or salad. While the flavors were ok, we kept going back to that shrimp kabob plate and the little side of hummus that we ordered on the side. While we didn’t have enough pita to eat up all the hummus, we could eat it later with our own veggies or crackers since you just couldn’t bare to waste it! 

STEAK STACK
sliced steak, portobello, mozzarella, caramelized onions, feta spread, tomato, sourdough, rosemary oil

While I enjoyed our plates, the catering and party meals really caught my eye.  The “Guilt-free Girls Night” would be a super selection for one of those last-minute girl get-togethers as well as the “Game Day Goodies” when you are looking to feed a hungry bunch that may want to scale back on their wings and queso. And considering you can even get “rewards” for ordering their catering deals, it’s enough reason to make Zoë’s Kitchen a favorite on your iPhone. 

I’ll definitely be back for the spinach rollups, chicken kabobs and oh, yes that hummus…and the pilaf…well, I’ll be back for more. 

Zoë’s Kitchen
5100 Belt Line Road 
Suite 1056
Next to Whole Foods
Addison, Texas 
http://www.zoeskitchen.com










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