review: target red garlic curry sauce

Authentic ethnic food at home can be a dream...but sometimes you want the same flavors quickly and in the comfort of home.  Instead of reaching for a delivery/take-out menu (which I wouldn't have found for Indian food anyway because I still haven't found an Indian place in Dallas. *gasp*)...I decided to warm up Target's Archer Farms Red Garlic Curry Sauce.

So what's the sitch?

jalapeno poppers? don't mind if I do!

It's been too long!!! Life hit, and well, y'all know how it goes. But we're back!!!

First up, a quick and SUPER easy recipe for jalapeno poppers I made for Thanksgiving appetizer (yes, Thanksgiving, don't judge me). Plus it's a great recipe if you're looking to put your food processor to use! For the recipe and pics...

celebrity eating in orlando

My mom and stepdad LOVE Orlando, so since I've had some time off, they invited me along on their most recent trip.  For some restaurant dining this trip had a specific theme - restaurants owned by celebrity chef.  We started off with lunch at Emeril's restaurant in Universal CityWalk.  They had a great prix fixe lunch menu - three courses for $22.

My mom had the fish of the day - salmon with a slightly crispy skin on top of a yummy green sauce and a bed of okra and tomatoes.

To see what I had...

delivery, anyone? (the wok and grubhub)

The Wok

Rating: ***

Location: Oak Lawn

Price: $

Reviewed: Dinner, Lunch, Delivery

Attire: I was definitely in PJs...they came to me!

Reviewer: Jenn

After watching the TX/OU game (hook 'em!) on Saturday (which had a way too early kickoff time), I was exhausted and too disheartened to brave the crazy Dallas traffic...or look presentable.  Thus began my hunt for a great delivery place.  (I originally searched for good Indian takeout...but was disappointed. I won't give up, however.)

I stumbled upon a great and free app for the iPhone called GrubHub, which searches for takeout/delivery near your location, gives you the menu, and lets you order all at once.  Be forewarned however, once I got my order (with the requisite menu for next time), I noticed that The Wok doesn't charge for delivery, but I definitely paid a $2 fee (which is how GrubHub makes their money, of course).  However, some places don't have a fee on the app.  Check it out!

For the review of this American Chinese fare...

The Counter--LOVES IT!

Variety is the spice of life and every meal at the counter starts with this GIANT clipboard of options.
It took me FOR-EV-VER to order, so for the fickle at heart, you may be staring at this menu for awhile! :)

Rating: *****

Location: The Heights
Menu

Price: $$

Reviewed: Dinner

Attire: Casual

Reviewer: Yas 
The Counter is a swanky diner that serves up amazing burgers, made any way you like it!  With great service, an awesome ambiance, and even better food, there is no way you can go wrong. Think Chilli's prices with way better burgers!

manny's uptown tex mex - Yes Please!

Rating: ****

Location: Uptown

Price: $$

Reviewed: Dinner

Attire: Casual, but feel free to get a little jazzy

Reviewer: Jenn 

Manny's Uptown Tex Mex is a cute little spot off Lemmon Avenue with great standard enchiladas and delicious drinks.  No muss, no fuss Tex-Mex at a great price!

hattie's double whammy! (brunch and lunch)

One of our friends ordered the buttermilk fried chicken with tasso ham gravy.  OMG, TASSO HAM IS THE BEST!!!

Rating: ****

Location: Bishop Arts District

Price: $$

Reviewed: Brunch, Lunch

Attire: Dressy Casual (Brunch), Business Casual (Weekday Lunch)

Reviewer: All 3 Foodies! 

Up-YES, please!

Rating: ****
Location: Highland Village
Menu
Price: $$$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Yas
Attire: Chic--Dress code enforced!
Up is one of Houston's newest restaurants and "hot spots."  This place has a "Sex and the City" vibe to it, has good food and a great view of the city.  However, there is a strictly enforced dress code for men: collared shirt, no open toed shoes and no shorts. While there is no dress code for women, Up definitely has a lounge atmosphere so if you are too casual you will definitely stick out.

taco diner - meh/yum

Rating: ***

Location: Uptown

Price: $$

Reviewed: Dinner

Attire: Casual, but feel free to get a little jazzy

Reviewer: Jenn

Taco Diner definitely embraces the diner ambiance while serving mostly tacos and Mexican food.    The mambo taxis are strong and delightful, but the tacos somewhat missed the mark for me.

Straits-YES, please!

Rating: **** 
Location: City Centre
Menu
Price: $$$
Reviewed: Dinner
Attire: Jazzy! 
Reviewer: Yas
Straits is a swanky Singaporean restaurant with an interesting fusion of Southeastern Asian flavors.  The food was unique and delicious! Perfect for a girl's night out or date night! You can even bust a move in the lounge after dinner because Straits has a DJ spinning hotness from 10p-2a Thurs-Sat.

PINKBERRY COMES TO HOUSTON! Yes, you're reading this right!

That's right, folks! Pinkberry has finally come to Houston, TX! Anyone who knows me (Yas), knows that I am OBSESSED with the fro-yo franchise! So, it's no surprise that while I was stuffing my face with the creamy heaven in Dallas, and the cashier told me 6 LOCATIONS would be opening in Houston, I freaked out, did a happy dance, and embarrassed my friends. BEST. NEWS. EVER.  Apparently, Eater-Houston reports that the first location opened up yesterday in Webster, TX and more locations are expected to open soon. For now, here is the addy to the first location and I will keep you all updated as we get more:


1. 19325 Gulf Freeway Webster, TX 77598


GET EXCITED HTOWNIANS! (yea, I just made that up...just go with it!) :) XOXO, Yas

Can't believe I stopped eating long enough for Cat to snap my picture!

chop onions without tears!!! (from yumsugar)

I'm crying too. But not because I'm cutting onions...but because I found this great post!!!

Usually, I just post great foodie links on Twitter (@we3foodies), but I felt that this genius post from YumSugar needed its own post!

Personally, I've tried everything to keep from crying while chopping onions: cutting off the bottom to let out the gasses, wearing sunglasses, and even putting a wood pencil in my mouth (old superstition).  But YumSugar seemed to have some great tips!!!  To find them out...

fuzzy taco's? ABSOLUTELY!

Rating: ****

Location: Waxahachie

Price: $

Reviewed: Lunch, Dinner

Attire: Casual

Reviewer: Jenn

Fuzzy's Tacos has great, inexpensive tacos with delicious, fresh flavors.  Compared to similar taco places, like Torchy's, Fuzzy's tacos are way less greasy, and sooo good!

mckinney avenue drive-by (dallas)

BBQ, bacon, and cheddar burger featuring haystack onions

Smashburger

Rating: ****

Location: McKinney Ave.

Price: $$

Reviewed: Lunch, Dinner

Attire: Casual

Reviewer: Jenn

The Cupcakery

Rating: ***

Location: McKinney Ave.

Price: $

Reviewed: Dessert

Attire: Casual

Reviewer: Jenn

I'd been dying to taste Smashburger, even though it's chain (but it only has a few locations in the DFW area, so sue me).  Afterward, I saw the cutest cupcake place a couple of doors down, so I decided to check that out too!  Both places are super casual and great to pop in, sit a while, or take your orders to go.

the reheating pizza dilemma

Yoda says, "For all of your pizza reheating problems, read we3foodies, you will!"

After solving the pizza dilemma in Local Pizza Wars, the next day I was faced with another dilemma: how to reheat my pizza!!! Wood-fired pizza shouldn't be submitted to the microwave (shudders), but what  is the best way to reheat pizza in the oven? Searches on Google come up with different results, which may leave you with burnt leftovers.  Thankfully you're on the we3foodies blog, where we constantly seek to provide you with all of the cooking questions that have been keeping you up at night!

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Place pizza on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (wax paper burns in the oven...huge difference). Bake for 6 minutes, and enjoy!

local pizza wars!!!

Jersey Shore on Thursday night is a weekly staple for me (Jenn) and a friend of mine, so we decided to get pizza and keep it Italian! Besides, Snooki and crew are working in a Italian pizzeria this season, so how perfect is pizza as the menu choice?  Unfortunately, after reaching a consensus on pizza, we began to fight as to which local pizzeria to pick.  My friend said Dallas institution Campisi's.  I said my Victory Park favorite, Neo Pizzeria.  Hence, pizza wars.  We each bought a pizza from our favorite place, and battled it out.

yummy links

Check out one of our favorites and her chic fashion blog, The DivaESQ!

Blue In the City (Fashion post in Dallas featuring Jenn!) - The DivaESQ

Solve 19 Kitchen Cleanup Conundrums - Kitchen Daily

Pies, Mac & Cheese, Oh My! Fall Recipes - YumSugar

Dallasites! Get in the know with In-N-Out's Secret Menu! - 944


Stay hungry, loves!

bacon wrapped eggs. I see a brunch party in my future!

I've been meaning to post this video for the longest! (A tweet just wouldn't do it justice).  Youtube channel, RecipeCards has the best videos (well, the best three videos), and I'm itching for them to do more! The recipes are quick, and the music selections are so great!

Without further adieu, please watch.  These bacon wrapped eggs would be stellar for quickly making breakfast for a group! Add some kind of pastry or bread (and if you're really southern, some grits), and voila! Breakfast!  Also, please note the goat cheese!

village burger bar - YES, PLEASE!

I mean, goat cheese on a burger? HEAVEN.

*****
Location: West Village
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Jenn
Attire: Casual
Village Burger Bar features fresh ingredients, including one of my faves: GOAT CHEESE.  The space is casual but chic enough to pair a martini with your juicy cheeseburger.  Plus, they stay open late. So for an after-bar meal, these quality burgers are better than the mystery meat at any other fast food dive.

Sidenote: Yay! This is our first (of many) Dallas posts! Jenn and Cat now live in Dallas, so we'll be splitting our reviews between Dallas and Houston with Yas!

Anyhoo...about Village Burger Bar...

white chocolate toffee almond cookie bars...WHY NOT?

So, I'm moving soon, so I'm on a mission to get rid of a lot of things I like to keep on hand - almonds, pasta, flour, cake mixes, white chocolate chips, toffee bits, etc. I  wanted something on hand while I study that could go with coffee in the morning or be a nice end to the day.  I was going to make a boring sock-it-to me cake, but thought I'd shake it up and do a little research (instead of learn Texas Criminal Procedure).

Duncan Hines has AMAZING ideas for recipes often using cake mixes in non-cake ways!  I made these cookie bars with a Butter Golden mix I had lying around.  The recipe called for yellow cake mix, but do whatever! In the comments, someone used a chocolate cake mix.  The bars came out with a great consistency.  I only added 1/2 of the almonds required in the recipe...but had I added more, it would have tasted just like these toffee almond bars that Starbucks had a few years ago. OMG.  

For the recipe...

Cadillac Bar– LOVES IT!

*****
Location: Shepherd
Menu
Price: $$$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Yas & Jenn
Attire: Casual
The Cadillac Bar is Houston Tex-Mex at its best! From the ambiance, to the service, to the delicious food, your taste buds will leave this place craving for more! But, your pocket might be slightly dented.

Farrago– Meh.

Cajun Benedict

**
Location: Midtown
Menu
Price: $$$
Reviewed: Brunch
Reviewer: Yas & Jenn
Attire: Casual
When you walk into Farrago during Brunch hours, it definitely looks like the place to be. Cool modern ambiance with an amazing DJ spinning tunes. However, horrible service makes this experience less than enjoyable despite the tasty food.

the backspace - meh.

**

Location: Downtown
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner
Attire: Very Casual
Intimate setting (for better or for worse) with wood burning grill makes the backspace seem Austin’s best kept secret. Unfortunately, the food leaves you a little unimpressed and a lot more broke. 

Hey, Houston! In Case You Missed It...

Another opportunity to get discounted food at Beaucoup!

 Just go HERE and ENJOY! 

GROUPON TODAY FOR BEAUCOUP! (May 12)

Wonderful people! Groupon Houston has a special deal for Beaucoup, a restaurant Yas recently reviewed as wonderfully delicious (review is here) So, if you needed another excuse to go for some yummy cajun food...check out Groupon - $15 for $30 worth of food!

Here's the Groupon!

Mai's - YES, please!

****
Location: Midtown
Mai's Menu
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Yas
Attire: Casual
When Mai’s burned down back in February of 2010, the city of Houston mourned the loss of a popular treasure.  Well, Mai’s is back in full effect with a swanky makeover. And the best part of it all? The food hasn’t skipped a beat!

Beaucoup Bar and Grill-YES, please!

****
Location: Old Spanish Trail
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Yas
Attire: Casual
Dining at Beucoup is not an aesthetically pleasing experience, but make no mistake about it, the food is ON POINT. Bring some good company and get ready to experience flavorful and filling Creole inspired food at a great price!

Taverna - LOVES IT!!!

parmesan crusted shrimp on crispy polenta...uh, YEAH!

*****
Location: Downtown
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner, Happy Hour
Attire: Casual, but feel free to get a little jazzy
Reviewers: All 3 Foodies!

Taverna has an intimate feel with amazing Italian food. Great for a date, or just a dinner with the girls. If the weather’s right, sit outside and people watch for a New York eating experience. Come for happy hour and get great $2 peach bellinis or orange mimosas and half-off pizzas and appetizers!

The Easiest Salmon (with pesto) Recipe EVER.

I love this recipe because it takes less than five minutes to prep, requires NO MEASURING, and cooks in 15 minutes.  Pair the salmon with fresh veggies, a baked potato, pasta...(or some leftover pasta salad from La Madeleine's like I did), and you have a fresh, healthy meal that you didn't have to slave for.

For the recipe...

Fabi and Rosi - LOVES it!!

*****

Location: West Austin
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Cat
Attire: Business Casual (jeans and heels are appropriate)
While this charming restaurant appears to be a small Austin house on the outside, its walls have been knocked down to create a beautiful and modern dining area on the inside. Tiny mirrors and candles line the walls  of the dining area, and around dusk, a waitress lights the tea candles floating within dozens of glass spheres hanging from the restaurant's ceiling. The menu boasts an impressive assortment of authentically European dishes, so ask your waiter for recommendations if you're in a spontaneous mood! A delightful find, and the perfect venue for a special night out with a special someone.
Great for: Date, Family Outing, Friend Outing, Dinner

Piranha Killer Sushi - Meh.

**
Location: Downtown
Price: $
Reviewed: Lunch
Attire: Casual
Reviewer: Jenn
Somewhat chic sushi bar tucked away downtown. Cheap rolls, but not really a bang for your buck. Piranha Killer Sushi ends up being more of a victim to bad presentation than a "killer" place to find great rolls.

Chatter's Cafe and Bistro - LOVES it!!

Pita bread and hummus makes Yas a happy girl!

*****

Price: $$ - $$$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Yas
Attire: Casual but you can definitely arrive fancy
Location: The Heights
Chatter’s offers “new american cuisine” with a heavy Mediterranean influence. Walking into Chatter’s is like walking into a well decorated and furnished, artsy home with a front porch. You can go inside for an intimate dinner setting, or sit outside on the porch and enjoy the nice Houston weather. Well...when we have nice weather! Perfect for a first date, an intimate dinner with your boo, friends, or family and a great place to take a visitor who wants to experience amazing and affordable Houston food.

italian sausage & sausage baked penne

On our blog, I (Jenn) wanted to do a series of easy and simple recipes that can be made quickly. My inspiration? Studying to take the bar this summer. Unfortunately, I'll have to spend more time memorizing law rather than spending hours in the kitchen making culinary masterpieces. Keep reading for yummy pictures and the recipe!

Max's Wine Dive (Brunch) - YES, please!

****
Price: $$
Reviewed: Brunch
Attire: Casual
Location: Downtown
It's a rare occasion when all 3 Foodies get together for a meal, but Yas came to Austin, and we grabbed brunch before seeing her return to Houston!  Max's Wine Dive is a great place to get your friends together, nurse your hangover, and have an amazing fattening brunch!

Olivia - LOVES it!!

*****

Price: $$
Reviewed: Brunch
Reviewer: Cat
Attire: Casual or Business Casual
Location: South Austin
A fresh and charming restaurant with windows on every wall. This establishment caters to the classy food enthusiast by offering classic dishes with a creative and modern twist. 

D'Amico's - Meh.

**
Price: $$
Reviewed: Dinner
Reviewer: Yas
Attire: Casual
Location: Rice Village
Little restaurant inside of a small Italian market. Laid back atmosphere in a quaint setting. Better for the eyes instead of the stomach.

olive garden "tuscan kitchen" a sham

So you remember the Olive Garden commercial with that fancy Italian kitchen that the Olive Garden cooks go to learn the true craft of making subpar spaghetti? Surprise! It doesn't really exist. I should've known when the last time my pasta was several minutes past al dente and instead was a hot, mushy, mess. Yuck.

I still love their breadsticks and salad. But, you don't really need to travel to a culinary institute in Italy to make that...and I'm sure that's a bag mix.

For the story from Slashfood...

simple ingredients, divine patty melts!

Picture source: YumSugar

I love a good patty melt, and I love one with simple ingredients that are always on hand. This old recipe I stole from YumSugar makes burgers at home a very easy thing to do! You don't need to be a kitchen genius to whip these up, and I often freeze the rest of the raw burger patties (I only cook 4 patties at a time) for later.

I'm a Miracle Whip gal...but Grey Poupon makes everything better. (If you haven't made the bourgeois switch to Grey Poupon from regular mustard, you're not living life.) You can always substitute ground turkey (if you're that kind of person...), or stock up on the red meat, like I do. Either way, you know exactly what's in your meat that you're eating...since you put it there! For the recipe, click

Parkside - YES Please!

****

• Price: $
• Reviewed: Happy Hour
• Attire: Casual chic (but feel free to get jazzy)
• Location: East Sixth Street
• Short Description: With the weather getting warmer, head to the sixth street you never see during the day and sit on Parkside’s rooftop patio.  If it’s too hot, head inside to the swanky indoor space with its loft style and hardwood floors.  This happy hour, honestly, cannot be beat.

tenOak - YUM.

***
 Price: $$

 Reviewed: Dinner

 Attire: Snappy Casual (whatever that means)

 Location: Warehouse District

 Short Description: Affordable menu where the “ten” in tenOak stands for nothing being more than $10 dollars. Come here to share tapas before you head out for a night on the town. Or a fun ladies night.

MARIA MARIA - YES Please!

****

• $$
• Reviewed: Happy Hour
• Business or Dressy Casual (Jeans and heels are appropriate)
• Location: Warehouse District

Maria Maria is a wonderful place for happy hour, ladies night, or to pre-party before you really hit downtown hard. Fresh drinks and fresh queso at great prices start the night off right every time. Plus, there's live music! I mean, could it get better?

QUICK BITE: NoRTh - YES Please!

Please note the highlighters/pens as I tried to study while the pizza took all of the room.  The sacrifices I make for food!

 
****
Price: $
Location: The Domain
Attire: Whatever!
Reviewed: Happy Hour/Late Lunch


I know…we said no chains. But if there’s only one in Texas, it doesn’t count, right?  This restaurant doesn’t have the chain feel – and was a great quick stop as I was running errands (and trying to find time to study).  Plus, the day I stopped in, MC Lyte was there! I would have taken pictures...but this is a food blog, not People magazine, people! Ok...I was too shy to take the picture.

coffee cravings may be genetic

And here I thought my grande latte a day habit should be blamed on law school. I had no choice! I was genetically predisposed to yearn for  espresso!

Yes, like receding hairlines and pendulous earlobes, it seems your daily 3 o'clock caffeine craving can also be traced back to your genes, according to new research released this week.

As USA Today reports, scientists have identified two genes that decide whether you're a double-shot-of-espresso sort of gal or a "one-cup-gives-me-the-jitters" kind of guy. Essentially, depending on whether you carry a "high-consumption" variant or "low-consumption" variant of either gene determines just how fast or slow you metabolize caffeine, and thus, just how much java juice it takes to get your motor running in the morning.

Read more: http://slashfood.com/2011/04/08/craving-coffee-it-might-be-in-your-genes/#ixzz1JFufajwS