When The World Is Your Oyster, But You Want Pizza

I'm not sure about all of you, but when you have a kid (or multiple) they usually win out at the pizza war.  At our house, most every Friday is pizza and a movie.  We sometimes make our own, order something that we can't get delivered (so we run in and pick it up), but in most cases it is a standard chain delivery.  While easy and usually enjoyable - it does get boring. 

So!  What do you do when you are kid-free on a Friday night?!?  You do adult pizza night and a movie (We watched The Gray Man on Netflix).  That was easy part - then you have to decide where to go get that adult pizza in Fort Worth.  That turned into a HUGE research/discussion.  

Here were some of the points of discussion ~

• Should we pick based off splitting a pizza - i.e. they will do a 1/2 and 1/2
• Crust and reheatability (i.e. how do those leftovers taste)
• Do we try somewhere new or do a tried and true favorite
• Yelp sorting by ratings and number of reviews narrowed the list down.

There are so many new places that we haven't tried yet.  Price, location, and just uncertainty of the unknown all played into our decision.  Once we hashed out all the possibilities, we decided on a tried and true favorite ~ Zoli's Pizza.  

Zoli's is the brain child of Cane Rosso favorite, Jay Jerrier.  When we lived down in the 'hood (aka Southside) we spent many nights enjoying pizza at Cane Rosso - or as it became known at our house "The Red Pig".  I think on the pizza side this might be another obsession with a chef - because everything he touches we adore.  We would drive to Dallas - 45 minutes away! - just get some Zoli's before we had a Fort Worth option.  

At Zoli's you have to decide - am I square or a round type of person.  Do I like my pizza large and in charge with a thicker crust (square pie), or am I a traditional, classic crust that's a little thin and doesn't get in a way of the toppings (round pie)?  Don't get me wrong, they both have their place in the pizza world.  I do not discriminate against any great pizza - which is what makes Zoli's so much fun.  

I've never, ever had a bad thing from here.  My ultimate treat is to start with an order of Zucchini Fries and almost not leave room for the pizza.  I've tried to replicate this wonderful dish at home - and I can't even come close.  Not to mention the house-made jalapeño ranch that you dip these wonders in, and some pizza if there is any left.  

The pies are all a preferential decision.   I'm usually a classic ~The Spangler, while my husband will almost 99% of the time order The Honey Bastard.  I do love me a NY White when I'm not in the mood for a red sauce base (can I recommend that if you order this, get a side of the red sauce and use it as a dip!)  As for the 50/50 split - Zoli's will accommodate a split pie as long as the base is the same on the two pies.  

Don't be fooled by our adult pizza night - every kid we see here enjoys the pizza - including our own!  They have a great outdoor space and the decor is off the chain.  Go have a great adult pizza night of your own, or bring along you kids for a great and enjoyable family pizza night!

~Ciao

Grace - Fort Worth

Our first visit to Grace was probably a little over a year ago right after our little veggie was born.  We had a Groupon and decided, what the heck, we'll give it a try.  Shocking!  The ambiance is posh, but the people are friendly and the chef is fantastic.
The items on the menu don't rotate like some of the other "local" style restaurants, but because the menu is simple and the items aren't ridiculously off the wall, it's easy for them to seem "in season" all year round.  But, it seems that they did learn that not all Fort Worth locals eat just meat and potatoes.  On our first visit the chef was so kind as to create a vegetarian dish from scratch.  With this last visit there was a vegetarian item on the menu (beside the salad).
I started with the Organic Local Greens (from Tassione Farms in Stephenville, TX) - crispy potatoes, Texas goat cheese and beets.  I know, some guys are afraid of those "local greens", but come on - who can resist a Texas goat cheese and beets.  The salad is worth that alone.  Hubby had the Shaved Asparagus.  This comes topped with something they call the "black hole" - it is a sort of egg, bacon and hash bake.  Shockingly tasty, and he said should have been a dish of it's own.
The veggie dish on the menu is a fresh made Five Cheese Tortellini - english peas, ramps and green onion emulsion.  I thought I could talk the chef into making something "off the menu", so I was slightly disappointed when this came to the table.  First bite taken - disappointed no more.  A great "warm" summer dish that was the perfect balance of both light and heavy.  And not overwhelming, so have no fear I had room for dessert.
One of the guests that joined us got the Meyer Ranch All Natural Beef - grass feed, antibiotic free, no growth hormones.  The fat structure in the beef just seems so unnatural from what we normally see, but it so smooth that you can cut it with a fork.  Sauce choice originally was just good 'ol original horseradish, but the waitress talked him into trying the chef's special preparation of Espresso Horseradish.  If you are a true horseradish connoisseur - steer clear of this - the flavor combination is unlike an other, but not in a good way.

Local Organic Greens

Five Cheese Tortellini

Meyer Ranch All Natural Beef

3 diners, 3 desserts - Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake topped with Henry's organic vanilla bean ice cream - Pain Perdu with butter pecan ice cream, bruleed bananas and salted carmel - Chocolate Walnut Milkshake made with homemade vanilla ice cream, Nochelle and dark Creme de Cacao.  I ordered the milkshake - the best combination of liquor and milkshake around (I drank the whole thing), then I tasted both the other desserts ordered and both were top notch.  But, if I had to put them in order 1. Milkshake, 2. Chocolate Pudding Cake, 3. Pain Perdu.  Would I recommend dessert - heaven's yes.

**Oh and please pardon the picture quality - I don't claim to be a photographer.  But I thought I had better get better about including photos of the meals.

Spiral Diner - Mucho Grande Nacho's

So for the month of January, one of my guilty pleasures - Spiral Diner - feed us a blue plate special full of Mexican food. For those of you that don't know, Spiral Diner is a strictly Vegan restaurant. They try and buy local and organic and never feed us meat, meat-byproducts, dairy, eggs, etc.

Back to the Mexican Blue Plate Specials -

The dishes were a wide variety of quesadillas and nachos. I had a rare weekend visit with my BF, and for many weeks we had been eying the nachos. I know you are thinking, Nachos?? Who cares about Nachos?? Well need I say more than it was Mexican heaven on a plate. Their warm, "cheezy" sauce, quinoa, corn, black olives, tomatoes, jalapenos, beans, and I'm sure I'm missing something covering hearty corn tortilla chips was to die for.

The "cheezy" sauce is made from raw cashews and nutritional yeast flakes and other yummy-ness - you can't tell it's not real nacho cheese sauce. I can't explain to you how good these are. They are so good they need to be a permanent fixture on the menu. Hello Amy, please add the nachos to the menu... I'd be there all the time just to eat nachos.

I don't know about any of you all, but it's super hard to find veg-friendly mexican food. I eat their ate-layer burrito just about every time I go. Why can't I have a nice vegan nacho alternative all the time.

We never made it back to try the quesadillas - we ate nachos every time we went - but I am slightly sad, because they were trying out the new "cheese" fad in Daiya cheese. If the nachos were any sign, I am sure that Spiral had a winner in the quesadillas too.

Rating: 5 Carrots

Mamma Mia Italian Grill & Pizza

Let me start off by saying that their website is of no help. It appears that they rarely update the information.

There are two locations - the original on East Belknap & the newest on West Magnolia in the old Palermo's location.

Having Mamma Mia so close - is both a blessing and curse. We eat there at least once a week (sometimes multiple, especially if you include left overs). I know it can't be that healthy for you to eat rich Italian food every night of the week, but it's so good I can't help it.

I have tried just about every vegetarian dish on the menu - and created a few of my own. If I am in the mood for something a little lighter, I lean toward the Traditional Cheese Pizza. Fresh made dough, cornmeal on the crust, fresh red sauce and cheese overflowing... yum, it's making my mouth water just thinking about it.

The Eggplant Florentine is a great choice if you are in the mood for something to "put meat on your bones". Thinly sliced eggplant, breaded and baked, then rolled with cheese and spinach, covered in red sauce and cheese and served with a side of pasta. WOW is right!

I was in the mood for something a little different and ordered the "build your own" Stromboli - they will put anything you want in here. I had spinach, mushroom, and cheese. Oh it was so tasty... I ate the whole thing!

Of all the dishes I have ordered, my least favorite has been the Eggplant Parmesan. The Eggplant is cut super thin for the Florentine dish and it was just too mushy after it is cooked and covered in the sauce and cheese.

All the entrees come with a dinner salad (the house dressing is wonderful - spicy, oil & vinegar, red dressing). They always start you out with their garlic knot bread - and have oil & vinegar on the table. We have ordered calamari, fried mushrooms, cheese bread and all other kinds of goodie appetizers...

I can't think of a BAD thing I have had there.

I'll have hubby post another for all the meat dishes he has tried.

Rating: 5 Carrots

Brennan's, New Orleans - Brunch

This is Foodie husband's dream brunch. Brennan's, which has been open since 1946 (see website), is known for the set brunch menu. You begin with a starter, entree and then dessert. Yes - they encourage dessert even after breakfast.

We needed something to get us started and ordered their famous Brandy Milk Punch, for those of you that want to watch your figure skip this section - a concoction of half & half, brandy, and topped with a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg. Oh yeah it tasted as good as it sounds.

I started with the Baked Apple in Double Cream - a cored apple baked and then covered with warmed cream, carmel and cinnamon. Very delicious, and for those of you who have always talked about having dessert first - this the place. Other veg options included Strawberries and Double Cream. Hubby started with their signature Maude's Seafood Okra Gumbo. This gumbo is not made with a traditional roux of butter and flour, but is created using okra instead - there are several other restaurants that have stolen this idea and have an Okra based gumbo on the menu.

Our waiter, who has probably worked at Brennan's since it opened (not really), was outstanding - confident, suggestive, and very willing to take the bull by the horns if given the opportunity. I was debating between the two veg options on the menu - Eggs Sardou & Eggs Portuguese. Why debate when you can have both! He took over and offered to bring me one of each - how phenomenal! For my taste buds the Eggs Sardou was too bland, although it had an excellent presentation and overall did not taste bad. Now the Eggs Portuguese on the other hand - creative, tasty, and creole. There is no question, next time Eggs Portuguese will win the debate. I feel that this dish would have even be just as tasty without the pouched egg on top - the sauce and the flaky pastry were fantastic. Foodie's hubby didn't stray too far from the signature side of Brennan's (wait till you hear about dessert) - Eggs Hossarde was his selection - I don't even know if he tasted it, he woofed it down so fast.

Now to the important stuff - dessert. An order of Banana's Foster (Brennan's specialty) and Crepes Fitzgerald were ordered to share. Both were scrumptious. By this point in the meal I felt like I could bust, but why stop eating such luscious plates of food? We both cleaned our plates and seriously debated about picking them up and drinking the sauces left behind.

This is a "must go" in New Orleans. Reservations recommended. I might go back to New Orleans just to eat here - why aren't you an option in Fort Worth yet?

Ranking: 5 Carrots

Lili's Bistro on Magnolia

So this post has been a long time coming. Foodie husband and I went to Lili's last month for our 3rd wedding anniversary that happened to fall in the middle of the week. Yeah, I know not real extravagant, but the food was fantastic.

We have both been to Lili's several times over the couple of years that we have lived in the Southside, but I had forgotten how much I enjoy the creative dishes. Don't be scared - the dishes are little pricey, but for a special occasion or for a once in a blue moon treat - it is definitely worth it.

For an appetizer we shared the Hummus and Pita. Their pita bread is to die for. If you have a carb phobia - STAY AWAY - you can't stop eating it. I love a nice kick added to any meal and the jalapeno drizzle was just the right touch - unique & an added flavor to what can normally be a bland dip.

Hubby ordered the Lili's House Burger, which is topped with their signature Gorgonzola Cheese sauce and has a side of their mouthwatering waffle fries. As most of you know I don't eat meat, but my first comment was, "WOW, that makes me want to start eating meat again!". It looked fantastic, and must have been, because Foodie Hubby ate it all, licked the plate and went home miserable (see dessert note).

I was slightly more perplexed about what I wanted and debated about several items. I finally landed on the Tzatziki Medley which is a split dish of Tabouli and Bulgher and Berries. I have a hard time finding a Tabouli that meets my acidic/tart requirements, but this Tabouli can't be beat. The tart Tabouli paired with the sweet and warm Bulgher and Berries was a nice combination. I debated hard about eating the whole dish and not taking any home, but the following day at work it was well worth having the left overs. It made me want to go back for more that evening.

As I promised above, the stuffed Hubby ordered the Banana Upside Down Cake to go. He was so stuffed he had to save it for the following evening. But in the tradition of Lili's he warmed it up and topped it with vanilla ice cream and continued our anniversary dinner the following evening.

See their website for reservation policies. This is definitely a recommended pick!

Ranking: 5 Carrots

St. Emilion - Our Favorite

This is by far our favorite restaurant in Fort Worth, probably in Texas, and one of our top 5 in the country. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a special occasion, take clients or just enjoy a fabulously prepared meal - I don't think either of us could say enough good about St. Emilion.

We recently had both sets of our parents together for dinner and this was the place of choice. We request the same server every time - Jennifer, and had a wonderful time. This was my first visit back since I have stopped eating meat, and was unsure of the experience I would have.

For those of you who have never been, the menu is a set 4 course meal. You have a starter, soup/salad course, main dish, and dessert. The usual menu is posted on the web, but the best part is the large chalkboard w/ specials. These specials are made with seasonal ingredients and change regularly. There are a few options for starters and the soup/salad course that would work great for a veg dish.

I started with the Cream of Asparagus Soup (minus the shrimp puff pastry), followed with the Insalata Caprese and for my main dish I ordered the chef's veg special. I have never had anything bad, so I'm going to talk about the main dish. The Vegetarian Special was a beautifully presented plate of fresh vegetables - all prepared in a different manner. The plate had cabbage, classic mixed vegs, a potato au gratin made with spinach and red bell peppers, grilled asparagus, and mushrooms. I am sure I have forgotten a few of the veggies on the dish - but what a treat. They were all seasoned well, tasted great and will keep me coming back for more. Oh but wait! There's more - dessert. I tried the special apple tart flambe (topped with ice cream). It wasn't one of my favorites, but the creativity was outstanding. The tart comes out warm, and then is topped with flamed Calvados.

I could go on forever with everything that was ordered at the table. Foodie's husband had the Original Duck dish. Beautifully presented and so he says - WONDERFUL. Several people ordered the Filet, and my mother had Jennifer surprise her with one of the special fishes on the board. Everyone at the table ate everything on the plate - to the point of being stuffed. By far the most popular dessert is their homemade cookie formed into a cup and filled with "fromage blanc" and topped with fresh blackberries.

Make sure you make reservations (months in advance for New Year's or Valentine's Day). Recommended Pick!!

Ranking: 5 Carrots

Taverna - Short & Sweet

I'll keep this one short and sweet. Taverna is a recommended pick on our favorites list, but I can't help but mention it, since we took my mother-in-law to eat there over this past weekend.

Not only do they get the dinner right every time, if you are looking for a great place to have brunch - you should definitely give them a try.

I don't know that I have ever had anything less than excellent from the menu. I do my best to try something new every time we go. This time I tried the Eggplant Parmesan and what a feast for my eyes and stomach. It was nothing like a standard parmesan dish - stacked with eggplant, cheese and sauce - it was almost like a baked lasagna. Wonderful.

Foodie's husband gets the Balsamic Risotto with Chicken just about every time we go. Yeah a guy eats Risotto and likes it!

There are so many great things on the menu - it's hard to keep it short. There are items for all taste buds and prices to please all.

Recommended to make reservations on the weekend (or expect to wait!).

Ranking: 5 Carrots