BOQUERIA BRUNCH- Flatiron

Cyberspace: http://www.boquerianyc.com/

Where to Find It: 53 West 19th Street New York, NY

Food Group: Spanish and Tapas

How Much to Fork Over: $$-$$$

The Grade: A+

Faves: Quesos y Embutidos; tortillas espanola; wine

Peeves: Small tables; expensive wine list

The Jibba Jab:  Almost like a replica of eateries in Spain, this cozy restaurant is sure to please.  Although the wine was a bit pricey, I enjoyed sipping on the Vina Alberdi Reserva, which was recommended by the friendly bartender.  The quesos y embutidos (cheese and meat plate) and tortilla espanola (Spanish omelet) were made to perfection and were so delicious that I had to chew every bite so slowly.  I would definitely make it back to this place again for brunch and try their lunch and dinner.
     

Quesos y Embutidos

Sample Menu:

TAPAS

Quesos y Embutidos 19

Spanish artisanal cured meats and cheese

Pintxos Morunos 9

Seared lamb marinated in lemon

and cumin, “salsa verde”

Dátiles con Beicon 7

Dates stuffed with almonds and Valdeón,

wrapped in bacon

Bombas de la Barceloneta 8

Two beef and potato croquettes,

“salsa brava,” garlic all i oli

Tortilla Española 7

Traditional egg and potato Spanish omelet

Salteado de Setas 11

Sautéed wild mushrooms, Manchego cheese

Coles de Bruselas y Chorizo 12

Pan roasted Brussels sprouts, chorizo

Buñuelos de Bacalao 11

Salt-cod fritters, citrus allioli

Neighborhood Services Tavern

Cyberspace: www.neighborhoodservicesdallas.com

Where to Find It: 2405 N. Henderson, Dallas, TX 75206

Food Group: New American/Gastro Pub

How Much to Fork Over: $$

The Grade: A

Faves: Double Deviled Eggs, Butterscotch Pot de Crème!! And Our Neighbors

Peeves: I wasn’t hungry enough to try more

The Jibba Jab:

Now I know that I’ve reviewed the NeighborHood Services Bar and Grill in North Dallas on Preston already, but I heard that this location is better, which is conveniently located right near Veritas Wine Room, and after enjoying a few glasses of the half-priced wine and a cheese plate there, my girlfriend and I moseyed our way to NHS for some real grub. 

Sangria - Check out the ice cubes!

We were immediately sat, but I was quite surprised at how full the place was on a Monday.  After researching the menu, we decided that we hadn’t had enough to drink at Veritas, so why not order a pitcher of ice-cold Sangria on this scorching hot summer night.  Our waitress immediately complied, while we pondered about what we wanted to eat.  Because we already had a bit of a snack earlier, we opted to just get a few more of shared snacks such as their Standard Dips of Crab and Artichoke Gratin and Roasted Salsa with red salted corn chips, Double Deviled Eggs made with pepper and a bacon relish, and finally the Feisty Greek Sliders that consisted of roasted lamb, greens, tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce……mmmmm!  Our Sangria came out incredibly refreshing and beautiful, especially with the big perfect cubes of ice in our glasses.  Its crazy how something as seemingly insignificant as ice can take a drink to a completely new level of sophistication just by being geometrically uniform.  The gratin and salsa weren’t anything to remember, so I suggest skipping it, and move on to the Deviled Eggs as a starter.  Now these were much better than their sister restaurant in North Dallas, which were under-seasoned and mostly boring.  These had Pow from the peppers and wonderful contrast in texture from the towers of a gorgeous yellow creamy center to the crunch of the smoky, salty, bacon.  Marvelous!  Next, the Greek Sliders were placed on our table and I think I dove in not really thinking about anything else because I love sliders, or everything in the burger family, for that matter.  They were quite good in taste, particularly with the always and forever marriage of spicy lamb and a great, cooling tzatziki sauce, but the lamb to bun ratio was a bit off.  I thought too much bun action and not enough lamb.  Don’t skimp on the good stuff!! 

Standard Dips - Salsa and Crab and Artichoke Gratin

Double Deviled Eggs

Double Deviled Eggs

Feisty Greek Sliders

Feisty Greek Slider

At this point, we were finishing up and drinking that last of our Sangria, but we couldn’t help but notice throughout our meal, the two ladies dining at the table right next to us, who unquestionably were having a great time.  Somehow we all sparked up a conversation, and the next thing we knew, they were telling us that we just had to try their Butterscotch Pot de Crème.  One of the ladies said it was so amazing she called it Butterscotch Crack in a Jar!  I loved her description, so I knew that we needed to take them up on their generous offer, and we certainly did.  Now the name makes this dessert sound fancy, but NHS presents it in a brilliant jar with little wooden spoons for everyone at the table to dig their way to the bottom of this delicious masterpiece.  I took one scoop, and knew straight away why our neighbor called it Butterscotch Crack in a Jar!  The sweet and salty, velvety, buttery rich caramel creaminess made we want to use it as a mask on my face, so I could lick it off later.  Now that’s addicting!  Then, I tried to think of a way to re-create this dish at home, so I could bring it to a party and be the smashing hit!  I might be stalking the chef for the recipe in the near future.  Finally, I would have to say between this location and the one on Preston, opt for this one.  The menu, pricing, and food are all a notch above!

Butterscotch Crack in a Jar!

Veritas Wine Room

Cyberspace: http://veritaswinedallas.com/

Where to Find It: 2323 North Henderson Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206

Food Group: Wine & Cheese

How Much to Fork Over: $$-$$$

The Grade: A+

Faves: Décor, Great Wine and Cheese Selection, Wine Specials Mon-Thurs, Outdoor Seating, Service

Peeves: Outdoor area needs more shade in this heat!!

The Jibba Jab:

Laidback and Lush…..This is my kind of wine bar!  The entire area is long and narrow, which makes it quaint, along with the display of wine barrels and wooden tables and chairs, this place becomes your go to wine bar next door.  On the other hand, the display of their very selective wines and the colorful art décor on the walls makes you think that someone was extremely vigilant about choosing what should belong there.  I personally am not an art enthusiast….at all, but I did really enjoy the pieces that were in Veritas.  The colors of the art were intoxicating, as was the wine. 

My girlfriend and I made a visit to Veritas on a Monday, so we were able to take advantage of the ½ off Glasses of Wine, and boy we sure did!  We started off with something more on the pricey end, a Russian River Pinot Noir that was normally $15/glass, but on a Monday it’s $7.50!  Next, we decided to shoot for the “What We’re Pouring” glass, which I actually really enjoyed and kept enjoying the rest of the time we were there, and at around $3/glass, I was ecstatic!  Now, when there is great wine, their better be some great cheese to pair with it, and Veritas does not disappoint on that end either because their cheese and meat selection is phenomenal!  Anywhere from Texas to Wisconsin to Canada to Spain or Italy, so anything you choose, you really can’t go wrong because the variety is fantastic!  If you aren’t convinced yet, then make this place your next stop for wine, and you just might end up there for all of your future stops.  You will not regret it!