Savour Tasting Room and Social Club @ Watters Creek

Cyberspace: savourtasting.com
Grade: B-
Where to Find It: 968 Green Brook Dr., Allen, TX 75002
Food Group: American, Mediterranean, Latin American
How Much to Fork Over: $$$
Faves: Outdoor patio and bar

Peeves:  Maryland Crab Cocktail, our waiter had no personality

The Jibba Jab:

I have been eyeing Savour Tasting Room since it opened several months ago because of their great patio, which overlooks the Green (a park that’s in the center of Watters Creek), and their indoor-outdoor bar.  It was silently calling my name to have a cocktail there, so after I found a coupon for it we had to take them up on their discount. I know, I’m sure you are probably thinking that a place offering coupons is desperate for customers, which is never a good sign, but I wanted to give them a try so I could have my own opinion. 

First, I was a bit astonished to find the patio half empty on a Friday around 8pm, and it sat directly behind the entertainment for the Green that night, which was a group of 3 singers.  Every other place was packed.  Our hostess was very friendly, and she immediately sat us.  Our waiter, on the other hand, was nice and did what he was told, but not very quick  witted and had the personality of a piece of cardboard.   Another worry I had was the size of the menu.  It had way too many things going on such as three long listed categories of Socials (small plates for sharing): American, Mediterranean, and Latin, then entrée Salads, Sliders and Sandwiches, Specialties (entrees served after 4pm) and finally Dessert. We ordered the wine and our appetizer, the Maryland Crab Cocktail.  Both came out promptly, but the crab cocktail looked, smelled and tasted as if it had been sitting in the back of a pickup truck for a few days and then they tried to disguise the repulsiveness by serving it to us in a fancy martini glass.  Not acceptable….at all.  I asked the waiter if we could trade it for a small Wedge salad instead, which was definitely a good move.  You really can’t go horribly wrong with Iceburg lettuce, blue cheese dressing and bacon.  Next, my husband really wanted the dish called Shrimp Depth Charges, which are jalapeños stuffed with shrimp and wrapped in bacon.  I just wanted to try one of their pizzas…..it’s a good way for me to test the waters at a restaurant.  If they can’t make a decent pizza, which is basically yeast, flour, water and some toppings, then they probably won’t succeed anywhere else.  We chose the Arugula, Goat Cheese and Tomato Confit pizza.  Both of our choices were satisfactory.  I thought the Shrimp dish had a good crunch from the bacon and the pizza had a crispy thin crust, but a bit on the greasy side.  Overall, the experience was pleasant, the food was fine, except for the Crab Cocktail, and our service was sufficient.  On the other hand, when our meal was finished, my husband blurted out that he would never eat here again…..I’ve created a monster.

2009 Abbot's Table Pinot Noir

Maryland Lump Crab Cocktail - Yuck

Wedge Salad

Shrimp Depth Charges

Arugula, Goat Cheese and Tomato Confit Pizza

Nick and Sam's Grill - Revisit for Brunch

Cyberspace: www.nick-samsgrill.com

Where to Find It?: 2816 Fairmount St, Dallas, TX

The Grade: C

Food Group: American Fad-Casual

How Much to Fork Over: $$ (entrees range from $9-$22)

The Faves: Carafe’s of Mimosas, Outdoor Patio

The Peeves: Extremely Loud and Noisy, Long Wait, Crowded Bar

The Jibba Jab:

I’ve been to Nick and Sam’s Grill several times and I usually leave the place with a happy buzz yearning to come back for their great patio dining and, of course, their Grilled Cheese Sandwich, but the brunch scene is unpleasantly poles apart from the dinner crowd.  Granted, about 7 or 8 years ago, being new to Dallas, single and in my twenties, I would be writing in a completely different tone, but now in my thirties, married and tired of the butt to nut club scene, I can’t say this was my cup of tea. 

Before arriving, I was lucky enough to have a good friend get there before our large group arrived and put our name on the list.  When we finally made it, I couldn’t help, but be extremely annoyed by the a) Blaring music inside  b) Long line just to get a drink while passing the time and c)No shaded area to wait outside (in the Texas heat, you need shade in order to not pass out before your meal)…..at least we didn’t have to wait too long.  Then we were unlucky enough to be sat at a table right next to the crowded bar, inside with the ear-splitting music roaring while you are yelling at the rest of the table in order to keep the conversation flowing…..I’m glad I was able to drink.  We ordered the Guacamole and Hummus to start and then I created my own omelet as my meal.  The food was good, but, honestly, I couldn’t get past having to eat in the Boom Boom Room….Never again for my Thirty Something self.  During a Sunday brunch this place is definitely for the young.  For the rest of us, dinner here is a more enjoyable atmosphere.

Guacamole

Hummus

Omelet with Potatoes

Omelet

A Sunday Funday of Patio Hopping in Dallas

Brunch at Smoke

Cyberspace: smokerestaurant.com
Grade: A-
Where to Find It: 901 Fort Worth Ave, Dallas, TX 75208
Food Group: BBQ, Brunch
How Much to Fork Over: $$
Faves: The smell of smoky goodness that permeates the air throughout the restaurant, Bottomless Mimosas, Bloodymary, brisket

Peeves: Long wait

The Jibba Jab:

Our patio bar hopping day had to start at a fantastic brunch spot, so I had to try Smoke and see what all of the fuss was about.  

It’s hard to miss the immediate waft of smoky bbq when you walk through the doors, but once you stop drooling, you notice the décor.  It makes you chuckle, but feel right at home because they literally have family photos on the walls.  Hilarious, but so welcoming.  I get it! Definitely order the bottomless mimosas if you are truly looking for a Sunday Funday or get the Bloodymary.  Beware it’s rich, but delicious.  All of the brunch items on the menu are great, but I would seriously just steer yourself toward the brisket.  It’s amazing!

Bloodymary

Mimosa

Family Photos!

The Omelet with Salad & The Things Inside

Smoked Brisket Cornbread Hash

Pulled Whole Hog BBQ Eggs Benedict

The Foundry 

Cyberspace: http://cs-tf.com/

Grade: A

Where to Find It: 9303 Pittman St, Dallas, TX 75208

How Much to Fork Over: $$

Faves: Atmosphere

Peeves: Couches smell

The Jibba Jab:

Country Coolness in Dallas.  I loved that the entrance is adorned as a giant chicken coop; they use old train cars as seating areas, and a ton of old wooden pallets as a giant stage.  Then the cactus garden is the icing on the cake.  This place is all recycled, which is great, but the old couches need to be cleaned big time.  Just hang out in the middle at the picnic tables under the string of lights.  This is a great hangout for a big group! I also really want to try Chicken Scratch, which is the restaurant connected to this bar.

Rattlesnake Bar at the Ritz Carlton

Cyberspace: fearingsrestaurant.com

Grade: B+

Where to Find It: 2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

How Much to Fork Over: $$$

Faves: Outdoor patio

Peeves: Pricey

The Jibba Jab:

A place to go when you want to feel really Dall-ass! 

The Common Table

Cyberspace: thecommontable.com

Grade: A

Where to Find It: 2917 Fairmount St, Dallas, TX 75201

Food Group: Gastropub, American

How Much to Fork Over: $$

Faves: Outdoor patio, Skittles Sangria, Dog Friendly

Peeves: We didn’t have a dog with us

The Jibba Jab:

Definitely a great outdoor patio, but the real kicker is the Skittles Sangria.  It’s childhood nostalgia with an adult spin.  FYI though, order the white sangria because you can see the skittle colors run down and get psychedelic inside the pitcher!  The red sangria just covers it up.  We also grabbed a few apps to soak up some of the alcohol we had been drinking. 

Red Skittles Sangria

White Skittles Sangria

Cool Huh?

Uptown Devils

Buffalo Meatballs

Pulled Pork Spring Rolls

Primebar

Cyberspace: primebardallas.com

Grade: B-

Where to Find It: 2520 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75201

Food Group: Gastropub, Pizza

How Much to Fork Over: $$

Faves: Outdoor patio

Peeves:  Didn’t care for the wine

Union Bear

Cyberspace: unionbear.com

Grade: A

Where to Find It: 3699 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75201

How Much to Fork Over: $$

Faves: Outdoor patio, Beers on Tap, Pizza

Peeves:  Out of a few beer and food items

The Jibba Jab:

We learned that a beer expert is called a Cicerone here, which definitely means these guys know their stuff about beer.  Although, I’m much more of a wine drinker, so the beer talk doesn’t really appeal to me, but definitely drink a few brews here if you love the stuff.  It’s interesting.  On the other hand, all of the food they serve is here Farm to Table and that definitely appeals to me.  The Honey Pig pizza (Salami, Mozzarella, Thyme Oil, Texas Honey) and Habanero Asian Pear Salad (Seasonal Greens, Manchego, Tomatoes, Champagne-Mint Vinaigrette) were fantastic!  

Sorry, my food photos turned out horrible, so I'm not posting them.  Not enough light.

Nosh Euro Bistro - Plano

Nosh Euro Bistro - Plano

Cyberspace: nosheurobistro.com

Grade: A

Where to Find It: 4701 W. Park Blvd, Suite 101, Plano, TX 75093

Food Group: European, American

How Much to Fork Over: $$$

Faves: Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Braised Lamb Shank, Truffle Mac N Cheese

The Jibba Jab:

Transparent and Tasty.  Nosh is a place that lets nothing go unnoticed…literally, you can see everything that the kitchen is doing from it’s open and exposed layout to the dining room to a flat screen tv near the restrooms that displays the intense actions of the chefs.  Flames flying high, stacks of plates dwindling down, orders being shouted, and the rest of the clinking and clanking of a well managed kitchen.  It is quite a sight to see and hear. 

The front of the house is just as well maintained as the back of the house because our service was impeccable.  The owner or manager (not sure which) immediately greeted us after we sat down at our table, explaining the menu and that he would be happy to accommodate us with anything we needed…..extremely welcoming!  We were brought new flatware and plates for each course, and our water and wine glasses were always full….that is until we drank all of the wine, which was the Franciscan Cabernet. 

Now on to the food!  After we were brought bread and butter on the house, we chose one of the specials, the Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, as our starter.  It was incredibly delicious and had a velvety richness that was perfectly complimented by a hint of sweetness.  Next, we were recommended to try the Roasted Red and Yellow Beet Salad and I’m definitely glad we did.  The creamy peppercorn goat cheese sung in precise harmony with the earthy accents of the beets and was a great way to prepare our palates for the following round.  The Braised Lamb Shank was succulent, falling off the bone, and perfectly seasoned….I had absolutely no complaints.  Our side of Garlic Roasted Broccolini had a punch full of flavor, but the Big Kid Truffled Mac was something that I’ll never forget.  I’ve been to many restaurants that have this dish on their menu and I’ve always been disappointed with the outcome, but I’ve finally found the Mac and Cheese that is worth talking about.  It actually smelled and tasted like truffles, the bread crumb topping was in fact “tortilla chip” crispy, which is a must for contrasting texture to the extreme creaminess of the combination of cheeses, and most of all, NO glooping (not really a word, but you know what I mean) of grease or that grittiness you get from the cheese separating….ekkk… such a pet peeve.  This Mac and Cheese, and the rest of the experience deserves a trophy for all of the above!!

Hudson Valley Foie Gras

Roasted Red and Yellow Beet Salad

Braised Lamb Shank

Garlic Roasted Broccolini

Big Kid Truffle Mac