A little less than a year after I moved back to Chicago, my parents began to get tired of empty nesting in Central Arkansas - who could blame them - and started to sniff out some new land to stake their claim.  After an exploratory road trip through the Southwest, up the West Coast and back, they called me, excited to tell me where I’d be spending the Christmases of the future…

They chose a town between Dallas and Fort Worth, a little hiccup next to Arlington called Grand Prairie, Texas.  My brother and I were skeptical.  Five hours immediately west of where they live now and still south of the Mason-Dixon?  Yeah.  Big change.

As is the case very very rarely, we were both wrong.  They’re in a great location to take advantage of both Dallas and Fort Worth’s strikingly diverse flavors - Dallas has more airs of a big city; Fort Worth is still quintessentially a good ole boy big town.  Urban cowboys.  Great entertainment.

Lately, a surprising number of my friends have found reason to visit the Dallas/Fort Worth area and have asked for good food recommendations.  After several visits over the past two years, with many thanks to my awesome cousins who live in Fort Worth, I’ve been able to establish my favorite spots, which I’ve recommended to so many of my friends lately that I thought it’d only make sense to share with all the Eat Feats readers as well.

1. Joe T. Garcia’s.  A James Beard award winner, Joe T.’s was started as a family business in 1935 that experienced escalating success, becoming one of the most popular restaurants in Fort Worth by 1970.  It retains this popularity today - with reported seating capacity of over 1000, there is still a line out the door and a rat race to find parking on any given day.  With reservations, large groups can be accommodated here, and much of the seating is on a huge, beautiful outdoor patio wrapped around a pool.  It’s a great spot for Texas people-watching. Oh, and Joe T.’s is cash only.

2. Railhead Smokehouse BBQ. I really don’t think you can go wrong with BBQ anywhere in this area, but this is the place my cousin Vanessa chose when we met for lunch, and I just remember forcibly resisting the urge to lick my plate.  Give it a shot, let me know what you think.

3. Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse.  I don’t even know where to begin with this place.  I wouldn’t know downtown Fort Worth without it.  This is the kind of place where “succulent” can be put to good use as a legitimate description of the quality of food - without getting smirked at…at least not a lot.  I had a Sesame Seared Tuna with soy ginger glaze here that changed my life.  My brother met The Rock here, and it changed his life.  Top notch surf and turf, top notch celebrity sightings.

4. Grace. This elegant newish spot, the brain child of a Del Frisco’s alum, has something to satisfy both the meat-and-potatoes cowboy and the sophisticated urban eater alike.  Huge wine list and really striking display wine cellars are placed at focal points through the dining room.  The menu, elegant American classics was crafted by Executive Chef Blaine Staniford, who at 19 was one of the youngest graduates of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY.  Notably, he has studied under San Francisco chef Michael Mina (shameless pitch, my good friend Jason is currently studying under Mina).  Great people watching too - we were seated next to a table of 40-something year old women who collectively had enough plastic on their persons to craft a formidable Barbie army.  Sexy, can I?

5. Zambrano Wine Cellar. I’ve only had the wine and desserts at this place, but it’s been enough to draw me back in almost every time I find myself in downtown Fort Worth.  Owner Cef Zambrano is another illustrious Del Frisco’s alum and is one of the most reliable wine sources throughout Dallas/Fort Worth.

6.  Sonic. Happy Hour.  Seriously.

And there you have it.  May these places find a spot in your heart and stomachs as well.  Anyone have any other Fort Worth (or Dallas, since I didn’t even touch that) favorites as well?

The last two days of my trip were my “personal days” – after waking up disoriented on the couch in the previous night’s dress and shoes, I had to recharge (and recuperate from a crazy evening at Rex’s) at Baker Beach with Steph before some chill time with my family. Saturday was a full day spent with my family in Vallejo at my adorable godson’s 7^th birthday party. Got to catch up with my cousins, love on the two new babes in the fam (so tiny. SO cute), and eat my weight in Filipino food (I think they get everything catered by Goldilocks).

Have you had quality Filipino food? If my people will be honest with themselves for one minute – it’s kind of an oxymoron, right? To buck the trend, the food at my family parties in Vallejo is consistently delicious. Filipino spaghetti – made with a sweet banana-based sauce – is without a doubt my childhood favorite.

There were the typical unidentifiable meats and overcooked veggies inexplicably mixed with seafood (mussels and chicken?), floating in a sweet, salty, vinegary mystery sauce, best served over rice – it’s a gamble, but always good. Bistek, Filipino beef steak teeming with onions, made a late appearance, and luckily I was already at the table filling my third plate, so I got the freshest pickins.

I’m drooling a little bit.

And then there was lechon (roasted pig). My friends were horrified. They were more horrified when I picked up the cleaver, giddy as a child, and hacked off a few choice cuts of dark meat for myself. Slather some Mang Tomas on top, some rice – sarap!

After an exhausting day I spent the evening hanging out with Steel and Steph playing Guitar Hero and – what else – TETRIS ATTACK. Get re-addicted, it’ll change your adult life.

In the best role reversal of the trip, while Steph and I were glued to the screen cursing each other playing Tetris Attack, Steel made us these adorable desserts – fresh cut pineapple with some kind of subtle fruity ice cream they had in the freezer, with a splash of Malibu. Tasty!

Now Sunday. We drove down to Sausalito, a gorgeous drive that nearly did me in. Why must lovely roads wind so sharply? Anyway, it was a special trip to a spot called Fred’s, famous for their deep-fried French toast. We met up with great friends Josh and Travis and Rhianna (who JUST welcomed their new babe Olivia into the world - Congrats, guys!). A rare treat, I indulged Shane-style with deep-fried French toast, hash browns, eggs, corned beef hash, and toast. Incidentally - sourdough toast is its own beast in San Francisco. Don’t tell me “it’s just sourdough bread, you can get that anywhere.’ That’s a bold statement, leaving you liable to get a thrashing from me – or anyone else who has ever lived in San Francisco, for that matter.

Fred’s deep-fried French toast is a slab of three pieces deep-fried into a perfect trio of golden-brown triangles. Melted butter on top, syrup all over. The texture is initially crispy, but not flaky, and French toast inside is perfectly moist and saturated with creamy cinnamon goodness.

To stave off the pending food coma after the brunch feast, we took a stroll down the Sausalito boardwalk, poking our heads in a candy store for some saltwater taffy – for me, a handful of Lemonheads and GIANT Now n’ Laters. Giant Now n’ Laters smack of my childhood, and Lemonheads are the reason I got two cavities my senior year of high school. One story in particular sticks out – in the vaguest terms, a certain potential romantic interest situation went sour, and the guy made it up to me by buying me a box of Lemonheads…and all was well.

After that, hugs all around and Steel, Steph, and I were back across the bridge to San Francisco. We made a beeline for Tartine Bakery. Tartine, of James Beard Award-winning fame, is totally worth the trip, and also worth standing in the eternal line. My best recommendation – get your treats to go and stroll down to Dolores Park. For the daring and indulgent, Bi-Rite has some killer salted caramel ice cream. Bring the Lactaid and go all out.

One last stop at Falletti’s Grocery for some Vicolo frozen pizzas (my favorite!) to stuff in my suitcase, and I was on my way to SFO, and onward to Chicago. A word on Falletti’s – if you remember the opening credits of Full House, where they’re picnicking on a hill in front of the painted ladies – I lived two blocks down the hill from that scene. A trek to Falletti’s always involved a hike up that steep incline and a tiptoe down – both ways. Was it worth it? Every time. Great, albeit steeply priced, produce, cuts of meat, and any deliciously snobbish, organic product under the sun. Impressive wine collection and a full aisle of diverse organic imported ethnic foods.

All too soon, it was over.  Can’t wait for next time, San Francisco.

Oops, that was quite a hiatus.  Making my mental return to San Francisco, and…

Day three required no ramp-up time, and after rolling off the couch and brushing my teeth, we took off for Dynamo Donuts. See earlier entry. It’s going to be a while until I can return to Dunkin Donuts after those babies.

Lunch was at Specialty’s. While it may be easy to write this place off as any other sandwich shop, you’d be a fool to do so. With Intelligensia coffee and a really impressive selection of fresh-baked sweet treats and loaves of bread, the place makes a name for itself as a bakery alone. But do try the sandwiches – most are served up on crispy, fresh ciabatta bread. My favorite is the BBQ beef – just the right touch of spicy chipotle, and as expected in Northern California cuisine, really fresh veggies tucked right in. There are several Specialty’s locations throughout the Financial District and SoMa, and they also have delivery segways (!!!), which I think are absolutely brilliant.  Afterwards we strolled down The Embarcadero along the bay to the Ferry Building, hit up some cute downtown shops, and napped in the sun at Union Square.  Heaven.

And finally, the much-anticipated dinner at La Folie. I was in good company, dining with my Chicago buddy Ian, my Chicago-turned-San Francisco buddy JoEllen (shameless plug, she works at Blue Bottle Coffee Company, which is pure magic in a cup), and my SF buddy Josh.   Executive Chef Roland Passot and his wife Jamie have been running this place - a giant in the SF French dining scene - since 1988. In a city thick with amazing restaurants and citizens of discerning (ahem, pretentious) taste, it’s been said that the five-year mark is the make-or-break for San Francisco restaurants. After 21 years, Roland’s got to be doing something right. And it’s all in the family - Roland’s brother Georges is the restaurant’s sommelier. The stairway to the office is peppered with pictures of Chef Passot with various celebrities who have dined at the restaurant, including one photo from a Sheen/Estevez family party of some sort. Emilio, if you’re reading this, je t’aime!

Anyway, this place has been so solid for so long that my review would be just another to add to the cloud. And I know I wouldn’t be able to do it justice. I spoke with Executive Sous Chef Patrick Kelly prior to our dinner to arrange a custom four-course menu for each of us, complete with wine pairings. With his typical wink and smile, Patrick nodded and said, “We’ll take care of you.” With the exception of the amuse bouche courses and soup course, we each got something different with each course. Incredible. We were thoroughly stuffed and delighted.

Recently La Folie opened a spot next door, the La Folie Lounge, with French cocktails, wines, a solid beer list, and gourmet bar noshes by Chef Passot. While waiting for our table, Ian and I noted a popcorn popper behind the bar. Don’t let this typical low-brow snack food fool you – La Folie Lounge serves up white truffle popcorn. Insta-high-brow.  Be sure to holla at Ted Ellis, the manager - he makes some killer recommendations, and he’s even thrown a few of his own drink recipes on La Folie Lounge’s signature list.

Anecdotes of note: my favorite amuse is Chef Passot’s signature salmon “lollipop” – house-cured salmon and mascarpone with herbs rolled up on a stick, topped with Passot Roe made by Tsar Nicoulai Caviar. When our third amuse was served, an incredible frog leg with frog leg cream soup, I jokingly asked our server Ben, “They’re not doing the salmon pops tonight?” Not too long later, while anticipating our first course, we instead got a surprise fourth amuse – the salmon lollipops. SO sweet, no? I sent my love with Ben back to the kitchen.

Roland also has a dessert that, on occasion, I fall asleep whimpering with the sheer agony of not being able to have one whenever I want.  It’s an Edam Cheese Souffle.  Edam cheese?  Souffle?  Topped with bacon?!  Too good to be true, I know.  Oh, but it is.

Enjoy the La Folie photo tour.

I started my day with some of these really interesting fiber-packed crackers I picked up on Clement St called “Digestive.”  Indeed they were. Then I took a nostalgic run through the Fillmore and Pacific Heights-ish area. Shamefully, this was the one and only day I convinced myself that running during vacation was ok. Regardless, I got to swing through two of my favorite spots – Mollie Stone’s (her produce is so-so and a little overpriced in my opinion; I’m really more interested in the hot bar – rivals Whole Foods’ – and cheese selection. Oh, and the awesome cookies) and Café Murano, my favorite neighborhood coffee joint from back in the day. Once I got a free mango bellini “refill” from my favorite barista (baristo…?) which earned Murano a spectacular Yelp review.

Got ready for the day ninja-style (Steel and Steph slept through my entire morning routine) then we all started the day with Steph’s recipe for Dirty Girl Scouts, another standing SF tradition from my living there. Hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps. Lethal at 10am. We giggled our way to SoMa and grabbed lunch with Steel and Robert at Primo Patio, this Caribbean place Steel wouldn’t stop raving over. It was a great atmosphere, and one of those places that really only makes sense in San Francisco – all breezy, patio seating in the middle of SF’s tech-nerd startup ‘hood (the Wired office is right down the street). My lamb pita with mushrooms and this orange chipotle-like mayo couldn’t have been better. Succulent (can I say “succulent?”) slices of lamb with perfectly sautéed mushrooms. So simple, so so delicious. Guava mimosas all around, and I was out cold during the entirety of the drive to the Jelly Belly and Budweiser factories.

That night was dinner at Ducca, where my friend Yonas, who I met during my La Folie days, currently works. A fairly new spot conveniently located in SoMa at 3^rd between Market and Mission (in the Westin Hotel), definitely check it out if you happen to be attending a conference at the Moscone Center or staying at any downtown hotel. There were perks to knowing someone on the inside, but I am confident that the quality of service and caliber of food preparation and presentation is consistent with each guest.

I had spoken with Yonas several times prior to the dinner and agreed to give him free reign over what I was served. He was giddy with the prospect of creating a custom menu. Ducca’s style is Northern Italian cuisine with a California influence. The modestly sized wine list reflects the hybrid of cuisine style, and with surprisingly zero input from the peanut gallery, I went with a Santa Rosa Pinot Noir – California love! Before we got to that, our server appeared with a complimentary bottle of Prosecco and a platter of assorted cicheti. Yes, please. A toast to Yonas, San Francisco, and friendship (aww) and we dug in.

Of the cicheti, the arancini (crispy risotto fritter, sottocenere) and polpettini frittini (crisp lamb meatballs, cipillini-orange marmellata) were my two standout favorites. A couple more amuse-type dishes, and out came the soup course – spiced rodetto di pesce – rock shrimp, Manila clams, true cinnamon. As opposed to false cinnamon, I guess. After that we were given a pasta course – a creamy linguini with shrimp, clams, poached egg (drool), and a light olive oil. Getting stuffed.

Next up, main entrees. The endless stream of food was getting to me, but so was the Pinot. Heightened unawareness, check. Most of my dining comrades had ordered a pasta course for their main entrée. I had no choice in the matter, as my dining experience was in my buddy’s capable hands. He chose to give me the Tai Snapper with asparagus and rock shrimp. I thought I had “won” the best entrée course, and then I tried Josh’s order - Halibut Cheeks Stracotto (Seppia, Black Polenta, Jalepeno & Mint marinara – also had garbanzo beans). So perfectly tender. One-upping bastard.

My descriptive powers and my ability to remember ingredients were severely impaired by the looming food coma, so the desserts are less fresh in my memory. Pictured below are three kinds of deliciousness – I do remember the ice cream sandwich was served with a mascarpone ice cream that lives on in my taste buds’ fondest memories, and the white blob with fruit and pomegranate foam on top was a really incredible Greek yogurt that Steph refused to let go.

Ended the night with a surprise drop-in visit to my lovely former coworkers at La Folie. I relayed our incredible experience at Ducca to Patrick Kelly, the Executive Sous Chef and managed to frame it as an extended challenge. I had reservations at La Folie the following evening. I knew I was in for a treat.

“Quick” nightcap at Rex Café across the street with a couple of the Folie crew and my other good friends, and we called it a day.

Even with my penchant for fine dining [read: pretentious locally-produced organic products with an outrageous upcharge, smothered in butter and served with anything described as a reduction make my toes tingle], I had to balance my favorite “trashy” noshes (after all, I am a Waffle House girl at heart) with what I already knew would be upscale meals at my friends’ restaurants. Luckily, my perception of San Francisco (food AND people?) has always been just that – a balance of simple and greasy but simultaneously legitimately organic and needlessly arrogant.

My challenge for myself during this trip – I absolutely had to hit up my old favorites from the year I lived in San Francisco, but I also had to try out all the new places my friends had been raving over. After realizing I forgot my giant bottle of Tums at home, I was a little disheartened, but refused to buy another and determined to commit to my challenge.

After my arrival (feeling gross, if you remember my previous entry) Stephanie and I hit up Clement Street first. San Francisco’s Clement stretch from Arguello to 25^th Ave is a really intense intersection of several Asian cultures that tends to overwhelm the Arkansas girl in me. Over 25 major languages are spoken here, and it’s not uncommon to hear Cantonese mixed with Spanish at the Korean donut shop. Within a few blocks you may encounter a Malaysian restaurant, Chinese bakery, Korean BBQ, Japanese sushi bar, and Thai noodle shop. Naturally, there are some misses…it’s best to go with a local.

We went to a takeout dim sum joint around 6^th Ave (Steph, if you’re reading this, leave a comment with the name of the place; I forgot to write it down) where Steph in flawless Cantonese ordered up a beautiful selection of sweet and savory bao (yet another foundational food of friendship). Our favorite was dai bao, literally translated, “big bun.” Stuffed with mushrooms, chicken, sausage, and egg, this thing was killer.

That night the bustle of the day hit me hard and we ended up ordering in for dinner. Nothing to turn your nose up to, though. My old standby, Extreme Pizza, may be nondescript and a little cheesy (figuratively), but serves up some really terrifically creative and balanced pizzas. The crust isn’t in your face because it’s not the star of the show – that honor is reserved for the fresh ingredients packed on top. Torn between the Paia Pie (Canadian bacon, Hawaiian pineapple, Mandarin oranges, fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella, and cheddar) and the Boar’der (Shredded pork marinated in a really tangy BBQ sauce,red onions, fresh cilantro, cheddar, and mozzarella), we struggled with indecision for at least half an hour before landing on the Boar’der.

Oh, and if you’re ever around a BevMo, it’s worth it to check out the five cent wine sale they have every once in a while – buy one bottle of wine, get the second for five cents. Um…that’s cheap. I picked up a fruity Malbec from BevMo that was decent, but didn’t really command my attention.  Regardless, paired with the Boar’der, it was a great way to end the night. And I did it just like old times, falling asleep on Steel and Steph’s couch while the room bustled around me. Ah, the smooth ramp-in to a weekend of gluttony.  Much more to come.