This past week El Corazon de Tejas added a new Tex-Mex-inspired martini to its menu. And, its not your typical Tequila laden drink. In fact, it isn’t a drink at all – introducing, the  Fajita Martini.

With a look similar to a shrimp cocktail, the family owned Oak Cliff restaurant has reinvented the popular appetizer adding its own south-of-the-border flavor.

The new Fajita Martini appetizer is served in a martini glass, hence its name. It’s made with beef or chicken fajita and served on top of cilantro, rice, bell peppers, and onions. It is topped with guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese, and served with tortilla chips.

I’d have to say, the combination is delicious. Pair it with a Blood-Orange margarita while sitting at the cantina and you’ve got the perfect companion on a hot Texas afternoon!

*Disclaimer: I may not be Texan, but I got here as fast as I could! Also, El Corazon is a client, but they can’t be blamed for my culinary adventures that sometime take me south of the border-if only in spirit!

When it comes to Tex-Mex, I live by the philosophy “judge a joint by its tacos.” Let me tell you, Chilada’s authentic tacos truly speak for themselves. Only two weeks ago, Lovers Lane in University Park welcomed the second location of Chilada’s, serving fresh and fast Mexican fare.

The storefront grill boasts a very clean and vibrant atmosphere both inside and out. During the peak business hours, the enclosed patio serves as a quieter option with the luxury of sliding glass garage doors for cooler temps. What a great place to sit and hangout with friends on Mondays, when margaritas are $2 all day!

Walk past the plethora of booths and tables towards the ramp leading you to the menu and counter. As I perused the menu, I noticed the funky chalkboard wall covered in fun designs, specials, and ideas for meals! With the option of staying in or ordering to go, Chilada’s has food covered for everyone. There’s even a side door entrance just for quick pick-ups! I ordered a little bit of everything in order to experience the fresh ingredients that are prepared daily and discarded if not used during work hours. Immediately after ordering, freshly baked chips and signature tomatillo and Roma tomato salsas are brought to the table free of charge! The upfront service is speedy and with a smile, which says a lot about a quick service restaurant.

The quality of the overall experience was so high that I was surprised when I wasn’t offered a chip refill and my table hadn’t been cleared after an hour or so even during a slow shift. Upon receiving my lunch, I had to take a second to appreciate the amazing smells and traditional presentation. A highlight of my taste fest include the Brisket Tacos that have been slow roasted for 14 hours topped with cilantro, cheddar, and bacon all on soft white corn tortillas. You can also change it up by ordering each taco from the menu if you want to taste the other farm to table ingredients. The Black Bean & Avocado Ensalada was large, spicy, and full of creamy avocado slices and grilled vegetables. They even threw in marinated, slow roasted grilled chicken on top without charge! For your information, the meat is a mixture of white and dark chicken, so be prepared if you have a favorite. The enchiladas are hand rolled with made-from scratch sauces. The Mexican slaw is tasty on shrimp tacos, but not worth being a side dish. The black beans are spicy, refreshing, and a great compliment to the green chile rice.

If you are in the mood for Happy Hour, come visit Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. for discounted domestics, bottle imports, margaritas, and the special Chilada beer! Dip your chips in guacamole or make it loaded, and finish with a kick by enjoying a spicy chipotle brownie.

Chilada’s Fresh Mex Grill is open seven days a week (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.), and features a weekend brunch (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Follow their updates on Facebook and Twitter.

(Even though this review and meal came out of my own pocket, Chilada’s definitely knows how to keep me coming back for more!)

Did you get your free smoothie today from the NEW Smoothie King in Addison?

Me neither. But don’t worry the new kid on the block may have done a little sneak peek already with freebies, but you can still get 1/2 off on Monday, June 17 from 7 am – noon.

Smoothie King  30th store in the DFW area opens in Addison at 5000 Belt Line Rd on June 17.

For more than 40 years Smoothie King® has been committed to providing guests a variety of healthy, delicious and functional meals for those on the go. The brand offers a full list of thick and creamy smoothies that are blended with real fruit, natural juices and signature revolutionary enhancers in an assortment of flavors and functions designed to meet a customer’s personal goal.

The new store marks the seventh company-owned location to open under Global CEO Wan Kim and is part of Smoothie’s King’s 1,000-storefront expansion plan. In the past year alone, Smoothie King has experienced double-digit growth, was ranked number one juice bar for the 19th year by Entrepreneur and was honored in QSR Magazine’s first ever The Global 30.

Rather than give your father another tie to add to his collection, consider something he can share or keep and enjoy over an extended period of time. Don’t worry if you don’t know his taste; there’s something for every type of father:

For the Connoisseur:

Reserve a gift of Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The distillery, located in Dufftown, was built in 1886 by William Grant with the help of his seven sons and two daughters. To this day, Glenfiddich remains an independent, family-owned company run by the fifth generation of William Grant’s family. This independence allows the brand creative freedom to continue to innovate and set the standard against which the rest of the category is measured, while continuing to set the trend of releasing some of the world’s rarest whiskies. “The Glenfiddich 18 Year Old is a perfect choice for the father who knows his scotch. The whisky’s complex character and sublime mellowness comes from the long years of maturation in the finest sherry and bourbon casks,” said Mitch Bechard, Glenfiddich Ambassador (SRP $84.99). For more information on other variants, visit www.glenfiddich.com.

For the Craftsman:

Consider a bottle of The Balvenie – a unique range of single malt Scotch whiskies handcrafted by William Grant & Sons. No other distillery is like it due to the fact that The Balvenie continues to retain complete control over the five rare crafts that go into the production of the spirit: (1) Growing its own barley; (2) Malting in its own traditional malting floor; (3) Employing coopers to tend every cask; (4) Having a resident coppersmith to maintain the stills; (5) And having the longest serving malt master in the industry to ensure that the resulting spirit is consistently excellent. “The Balvenie is perfect for the father with the discerning eye for extraordinary craftsmanship, because it is that skill, along with our dedication to producing a truly handcrafted whisky, which sets us apart,” said Lorne Cousin, The Balvenie Ambassador. A recent release is 17 Year Old DoubleWood, created to commemorate Malt Master David Stewart’s 50^th Anniversary (SRP $129.99). For more information on other variants, visit www.thebalvenie.com.

For the Father or Grandfather:

Consider a bottle of Grant’s Family Reserve Blended Scotch Whisky for the one who has taught you many of life’s lessons. Produced by William Grant & Sons, Grant’s is a premium blended whisky and is made using a method that has been passed down from generation to generation for more than 100 years. It is now in the hands of the sixth-ever Master Blender, Brian Kinsman, who keeps alive William Grant’s passion for blending the finest whisky. “Brian skillfully blends around 25 of the finest single malt and grain Scotch whiskies to make Grant’s Family Reserve. The basis for the blend is our widely acclaimed Girvan grain whisky that is vacuum distilled at a lower temperature to make it a lighter, more delicate spirit. It is then aged in oak to give it a deeper, sweeter, soft fruit flavor, creating the perfect foundation and a great gift for the family patriarch,” said Ludovic Ducrocq, Grant’s Whisky Global Ambassador (SRP $17.99). For more information, visit www.grantswhisky.com.

For the Individualist:

The man who marches to the beat of his own drum might appreciate Hendrick’s Gin, the most unusual gin. This gin has taken the world by storm since it was first introduced 1999, thanks to its delightfully unique flavor – a combination of a distinct blend of 11 botanicals and the signature infusions of cucumber and rose petals, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin. Handcrafted in Scotland in miniscule batches by William Grant & Sons, Hendrick’s uses a marriage of spirits from a Carter-Head and Copper Pot Still. The combination produces a divinely smooth gin that has both the required character and balance of subtle flavors. “Hendrick’s is not for just any dad – it’s for free-thinkers enlightened to the unusual, inspired by imagination,” said Jim Ryan, brand ambassador for Hendrick’s Gin. (SRP $34.99). For more information, visit www.hendricksgin.com.

For the Laid Back and Sociable Man:

If your father is never at a loss for words, give him a bottle of Tullamore D.E.W. – a triple distilled, triple blend Irish whiskey with an intriguingly smooth yet complex character. Using only the finest grains and purest water, it is patiently aged in specially seasoned oak casks to develop its complexity. “Tullamore D.E.W. is meant to be enjoyed ‘Irish True’ style, surrounded by good friends and good laughs. It’s fit for the easygoing father, whether he’s out with his mates or home with his family; a seasoned connoisseur or a complete whiskey novice,” said Tim Herlihy, U.S. brand ambassador for Tullamore D.E.W. Give him the very best of the portfolio with the Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Old Special Reserve (SRP $40). For more information, visit www.tullamoredew.com.

For the Traditionalist Who Appreciates Modern Technology:

Milagro Tequila, founded in 1997 by Mexico City natives Daniel Schneeweiss and Moises Guindi, has quickly escalated into one of the world’s leading tequila brands with one foot in tradition and the other in the future. The spirit is created by combining the finest old-world techniques and traditions and applying modern technologies and processes to produce a superior product, and then triple-distilled in small batches from the finest blue agave from the Jalisco Highlands. “The Select Barrel Reserve line is a great gift for the tequila-loving father, and the award-winning bottle design sits nicely on the shelf,” said Jaime Salas, ambassador for Milagro Tequila (SRP $51.99-89.99). For more information, visit www.milagrotequila.com.

For the Self-Made Man and Entrepreneur:

Present him with a bottle of elit™ by Stolichnaya®. With a bold and balanced flavor that is expertly crafted, elit by Stolichnaya has a velvety smooth finish with a unique taste and character. As a result of being made with the classic, authentic Stolichnaya base spirit, which is produced to the highest standards using 100% Russian wheat, rye and artesian well water, it is then distilled and filtered four times to ensure that the spirit is defined by its extraordinary character. After distillation, it is mixed with specially balanced water and goes through 3 filtrations, the first of which is the unique “freeze-filtration” process to ensure no imperfections remain in the final liquid. “This spirit is an ultra-luxury vodka of unprecedented excellence that ranks among the finest in the world, perfect for the dad who works hard for only the best,” said Brent Lamberti, brand ambassador for elit by Stolichnaya (SRP $59.99). For more information, visit www.elitbystoli.com.

For the Adventurer:

Consider a bottle of Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur – a spirit expertly crafted in Sicily and brought to you by Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, the same distiller as of Hendrick’s Gin. Solerno is a beautifully crafted spirit from Sicily that has a sleek and vibrant Murano-inspired glass bottle and deliciously sweet and tangy blood-orange taste that makes it the perfect spirit for any Italophile father looking for a less conventional yet versatile bar staple.  Solerno functions as a base spirit as well as a modifier and provides a unique addition to a glass of wheat beer which, according to brand ambassador, Jackie Patterson, creates “the perfect twist on a traditional summer shandy” (SRP $36.99). For more information, visit http://solernoliqueur.com/.

 Happy Father’s Day

It’s official- Soleo Mexican Kitchen, located off Hillcrest Avenue in Dallas, has captured the moniker of “Best Margarita in Dallas.”

Soleo’s winning concoction was a spicy experience — and red in color to match. The miniature cups were rimmed with sugar to help offset the flavor, and the tequila came through strong. It was a very unique flavor that surely caught the attention of voters. The spice managed to edge out the other 30 competitors by a mere 3 votes — the closest Margarita Meltdown vote in the history of the event. With a reported 2,500 attendees, it was down to the last sip!

Among the flavors Soleo beat out to capture the “Best Margarita in Dallas” title was Mesomaya’s silky smooth avocado and pineapple. I had the pleasure of watching the artists mix this drink, with full scoops of avocado — something I would never expect to be in a margarita — strained into the mixture. The flavor hit a muted, but sweet tone, and went down smooth.

My personal pick and vote for the competition came from a new restaurant in Uptown Dallas with a unique concept. Mutts Burger Stand and Dog Park arrived at the competition with a more traditional margarita with a twist of rosemary. The result was a refreshing mixture of nostalgia and excitement. They will do well with a unique twist on a traditional situation — both with the restaurant and margaritas.

In the sour department, Victoria’s Mexican Grill brought a cheek pincher. Spicy salt around the rim accented an initial sweet flavor followed by sour. An experience that reminded me of WarHeads candy, consumed in heaps from the ice cream truck.

The event also brought out several live DJs, who had the crowd dancing in a few large circles. The Dallas Margarita Meltdown crew successfully blended food competition with a pinch of party as perfectly as Soleo blended their now title-winning drink.

Check out the website for details on future events — and congratulations to Soleo Mexican Kitchen.

Greenz, salads for Z’ adventurous is always the summer destination for delicious, crisp summer salads and wraps. We stopped by Greenz to try out its newest menu item - ice blended smoothies!

The refreshing smoothies are available in Mango Passionfruit, Strawberry Basil and Raspberry Black Current. Greenz’ fat-free smoothies have no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup and are 100% GMO free.

The smoothies each cost $3.95 and are less than 185 calories. With its low calories, this is THE perfect summer drink! Try one out, and let us know how you liked it.

Locations: 

Uptown Dallas | 2808 McKinney Avenue, Suite 109 | Dallas, TX 75204 214-720-7788

Addison (Prestonwood Place) | 5290 Beltline Rd., Suite 103A | Addison, TX 75254 | 972-385-7721

Highland Park (inside Equinox) | 4023 Oak Lawn Ave. | Dallas, TX 75219 | 214-559-4102

Also follow Greenz on Facebook to get special offers and news on all things Greenz!

Starting today, Del Taco will introduce Free Food Wednesdays and from 3 – 9 pm. It will offer an item from the Buck & Under menu free with any purchase. This offer will also be available on May 15. On Wednesday, May 22 and May 29, Del Taco is offering a free item from the New Tastes menu with any purchase.
 With 11 items priced starting at 50¢, this new Buck & Under menu includes a Mini Cheddar Quesadilla, Value Bean & Cheese Burrito, Regular Taco, Mini Bacon Quesadilla, Jacked Up Value Bean, Rice & Cheese Burrito, Crunchy Chipotle Beef Taco, Grilled Chicken Taco, ½-Pound Bean & Cheese Burritos, Double Beef Classic Taco, Real Strawberry Lemonade and Medium Size Freshly Brewed Iced Tea. The New Tastes menu includes a Bacon Ranch Grilled Chicken Taco, a Chili Cheese Fry Burrito and a Fiery 6 Layer Burrito.
At Del Taco, all menu items are prepared to order using cheddar cheese grated from 40-pound blocks, hand-made pico de gallo salsa, lard-free beans slow cooked from scratch with Del Taco’s signature flavor and marinated chicken grilled in the restaurants.

Now, what’s stopping you from coming to Del Taco?! Hasta la vista!

Treat Mom to a splendid meal in Dallas this weekend for Mother’s Day. See our picks below!

Bread Winners offers Mom’s a Sweet Treat this Mother’s Day

Bread Winners is offering a sweet deal for moms this weekend. Bring your family in, and they’ll give your mom a free dessert with the purchase of any entree. She can select any dessert in the bakery counter: slice of cake, cookie, cupcake, brownie, bar or a delicious piece of pie. Now that’s a sweet treat!

Locations:

Uptown | 3301 McKinney Ave., Dallas, Texas  75204 |  214.754.4940

Park Cities | 5560 W. Lovers Lane in Inwood Village, Dallas, Texas  75209 |  214.351.3339

NorthPark Center | 8687 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1608, Dallas, Texas 75225 |  214.232.9798

Plano | 4021 Preston Rd., Plano, Texas 75093 |  972.312.9300

Del Frisco’s Delights 

The brunch at Del Frisco’s includes assorted breakfast selections and fruits along with a featured shellfish station, carving station, an omelet station, more hot entrees and dessert. Buy Mom a meal, and get a $25 gift card for your next visit at Del Frisco’s (valid May 13 – June 16).

Mother’s Day hours on May 12: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

5251 Spring Valley Road

A Special Brunch at The Gin Mill

The Gin Mill celebrates Mother’s Day Sunday, May 12 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with brunch specials including house made crepes  with fresh blueberries, lemon and  turbinado sugar, served with Texas pecan bacon and the Farm Egg Nest, house made potato pancakes, topped with smoked salmon, poached farm eggs, hollandaise sauce and caviar.  The popular a la carte brunch menu will also be available with Bloody Mary and Mimosa specials and a complimentary cocktail of choice for Mom.

For more information and to make reservations call 214-824-3343.

1921 North Henderson

Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 4pm-2am, Friday 3pm-2am, Saturday and Sunday 11am-2am.

Estilo Gaúcho Hosting Deserving Moms for Mother’s Day

Estilo Gaúcho wants to treat 5 mothers and their families in need this Mother’s Day to a Brazilian Steakhouse experience that they will never forget! You can nominate a mom in need by visiting Estilo Gaúcho’s Facebook page and telling us about your deserving mom.

Mother’s Day hours and pricing on May 12: Lunch: 11-3pm $35.50 and Dinner: 4-9pm $38.50

Blue Mesa’s All-Day Brunch

The loaded brunch buffet at Blue Mesa includes the following: enchiladas, fajitas, a taco station, Migas, an omelet bar, a carving station, Huevos Rancheros, desserts (such as the Cinnamon Churros) and beverages (including the unlimited mimosas!). The brunch will be offered all day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for $18.95 per adult and $6.95 for children ages 6 to 10. Kids under 5 eat free.

Cheddar’s Casual Café recently hosted a grand reopening of its Bedford location. Chef Robert Pesch, Cheddar’s CMO Tom Koenigsberg and special guest Bedford Mayor Jim Griffin unveiled the remodeled restaurant and updated menu.

“Cheddar’s is proud to call Dallas-Fort Worth home and this location in Bedford was one of our first restaurants,” said Cheddar’s General Manager Todd Emery. “In fact, since 1981, Cheddar’s has been a part of the Bedford business community and we’re grateful for our many loyal customers over the years.”

“With our long history in Bedford, it’s fitting that our Bedford guests are among the first to experience Cheddar’s polished new look,” said Cheddar’s Chief Brand Officer Tom Koenigsberg. “This investment will enable us to better serve our neighbors here for years to come.”

Some of the new menu items include Asian Salad, Grilled Baja Chicken and Strawberry Cheesecake Mini. I’m looking forward to trying out these new dishes very soon!

New Menu Items 

• Asian Salad: Fresh greens tossed with chicken, carrots, herbs, and mango stacked between two fresh wonton crisps topped with peanut sauce and sweet chili glaze.
• BBQ Chicken Salad: BBQ chicken, fresh greens, roasted corn, grape tomatoes, two cheeses, bacon, and onion straws. Tossed with BBQ Ranch.
• Mushroom Swiss Cheeseburger: Sautéed mushrooms, Swiss cheese, onion, Cheddar’s Dressing.
• Jalapeno Burger: Fried jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo, onion, tomato.
• Strawberry Cheesecake: One of three delicious hand-made, taster-size desserts for just 99 cents.
• Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding: Cheddar’s signature croissants blended with chocolate chips then baked until golden. Topped with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and almonds.
• New sides include: Fresh Apple & Yogurt Medley, Edamame and Homemade Black Beans.

Cheddar’s Lighter Side, an all-new menu initiative with handcrafted entrees under 575 calories:

• Grilled Baja Chicken: Seasoned chicken breast served on homemade black beans and savory rice. Topped with fresh pico de gallo, 490 cal.
• Garlic Parmesan Sirloin Steak: A 6 oz. sirloin with garlic parmesan cheese crust over caramelized onions with an Iceberg wedge salad, light ranch dressing, 440 cal.
• Lemon Pepper Whitefish: Grilled with lemon pepper over ginger rice. Served with a light salad tossed with tomato herb vinaigrette, 480 cal.
• Citrus Miso Glazed Salmon: A hand-cut salmon fillet glazed with citrus miso sauce served on a bed of ginger rice with a side of steamed broccoli, 560 cal.
• Sweet Heat Chicken & Shrimp: Chicken breast, with grilled shrimp glazed with sweet chili sauce over ginger rice with a salad tossed with tomato herb vinaigrette, 562 cal.

For more details check out the Cheddar’s website and Facebook page.

The newly-opened Estilo Gaúcho Brazilian Steakhouse is hosting its Grand Opening Cocktail Hour on May 9. I recently visited this restaurant and enjoyed the delicious array of meats, salads and desserts. This event is free to the public, so come by and check out the tasty selections!

Guests will enjoy samples from their customized menu of authentic Brazilian dishes, along with a complementary Caipirinha cocktail or glass of house wine.

Menu items will include bites of their signature cheese bread, fried polenta and two different cuts of exceptional meat, all served from authentic, Brazilian Gaúchos!

Date:  Thursday, May 9, 2013

Time: 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

 Address:  8650 State Highway 121, Frisco, TX 75034 (next to Stonebriar Mall)

RSVP: events@nunezprgroup.com

About Estilo Gaúcho

Founded in 2013, Estilo Gaúcho Brazilian Steakhouse offers a unique concept comprised of 2 parts of unlimited service. You are invited to tour and enjoy from a vast salad bar complete with over 40 gourmet items featuring selections from the world over, including fresh vegetables, cured meats and imported cheeses, all available in abundance. Our second part is our selection of 15 choice meats with a continuous and revolving table side parade, where expertly trained Gaúcho Chefs introduce and carve selections to your specifications. For more information, please visit http://www.estilogaucho.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/estilogauchobraziliansteakhouse.