Breakfast at Ted's Bulletin

I am so happy to be marrying a man who knows the importance of researching and planning out meals before traveling to a new city. Or heck, even on a weekend. You never know what you could be missing if you just grab a bite at the closest joint.

So when D was planning our day trip to Washington, DC, he had one thing set in stone- the meals. After a series of Google searches, he found the perfect place: Ted's Bulletin. With its old-timey feel and fresh, fun menu- this was the perfect place!

The first thing you'll notice when you walk in the door is trays of homemade toaster pastries complete with sprinkles. That's right, you heard me. On the menu that day was strawberry, cherry, brown sugar, blueberry cheesecake and none other than peanut butter bacon. Doesn't that just make you smile??

Making your way to the dining room you pass the amazing bar with authentic Art Deco details that the restaurant salvaged from the Philadelphia Civic Center from 1928, along with the rest of the restaurant's decor. It looks like it belongs in the lobby of an old New York sky scraper. The only detail that keeps you from believing you've stepped back in time is their list of adult, liquor-spiked milkshakes, as well as ones for the kiddos. If only it hadn't been breakfast!

The dining room was equally as charming with an old Shirley Temple movie playing from the projector and the wait staff in crisp, white shirts and ties. My favorite touch was the menu.

Made to look like an old paper from 1928, it showcases not only the menu but clever articles about the restaurant and even old advertisements. So clever!

Now for the good stuff- the food! D decided on The Walk of Shame Breakfast Burrito stuffed with sirloin steak, eggs, hash browns, cheese and green chili sauce. Putting the green chili inside the burrito made all the flavors meld together and gave it great texture. This baby definitely lives up to its name- it would be great after a late night! 

And yes, that is a blueberry cheesecake toaster pastry. It was delicious! The pastry was super buttery and flaky and the not-too-sweet filling was still warm from the oven. Puts Poptarts to shame. I wish we had gotten one in every flavor!

I had the T.U.B.S.- the Ted's Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich. And it was ultimate- I could barely eat half! The crispy Texas toast housed crunchy bacon, sweet and savory sausage, cheese, scrambled eggs and a fried egg. It was huge and tasty! And for my side, I couldn't help ordering the cheese grits. So creamy and cheesy, I didn't dare leave any behind. 

The next time you visit DC or are on Capitol Hill, I highly recommend you check out Ted's Bulletin. Their lunch and dinner menus look awesome and they serve breakfast all day! We made a reservation just in case and quickly got seated, even when the Metro put us an hour behind! 

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Dining Out: Bamboo Thai Bistro

After working up an appetite whiffing golf balls at LaFortune park, D and I decided to try the Thai restaurant on the corner- Bamboo Thai Bistro. With its plain facade and strip mall local I learned not to judge a book by its cover. Things are not always as they seem!

Though its name professes it to be a bistro, I was shocked to find that it actually looked like a bistro inside. The interior was freshly decorated and the modern, crisp white china added to the sophisticated look. Most importantly- the food was affordable and fantastic. We had just found a diamond in the rough!

I had a hankering for Thai food last week when I was stuck in the house post surgery and I wanted nothing else but Bamboo Thai Garden. Luckily, when you're sick people are there to help you with things like odd cravings and pain medicine. D was nice enough to agree to pick up the order and even sacrifice his choice in entree for the sake of research.

To start: Fresh Rolls with peanut sauce and Crab Ragoons.

The Fresh Rolls ($3.95), rice paper stuffed with veggies, shrimp, pork and rice noodles, were crisp and refreshing  and the Crab Ragoon ($4.95) was stuffed with more crab than anywhere I have seen. Dine in and you get those tasty shrimp chips- you know, the ones that look like styrofoam and taste kind of curious but you eat the whole basket anyways?

I chose the Chicken Drunken Noodle ($8.55) for D to try:

Tasty, wide, rice noodles with a flavorful brown sauce along with onions, scallions, bamboo, bean sprouts, basil and egg. If you like things spicy they will prepare it for you as hot as you like. D and I both loved this dish- the noodles were light but there was nothing subtle about the sauce. Delicious!

The first time we dinned in at Bamboo Thai Bistro I ordered the Pad Thai- which was super tasty- and D got the Pad Thai Curry. Once again I was plagued by dish envy. So this time I got myself the Chicken Pad Thai Curry ($8.55) and I have a hard time believing I will ever order anything but:

This dish is fabulous because it has the wonderful, warm taste and the creaminess of curry with the brightness of the Pad Thai so that it is not too rich. And I love rice noodles- my favorite!

If one of these dishes doesn't do it for you, check out their other menu offerings at the Urbanspoon link below. Tom Yum Soup, Basil Fried Rice and Peanut Curry caught my eye!

The next time your are looking for good Thai food and want to be nice to your wallet, give Bamboo Thai Bistro a try!

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Ciao, Pesto!

I have many great memories of my time in Rome- a good number involve food, no doubt. When we weren't traveling, weekend nights were spent at our friends' apartment; we talked and laughed into the wee hours of the night with our new-found friends abroad while enjoying a big jug of wine and a great antipasto platter.

 

In the evening, we would stroll down the cobble stone streets to the GS, Rome's grocery store chain, and pick up an assortment of prosciutto, salami and other cured meats, olives, cheeses and some crusty bread. Though each component was amazing, my favorite part of our antipasto was the pesto- none of that jarred stuff, in Rome it comes fresh! You could walk back to the deli counter and ask them to fill up as big of a container as you would like with beautiful, dark green pesto. It had the perfect mixture of basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil with a heavy amount of parmesan to give it a nice bite. Needless to say, I miss it terribly and have been searching ever since for something comparable.

Enter: Stonehorse Market- located behind the Stonehorse Cafe in Utica Square. This was the first time that I had stepped into their market- open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-7pm. Loaded with goodies from meats, cheeses and a fully stocked salad bar to prepared soups, sauces and sandwiches. Visit this article for more details on this little gem! I hadn't planned on buying anything this visit until something caught my eye. In the freezer I saw tub filled with dark green sauce simply labeled "pesto"- and for only $5. This could be exactly what I have been looking for!

After the pesto thawed, I was ready to dig in. I served it just as we did in Rome- with crusty bread for dipping and some fresh mozzarella. Upon first bite, I was transported back to the Eternal City- just as in Rome, you could taste each of the delicious ingredients down to the parmesan. I had found my pesto!

After the antipasto, the pesto then went onto some pasta for a simple dinner and the next day I spread it onto the crusty bread with mozzarella and tomatoes for a tasty sandwich. But pesto doesn't stop there- you can add it to pizza, soups, gnocchi, meats or fish!

If you love pesto, I recommend stocking up on Stonehorse Market's. I don't know if it's something they carry all the time but I'm sure I will find out! If you're not able to make it to Stonehorse, check out these recipes for making your own and some great ideas for how to use your pesto:

• A classic pesto recipe from David Lebovitz
• Another classic pesto recipe from Bon Appétit
• Chicken Pesto Pizza from Taste of Home
• Avocado Pesto Pasta from Chef Chloe
• Herb Pesto- a twist on the traditional with parsley and tarragon

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Lunabread: Fresh, Local, Cajun

If you're not paying attention you just might miss the best thing to ever happen to you. With nothing more than a small, metal sign hanging by the road, you could easily miss your turn into Lunabread as you drive down 15th Street.

It wasn't a flashy store front or extensive ad campaign that brought me into Lunabread. It was simply their bread. I had passed their stall at the Cherry Street Farmers' Market one Saturday and eyed their goodies with curiosity; it wasn't until I saw them at the Pearl Farmers' Market, totting freshly baked brioche and French bread, that I decided to find out what they were all about.

The picturesque baguette sat in my passenger seat, begging for me to tear into it. I somehow endured the five minute ride, its aroma filling the air, with not even a nibble. Once a bread knife was in reach, I can't say it was around for much longer. The beautiful baguette, with its crispy crust and tender, chewy center took me right back to Paris.

Previously operating as solely a market, Lunabread opened its dining room at the first of the year to serve three square meals a day. With a huge Cajun influence and an emphasis on local ingredients, this food will knock your socks off! One afternoon, I decided to pop in to grab a bite to go. It was life changing. I followed my instincts and ordered the Big Easy, their ham po' boy: baked ham, Tabasco slaw, pickled okra and red-eye gravy piled atop their handmade French bread.

The first bite sent me literally skipping around the table. This was not just a sandwich, this was a freakin' SANDWICH! I didn't know lunch could be this good- it was perfectly spicy and had a nice crunch and coolness from the slaw. And how have I lived my life up until this point without red-eye gravy?! It was so packed with flavor it was unbelievable.

I ran into Chris Foster, the owner and man responsible for this concoction, at the farmers' market and professed my undying love for the Big Easy. His red-eye gravy, he said, is made in part with ham drippings, coffee and beer. Well, no wonder I love it so much! Another reason to adore Lunabread is their ever changing menu inspired by fresh ingredients. Chris went on to tell me that they had gotten in a limited batch of soft-shell crabs that weekend to fry up for another delicious po' boy. Either it was cold that morning or his sandwich talk gave me goosebumps.

Don't let me mislead you, Lunabread is way more than just sandwiches. Sample the ettouffée of the day, a cup of tomato bisque or maybe try their chicken fricassee. Next time you make it to the market, stop by their stand for a breakfast treat while your peruse the produce. On my most recent visit I tried their crab cake po' boy with a side of Cajun fries- another success- and their crab boil potato salad is far from ordinary (i.e. delicious). If you're feeling thirsty grab a handmade ginger cream ale- refreshing and mighty tasty.

Crab Boil Potato Salad

Recently, Lunabread has begun serving dinner, prepared by chef Paul Wilson. Visit this review to read more about it. If you're looking for a fine dining experience, they have that, too! Opal is a 3, 7, or 9 course menu complete with wine parings by reservation only. You can visit this review to read more about the experience.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner, I urge you to visit Lunabread and support their amazing food. Just be sure to leave some red-eye gravy for me!

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The Sweeter Side of Brady Tavern

Though far from short on trips to Brady Tavern, I have yet to make it to the end of the meal with room for dessert. While dining at their chef's table back in the kitchen for my birthday, I figured it was not an option at this point- I would manage to fit a sweet treat in somehow! And a perfect night to indulge it was as numerous diners allowed for greater sampling of the dessert menu!

Though the menu at Brady Tavern changes frequently, it seems some items have stayed longer than others. One of them being the butterscotch bread pudding. And there is good reason for that.

Stealing a bite across the table, I had instant dessert envy. This is the best bread pudding that has ever touched my lips. The pudding was perfectly gooey  and with just the right amount of butterscotch as to not overwhelm. Served along side a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a shard of brittle,  it was love at first bite.

Also appearing on the menu this night was a mascarpone cheese cake decorated with gorgeous mixed berries and starfruit. The presentation was so captivating that even the waitress was taking photos of this stunning dessert. Differing from your traditional cheese cake made with cream cheese, the mascarpone made for an incredibly dense cake with a texture that felt intriguing on the tongue. It was so simple and yet so elegant.

One dessert did not make it into a photograph- the meyer lemon tart topped with a lemon crème chantilly. It smelled so good that seconds after hitting the table it would not have made for a pretty picture! Being sweeter and less acidic than a typical lemon, meyer lemon gave the tart a brightness in flavor that almost made you forget you had already eaten a huge meal. It is the perfect springtime dessert.

If you are looking for a lighter sweet treat to finish your meal, the sorbet du jour is the perfect option. On this evening, strawberry razzmatazz was the delicious flavor that sent spoons launching from all corners of the table. Cool and refreshing, it would go perfectly with a glass of some bubbly!

If you've yet to visit Brady Tavern, you are missing out! With an ever changing menu focusing on what is fresh and in season and with ingredients selected from Tulsa's own farmers' market, this restaurant really focuses on respecting food. And it keeps me coming back for more! If you are interested in having a behind the scenes look at their operations,  call and reserve the chef's table at no extra cost for parties of six or more. It is quite the experience!

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Red Hook Lobster Pound: Where DC Gets Its Lobster Rolls

Popping into the airport newsstand on my way to Washington, D.C., I debated whether or not to pick up the latest issue of Bon Appetit magazine. In the end, I decided it was a good way to spend my $5- and I am sure glad that I did.

Settled into my window seat, I pull out my crisp, new read and start flipping through the pages until something stoped me. The most beautiful of lobster rolls- a food I had yet to try. Looking closer at the photo's caption, I saw that this beautiful creation belonged to none other than Red Hook Lobster Pound food truck in Washington D.C.

This was obviously an act of God. Once we deplaned for our connecting flight I immediately started looking up this great food find to see how to get my hands on one.

Begun in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, the hubby and wife business owners drive to Maine weekly to bring their customers the freshest Maine lobsters and the tasty JJ Nissen buns in which they serve their catch. That is dedication you can taste!

To get your hands on one of these tasty rolls, you first have to find the truck. It helps to have your smartphone on you- Red Hook shares their latest pit stop on their Twitter account!

After getting some culture in at the American History Museum my first day in town, I decided I couldn't wait anymore- I had to have a lobster roll now! I whipped out my phone to see where the latest stop was. Alas! Precious lobster rolls stood only a mile away! The walk would be a breeze!

Or so I thought. Making our way past the Capital Building and the Washington Monument we noticed some storm clouds rolling in, but we kept on walking. And then it started to sprinkle just a little. And then... ouch! Yep, it hailed on us.

Nothing was going to come between me and my lobster roll- after all it was fate that I have one! We forged on- wet, cold and with a few dings here and there. Finally, as the sun was starting to peek from behind the clouds we found what we had been searching for.

You would think that the weather would deter customers but in fact there was a long line of equally damp patrons waiting for their piece of Maine. That means it's gonna be good.

The truck offered your traditional lobster roll Maine-style (with mayo) or Connecticut-style (with warm butter) as well as shrimp rolls, clam chowder, and whoopie pies. They also dispensed Maine Root soda from the side of the truck with flavors such as orange creme, sasparilla, and root beer. If you find it in your local Whole Foods- buy some! This all natural, handcrafted soda is really something special!

Now to the Maine event, if you will:

Big chunks of sweet lobster- including claw meat- tossed lightly in mayo, seasoned ever so slightly and complimented by a perfectly toasty, buttery bun. I practically died. If they weren't $15 I would have had another!

This was well worth taking an ice pellet to the head.

In D.C. anytime soon? Whatever you do, don't leave without tracking down this food truck. Who knows, you might even see some historic monuments in the process!

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Dining Out: Yokozuna

Can't think of a place for dinner this weekend? Why not enjoy delicious Pan-Asian cuisine at Yokozuna in Tulsa's Blue Dome District downtown! From sushi to Pad Thai to chicken ramen, Yokozuna has an excellent mix of everyone's favorite Asian cuisine under one roof.

Along with great food, Yokozuna's atmosphere provides the urban experience you want when visiting Tulsa's revamped downtown. I love the mix of materials in the dining area with its exposed brick  interspersed with wooden wall coverings and exposed steel beams on the ceiling. There is also a stunning cypress wood bar where you can belly up for some sake.

One thing I love about writing this blog is that it gives me a great excuse to try more things on the menu than normal- it's for the sake of my readers! So, please, do not be offended by the absurd amount of food we ordered. It was in the name of research.

For starter: steamed buns with pork and sriracha chicken.

I love the sticky texture that steamed buns have- it gives the same comforting feeling as a warm dumpling. The sriracha chicken was wonderfully crispy on the outside but succulent and juicy on the inside with a sweet heat that didn't linger too long. The pork, although a little dry, had a great sweetness to it as well.

Love steamed buns? Every Monday is Bunday with $1 buns and $5 Kirin light after 5pm! Hooray!

For our entree, we decided to go with sushi. I just love sushi- it fulfills the need I have to try everything on the menu at once. On a previous visit, I tried  their chicken chili ramen and Pad Thai- both were fresh and delicious. Don't worry, it's nothing like the ramen you had in college.

Mmmm... Geisha's Demise. The sweet and spicy dipping sauce for this seared yellowfin and crab roll really makes it stand out!

Look at those beauties. Here we have the Hot Mess, Dilly Roll, and the Red Cross Roll. Each of them were amazing in their own way!

The Hot Mess is a pile of spicy, creamy goodness topped with a crispy wonton for good measure. The Dilly Roll was out of this world- Yokozuna brings the classic combination of dill and salmon to the sushi realm and knocks it out of the park!

My favorite of the evening had to be the Red Cross Roll- and it's for a good cause! For every roll purchased, Yokozuna donates $10 to the Japanese Red Cross to aid in their disaster relief efforts. So far, they have raised $1,500 and will be continuing to sell the roll until the end of March. Fried asparagus, avocado and crab are topped with tuna tartar, spicy mayo and a scallion-ginger infused oil to bring a fresh burst of flavor to your mouth. Don't worry, the waitress assured me they have all ingredients on hand in case this roll doesn't make it to their menu later.

We noticed at the end of the meal that we hadn't emptied the soy sauce bottle as usual. In fact, we didn't hardly use any soy at all. These rolls were that good!

At the end of our meal, I got the perfect dessert:

Gotta love their personalized fortune cookies!

Stop by Yokozuna for half priced sushi on a selection of rolls Monday-Friday 3-6pm and Friday-Saturday 10pm-12am.  Also, Red Bull vodkas are $5 Thursday-Saturday 9pm-close!

Want to learn how to make your own sushi creations? On April 3rd at 7pm, Yokozuna will be offering a sushi class for $60!

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Maria's Mexican Grill: Taco Paradise

The other day, a coworker was telling me all about this little place that had the best fish tacos in town- he even compared them to those you would get beach-side in San Diego. These had to be good- and I needed to try them! We headed down to Maria's Mexican Grill at 61st and Garnett and easily found the restaurant nestled in a small shopping complex.

There were a lot of things on the menu that I recognized, but I must admit we Googled a few items at the table. Maria's offers your typical nachos, enchiladas, burritos, gorditas, quesadillas, chiles rellenos and tacos prepared with various options of meat. There were also some dishes I was less familiar with such as huaraches (fried masa with various toppings- a Mexican pizza if you will), sincronizadas (think quesadilla but the filling is sandwiched between two tortillas, not folded) and alambres (think shish kabob). Most dishes on the menu were only $6.50

We were there for the tacos, so we tried out a few variations- each order totaled around $6. I went with the fish tacos, of course.

Aren't they gorgeous? Everything was so fresh! On top of two corn tortillas sat a fish fillet that was light and flaky. The fish was topped with a crunchy red cabbage slaw, pico de gallo and a drizzle of crema; there was also a delicious salsa to top everything off. The dish tasted as fresh as it looks and was full of flavor- he was right these are good! Best of all- the tortillas never got soggy!

D chose from an assortment of meat tacos- chicken, steak, carnitas and chicharon (fried pork rind). Each was topped with fresh onions and cilantro and was served with another type of fresh salsa. The winner out of these four was definitely the chicharon- it was flavorful and had a great crunchy texture. Second place went to the chicken, which was again very flavorful and moist. The steak taco was good, but the meat was a little dry unfortunately and neither of us cared for the carnitas as it was very fatty- maybe we just got it on a bad day.

You can find Maria's at 6122 S. Garnett Road- it's open Monday-Saturday 7am-9pm and Sunday 7am-8pm. Breakfast burrito anyone?

This is the first time I have left a Mexican restaurant not feeling like I consumed a block of cheese. They mean it when they say it's authentic! We will be coming back to this place- many times I would guess!

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Brunch Time: Caz's Chowhouse

Oh brunch... the joyous pastime of any good weekend. This week,  Caz's Chowhouse was on my radar.

 Caz's, located in Tulsa's Brady Arts District downtown, offers delicious comfort food in a sophisticated atmosphere. Best of both worlds, no?

This chowhouse is a perfect place for a casual brunch, an after church get together, or even a nice dinner before one of Tulsa's numerous downtown performances. Work downtown? They're open for lunch Sunday through Friday- just don't show up Saturday afternoon, due to less traffic they don't open until 5pm!

Caz's only recently started serving brunch on Sundays along side their full menu. Both menus offer the best in comfort food dishes, such as meatloaf, chicken and biscuit (yes only one- it's five inches wide!), chicken fried steak, and chicken and waffles. They also offer a wide array of burgers, salads and sandwiches and many familiar side dishes such as okra, black eyed peas, and their spicy slaw. 

What drew me to this restaurant initially was the fried green tomatoes. I hadn't tried them until this past year's fair and I was glad I didn't have to wait until next fall to get my fix! Such a delicious little treat... crispy corn meal breading... a tart and firm tomato... yum, yum, yum! And Caz's serves theirs with ranch and avocado dipping sauces.

The brunch menu offered up Belgian waffles, breakfast casserole, and chicken fried steak complete with eggs, breakfast potatoes and sausage gravy. But I couldn't get past The Hot Mess. 

Behold: a 5 inch buttermilk biscuit topped with cheese fries (!!!), two eggs cooked to order, sausage gravy, and chicken fried bacon. I could not resist a dish that offered up cheese fries in such an unexpected location. And chicken fried bacon? My curiosity was killing me.

While I may need my coronaries cleaned after devouring barely a third of this dish, it was so worth it. Each part was delicious on its own, but pile them all together and you have a comfort food masterpiece. And chicken fried bacon? Incredible! Paula Deen would be proud. But let me suggest- share this puppy with a friend!

If you want to add a little frill to your brunch, try one of their sparkling fruit cocktails with such flavors as blueberry and pomegranate for only $2.50. Even better- enjoy it on their outdoor patio. They also offer Bloody Marys for $5.25 and their beers rang from $2.50-$4.25. Not bad for downtown!

To check out the rest of the menu or their nightly specials, such as $5 burger Mondays, visit their website. And the next time you're craving some down home cooking- you know where to go!

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Brunch Time: Dilly Deli

I love brunch. To me, there is no meal more luxurious. You get to loaf around all morning, arrive at the restaurant whenever you please, you can still have breakfast, a cocktail and, if you're lucky, you get to sit on a sunny patio and linger into the afternoon.

This particular brunch outing brought me to Dilly Deli...

Dilly Deli is a charming eatery in Tulsa's Blue Dome District that features delicious sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. And of course, a fabulous breakfast menu.

The people at Dilly Deli have taken a bare-bones old building and given it a  charming, fresh feel with eclectic furniture, bright colors at every turn, and a fabulous patio I have yet to explore (but there is a bocce ball court!).

Now to the food! (and drink)

Before I could decide on my breakfast item of choice, I had my eye on their Bloody Mary. I typically don't like Bloody Marys but I was intrigued by their house infused spicy vodka that I saw brewing on the counter on the way in.

Holy cow. I am now a Bloody Mary fan. This cocktail wasn't like those I'd had in the past that seemed more akin to spicy tomato sauce you drink with a straw. This Bloody Mary had added tomato juice to the mix so it was thin and drinkable and just the right amount of spice that didn't linger too long on the tongue. I was so enamored with this beverage I grilled my poor, very busy waiter on its ingredients. Amongst them: wasabi powder, cayenne, and celery salt.  Add a salt and peppered rim, and ta-da!

If you're not a Bloody Mary fan, you can always have a mimosa made with freshly squeezed OJ or a cocktail made with their house infused orange vodka. Or, maybe just a nice hot cup of joe made with Tulsa's own Topeca Coffee beans.

When it came time to order, we were warned about the dishes that they had run out of already. Amongst them, The Jed- "a cinnamon roll as big as your head". That means it's got to be delicious...

I decided on a breakfast sandwich, the Meg...

 A fried egg, bacon, tomato, cheddar, lettuce and avocado between two pieces of crusty Tuscan bread served with crispy hashbrowns. The cheddar they used had a great sharpness to it that pulled the whole sandwich together. Delicious and satisfying.

D ordered their Reuben, Margie's Rueb, which was named their signature dish in TulsaPeople Magazine. Poor boy knew he didn't really have a choice with this one.

There is nothing about this Reuben that makes it different from any other Reuben in town. It's got corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread- no special twist with this one. But, my word, it is the best Reuben I've ever had. I didn't even know they could be this good. That just shows you how incredible their ingredients are at Dilly Deli.

Adding to Dilly Deli's appeal, both the Tuscan and rye breads are made in town at Farrel Family Bread organic bakery. And, boy, do they know what they're doing. I feel a field trip coming up...

If you love Tulsa and you love a good sandwich, you need to get your buns down to Dilly Deli. Not only will you be supporting local businesses, but Tulsa's blossoming downtown as well!

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