Ride The Belle

Looking for a unique Date Night, Girl's Night Out, Anniversary, Birthday or fine dining experience? Look no further. Bijou Belle is changing the game with this one of a kind concept. You can dine on a plane, you can dine on a train, but who would have thought you could dine on a coach bus and get the same level of quality as a fine dining restaurant. The moment you step inside the interior decor sets this experience apart from the rest. You have comfortable plush seating, HDTV, a unique table to keep your food and drinks in place, a view of the fully functional kitchen and of course the beautiful scenes of the city from your window. When I asked Kobe Lewis of Bijou Belle how this concept came about he said, "I was looking to do something different. A dinner train in Michigan triggered the idea". The goal is to try to take the stress out of people's day. You can sign up for a public tour that will pick up at the NYLO in Irving, and enjoy each of your 3 course meal options at different scenic destinations around town. Bijou Belle is also available to rent out which will include the chef, wait staff and a violinist. Instead of hopping in the car to clear your mind, why not let Bijou Belle do the driving? Oh, and add a 3 course meal and cocktails with your ride. Are you ready to Ride The Belle?

Roots On Tap

After a weekend of bonding and food with my girls, and a long summer of bad food choices, I knew that it was time to cleanse and reboot my body. I remembered trying a juice place during North Texas Black Restaurant Week, and luckily I was able to locate the place I tried. Roots on Tap is  BOB located directly across the street from the State Fair of Texas grounds. I purchased a 3 day juice cleanse, consisting of 5 juices per day with water in between juices, that was custom made by the owner Nicole. She delivered excellent customer service walking me through everything she was putting in my cleanse and the benefits of each juice. I had juices like the Green Cocopolitan, Kale Ale, Lemon Aid, Beet Goggles, and others. When I say that these juices were delicious that is an understatement. There was one exception, the Lemon Aid, but I only had to drink one of those and it was more so about the benefits than the taste. The Green Cocopolitan was like a healthy cocktail that I could sip on every day. Day one of the cleanse was a breeze. I felt good and I was very excited about the process. Day two on the other hand was a different story. I started to get a really bad headache. I had other things going on in my life that probably factored into the headache and day 2 being a bad day overall for me. Day three was much like day one. It was a breeze. My headache was gone, and I had some great juices to get me through the day. I felt like I could keep going for a few more days. At the end of the cleanse I felt good and had lost 7 pounds in the process (my goal was to cleanse not necessarily lose weight so this was just an added bonus) . Almost a week after doing the cleanse I have maintained 5 of those pounds being gone. I plan on continuing to do this cleanse seasonally, and visiting the juice bar to get my juice fix in between cleanses. 

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles

Lo-Lo's Chicken & Waffles is one of Southlake, TX newest restaurants. With their grand opening happening just a few short weeks ago, this place has already hit the ground running. When I visited today the place was packed, but luckily I found one seat open at the bar. The interior was very nice, sleek and upscale. Everyone from the host, hostesses and bartender were very nice. Though the red velvet pancakes were calling my name, I decided to go with the restaurant's namesake and get the chicken & waffles. To wash it down I went for the Lo-Lo's Punch. My waffle arrived nice and hot with the butter already slightly melting into it, and the syrup ready to top it off. The waffle was a regular sized waffle which I appreciated since I couldn't have finished a giant one. The chicken on the other hand was much too salty for my taste. I assume something must have gone wrong with my chicken since the people on both sides of me at the bar said they enjoyed theirs. Mine tasted as if the salt cap had come off by accident and it was drenched in it. I had to send it back after two bites and didn't ask for any more. My Lo-Lo's punch was a nice refreshing way to wash down my waffle. It consists of red berry vodka, red koolaid and pineapple juice. Who doesn't like a grown up version of koolaid? Overall I was please with my experience at Lo-Lo's, and I'm hoping that the chicken situation was all just one bad mistake.

Lo-Lo's Punch made with red koolaid

Thibodeaux's Authentic Cajun Cookin

Thanks to one of my friends sending me one of the most drool worthy pictures of her food from Thibodeaux's, I've been having this place on my mind. I knew I had to go and try the food for myself. I was finally able to try it this past Friday. Thibodeaux's is a small hidden gem in Duncanville, TX. You walk in to a few chairs to relax in while you wait for your food, a TV mounted to a wall to keep you entertained and a large counter to order your food. They are working on expanding to an eat in restaurant. The menu has many options for you to indulge in including wing baskets, catfish baskets, po boys and even a catfish burger (I plan on getting that catfish burger on my next trip). Their daily specials include the Cajun pasta, ettoufee, courtbouillon and Jambalaya. I ordered the Cajun Tater Bowl pictured above. The Cajun tater bowl comes fully loaded with seasoned potatoes that are already mashed with the skins removed, cheese and sour cream, and then your bowl is topped off with your choice of meat. I chose the grilled shrimp and grilled pulled chicken. My taste buds are so grateful  that I finally made it over to this place.  I can't wait to explore more from this family owned and operated restaurant.  

Trucker's Cafe - More Than Just a Meal

Upon first arriving at the entrance of Trucker's Cafe, you might not expect too much. You might not even realize that such a gem exists there. Trucker's Cafe is located inside of a gas station that has a high population of truckers that come through. The gas station is small and crowded, but once you walk past the entrance you will find a few chairs, tables and a TV screen with a buffet of food at the counter. Don't expect to be greeted with a smile or small talk about how your day was. Just look at the menu, place your order and keep it moving. The business is a small business run by a family that do everything themselves from scratch. This place is a favorite of my grandaddy's and almost every time I visit he asks me to get him some fish. Whatever grandaddy wants, he gets. The fish is light, flaky, moist and fried to perfection. Seasonings are perfectly sprinkled throughout every bite. With the meal you will get fries, fried shrimp, vegetables and toast. I've tried many meals from this place and haven't been disappointed yet. They are planning on opening up a new location away from the Trucker scene. I will be on the lookout for that grand opening, but in the meantime give them a visit at their current location.