chefsgirl

New Orleans’ Hottest Restaurant “Bars”…

Whether you’re looking for a place to dine or grab a quick drink, these are the best “bars” to check out this Fall…     Bar Frances. I’ve been back to Bar Frances twice in the last week! Why? Despite the minimalistic menu, it’s clear that they strive to focus on a few set items and execute them well. I love the brunch options on the weekends…especially the list of bottomless drinks! I’m looking…

My favorite cookbooks at the moment..

Whoa! It’s been a minute since I last posted anything. Life sure can get crazy…in a good way! During my hiatus, I’ve re-discovered some old cookbooks as well as some new ones. We can’t always dine out and when we eat at home, why not partake in the culinary experience in your own kitchen? Here are some of my faves: 1. Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat by Chrissy Tiegen. Not only…

Tiger Den (Chinatown, Houston, TX)

On my most recent trip to Texas I made ramen a priority. Tiger Den is known as one of the top ramen restaurants in Houston so what better place to try than Tiger Den itself. When I lived in Houston, I heard a lot of hype and thought it would cool down, but here it is a few years later and hotter than ever…   Yakitori.    Spicy Cucumbers.   Spicy Shoyu Ramen.    Fried Doughnuts and Pandan Custard.…

Happy Fourth of July weekend! Coming soon…

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” It’s been quite the few months of being M.I.A. ChefsGirl followers. It’s been quite the year. “The Chef” hubby and I have been working on a few projects, but now we’re back in action in the food scene. I’ve had a few travels in the last few months that I can’t wait to share with you! Upcoming cities: Houston, Dallas, and Chicago. Stay…

Best New Orleans Happy Hour Oysters

On a recent venture for the best happy hour oysters in town, my hubby and I actually had trouble finding decent places in the Metairie area. Due to costs, many restaurants have cut back on offering happy hour oysters, but here’s a list of the most consistent and delicious oyster happy hours in the city: Lüke   I already love Lüke’s for their mainstay must-order items (IMO): Moules et Frites and…

Blue Oak BBQ (Mid-City, New Orleans, LA)

    BBQ wings.     Combo plate.        Blue Oak BBQ has got to be one of the top BBQ joints in NOLA at the moment! I’ve tried them at a few festivals such as the Blues & BBQ Festival and a few others. I’ve even ordered takeout through Postmates and it was excellent each time! The brisket, ribs, and sausage were perfectly smoked. My favorite side was the potato salad. Unfortunately, dining at the…

Magazine Pizza (Warehouse District, New Orleans, LA)

It’s Super Bowl Sunday everybody! There’s so many Super Bowl food choices out there and tonight, I decided to order from Magazine Pizza. They’re located at the corner Magazine St and Calliope St and is super easy to get to if you live in the Lower Garden District. They’re mainly a takeout establishment, but they have a few tables and enough space for dining. What’s great is that they offer online…

Meril (Warehouse District, New Orleans, LA)

Emeril Lagasse’s restaurant group has a new addition: Meril’s. It joins Emeril’s Delmonico, NOLA, and Emeril’s flagship restaurant but Meril’s may be my favorite of them all. The menu consists of many small tapas that are great for sharing so bring friends!   Front: LA Cajun Caviar. Market Potato Salad. Crème Fraiche. Parsley. Oil     Boudin Tamale. Roasted Tomatillo. Red Chile Sauce. Roasted…

Paladar 511 (Marigny, New Orleans, LA)

Hidden in the Marigny, Paladar 511 is an American fusion restaurant that was so delicious, I dined with them two meals in a row! On a cold Saturday night, my friends and I arrived for a 4-top reservation. First thing we ordered was a Hot Apple Cider to warm us up. It was delicious and just what we were craving on an atypical 30° F kind of night. (We ordered it again the next morning for brunch!)…

Breathless Resort & Spa: Entertainment and Travel Guide

Quick Tips for traveling in Cabo San Lucas: AT THE AIRPORT: If you have driving arrangements for pickup with your resort or pickup service (AMstar is the main one with Breathless resorts), go past everyone trying to pull you aside and claim they are your company. They are amateur scammers trying to draw you in for timeshare presentations at other resorts in exchange for limited excursions. If you…

Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort

I’ve been on a little hiatus in Cabo San Lucas! My hubby, “The Chef”, and I’s honeymoon in April to the Dominican Republic was a little crazy since I was bound to a wheelchair and forbidden to drink alcohol due to the medications that I was taking for a foot injury. What better than to plan a joint honeymoon with a couple of good friends at Breathless in Cabo for a second chance!  Breathless is a…

Johnny Sánchez (Warehouse District, New Orleans, LA)

Johnny Sánchez is a Chef John Besh and Chef Aaron Sánchez venture for authentic Mexican food. I’ve been a couple times and my most recent dinner was mainly small plates. I ordered the Camida Bay oysters. Those are one of my faves! I loved the mignonette that came already on it. Beef Barbacoa Flautas. Guacomole. Crema. Valentina. Queso Fresco. My flautas were great and flavorful, but I will say…

Part & Parcel (SoMa, New Orleans, Louisiana)

Another great addition to the up and coming South Market district (SoMa) area where Blaze, Company Burger, and a few other local favorites reside, popped up the latest and greatest Part & Parcel. Part & Parcel is a Root Restaurant Project that sells house-made charcuterie, sandwiches, and foods, but on another level. This restaurant isn’t as upscale as Root and Square Root, but the sandwiches and…

Din Tai Fung (University District, Seattle, WA)

Are you a soup dumpling fan? I sure am! On a recent trip to Seattle, I just had to try Din Tai Fung (DTF). The Hong Kong and Macau locations were awarded a Michelin star in 2014, but since we can’t just hop onto a plane to China right now, the Seattle location will do! Bar Seats available.    Soup Dumplings. Hot and ready even before menus were given!   Dumplings.    Pork Chop Fried Rice.   …

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Rock-n-Sake. I went years ago and loved it, but after moving out of the city for a few years, I hadn’t had the chance to try it again until recently. The feel is still very warehouse-y modern with some techno-y club music in the background. It can be loud at times, but I didn’t mind the hustle and bustle on a night out with friends.   Pork Belly Lettuce…

Banana Blossom Thai Cafe (Gretna, New Orleans, LA)

I re-discovered this restaurant recently with a group of friends and the hubby and I couldn’t help but return. When the old Cafe Zen relocated to the corner center of this strip, we accidentally went inside this restaurant but never gave it a chance. Now, they’ve “blossomed” into something great. They’ve never updated their signage so it could easily be missed. The sign says “THAI” in red letters…

Royal Thai (Harahan, New Orleans, LA)

Another Thai gem! I use to think there was limited great Thai food, but there’s plenty hidden throughout the city. The latest and greatest find is Royal Thai located in Harahan. Chicken Thai Basil.    Green Curry.    Pad See Ew.    Royal Dip.    Thai Chicken Wings.   Curry Puff.    Nothing failed to please! My friends and I LOVED the Royal Thai dip and ordered a second..maybe even a third???…