How do you Roll? – San Antonio, TX

Imagine a sushi place set up like a Subway or Chipotle restaurant, build your own sushi like how you would a sandwich or a burrito. Well, this place exists, and it’s called How do you Roll? Genius idea, why didn’t I think of it!?! I’m prediciting this chain will start expanding all over the US and soon hopefully all over the world. Also, you can call your order in so you don’t have to wait in line.

I was treated to a wonderful dinner with a friend whose cousin owns the restaurant. High Roller status…get it??? Well, as a matter of fact they do have these “High Roller” cards where you can top up and accrue points kind of like a Starbucks gold member card.

So I built my own sushi…which um I’m not sure if that was a good idea since I piled on all the fixings I love. Extra crab meat, extra spicy mayo, extra tempura flakes…ya get?!

 

 

 

Friend's customized sushi

La Tuna Grill – San Antonio, TX

I just discovered a great emerging district in San Antonio called Southtown,which is indeterminately defined around south of the downtown area.  This district is known for hosting “First Friday” which is an art walk that happens on the…well you guessed it…First Friday of each month. The walk attracts a yuppie, artsy, bohemian, carefree type crowd who are both admirers and sellers of local art.

A friend had recommended La Tuna Grill for their quality food/ingredients and atmosphere.  It’s mainly outdoor seating, dog friendly, which makes for a great place to come to when the weather is nice.

I ordered the chicken fried steak (you can never go wrong) while my friends enjoyed the fish tacos and Torta Milanesa sandwich.

BOHEMIAN : behind the butcher shop

Recently, I dined at Bohemian, the small and secretive Japanese restaurant located behind the butcher shop on Great Jones Street.  In order to go, one must contact them to inquire about dining and may or may not get an invitation to make a reservation with the restaurant’s unlisted phone number in return.

The interior is small, dimly lit and almost feels like you are seated in a friend’s living room complete with couches.  My meal ranged from oysters, beef sashimi to two different dishes with uni. The menu also offers dishes such as foie gras soba, beef sliders and vegetable fondue.  I cannot wait to go back and highly recommend trying to get an invitation to experience behind the butcher shop.

My favorite dish was the uni rice bowl

We also ordered the pan roasted branzini which was served with a brussel sprouts, zucchini, onions and sea salt.  I have never had a fish eyeball and my friend insisted that I tried this one.

Bohemian

57 Great Jones Street, NYC (www.playearth.jp)

Phở Pasteur

Nothing is better on a cold day than a huge bowl of phở . My friends and I love Phở Pasteur in Chinatown. The perfect blend of spiced broth, onions, scallions, cilantro (though none for me thank you), beef, and rice noodles can warm you up on even the coldest of days.

Phở Pasteur: 682 Washington Street (at the Beach St. intersection)

Torchy’s Tacos – Houston, TX

I’m so glad they decided to finally open up a place in Houston!!!!! Originating from Austin, TX…Torchy’s started out as a food truck, slowly hooking fellow Austinites then expanding city-wide… and now state-wide!  (read the story of Torchy’s Taco’s here) When I think of Austin, I think of Torchy’s. I dream of Torchy’s.

We ordered pretty much everything on the menu!! My favorite is the Trailer  Park: Fried Chicken, green chilies, lettuce, pico de gallo and cheese on a flour tortilla. I always get it “trashy” which replaces the lettuce with queso. Served with a Poblano Sauce. Que delicioso!

The food baby that ensued in my stomach after consumption.

 

Trailer Park and Fried Avocado Taco

Green Chile Pork Taco

The Democrat Taco

Simple Fruit Tart

1 (16.5 oz) tube sugar cookie dough

1 (12 oz) container of whipped cream cheese

1/2 cup white sugar

Various fruits (strawberries, apples, blueberries, raspberries, etc.)

-Spread cookie dough to fit a cookie sheet, bake, and let cool. Mix cream cheese and sugar together and spread on cookie. Place fruit on top of cream cheese and eat.