Jinya Ramen

Came to Jinya Ramen Bar up here in Dallas. 

This is in a cute little area. 

The presentation on this is cute our server brought me the drink and then do the matcha in front of me and then pour it over.  It's a great presentation. 

Also, nice touch that they branded the logo on slices on lemon. 

This is the Matcha Lychee Lemonade - which naturally has matcha, lemonade, lychee juice, and the fruit you see there.  It's actually pretty nicely balanced, and it's light bodied so for a hot summer night, this fits in perfectly. 

For App - got the Miso Glazed Eggplant - there's fried eggplant, baby Brussel sprouts, bell pepper, drizzled with miso sauce, there's bok choy and bonito flakes.  The saltiness and the veggie made it so good, I wish growing up they make veggies this way.  The eggplant is not too mushy, which has a little 

For entree, I got the Tonkotsu Black - which has ramen, pork broth, pork cha siu, green onion, scallion, garlic chips, garlic oil, fried onion, chili sauce, seaweed and 60 degree egg.  How it becomes 'Black' is where the garlic comes in, which adds the flavor to the broth.   Basically, the pork broth is already fatty by way of the meat, bone and all that being cooked other.  When they say 'Black' it's added garlic that bumps up the flavors.  So, now you know. 

In terms of the area, it's cute, there's stores and other eateries around.  But watch for the parking signs.  There are a few directly outside of the storefront are likely for pickup for to-go orders only.  There are parking lots that are free around the corner.  Just park and walk over, even in this heat, you won't melt, I promise!

Jinya Ramen Bar

7949 Walnut Hill Ln

#160

Dallas, TX 75230

213-272-7578

https://www.jinyaramenbar.com/locations/prestonhollow/
 

Pho Bac

When I told my dad we wanted Pho, he suggested here. 

I've never been here, to be honest.  So this is my 1st visit.  (photo from Yelp)

The place seems to be always packed.  That's because many have dubbed that this is the most authentic Vietnamese food in town.  

I got the lemon tea, which was more like lemonade with a hint of tea.  It was too sweet for my liking. 

I got the Tai Kobe, which is Beef Kobe style.  That said, this is small size, and you see it comes with alot of food.  There's vermicelli at the bottom, there's beef slices, scallions, and of course you can add your own sprouts, mints and jalapeño pepper too.  You mix it all up and it's a very full-bodied dish. 

Since they are pretty busy here, coming here on the earlier side of lunch works.  The parking lot does have lots of spots, but they do get packed quick.  So bring patience. 

 

Pho Bac

153 N. Plano Rd

Richardson, TX 75081

972-231-9205 

Dallas Grilled Cheese Co.

This is a new place to us.

Who knew that there are so many variation to Grilled Cheese.

Got a Mango Shaken Tea - never had a shaken tea before, but it taste like tea with bubbles from the shaking. 

I got the Brie and Bacon, because that combo sounded great.  Don't be fooled, it is actually alot of food. They diced the bacon (plural) and the cheese-y goodness.  But it was rich.  And of course, I opted for sweet potato waffle fries, that totally put me over. It was yummy, don't get me wrong, just a lot of food.

Beyond the sandwiches they have wings, bruschetta, fries galore, salad, soup too.  So all your comfort food is all here. 

The place is in part of a shopping center, and don't worry, there's plenty parking in front of stores, or at the garage - which is free.  So don't worry about that.

Dallas Grilled Cheese Co. 

5319 Mockingbird

# 120

Dallas, TX 75206

469-620-2121

https://dallasgrilledcheese.co/

 

Cafe Brazil

When I'm in Dallas, I like to come here for breakfast. 

Not going to lie, great memories of coming here after 2am for breakfast.  Of course, now, it's just a basic breakfast. 

Of course, I love the coffee bar.  They have 6 brew ready to go.  Feel free to mix and match.  Of course, that challenge is the proportion of what you put in the mug.  So if you have concocted something spectacular, it's hard to recreate.  But for coffee lovers, this is great!

Of course, as part of the hydration squad, we also have OJ and water with the coffee.  Start your morning right!

My fave that I can't get elsewhere in Houston, Fruit Pancrepe.  They have a mix of fruit, not just your strawberries or banana - which they have there, but there's also pineapple, grapefruit, and puree of fruit and sauces.  It's great for dipping the crepe.  I love that every bite of crepe + fruit + sauce was just yummy goodness. 

Don't worry, I got a side of bacon for some protein just for good measure.  See! A well balanced breakfast. 

Cafe Brazil

6420 N. Central Expressway

Dallas, TX 75206

214-691-7791

https://cafebrazil.com/

 

Tom N Tom Coffee

Back to Carrollton, Korean Shopping area

My impression of Tom N Tom in Dallas is very different than the ones in Houston.  The ones in Houston is a simple direct.  This one in Dallas is like a whole sit down cafe.  It has 2 levels, cases to show the food offerings and they have alot of savory and desserts on their menu than the ones I've seen in Houston. 

I got the Mango Matcha Latte - it's a tad too much matcha, not enough mango for my taste.

For snack, needed some protein, got these Pepperoni Pretzel bites.  Truly, it's like a mini pizza per bite.  It's pretty good but as pretzels goes, it's bread-y.

I really like this place.  They obviously have coffee, cakes, tea, bubble tea, pizza, sandwiches, smoothies and even apps.  But they also have Korean BingSu, milk ice dessert, and lots of variations.  

This location makes you feel like you're tucked away.  Folks come in to grab a drink, stay out of the heat.  Young people bring their laptops in to do some work.  There are tables that are tucked away for privacy if they come here for a coffee date.  The space has a little bit for everyone, that it's cool on the outside too (not pictured). 

At any rate, if you can find a parking spot on the weekend, this is a fun little spot to hang between the shopping and the meals. 

Tom N Tom's Coffee

2625 Old Denton Rd

#406

Carrollton, TX 75007

972-446-6633

https://tomntomscarrollton.com/

 

The Brunch District

Came to Brunch District.

Very cute brunch place for the suburb of Dallas. 

Lots of seating at the bar, but it's also cutely decorated. 

And in case you want to use your phone for menu, just scan the cube.

But first! Coffee!

I just have more hydrate issue.  I have my coffee, my OJ, and my water.  You know stay hydrate and all that. 

I got their Migas.  Mainly because I haven't had one in a long time.  But also, it's not heavy like egg Benedicts or omelets.  Migas was good scrambled eggs, tomato, onion, jalapeño, tortilla chips and jack and cheddar cheese.  Plus very generous portion for diced potato.  You can add meat to it as well, they have: chorizo, brisket, chicken or pork.  Service was good, everyone is chipper and happy on a weekend morning, when the whole place is packed. 

This is definitely a hoppin' place on the weekend.  As it goes, they do not take reso on weekends, so be early and bring patience, you'll definitely have a good meal. 

The Brunch District

3855 Glade Rd

Ste 170

Colleyville, TX 76034

682-503-4702

https://thebrunchdistrict.com/

 

Redstraw

You can't be in an Asian Shopping center and not go into the bubble tea place. 

As a matter of fact, there's so many of those around that it's hard not to trip into one of them. 

I got the Mango Mojito which is jasmine green tea brewed with mango bits and lime inside.  They also have coffee, custom tea mix and milk tea too because they are brewing it for you to order, the order does take longer. 

It's a good afternoon resting spot.  You can actually order online and pick up there to shorten the wait. 

Redstraw

1012 Mac Arthur Drive

#148

Carrollton, TX 75007

https://redstrawteabar.com/

 

Jinkook Korean

So in Dallas, there's a sizable Korean town area. 

One of the places that was recommended was Jinkook.  This is a very authentic mom and pop kinda place and it is intimate = not alot of tables. 

Seafood Pancake, which has lots of seafood ingredients, definitely worth getting. 

Bossam - which is Korean's style of broil pork wrap.  It has pork, kimchi, and squid. 

Banchan - we have kimchi, salad, and kimchi daikon. 

Cute little pot arrives.

They have Purple Rice!!!  They added peas and beans to add flavors to the rice. 

The table liked the Ox Tail Soup. Super flavorful and full-bodied. 

This is the Eel Soup - there's tons of ingredients in there.  Besides broth, there's scallion, freshwater eel, and glass noodles. 

This is Pork Stir Fry, very flavorful and definitely has a kick. 

For sure, next time I'm going to get the Chicken Ginseng Soup next time.  That was a very popular dish and saw tables around us getting it.  The Ox Tail is good, maybe get the eel in a different style next time. 

The Jinkook

1012 MacArthur Drive

#144

Carrollton, TX 75007

469-986-1012

https://www.thejinkook.com/

 

Braum's

I pulled my kid into my childhood favorite.

Keep in mind, it is a childhood nostalgia thing, not it's the best in the world thing.

We ordered meal for both of us.  It came with a sandwich and fries with a drink.  We upgraded one to a shake and just regular drink for the other. 

Yep, nothing spectacular, it's just something I used to have when I was a kid.  Cheeseburger... of course, if you finish your meal, you get an ice cream (read: reward, not free from the place).

I got me a scoop of Rocky Road, my go-to.  Super creamy, super flavorful.  Mainly because they are a diary shop and ice cream parlor. 

I was surprised to see they have a mini market.  They have their own bread & brownie on top of ice cream, sorbet and the like.  

They have regular groceries too. 

If you're ever in a pinch, you can really just hop in, grab a meal or an ice cream and get what you need, so you don't have to haul yourself to the store and get lost strolling around.

Growing up, friends had worked at Braum's after school.  So we would go to hang out with friends and buy an ice cream (or two).  I did know they sell food, maybe have gotten fries, but I don't often eat there.  They do serve alot of breakfast food, but otherwise, burgers, chicken sandwich, or chicken tenders. Not too many choices to pick from.  Again, this is just a nostalgia stop and showing my kid where we hang out after school. 

Braum's

518 Centennial Blvd

Richardson, TX 75081

972-783-9945

https://www.braums.com/store/518-centennial-blvd-richardson-tx/

 

Cafe Brazil

When I go to Dallas, I go to my old haunts. 

Even though, technically, I didn't come to Cafe Brazil until after I've moved away from Dallas. 

My favorite item to get: Coffee... we'll talk more about that.

For my main, I got the Fruit Pancrepes.  There's 4 big crepes with cold fruit and puree.  That combo of hot and cold is so good, and I just love that so much.  I come back for it year after year.  

Mind you, for their other food offering, there's decent about of omelets and egg dishes, or migas or tacos.  So this is a great place to bring friends because it has a little bit of everything. 

Another good thing about this place, they are opened 24/7, so you can come anytime and breakfast is served all day.  

When you walk in, especially if it's busy.  Head over to the coffee bar and get yourself a cup and pick your coffee.  Or, mix your flavors, I do.  

Cafe Brazil

2071 N. Central Expressway

Richardson, TX 75080

972-783-9011

https://cafebrazil.com/

 

Maru Ramen

You know when you're on the road, too busy to look for food, you have to take some risk.

Sometimes they paid off, sometimes they don't...

Got the Veggie Tempura - I would say, I do appreciate the squash and beans to the mix.

I got the Unagi Ramen, because it looked good.  I was surprised to see that the unagi came separate, it's almost like why did I bothered.  I'd rather them keep the unagi with the rice than with the noodles.  It came with Tonkotsu Ramen, and add the fish if you wish.  The type of noodles I got was the Sapporo type which is yellow curly egg noodles.  It has more elastic and chewier than the regular ones.  The broth base is fine, not as thick as some base we've had, but it did what you need it to do.

The place was not not-busy, but it's more like an easy dinner thing than coming here because it's so good, we must come back repeatedly. 

Maru Ramen

400 N. Greenville

Dallas, TX 

972-792-8888

https://www.maruramen.com/

 

Ocean Prime

Up for a business lunch in Dallas.

For a shi-shi place like this, Houston can definitely support, I'm surprised they did not have a branch here. 

Since it's a business lunch, nothing fancy.  Started with an Arnold Palmer with some bread, nice and warm bread.

I went with the Poke Bowl, some chopped Ahi Tuna, some salmon, wasabi tobiko, Sriracha Vinaigrette.  The vinaigrette was a surprise.  I was curious if it would be spicy, but turns out it was ok.  The flavors mixed well, not too spicy over all.  The fishes were sashimi grade and mixed it all up, it's super flavorful. 

For lunch it's easy to get in here, but for dinner, a reservation is highly recommended.  Of course they have their own valet.  If a little chill is what you're after, they do have giant heat lamps for the tables outside and a chic fire place if you want to sit by and have drinks there. 

Ocean Prime

2101 Cedar Spring Rd

Dallas, TX 75201

214-965-0440

https://ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/dallas/