Beauty Shop (Memphis)

I have been a fan of the Beauty Shop restaurant for years, celebrating occasions in the Cooper Young gem from teenage Valentine's Day dinners (the food obviously outplayed the company) to graduation gatherings and classy Sunday brunches. Chef extraordinaire Karen Carrier, whose warm soul and passion shines through both cooking and conversation, converted Priscilla Presley's 1950s beauty parlor into a top-notch, intimate space of creative dishes, a vibrant bar scene, and elegant disposition.

Maybe it was the holiday spirit, but our Christmas Eve dinner literally could not have been better. We greeted the kitchen staff before being seated and were immediately immersed in laughter when discovering that our family knew every single cook in the kitchen: Karen, Dana, and one of my classmates-turned-culinary genius, Josh. Each dish that the team prepared surpassed the next in flawless presentation and execution. Never would I undermine one of my favorite Memphis restaurants, but I was frankly dumbfounded by my delight for each plate, each ingredient.

We began with a crispy panko gulf oyster dusted in tabasco powdered sugar and black grape salsa. Yes, it was a party in my mouth: sweet confectioner's sugar with a kick melted against the warm crunch of a gulf oyster. The combination was brilliant.

Next was a maitake mushroom prepared Asian-style with sesame seeds and a light, salty soy sauce. We unconsciously ate it so quickly that we found ourselves ordering a second for the table. Our vegetable salad, served warm, took local veggies to the next level. Roasted corn, butternut squash, asparagus, peppers and onions were mildly tossed in a ginger vinaigrette and topped with creamy crumbles of French feta. The cheese melted ever so slightly over the vegetables. I could live on that salad, I've decided.

My mother had always raved about the pan roasted barramundi, so we all ordered the dish with its decadent sweet corn edamame succotash, marcona almonds for a crunch, and light coconut milk broth base. The portion was perfect; no overwhelmingly stuffed feelings afterward, rest assured.

Whether for a cocktail, scoop of gelato or full-on holiday feast, the Beauty Shop surpasses most in the Memphis food scene.

**Get excited for LA and New Orleans Caramelized critiques...coming soon!

Salty Sow (Austin)

I apologize for my lack of critiques these past few weeks. It seems as if I’m too busy eating to write…but alas, I promise to write about Austin’s local flavor; and what better way to begin with the acclaimed Salty Sow. The dark wood interiors and lively hostesses create a vibrant evening spot, perfect for a Friday night date with Alex during his last visit to Austin. It is equally well-known for its 7-days-a-week happy hour menu, which I’m looking forward to trying soon with Hannah Marlowe!

The wood farm tables serve as aesthetic pedestals for local ingredients, bold reds, and damn good pork. Coming from a rabbi’s daughter, this claim goes in the books.

You will not find a cheese & charcuterie plate like Salty Sow’s anywhere else. Salamis and prosciuttos are expected, but smoked salmon rillete and chicken liver mousse (reminded me of a trendier version of my mom’s chopped liver) additions were fascinating. The cheese selection was top-notch.

We ordered the tangy brussels sprout Caesar as a side dish, but it’s enough for a full entrée salad portion. I did not expect dried cranberries and pecorino or a tangy vinaigrette approach to the Caesar dressing, but I enjoyed the contrasts. Alex wished it had a more traditional approach, but I don’t think tradition is in Salty Sow’s vocabulary.

For the entrees, the braised pork shoulder rocked. I didn’t even need a knife. The white bean, escarole and pecorino base was lovely. Alex’s candied pork belly with soy balsamic syrup and collard greens was a massive steak cut. The dish was perfectly sweet and savory at the same time.

Here, you will not only get the most bang for your buck, but you will leave feeling full, content and super Austin-y. Nowhere speaks more local truths than this joint.

Easy Tiger (Austin)

Never before had I encountered an Austin dining spot with a menu and atmosphere for every kind of eater at any time (except between the hours of 2 and 7 a.m., during which I hope you'd be sleeping).

It's a bakery; it's a coffee shop; it's a beer garden; it's a bar; it's a happy hour hot spot... Easy Tiger is whatever you want it to be.

When you walk into the brick bake shop on East Sixth, you'll be greeted by rows of beautiful baguettes and the rich aroma of loaves--perfectly hand-shaped loaves--in ovens behind the glass window. Walk down the stairs, and you'll find a pub-like bar with both indoor and patio seating for parties of all sizes.

The menu is simply fantastic. I've heard from friends that the turkey avocado sandwich is divine, especially when finished off with a chocolate chunk cookie from upstairs. Last Saturday night, however, we began our meal with a few draft beers and handmade salted pretzels with beer cheese. Yes, the pretzel was larger than my head; and yes, I could have eaten two of them if Alex hadn't graciously cut me off.

The Italian beef sandwich on toasted ciabatta was filled with warm carved roast beef, in-house picked vegetables and a touch of crumbled bleu cheese. The portion was huge, but I enjoyed every bite I could.

Our evening at Easy Tiger was a satisfying early dinner before a concert at Stubb's, but I am seriously looking forward to beginning my day with an espresso and croissant before work or class. It's happening soon, I assure you.

Cenote (Austin)

Many say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day to boost your metabolism and overall mindset...but I beg to differ. During demanding days of meetings, classes or constant emails bombarding your inbox, lunch is my key to relieving stress and jumpstarting a productive afternoon.

Where do I recommend grabbing a fresh salad and cup of joe in the East Austin sunshine? None other than Cenote. The aqua house on Cesar Chavez will turn your quick lunch break into a colorful paradise either outside on the sunny patio, or inside in a coffeehouse, serene environment.

Every salad and sandwich on the menu looked wonderful; Brenna and I had trouble deciding, of course. We picked the cobb and the kale salads, both overflowing with vegetables and light vinaigrettes.  To drink, iced almond milk chai lattes were the best I've ever had of their kind.

To put it simply, we didn't want to leave. Cenote's patio is a destination for all of you, even if you only have time to pick up a drink or salad to-go. This little restaurant transforms the meanings of lunchtime and that midday break we all truly need...

Bartolotta di Mare (Las Vegas)

When I read online that Chef Paul Bartolotta flies in two tons of fish directly from the Mediterranean to The Wynn at least every 36 hours, I booked a reservation without even blinking. Our server, Maurizio, whose thick accent I could hardly understand yet whose laugh was contagious, tended to our table for a two-hour dining experience with my mother and grandmother that I will never forget.

I drooled over the separate truffle menu (which, might I add, adds $90 per dish for the Italian-imported white truffles) and regretted my black jack habit earlier in the day. Next time, I’ll splurge on the truffles instead of the chips!

The restaurant’s menu is indelible, to say the least. The homemade pasta and seafood selection is extraordinary, and whole fish offerings are chipped away from a salt casing right at your table.

The three of us absolutely over-ordered. Surprise, surprise. Appetizer portions are listed with the option to double the serving for an entrée…but do not be mistaken. The appetizer portion is plenty along with another appetizer or two for the table.

Luckily, my grandmother, mother and I all have the same taste buds. So all was shared. We began with two wilted arugula, artichoke, porcini and Sardinian pecorino salads with the perfect vinaigrette to share between the three of us. My favorite appetizer was the poached shrimp with cannellini beans, basil and pomini tomatoes. I am dying to try this in my own kitchen. The recipe is light and healthy, but the beans add a subtle richness.

Oh, but there’s more. At the same time, sautéed tiny clams in a tomato broth were served. We used ciabatta slices to soak up the sauce. The last appetizer was a seared scallop atop imported porcini mushrooms. The thinnest slice of parmigiano-reggiano lay across the top of each of the two scallops. That scallop tasted like butter.

We had a while to breathe and sip on Chardonnay before our main course. We were surrounded by an overwhelming number of foreign guests and parties; I felt like I was back in Italy again! (Side note: The Eiffel Tower did result in a slight second of enchantment and subsequent disappointment when realizing I was not in Paris, after all. Nice try, Vegas.)

For the main courses, I ordered a hand made ribbon pasta with imported porcinis. My mother ordered pasta “rags” with lobster, crab, shrimp, white wine and tomato. We happily switched after trying each others! My grandmother’s seafood risotto was beautiful.

In the middle of the table sat a ricotta-filled ravioli with pecorino and Marsala wine glaze. Holy moly, it was divine…but it was so rich that I could not eat more than a bite. If you’re into cheese, you’ll be in heaven.

Note: We ordered appetizer portions and could not even finish them.

A small scoop of coconut sorbet topped us off before the check. Seafood lovers, pasta lovers, Vegas lovers, any lovers…go to Bartolotta on your next trip to Las Vegas. You will be very, very pleased.

Winflo (Austin)

Right across from my favorite seafood spot, Clark’s, sits an intimate Italian escape with romantic lights entwined in trees...The beaming reflection twinkles amidst West Sixth and lures foodies of all sorts to dreamily wine and dine.

We planned a girls dinner for the arrival of my little sister Julia, who was visiting Austin alone for the first time. Winflo’s menu is perfect for sharing with its brick-oven pizza selection and house-made pastas.

Brenna and I split the beet salad to start with sugared walnuts and goat cheese. The size was great for splitting and satisfying my palette before carb overload.

Megan and Rachel’s four-cheese pizza, or quattro formaggi with a fried egg, was my favorite dish of the spread! The egg wasn’t too overwhelming, but it complimented the cheeses so nicely. I’m getting that myself next time.

Our fettuccine al pesto with added shrimp had some of my favorite ingredients: portabellinis, basil and walnuts. BUT...the temperature was cold.  I should have sent it back, but Julia and I had already split the portion and did not want to cause a mess back in the kitchen.  Brenna’s black drum dish was unfortunately cold as well.  While the flavors were delicious, and the squid ink risotto had a great texture with olive and caper marinara on the side, we wish the plates had been hot off the stove instead of sitting on the counter waiting to be served!

I look forward to trying Winflo again soon for a date night or happy hour.  The atmosphere is too precious to pass up!