Second Bar and Kitchen (Austin)

If you have seen yesterday's Facebook post, you most likely laughed at the length of restaurants I intentionally squeezed into my epic three-day visit to Austin, Texas. It was absolutely wonderful from start (at Clark's) to finish (at Juiceland) with seventeen of my best friends. The coffees, afternoon snacks, and dirty martinis were not taken for granted, either. I don't know how I managed to consume that many calories (Was the Easy Tiger pretzel really necessary? Yes.), but I'm still standing. So let's continue.

For our first dinner, thirteen of us took a piece of the vast Second Street heated outdoor patio at a favorite, Second Bar and Kitchen. The long table provided enough room to pass and share plates among the group. So that's just what we did!

Unfortunately, we dug into the appetizers too quickly to photograph, but the variety was perfect for our party size. The baked brie with sweet currant-apricot mostado and spicy basil was crowd pleaser -- melted cheese spread onto a toasted crostini like butter. The garlic gnocchi with winter squash was excellent and super seasonal, considering its light and simple disposition. Pumpkin seed-flecked ricotta salad added a slightly rich component. If only the gnocchi was a large plate instead of a small one! We also enjoyed the avocado fundido (think guac and queso combined), bite-sized veal meatballs, and a margarita pizza.

For my entrée, I about died over my vegetarian mushroom carbonara. The combination was smoked and raw mushrooms was fascinating, and the housemade linguine melted amongst the grana padano cheese and crispy arugula. The above photograph shows only half of the portion (since I split with Risa), so be aware of the mighty large portions. I could've eaten two, this was so unbelievable!

The flank steak with chimchurri had a colorful presentation with fresh chiles and cilantro. Others enjoyed the infamous pizzas and raw kale and carrot salad with jumbo grilled shrimp. We were impressed with the efficient service and attention to detail, even for a large group. And while I had already experienced Second Bar and Kitchen twice -- once for an afternoon cheese plate and once for a Sunday night dinner -- I loved the weekend patio vibe. I can't wait to revisit!

Downtown Memphis Dining Week on StyleBlueprint

Memphians: Mark your calendars for Downtown Dining Week from November 16-22! "While I have always been inspired by Memphis’ dining scene, new restaurants are popping up left and right, and old establishments are re-marking their culinary territory among loyal and interested guests. Our restaurants are booming in both quality and publicity, as the nation is starting to realize that our city’s culinary creativity goes well beyond barbecue spaghetti and ribs. So make your reservations and let the 40 participating chefs carry you through extra exclusive meals. Almost all of the menus are available on Downtown Dining Week’s website, but here are a few that grabbed our attention for their creative twists and fancied deals. . ."

Read more on the StyleBlueprint website, where I will be guest-writing monthly!

Mylo Coffee Company (Little Rock)

You've already heard about my latest coffeehouse discovery in Midtown Memphis, but my frequent trips to Little Rock have called for a new spot for the weekend cup of joe. While Alex was working Saturday morning, I ventured to Mylo Coffee Company in Hillcrest with laptop in tow. The rainy, somber morning kept my work mind on-point. But, of course, the latte and homemade (extra buttery) croissant were the sunshine I needed.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves. The artistic pastries and beverage pours against clean white dishware. . .it's just beautiful.

Enjoy your week, and please take a few minutes to watch this adorable video of second-grade restaurant critics. Happy Monday!

Muddy's Grind House (Memphis)

Rise and shine. And grind.

Memphis' famed Kat Gordon seems to sprinkle magic on all that she touches: her cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and the entire community, for that matter. Now, the magic has entered an extra hot vanilla soy latte, which I enjoyed last Friday at the new Midtown Muddy's Grind House before heading to work.

The space has quickly become Memphis' "happy place." While the color scheme isn't as bold as Kat's assortment of vivacious wigs, the pastel accents, dainty flower arrangements, and walls of curated merchandise (Paper & Clay and Flo's, to name a few) bring a fresh breath of air to the city's coffeehouse scene. You can't help but smile when walking through the yellow door on Cooper and Vinton.

I decided upon a few favorite details while sipping my latte and savoring my blackberry almond oat bar:

1. The to-go packaging (below). Maybe it's just my advertising/PR hat, but how fabulous is that logo? I love the mix of the Muddy's established frill and the bolder, masculine approach to coffee brewing.

2. The fireplace. Emphasizing the "house" in coffeehouse, the light brick fireplace at the front entrance is just wonderful. The patio is lovely for summer and autumn, but I can just picture visiting the Grind House in the cold of winter to cozy up by the fireplace and write.

3. The chalkboard of customer suggestions. Kat truly wants to hear customer feedback. The list has already begun with suggestions (I second the chai latte!). I admire Kat's commitment to customer satisfaction. Perhaps that is why she's the winner of Best Bakery and Best Dessert in the Memphis Flyer's Best of Memphis awards. Best Coffee next year?

Go give the Grind House a shot -- It's open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. on Mondays-Saturdays. Let the staff know what you think!

Rose Bros. Soda Fountain (Rosemary Beach)

Fall break is soon arriving for the Memphis school scene -- are any of you traveling to Santa Rosa Beach? Watercolor or Rosemary, perhaps? I somehow I have yet to share the cozy new diner I tried this past summer in Rosemary Beach, Rose Brothers Soda Fountain. Unlike most trendy spots that try to out-do the good 'ole American hot dog and fries, the simple classics are celebrated in this far nook of the central neighborhood square. It's perfect for the whole family, the picky eater, and the burger expert -- all will be wowed by the speedy service and hit-the-spot taste. In fact, if you're not into the diner menu, a cup of coffee or malted milkshake would bookmark your vacation day routine nicely.

Don't be mistaken by the crimped french fries that resemble packaging from the freezer section. These were piping hot, crispy, and accompanied a buttery bun with grilled portabello mushroom slices and swiss cheese. The homemade lemonade didn't hurt either.

Rose Brothers doesn't serve you as you may expect. . .you're handed a 1-inch laminated card with an iconic American character typed across the front.

Mine was The Fonz. The 50-year-old male next to me was Lindsay Lohan.

And do not think you can hide your Rose Bros. identity, as the server will shamelessly yell out the name on the card until you shyly raise your hand for the rest of the diner to see. Quite humorous and very memorable.

Where to Brunch in Chicago

As I already established during my write-ups of Sunda and Mercadito, you can't really go wrong with Chicago dining spots. Especially brunch spots. Everything about a "brunch" intrigues me, from the feminine undertones and focus on coffee, to the fried eggs and fruit. My best girls and I dined at three brunch spots in Chicago from Saturday-Monday of our long weekend. Yes, we did work.

Our first brunch (and my personal favorite) was Beatrix. The combination of fresh-squeezed sweet valencia orange juice and a slightly bitter, rich soy cappuccino was fabulous. I had to force myself to drink the hot and cold beverages with composure -- I hate the feeling of finishing before the meal arrives! I shared quinoa cakes with poached eggs with Ashley, along with a side of sliced tomato and avocado (yes, that's a side on their menu.). We were very happy. The spicy chicken tinga is apparently a not-to-miss brunch dish as well. Our group grabbed a just-baked, extra large chocolate chip cookie for the walk around downtown. The pastry is on my friend Brenna's top five favorites list. That's a credible validation of the cookie's deliciousness, in case you were wondering.

Chicago q's commonly known as an urban barbecue restaurant with Southern touches, but our Sunday brunch (complete with bloody mary bar) had a savory selection of wildly creative approaches to the first meal of the day. The benedict flight was super rich but impressive -- Kobe brisket stacked on a cheddar-chive biscuit? Hello. I enjoyed the fresh, grilled fruit assortment over housemade granola. I also shared a sweet potato hash that reminded me of my at-home version with a smokier flavor. The modern ambiance and well-versed menu made for a lovely meal in the city.

Our final morning in Chicago pulled us to Pierrot Gourmet french café at the Peninsula Luxury Hotel. Most of us ordered the egg white frittata with oven-dried tomato, spinach and feta. They arrived piping hot in individual cast-iron skillets and, ooh, did that first bite hit the spot! I felt fueled (and proud of my healthy food choice) for my plane ride back to Memphis.

Happy brunching, y'all. Where is your favorite place to order your coffee and eggs in Chi-town?