A Mexican Platter

It's fiesta time!!! I honestly can't believe that I haven't written up a post about my most favorite platter of them all. Now is the time. And, I hope you're super excited because I am laying them all on you at once. As a budding foodie, I try not to discriminate against any type of cuisine. I honestly haven't met many platters I don't like. But, when it comes to true and unconditional love, my heart lies with the Mexican platter.

Mexican food is like home. I go there when I wanna kick back, relax, and not worry about a damn thing. Much like family, I often take it for granted, thinking that there will always be a chicken burrito or quesadilla around when I need one. If you keep up with my blog then you know that I love dining with my favorite little bro, Michael, but I must say that my mom and dad make excellent dining companions as well. They're always game for a margarita or two (actually mom prefers white zin) but regardless of the drink choice, the Holladay family loves a  Mexican platter.

Our Holladay go-to platter is the Texas Fajitas at Fiesta Time  The order for two is so big that it actually feeds three of us easily with occasional leftovers. Shrimp, steak, and chicken with onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers create a glorious union. Throw in the divine queso, sour cream and guacamole, and you have yourself a little taste of heaven. Throw in a few margaritas and you might be headed in the other direction... Let's hope not! Fiesta Time is cozy little spot in the East End of Louisville that is always bright, bustling, and filled with families. Beware there is almost always a wait on Friday and Saturday nights but that's a good thing, because it means great food.

The Holladay's second choice is El Nopal. Similiar to Fiesta, El Nopal is very inviting with great service. The two things that make it stand apart for me is the live music (which mom also loves) and the delicious chicken Floutas. Floutas are long tortillas stuffed with meat and cheese, and should I dare mention that they're deep fried!?! These babies are rich like a sugar daddy and that's why I love them. Another thing about this place is that its everywhere in Louisville. Its like being a Louisville native, you can't go anywhere in town without seeing a familiar face... you can't go anywhere in town without seeing an El Nopal.

Next up is Los Aztecas Honestly I think I've frequented this spot more than any considering my VIP status. Yup, that's right, I've got the members only jacket here. Unfortunately my 15% discount doesn't apply to alcohol, however it does apply to food at all locations around town. Normally I make it easy and go for a simple chicken quesadilla or I share the delicious fajitas with a friend. But when I really wanna shake it up, I order the Enchiladas de Mole. The mole sauce is dark and thick. With hints of chocolate, chili pepper, and clove, this sauce makes the meal and hits the spot every time.

I have mixed feelings about the Sol Aztecas in Louisville. I really love the Frankfort Avenue location. I think the chef there is fond of garlic and that is more than fine by me. My platter of choice is usually the Shrimp Quesadilla which is always bubbling hot with loads of cheese. I have often gushed over the chicken Fajita Nachos as well.  As for the other locations in town, Bardstown Road and Main Street have treated me well. However, I am not a fan of Fourth Street. The food and service miss the mark for my Mexican expectations. 

I wish I could shed some light on Ernestos but I haven't been there in almost a decade. And I would love to tell you about El Mundo but if you've ever been there, you know that it's in a special league of its own and I think it deserves its own post in the future. I've been told that La Rosita and Lolitas are great ones too and I have added them to my endless list of places to dine...

Mexican food is like family. We often take it for granted and don't give it the love it deserves. So grab your family and take them out for a Mexican platter tonight. And as always, you better live to eat!

Maido

http://www.maidosakebar.com/

Happy New Year readers!!! It's been awhile....I know you are terribly heart-broken that I failed to post any of my wonderful "Holiday" platters. I sincerely apologize. Time was not on my side last month. Allow me to start the new year off right by sharing a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Sushi!!! There are a lot of great spots for Sushi in Louisville, especially in the Highlands. That area just can't seem to get enough of it. I like Sapporo. I like Wild Ginger. I even like Oishii. But when it comes to love, I've gotta give it to my Maido. 

Located on Frankfort Avenue in the Clifton Area, this sushi spot is unique because it doesn't have an actual sushi bar like the other restaurants around town. The sushi at Maido is made back in the kitchen. It's considered an "Izakaya" or Sake Pub, known in Osaka, Japan to be popular with business people. And in the 'Ville it's known to have the very best sake in town.

Shame on me for never having tried their sake. I've dined here about a billion times and my drink choice is always the same, the Kasteel Rouge - a Belgian brown ale. It's super sweet cherry flavor calls out to me as soon as I enter the door. I'm not sure how I started the tradition of ordering the Kasteel with my Maido sushi. It doesn't make much sense because I normally don't go for sweet beer or wine and I've never ordered a Kasteel anywhere else. I guess it's just one of my weird dining quirks, kind of similar to when I was a kid at the movies, I would always order a Cherry Coke with my popcorn, but never with anything else.

Anyway, when it comes to the eats, an Izakaya style restaurant is similiar to Spanish tapas, serving up small affordable plates for everyone to share. Sharing is caring, and I always care to try as many dishes as possible. Maido knows what's up. In fact, the name Maido actually means "What's Up?!" I have been happy to share many apps with friends here, notably the Shumai - a dumpling filled with either pork or crab, gouda and mozzarella cheese wontons - deep fried to perfection and smothered in wasabi honey, a yummy oyster mushroom with sinfully sauteed spinach, asparagus, and garlic.

This past Summer my pal Jules and I enjoyed a few plates outside on the spacious front patio. We shared the delightfully simple Bagel Roll with garlic and salmon and then splurged on the insanely delicious Buike Monster - white tuna with avocado, scallions, garlic, and chili sauce. Yum. Some other fun rolls I've shared include: the Nemo's Revenge - red snapper and octupus along with garlic (of course) , the Citrus Heat -a unique combo of red tuna with jalepenos and shaved lime, the Serendipity - spicy crab.. need I say more? and the Nirvana...this roll is drizzled with truffle oil for God's sake!!

The atmosphere at Maido can't be beat. It's a low-key establishment that is comfortable and cool, with funky art decor that is subtle in the dimmed lighting. Housed in an old shot-gun style building, it has a wooden bar near the front entrance, with black and white tiles leading to ample table seating. My experience with the service has always been excellent. I am convinced that being cool and having at least one visible tattoo is a requirement to work here.

So remember, the next time you want to take some shots of sake and share some sushi, gimme a call. I will share an Izakaya platter with you all night long! Until next time, live to eat Japanese.

MAIDO UPDATE: I had the great pleasure of dining at Maido last night and thought I should mention here that they are now taking reservations for their digital karaoke party room. My friend works there and introduced me to it....it looks awesome!

I also had the pleasure of trying a tofu roll this time around. I normally don't go for tofu with anything but decided to give it a whirl and was blown away. The Tofu Katsu Roll includes deep fried and breaded tofu topped with slices of avocado and was served with a thick brown sauce (can't remember the name) that enhanced the roll with a bit of a ginger and cinnamon flavor. My lovely dining companion strangely thought it brought out a chipoltle taste, whatever the ingredients... you should know that we devoured it!!! That's all.

Wild Eggs

http://www.wildeggs.com/

I savor rare moments when I am allowed a chance to catch up with my crazy busy friends who are almost all married, working full time, and chasing around their little ones. I like to pretend that I am busy too but seriously, I have more free time and hobbies than anyone should ...hence this food blog. But anyway, like I was saying, I relish the chance to catch up with friends and even more so when I get to meet them out to eat.



Lindsey and I decided to meet at Wild Eggs. I had dined here on two occasions a few years ago and I  recall going bonkers for the "Surfer Girl" - fresh spinach, mushrooms and tomato, adding a little bit of healthy goodness, along with the oddly enjoyable taste of alfalfa sprouts, all mixed in with my favorites - avo, pico, sour cream, and cream cheese baby, yeah. I went in with my mind set on ordering this for the third time. However, I had to change up my plan fast when I realized that Lindsey, who was about 7 months preggers at this time, was game for a gluttonous feast! See photo below.





Now keep in mind that she is a very thin gal and you can hardly tell that she's with child. I am not skinny by any means but I think most people would consider me a smaller woman. So you can only imagine the looks we got from surrounding tables. The two of us, feasting on a platter that could easily feed three hungry men...it was pretty funny

Lindsey started things off right when she ordered an enormous cappuccino with whip cream. She immediately informed me that she wanted to order two entrees for herself and baby. She chose the Kelsey KY Brown (their verson of a hot brown) It sizzles with applewood bacon, creamy white cheddar cheese, and savory turkey, all piled on sourdough bread, and topped with fried eggs and diced tomato. Her second pick was the Rasberries and Lemon Oh My! This buttermilk cake is filled with tangy lemon curd, fresh rasberries, along with a heavenly rasberry sauce, powdered sugar, and topped with whipped cream of course. I sampled a lot of this baby and could not get enough of the rasberry sauce...oh, so fresh and so sweet!

I pondered over ordering one of their decadent crepes, the Sweet Home Apple Bourbon. But I found myself going with a hearty breakfast instead, the Kalamity Katie's Border Benedict. This bad daddy included two eggs over medium - just a little runny in the middle, which was nice - tasty chorizo, creamy fundido cheese, along with my favs - pico, fresh avo, and cream cheese. I didn't care for the green chili cheddar corn cake. It was just like dry corn bread. My dish came with a huge side of standard skillet potoatos and a muffin. However, I opted for the nicely toasted wheat bread instead - my only healthy choice at this platter. Needless to say, we had one hell of a feast. And don't worry, we did take home some boxes.

Wild Eggs is a great spot and definitely earns my recommendation. There are now three locations in Louisville and they are almost always packed for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. You should expect a longish wait on the weekends for breakfast and brunch. But also expect wonderful food and service.

The next time you wanna catch up and celebrate a meal with a good friend, don't hold back. Have yourself a Wild Eggs platter for 2 or better yet, for 3...and Live to Eat !!!!

Cafe Lou Lou

http://www.cafeloulou.com/d/

Back in my mid-twenties, I often found myself heading out for drinks and dinner in the Clifton Area of Louisville. My "Bicardi and Diet"-loving roomies introduced me to a cozy little spot called Cafe Lou Lou. The atmosphere had me under it's spell immediately with funky Pop Art, bold colored walls, and a wait staff that were hip in a non-pretentious way. These were the days when I went to dinner for the drinks and the gossip. Great food was just an added bonus - a far cry from my current foodie state. I was a little baffled by the menu selections that feature Italian-Mediterranean-NOLA style cuisine. However, I fell in love with the first thing I ordered here. Simply, the Grilled Chicken Roll, which includes fresh greenes and tomatoes, pesto aioli, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese, all wrapped in lovely lavish bread. I would kill for it! With a choice of spicy Cajun Crisps (fries), Mediterranean pasta salad, or sauteed veggies, this roll has and will always be my Lou Lou favorite. My roomies had their order down to a science - Hummus appetizer, split the Four Cheese Calzone with a side Caesar Salad and keep the Bicardi and Diets coming...

Our hearts were shattered when we heard the news that Cafe Lou Lou was moving to the St. Matthews area. While I dearly adore this part of town, I was scared that Lou Lou would change it's ways in order to cater to a BMW driving crowd. Fortunately this has not been the case at all. My beloved Lou Lou remained much the same. In fact the decor, menu, and wait staff didn't change at all! When it first opended, the old roomies and I headed to new Lou Lou on a few Wednesdays for half-priced wine bottles. About a year later we moved to the Highlands and were elated to learn that a second location was opening. And even better...they deliver!! God knows how many Chicken Rolls were delivered to that address.



Over the past few years, I have sampled a handful of other menu options. You can't go wrong with any of their specialty Gourmet Pizzas such as Smoked Salmon, Buffalo Chicken, Mediterranean, and Hot Brown. There is also a "Build your Own" pizza option, several other types of Rolls, Sandwhiches, Pastas, Soups, and Salads. The prices are so reasonable that the dinner menu almost seems like lunch prices. I am not familiar with their beer menu but have heard it's good, offering a handful of options from BBC - a great local brewery, and some other micro-brews nearby. I might have to check out the beer next time I go, along with the  Black Bean Lasagna or perhaps the Jambalaya, both are known to be convicted killers. What can I say? I like to live dangerously. Until next time, Live to eat Cafe Lou Lou!! 

Destin Seafood Extravaganza... A Happy Holladay

Nothing is better than a beach vacation, especially one that is filled with loads upon loads of fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. It's been about two weeks since I returned from paradise, aka Fort Walton Beach, and I am still coming down from my seafood high. Let's re-live my wonderful seafood extravaganza!

My brother Michael and I hopped a flight on Thursday evening and took off for a long weekend vacation with our parents in Florida. We were tickled to see Judi and Steve waiting for us at the gate, decked out in full beach gear. They had driven down five days prior and were already looking like locals. Mom's skin was glowing with a tan, dad was sporting a scruffy "beach bum" beard, and they were both grinning from ear to ear. I was absolutely famished and could not wait to chow on an early seafood dinner. We headed to a casual ocean-side restaurant called Floyd's Shrimp House http://www.floydsshrimphouse.com/ Luckily we didn't have to deal with a crowd and we were happy to sit near the beach volleyball courts that were still filled with players. The food at Floyd's can best be described as seafood bar food. My shrimp tacos were spiced just right and were sprinkled with a tangy sauce. I was a little envious of Micheal's grilled Mahi Mahi, which was much better than mom's Grouper. The Shrimp Queso app was a little weird but I kept eating it so I guess it wasn't bad and the Fried Pickles were super salty but I kept eating them too. I was feeling really tired and spaced out due to the long day of work and travel, so my recollection of this place is somewhat jaded. I will simply say that I liked everything just fine.

http://www.pompano-joes.com/index.shtml

For our next seafood dinner, we headed to a Destin hot spot called Pampano Joe's. This neighborhood beach house is located along the scenic old Highway 98. It provides both outdoor patio seating with live music and indoor/outdoor ocean-side seating. We chose the latter. Beloved for it's bustling and down-to-earth atmosphere, you can't help but feel positive energy here, which is probably due to the lively wait staff and sing-along music. It has a Caribbean flair that is displayed in the general decor and the unique style of seafood. I went with one of the Caribbean entrees. The Island Shrimp were deliciously grilled and skewered, plump and juicy, ranking about a 6.5 on my spicy scale. I did not care for the jerk flavoring of my side of Chutney. It seemed too similiar to traditional BBQ sauce, which I don't care for. Poor Micheal was struggling with a sun burn this night. However, his frosty Pina Colada and scrumptuous Swordfish alleviated the pain. Light and airy in taste, with a firm texture and creamy to the maximum level, I was utterly envious of his meal. There were four artichokes and scallops engulfing the fish, all topped with fresh tomato and greatly enhancing the flavor of the fish. I guess I worked really hard at laying around on the beach all day, because I was the first to finish my plate. I happily sipped my beachy cocktail and helped everyone finish their meal. More happiness entailed when dad ordered a piece of Key Lime pie. Finger-lickin whipped cream on top of the rich and tangy lime, left us in awe. And please don't let me forget about the sinfully buttered, graham cracker, crust!





The next night we headed to another seafood joint on old 98 called The Crab Trap. http://www.crabtrapdestin.com/the-crab-trap-destin.html This quaint, ocean-side restaurant won me over with it's elegant yet casual atmosphere, impeccable service, and the best shrimp I've had in years. While I enjoyed the spicy kick of Pampano's shrimp, they just couldn't measure up to the plump, buttery, goodness of what I found at the Crab Trap. And speaking of Crab, it needs to be mentioned that this was my first experience cracking crab legs! That's right dear readers, I lost my crab cracking virginity on this special night. And stangely my mom was there to coach me along. Mom, Dad and Michael have been crab leg lovers for several years now, so they were more than happy to show me the way. I enjoyed every bit of the tasty legs. However, I must say that they wore me out...

The next night my family was ready for round two of crab legging at The Old Bay Steamer, but I chose to opt out and went with the Mahi Mahi special instead. This fish was A-MA-ZING. It was served on top of a beautiful tomato based linguini with a bit of wine flavoring .A great move on my part, as everyone tasted and immediately coveted my special meal. This place is a little more "under the radar". It sits a block or two from Fort Walton Beach and I am sure it has it's fair share of tourists, but it doesn't seem to be heavily marketed, as I was not able to find a website. The decor here is very colorful and jazzy, with a bit of a NOLA vibe. And the atmosphere is busy and energetic while keeping it's cool. The Old Bay Steamer definitely earns my recommendation, along with the other places.

We hit one more restaurant before flying out. However this unique, Irish brewery and pub is in a league of it's own and will be posted at a later date in time. Until next time, live to eat....SEAFOOD!!!

Comfy Cow

http://thecomfycow.com/

Well it's officially Fall, and even though it's my favorite season, I am feeling a little sad to see the Summer go. It was such a hot one that I often felt it necessary to cool off with a little ice cream indulgence. I discovered The Comfy Cow one weekend night, after I finished getting my weekly fix of Mexican food with my friend, Patrick. He had spoken highly of it a few times and even though I was super full and trying to keep the body swimsuit worthy, I went in for the kill. The line was literally out the door and down the sidewalk! Fortunately, the line moved fast and it was nice to have a little time to let my quesedilla digest. I would normally go straight for anything chocolate, but decided on the interesting flavor of Watermelon Mint. The watermelon was highly refreshing and the mint was subtle. Both of these together added a light amount of lingering sweetness. Patrick enjoyed the Dolce de Leche, one of the Comfy Cow favorites that presents a creamy caramel flavor along with a pinch of seasalt.

It was not very crowded on my second trip here, so I was able to take my time and sample a handful of flavors. I also asked the attendant which flavor she liked best and she did not hesitate to suggest the Dolce de Leche. The Cake Batter Up was a unique palate pleaser that reminded me of the yellow cake you'd relish with a glass of cold milk in grandma's kitchen.  I felt it was too rich for an entire scoop though. I also really enjoyed the Bourbon Ball flavor, as it provided a distinct bourbon flavor that was not too overpowering. However, I ended up ordering a cup of the attendant's second favorite, the Peanut Butter and Chocolate.

(Please take note that if you are with me and I start to order an ice cream cone, you must talk me off the ledge...I can't do cones! It is a long and horrifying story. Let's just say the result will be catastrophic).

Back to my story... If peanut butter and chocolate were to have a love child, it would come out tasting just like this flavor. The peanut butter based cream and thick chunks of rich chocolate, produced a mixture with the best traits from both parents. I would babysit for this child any night of the week and I would probably even let it stay up past it's bedtime.

Visit number three came after a tough workout at the gym. I was ready to get my chocolate on once again. First I sampled a Hazelnut Chocolate, which was good but didn't knock my socks off. I am a fan of hazelnut, especially with chocolate. But the hazelnut flavor in this mixture was a bit weak for my tastebuds. So I moved on to my next sampling selection, the S'more. This one proved to be a winner. I was expecting it to have a chocolately base, but was actually delighted to find the mushy graham cracker stood out, along with chunks of chocolate of course. Unfortunately there was only a little bit of marshmallow goodness. The more ewey, gooey marshmallow, the better right? Overall, I was happy with my choice and would gladly ask for S'more!

The Comfy Cow's micro creamery has developed around 70 different flavors including the "Signature" options and others that are rotated throughout the year. They are also well known for their amazing array of specialty sundaes and ice cream pies, whose cookie crusts are made from scratch. Yum, yum. This local biz currently has two locations, in the east end at Westport Village and near the University of Louisville at Cardinal Towne. And I don't want to get too excited, but I have heard a buzz that there might be a store opening in my neck of the woods, off Frankfort Avenue. I truly appreciate that there is a "Foodie Flavor" featured every week and I am hoping to return soon to sample some Fall flavored creations.

The next time you want to indulge and cool off with an ice cream, don't hesitate to ask me to join you at the Comfy Cow. Just remember, I don't do cones. Don't even mention them around me. But on a lighter note, live to eat!!

Hillbilly Tea

http://hillbillytea.com/

Imagine yourself enjoying a chilly mason jar of organic iced tea with your favorite little brother on a blazing hot day. Add to this scenario a trendy, low key, and ecclectic atmosphere with wholesome Appalachian inspired cuisine, and you might just have the perfect Sunday afternoon. We sat in one of the wooden booths and were given both breakfast and tea menus as our server listed off the daily specials. I went for the classic peach tea and Michael chose a green tea with ginger and jasmine.We noted the cool wall decor which includes colorful, abstract artwork that is framed along a brick wall and painted onto a fabric, hung at the far end of the room. There are many other pieces that tie into the mountain theme such as a rocking chair with a country quilt laid on top. Upon entering the room, you will see a counter to the left that features a multitude of teas and desserts. There is a shovel and a wicker kitchen chair that hang from the side walls, a wagonwheel sitting on top an old kitchen cupboard, and a few mini schoolhouse chairs scattered about. Ironically this "Hillbilly"cafe is situated in the heart of downtown. Sitting at 120 First Street (in between Main and Market Street), I think it brings the best of the "backwoods" - cuisine and culture, to my beloved Louisville.

I was so caught up in this fun and relaxing atmosphere, that I wasn't even a little prepared to place my order when the server arrived with our teas. However Michael, always the decisive one, announced he was all set on the Hillbilly Breakfast Platter. I looked at the menu over and over and considered options such as the Moonshine Breakfast with bourbon pork chop and eggs, the Skillet Pancake, and Poached Eggs on a Buttermilk Biscuit. I finally decided on the Hillbilly Nola - granola made from scratch with housemade yogurt. Unfortunately, we arrived after the breakfast rush hour that left them with no granola! So with pressure building on me to decide, I changed my game a little, and in the heat of the moment, I blurted out "Scrambled Eggs with Succotash". Both Michael and our fun server gave their approval with a nod stating, "Nicely Done ".

Speaking of nice, the teas tasted so incredibly pure that there was no need to alter the flavor by adding any sugar. As we waited for our food, I told Michael about the uniquely refreshing bubblegum iced tea that I purchased a few weeks prior from the Hillbilly Tea tent at a local festival. I highly recommend it. My succotash included a mix of white and pinto beans with some corn, a little tomato, and an amazing array of herbal flavoring that was tough to pinpoint. I definitely tasted hints of basil which is my favorite. This flavor was present in the scrambled eggs too. I felt the corn and tomatoes could  have made more of an appearance but I was satisfied overall and would order this comforting dish again. Michael's platter included scrambled eggs and two toast sticks which he said were borderline burnt. However, he relished the crispy potato cake draped with a light cheese and the petite, yet succulent bison patties. He also appreciated the orange slice and single strawberry that added some sweetness to the platter.

One might expect to walk away from a hearty breakfast table feeling bloated from an overabundance of grease and salt. Fortunately that is not the case at this establishment as the chef takes great pride in using the most simple and fresh ingredients that are sourced locally. The portion sizes were big enough to fill our stomachs but not bust our buttons open like any gluttonous breakfast diner or even some other trendy brunch cafes would surely do. I mean don't get me wrong, I love to pig out every now and then but I've got to keep my buttons in place if I want to keep my body rockin.

As for service, it was prompt and all the wait staff were very attending. We particularly enjoyed our down-to-earth server who was quite chatty. He was full of compliments and he even apologized for not delivering our food personally due to his serving a big party of tourists. We will definitely be dining here again and plan to check out the lunch menu and the new upstairs area that is in the works.  

So the next time you are craving an organic tea or a "backwoods" brunch platter that won't bust your buttons or your bank, I suggest you head downtown to Hillbilly Tea. It's where the Holladays like to have their tea parties. Live to eat!