Lambert's

I feel so cliche in writing this review because I'm basically going to tell you everything you've already read about Lambert's, except I'll attempt to interject my lame sense of humor and it will end up being longer than necessary.

When I first read about Lambert's opening in the old location of Pedro's Trailer Park I was really excited. This self-imposed hype was based solely off its name - Lambert's: Steaks, Seafood and Whiskey. The name is cool and perfect for Fort Worth. Steaks trace to the Stockyards; Whiskey to Hell's Half Acre, and of course... Seafood from the Trinity.

But then the reviews started coming. Everybody agreed the menu looked good but that preparation and presentation were lacking. Lots of reviews noted that they were just shy of getting it right.

I was skeptical about going, but one day for lunch I made my way over there. The restaurant is on White Settlement between the Land Rover Dealership and Mercedes Boots. Which is convenient for those of you that drive Range Rovers and wear pointy toed red leather boots. That's not fair. I have a pair of Mercedes boots and they're Classic Cowtown Cowboy. If I can just get a Range Rover.

The menu at Lambert's looks terrific. The entrees, sandwiches, salads and everything else really provide some great options with a lot of variety. This alone really makes this a place to go because you can always get something different and laugh at your friends for always getting the same thing. You know those people. They go to Kincaid's and always get the burger....wait...

My meal was delicious. I ordered the Porterhouse Pork Chop with green chili grits. The pork chop was tender, perfectly cooked and seasoned and had very little trichinosis (I'm not a doctor, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express...thank you...I'll be here all night). It was served on a giant pile of green chile grits. I'm a fan of this new-age grit. This is what happens when southerners get out more. I can't wait for croissants and gravy. The only problem with my grits were that they had very little flavor. Maybe this was intentional. The texture was great but the flavor was very mild. I know a lot of restaurants intentionally shoot to underflavor....

I would also like to point out that the menu says the dish comes with apple walnut slaw. I think my plate had a spoonful of this so called slaw. It looked more like somebody else's food fell onto my plate. It tasted great, but there wasn't enough. Fix that Lambert.

But, the reason I say this review is going to be cliche is because everybody else had a small complaint about their food. The meat in the steak frites was a little overcooked. The vegetables with the Natural Smoked Chicken (chocolate chicken) were a bit dry. Lambert gives poor massages. Don't ask. And its a shame that these the complaints. Everybody loved their dish and the food, but all pointed out these little issues.

For the price, you don't really expect to have this many mistakes. And the sad thing is that none of the dishes were bad. None of the problems were meal killers. They were all just so obvious because of the price. If the meal was ten dollars cheaper nobody would say anything.

With all of that being said... I think the menu gives the diners so many options that you can try a number of cool items and hopefully the kitchen gets everything right. The restaurant has a really cool vibe and look and would be great for a date, a family, or a group of friends.

I will go back, but I really hope I don't have the same experience because Lambert's has great potential. Its worrisome that I have heard the same stuff from numerous people though.

Give it a chance and let me know what you think.

Margie's Original Italian Kitchen

I have now had this blog for over a year and from the start, people have said I have to go to Margie's. Because of my general distrust of all random people on the internet (ever since that awkward Craigslist incident) I rarely believe them (just kidding). However, this time I have suffered the consequences of my procrastination and mistrust.

Margie's is on Spur 580/Camp Bowie West, past Loop 820 (East Abilene) and is located in the upscale area next to the Knotty Pine Bar. The restaurant has been around since 1953 and has apparently figured out the "good italian food" thing. I'm ashamed that I've been in this area my entire life and only been to this restaurant once.

The Mrs. and I went over to Margie's for dinner one night after finally giving in to all the recommendations (and needing a restaurant on that side of town). As we approached, we were skeptical, but only because we felt like I needed to grow a mustache and change my name to Dale and she needed to change her name to Rhonda. I don't know why I would think that but the Knotty Pine probably had something to do with it.

If you haven't been - raise your hand [/everybody looks at me] - its a small restaurant with approximately 20 tables at the front and a bar in the back. There's also a jukebox that plays country and oldies (from what I heard) and I'm hoping to find out there is some Journey. It's quaint by all means and immediately makes you think you're about to get something special. I was just hoping it was food.

Our waiter recommended a bunch of stuff but I'm a tool and always get the chicken parmigiana. My wife got the spaghetti and meatballs. Bold move on both parts... We were actually conducting a very distinct and highly scientific test. There are four things an Italian restaurant must get right: sauce, chicken parmigiana, bread and meatballs. And fettuccine alfredo. And wine. And salad. And mafia hits.

I'm glad to report that the high standards set by the Hole in the Wall crew were exceeded.

In my opinion, the marinara sauce at most places is wrong. It's usually sour/tangy or too sharp. Many places don't take into account that sauces that make you pucker are better used for paint stripper. Margie's sauce is smooth and just a bit sweet and has a terrific taste. Check.

The chicken parmigiana dish is normally screwed up by every place in the world. It's supposed to be thin and crispy. Check. Its supposed to have cheese but not be mistaken for a piece of queso flameada. Check. Its supposed to be covered in marinara. Check. Good marinara. Double check. On the side of my chicken parmigiana came a surprise...not just spaghetti, but fettuccine alfredo. Good fettuccine. Creamy and flavorful. Check.

Wine. Check. Comes in little glasses, just like they drink out of in Serbia or where ever wine glasses are not available.

Meatballs. Tender and juicy with a delicious flavor. After checking with the waiter we discovered that they were in fact cooked in the sauce. Can you believe some people don't do this? Of course you can - you believe most of my lies. Don't you? Great meatballs. Check.

But quite possibly the greatest part of this entire meal was the bread. The bread was hot and buttered up and was perfect for dipping in the marinara. It probably helped that we got it comped but it would still be worth it if I had to trade in the kid at the next table. Check.

The salad was also good and didn't come with that lame excuse for dressing of marinara sauce with some extra oil in it. The salad also had more than just lettuce. Check.

So all in all, it was a wonderful meal. I feel like Will Ferrell in Old School when he's talking about the big party the next day and he keeps saying "I had an AWESOME time", even though all of his friends know that. You all knew I'd enjoy it. You don't mind if I tell everybody you're my friends right?

I had an AWESOME time. The food was great, the service was great and the atmosphere is perfect for a small hole in the wall.

If you haven't been, you're the only person left and we're all talking about you now on our social networking website (http://www.peoplewhohavebeentomargies-space.com/). Jealous much?

When you go, if you hear some Journey and see some guy eating the chicken parmigiana and singing along, say hi and we can talk like we're two regulars in our favorite Italian joints. AWESOME.

Cafe Modern

Volvo
Starbucks
Neiman Marcus
Cashmere Pullover
Loafers

Brunch

The Mrs. and I decided one Sunday that breakfast was in order. As we discussed where to go, time passed and lunch approached. But alas, we weren't hungry for lunch. What's a yuppie to do? Go eat brunch. And how do ultimate yuppies brunch? At the Modern Art Museum...but of course.

I'm actually watching Frasier right now to get in the mood to type.

We went to Cafe Modern after hearing numerous good reviews, including the one from frequent reader/commenter Stephanie, regarding the tiramisu pancakes. So off we dashed into the world of latte's, bellinis and Burberry carmats.

If you haven't been, Cafe Modern is inside the Modern Art Museum and overlooks the water and the new development at University and 7th. It's the prime place to plan your next shopping trip to Northpark. But let me tell you, even if you choose to purchase your dirty rags you call clothes at the gap or whatever hole you people shop at now, you can still enjoy Cafe Modern (although you'll no doubt ruin it for me).

We started off with a bread basket. For many people, this means buttered rolls. At Cafe Modern, this includes little muffins (we call them muffinnettes) and scones. Yes, the want-to-be-well-to-do eat scones at every meal. You should be so lucky. The Mrs. also had a mimosa. I wanted one of the flavored ones but was concerned about the impact on my masculinity. So instead I noshed on my scone and sipped my iced tea.

If you've been a reader for awhile, you're aware of the fact that I consistently out-order my wife. Unfortunately my streak has ended. Twice in a row, I have been out-ordered (Yucatan and Cafe Modern). I opted for the cuban sandwich with a side of soup. She opted for the tiramisu pancakes. I was wrong. She won.

The cuban sandwich was delicious and the soup (Caldo Gallego) may have tasted exactly like its supposed to. However, I can't imagine why anybody would intentionally make a soup that tastes like burnt. Just burnt. Creamy, orange burnt. I imagine it is what University of Texas alums drink before each game. The sandwich was fresh with nice crispy bread and was well proportioned. But it was brunch. I should never have ordered a sandwich at brunch. The ladies at the Junior League will be teasing the Mrs. about this faux pas for months.

She ordered the tiramisu pancakes. They did not come in a little tiramisu dish. But they definitely had all the right flavors. Plus it came with a side of bacon. So, obviously I lost on the side plate alone. How can anything beat bacon? The pancakes not only had good flavor, they were also fluffy and perfectly cooked (no burnt pieces). The pancakes also come with marscapone cheese (similar to cheddar, but with a completely different flavor, texture and smell) and kahlua syrup. It all made for a delicious meal which was perfect for a brunch time yuppie.

So, all in all, it was a wonderful meal that solved that problem of what to do when you've missed breakfast but aren't ready for lunch. And it gives us something to laugh about at our next coffee shop meeting, a la Frasier, Friends, Seinfeld, etc.

If you go, please let me know if there is something that's better than the pancakes. I need to catch up and out-order.

If you don't drive a volvo, let me know where you park so we don't run into each other. Those awkward moments at the door make it so difficult to stomach my meal. Enjoy.