Mama Pita, a Taste of the Mediterranean in Dallas

 I’ll be the first to admit I don’t have a lot of credibility when it comes to judging Tex-Mex or BBQ; and although I’ve had a whole lot of steaks in my day and been to  plenty of very, very good steakhouses, I’ll grant that I don’t have a much authority when it comes to steaks either. But, when it comes to Middle Eastern food, I’ve got the creds to stand with anyone this side of Beirut.  I’ve been to Mama Pita (https://www.facebook.com/Mamapita) in Plano a few times, and I am definitely a fan. Middle Eastern food varies pretty significantly depending on where you are (Greece, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, etc.).  Mama Pita describes itself as a “Mediterranean Grill” and they pull aspects of

food from throughout the region. The easiest way to describe it is a Middle Eastern Chipotle.  First, you tell them what you want (wrap, salad or platter), and then you can choose from a variety of dips such as hummus, baba ghanouj (which is similar to hummus, but made with eggplant).  Next, you can choose which type of salad you want including fetoush (a mixed salad with vegetables, toasted pita bread, and herbs), couscous (chick peas, tomatoes, onions, etc) and orzo (orzo pasta with feta cheese and vegetables); along with potatoes or rice Then you pick which meat you want (chicken beef, shrimp…..along with the option of getting falafel); along with all of the fixings to go with it.  The staff is very friendly and does a good job explaining all of the food to customers, most of whom I am guessing can’t tell the difference between fetoush and falafel, and asking if customers needs anything while dining.  The flavors are very good, a little underseasoned for my pallet, but I’m also used to lots of seasoning; the words “too much garlic" were never uttered at home.”; but plenty of seasoning for the average pallet.  The décor is industrial; concrete floors and brick walls, which are contrasted with large images of the fresh food and scenes from the “old country”.  The food is very good here, and with the all of the options, someone can go countless times without having the same meal twice.  I’ve been there around five times, and haven’t had a bad meal….but who’s counting?


Here is a piece from NBCDFW about mama pita:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/the-scene/food-drink/Experience-Authentic-Mediterranean-at-Mama-Pita-130008503.html

Just like mama used to make!

Beef kebab with orzo, potatoes, fetoush salad and humus

Look familiar?

The Quest for Good Pizza in Dallas Begins

Shortly after I moved to Dallas, I had lunch with a friend from New York City who basically told me I shouldn't bother eating the pizza here.  Knowing plenty of New Yorkers who would say you can't find a good slice of pizza west of the George Washington Bridge, I certainly took what he said with a grain of salt. I lived in New York for a few years and visited plenty.  I have also had plenty of pizza there, everything from a 3am slice to soak up alcohol to a dimly lit romantic Italian restaurant.   As someone from DC, I will readily admit the pizza around DC (or Boston or Philadelphia for that matter) can't touch the pizza in New York.
     At lunch, one of my friend's co-workers suggested Coal Vines, which he seemed to grudgingly grant was edible.   I thought I would begin my quest for good pizza in Dallas there.  I went to the new location in Plano, in the Legacy Town Center.  Given the fact that it opened fairly recently (in April), and it was a Friday night, it was pretty crowded when we arrived. There was a 30-minute wait for a party of two.  Thankfully we were able a swoop in and grab a seat at the bar.   The place is pretty dark, with exposed brick, and walls of black shelves full of bottles of wine.  Near the bar there was a larger than life black and white print of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin; they had the music to match.   I'm definitely no wine connoisseur, but they certainly had an impressive wine menu I had the Banfi Chianti Classico, which was flavorful and smooth.  The meal started with the bruschetta, which came with oven-roasted tomatoes and goat cheese on half the pieces and fresh mozzarella and basil on the other.  Both were very good. Flavors were on point, generous amount of olive oil, but certainly not greasy by any means, bread was fresh with the great balance of crispy without feeling like you're biting into a piece of bark and soft in the middle.
     But now the heart of the matter, because let’s face it, what really matters at a pizza joint isn’t the wine or bruschetta.  We got a half Bolognese and half regular pie.  First, the pizza came out barely room temperature.  It seemed like it had been sitting out for a while.  By the time I bit into a third slice, it was down right cold.  I’ve experienced the service being a bit off at new restaurants, and it was a busy Friday; but they have been open since the spring and one would think that since it was busy, food would come out fast and hot rather than cold.  I also noticed that the couple seated next to us ordered soup, and it arrived the same time as their pizza (the bartender did offer them a dessert to make up for it for them, no such luck for us).  As far as taste, the pizza was very good.  The crust was soft inside with a little crispness on the outside.  The Bolognese half with tomato sauce, mozzarella, Bolognese meat and Béchamel sauce was very flavorful, not heavy or oily.  The regular half with Coal Vines tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan was also quite good. I certainly have no complaints 

about the taste of the pizza; I just wish it would have come out hot.

    I’m not ready to concede that great pizza can be found in Dallas, but it’s certainly enough to keep me looking.

Bread Winners Café & Bakery

Coffee was very good, and most importantly kept coming

I’ve been to my fair share of Greek diners up and down the East Coast.  The great thing about Greek Diners is their menus are 80% the same no matter where you go.  There was a Greek Diner near my house back home where my friends and I would go very often.  It wasn’t exactly the height of culinary excellence, but as far a comfort food and a laid back place to go, it was all one could ask for.  It was especially good for breakfast after a night of beverages.  I haven’t been able to find any Greek Diners around, although there are plenty of diners. 

Southwest Migas

This past weekend I was looking for a good breakfast.  I had read and heard good things about Bread Winners Café & Bakery (www.breadwinnerscafe.com) so decided to try there (it was rated as one of the best breakfasts in Dallas according to D Magazine, click here for the review.  Just to be clear: this is definitely not a diner; as you may guess from the name.  They have fresh baked pastries and bread, all along with full lunch and dinner menus.  The first and most important thing I need for a good breakfast (especially after a night of going out) is coffee.  The coffee was very good, and thanks to our server who was on point, my cup was never empty.  When we sat down there were a few free pieces of pastries, it was a decent sampling.  It was enough to get my appetite going, but not enough for me to order muffins or pastries for breakfast.  I decided to go with the Southwest Migas which included: eggs, tortilla strips, chorizo, onions, peppers, cheddar cheese, jalapeños along with salsa with potatoes, toast (I opted for an English muffin), and tortillas.  The eggs came with the tortilla strips, chorizo, onions, peppers, and cheese mixed in; the salsa and jalapeños came in separate cups.  The flavors mixed together very well, the chorizo was well seasoned without being overpowering.   The tortillas were okay, not the best I’ve had here (which is saying something considering I’ve lived in Dallas for about 20 minutes).  Overall, not only was the breakfast really good but very filling.  It was the kind of meal that just sits in your stomach.   If it sounded like just the thing to cure to hangover it was!  The crowd seemed to be a mix of younger people hanging out, families there after the kids’ morning game, and older folks.  We sat on the patio at the location in Plano; I assume the uptown location has a greater percentage of younger people.  As far as breakfast goes, Bread Winners was absolutely a winner in my book….regardless of what you do the night before. 

Breakfast taco