Rick's Chophouse in McKinney

On Tuesday afternoon we dined at Rick's Chophouse in McKinney. We have been out to the McKinney square several times, but had yet to try this spot. The lunch crowd was still pretty thick at 1:30 and they had a decent sized luncheon menu. We both opted for the duo- you had your choice (2) of half a sandwich, a lunch portion salad, or a cup of soup. The soup of the day was potato soup, so naturally we both had to order that. It was served topped off with a layer of cheddar cheese and bacon. Creamy and homemade- this was a lovely start.

First up: half a chicken salad sandwich. This chicken salad, made with celery seed, white meat chicken, and just the perfect amount of mayo, was served on a croissant with a bacon, lettuce, and Swiss cheese!

The pulled pork sandwich served with pickled onions and jalapenos was our other choice. The meat was decent, but the sauce is what sold it. It was almost jammy with a bit of a kick.

We couldn't resist ordering a side of the bacon and cheese mashers! We received such a large portion that we had to leave half on the plate, but we sure enjoyed them as a side treat!

We enjoyed Rick's and McKinney!

Whiskey Cake Cafe in Plano

On Thursday we tried a place that has been getting a lot of buzz lately- Whiskey Cake Cafe. This joint is located in Plano off of the North Dallas Tollway, and they focus on farm to table fresh food. They grow their own herbs and even have a small herb garden around the side of the restaurant.

We arrived at around 6:45 p.m. and there was a 15 minute wait. The hostess took our phone number and texted us when our table was ready- we approve of this new use of technology and can't wait for more spots to get on board.

Buy your own preserves or pickled items from the kitchen!

While waiting at the bar, we ordered wine for the evening. We liked that they had groupings of wine sorted by price ( $25 and $35 bins). Apparently, Wednesday evenings are half price wine nights for the ladies, darn that we missed that! They also offer beer and specialty cocktails.

After we received the text that our table was ready, we were seated and given a brief description of the restaurant. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and helped us with our magnificent food choices. We started with the hummus, which tasted like something we could make at home, and then shared the chicken and spinach salad. Next, we opted for the piggy sliders. The piggy sliders were a show stealer. The shredded pork was matched up with tangy slaw and then topped with a super spicy pickle. The combo was beautiful.

Finally, we HAD to get the Whiskey Cake. Man, oh man, was this cake scrumptious. It was the right degree of cake dredged in gooey-ness...then topped with a overly generous "dollop" of homemade whipped cream. It would be a crime to go to this joint and not try this cake. That good.

This place was cute and we liked the farm to table concept they are bringing to Dallas. We enjoyed our evening full of southern charm and delicious dishes.

The Dish: 3 Little Pigs AND the Whiskey Cake

Scardello: Italian Wine and Cheese Class

Scardello is truly a gem and I'm glad to be on their mailing list. If you're not - you're definitely missing out. Last night was the Italian wine and cheese class, which I was more than happy to attend and sample.

Cheers!

The Italian wine and cheese class offered up 4 wines, each paired with two to three amazing cheeses. Each pairing is discussed - right down to how the cheese is created, cheese wheels and wedges are available for your viewing, and then you conduct your very own taste test.

I love this little handout - it reminds me of what I want to try once I get home.

All in all, I find it to be a very wonderful process. I've taken several of the classes, and each time I find a cheese that is beyond delicious, something that I would not have picked for myself. Plus, the price is excellent for four glasses of wine plus artisan cheese. The conversation is good, the atmosphere is relaxed. I always leave pleased with my experience!


If classes aren't you're thing, Scardello offers up happy hour specials, Late Night events complete with jazz, and even lunch time sandwiches made with their delicious and inspiring cheese. Whatever appeals to you, make sure you drop in and visit this Dallas treasure!

The Dish: Buy a sliver of the Sottocenere. And a box of the dried cherries.