Grand Lux Cafe - Part Restaurant, Part Vegas

After a fruitless attempt to eat at a particular Thai restaurant in town, my friend, Kristin and I decided to eat at the Grand Lux Cafe.  We have never been there before but Kristin had looked at the menu online.  I usually defer to her better judgement when it comes to all things foodie, so we went there.

The Grand Lux Cafe is located in north Dallas, adjacent to a high end shopping mall called the Galleria.  I have seen the place before in previous visits to the Galleria, and made note of the fact that this place has a certain Cheesecake Factory feel to it.  Come to find out, it's owned by the same company who owns the Cheescake Factory.

The inside decor of the Grand Lux is one of overblown opulence.  With its Venetian architecture, soaring ceilings, hanging chandeliers, and arabesque embellishments, Grand Lux has all the subtlety of a themed Vegas casino.  In fact, according to their website, Grand Lux was started when the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas, asked the owner of the Cheesecake Factory to open a restaurant for them.  There you go.

The Dining Area

The Bar

The menu was pretty extensive.  They had a lot to offer in terms of quantity and variety and the prices were pretty reasonable.  We went at lunch time so that helped.  I decided to try the lemon chicken piccata and Kristin ordered the double stuffed potato spring rolls, which was an appetizer.  Lunch time didn't necessarily mean lunch sized.  My order was huge and I was only able to finish half of.  It was pretty good, but I felt the pasta was a little under done.  To top it off, Kristin ordered the creme brulee duo.  A chocolate and vanilla plate of goodness with a crunchy, sugery top.  Very good!

I enjoyed my experience there, and I can't wait to go back and try what else they have on the menu.   I almost felt like when I was done, I should go a play the slot machines.  But wait, I'm not in Vegas.

Double Stuffed Potato Spring Rolls

Lemon Chicken Piccata

Creme Brulee Duo.

http://www.grandluxcafe.com/

The Texas State Fair

Like the state of Texas, everything must be done in proportion to its size.  The state fair is no exception.  It is big!  It is definitely one of those events that you need more than one day to take in.  We were there for about seven hours (mostly eating) and I think we only took in half of the fair.

Of course I went solely to embark on a deep fried extravaganza, and it didn’t disappoint.  Food was everywhere.  You definitely need to bring you appetite and a lot of money.  I ate six different things and got three drinks, so I probably blew through seventy bucks.

They had you typical fair food, but the Texas fair seems to be a breeding ground for unique items you can throw in the deep fryer.  They had deep fried Coke, Beer, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, meatballs, cheesecake, butter, pineapple upside down cake, and pumpkin pie, to name a few.

I was hungry when I got there so I wanted something that kind of resembled a lunch.  A lady at the AAPC seminar yesterday told me about a walking taco, so I decided to try that first.  A walking taco is basically beef, cheese, lettuce, onion, olives, sour cream, and guacamole, thrown into a bag of Doritos.  Very good!

Walking Taco

The second thing I got was called a donkey tail.  Not made from a real donkey, it was actually a beef frank and cheese wrapped in a soft tortilla shell and deep fried to perfection.  You could get it with chili but I was still reeling from the walking taco, so I chose not to.  Next year, I will.

Donkey Tail

Another thing I got was the deep fried pineapple upside down cake.  Pineapple upside down cake is my favorite, so you with think a fried version would be heaven.  Well it was.  Like deep fried Kool-Aid, it is kind of misleading.  Actually it’s just a slice of pineapple dipped in batter, fried, and served with whipped cream and a cherry.  You don’t get a whole lot, but it is good.

Deep Fried Pinapple Upside Down Cake

The deep fried pumpkin pie was true to its name.  Essentially pumpkin pie filling rolled in cinnamon, dipped in batter, and served with whipped cream. YUM!

Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie

It was getting later in the day, so I felt I needed some semblance of real meal. I decided to get the deep fried grilled cheese sandwich which was perfection on a plate.  Cheesy goodness served with a pickle, potato strings, and a tomato soup dipping sauce.  Wonderful!

Deep Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwich

By night fall, I was feeling hungry again, but I decided to end my gastro adventure on down note and stick with more familiar fare.  I settled for a cheeseburger and cup of Shiner Bock.  The cheeseburger was delicious and was great top off, to an awesome day.  I can’t wait for the fair next year.  I’ll go more than once and brings twice the money.

I didn't get this, but this is deep fried pizza.  Looks delicious.

Cowtown Coding Corral

Medical coders, like anybody in the medical field, have to continue their education even after they graduate.  I have to earn so many credits every year and submit them in order to maintain my coding credentials, especially since I am looking for a job.  No credentials, no job.

You can earn credits through attending seminars, online classes, online tests, or coding exercises.  Most of the stuff is pretty pricey even if you are member of the coding association.  There is one event coming up that in order for me to attend, it would cost me $695. OUCH!  There are free credits available but you only get one or half a one.

I heard about a coding seminar being held by a local chapter in Fort Worth called the Cowtown Coding Corral!  These coding events are a great way to meet people and network, which is why a lot of people attend these events, in addition to earning their credits.  They held a meet and greet at restaurant called Los Vaqueros which is near the historical district north of downtown Fort Worth.  Passing through here, you'll realize why they call Fort Worth Cowtown. 

I had a great time!  It was nice meeting the people who were members of chapter and organizers of the event.  They were super nice and very welcoming.  I talked to them for a long time and made some contacts.  Food wasn't that great.

The seminar the next day was an eight hour affair.  Topics ranged from coding procedures to different parts of the anatomy.  Coding is very interesting when you are doing it, but to sit there and listening to someone talk about all the upcoming changes in Medicare and Medicaid can be pretty boring.  It didn't help that I had a headache and my stomach was nauseated.  Of course, all the changes the government makes to Medicare and Medicaid is enough to make any one's head hurt.  I really feel sorry for physicians and the practices they try to run.  There is so much government regulation, no wonder healthcare is so expensive. 

I had a good time at the event.  The ladies who put it together put a lot of hard work into it, by giving it a cowboy theme, and providing breakfast and lunch.  They really made it fun, and people responded to it very well.  There was a lot of laughter.  I did some networking, made a few contacts, and got a few leads.  Let's hope that it translate into a career soon. Peace!

Finding The Right Church

Next to looking for a job and finding a good place to live, I really want to be able to find a good church to get plugged into.  I've been to a couple in the few weeks that I have been here and I liked what I have experienced so far.  Like a lot of important things, I don't want to rush into this decision.

I've visited three different churches so far: Watermark, Church on Rush Creek, and Gateway.  Watermark is my go to church in the Dallas area since I've been there before and I am familiar with it.

All three churches are really nice and share similar traits that appeal to me.  For one, all three are big.  Small churches are fine, but I like megachurches and Dallas is megachurch central.  Cool because for me, they offer more opportunities to get involved in ministry and meet new people.

Worship is dynamic and well done.  Kinda of a mix of worship service and rock concert.  Watermark is a little more somber, but Gateway and Rush Creek offered the most expressive and charismatic worship. 

These churches try to create a real sense of community.  The church campus is not just to place for Sunday school and a sermon.  The places I've visited so far are very comfortable and homey on the inside with couches, plush chairs, fire places, and the best feature, coffee shops!  I thought Watermark and Gateway were the best, and are usually open during the week so you can bring your laptop and order a cup of joe and relax.

I don't know where I'll end up.  I like all the extra trappings these churches offer, but that won't be what ultimately appeals to me.  I truly want to be Spirit led in this decision, and allow God to show me the place He has for me.  A place where I fit in, the truth of God's word is preached and respected, worship is dynamic, and the church is active in the community that surrounds it.

http://www.watermark.org/
http://www.rushcreek.org/
www.gatewaypeople.com

Twisted Root - A Religious Experience Between Two Pieces of Bread

Maybe it is my goal to eat at every burger place in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.  Twisted Root stands out to me because they have the best burgers I have ever tasted and it is located in a cool part of town called Deep Ellum.

Deep Ellum is an old warehouse district that has become home to Dallas's alternative culture.  It is a neighborhood with trendy shops, restaurants, bars, and live music.  Last time I visited Dallas, we went to Deep Ellum and I wasn't impressed.  I didn't think there was much too it.  I obviously didn't see this part, because my opinion has changed for the better.

The inside of Twisted Root has a pretty unpolished look about it.  One that may appeal more to a biker than a banker.  But that's okay.  It's a burger joint, and you don't need the elements of refinement like cloth napkins, dim lighting, or eating utensils.

You order at the counter and they give you a card with a name on it, which they will call on the loud speaker when your order is up.  I got to be Billy Madison.

You can build your own burger, but I decided to go with a burger with predetermined condiments.  I got the what they call the Big Tex(When in Texas, right?).  A half pound of beef served with chedder cheese, guacamole, fried onion strings, and chipotle sauce.  It had to be the BEST burger I've ever had.  My taste buds sung out in praise of the flavor explosion!  It was like biting into little, fat baby angels, that's how heavenly this burger was.  Coupled with an order of their really tasty fries and a bottle of Lonestar, my meal was perfect.  And filling!  I could hardly finish it.

What an awesome place Twisted Root is.  A must on anyone's to do list, if they happen to visit the Dallas area. 

Smashburger - Tastes Like Happy!

You know a hamburger is some greasy goodness when the grease drips from the hamburger and coagulates on the table.  As unappetizing as that may sound to some people; for me, it tastes like happy!  I love my hamburgers a big sloppy mess, especially with cheese!  I'm not satisfied unless I've gone through five or six napkins.  Why worry about your hands getting messy?  I mean, that is what soap and water is for, right?

There is a Smashburger near where I am staying, but I went to one in a part of Dallas called Uptown.  Uptown is a neighborhood that is what its name suggests: fine dining, high end retail, and high rise apartment buildings.  But not evey place is pricey.  There are some reasonable places to eat and shop for those who don't make a lot of dough, or those who don't make any dough, seeings how I am unemployed right now.

I got the Windy City Smashburger.  You can order your burgers in different sizes, so to go easy on my stomach and wallet, I got a small.  It was a delicious beef patty, with melted chedder cheese, haystack onions, and mustard, served on a pretzel roll.  I also got an order of smashfries, which are fries tossed with rosemary, olive oil, and garlic, and finally, a bottle of Firefighter's 4.  All in all, a little over eleven bucks.  Not too bad.  I can't wait to go back and try one of there chicken sandwhiches.

For my Kentucky friends, there is a Smashburger in Louisville on the corner of Shelbyville Rd and Hurstbourne.  I would highly recommend this place.

Maple and Motor - Low Class Cool

Maple and Motor bills itself as a grease stained tribute to low class cool.  Though the place lacked opulence or a sensory overloading, Vegas-style decor, I wouldn't consider it low class.  If anything, I would say, it was just straight forward.  Burgers is what they do, so that is what they are known for.

Since I've never been there before I decided to play it safe and order a cheeseburger with some fries.  I know, not very adventurous, but sometimes the best way to judge the quality of a restaurant is how they prepare familiar foods.  My cheeseburger was amazing, to say the least. A greasy hamburger patty with red onions, mustard, and a dill pickle relish.  The fries were tasty, but otherwise unremarkable.  Not a bad deal for what I got.  With cheeseburger, fries, and my drink, it only set me back about 12 bucks.

I would highly recommend this place.  Straightforward hamburger joint.  Not grease stained.  Not low class.  Just right.

This is obviously what they think of your ideas.

http://www.mapleandmotor.com/

Bishop Arts District

With Bardstown Rd, Frankfort Ave, and Downtown, Louisville enjoys a heavy concentration of art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and coffee shops.  There is nothing like walking up and down Bardstown Rd. and seeing block after block of unique places to shop and eat.  The Dallas area doesn't have that.  Though they enjoy all the things that people back home like, Dallas has it in scattered  pockets around town.  One of those pockets is the Bishop Arts District located in the Oak Cliff neighborhood.

The Bishop Arts District is, well.........small.  I believe it occupies about two blocks, but crammed into are a few cool places that give it character and make you want to come back.  Most notably for me is the Soda Gallery.  A cool place that offers carbonated beverages from around the world.  Then there is Oddfellows(restaurant), Dude, Sweet(chocolate), Espumoso(coffee and pastries), and Artisans Collective(unique art).

Some interesting art at the Artist Collective.

This place is small but it exudes a lot of charm.  My friend Kristin and I sat outside in front of Espumoso.  The weather was nice, the company was great, the pastry and drink I had was delicious, and we could both sit there enjoy the one past time that Bardstown Rd. afforded us: to people watch.

Might I recommend the Romeo&Juliet from Espumoso.  Guava and cream cheese wrapped in a flakey crust with sugar.  Awesome!

My First Rejection

I applied for a position at Baylor the other day.  It seemed like a position I was made for cause it combined my inventory control experience along with my training to work in the healthcare field at Spencerian.  Needless to say, I was turned down for the job.

This is not a blog entry to say, "Woe is me!".  I'm not discouraged.  Despite all the claims being made out there that a job in the medical field is a fast track to a great career, I understand that I may be in it for the long haul, and I may have to settle for a less than rewarding position just to get my foot in the door.

I think God understands that.  Better than me, it seems.  Throughout this past week, I've stumbled on just the right song on the radio, (Dallas has a couple of good Christian radio stations.) heard an encouraging sermon, or read just the right bible verse.  All of which reminding me that God cares and He will take care of me.  I may have been rejected for this position, but not by Jesus.