Tag Archives: Del Frisco’s Grille

Foodie Friday: The delightful & delicious Del Frisco’s Grille Opens in Santa Monica

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I’ll be honest.

The Del Frisco’s Grille launch party at the Santa Monica Pier a few weeks ago meant A LOT more to me than one of the standard tastings I usually attend.

At the Del Frisco's Grille opening in Santa Monica - the best of Texas on the west coast? I've died and gone to foodie heaven!

Why, you ask? Because…
1) It’s like my two worlds have collided – what with my favorite steakhouse of all-time coming to the Cali coast. Y’all have no idea what delectable deliciousness you’re in store for.
2) The service was straight-up Texas. Never an empty glass, an empty plate or a face without a smile.
3) Take that customer service a giant step further! I received a THANK YOU NOTE (remember what those are?) from my waitress, Ashley, from Idaho. Yep, seriously.

Customer Service with a smile at Del Frisco's Grille: A Thank You note from my waitress on my 1st visit, Ashley

4) I met Jason Lewis from Sex & The City…which, um, I didn’t haaate (as you can see in this picture).

TryToBeCool, Dawn. TRY. TO. BE. COOL. With the also-delicious Jason Lewis (of Sex & The City fame) at the Del Frisco's Grille Santa Monica opening

To be honest, these are the moments I return to my early days as a cheerleader. Full of fun, full of hope and full of faith that my team will get the job done.
As I made my rounds abound the room, the one thing I heard on repeat from all of my fellow guests and fellow media attendees was this: “Can you believe this service?” or “This is the BEST service I’ve ever experienced.” Literally, I heard some variation of this AT LEAST 21 times. Not twenty. 21!!
My response, “Oh, of course. I grew up as a Dallas Del Frisco’s girl. It’s the only kind of service I know.”
Which might explain why my expectations are so high. And, unfortunately, why I’m often let down. After all, customer service is key with me, sugar!
No disappointment here – only delight. And we haven’t even gotten to the food and cocktails yet!

Cocktail'o'clock at Del Frisco Grille Santa Monica

Between the ice-cold, super fresh seafood (such as shrimp, salmon, oysters, clams and more)…

Fresh, tasty and ice-cold seafood bar at Del Frisco Grille Santa Monica

and delectable small bites such as slider burgers, sushi rolls and Philly cheesesteak eggrolls (ONE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS ON THE ENTIRE PLANET!!!)…

Small bites of sin at Del Frisco's Grille Santa Monica

and delectable desserts such as Nutella Bread Pudding and – the one I dream about – coconut cream pie as well as the “Adult Milkshake” nightcap cocktail…

Dessert & the cutest nightcap ever at Del Frisco's Grille Santa Monica

I left full and smiling from ear to ear…and fully satiated and delighted!

Antics on the red carpet at the Del Frisco's Grille Santa Monica opening

Listen, I know that Texans get a bad rap sometimes but this is one Texan transplant that has already won over its whole Cali constituency.
Del Frisco’s Grille is now OPEN!!
1551 Ocean Ave. – Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone (310) 395-7333 – [email protected]
xoxo,
BF
BF Asks: What restaurant from your hometown do you wish was in the city you live in now? 

Foodie Friday: Del Frisco’s Grille in Dallas – First In My Heart

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There are few things a Texan girl loves as much as her mama. Del Frisco’s steak is one of them.

Foodie Friday: Del Frisco's Grille in Dallas, Texas

After all, you always love your first. And while it may not have been my first steak, it’s the first steak I can remember as being utterly melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

I was raised on the stuff and it set a verrry high bar for a good steak. When you’re a Dallas Del Frisco’s girl, you expect a lot – and, unfortunately as a result, you are often disappointed at other steak-claiming establishments.

So I was thrilled to be invited to experience Del Frisco’s Grille in Dallas on McKinney. But being invited back to where my love of steak was born, I found myself a little nervous. Would it live up to the hype of my memory? Would the quality have suffered over the years? The answer? A resounding NO. In fact, if it’s possible, it even got BETTER.

Here’s what my tastebuds got to indulge in. And there wasn’t a below amazing taste among them.

CRAFTED COCKTAILS – TASTED, TRIED AND TRUE:

Del Frisco's Grile Crafted Cocktails: (clockwise from top right to left) Apt. 5D, Tennessee Peach and The VIP

TENNESSEE PEACH Jack Daniels, Fresh Peaches, Honey, Fresh Lime Juice – which tastes like the tastiest, spirited Peach Cobbler.

THE VIP Svedka Clementine Vodka Infused with Fresh Hawaiian Pineapple – reminiscent of a delicious pineapple sherbet from your youth.

APT. 5D Tito’s Vodka, Simple Syrup, Lemon Sour, Dash of Balsamic Vinegar, Muddled Strawberries  – straight up spirited strawberry jam.

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THE WINE :

Bodega Inurrieta Navarra Cuatrocientos, CV ($55)

Excellent wine pairing for our steak: Bodega Inurrieta Navarra Cuatrocientos, CV ($55)

 

Now, this was a mighty fine wine. And I have the sommelier to thank for this gem. It was his recommendation based on my preferences and he was spot on!

FOOD TO FIGHT OVER:

Food To Fight Over: (clockwise from left to right) Deviled Eggs, Ahi Tuna Tacos, Cheesesteak Rolls and Pimento Rolls

CHEESESTEAK EGGROLLS Sweet & Spicy Chili Sauce, Honey Mustard 10 – holy cheesteaks, Batman! These are gold!! I’d heard rumors of how yummy they were but they beat my highest expectations. And they were my mom’s favorite thing on the menu!

PIMENTO CHEESE FRITTERS Chipotle Ranch Sauce 9 – I loooooved these. They were one of my top faves of the evening. Fried & breaded with cheesy, southern pimento goodness inside. Melt-in-your-mouth and maybe a bit on your hands and chin, as well!

AHI TACOS Tuna Tartare, Avocado, Spicy Citrus Mayo  – Delicious, light and crispy.

DEVILED EGGS Truffle-Chive Vinaigrette – Yummy!

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RUFFAGE:

The Del Frisco's Classic Wedge Salad. A foodie must-try!

ICEBERG LETTUCE WEDGE Bacon, Tomato, Blue Cheese Dressing – I always think of Del Frisco’s whenever I enjoy a wedge salad. But few live up to my lettuce wedge first love. Happy to see it’s stayed the same over the years!

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DEL FRISCO’S SIGNATURE STEAKS:

CHEF'S SELECTION - A TRIO OF STEAK FEATURE

CHEF’S SELECTION – A TRIO OF STEAK FEATURE  – This Chef’s selection was divine and lived up to every memory I have of Del Frisco’s sumptuous, juicy steaks. One with crabmeat, one with beurre blanc and one with a peppercorn sauce. How do you do it, Del? The outside “crust’ is just the teensiest bit crispy and the inside is buttery smooth, juicy and divine. This is why Del Frisco’s is where all steak-lovers go to heaven.

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HAPPY ENDINGS:

Oh, you sweet temptress you, Del Frisco's Grille Java Roaster!

JAVA ROASTER – LIQUID DESSERT UV Coconut Vodka, Tres Leches, Esspresso Liqueur 6 – wheeeew boy! Got a nice, sweet little buzz with a jolt of java. And it’s a perfect dessert if you want just a bit of sweetness!

 

Del Frisco's Grille Coconut Cream Pie - a coconut cloud

COCONUT CREAM PIE with White Chocolate Shavings – a dreamy pillow of sweetness  – a cloud of coconut and white chocolate 

Yummylicious.

Thank you so much, Del Frisco’s Grille! The food was delicious and your staff was utterly delightful. I can’t wait to come back next time I’m in Dallas! And I CANNOT WAIT for the grand opening of the new Del Frisco’s Grille on the pier in Santa Monica. A little taste of home coming out to LA!! And you know what I say to that? Yeeeeehaaaaww!!!

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Nothing better than being invited to sample one of your favorite restaurants in your hometown with your two favorite dates.

Me & My Two Favorite Dates - my big brother, David and my mom, Clarice - at Del Frisco's Grille in Dallas

 

Oh and by the way – the other things a Texan girl loves? Willie Nelson, her daddy, her dog, her sorority sisters, her cowboy boots, her grandaddy’s cowboy hat and her hairstylist.

But steak is first in her heart.

 

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: What’s the best steak you’ve ever enjoyed?