Everything Really Is Bigger: TX Visit, Part II

Even though my Dallas trip may be almost a week behind me at this point, I'm definitely still in a Texas state of mind! If you didn't catch part one of my trip, check it out, it was amaZAing (wink, wink).

Now, you didn't think I was gunna leave you without sharing food pics galore did ya!? Nope!

The first night in town we ate at one of my new fav restaurants, Whiskey Cake in Plano. The food, drinks and especially the whiskey cake was out of this world! I mean c'mon, my favorite bourbon (Buffalo Trace) was made into cake - genius!

I immediately love any restaurant that pays tribute to one of my favorite movies, Steel Magnolias. My colors are "blush and bashful"... I had to send this to Jess and Allie (of Alexandra Bee Blog) as it reminded me of girls weekend (see that here)!

Love the lightbulb and rosemary vases!

 

This Local TX Goat Cheese Fondue was UN-believable!

Best Fried Green Tomatoes I've ever had. Ever.

The Local Board was awesome too. I love how they write on their chalkboard where everything came from locally.

BBQ smoker-style fireplace outside!

The bar was awesome, obviously because of all the whiskey, but also because you could see right into the kitchen too!

I ordered the Brisket which came over White Cheddar Poblano Grits and Tomatillo Apple Salsa.

A little dessert drink called The Nuts! It was like a creamy bourbon on the rocks with candied pecans on top!

How cool is this light? I'm thinking its totally man cave material.

Yep, that was the main attraction... the Whiskey Cake! It was made up of toffee torte, Buffalo Trace Bourbon anglaise, spiced pecans and whipped cream! Perfection!

Check out the full menu here.

The next night in Dallas, we had dinner while we played at one of the coolest places ever, Top Golf. I'm not a huge fan of golf per se, but this putting range turned basket/target game was the bomb.com.  The full bar, awesome weather and atmosphere also made it a big win!

Essentially, its a double deck putting green where you play either against each other or against teams in different bays. You win points by getting your golf ball (that's tracked via RFID) into the baskets in those different targets. The farther away and closer to the flag, the more points you get.

You could really spend time just hanging out elsewhere too, like in the lounge, playing yard games (including giant Jenga) and putt-putt too.

The food was pretty delish too, including this mexican flatbread (you're killing my diet here TX!).

I found out the nearest Top Golf to me is in Alexandria, VA. I think this summer I'll have to gather my friends, hop in a bus and have a day trip out there!

Needless to say, my first time in Texas was a success. I already can't wait to go back to Dallas and try all the other cool places that I heard about too. Some other suggestions I received included Milk and Honey Boutique (via the lovely Caitlin of Southern Curls and Pearls), The Truck Yard and Taverna (via local Texan Marie of Progression By Design).

Now I'm going to go drink my lemon water, eat some broccoli and dream about the deliciousness and fun I was having a week ago from today...

PS: I would love more Dallas suggestions for my next visit! What are your favs?

Everything Really Is Bigger: TX Visit, Part I

One of the great perks of my job is that every now and then I get to hop on a plane and travel to cool places. Like Texas! 

This past week I got to visit Plano and Dallas Tuesday afternoon and all day Wednesday, flying out on Thursday morning. It was a quick, but great mix of work and play. On the play side, we ate some great food and went to Top Golf, where I had the most fun I've ever had with a golf club in my hands! More to come on this later.

First, I just have to jump right into my stay at Hotel Zaza while in Dallas for two nights. Oh wait, excuse me, Hotel Za as the cool kids say. The Zaza is a luxury boutique hotel in Uptown Dallas that's rich in decor with lots of bling, velvet, unique art and photography.

The Za by night and day.

While I stayed in a "normal" room, I'm already crossing my fingers for a themed room the next time around (like the Far East or Shag-A-Delic - check out all 23 here) along with some time to take a dip and sip by the amazing poolside. I love POPSUGAR's recap here!

Here's a look at my room...

Even the room numbers and evacuation plans were in beautiful gold bamboo frames!

All the furniture, including that beautiful velvety chocolate sofa was so comfy! And yes the pillow says, "Hey Beautiful, We love Ya!".

How cool are these bathroom lights? They remind me of an Oscar.

"I'm Busy Putting On My Makeup"

There she is, The Queen herself, Queen Latifah (as teased on my Instragram feed)! Don't you just die over this picture, that's a cheetah beside her chair btw.

I wanted to take this headboard home, I love this fabric!

How cute is that little stool up there? I wanted to take that home too.

The robes were so comfy! Ahhhh... I can't image how nice the ZaSpa would be.

The shampoo and everything was C.O. Bigelow and was an awesome lavender peppermint scent, made specially for The Zaza!

A candle was lit on my bedside table when I came in for the night.

All the little pieces of furniture everywhere were brilliant. This chair has an embroidered, "Sit On Me" message.

I loved their tone of writing and different typefaces on all the pieces.

Here's my next DIY. A power strip attached conspicuously to the side of the bedside table to charge all your devices.

The butler's pantry on the floor was stocked in the morning with yummy coffee, juices and tea.

Oh and that was just my room y'all! Here's some peeks at the awesome lobby and Dragonfly restaurant.

That's a "mood" chandelier that changes colors!

 

Don't you love that faux-grass wall at the front desk! You're also greeted in the lobby with this large, plush, Moroccan-style daybed. Maybe I'll slightly mimic this in my house by purchasing this World Market version.

I've been on the hunt for great coffee table books and The Za had plenty of ideas!

Here's a sneak peek of the restaurant and bar, it had such a cool vibe.

 

I'm so in love with all the hanging individual lights above, as well as those black and white pillows.

I can't even begin to explain to y'all how amazing all the photography was. In the bar and just walking down the halls to my room.

  

I unfortunately had no fun celebrity sightings even being there so close to the Final Four, but apparently Yahoo Total Travel says its the number eight place for star gazing in the US.

People like Michael Jordan and Britney Spears stay here when they're in town. Oh and some of my guilty reality favs too, like The Kardashians and the RHOOC. As reported here, here and here.

See, everything really is bigger in Texas y'all! Stay tuned for more details on the ridiculously amazing food and golf outing we took too!