Lick Ice Creams (Austin)

Need to cool off during the upcoming Fourth of July weekend? I have just the right suggestion for this unbearably hot, spectacularly sunny Austin weather. Opened just this past year, Lick Ice Creams is already making its mark for homemade local goodness in every bite.

First of all, Lick's location is prime. Situated right next to my favorite lunch and dinner spots -- Henri's Cheese Shop and Barley Swine, respectively -- you won't be able to resist a scoop after a delightful meal. However, if you're not eating at one of the two neighboring restaurants, no worries! The drive down the funky, foodie-centric South Lamar is always an enjoyable one (after passing Whole Foods/Fifth Street traffic).

The ingredients are gourmet, and the flavors are distinctive (Texas sheet cake!?). The texture is smoother than most competitors', and the store has mastered the perfect-sized scoop that neither overwhelms nor underwhelms. Might I add that there is also an awesome t-shirt selection!

I'm sure you can't go wrong with any flavor option, but I personally recommend the Strawberry Basil if you're in a fruity mood, or the Caramel Salt Lick if you're feeling super sweet.

Please share your favorite Lick flavors!

Bottega Cafe (Birmingham)

When my mother and I only have 36 hours down in Birmingham, Alabama, we mean serious business in the food department -- especially after a three hour drive! Having spent a less than glamorous afternoon in the car two Tuesdays ago, I craved a top-notch dinner that did not require a fine dining vibe. Luckily, Bottega Restaurant understands this distinctive request. By pairing a white tablecloth option and trendy café side-by-side -- both providing excellent cocktails and plates -- diners can choose the atmosphere they desire more. In our case, it was Bottega Café. We were very pleased.

We met the Rosenthals, my mother's childhood friends, and immediately ordered cocktails after finding a table. The spot was packed to the brim with beautiful couples and groups of all ages.

The four of us munched on marinated olives (with dainty lemon twists) and homemade, extra crispy potato chips with charred onion dip. I enjoyed the smokiness of a classic Southern starter. The drinks were fabulous too, especially Bottega's famous "Orange Thing" (first photograph), served up in a martini glass. The sweetness of orang liquor and orange juice dangerously distracts you from realizing it's a strong vodka martini!

Not that you should be surprised, but I was craving pasta. So, naturally, I ordered the garganelli with crawfish, mushrooms, squash, white wine, and basil. Sweet and savory, light yet filling. I would order it again and again.

The others ordered crab cakes. Why? Because it was Tuesday. These heaping, sizzling cakes are only served once a week -- now deemed "Crabcake Day" at Bottega Cafe -- so my fellow guests generously shared a few bites with me. I now understand why the demand is so high!

I wish every day were Crabcake Day. . .

Strano Sicilian Kitchen And Bar (Memphis)

When a new restaurant opens in Cooper Young, I add it to the top of my must-visit list. But when an old friend opens a new restaurant in Cooper Young, I go running. Josh Steiner and his friendly staff have turned the "cursed" corner of the foodie intersection into a lunch and dinner hot spot, all due to the creative execution behind Strano Sicilian Kitchen and Bar. Opened just a few weeks ago to the public, the Italian kitchen is innovative and impressive, especially for a chef/owner my age!

Chef Josh immediately greeted us with a warm smile and hug. His genuine passion and grit were obvious as he explained the inspirations behind his rich menu. I requested that Josh pick out his favorites for us to try, adding a mystery approach to the "classic casual" dining experience. Immediately, he told us to order the following: fried olives, fennel all' arancia salad, grilled swordfish, and rack of lamb.

After ordering, you will be offered a complimentary choice of one of five bread options -- pizza bread, that is -- with infused lemon olive oil. I never, ever turn down bread and butter; but this unique starter immediately set Strano apart from any other Italian restaurant in the city. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the bread was addicting.

The olives were simply awesome. Super crisp and crunchy. I usually associate "fried" with grease, but this wasn't the case in the least. Plus, I am a huge olive fan, so the tang of a piping hot, cheese-stuffed green olive was fantastic. I wish I could replicate this finger food for a party!

The fennel and orange salad literally shaped the restaurant, according to Chef Josh. While there's a lot going on on the plate, each ingredient represents a Sicilian flavor component that has driven Josh to his culinary success today. See those unrecognizable yellow discs on top of the spring mix? Well, those are drops of olive oil, which have been transformed into solid discs on Chef's "anti-griddle." I watched the magic happen back in the kitchen -- liquids are cooled into a frozen solid consistency, which then reverses into a melt-in-your-mouth experience as soon as you take a bite. My mind is still blown over that artistry!

And holy moly, those lamb chops. The plate was sprawling with color and technique. The five lamb chops were plump and juicy with a sweet balsamic glaze. I was so into that glaze, that it became my new dipping sauce for the pizza bread. The grilled vegetables (from squash and zucchini to asparagus and a dome-smoked artichoke heart) were beautifully overwhelming. My mom and I couldn't manage to finish this plate, even together. So, while expensive on the menu, the size of these dishes were well worth the price.

The swordfish completely contrasted the lamb chops, which I found to be a nice juxtaposition on our table. A simple bed of housemade tagliatelle (my favorite pasta shape) was tossed in white wine, olive oil, lemon, and caper. The sizzling swordfish steak, lightly charred and seasoned with black pepper, was a lovely portion. I enjoyed (almost) every bite of this modest, clean plate.

And a surprise almond tiramisu to finish off the night? Yes please. Josh's spin on the classic was as sweet as it was innovative. Almond brittle pop rocks covered the top layer; and yes, the pop rock effect actually worked! Again, mind blowing.

Chef Josh's effort and culinary technique shine through every single plate. I look forward to sharing many more experiences in Strano -- I've got to try the famous Sicilian pizzas and paninis for lunch on the patio. Thank you, Josh, for showing Memphis that anything is possible with grit and passion!

Noble Sandwich Co. (Austin)

In an effort to eat more healthily during a mid-day lunch outing, I tend to steer clear of heavy sandwiches and, instead, choose a salad. A gorgeous salad ignites the feeling of, "Yes Cara! You ate your veggies and do not need to feel guilty....until dinner!" But obviously, there are few exceptions to this choice of mine. I have a fairly high standard of sandwich options that beat the leafy lunch while avoiding pangs of guilt.

Meet the Noble Sandwich Company.

High-quality ingredients, fresh breads and rich flavor combinations inspire this restaurant's attempt at mastering the art of sandwich making. I believe these guys have it pretty down pat. The 15-person line out the door of the Burnet location proves this true...wouldn't you say?

Jennifer and I ordered with much deliberation (as always), and we found ourselves waiting in an adorable picnic table area on the back patio. We sipped Topo Chicos in the sunshine, anticipating our sandwiches and hoping they were worth it. It = calories.

My Knuckle Sandwich arrived on a lightly toasted hoagie, piled with roast beef, horseradish, caramelized onions, and cheddar. I accidentally ignored the au jus on the side, which would have basically identified this sandwich as a glorified Philly Cheesesteak. Much better than most cheesesteaks, obviously.

Jennifer's Thai Chicken sandwich was ideal for the non-red-meat persona. The flavor was bold. The bread was toasty and fluffy. The jalapeño cabbage slaw (which I ordered separately as a side) provided crunch and color. Both of us would have substituted the potato chip side, had we known they came with our sandwiches. I've heard their housemade fresh pickles are a winner!

Friends, here me out: Save the salad for another day and bite into a Noble Sandwich. It's well worth it; in fact, you'll feel more guilty for missing out on the indulgent opportunity.

Tennessee Brewery Untapped (Memphis)

If you haven't heard the hype, I don't exactly know where you've been hiding. The current scene at the historic Tennessee Brewery in Downtown Memphis has quickly become the most sought after spot for socializing, drinking Tennessee's finest grains, and joining a movement for the city's future. You can feel the spirit as soon as you enter the arch, filled with an untouched, untapped sense of soul that permeates throughout the buzzing courtyard.

Growing up in Memphis, I am used to running into at least one person I know at any restaurant, coffee shop or event. But besides the motley crew who joined me for the memorable afternoon -- Alex, Ben, Ellory, Jordan, Stephanie, Caroline, Hannah -- I didn't know a soul. And yet, the sense of warmth and community was at an all-time high. The twenty-minute rainstorm didn't kill the atmosphere, but rather created an indoor party with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra quartet strumming in the center. The space relayed a neat juxtaposition of old and new -- classical live melodies, old soul, and aged brick walls (whose tiny gaps revealed mini waterfalls from the rain) against revitalized attitudes and innovative thinkers such as restauranteur-entrepreneur Taylor Berger (below).

In a short paragraph, here's what Tennessee Brewery Untapped is all about. The historic brewery, built in the 1850s, closed one hundred years later and literally sat until this April. A threat to tear down the building prompted a group of masterminds to hold an experiment -- "previtalization," if you will -- which involves six weekends of live music, beer from breweries across Tennessee, food trucks, and a hope for financial and social interest to bring the Brewery back permanently. We now only have one weekend left, and Untapped seems to be working! Heck, there's even a viral letter to Memphian Justin Timberlake begging him to invest and #bringbreweryback.

I absolutely loved enjoying the space; the Truck Stop food truck smelled delicious, even though I was full from an earlier brunch at Café Eclectic. My friends and I took turns signing the wall, which asked what would bring us back to the Brewery...besides the beer. The mass of attendees' ideas is a clear indication of Untapped's impact.

Don't worry. I only double fist for Untapped.

Go, go, go this upcoming weekend -- it's your last chance to join the Untapped movement and "invest in good times," a piece of graffiti art on the exterior entrance and driver of this one-of-a-kind opportunity!

Elizabeth Street Cafe (Austin)

It's true: You will not find Elizabeth Street Café's eclectic menu of French and Vietnamese fusion anywhere else. And it's a good thing, cause no other attempt could beat it. The mint house welcomes an immediate sense of comfortable delight. The trendy waiters, in floral dresses, bring pinot grigio in small glasses and welcome any questions on the commonly-mispronounced pho or bun. Basically, once you try this café once, you'll keep coming back. I have been coming back for years and still cannot get enough!

After a round of drinks, we ordered a colorful array of dishes and house specialties. My new pink sunnies and Hannah's hot pink nails seemed to match the vibe and color scheme well! Unless you're sensitive to spice, you cannot go in any wrong direction with this menu.

I absolutely loved the tofu and avocado steam bun special with red chili flakes and cilantro (top photo). I'm a sucker for fluffy steam buns, and the avocado/tofu combo was light and airy for a breezy spring night. Above, Hannah and Hannah stuck with a usual Elizabeth Street delicacy -- vermicelli with a lean yet bold flank steak and all the fixins. With an extra spoonful of plum sauce, you'll be in heaven, too.

Jennifer's rice paper spring rolls are, in my opinion, the best in the city. I always go back and forth between the poached shrimp or jumbo lump crab options. Each serving comes with a sampler of three tangy sauces to mix together or enjoy separately: classic peanut, ginger-jalapeño (go easy on this one), and sweet chili vinegar.

This past dinner at Elizabeth marked the third time I have ordered the green mango and cucumber salad -- the underrated appetizer is awesome. Beyond the gorgeous colors and textures going on, there's a unique contrast of sweet fruit, savory beef jerky pieces, and herbal thai basil. I recommend ordering this salad with spring rolls or steam buns for a lighter meal -- sometimes, it's difficult to delve into the intense bowl of pho (especially when you're saving room for Gourdough's next door...).

I hope you pop on over to this unforgettable spot soon!