ECCO on Overton Park (Memphis)

A lovely little restaurant arrived in Midtown recently; and once I read that Memphis Magazine named the tuscan bean salad a top ten dish of the year, the image would not escape my ever-growing list of cravings. I became even more captivated by the new concept when I discovered its overtaking of the once-renowned sidewalk café, Fresh Slices, the ultimate weekend hangout of my good 'ole high school days. Seriously, what a transformation! The space was 100% gutted, and the originally dark, cracked wood walls are now lined with elegant pastoral paintings by local artists.

The tuscan bean salad set a standard of rustic simplicity, taking me back to my Italian travels in every spoonful. I asked for no red onion, which (in my opinion) elevated the smooth texture and highlighted the tones of olive oil and lemon. A chilled glass of white wine is an imperative with this starter.

This short rib, tender enough to fall apart with a fork, sat atop a subtle mashed cauliflower that would outdo the traditional carb-loaded mashed potato any day of the week. The carrots were nothin' special, but the red wine sauce naturally strung every component together.

Y'all know how I feel about pasta, porcinis, and parmesan. The three, while rightfully sumptuous in their own right, create a tasteful combination that I frankly could not live without. The porcini handmade ravioli, delicate and savory, was taken up a notch by the browned butter and snowfall of parmesan shavings. Divine.

The salad special hit a home run, and I hate to spend detail on a temporary menu offering that may not be around when you visit...But I must. The proscuitto-wrapped figs (which provide the best balance between sweet and salty) and haricot verts paired nicely with a housemade balsamic drizzle and bell pepper medley. The chef here clearly knows what he's doing, and I can't wait to come back.

The Second Line Cocktails (Memphis)

Chef Kelly English's newest restaurant venture may have opened over six months ago, but I'm determined to bring back the chatter after (finally) trying it for myself and instantly becoming obsessed. That's right. . .I'm obsessed with this restaurant concept, which highlights my second favorite Southern city with a curated, clever approach.

And, by the way, this is not just The Second Line -- it's his Second Line. Chef Kelly English's, that is. Every ingredient, every presentation and detail was chosen by Chef himself with complete authenticity. You can feel his downplayed yet utterly contagious and charismatic New Orleans flare as soon as you walk through the doors.

The renovated home serves as a welcoming entrance to the booming Overton Square neighborhood. It may be modeled off New Orleans fare and libations, but the "casual, honest, delicious, and true" traits seem to reflect Memphis perfectly, too. Personally, the fusion of New Orleans' finest foods with Memphis' funky atmosphere couldn't make me happier.

I arrived at 5:05 along with a swarm of preppy, post-work businessmen and women. The cocktail scene is clearly happening from open to close. Evan and I walked through the house and entered the fully-packed patio, taking a seat on turquoise bar stools. We showed up for a drink, but we obviously needed a taste of something, so the bartender recommended besh bbq shrimp. The peeled and made-to-order skillet is inspired by my favorite New Orleans chef, John Besh (see New Orleans under critiques, and you'll find I frequent his restaurants). You can soak up the sauce with a fresh French loaf, delivered from a family bakery in New Orleans.

But back to the cocktails. My "farmers market" gin and cucumber cocktail was excellent, naturally sweetened with honey and lemon. I felt refreshed after every sip, though I savored the drink for as long as possible. Evan's whiskey cocktail had hints of mint and peach -- it screamed summer without unnecessary frills and cheesiness.

I can't wait to revisit The Second Line for a full meal -- I'm already planning out my menu. Fried oyster salad. . .a mushroom debris po boy. . .Here we go, people. . .

Qui (Austin)

I feel a subtle sense of intimidation right now. How am I, a food blogger and chef-wanna-be, qualified to "critique" and conjure up dining details of Austin's hottest restaurant? Frankly, I'm not. Therefore, this post will not be filled with expert judgments of typically mispronounced ingredients or attempts to portray the culinary brilliance of Top Chef winner and Food & Wine Best New Chef Paul Qui. The menu was a spectacle, the food was magnificent, and the restaurant's decor was completely out-of-the-box. . .obviously. Would you expect anything less?

I was most impressed by Qui's customer service, which is the primary reason I feel entitled enough to share an opinion of the place. Three of us managed to grab a 9:15 reservation on a Friday night; so we eagerly saved up our appetites and entered the minimalist establishment right on time. The hostess walked us to a patio area, inviting us to order a drink while our table was prepared. We enjoyed "the official drink of Austin" -- Chef won the city-wide contest with his bold tepache and honey cocktail. Yes, it was a winner.

Thirty minutes later, we had not yet been seated -- the time flew due to awesome people-watching and funky, eye-drawing patio decor. Before an opportunity even arose to ask the hostess for an update (i.e. complain), the manager arrived at our cocktail table and offered four appetizers on the house to apologize for the delay! I knew it would be a fantastic night. . .and it was.

Chef Paul Qui expresses his witty character in every dish. We were instantly enthralled by the menu, which our waiter explained in detail and with such passion. We tried eight dishes or so in total, but our table began with a play-on version of cheese spray and ended with an aged cheddar cheese ice cream sandwich. Interesting, right? Chef is deeply rooted in Filipino tradition, yet he cannot pass by the Texan influence; his Texas wagyu and Filipino curry marry without question. The smoked short rib (first photo) was my very favorite of all that we tried.

This can't-miss restaurant completely surprised my palette and surpassed my expectations of customer service. Chef Paul Qui is truly something else, and I cannot wait to revisit his newest namesake.

featured image via qui austin

Tiny's no.five (Houston)

This particularly lazy Sunday morning has invited me to curl up on the couch with coffee and reminisce on one of my favorite weekend brunches of all -- Tiny's No. 5 in Houston, Texas. Sure, it's been a few months; but I can still taste the citrusy white wine sangria and fresh-squeezed orange juice, and I can still feel the Spring sun on my skin while sitting at the perfectly groomed dining lawn.

I've learned from my friend Hannah that this spot is, by far, one of the most beautiful spaces and menus in the city. The hand-calligraphied chalkboard menu always shows an eclectic range for the traditional brunch-goer or funkier foodie. I struggled between the quinoa oatmeal and classic migas, so Hannah decided to pick one and I picked the other. I'm a big fan 0f strategizing at the table so that we can try multiple plates instead of limiting ourselves to one. It always seems to work out, especially in this case!

My migas were to-die-for delicious. My newfound love for sausage was satisfied, and the eggs were delightfully fluffy and well-seasoned. The tortilla strips and potato bites were crispy rather than soggy. I had to pick away a few fresh jalapeños (too much spice!), but their added color with the bold tomatillo salsa reflected the lush surrounding greenery.

Quinoa oatmeal was the runner-up, perhaps because its healthier disposition did not provide as many pops of flavor. Frankly, I think I just prefer regular oatmeal with brown sugar, almond milk and seasonal berries.  But you may notice the sweet potato fries in the top left corner of the bottom picture. . .they were almost as dangerous as the sinful chocolate chip cookies. The gooey-ness and chocolate-to-cookie ratio are so out of this world, that the restaurant limits customers to only six cookies per party. If you don't leave Tiny's with a cookie in tow, you're making a big mistake!

Enjoy your Sunday! And if you currently happen to be near this adorable restaurant, please know that I'm very, very jealous.

Basmati's (Santa Rosa Beach)

I don't know about you; but after a long day on the beach, my greatest desire is a fresh and fulfilling meal with a glass of Chardonnay. Are you also raising your hand to this seaside supper request? Well, if you find yourself in Santa Rosa Beach, you're in luck -- Basmati's cuisine will wow your taste buds with flavors of both the Gulf and traditional Asia.

I was instantly impressed with the menu's ability to take traditional dishes up quite a few notches. No, Basmati's doesn't serve egg drop soup; they serve a lump crab egg drop soup with season vegetables and spice. . .Yum! I had to refrain from picking up the bowl and sipping the remaining spoonfuls. Next, I was thrilled that the gyoza (pictured above) were served steamed rather than pan-fried. The cucumber salad on the side was a cool, refreshing after-bite to the rich pork and vegetable filling.

I am not exaggerating that this shrimp fried rice was, yes, the best I've had in years. The unique  flavors reminded me of an unforgettable meal at Redfarm in New York City -- the black currants and Chinese sausage added a touch of sweetness, and shrimps were plump and wok-fried beautifully. I really wish rice didn't expand in your stomach (or maybe that's just a myth). . . but I would have finished the entire platter otherwise!

Speaking of rice, these four sushi rolls mastered simplicity, yet the ingredient combinations are completely unique to the restaurant. I've never seen these anywhere else (which is sadly disappointing when I'm nowhere near highway 30A). I was "Feeling Frisky" with the namesake roll, filled with tuna, fresh basil, sesame seeds, sprouts and rose water. The "Dorothy, We're Not in Watercolor Anymore" roll (ha!) had an addicting ginger vinaigrette. Next time, I'm trying the truffled tuna, since tuna and truffle are two of my very favorite things.

For dessert, we somehow had room for homemade coconut cake. . .it's that worth it! And, while I didn't try it, I learned that the tofu chocolate cake is a silky smooth Asian version of cheesecake. Incredibly inventive. I cannot wait to get back to Basmati's for another post-beach feast.

Havana Beach Club (Rosemary Beach)

Rosemary Beach has literally found "The Pearl" of its oyster. The luxury hotel, opened just this past year, has the most exquisite architecture (see featured image on the home page) and atmosphere.

Havana Beach Club, one of The Pearl's three dining options, is inspired by Cuba with gorgeous greenery, eclectic seating, and beautiful patio views. Alex and I stepped in on Sunday morning for the brunch, which frankly made us feel as though we were vacationing in the Caribbean. I'll take that feeling any day!

With an extra hot cappuccino in hand (although the mimosas looked wonderful), I ordered the smoked salmon bagel. The plate arrived like an art piece. I am all about presentation, and this one pleased me much. The rose-shaped salmon was a generous helping, and the sliced tomatoes with capers draped the bottom right corner of the plate. I only wish I could have applied the whipped cream cheese myself, since I prefer a light spread! Luckily, the bagel was perfectly toasted and still warm when served. Delicious.

Alex went with a traditional "Eggs Your Way;" not only was a cheesy scramble served, but also a platter of extra crispy bacon, a housemade biscuit (with whipped butter and strawberry jam on the side), country potatoes, and breakfast sausage. Oh, and two tiny roasted yellow tomatoes! It was a beautiful spread -- my only criticism being the slightly undercooked potatoes (we wanted more crisp!).

You'll be very pleased with Havana's Sunday brunch, and I have heard that their dinner menu knocks it out of the park as well. Thank you for a fabulous finale to my Fourth of July weekend!