The Root Cafe (Little Rock)

Sunday brunch immediately invokes the carefree, lighthearted mindset that is much needed before wiping the slate clean and embarking on a new week. The rare occasions during which I can stop to savor the meal are special; they're spent with Alex, and they're all about enjoying the final moments together before parting for our respective cities. So on these leisurely, undemanding Sunday mornings, we join the line at The Root Café, the Little Rock home (or "shack") of Southern comfort and all things local, and we feast.

At our tiny two-top table on the porch, we sipped frothed homemade orange juice (served in a mason jar, among all other beverages...swoon), a vanilla soy latte, and sweet tea. Approximately ten feet away from us on the porch, an old fiddler plucked Christmas tunes with comforting Southern charm. Imagine a folk version of Joy to the World. The atmosphere is fine tuned from the menu and staff to the fiddler and mismatched plaid linen napkins.

I unsurprisingly couldn't decide between the sweet or savory, so I chose a small portion of each: vanilla bean granola with soy milk, and a poached egg on a biscuit. The biscuits...Oh lord, I wish I had another. "Wine jam" accompanies the dense yet flaky dough, playing with the tastes of traditional grape jelly and fermented red wine we had enjoyed the evening before. The granola was crunchy, simple, and sweet. I could start every morning with their blend, which I believe is on sale inside the restaurant (jam, too!).

Alex enjoyed the famous, savory grit cakes alongside lightly scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon. He's all about the classics; and The Root, quite frankly, masters them.

And this isn't your regular breakfast joint. Almost every ingredient is sourced locally. 100% of meats, eggs, bread, and a majority of vegetables are grown by Arkansas farmers. It's pretty unbelievable -- and you can taste the quality in each dish. I am already dreaming of my and Alex's next Sunday brunch date...

Mosa Asian Bistro

Thursday, the beloved calendar date we are all itching to arrive, provides the time and space to stop everything -- work and the daily grind, especially -- and celebrate family. Whether around a table, in a football stadium, or over video chat, we collectively pause our routines to appreciate those whom are most special to us. Those who are the reason we're here today.

One family, in particular, celebrates and appreciates such values; not just on Thanksgiving, but every single day. It's apparent as soon as you walk through Mosa's doors on Poplar and White Station. You're greeted by Michelle or Alex, most likely, and then you peek over the 25 sauce-studded bar to find the man behind it all: their father, Eddie Pao. He's whipping up a fabulous lo mein that he's mastered since beginning the business 37 years ago.

Eddie and the Pao family represent one of the few long-standing, family-owned Memphis restaurant businesses that has sanctified tradition yet evolved through the generations. After sitting for coffee with Michelle, I witnessed her continuous commitment to updating the menus, refreshing the space, and perfecting the customer service that keeps diners on the meal plan for years and years to come. The face-to-face value creates loyalty, in my opinion. It's why I love grabbing basil rolls and sautéed vegetables to-go, just so I can catch up with sweet Michelle at the register. It's why my family deems it our go-to spot while everyone is out and about and in need of a centrally-located, reliable, and enjoyable setting for dinner.

Just as we value the family dinner table as routine, Mosa seeks to be a routine, everyday experience for its customers. With its price point, menu variety, and Asian farm-to-table specials, you can come to Mosa on a weekly basis without getting sick of it or breaking the bank. Personally, I go between the pad see ew, shrimp and broccoli with brown rice, and mushroom lettuce wraps. Always a basil roll or spring roll to start. Dumplings if I'm feeling extra hungry. The dozens of choices are fantastic for families, large parties, or a party of one on a weeknight.

The fresh vegetables, brought in weekly through a CSA program, are prepped for hours before the restaurant even opens. I'm in awe of Michelle's description of her team's day-to-day duties, which I hope to experience soon in-person. The bok choy and broccoli never arrive pre-cut. Eddie and his team hand chop the vegetables, formulate the 25 sauces, and prepare for catered affairs, take-outs, and tables seven days a week. It's remarkable!

For the party of five who has transformed customers into "family" for almost four decades, I encourage you to try the consistently delicious Pan-Asian fare, especially once Thursday passes and we'll all be sick of cooking! You'll be impressed with Mosa's fresh focus. It's about great food and great service.

photos by Sophorn Kouy

Second Bar and Kitchen (Austin)

If you have seen yesterday's Facebook post, you most likely laughed at the length of restaurants I intentionally squeezed into my epic three-day visit to Austin, Texas. It was absolutely wonderful from start (at Clark's) to finish (at Juiceland) with seventeen of my best friends. The coffees, afternoon snacks, and dirty martinis were not taken for granted, either. I don't know how I managed to consume that many calories (Was the Easy Tiger pretzel really necessary? Yes.), but I'm still standing. So let's continue.

For our first dinner, thirteen of us took a piece of the vast Second Street heated outdoor patio at a favorite, Second Bar and Kitchen. The long table provided enough room to pass and share plates among the group. So that's just what we did!

Unfortunately, we dug into the appetizers too quickly to photograph, but the variety was perfect for our party size. The baked brie with sweet currant-apricot mostado and spicy basil was crowd pleaser -- melted cheese spread onto a toasted crostini like butter. The garlic gnocchi with winter squash was excellent and super seasonal, considering its light and simple disposition. Pumpkin seed-flecked ricotta salad added a slightly rich component. If only the gnocchi was a large plate instead of a small one! We also enjoyed the avocado fundido (think guac and queso combined), bite-sized veal meatballs, and a margarita pizza.

For my entrée, I about died over my vegetarian mushroom carbonara. The combination was smoked and raw mushrooms was fascinating, and the housemade linguine melted amongst the grana padano cheese and crispy arugula. The above photograph shows only half of the portion (since I split with Risa), so be aware of the mighty large portions. I could've eaten two, this was so unbelievable!

The flank steak with chimchurri had a colorful presentation with fresh chiles and cilantro. Others enjoyed the infamous pizzas and raw kale and carrot salad with jumbo grilled shrimp. We were impressed with the efficient service and attention to detail, even for a large group. And while I had already experienced Second Bar and Kitchen twice -- once for an afternoon cheese plate and once for a Sunday night dinner -- I loved the weekend patio vibe. I can't wait to revisit!

Downtown Memphis Dining Week on StyleBlueprint

Memphians: Mark your calendars for Downtown Dining Week from November 16-22! "While I have always been inspired by Memphis’ dining scene, new restaurants are popping up left and right, and old establishments are re-marking their culinary territory among loyal and interested guests. Our restaurants are booming in both quality and publicity, as the nation is starting to realize that our city’s culinary creativity goes well beyond barbecue spaghetti and ribs. So make your reservations and let the 40 participating chefs carry you through extra exclusive meals. Almost all of the menus are available on Downtown Dining Week’s website, but here are a few that grabbed our attention for their creative twists and fancied deals. . ."

Read more on the StyleBlueprint website, where I will be guest-writing monthly!

Mylo Coffee Company (Little Rock)

You've already heard about my latest coffeehouse discovery in Midtown Memphis, but my frequent trips to Little Rock have called for a new spot for the weekend cup of joe. While Alex was working Saturday morning, I ventured to Mylo Coffee Company in Hillcrest with laptop in tow. The rainy, somber morning kept my work mind on-point. But, of course, the latte and homemade (extra buttery) croissant were the sunshine I needed.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves. The artistic pastries and beverage pours against clean white dishware. . .it's just beautiful.

Enjoy your week, and please take a few minutes to watch this adorable video of second-grade restaurant critics. Happy Monday!

Muddy's Grind House (Memphis)

Rise and shine. And grind.

Memphis' famed Kat Gordon seems to sprinkle magic on all that she touches: her cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and the entire community, for that matter. Now, the magic has entered an extra hot vanilla soy latte, which I enjoyed last Friday at the new Midtown Muddy's Grind House before heading to work.

The space has quickly become Memphis' "happy place." While the color scheme isn't as bold as Kat's assortment of vivacious wigs, the pastel accents, dainty flower arrangements, and walls of curated merchandise (Paper & Clay and Flo's, to name a few) bring a fresh breath of air to the city's coffeehouse scene. You can't help but smile when walking through the yellow door on Cooper and Vinton.

I decided upon a few favorite details while sipping my latte and savoring my blackberry almond oat bar:

1. The to-go packaging (below). Maybe it's just my advertising/PR hat, but how fabulous is that logo? I love the mix of the Muddy's established frill and the bolder, masculine approach to coffee brewing.

2. The fireplace. Emphasizing the "house" in coffeehouse, the light brick fireplace at the front entrance is just wonderful. The patio is lovely for summer and autumn, but I can just picture visiting the Grind House in the cold of winter to cozy up by the fireplace and write.

3. The chalkboard of customer suggestions. Kat truly wants to hear customer feedback. The list has already begun with suggestions (I second the chai latte!). I admire Kat's commitment to customer satisfaction. Perhaps that is why she's the winner of Best Bakery and Best Dessert in the Memphis Flyer's Best of Memphis awards. Best Coffee next year?

Go give the Grind House a shot -- It's open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. on Mondays-Saturdays. Let the staff know what you think!