Author Archives: Rachel P

New Amsterdam Pineapple Vodka

It’s August and I’m clinging to summer with everything that I’ve got.  I’m still living in flip flops and shorts on the weekend, our cornhole boards remain resolute in my back yard, and most importantly, I am far from prepared to part with refreshing summer cocktails. And why should I? It was approximately 146º out there tonight with about 114% humidity. #texas

Enter: New Amsterdam Pineapple Vodka. I happily received a bottle in the mail, and let me tell ya, this stuff is basically sunshine in a bottle. New Amsterdam Pineapple is delightfully fruity … enough to be sippable on its own, but it really begs to be highlighted in a cocktail. This vodka is sweet enough to eliminate a real need to add much in the way of additional sugary mixers. In fact, New Amsterdam Pineapple’s sweet flavor profile really begs for a punch of spice to balance it out. Here are two sweet ‘n’ spicy recipes to try (I whipped up the Midsummer Mule, and it was quite delicious.)

IMG_0006Midsummer Mule
2 oz. New Amsterdam Pineapple Vodka
0.5 oz. Lime Juice
0.5 oz. Simple Syrup*
2 oz. Ginger Beer
6 slices, diced chili peppers

Muddle 3 chili slices in a tall glass and then pour in all liquids. Add ice and garnish with the remaining 3 chili slices!

*While I did include the simple syrup in my cocktail, I might try leaving it out next time. I’m not convinced it’s necessary since the vodka is really quite sweet on its own!

Highball’s Paradise
2 oz. New Amsterdam Pineapple Vodka
2 oz. Pineapple Juice
0.5 oz. Lime Juice
1 tbsp. Jalapeno Jelly

Shake and strain into tall glass over ice. Then, add 2 oz. of soda water. Garnish with sliced chili peppers (optional) for an extra kick!

IMG_9998NEW AMSTERDAM PINEAPPLE VODKA
www.newamsterdamspirits.com
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NAPV is available at most liquor stores. Check out their availability maps on their website.

A huge “Thank You,” to New Amsterdam for the complimentary bottle of Pineapple Vodka, and for helping me to hold tight to summer for just a little bit longer. 

 

Macaroni Grill – Steak, Frites, & More

Where Italian chains are concerned, Romano’s Macaroni Grill has alway been my fav. There’s just something awesomely comforting about doodling on your tabletop with crayons while drowning giant chunks of warm, crusty bread in that perfectly seasoned pool of glorious olive oil. Another thing I enjoy about Macaroni Grill is that they’re constantly changing their menu and adding new, sometimes unexpected, offerings to their lineup. Most recently, Macaroni Grill has launched a brand new Steak Frites menu, and I was lucky enough to be invited it to try it.

Macaroni Grill’s new Steak Frites menu features three entree options:

  • Balsamic Herb Steak Frites featuring a 10oz sirloin with a perfectly seasoned crust and topped with a rustic Italian herb and garlic sauce, served with crispy parmesan truffle fries and house-made ketchup ($21)
  • Bourbon Peppercorn Steak Frites featuring a 10oz sirloin with a perfectly seasoned crust and topped with creamy Maker’s Mark bourbon sauce, served with crispy parmesan truffle fries and house-made ketchup ($23)
  • Steak & Greens Salad featuring a 5oz sliced sirloin, balsamic herb dressing, baby kale, spinach, raddichio, arugula, crispy prosciutto, gorgonzola, and crispy onions ($13)

I ordered Steak & Greens Salad, mostly so I could feel good about shoving maximum quantities of bread into my mouth throughout the course of our meal. The steak on my salad was deliciously seasoned and I loved the crispiness that the fried onions added. The dressing was a bit salty and tasted like it has soy sauce in it, which wasn’t my favorite; I’d recommend ordering it on the side or at least asking them to go really easy on it. The sweet, frosty Ultimate Bellini (Bacardi rum, La Marca Prosecco, Valoroso Bianco, peach puree, black raspberry) a perfect accompaniment to this dish–just a little bit of flavor and zing but nothing overpowering.

My fella sampled one of the 10oz trail boss bad boys and our server was kind enough to bring out both sauces for us to try. His sirloin was seared with a delicious crust and the steak was nice and juicy. The Maker’s Mark bourbon peppercorn sauce was my favorite accompaniment, while my gentleman preferred the Balsamic Herb. (I think what I’m trying to say here is that you can’t go wrong.) The heaping pile of parmesan truffle fries (excuse me, frites) that accompanied the steak were hot, crisp, and delicious … and perhaps most importantly … yes, you can totally taste the truffle oil.

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If you need some more frites to go with your frites, Macaroni Grill also offers a Loaded Frites appetizer/side dish option (French fries topped with prosciutto, parmesan, mozzarella cheese sauce, gorgonzola, calabrese peppers, $5.50). Yup, good thing I ordered that salad.

Loaded Fries

Loaded Frites

Whether you’re craving a nice, big bowl of pasta, a decadent steak, or – let’s be honest … a loaf of bread the size of your head – pay a visit to your neighborhood Macaroni Grill real soon.


Macaroni Grill

www.macronigrill.com
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Hours may vary by location; visit their website for more details.

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#SauzaPitcherPics & Recipes

Let’s be real for just a second: What even, is the point of ordering a beautiful cocktail if you don’t plan on giving said libation its 15 minutes of fame on social media? My fiancée knows the drill now. (One aspect in which I have him totally trained.) Whenever we order cocktails at a bar or restaurant, he dutifully slides his glass towards me without taking a sip, so I can capture his drink in its pure, unadulterated state prior to his first sip.

Sauza Tequila has picked up on the fact that folks enjoy showing off their beverages; in response, they launched a fun campaign to get tequila fans snapping and posting away on Instagram (and in the blogosphere): the Sauza Pitcher Perfect Picture project!

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According to Sauza, margaritas are the most popular cocktail to order in pitcher form; I think we can all agree, there’s just something so dang alluring about an icy pitcher of that limey goodness. (Unless you are Susie, but we won’t go there.) Margaritas also happen to be the most frequently “shared” drink on social media. (I just want to point out, someone gets paid to sit around and figure this stuff out. Where can I sign up for this job?)

Michelle Yam, travel, food and lifestyle photographer, paired up with Sauza to share some tips on the fine art of booztography. This is serious business, y’all.

  • Natural light goes a long way in lending appeal to cocktail photos, so take full advantage of sunshiny days, whether it’s on a patio or indoors with sun streaming in through the window.
  • Playing with focus can be a great way to set up an interesting shot. Try playing with the tilt-shift function on the Instagram toolbar in order to blur out surroundings with ease.
  • Pump up the contrast and saturation to enhance texture and drama in your shot. (pun lightly intended)
  • Shadow-jockeying is a thing, especially if you are shooting outdoors. Be mindful of where shadows are being cast prior to snapping away.
  • Play the angles. Glassware can be tricky to photograph from a straight-on view. Sometimes, an aerial shot, or shooting from an angle, results in a much more attractive snap.

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The next time you prepare a refreshing pitcher of margaritas at home, here are some tips from Bobby Gleason, master mixologist at Beam Suntory, to get your cover girl ready for her close-up.

  • Rimmed glasses– or even pitchers- take your photos to the next level. Coarse, kosher salt works best for a salt rim. Try an alternative rim, such as Tjin Spice or smoked salt for added flavor and visual interest.
  • Kick up the heat and the color with some fresh muddle jalapeño; reserve a slice of red or green pepper for the rim.
  • Opt for solid or hollow ice cubes as opposed to crushed or shaved ice; it photographs better.
  • Experiment with fresh herbs for a color accent.
  • And by all means, don’t forget the requisite wedge or slice of lime!

Preparing a pitcher of margs capable of evoking tequila envy on Insta is only half the battle though, right? Thankfully, Sauza has shared three Pitcher Perfect recipes that are perfectly refreshing for summertime- and they are easy to put together. No blender required!

Sauza Cucumber Chili Rita
2 cups Sauza Cucumber Chili Tequila
1 cup DeKuyper Triple Sec Liqueur
2 cups fresh lemon sour
Juice of 6 whole limes
Slices of limes for garnish (optional)

Add ingredients to an ice-filled pitcher. Add sliced limes and stir.
Serves 8


Sauza-Rita
1 can Sauza Signature Blue Reposado Tequila
1 bottle light beer
1 can frozen limeade
1 can water

Pour limeade and beer into pitcher with ice. Fill limeade can with Sauza Blue Reposado and pour into pitcher. Finally, add a can of water. Stir.
Serves 9


Sauza Strawberry Margarita
1 ½ cups Sauza Signature Blue Silver Tequila
½ cup DeKuyper Triple Sec Liqueur
1 cup Pucker Strawberry Schnapps
3 cups sour mix
Sliced strawberries (optional)

Add ingredients to an ice-filled pitcher. Add sliced strawberries. Stir.
Serves 8 

For inspiration, check out some of Instagram’s Pitcher Perfect offerings, by searching for the hashtag, #SauzaPitcherPics.

www.SauzaTequila.com
Twitter: @Sauza
Facebook: @SauzaTequila
Instagram: @SauzaTequila
Pinterest: @SauzaTequila
YouTube: SauzaTequila

***Sauza Tequila graciously provided me with a fun, booze-filled care package in order to assist me in the process of crafting my own #pitcherperfectpicture.***

Corner Bakery’s UnFlat Event & Giveaway

Corner Bakery is one of my personal favorites for a quick, wholesome breakfast or lunch, so I was very excited when they invited our team in to check out their new menu offerings: a series of breakfast and lunch “flats”, that are anything but; hence the name of this event, Corner Bakery’s “UnFlat Event”. This place is simply fantastic, but I must say that using a marketing agency like whitehat would be useful for reaching out further to more clients and customers. They deserve as many customers as is humanly possible!

Corner Bakery has added three new breakfast flats and four new lunch (or dinner!) flats to their sandwich lineup. Each variety is loaded with fresh and flavorful ingredients stuffed into a pillowy grilled flatbread, and awesomely enough, they all boast a calorie count under 330 calories. I had the opportunity to try several varieties at this very tasty event, prepared fresh by Chef Ric Scicchitano, the EVP Food & Supply Chain- and they were ALL delicious! I know that everyone in the bakery is trained in baking so you know that the food will be good. A baker should always go through professional training like doing the courses at Bakerycourses.in if they want a successful business. Otherwise, they may end up disappointing the customers with low-quality food. But low-quality food would never happen at the Corner Bakery!

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The new breakfast flats include:

  • Avocado and Spinach Power Flat – scrambled eggs with fresh avocado and spinach, and cheddar & Parmesan cheeses in a grilled multigrain flatbread.
  • Applewood Smoked Bacon Power Flat – scrambled eggs with applewood smoked bacon and cheddar & Parmesan cheeses in a grilled multigrain flatbread.
  • Ham and Spinach Flat – scrambled eggs with smoked ham, cheddar & Parmesan cheeses, and fresh spinach in a grilled multigrain flatbread

The new lunch/dinner flats include:

  • Southwest Chicken – all-natural grilled chicken, zesty slaw, corn and tomato salsa, house-pickled jalapeños and avocado ranch dressing
  • Chicken Caesar – all-natural grilled chicken, romaine, bruschetta tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing
  • (my personal favorite..) Caprese – fresh mozzarella, bruschetta tomatoes, arugula and Parmesan cheese
  • BBQ Pork – pulled barbecue pork, tangy slaw, house-pickled red onions and avocado ranch dressing

One of the things I love about Corner Bakery’s menu is the way they really give you the ability to mix things up with all of their combos. The lunch/dinner flats can be ordered with your choice of two Grilled Flats (served with baby carrots), as a Corner Combo (pairing one Grilled Flat with a cup of homemade soup, Caesar Salad or Mixed Greens), or as part of The Trio (where guests can personalize their own meal, choosing from more than 5,000 combinations of specialty salads, homemade soups and now Grilled Flats). Personally, I am making it my goal to try them all. I was talking to a friend about other bakeries are run and they often make sure they have the best business energy deal through websites such as Usave to make sure they can focus on making quality treats, similar to those on show today!

Make it your goal to try them all, too! We’re giving away $25 to Corner Bakery! Just tweet @drinkdallas and tell us which flat you’d like to try! We’ll pick a winner on Tuesday, June 30!

The Corner Bakery
www.cornerbakerycafe.com
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**Corner Bakery sponsored this giveaway.**

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Let’s Get (Pepper) Smashed

I’m a big fan of the “fancy” cocktail. Don’t get me wrong … there is a time and a place for a good ol’ plain Jane vodka soda. (Usually that time is whenever I am on a diet, and that place is wallowing in a pool of sadness…just kidding! …kind of.)  But, if I really want to savor what I’m drinking, I enjoy seeing what happens when bartenders are allowed to flex their mixology muscles and craft drinks that stretch beyond the realm of classic cocktail offerings. If you’ve never been to Pepper Smash at The Shops at Legacy in Plano, believe me when I say that “creative” is their thing. I am still trying to figure out whether their cocktails are more aptly described as “art,” or “science,”- but whatever the case may be- they are mixing up some mighty delicious libations.

Pepper Smash graciously invited me in to check out a few of their new menu offerings, and of course to reacquaint myself with a few of their delicious signature cocktails.

We kicked off the evening with one of Pepper Smash’s most popular cocktails: the Fire Smoked Dr. Pepper ($11). As the name suggests, this cocktail is quite literally smoked before your very eyes, infusing Maker’s Mark with a smoldering oak essence created with a nifty apparatus apparently designed for this very purpose (though it vaguely looks like something Walter White would have stashed in his RV). Imperial sugar Dr. Pepper is add to the mix, giving the cocktail a delightfully familiar sweet-smokiness.

Smoked wood chips are impressive, to be sure, but you aren’t really winning at craft cocktails until you throw a cotton candy machine into the mix. That’s right, Pepper Smash keeps a cotton candy machine behind the bar for the sole purpose of crafting one drink: the Cotton Candy Martini ($10 — Absolut, lemon juice, vanilla syrup, champagne, and you guessed it: cotton candy). I had a hard time conceptualizing how this cocktail would “work”, so I had to order it to see for myself. A familiar fluffy cloud of pink cotton candy is served in a martini glass, and the liquid ingredients are then poured over the cotton candy, which dissolves amidst a fleeting instant of melancholy. But, you can still taste it. Not shockingly, this cocktail is on the saccharine side and reminded me vaguely of a boozy Orange Crush. Definitely an interesting selection.

Because cotton candy machines and booze smoking apparatuses apparently aren’t enough, Pepper Smash offers two cocktails that are frozen with liquid nitrogen: the Pineapple Express ($11 — Bacardi Pineapple, ginger, pineapple juice, champagne) and the Triple M’s Explosion ($12 — pineapple and strawberry infused vodka). The presentation of this duo is dramatic to say the least, as wisps of “smoke” dance atop your cocktail glass  when it is placed in front of you.

Liquid Nitrogen

“But, what is a Pepper Smash,” you may wonder? I’m glad you asked, because I simply can’t visit without ordering one. The cocktail kitchen’s namesake, the Pepper Smash ($10), incorporates a bold blend of Tito’s vodka, red bell pepper, jalapeno, onions marinated in 100 proof vodka agave, and lime juice. Spicy and robust with just a hint of sweetness, this unique savory cocktail is probably my favorite one on the menu. (I recommended it to the guy seated next to me at the bar, and he ended up drinking three.)  I say the Pepper Smash is “probably” my favorite, because I have a hard time dismissing Eden’s Garden ($12 — Plymouth gin, elderflower, cucumber, basil, mint, jalapeno, lime juice- as a close second).

Pepper Smash Signature Cocktail

Pepper Smash Signature Cocktail

With so many creative, tasty cocktails to focus on, it would be easy to overlook the food at Pepper Smash. Don’t. Everything I have ever sampled from their kitchen has been seriously delicious. Sometimes, I find myself day dreaming about their Smokey Mac & Cheese ($9 — cavatappi pasta, sharp cheddar, gruyere, smoke). Everything I sampled on this visit was equally as tempting.

We started out with the Pimento Cheese ($8), which was topped with bacon jam, and accompanied by buttery grilled sourdough and blistered shishito peppers. Holy new favorite appetizer. If there is something in this world that cannot be improved upon by bacon jam, I want to hear about it.

Pimento Cheese

Pimento Cheese

Pepper Smash always hits it out of the park with their flatbreads, and this visit was no exception. We sampled the Al Pastor ($12 — cider braised pulled pork, sweet onion puree, pineapple, jalapeño, and lime). The toppings were generously portioned, with a little taste of every ingredient in every bite. If you are a fiend for spicy dishes, this flatbread is definitely for you; loaded with fresh jalapeños, this dish definitely woke up my palate.

El Pastor Flat Bread

El Pastor Flatbread

When it comes time for dessert and the manager asks, “Wanna try something weird?” there’s clearly only one correct response. We were presented with a liquid nitrogen frozen ice cream concoction- incorporating Licor 43, vanilla ice cream base, basil, and fresh strawberries. I love unexpected flavors in desserts, and the basil was an awesome addition. This was an off-menu delight, but I feel confident it can be snagged upon request.

TLDR: the next time you feel inclined to treat yo’self to an incredibly unique, seriously indulgent cocktail experience (yes, it really is an experience), + some killer eats, head on over to Pepper Smash at the Shops at Legacy. (And probably plan on Ubering it because the urge to try all of the cocktails on the menu is pretty overwhelming.)

 


PEPPER SMASH
www.peppersmash.com
Twitter | Facebook
7200 Bishop Rd, Plano, TX 75024
(972) 943-0499

Happy Hour: 3-6pm Daily
$3 beer | $3 wells | $6 domestic wines

HOURS OF OPERATION:
MON – THU 3 PM – 11 PM
FRI – SAT 11 AM – 1 AM
SUN 11 AM – 11 PM

 

Pinstack: Bowling, Bites, and Brews

I have a confession to make: from time to time, I exhibit symptoms of DADHD (that’s Drinking Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, for the un-afflicted). Some evenings, I am perfectly content sitting on a relaxing patio, sipping on a tasty cocktail, and feeling the breeze in my hair (and subsequently detaching my tresses from my sticky/glossy lips, but that’s another story #girlproblems). BUT, on other occasions, I get restless … antsy … fidgety … and compulsive phone checking may or may not commence. I need something more. Enter: Pinstack! Boasting 50,000 sq ft of drinking, dining, bowling, bumper cars, laser tag, a ropes course, and games-galore, Pinstack is basically the answer to my DADHD prayers. As you guys know, I’m a bit of a bowling nut. I think learning How to Clean A Bowling Ball With DIY & Commercial Cleaners shows how much I love playing.

Right about now, you might be thinking to yourself, “Ok, I’ve been to a couple of these ‘bowling and more’ spots, and they seem to be pretty interchangeable.” Nope, nope, nope. I am here to tell you, Pinstack is not like the “other guys”. Admittedly, most of the bowling/entertainment complexes I’ve visited in the past have felt as though the proprietor decided to open a bowling alley, and “Oh, I guess that means we’ll need to offer some sort of food and drink as an afterthought.” At Pinstack, you’ll feel as though you are visiting a top -notch restaurant and bar, which just so happen to be attached to an amazing entertainment complex.

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First, high praise goes to Pinstack for strategically locating their main bar, restaurant, and patio (yes, patio!) in an area that’s largely offset from the bowling and entertainment areas of the building. If not for the tell-tale bowling pin art adorning the walls, it would be easy to forget you are, in fact, at a bowling alley. (But what’s a guy or gal to do if they require a drink refill…or three…while bowling? Worry not, friends, as Pinstack provides lane-side food and beverage service, and access to a secondary bar located in the heart of Bowling Land!) The sprawling bar area is adorned with numerous jumbo screen TVs that would give any sports bar a run for its money. The large, covered patio is equipped with a number of high-powered fans to keep you cool, and on Thursday and Friday evenings, you can catch live acoustic music sets from 6:00-10:00 PM.

Logistical considerations are just the icing on the cake in considering what makes Pinstack so gosh darn appealing. Behind the well-appointed bar, they are serving up an impressive variety of libations. For starters, Pinstack’s drink menu features a dozen tempting craft cocktails. I had an opportunity to try the Gin Smash- Farmer’s Gin, fresh lemon juice, mint, honey, & Bar Keep Apple Bitters ($12). This cocktail was light, refreshing, and well-balanced, with a perfect ratio of sweet, sour, and minty goodness. I also sampled the Cello Mule– Tito’s Vodka, Limoncello, fresh lime juice, & Gosling’s Ginger Beer ($13), which was about as delightful as a summer breeze.

As much as I enjoyed my cocktails (which was a lot…), I think I was even more excited to learn of another alcoholic option Pinstack has to offer: beer & wine flights, my friends. Oh, yes. I will forever be a sucker for the tasting flight, and Pinstack serves up beer and wine tasting trios- curated by you- for just $7 and $9, respectively. In addition to a variety of domsetics and imports, Pinstack features 10 local rotator taps for your sipping pleasure. On the vino front, Pinstack is pouring six interesting selections by the cask, in addition to a wide variety of bottle/glass offerings.

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As you can see, Pinstack’s beverage offerings are a far cry from your familiar plastic bowling alley pitcher of PBR. Well, guess what: The quality and creativity of Pinstack’s edible offerings are equally impressive. Pinstack has rolled out a new spring menu, and I had the opportunity to politely sample (read: I totally stuffed my face) a few of their delectable offerings. First, I want to talk about the Party Platter, which isn’t for the faint of heart. This bad boy serves 6-8, and comes fully loaded with loaded potato skins, fried mozzarella, chips and salsa, FRIED MAC N’ CHEESE POPS with a tomato basil dipping sauce (what?!), and some plump n’ juicy chicken wangs ($36). Everything I tasted on this (freaking massive) platter was delicious, but those mac n’ cheese pops? They were the star of the show- and yes, you can order them a la carte for 9 well spent bucks. We munched on a beautiful artisan Meat and Cheese Board ($11), which was generously appointed and encompassed some interesting and tasty selections ( Red pepper crusted goat cheese balls? Yes, please).

The entree I was most impressed with was the Stack Mac Burger ($13), which is admittedly not for the faint of heart. Remember that fried mac’ n cheese I mentioned earlier? Stick it on top of a burger, and slather the whole thing in tomato basil sauce … and, yeah. You get the picture. Other decadent entree offerings include a 12 oz. Ribeye ($24), a Grownup Grilled Cheese ($9), and a number of unconventional pizza offerings, like the Honey Bee ($12), topped with Italian sausage, black forest ham, and you guessed it, honey. If you find yourself in search of a *slightly* lighter dish (you know, the stuff I should be eating given my impending nuptials), you might give some consideration to the Blackened Mahi Mahi ($19), topped with a pineapple pico and a sweet chili glaze, plated atop Jasmine rice. Another lovely lighter option is the Spring Greens Salad ($9), featuring goat cheese, candied pecans, grapes, and a champagne vinaigrette- topped with chicken or salmon, if you are so inclined.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??? Allow me tell you a little bit about the variety of entertainment options you will find available, once you manage to peel yourself away from Pinstack’s enticing bar area. Pinstack offers 28 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, 20 of which are public and 8 private (perfect for parties and corporate events). That being said, bowling is just the beginning. Pinstack also features a two-story laser tag arena … who doesn’t love laser tag? (seriously, if you can’t having fun playing laser tag, please escort yourself here?) They also offer a bumper car arena if you’re feeling a little rambunctious, a high ropes course, towering 20 feet above the arcade area, and a 28 foot LED rock wall … if you’re feeling a little adventurous. Speaking of the arcade area, Pinstack offers a pretty insane variety of state of the art games and novelties, and they own a few games that can’t be found anywhere else in the world, like their brand spankin’ new Jurassic Park game. They also have a claw machine game where you can win Ben & Jerry’s. What more do I really need to say?


PINSTACK
pinstackbowl.com
Facebook
| Twitter | Instagram
6205 DALLAS PARKWAY, PLANO, TX 75024
972.781.BOWL (2695)

Pinstack hosts Happy Hour Monday- Friday, 4:00-6:00 PM

  • $1 off draft beers
  • $5 cask wines
  • $5 margaritas

Hours of Operation:
Sunday – Thursday – 11:00 AM – Midnight
Friday – 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Saturday – 10:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade Rum

Just in time for warmer days, Cruzan Rum has announced there’s a summery new kid on the block: introducing, Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade Rum.

Cruzan’s newcomer to the scene packs a sweet berry flavor with just the right hint of tangy lemon. At 21% alc. vol., Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade is a perfectly sippable, lazy-day patio drink. It mixes perfectly with fruit juices (hello, boozy blueberry lemonade…), iced tea, and more.

I mixed up this light and refreshing little number, as suggested by the good folks at Cruzan …

Cruzan® Blueberry Lemonade Cooler
2 parts Cruzan® Blueberry Lemonade Rum
3/4 part Fresh Grapefruit Juice
1 small pinch Sea Salt
Club Soda

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If you are feeling like stepping up your fancy drink game, here is a mojito recipe that couldn’t be a more perfect summertime beverage …

Cruzan® Blueberry Lemonade Mojito
8 blueberries
6 to 8 mint leaves
3 ounces club soda
2 ounces Cruzan® Blueberry Lemonade Rum
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 lime wedge or splash fresh lime juice
Garnish: Mint sprig and additional blueberries

Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade Rum
750 ml bottle $15
21% ABV
Buy it at your local liquor store or online.
*Cruzan graciously provided me with a bottle of a Blueberry Lemonade Rum for my sipping pleasure. 

RA Sushi’s New Menu Items

The thing I love about RA Sushi is the imaginative and often unexpected twist they seem to gravitate toward when dreaming up their delectable menu items. Take my current favorite RA cocktail offering, for instance- the Emperor’s Cucumber Margarita ($9; Patron Silver, Combier Liqueur d’Orange, lime juice, Japanese yuzu, agave nectar, cucumber). The last place in the world you would expect to find a legit marg might be a sushi restaurant, but trust me, this interesting spin on a traditional ‘rita is uniquely delicious.

Channeling that same creativity and use of thoughtful and surprising ingredients, RA Sushi has dreamed up nine new menu items, which will be available for a limited time (through August). I had the 10 Drink Sampleropportunity to sample some of the new menu offerings, and they did not disappoint.

RA has added three new cocktails to the roster, and my favorite of the bunch had to be the Pear and Lemon Blossom ($8.50), a pear-infused lemonade, made with Absolute Pears, St. Germain, lemon sour, and a pear puree. The pear flavor in this fruity cocktail was not shy, and it mingled nicely with the tart lemon;  oh-so-sippable and refreshing for spring. Also new are the Hot Tropics Margarita ($8.50): Tanteo Tropical Tequila, Combier Liqueur d’Orange, shaken with mango purée, lime juice and agave nectar, served with a chili-salted rim; and the Peach Basil Sour ($8.50): Bacardi Peach Red, St. Germain, fresh basil and lemon sour.

RA also has some new limited time sake offerings, including TY KU Coconut Nigori Sake ($8/$16 *330ML Bottle): premium nigori sake infused with the refreshing taste of coconut and aromatic hints of vanilla; and,  the enticing Discovery Sake Flight ($9): which includes three 2 oz. pours: MIO Sparkling, Kizakura Pure and Saturi “Little Lily” Nigori.

Two new appetizers have been introduced, each featuring seabream. I found myself wondering “What’s a seabream?”, and soon learned it is in fact a mild white fish with a taste and texture  similar to sea bass.  We sampled Red Seabream Carpaccio ($11): finely sliced red seabream and lemon topped with a spicy yuzu dressing, organic micro greens, truffle salt and touch of lemon zest; this light dish was full of fresh, delicate flavor, and it was a favorite at our table. Also available is Red Seabream Nigiri ($4.50): red seabream over rice, topped with spicy yuzu dressing and truffle salt.

We sample two new entree offerings, and I particularly enjoyed the Tuna California Roll ($9), a classic California Roll topped with a mix of tuna, avocado, cucumber, bell pepper and cilantro, finished with togarashi, garlic chips and black pepper soy sauce. Garlic lovers, this roll is for you. The toasted garlic chips were bursting with flavor, and I loved the extra crunch they provided for added texture. We also tried the Langostino Strawberry Salad ($12): langostino, strawberries, cucumber and avocado over arugula, tossed in citrus vinaigrette, served with a tangy kiwi wasabi sauce and truffle salt. This salad was very light and fresh, making it a perfect warmer weather dish.

Whether you’re thinking about checking out these tempting new menu items, or if it’s high time you stopped in for some of your old favorites, a great time to visit RA Sushi would be between Monday, May 25, and Sunday, May 31. During “Nicky’s Week,” RA Sushi will donate 100% of sales from a variety of menu items to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in order to benefit kids battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. So, go and eat sushi for charity!

RA Sushi- Shops at Legacy
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7501 Lone Star Dr. Suite B-130, Plano, TX 75024
469.467.7400

Happy Hour
Monday – Saturday 3 PM- 7 PM & 10-11 PM
Sunday 8 PM- 11 PM

Select  beer, wine, & cocktails, $3.75-$8
Select sushi and appetizers, $3.49-$8.49