12477 Timberland Boulevard

Keller, Texas 76244

817-337-6999

Its been awhile since I did an Out ‘n About segment here on the Manly Housewife. Let me start this one and sum up our experience in one word, WOW! We went to a local Italian eatery in Keller, Texas, that we had heard good things about. Let me tell you, they did not disappoint. From the atmosphere to the food, this is truly a marvelous dining experience. With a slight wait, we chose to sit at the bar top, and I’m glad we did. There we met our bartender/server for the evening; he introduced himself as Justin. He politely walked us through the menu and wine selections, explaining the different courses and the different wines. Immediately, we all felt like we had made a friend. Through what seemed his expertise in wine, we selected a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon and some calamari, and our night began. Through the conversation we learned that Justin and his wife, Cynthia, own the restaurant and that they had a great, heartwarming story to tell. The details of the heartwarming story are theirs to tell, but you can read about the restaurant life here. Cynthia came by and joined in the conversation but quickly went back to greeting guests and ensuring proper service throughout the restaurant.

Some of the great things we loved out this restaurant:

• The Atmosphere – Elegant, yet not uninviting, warm and comfortable
• The Prices – Not over the top (unless you have as many bottle of wine as we had); most meals range from $10 to $16 and no wine bottle is over $20
• The Food – Wonderfully prepared and the flavors blend well together
• The Wines – Each wine handpicked by Justin himself, and, let me tell you, these were some of the best selections we have come across
• The Owners- Dedicated to their craft, Justin and Cynthia put their heart and soul into their restaurant. You can taste it with each bite, feel it with each drink, and see it when you walk through the door.

The pictures on the rest of this post were taken from cellphone if the quality does not due the justice.

We started the dinner with wine. There of us chose Oliva’s house salad with their house vinaigrette, except my wife, who chose the Caesar. Although not disappointed with her choice of a Caesar salad after tasting the vinaigrette wished she had ordered that (she ate a lot of mine).

The Main Courses

My Sister-in-law had the Manicotti ricotta and herbs rolled in pasta topped with marinara & mozzarella. The flavors were wonderful, the seasonings blended well with the sauce, and the taste was not overpowering.

My brother enjoyed Rib Eye Steak 12 oz,  rosemary-mushroom and onion butter,  fresh vegetables (the Manly Housewife pick of the menu). The flavors and tenderness of this steak was divine.  My brother and I had serious reservations about ordering a steak in an Italian restaurant but, let me tell you, it was well worth it.

My wife had Chicken Marsala: mushrooms, Marsala wine sauce. These succulent chicken breasts were smothered in a rich Marsala sauce and the mushrooms had its own distinctive complex aroma that tantalized the tastebuds.

I enjoyed the Veal Genovez: portobello mushrooms, with creamy cognac  sauce. What a flavorful dish! You could not ask for more flavor with each bite, a perfect combination on a bed of pasta.

After several (and a few) bottles of wine, we decide we were going all in on the desserts. With four of us at the bar top and five desserts, we each decided get something different, so as to try as many as we could. Typically, most people do not save room for dessert when they eat out; however, here I would not suggest that. Just jump right in and eat as much as you can.

The Desserts

Tiramisu

Cannoli

Creme Brulee

Cyn-sational Chocolate Custard

Oliva’s has become a staple in our family. Their top notch flavors and attention to detail are second to none. They get the Manly Housewife stamp of approval. Go see them and tell them The Manly Housewife sent ya.

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Wow! This past Saturday evening, some friends, my wife, and I experienced an exemplary evening of the Manly Housewife’s credo of “good food and good friends,” and you may now add to that “great wine!” All the group being nearby residents, we took a short little trip out to a quiet little winery called LightCatcher, just outside the community of Lakeside, that we had been hearing good reviews about. It was truly one of the best dining experiences we have had in the last couple of months. In these ever-increasing days of the busy, always-on-the-run lifestyles we lead, it’s a rarity when you just slow down and MAKE the time to just discover a new-to-you local establishment and spend some quality time with some of your best friends. This night was such a night.

As you enter the doors to the winery, you are immediately surrounded by a comfortably elegant tasting room and gift shop, filled with unique wine corks, wine-inspired memorabilia, and all the accompaniments of excellent wine. A delightfully jolly gentleman named Terry welcomed us to the winery from behind the tasting bar and made all of us feel instantly at ease. All the winery’s available wines can be taste-tasted for between $2 to $3 each (some for 3 for $5). Some of the people in our group are not avid wine drinkers, and Terry, also owner and host of the establishment, was wonderful at expertly and thoroughly explaining the different wines offered and assisting in the selection of wines that matched each person’s unique taste preferences (e.g., “sweet,” “dry,” and even “crisp,” as one of our group requested of him).  Each of us in our group of friends sampled 3 different wines and found ones to fit our palates. Here are the wines that we taste tested:

Donnie & Elizabeth

1. 2008 Jackrabbit Merlot – “Fruit forward and spicy,” according to the menu description; however, this was our least favorite of our trio. We felt it would be decent with a steak but not just as a good sipping wine.
2. 2008 Texas Roads Remuda Red – “Softer, easy drinking blend of Cabernet Sauvingnon and Merlot.” We enjoyed this wine very much and felt it would be great for sipping while enjoying a good book.
3. 2005 LightCatcher Cabernet Sauvignon – “Deep plum, raspberry, cherry, raisin, oak, and spice.” This is an amazing wine, our favorite of the three we tested. We liked it so much, we ordered a bottle to enjoy with dinner. The complex flavors blended well and could be enjoyed as a sipping wine or during a bubble bath. My wife’s first impression of this was, “This wine is doing something good to my tongue!”

Marci & Donna

1. 2008 Happy Cat Semi-Sweet White Wine – “Tropically fruity blend that is floral and pretty.” This was their least favorite wine (probably more about the name association alone, due to Marci’s dislike of house cats LOL!).  Both sweet wine lovers, this wine would probably be fine for someone with a more “evolved” palate, but for new wine enthusiasts it was a bit too dry.
2. 2008 Texas Kiss Rose’ – “Cranberry, watermelon, red raspberry” – Both agreed this was the favorite wine, and this was the one they ordered to drink with dinner.
3. Happy Dog Sweet Red – “Delicious Cherry, Blackberry & Spice”  This was also positively received by both. This is a great, sweet, light-tasting table wine that goes well with a spicy dinner.

Alberto & Veronica

1. 2008 Texas Roads Hummingbird – “Sauvignon Blanc, round and smooth with the flavors of apple, pear, and butterscotch.”
2. 2007 LightCatcher Bobcat – “Syrah/Mouverdre/CabFranc blend, light bodied and fruity.”  This bottle was chosen for dinner and enjoyed down to the last drop!
3. 2008 Texas Kiss Rose’ (reviewed above and high ranking by our group).

After the tasting, we were escorted into the the cool, candlelit  bistro, aging-barrel room to enjoy dinner. The wines we ordered were delivered to the table. We slowly savored our wine and sampled the available trays of Greek olives, served in warmed rosemary and orange- infused olive oil, which were utterly delicious! LightCatcher offers and ever changing menu, based on the current wines available and taking in-season produce into consideration. Glancing over the menu, we all found selections that appealed to each one of us: the carnivore (me), the fish lover (my wife), the comfort-food traditionalists, the risk taker, and the almost vegetarian. . .

Even though LightCatcher offers an eloquent setting and tranquil atmosphere (not one screaming child in the place!), dishes are served family style and, as our varying first courses arrived, we felt comfortable passing them around the table so everyone could share. Listed below are the appetizers we enjoyed and shared:

Warm French Brie. Roasted garlic, shallots, butter served with toasted focaccia (This was delectable and artfully prepared; it was probably the only appetizer that was completely finished. Everyone wanted another bite of this one.)

Warm Spinach Artichoke Spread, served with toasted pita wedges. (Good, but unremarkably unique.)

Texas 1015 Onion Rings with a smoked paprika aioli sauce. (This dipping sauce my wife an I loved; others did not care for it.)

Zorba Flatbread – Fresh Spinach, mozzarella, blue cheese, pine nuts, and lemon (As delicious as this was, the overabundance of gooey, melted cheese was a bit overpowering; it was much like a lemon-tasting, deep-dish pizza.)

LightCatcher offers a slate of Second Course options, which include some wonderful-sounding salads, incorporating dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and cheeses, but we all elected to pass on this course and head directly to the main courses. Again, we all tried to order different selections, not to be a pain in the fanny to our server, but so that we would have the opportunity to share with our dining companions and get a better over-all review of the menu offerings. We were not disappointed by our selections, featured in the pictures below:

Chargrilled Marinated Flank Steak, lemon gouda orzo, sauteed’ cherub tomatoes and a grilled half peach. (This was the most perfectly prepared flank steak I have ever had; although I, sheepishly, admit to not touching my pasta or veggies.)

Andouille-Stuffed Roasted Chicken, Boursin-jalapeno-chipolte grits served with tempura green beans. (This was a meal meant for, and enjoyed by, a queen! Wow! What robust, smoky flavors! Many of us kept nabbing “green bean French fries” from this plate while its “owner” was occupied.)

Grilled Salmon with asparagus cream sauce, peas, roasted fingerling potatoes, cucumber and shallots. (I am not the biggest fan of salmon but for the sake of review, my wife MADE me try this dish. This particular salmon was perfectly prepared, firm fleshed and tasted fresh out of the ocean. I would order this for myself when we go back!)

Chicken Fried, Thin-Cut Beef Ribeye Steak served with mashers, garlic cream gravy, broccolini and carrots. (One of our dedicated carnivores ordered this and his only comment was “freakin’ awesome!” This is high praise coming from this particular individual who tends toward a critical review on anything resembling Chicken Fried Steak, since he’s had it in some of the best restaurants in Texas. This dish looked and smelled wonderful and had even the almost-vegetarian at our table wishing she would have ordered that!)

Chargrilled Hand-Cut Beef Tenderloin 8-oz Fillet served with Mashers, roasted sweet onion with butter sauce. (Meat was superior quality and butter-soft, perfectly cooked and gone in minutes from all the sharing that went on!)

The main courses were simply brilliant, each in its own right. How the small  kitchen staff delivered such diverse selections so masterfully prepared in such a quick time left us all impressed and astounded.  Most of us had almost finished our wines when the call came for desserts. Almost just like Texas Hold ‘Em, we were all, save one, in!

Peach Bread Pudding with Warm Sangria Better Sauce

Peach Cobbler with very homemade crust and fresh peaches

Key Lime Pie with Mango Sorbet and Toasted Macadamia-Nut Britttle 

In conclusion of this Out ‘n About with The Manly Housewife Gang, all I can say is that we have definitely found a new hometown favorite in the LightCatcher Winery! There wasn’t a moment of our time there that we didn’t feel comfortable and happy and indulged. Every single one of the staff was professional, courteous and extremely proficient at his or her respective job.  The LightCatcher wines are stellar and far and away more than we expected to discover in our own backyard. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, with a touch of elegance and grandeur that makes one feel special for the evening. We will definitely be returning for one of their Sunday night jazz sessions. LightCatcher Winery & Bistro gets the seal approval from the entire Manly Housewife Team!

Please be sure to check out their website at http://www.lightcatcher.com/ and see their Facebook Page.

They are located close to Azle, Texas outside of Fort Worth.
6925 Confederate Park Road, Fort Worth, TX 76108

Every once in awhile we do the segment called Out ‘n About with The Manly Housewife. It’s a fun way to go eat and experience some different restaurants and cuisines. Last night, with some urging from my wife, we went to a great sushi place called MK’s Sushi. What a great atmosphere and superb food! It was like dining in a nice martini lounge, without the scantily clad cocktails waitresses walking around. Forgive the quality of the pictures with this blog; they were all taken on my Blackberry.

Our meal started off with a nice bowl of miso soup. Miso soup is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called “dashi,” which is mixed with a softened miso paste. It was light and tasty, seasoned with scallions and full of texture from the tofu pieces, a perfect starter. From there we moved on to the Ahi Tower. The Ahi Tower comes out in a fun, round tower shape and is then mixed together to become what my wife and I decided would be best described as a dip. I am sure that’s not the impression they’re going for, but we could have both gone with a bowl chips to eat this with.

Ahi Tower

Crab, Cucumber, Avocado, Topped with Spicy Caviar, Tuna & Sauce (I forgot to take a picture)

For dinner we enjoyed a couple of different sushi rolls. My wife and I have progressed  toward different palates when it comes to sushi. When we first started to eat sushi together, we would share rolls and make our own a la carte-style dinner. Now we seem to almost run screaming in different directions. I tend to go for the meatier, hefty-style rolls; while she aims for the very delicate, lighter-fare rolls. We still sample each others’ rolls but are developing our own unique styles. She really enjoyed the Beach roll with the mango dipping sauce; while I had the Yummi Yummi roll (how can you not like that name?).

Beach Roll

Crab, Avocado, Cucumber, Mango, & Shrimp wrapped in Rice Paper

Yummi Yummi Roll

Deep Fried Shrimp, Avocado & Rice topped with Fried Shrimp

Our drinks where as fun as our dinner. I went with my traditional “Hot Sake,” which is an alcoholic drink made from rice. I learned to love sake during my service in the Marine Corps. My wife enjoyed a “Femme Fatale” martini.  It was light and  fruity (and I got to eat the cherry when she finished, so it was all good by me).

Femme Fatale

Soju,

Pomegranate Liquor

Champagne

Sweet & Sour

Shaken and poured into a chilled martini glass and garnished with a cherry.

We really enjoyed the food and the atmosphere at MK’s Sushi and highly recommend  this place. I couldn’t find a Facebook page for them, but here is the address:

Mk’s Sushi

2901 Fair Drive, Fort Worth, Texas76131 (817) 306-0003 ()

7255 Boat Club Road
Fort Worth, TX 76179

My wife and I have found ourselves lucky. Not too long ago, a new restaurant opened on Boat Club Road in Fort Worth. This particular location has seen many different restaurants that just couldn’tfigure out how to make it. There has been everything from Italian to a steak style house. None of those restaurants ever came to the top of our lists of place we like to eat at. However we are extremely excited with the opening of Boo-Rays Cajun restaurant. It’s the closest thing you will find to true New-Orleans-style Cajun fare. From the moment you walk in the door you are immersed into that fun Mardi-Gras-style ambiance. The walls are painted purple and gold and decorated with painted pictures of the French quarter and the costumes of Mardi Gras. With the other bad experiences with the restaurants in this location, it was nice to be greeted by to hostesses that promptly took us to our table. My wife was completely giddy to see all the choices on the menu, from gumbo to gator. We started off with some simple cocktails (Yay! they have their liquor license!) and then the most amazing Cajun fondue I have ever had. This fondue was cheese, crawfish, and shrimp with some spices thrown in. Wow! If you go there, trust me, it’s a must. After that, my wife enjoyed etouffee, and I had jambalaya. Both were wonderful. The staff was courteous and friendly and very attentive to our simple needs. We will certainly be going back. You can check them out on Facebook here: Boo-Rays Facebook or visit their website here Boo-Rays website

Moe’s Steakhouse, 47 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204  317.624.0720

I have to say that this has been one of the best restaurants I have reviewed, thus far. Once part of a three-restaurant chain, Mo’s Steakhouse is now independently owned and expertly operated in downtown Indianapolis, just a block away from the Conseco Field House (home of the Indiana Pacers). The bartender at Moe’s was extraordinary, and the entire staff was incredibly friendly and upbeat the entire night. I never felt rushed through the dining experience and, in true “Manly Housewife” style, was able to enjoy a leisurely evening of great conversation, great food, and great drinks for well over three hours.
The food offerings at Moe’s Steakhouse include top-notch steaks and chops, served on elegant, crisp, white tablecloths that seem befitting of the classically vintage, towering Indiana Gas Co. building that now houses the restaurant. Moe’s takes the typical steakhouse experience to an entirely higher level. For starters, the staff will make personalized recommendations after a brief overview of your tastes. On the advice of our waiter, we chose the Cajun-style, pan-fried “Moysters,” served over spinach and bleu cheese, and the Shrimp Cocktail, served with a sensational, spicy horseradish sauce that far exceeds that of another local Indianapolis steak house I’ve ever tried (the Mo’s version has more flavor, and you will simply love it!) . The fish preparations are nothing short of stellar. It was difficult to choose from such an amazing array of offerings; however, I selected their renowned classic, the Surf and Turf, which includes a perfectly cooked 20-ounce, bone-in ribeye, ordered medium rare, and a 12-ounce Australian lobster tail) . The dish was cooked to utter perfection! It’s little wonder this is their signature steak. To cap off the entire night, the bartender set us up with his own signature drink, and then he was generous enough to share the recipe, to be featured in an upcoming Manly Housewife alcohol special.
I highly recommend Moe’s Steakhouse for a superlative steakhouse experience.

FOLLOW THEM ON FACEBOOK HERE

MOE’S STEAKHOUSE AWARDS

• Prime Time Top 10 Steak House
• Wine Spectator Award Winner

• Price is No Object Dinner
Indianapolis Monthly

• “May’s Top 50″
Indianapolis Monthly

• “May’s Top 25″
Indianapolis Monthly

• Top 10 Steakhouses
Indy Monthly – City Guide

• Best Salad
Best of Citysearch