My Favorite....PASTA

In my opinion, pasta could not be served without three essential Italian ingredients…cheese, wine, and bread. I love to cook with my friends, and we have created a pretty amazing Bolognese sauce to be served with spaghetti, but when I want to go out, Fort Worth has some great pasta dishes. So get ready to get dressed up, split a bottle of wine, have some olive oil and bread, sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese, and enjoy your pasta! Bon Appetit!!!

PATRIZIO’S

A recent newcomer to the 7th street development located across from Tillman’s Roadhouse sits Patrizio, another borrowed Dallas restaurant. More formal than the Dallas location, the 7th Street restaurant is modern with a large bar and large dining rooms. The colors are teals and turquoises, with rich velvet fabrics and white crisp table cloths. A patio is located in the front for nice weather and people watching. The pizzas are thin and the pasta fresh. My favorite pasta is the Conchiglie con Pollo ($13.32), with super thin sliced grilled chicken, sweet roasted corn and peas, tomatoes and shell pasta tossed in a light white wine cream sauce and topped with a fresh herb and Romano cheese gratin. Every time I dine at Patrizio’s, I promise myself I will try something new. However, upon my discovery of the Conchiglie con Pollo, I haven’t been able to part with it. A favorite of my friends is the Tortellini with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto ($13.43) cheese tortellini with fresh tomatoes and basil in a sun-dried tomato pesto cream sauce. I recommend making a reservation on the weekends, but the low tables located near the bar offer a cozy alternative. Make sure and try a signature Bellini Grande Royale ($7.39) for a sweet, bubbly, frozen cocktail made from champagne, orange juice, and peach schnapps as the primary ingredients.

2932 Crockett Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107
T: 817.698.0003

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PIOLA

Chef Bobby Albanese, who got his start at Ruffino’s Italian restaurant, has blossomed as the head chef of Piola where he uses family recipes that have been recycled through the generations. The warm, cozy restaurant is located in a quant house with a large outside garden at 3700 Mattison Ave. in Fort Worth. Hardwood floors and small, intimate tables create the perfect date or double date environment, but is also a great place to dine with friends. Friday night I got together with three best friends, decided to go to Piola, and were the last ones there laughing and having fun. The menu ranges from Giant Calamari ($8.50) and Grilled Bruschetta ($5.95) to Veal Involtini ($18.95), Buffalo Meat Balls ($17.95), and of course, Albanese’s “Grandma’s” Lasagna ($14.95). I ordered the Stufffed Chicken ($15.95) with peppers, spinach, ricotta, pine nuts, baby vegetables (carrots and asparagus) in a caper artichoke sauce. But this blog is about pasta, right? I am not going to say I was out-ordered by my friends, but the Lobster Ravioli ($16.95) that I stole from the plate next to me was to die for. Next time I will definitely be ordering this dish, served with diced tomatoes, mushrooms, arugula, and terragon butter. Everyone’s meal was delicious, but I will have to order my own lobster ravioli next time. At the end of the meal, the Chocolate Lava Cake (pictured above) is a must!!

3700 Mattison Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76107
T: 817.989.0007

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TILLMAN’S ROADHOUSE

One of my favorite restaurants in Fort Worth, Tillman’s Roadhouse also serves one of my favorite pastas. I have been waiting to write about this restaurant, so I won’t give away too much information yet. This restaurant is co-owned by Sarah Tillman, executive chef, and Todd Fiscus, owner of Todd.Events Creative Design. With Sarah’s eclectic menu and Todd’s modern design elements, Tillman’s Roadhouse opened their first “woods themed” location in Dallas. In November of 2009, Tillman’s opened their second location in the 7th Street development. The menu is seasonal, so it is hard to hold onto a favorite for long, but popular staples such as the Trio of Fries ($9.00), Chicken Fried Hanger Steak ($25.00), White Cheddar Mac-n-Cheese ($5.00), and Table-Side S’mores ($14.00). Last Thursday I went to Tillman’s and found a new favorite….the Sweet Potato Gnocchi ($17.00). Gnocchi is a potato based dumpling that is commonly referred to as a pasta. This Gnocchi is made of sweet potatoes, maple chipotle brown butter, atop roasted squash, spinach, and hazelnuts. The serving size is small and perfect because gnocchi tends to be a filling potato type pasta. As a starter, I always choose the Southwest Caesar Salad ($7.00), composed of Caesar dressed romaine lettuce sitting atop a huarache crisp (similar to a tostada) with roasted Poblano peppers and Parmesan cheese. On Thursday, this spicy salad balanced out the sweet gnocchi. Be prepared for more from this restaurant. And if you want to try the gnocchi, go now! You never know how long it will stay on the menu!

2933 Crockett Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107
T: 817.850.9255

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My Favorite....BURGER

There are many theories to when and who created the first hamburger. Most likely, the succulent meat between a sliced bun originated from the people of Hamburg, Germany who migrated to America in the 1800’s. This meat, served “Hamburg style” was cheap minced meat with spices, typically eaten raw. Various chain restaurants have changed the world and made hamburgers the ultimate American dish. I appreciate the way hamburgers have changed throughout history, but I care more about where I can get the best burger in Fort Worth.

DUTCH’S

In 2007, Dutch’s opened in the TCU area at 3009 S. University Dr. in the old favorite burger location of Jon’s Grille. The name is meant to remember TCU alum and famous football coach Leo “Dutch” Meyer. His famous inspirational quote can be found on the wall, “Fight ‘em till hell freezes over, then fight ‘em on the ice.” This simple and bright restaurant serves one of my favorite burgers, the #5 Bacon and Blue Cheese Burger ($6.85). The most interesting part of any Dutch’s burger is the signature sweet bun. They are very similar to the sweet Hawaiian rolls that are becoming more popular. Under the bun, my favorite burger is smothered with a spicy chipotle mayo and piled high with shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, chopped onions, crumbled blue cheese, and smoked bacon. One might think all these flavors would cover up the most important part (the meat) but they compliment the burger so perfectly. The patty is thick, juicy, and flavorful. An option of fries, tator tots, or onion rings is available for another $2, and the onion rings are worth it! Dutch Meyer may have represented TCU, but now Fort Worth is proud to stand behind Dutch’s Burgers.

www.dutchshamburgers.com

3009 S. University
Fort Worth, TX 76109
T: 817.927.5522

KINCAID’S

It started as a small grocery store in 1946 that prided itself on fresh produce and fully stocked shelves. In 1964, Charles Kincaid’s Grocery and Market started cooking hamburgers from their fresh ingredients and meat market. As the hamburgers became popular, the store began focusing more on the burgers and cut down grocery shelves to provide make-shift countertops for dining. The small, original restaurant has expanded to five other locations around the area, but all keep their roots with the grocery style ambiance. Kincaid’s has won numerous awards, along with the Best Burger in the US out of 400 hamburger restaurants, and it ranks as one of my favorites too. The traditional burger is 8 oz. of Black Angus chuck served with the traditional toppings: pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onions ($5.25) However, I get the Jr. Cheeseburger ($4.10), a 4 oz. option so I can load up on my sides. Always a hard choice, their options are fries, fried okra, or onion rings. One of the signs that hangs in the restaurant reads, “Eat Your Vegetables. Fried. Your mom never said how they had to be cooked, did she?” And everything fried is absolutely delicious! If you can, follow up the feast with a chocolate Blue Bell milkshake. YUMMMM!

www.kincaidshamburgers.com

4901 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76107
T; 817.732.2881

4824 Overton Ridge Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76132
T: 817.370.6400

3124 Texas Sage Trail
Fort Worth, TX 76177
T: 817.750.3200

Also located in Southlake, Arlington, and Weatherford