Just because I did not receive an invitation to the Galleria Dallas Christmas tasting for bloggers does not mean all dreams of having a blogger Galleria Dallas Christmas tasting are over. I realized while shopping the other night that I can have more fun than anyone had that fateful night without me. All bloggers will be sad that they went to the pretend Galleria Dallas Christmas tasting for bloggers rather than being a part of My Galleria Dallas Christmas Tasting For One Blogger Complete Bonanza Extravaganza.
Many food bloggers are passionate about writing reviews detailing food and service experiences, whether it’s good or bad. Some food bloggers are always nice. These bloggers get invited to more than one menu roll out, tastings, and yada. Everything is so good. Yummy. Delicious. Mouth watering. The best food and service a person eating free food could ever dream of! The best they’ve ever had. How many times can a person profess something is the best?
It’s hard to stomach how perfect every free bite chomped & swallowed is. I’m aware lots of bloggers are making a business out of trading free food for compliments. Reviewing a restaurant isn’t a game. Readers will eventually get sick of going to places that suck just because a blogger got a free meal. Moving right along…
My Galleria Dallas Christmas Tasting For One Blogger Complete Bonanza Extravaganza began at Mi Cocina. Indulging in the happy hour Mambo Taxi just felt right. Everyone existing with the living knows this drink is the bomb. Being bonkers isn’t attractive, so I decided to only drink half. Half of a Mambo Taxi is necessary to enter… Townhouse Kitchen + Bar.
I’m pretty sure there is no way Townhouse would ever be down with me attending the Galleria Dallas Christmas tasting for bloggers. Why? Um, I wrote an honest review about super shady service we received this past summer. We were practically thirsting to death even though the restaurant was almost empty. I felt like my throat was going to explode. The two children at our table were mortified. Even they knew this service was crazy bad.
I’ve returned for deviled eggs at least 6 times since this happened. I absolutely love the deviled eggs at Townhouse so much it hurts. Part of the reason it hurts is because I have to sneak into Townhouse and hope no one realizes I’m the one that wrote the review. Ordering deviled eggs to-go as fast as I can is the only option. I don’t check-in on foursquare until safely exiting the building. The love for these $3 deviled eggs is solemnly sincere. Sniffle.
Next stop was 2nd Floor Bistro & Bar. I’ve had a tasting/interview here, as well as filming our Signature Cocktail Series with the bartender. Luckily, the bartender I’d previously met was working the other night. This moment can be considered lucky because he’s funny. There was this fancy lady there with lots of Botox, too. I ordered warm nuts because they remind me of first class.
After having a mini bowl of warm nuts at 2nd Floor Bistro & Bar, it was time to do the unthinkable and meet my husband at Grand Lux Cafe. The goal during this visit was to intentionally gross ourselves out by ordering an appetizer. The spinach artichoke dip was painfully rough around the edges. Chunks of spinach could be seen freaking out in the cheese. We couldn’t finish after having barely started.
Seriously, I would never– ever– go to Grand Lux on purpose. If someone handed me a gift card to this place I’d hold my frown wrinkle and run. This place has the same owner as Cheesecake Factory. Cheesecake Factory hurts my feelings for even existing.
During a discussion with my husband, he hinted I may be some kind of food snob. Not so. I simply don’t like the food at Grand Lux. I’ve had it in Houston several times when it was my friend’s turn to pick a place. This same friend just so happens to love Cheddar’s.
Located inside the Westin Hotel, Oceanaire reminds me of what the main dining room would look like on the Titanic. The waiters wear white coats and the wrap around second floor just feels like the Love Boat. Extra classy people may not agree with this vision. Oceanaire has shrimp & grits in the appetizer section for $16. This is not working out for poor people. The bartender said that even though it says appetizer, it doesn’t feel like an appetizer. He was right! There were five or so shrimp in extremely creamy grits.
The only part that sucked was trying to take the tail off in a dainty way. Using my fork and knife to slide the tail off meant some of my creamy grits were going to be lost in the tails forever. I’ve had the fish tacos on the happy hour menu for $5. Extremely small, but tasty. P.S. Tito’s Vodka is $11.25!!!!!! That’s all I can say. It’s simply too painful to discuss this price gouging travesty.
The Grill on the Alley is definitely a man’s world kind of place. I’m not saying girls aren’t allowed, just know that power suit wearing businessmen have to have lunch and The Grill on the Alley is the place they need to be. I tasted a $14.75 teeny tiny scallop appetizer. Dinner is expensive, so visiting during happy hour is a good idea. They have great prices with a lot of options.
What better way to end My Galleria Dallas Christmas Tasting For One Blogger Complete Bonanza Extravaganza than by having a pretzel from Auntie Annie’s. These soft hand-rolled pretzels are always amazing. Pretzels are usually a snoozer, but not Auntie Annie’s! Without trying, people can smell these pretzels cooking from the other end of the mall. Don’t forget to ask for cream cheese.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: None of the food received during My Galleria Christmas Tasting For One Blogger Complete Bonanza Extravaganza was free. I had to make sure money was in my account in order to eat all of the above paid-for-food. My opinion is mine and you can’t have it. My husband didn’t even pay for this. END OF THIS IMPORTANT BLOGGER DISCLOSURE INFORMING EVERYONE THIS FOOD WAS NOT FREE.