Tag Archives: italian

In English, “Mi Piaci” is literally translated to, “it pleases me”.  I think that’s a very fitting name for this restaurant, as everything about my evening there was pleasing, from the cocktails to the food to the service.  I first ate at Mi Piaci for my high school graduation celebration dinner with my family… and I remember loving it.  It looks like, while the decor has changed a little over the years, the rest of the experience is still top-notch.

We were seated at a table right by the window on my most recent trip, and that’s something you should always request when visiting.  Mi Piaci is situated on a small pond, complete with a lit water feature; needless to say, it’s a pretty great place to watch a fiery Dallas sunset.

Our meal started with a greeting from both of our servers, and the offering of two of my favorite things … alcohol and bread.  I started with a drink recommended by our server, an Italian Sparkling Pear (Grey Goose Poire, prosecco, St. Germaine, and lime juice), which was so deliciously refreshing that I had to make sure to pace myself and not down the whole thing in one gulp (pictured below).  My hot date and I agreed that the drinks were pretty damn strong.  You’ll want to be prepared to call a cab if you plan to stay for multiple drinks here!

MP’s wine list is extensive enough to offer a pairing for each dish, and definitely offers wines from all across Italy.  If you need any direction on which wine to order with you meal, the wait staff is knowledgeable and can help you do so.

Our meal consisted of a few rounds of fantastic food, starting out with their to-die-for olive bread and longer-than-my-arm breadsticks.  We perused the menu and tried with great consternation to make a decision on our entrees and agreed on the Arancini Aurora (breaded risotto croquettes with Italian sausage) as an appetizer (pictured bottom, left).  The balls of heaven were a great way to start the meal and really packed a lot of flavor in such a small package.  Get these.

Dinner for me was Fonduta di Tortelloni con Granchino (fontina cheese-filled tortellini with crab, vegetables, and truffle butter) and it broke my heart that I couldn’t make room to finish the dish (pictured left, 2nd from bottom).  The tortellini was plump and the crab was rich.  Our waiter made sure to give me tips on how to prepare the leftovers … what a mench.  My date ordered the Pollo Alla Marsala (roasted chicken with sweet pepper risotto in marsala wine sauce) and told me, “I liked it … and it was a good portion.”  He’s quite eloquent, no?

We didn’t have room for dessert (DAMN!), so I opted for another drink.  I left my drink decisions in the waiter’s hands once again, and he made another great choice by bringing me an off-the-menu orange martini that tasted like gourmet Sunkist spiked with prosecco.  My inner 12-year-old was delighted. (pictured right)

Stop into Mi Piaci for lunch or dinner in the dining room or a few drinks in the Luna Lounge, which serves Italian-inspired tapas and appetizers (along with their dangerous drinks, of course).  The Luna Lounge offers sumptuous velvet couches and inviting leather chairs under chandeliers, and what Texas lounge would be complete without a cowhide rug?

Mi Piaci
www.mipiaci-dallas.com | @mipiaci_dallas
14854 Montfort Drive (Addison)
972-934-8424

***Please note: this meal was on the house.***

NEO

Just like in the Matrix, Neo was “The One” (well, maybe it’s “The Three” in this case). Neo in Victory Park, the sister restaurant to Olivella’s by SMU, has been on my “To Try” list since it opened. Finally, I made it in and luckily caught their all-night happy hour (or at least the barkeep told me it was).

When I walked in, I was greeted by the bartender (Jake?) and chose a table. I enjoyed a snappily-poured $2 vodka sprite while waiting for my party as the place began to fill up (well, past the 12 people that were there when I walked in). My drink was just strong enough to give me a slight buzz which wasn’t hard due to my completely empty stomach. Once my party arrived we quickly realized that the bartender was not only the bartender, but also the host and waiter.

Overall, our boy, Jake, was quick but not quick enough to serve the 30-or-so patrons all at once; we waited quite a while for him to take our order. While it wasn’t his fault, management may need to revisit their staff schedule.

The drinks aren’t so strong, but they are quick to be made and you can always go with one of their wine or beer selections (both of which have some Italian and American options). I didn’t get to try the frozen lemonade but it looked delicious … just what I’d want on a 102° day.

The pizza is great; as I said, my third favorite in Dallas third only to Coal Vines, the one restaurant in Dallas about which I won’t listen to you talk smack, and Il Cane Rosso. I figured it must be good because their pies were voted “Best Pizza in Dallas” by “The Observer”. The pizzas are cooked in a wood-burning stove and are $13-23 (the regular/metro will feed 1-2/2-3 people, respectively). They don’t limit their menu to just pizza, they have sandwiches, salad wraps, pasta, and desserts. Skip the focaccia bread.

Their decor is rustic with a modern twist – large, black banquettes, pretty cheeky old-school-looking light bulbs, and some exposed brick. They don’t seem to have much lightning and we wondered what happened after the sun went down — apparently they just go with tall jar candles on each table to give it a bit of a romantic Italian vibe.

Bottom line: I’d go back if a friend wanted to go, but I wouldn’t volunteer it again unless I know there will be at least two people on staff for the night … but it’s tough to beat a $2 drink.

Drink strength: 2.5
Overall: 3.5

NEO
www.neopizzeria.com | @neo_pizza
2340 Victory Park Lane | (214) 522-9898

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 2-7 p.m. (ends at 5 p.m. on AAC event days) | $2 wells, domestics, and frozen lemonade

Wednesday | 1/2 price bottles of wine after 7pm

NEO

Just like in the Matrix, Neo was “The One” (well, maybe it’s “The Three” in this case). Neo in Victory Park, the sister restaurant to Olivella’s by SMU, has been on my “To Try” list since it opened. Finally, I made it in and luckily caught their all-night happy hour (or at least the barkeep told me it was).

When I walked in, I was greeted by the bartender (Jake?) and chose a table. I enjoyed a snappily-poured $2 vodka sprite while waiting for my party as the place began to fill up (well, past the 12 people that were there when I walked in). My drink was just strong enough to give me a slight buzz which wasn’t hard due to my completely empty stomach. Once my party arrived we quickly realized that the bartender was not only the bartender, but also the host and waiter.

Overall, our boy, Jake, was quick but not quick enough to serve the 30-or-so patrons all at once; we waited quite a while for him to take our order. While it wasn’t his fault, management may need to revisit their staff schedule.

The drinks aren’t so strong, but they are quick to be made and you can always go with one of their wine or beer selections (both of which have some Italian and American options). I didn’t get to try the frozen lemonade but it looked delicious … just what I’d want on a 102° day.

The pizza is great; as I said, my third favorite in Dallas third only to Coal Vines, the one restaurant in Dallas about which I won’t listen to you talk smack, and Il Cane Rosso. I figured it must be good because their pies were voted “Best Pizza in Dallas” by “The Observer”. The pizzas are cooked in a wood-burning stove and are $13-23 (the regular/metro will feed 1-2/2-3 people, respectively). They don’t limit their menu to just pizza, they have sandwiches, salad wraps, pasta, and desserts. Skip the focaccia bread.

Their decor is rustic with a modern twist – large, black banquettes, pretty cheeky old-school-looking light bulbs, and some exposed brick. They don’t seem to have much lightning and we wondered what happened after the sun went down — apparently they just go with tall jar candles on each table to give it a bit of a romantic Italian vibe.

Bottom line: I’d go back if a friend wanted to go, but I wouldn’t volunteer it again unless I know there will be at least two people on staff for the night … but it’s tough to beat a $2 drink.

Drink strength: 2.5
Overall: 3.5

NEO
www.neopizzeria.com | @neo_pizza
2340 Victory Park Lane | (214) 522-9898

Specials:
Monday-Friday | 2-7 p.m. (ends at 5 p.m. on AAC event days) | $2 wells, domestics, and frozen lemonade

Wednesday | 1/2 price bottles of wine after 7pm

villa-oh my gosh, yum

This organic cafe knows how to do brunch!  I’ve been known to lose track of time when at bars, but this was a brunch that lasted 3-1/2 hours.  Let’s be for real, though … how could anyone turn down brunch, nay, brunch with bottomless drinks for a reasonable price?  Definitely not me.

While I waited a hot 2 minutes by the front door for the host to acknowledge me, he was very friendly when he did and led me to a plush booth toward the back of the blue-and-white restaurant.  This restaurant has been host to many-a work dinners and various other meals and events, and I seem to have a completely experience each time.

On a Monday they offer a free 2-course meal (full servings, no kidding) and it will only cost you the tip.  Though you can get caught with this by ordering drinks and dessert, it’s still a fantastic deal.  Get one sfuzzi and your night is made – it’ll get you festive.

Sundays are brilliant because you can mix-and-match.  Having to choose one drink to be your bottomless choice is almost like choosing a husband … one flavor for an entire meal?  No, thanks.  Luckily Villa O is liberal with their choices and their portions.

The food at Villa O is very good and, as I mentioned, the portions are large so an entree can fill you up and leave you enough to take home for a midnight snack.  The bread, though, is the crowning glory of this restaurant.  I could be happy for the rest of my life with their bread basket and bottomless choices.

Drink strength: 3 (except for the sfuzzi which gets a 4.5!)
Overall: 4

Villa O
villaorestaurant.com
4514 Travis Street
(214) 780-1880

Specials:
Sunday | til 3 p.m. | bottomless drinks (your choice of mimosas, sfuzzis, bloody marys, or bellinis) $8 | kids eat free all day
Monday | free 2-course meal
Wednesday | 1/2 price wine
Thursday | $3 drinks for SMU students only