G.R.i.D. (Get Rich in Dallas)

I have mixed feelings about this new Thai place on Lemmon Avenue. What used to be the simple spot Thai Nipa has become a boutique type restaurant from the owners of Nandina. The only thing, I’ve seen it all before. Down to the strip mall that this spot claims. Manow Asian Brasserie is not an original idea. Slick white surroundings, bold color contrasts and chic dishes both literally and figuratively. Hmmm….sounds a lot like Asian Mint. Not being overly impressed with the unoriginality, I figured the food is really where the difference would be. So a basic pad thai dish was in store.

The dish itself was simple and tasty with a good noodle and decent bites of chicken but nothing stood out that was spectacular. The simplicity didn’t match up to the surroundings. Instead of spicing it up with, well, spices, or garnish to create their own version of the dish, the food seemed merely a step-by-step recipe. Is it fair to judge a restaurant by what may be its most simple dish? Yes. And no. Thai restaurants can pull of Pad Thai. No matter. But in stylized surroundings and attempts to be more destination than eatery, there should be something a little more outstanding or original. A little more acidity might have worked. But otherwise, there wasn’t too much impressive.

Their hot tea was actually a treat. Our jasmine tea was silky smooth and perhaps it was the overdone jade-like  teapot and cups but I could not stop drinking it. However, that being the highlight of the meal wasn’t enough for me to want to go back. There isn’t a genuine feeling here that the food is the star here. It certainly isn’t at Nandina. Having said that, their menu is at least inspired. And although I didn’t have sushi, their selection is very tempting at good prices.

If you want hot guys serving up adequate dishes, this is the place. That alone might keep the doors open being in Oak Lawn and being very gay-friendly. They even want to have a “men’s night” once a week for drink and food specials. But hopefully, they men at Manow will think about two things. Don’t forget the lady folk. And change chefs.

I totally blame the BF on this one. He went and got a bag of these new Snyder’s of Hanover pretzel pieces and then offered me a taste. Upon tasting their new Hot Buffalo Wings flavor, I simply could not give him back the bag. It was with complete reluctance that the surprisingly tasty treat would leave my cold dead hands.

Ironically, I hate hot buffalo wings. I pretty much do not have a palate for anything hot - fake or authentic. Although it is something I’m working on, my sensitive taste buds still get a shock to the system when even mild salsa hits. But the tang and saltiness of these pretzel nuggets filled the mouth with flavor and while probably not hot for the majority of peeps out there, they did provide a nice kick regardless. One will not be enough to satisfy your forever changed buds after a taste of these.

I have seen the future of pretzel pieces and it’s name is Snyder’s of Hanover Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel Pieces. Whew! Long name!