The Latin Pig Cuban Cuisine & Bakery 3131 Custer rd. Suite #165 Plano TX 75075

The Latin Pig is one of the newest plano lunch hotspots serving authentic Cuban cuisine. When I walked thru the door  the Havana decor sent me to another place, real fitting. The customer service makes u feel really at home. Serving authentic Latin foods, to Cuban sandwiches, and even Cuban breakfast and  coffee's. I ordered the Pollo  Guisado. A stewed chicken dish with potatoes and and nice wholesome  sized carrots, was very full filling and seemed like it took hours to make all the spices and flavors molded together and made the chicken very very tasty and fall off the bone tender. For the side dish I had black bean and Cuban rice that I could of made for the main entree it was so good..mild spices made it a wonderful treat. And as an addition to my taste buds I had to throw in  an order of the Maduros which is just fried sweet plantains a very very nice sweet filling way to end my Cuban  Latin infused meal. Will most definitely go back and try everything they have to offer on their menu.. The Latin Pig is a must do.
P.s. the only thing I was missing was a nice Latin Cuban infused drink to wash it all down with ...yup..

Mango Thai ( http://plano.mangothai.net/default.php)

Beef with chilies and basil

Well I don't know what it is, but Thai food has the best base of flavors and spices that u just gotta love. I really must look into building a Thai section in my pantry just for their style of ingredients .. The beef with chilies and basil form mango Thai in Plano (http://plano.mangothai.net/default.php) was not a let down of all of the infused Thai flavors mangled together on a plate of deliciousness. Lol ..sliced flank steak stir fried with Thai basil, fresh chillies, asparagus, and bell peppers. A very simple dish but yet the Thai flavors and taste gives the illusions of a very complex preparation. The steak was very tender and juice from that Thai broth that I could just slurp off the plate, asparagus was cooked to perfection crunchy yet tender. Awe that Thai flavor was all over my plate. I will be going back and trying to order every item on the menu until I can not take it any more trust me. U haven't heard the last of mango Thai from me.... Word up...oh yea and just to export my mind to the Thai experience I washed it all down with a mango cranberry fizz drink concoction of mango purée cranberries pretty refreshing if I might add.

P.s. and when in Thai spicy is always the way to go.

My simple salad recipe

Garlic rosemary grilled chicken with arugula and parmesan salad .

I marinated two grilled chicken breast in extra virgin olive oil ,garlic ,rosemary ,and Italian seasonings for about an hour. Then threw it in the skillet browned it on booths sides on high turned the fire down and threw the lid on it and let it simmer in red wine for about 10-15 min. They where pretty huge chicken breast. And one thing I'm very afraid of is undercooked chicken. It came out so tender and succulent my wife couldn't stop talking about it.

For the salad potion of it. I just took baby arugula and freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and halved a cup of grape tomatoes, a lil salt and pepper and balsamic vinaigrette threw on the slices of that wonderful chicken breast. And voila magic , dinner is served.

Filet focaccia sandwich at outback steak house

Now I'm at outback for my brother in laws 23rd birthday and I'm searching the menu for something new and interesting not just a steak with grilled veggies or backed potato, and I come across something that called filet focaccia sandwich . Never heard of it. But it's marinated slices of beef topped with melted provolone cheese, and garlic herd aioli on toasted bread. Served with au jus for dipping. From first reaction I saw the au jus and I already new what that was, So I expect kind of a Philly cheese steak feel for this sandwich.. And my feelings were right. It tasted just like a Philly cheese steak sandwich. The steak was tender and extremely yummy. But the toasted bread was way to thick for the amount of steak and provolone that was on the sandwich..but this simple but yet tasty sandwich will go into my home receipt book for family dinner. But most likely I wouldn't decide on this sandwich if I went back to the outback. Word up

Apple B's steak fettuccine

I've heard of chicken fettuccine and shrimp fettuccine. But I've never heard of or had steak fettuccine. Applebee's in Richardson Texas has it brand new on the menu. The steak was very tasteful, but the picture on the menu was very misleading. It had very small amount of steak. But it had plenty of linguini, that had a very bland taste not very appealing. I wouldn't order it again unless I order a double order of steak for it. But oh well. Most likely not.

Brickhouse tavern and tap happiness

So for lunch I head to the brick house tavern in Plano Texas (http://brickhousetavernandtap.com). Known for its burgers, steaks, and beers. Very nice lounge atmosphere. With a homie man cave type of feel. I scavenge thru the menu to search for something out of the ordinary of a tavern bar and grill, and I spot the special of the day Shepard's pie originating from Scotland I've never seen or tasted this dish before. It comes out to the table and at first sight it's a mesh of all types of ingredients mashed together kinda resembling a pot pie. But it's ground beef and lamb slow stewed with carrots peas, and thyme. Layered with cream corn and and creamy mushroom soup. Topped with not only mashed potatoes but cheddar mashed potatoes and fried onion crunches. It's a total party in your mouth. I give it two thumbs up. And I would most definitely add the recipe to my cook book for home cook dinner. Yummmmmm.

Good times at joes

Joes crabshack
Well I'm supposed to open the minds of simple food eaters but when I got to Joe's Crab Shack I always go for the same thing. Lol. The king crab cooked in the joes famous bar b que seasoning with andouille sausage. It always hits the spot. But I've tried a new item on the the menu as well. I never ever ever ever eat desserts at restaurants but I tried one today so I wouldn't let u guys down. It was the crabby apple crumble, and it is orgasmic. Cinnamon taste burst over sweet and tangy Granny Smith apples. With more cinnamon pie crust crumbles topped with caramel and blue bell cinnamon ice cream. It is a must have. Next time i will most definitely save room for it. It is the bomb. Yuuuuuuuumy.