tiny boxwoods

I love that my hometown of Houston, Texas has such a great restaurant scene. Living in NYC can sometimes spoil a person, but I'm lucky that I still get to eat plenty of delicious food when I'm back home as well. Tiny Boxwoods is one of my go-to spots, as both the cuisine and atmosphere are right up my alley. Their mission is to "create an experiential bond between food and environment that's contagious to all and forgotten by no one... to prepare good food from good places. Not just from its origins, but from our kitchen". The food here truly speaks to that idea, and the fresh, seasonal ingredients really do make for a memorable meal. Click through the photos for more details about each of our vibrant and flavorful dishes. I'm bummed I missed a photo of our wood-fired pizza, but I can assure you it's perfectly delish! If you do happen to stop by, try to snag one of the beautiful outdoor garden tables, and don't forget to grab a freshly baked cookie to-go on your way out!

16 oz. espresso rubbed dry-aged rib eye // oven roasted yucca, baby heirloom tomatoes, house chimichurri 

sauvage

I'd been looking forward to trying Sauvage ever since it opened across from McCarren Park and the ever-popular Five Leaves. Other restaurants have had trouble surviving in this location, but this place just seemed different. Months passed without stopping by, then my husband and I got word that his mentor and chef Damon Wise had taken over the kitchen, which instantly moved it to the top of our list! We dined with a good friend and enjoyed the fresh spring menu, which was full of seasonal favorites like morel mushrooms, strawberries, ramps, and asparagus! Each and every dish was well-balanced and full of flavor, it would be hard to pick a favorite. I loved the chef's unique take on vegetables, from the multicolor carrots with cloumage & ramps, to the roasted cauliflower with broccoli pesto & spicy pistachios, I could easily make a meal of all the appetizers! My black bass entreé just melted into its creamy but light buttermilk broth, and the morel mushrooms added a lovely earthy flavor. You know I love dessert (and usually order multiple), but after such a big meal something light and refreshing was all we could handle, so the yogurt granita was just perfect! Scroll through the slideshow to check out the rest of our ridiculously delicious meal! And full disclosure- since we dined at Sauvage, Chef Damon has left the restaurant and returned to the South, where he's originally from. But it's still his menu and the cooks continue to execute it with ease!

moro

On a recent trip to London I got to have dinner with a good friend from NYC. It's funny that with our busy travel schedules, sometimes it ends up being easier to get together when we're away from home! She knows London better than I do, and also appreciates really great food, so she suggested we dine at Moro. This place is a true classic (it's been around for 20 years!), and after trying their food, I totally understand why. The chefs focus on the flavors of the Southern Mediterranean- think Spain, Morocco, and the Sahara- which leads to some truly vibrant food. Everything was flavorful and delicious, from the seasonal special we shared to start (which we ate too quickly for a photo!) to the charcoal grilled halibut. I think the highlight, for me personally, was the mixed vegetable mezze- it's everything I want on a plate and truly how I love to eat on a daily basis. Not to mention the fresh bread was baked to perfection!

A few nights later I also got to dine at their sister restaurant, Morito Hackney Road, which was equally impressive and totally up my alley. Think a similar vibe but offered in more a small plates setting. Super tasty and great for a group! I really cannot say enough good things about Moro and Morito, and I definitely look forward to returning to both spots on my next trip to London!

top shop byron bay

Byron Bay is truly one of the most magical places. I got to spend a few days there with friends on my trip to Australia, but I'd gladly return at the drop of a hat! It's a picturesque beach town, with tons of cute shops and places to eat. I've raved about my love for Aussie food culture before, but it's seriously the best. I love the idea of going out for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, sitting outside, and enjoying all the fresh flavors the season has to offer. Top Shop Byron Bay is a popular little corner store and café (super close to where we stayed!) that focuses on local and organic produce, and makes some really great coffee! We stopped in multiple times on our three day getaway from Sydney, and practically everything on the menu is right up my alley. The acaí bowls come topped with tropical fruit, dried coconut, and granola, and are the perfect refreshment after a morning in the sun. I became particularly obsessed with the maca-mango smoothie, made from mango, macadamia nut milk, and macadamia nut butter. Oh my glory it was so delicious, and I cannot wait to recreate it at home! My husband was a fan of the breaky burger, which comes fully loaded with egg, bacon, and avocado! All the homemade baked goods are laid out on display to tempt you as well, and they are absolutely worth the indulgence. Top Shop is totally my kind of spot, one that I definitely wish there were more of stateside!

deliciously ella

I've been following Ella Mills (@DeliciouslyElla) for a while now, and was super excited when she opened The MaE Deli (now called Deliciously Ella) along with her husband, Matthew. Now with multiple locations around London, the delis offer natural, seasonal, and delicious food. While I (luckily) don't have any allergies or need to avoid any specific ingredients, all the food at The MaE Deli is free from wheat, dairy, additives, and refined sugar, making it the perfect, healthy spot for breakfast or lunch for just about anyone. On a recent trip to London, I visited twice, and loved all the fresh, colorful options to choose from. I created my own "MaE Bowl", with miso broccolini salad, sweet potato with coriander tahini, cauliflower & broad bean falafel, and grilled vegetables with sorrel pesto, all topped with avocado pesto dip! Talk about a mouthful, but this is my favorite kind of lunch. Veggie-based, full of flavor, and super healthy and satisfying!

You know me- I rarely pass on the sweets, and this occasion was no different. The fudgy brownie tastes sinful and indulgent, but is far from it. I love when a dessert still tastes rich and decadent, but isn't full of a bunch of processed crap! Win-win! And how pretty is the hot pink frosting on that red velvet cupcake?! You can now also buy Ella's energy balls in various stores around London (like Whole Foods!). These bite-sized treats, made from nuts and fruits, are great, quick sources of energy and protein, and delicious to boot! I like keeping a few in my bag for whenever I start to get hangry. Here's hoping a NYC location opens soon! 

modern love

Whenever my vegan bestie comes to town, she always has a long list of veggie places she's dying to try. And although her trips typically last only a few days, we manage to cram in tons of delicious plant-based eats (see Double Zero and Vedge for examples). Modern Love comes to Brooklyn from famed vegan chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz, who describes the cuisine as "swanky vegan comfort food", and I tend to agree.

Some highlights from our meal included the za'atar pretzels with babaganoush (what's not to love about freshly baked bread?!) and the root vegetable chickpea korma. The rutabaga parsnip coconut curry was so flavorful, and the persimmon chutney was the perfect complement to the rest of the dish! Click through the photos for more details on our swanky homestyle meal. Modern Love may not be my favorite vegan spot in the city, but if you're craving some good 'ol veggie comfort food, it's definitely a great bet!