Last night, I joined my friends Tracy, John and Scott for a bite. We are eating our way through town lately - which is great because we are going to places on my list that I never make it to. I'm rather pissed at myself for not having gotten to Mitch and Kristen Kauffman's Urbano Cafe (between Tom Spicer's F.M. 1410 and Jimmy's Food Store).
You could say my dinner companions and I are generally associated with fine dining, but we simply love good food, prepared with passion and integrity. Urbano is really good. The tight room of 9 tables creates electricity. The space is modest, loud, and a few degrees warmer at the height of the evening. We all agreed - we were in New York, not Dallas, last night.
^ Exec. Chef K'eo Velasquez in his small, open kitchen; ^ Our bad-ass server.
^ BYOB makes this place an absolute gem. ^ Caprese S’mores - Melted Buffalo Mozzarella between Toasted Crostini with Tomato and Balsamic Syrup.
^ Pulled Pork Popper with Guacamole and Lava Sauce; ^ Tempura Shrimp over Papaya Cucumber Salad.
^ Mussels with White Wine, Garlic, Onion, Basil, Sausage & Marinara - these were excellent; ^ Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Smoked Gouda Grits.
^ Chicken Saltimbocca - Chicken Breast stuffed with Fresh Smoked Mozzarella, Prosciutto and Sage with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Green Beans; ^ Pan Seared Diver Scallops over Lemon Risotto with Dijon Cream.
^ The Blackboard Special Risotto with Pulled Pork, Tomatoes and Peppers; and a little Tom Spicer from next door.
^ A big ol' mess of delicious desserts: Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Mousse with Hazelnut Florentine Lace Cookie; Chocolate Mouse with Raspberry Syrup, Fresh Berries and Striped Chocolate Cigarette; Chocolate Fudge Mousse and Lilikoi Mousse with a Hazel Nut Lace Cookie and Fresh Passion Fruit; Champagne Macerated Strawberry Kiwi Sorbet.
^ Blackboard Specials; ^ Chef K'eo Velasquez and Owner Mitch Kauffman after service.
...Yep, we are a tough group - and we dig it.
, it was paid for with Cold Hard Cash, and that's that.
