Only Oishii

I ventured to Oishii last weekend for dinner with a good friend and new friends who just moved to Dallas.  Oishi is my friend's all time favorite sushi restaurant in Dallas and she wanted her new friends to get a taste.   You would probably miss the restaurant if you were not directly looking for it. On the outside it doesn't look like much, but on stepping inside, it has a warm and inviting atmosphere that you can easily settle into.

Menu Mentions:

This restaurant receives rave reviews for its sushi.  I am not typically a sushi enthusiast, but I do get excited about a meal at this establishment.  They have unique rolls like the "42 roll" and the "donut roll" that are delicious and enough to fill you up (a nice change from my first experience with sushi, which involved me ravenously ordering a roll that turned out to fit the description of an appetizer).  They also offer the normal salads and soups you would find at a sushi restaurant as well as their beef, chicken, fish, and vegetarian dishes.  They also offer pho, which a friend ordered and said was very good.  While I usually get the sushi here, tonight I opted for something different because I wanted to incorporate more vegetables in my meal.

After studying the menu I decided on the Chicken and Broccoli and asked the waiter if he could also include all of the vegetables that come with the Chicken in Black Bean Sauce (Rule #1 when dining out - never be afraid to ask for what you really want.  Restaurants are often accommodating).  Now, there was a bit of a mix-up and I ended up getting the Beef and Broccoli,  but it still had all of the vegetables and lots of flavor, and I eat red meat so seldom, it would be a nice change in flavor.  The dish came with a side of white rice and I split a very small side salad with ginger dressing and ordered a glass of Pinot Noir to accompany the meal.  I focused on the beef and all of the veggies, only having a very small amount of the rice.  The main dish filled me up before I could finish it all and was full of flavor and nutrition...

Nutrition Notes:

• Vitamin C... bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, ginger and bamboo shoots... helps the body produce collagen and protects against infection and cell damage (promotes healthy looking skin).  Aids in iron absorption when plant - based sources are consumed.
• Vitamin A... bell peppers, carrots (beta-carotene), bamboo shoots... promotes strong & healthy vision, skin, teeth, and tissues in the body.
• Potassium... broccoli, ginger and bamboo shoots... helps manage blood pressure and proper nerve and muscle communication... ginger may also decrease nausea
• Iron... broccoli, beef & bamboo shoots... important for red blood cells to be able to transport oxygen to all of our tissues (skin & muscle).  
• Zinc... beef & bamboo shoots... aids in healing wounds and repairing torn muscles.
• Bamboo shoots...
• Vitamin E... an antioxidant that helps promote a healthy immune system and may prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.
• Calcium... supports strong & healthy bones
• Phosphorus...  helps build bones and teeth, helps the body use and store energy, and helps regulate kidney & nerve function, muscle contractions and heartbeat.  Those with certain medical complications such as kidney disease should talk to their doctor or a registered dietitian about their recommended daily intake of phosphorus.
• Copper... joins with iron to help form red blood cells.  Helps build a healthy immune system and healthy bones among other tissues.
• Manganese... important for normal brain & nerve function, fat & carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, blood sugar regulation, and bone, connective tissue, and blood clotting factor formation.
• Resveretrol...  red wine... may decrease LDL (bad cholesterol) and risk of blood clots;  may help maintain a healthy blood pressure.

Side Note:  

IRON DEFICIENCY

• Did you know that iron deficiency becomes symptomatic once it has progressed to iron deficiency anemia?  This means that your iron stores are so low, you do not have enough normal red blood cells to efficiently carry oxygen throughout your body.
• Symptoms = fatigue, weakness, pale skin & fingernails, dizziness, headache and glossitis (inflammation of the tongue).
• Animal sources of iron = lean beef, lean pork, turkey, chicken, and fish
• bodies absorb more of this "heme iron" than it does "non - heme iron" (that from plant sources)
• Plant sources of iron = beans (pinto, kidney, soy), lentils, dark green leafy vegetables (spinach), fortified breakfast cereals, enriched rice, whole - grain and enriched breads, tofu, broccoli, prunes, and raisins.
• Pair good sources of vitamin C with your plant sources of iron to aid in its absorption - think a spinach salad topped with strawberries and a citrus vinaigrette or a slice of whole - grain toast topped with peanut butter and a small glass of orange juice to drink.

My Conclusions:  (Based on a ranking of 1 to 5... 1 = will not return;  5 = will return tomorrow)

Taste = 5
Nutrition = 4  (A better choice if you add the extra vegetables.  The leaner choice would probably be the chicken.  Be careful if you are watching your sodium intake because this sauce probably had a high sodium content.)
Service = 5

Overall Ranking = 4.7

Pacific Table, Please

My trip to Pacific Table was for a much needed dinner with a good college friend, who lives in Fort Worth with her husband.  I told her to choose the place, she and her husband both thought of this establishment instantly, and there we were.  It had a great feel and atmosphere the minute we walked in and the food completed the experience, leaving nothing left to be desired.  Pacific Table uses fresh organic produce and meats from sustainable farms and ranches in Texas.  My meal, being fresh and full of flavor, did not disappoint.

Menu Mentions:

There are many items on this menu that look equally delicious, fresh, and on the healthier side, making it hard to choose just one.  Pacific Table offers appetizers like grilled artichokes, a variety of sushi rolls, an array of fresh salads, a pecan veggie burger, blackened whitefish served with seasonal vegetables, porcini roasted chicken served with cannellini beans and spinach, and plenty of side dishes, including quinoa or kale salad, mashed potatoes, grilled brussels sprouts, and jalapeno slaw.  After much deliberation, I decided to go with the Brussel Sprout Salad,  while my friend chose the Ahi Tuna Salad and we split a California Roll as an appetizer.

The Brussel Sprout Salad was comprised of:

diced red onion (but not too much), roasted chicken, slices of Manchego cheese, golden raisins, chopped egg, chopped radishes, diced avocado, slivered almonds and a light vinaigrette dressing.  You can stop reading at this point and know you will get a tasty meal here, or, you can read on and get the inside scoop on this culinary success...

Nutrition Notes:

• Vitamin B12... chicken & eggs... helps your body's cells produce energy, supporting the body's metabolic rate and keeping you feeling energized.  Important for getting oxygen to the different tissues in the body (vegan & vegetarian athletes run the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia and may benefit from supplementation).
• Vitamin C... brussels sprouts & red onion... helps with collagen production and protects against infection and cell damage (leading to healthy looking skin).  Helps the body absorb iron and folate from the foods we eat.  Onions may protect against certain cancers such as stomach, esophageal and colorectal.
• Vitamin K... brussels sprouts... an important factor in helping our blood clot.  Be careful about consuming too much vitamin K if you are taking any type of blood thinners as it will inhibit the effects of the medication.
• Calcium... Manchego cheese... supports strong and healthy bones.
• Iron... raisins & egg yolks... helps red blood cells transport oxygen to all or our tissues (skin & muscles).
• Vitamin E... egg yolk & salad dressing (the oil)... antioxidant that fights free radicals:  Involved in immune function, cell signaling and regulating gene expression.
• Lutein & zeaxanthin... egg yolk & avocado... help protect against age-related macular degeneration.
• Sulforaphane... radishes... cancer-fighting compounds.  Protect against oxidative damage in the body that can lead to cancer.
• Protein... chicken & egg white... aids in repair and maintenance of damaged cells due to sickness or injury (wound healing, recovery from surgery or recovering tired or torn muscles).
• Monounsaturated fats... avocado... may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Side Note: 

EGGS

• Did you know that eggs are a complete protein?  This means that they contain all of the essential amino acids (the protein components that our bodies cannot make on their own).  The egg white is the part that contains most of the protein.
• Eggs can add a great richness to dishes.  The yolks contain lecithin, an emulsifier that keeps the fat and liquid components together in creamy sauces like mayonnaise and hollandaise sauce.
• The white of the egg is what contributes volume and structure to items like meringues, angel food cake and souffles.  The egg white is also used to give gluten - free bread products their structure and volume (since they lack gluten, which usually takes care of this).

RAISINS

• Did you know that dried fruits like raisins may be just as good of an energy snack as sports chews or gels?
• Studies have found them to be equally as effective as the expensive chews and gels you purchase at athletic stores.
• Next time you head out for your long distance run, skip the fancy stuff and throw a baggie of raisins in your pack!

My Conclusions:  (Based on a ranking of 1 to 5... 1 = will not return;  5 = will return tomorrow)

Taste = 5

Nutrition = 4 (If you are watching calories and fat, I would be more sparing with the toppings.  I would choose cheese, nuts, or avocado to top the salad instead of all three.  You also do not necessarily need the eggs.  You will get enough protein with the amount of chicken on there plus a little cholesterol.  However, if you just love egg in your salad, it is a very tasty addition.)

Service = 5

Overall Ranking = 4.7

HG Sply Co

A couple of friends and I decided to try dinner on Greenville recently.  We chose HG Supply Co for its inviting upstairs patio and track record of delicious menu items.  The restaurant shapes its menu around the popular Paleo Diet, informing customers that it serves food from “wildlife and natural farming".  Although I’m not on the Paleo bandwagon, I do like this restaurant and find that the food is worth any wait you might encounter (usually pretty long).  Everything I have had here has looked and tasted fresh and been packed with flavor.

Menu Mentions:

The menu is full of unique items that could be a healthier choice.  Such items include: one of several salads, “The Gathered” bowl, their Market fish, Brick chicken, or the “Make Your Own” bowl.  The "Make Your Own" bowl is one of my favorites because you can build your own personal meal based on your food preferences. You can also boost the nutrition content of your meal by including one of many side dishes like the seasonal vegetables, Brussel sprouts, quinoa pilaf, wild mushrooms, or grilled fruit.

This Friday evening one of my friends chose the Market Fish, which ended up being a flavorful and perfectly cooked salmon over quinoa. I opted to create my own bowl with chicken, roasted vegetables and Brussels sprouts.  De - licious.

Nutrition Notes:

• Protein… chicken…needed for the growth, maintenance and repair of cells.
• Folate… Brussels sprouts… important for the assembly of DNA and other genetic material as well as cell division.
• Vitamin C… red bell peppers… antioxidant that protects cells from damage by toxins in our bodies, helps the body make collagen (a protein that aids in wound healing), increases iron  absorption when eaten with plant-based iron-containing foods, and promotes healthy joints, eyes, skin, hair, and immune system.
• Vitamin D… mushrooms… fat-soluble vitamin (needs fat to be absorbed in the body).  Helps the body absorb calcium from food and supplements, aids in muscle movement,  helps the immune system fight off bacteria and viruses and, with calcium, helps protect older adults from osteoporosis.
• Beta Carotene (vitamin A)… red bell peppers… helps build a strong immune system, is critical to good vision, and is important for cellular communication to support healthy functioning organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys.
• Inulin… onions… helps prevent constipation, keeps a healthy balance of bacteria in the colon, and can help lower blood cholesterol.
• Sulfides… onions… found to fight heart disease and cancer.  Onions are also know as “aromatics” which help bring out the flavors in dishes in which they are incorporated.

Side Note:  COCONUT OIL

I was informed by the waitress that the sweet potato fries are fried in coconut oil.  There have not been enough studies to prove coconut oil’s health benefits or that those potential benefits outweigh the negative impact it has on your health by being a saturated fat.  I chose the veggies and Brussels sprouts because I was told they are prepared in olive oil.  There is plenty scientific evidence out there to prove the health benefits of olive oil in helping lower cholesterol with its healthy monounsaturated fats.

My Conclusions (Based on a ranking of 1 to 5... 1 = will not return;  5 = will return tomorrow)

Taste = 5

Nutrition = 4

Service = 5

Overall Ranking = 4.7