The Coffee Culture

More than just a jolt of energy in the morning or a caffeine kick to pull an all-nighter for finals, coffee is a real obsession in America. People drink coffee because it means something to them. Between the rich flavors and sense of lifestyle, it serves as a way to socialize and boost productivity in this constantly moving society.

Europeans on average drink more coffee than Americans, but its cultural importance and meaning to society lags far behind that of America. With a Starbucks on almost every street corner and chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts now selling their coffee grounds in supermarkets, it is hard for any American to avoid the craze. The common phrase, “Wanna grab a cup of coffee?” is a go-to pickup line embedded in American culture that represents the transformation of coffee from just a morning pick-me-up to social interaction. In addition, society “normalizes” behaviors associated with coffee through “ritualized inebriation” (Sexton). This comes from a study done on patrons at Mardi Gras that says alcohol consumption is very much part of the experience because the community sees everyone doing it, so they believe that specific behavior is expected. By drinking coffee as a means of performing tasks in the workplace, individuals believe they are achieving optimal levels of productivity. It is a crutch to get through the day even if it is not actually doing anything for the body. Much like the placebo effect, there is a sense that carrying coffee means that person is productive even if they are not actually working. Coffee then becomes a status symbol.

With the invention of instant coffee in the year 1900, America officially established itself as the fast-paced society it is today. By 1956 coffeehouses were a symbol of cultural movements, revolutionary thinking, and controversial debates. A place for poets and intellectuals to discuss philosophical and political issues as they sip on their cappuccinos, coffeehouses are to this day a destination for freethinkers to come together as they move our society forward. After learning the secret of roasting beans from their friend Alfred Peet of Peet’s Coffee, two teachers and a writer came together to form the world’s largest and most recognized coffee industry Starbucks in 1971. However, the company only sold fresh roasted beans until Howard Schultz bought the company in 1987 with the vision of an expanded menu included coffee and espresso drinks. From the 1990’s through the 2000’s, a new Starbucks location opened every weekday, conquering every street corner across the globe. Fast-forward to today and coffee is now the second most traded commodity in the US with 400 million cups consumed daily (Peaberry).

A place for first dates, late-night study sessions, personal alone time, or group get-togethers, coffeehouses serve as a haven for every kind of personality. Some go as their guilty pleasure, some to escape the stresses of the world, and others to enjoy the laidback ambience. Whether it’s a local mom and pop café or Starbucks chain, the coffee experience extends well past that iconic mug of liquid gold. It doesn’t matter if you order a tall dark brew, blended caramel frappuccino, frothy cappuccino, or just a simple plate of crumb cake; coffeehouses offer something for everyone. Lined with worn-in couches, stocked bookcases, and plenty of outlets, shops invite students and professionals alike to lie back, open their minds, and make a change in the world.

The coffee sensation has even taken on an art form, with the introduction of latte art. Serving up intricate designs, baristas pour steamed milk into a shot of espresso resulting in patterns of heart, leaves, and other foamy embellishments. Whether it is just for the pleasure of the customer or on an international stage, latte art is judged based on aesthetic beauty, definition, color infusion, degree of difficulty or creativity, and speed.

Moreover, there are different kinds of coffee drinkers. There are the men and women armed with travel mugs, running out the door to important board meetings or class lectures. There are those that prefer to wake up early with their tall cup of Joe as they casually read the morning paper or check emails. Some people lay out a specific time for coffee in their day, whereas others only like to grab a cup at Sunday brunch. Associating themselves with specific coffeehouses and tossing words around like “Free-Trade” or organic, coffee goers look to establish a certain image by associating themselves with various elements of the experience. In the book The You Code, body language experts Judi James and James Moore dissect the personality differences associated with types of coffee drinkers. Black coffee drinkers are typically sharp, neat, no-drama professionals with large piggy banks. Espresso drinkers are exciting, energetic fast-talkers that may be on the moody side at points, but they are always looking for a good time. Similar to the drink itself, cappuccino drinkers are frothy and bubbly. These cute, loving, honest, and hard-working individuals put a lot of effort into personal relationships. On the other hand, mocha drinkers find it hard to commit to anything long-term, but are complete romantics that love to be in love.  Latte lovers like to savor their coffee, pondering life and its complexities. Indecisive at heart, they are laid back, calm, and supportive in a relationship.  Frappuccino drinkers are the trendsetters with an adventurous spirit and eye for a challenge. Making friends easily, they usually need someone to keep them in check, as they are usually the life of the party. Lastly, you have the decaf soymilk drinker that can be picky, fussy, self-righteous, and high maintenance (D’Costa).

The Facts:

• 31% of coffee drinkers make coffee the most important part of a morning, brewing a cup first before any other morning behavior.

• 65% of coffee consumption takes place during breakfast hours.55% of coffee drinkers would rather gain 10 pounds than give up coffee for life.

• 52% of coffee drinkers would rather go without a shower in the morning than give up coffee.

• 49% of coffee drinkers would rather give up their cell phone for a month than go without coffee.

Sources:

America’s Coffee Obsession: Fun Facts That Prove We’re Hooked. (2011, February 11). Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/29/americas-coffee-obsession_n_987885.html

D’Costa, K. (2011, August 11). The Culture of Coffee Drinkers | Anthropology in Practice, Scientific American Blog Network. Retrieved from http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/2011/08/11/the-culture-of-coffee-drinkers/

Knikker, R. (2005, March 3). The Coffee Culture in the USA. Retrieved from ezinearticles.com/?The-Coffee-Culture-in-the-USA&id=18258

Sexton, R. (2001). Ritualized Inebriation, Violence, and Social Control in Cajun Mardi Gras Anthropological Quarterly, 74 (1), 28-38 DOI: 10.1353/anq.2001.0010

Peaberry (n.d.). Coffee History 1900’s. Retrieved from http://www.gocoffeego.com/professor-peaberry/history-of-coffee/1900

Momma’s Blueberry Banana Bread

Bananas for Bananas

Banana bread is one of those real homey foods that reminds you of sunday afternoons with grandma or late night bonding with dad. It seems to be the perfect treat at any point of the day, turning the ends of your mouth into a smile of utter joy as the bread just melts into your tastebuds. Best served with a scoop of ice cream and tall glass of chilled milk, it can make any day better.

There are countless versions of this classic, ranging from a more indulgent, sweet loaf to a healthier, fruity loaf. Mix-ins may include, chocolate, peanut butter, cinnamon, nuts, strawberries, blueberries, raisins, carrot, apple, candy bars, coconut, or really anything else your heart desires. In my opinion, bananas go with anything and everything, so put your creative cap on and test out some quirky combinations.

Subbing avocado or applesauce for oil or butter, makes your favorite baked goods healthier and just that much more enjoyable. However, baking is a lot different than cooking when it comes to replacing fats, oils, and sugars; it’s a real science with every ingredient serving its own purpose. You may risk texture and flavor by making these substitutions, but find what works for you and own it. Saying that, you probably think I am at least 400 pounds overweight from all the food I consume and blog about, but I’m actually a student-athlete with a serious addiction to clean-eating. Yet, for me banana bread is just one of those things you gotta overlook the calorie count and enjoy every tantalizing bite. Now this recipe definitely won’t have you sprinting to the gym or busting out of your favorite jeans, but it does rank as one of my guiltier concoctions.

Since I left for college, Momma Bodden has truly perfected the art of banana bread. Because my mom loves to pamper me (no complaints here), I am showered with banana bread lovin’ in monthly care packages and every time she comes to visit. You may wonder how I consume it all or what I do with it all. Silly readers…I put it in my belly. There is a special pocket in my stomach made specifically for banana bread and ice cream that is never negated. And when I am in an extra generous mood I may even share it with friends, but that’s assuming I don’t eat it all in the first sitting.

Though her version may cheat using a store bought cake mix (I am a complete from-scratch kind of girl, so this pains me), I let it slide because it is beyond foodgasmic. So if you want the perfect banana fix or simply looking for a boost in your day, I give you the holy grail of banana breads. Moist and flavorful with hints of cinnamon, pockets of blueberries, and subtle crunch of nuts, this bread is guaranteed to last not longer than 5 minutes out of the oven.

Side Note: For all my fellow food conscious freaks out there I will have a healthier version coming your way soon!

Blueberry Banana Bread

I served my hefty slice cold because I couldn’t wait long enough to microwave it, but it is amazing either way! I just so happen to have banana pudding ice cream to pair it with, which made it even more mind-blowing.

Ingredients:

Cake:

• 1 box of Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix
• 1 (3.4 oz) pkg of vanilla instant pudding
• 4 large eggs
• 3-4 ripe bananas (mashed)
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans; walnuts or almonds
• 1 pint washed and dried blueberries

Streusel:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan. I used 3 loaf pans.
2. For streusel, combine pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in small bowl. Stir until well blended and set aside.
3. For cake, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, bananas, oil, and water in large bowl. Beat ingredients at medium speed with electric mixer for about 2 minutes. Stir in nuts. Mix in berries last. Note: When I mash my bananas I like to leave it a little chunky or drop extra chunks in the batter upon pouring it into the pan. This gives you little gooey pockets of banana as you eat the bread. Also, If you clean and freeze berries ahead of time it helps them keep their shape and also keeps the batter from turning blue when adding them.
4. Pour half of cake mix into pan. Sprinkle generously with streusel. Spread the other half of batter over streusel. Swirl the mixture with a knife in whatever motion you want and sprinkle remaining streusel on top to make a nice baked upper crust to the bread.
5. Bake at 350 for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. It take awhile for this bread to really bake through, but be patient! It’s not good to constantly open the oven when baking or cooking, so hold out as long as you can. I know it’s hard because I’m a perpetrator of this myself, but it is well worth it. Cool the bread in the pan for 25 minutes after removing it from the oven and then invert it onto a cooling rack.
6. I like to store my bread in the fridge because it keeps the moisture in and helps the bread last longer. You can even make multiple loaves at once and freeze some for later.

Indulgence Done Right: Emporium Pies

If Anthropology decided to open a bakery it would look exactly like Emporium Pies. On the edges of Bishop Arts District in a little wooden cottage with a yellow door and welcoming porch, this quant shop is dishing out pies better than grandma used to make them.

I have frequented Emporium Pies often and it is clearly a Dallas top spot to pleasing my sweet tooth, but this past Easter finally prompted me to write about this hidden gem. Invited to the Scovill manor for an Easter dinner filled with family, friends, laughter, a little dancing, and of course only the finest of food, my mom and I were in charge of dessert. Now, I hold myself to the highest of standards when it comes to baking and cooking. I like to think I am the master of the kitchen, only creating things strictly from scratch. However, when faced with Easter Dessert (a momentous holiday celebrating not only the rise of Jesus, but the chance to finally eat foods given up for Lent), I decided to leave it to the professionals.

Thinking of Emporium at the last minute on Saturday, I feared I was too late to pick up even an array of slices for the following day. Calling around mid-afternoon, the staff assured me their pies would sell out within the next hour. The dilemma was I had a SMU soccer game to win and wouldn’t make it to the district until at least 6:30 pm, so following the final whistle (no worries folks we won 5-1, PONY UP!), I sped like crazy hoping there may be just one slice left to feed our party of

Not only did we have the choice of all the pies in the shop, but there were whole pies left of each kind still! I believe it was the presence of Momma Bodden that made the pie gods bring us good luck that night.

Emporium has three pies on the menu year-round including: The Drunken Nut (bourbon pecan with shortbread crust), Lord of The Pies (deep dish apple with cinnamon streusel), The Smooth Operator (french silk chocolate with pretzel crust). In addition to those, there are seasonal hits that you MUST try when its their time to shine. Currently, Emporium is showcasing their In The Limelight (key lime custard with house-whipped cream and cream cheese topping), Strawberry Fields (strawberry, raspberry, and rhubarb), Dr. Love (red velvet cheese pie), and their Snowball (coconut custard, house-whipped cream, toasted coconut). If I had one wish in the world it would be for the shop to add their fall exclusive Drop Dead Gordgeous (pumpkin spiced pie with gingersnap crust) to the regular menu. Pumpkin everything speaks directly to my heart, but this pie in particular knows how to make me tingle with delight.

We snagged a whole Drunken Nut and slices of the Smooth Operator, Lord of The Pies, and In The Limelight. When it comes to packaging, Emporium knows what’s up. If the pies weren’t so sinfully delicious, unwrapping them would probably be an issue for me. Nestled in their wooden carton, tied with string, and accompanied with a biodegradable fork, you can really tell the care and quality Emporium has for what they do. The pies keep nicely and most can just be kept in the open, but the Smooth Operator and In The Limelight needed refrigeration because they contained cream.

Struggling to wait all the way until after dinner Sunday night, I attacked those pies the moment the strings were untied. A Florida girl born and raised I know a good Key Lime when I taste it and WOAH Emporium is some steep competition. It was creamy and had just the right tang to it. The crust has the ideal crumble to it and balances well with the sweetness of the custard. I am not a huge pecan pie fan, but I did enjoy this one. Still not my favorite, I did love how you can taste the bourbon, but it isn’t overpowering at all. The crunch of the pecans balances well with the filling and the cookie-like shortbread crust. The Lord of The Pies is a must for me every time I go to Emporium. Ten apples freshly cut to a pie, tossed in their hand-made caramel, coated with a crispy cinnamon streusel, and baked in a buttery, flaky crust, it’s a classic done right. The slice is more savory without that goopy filling that takes away from the apples. My favorite of the night had to be the Smooth Operator because it was the perfect way to indulge a sweets craving I had since the beginning of Lent. With a silky texture mix of both milk and dark chocolate on a pretzel crust, the Smooth Operator is like a back massage at the end of a long day that feels so good you can’t even move after it’s over. It was definitely an AWWWWW YAAAAA foodie moment for me.

Made in-house, daily, and with fresh organic ingredients, you cannot go wrong with any of their options. The pies contain no preservatives, hydrogenated oils, dyes, nor corn syrup. A flawless balance of components allow the ingredients to shine without that gummy end product to the filling. They are rich, yet not too sweet that you can’t finish the slice.

Emporium Pies is a place known in Dallas for what they do and go-to for Holiday feasts. Waves of crowds cycle throughout opening hours, so if you don’t want to miss the whole pies or slices you’re craving, come earlier rather than later. It would be an honor to work behind the counter at this swanky establishment, rocking one of their B.A. baker bandanas and aprons. Maybe one day…

The Sundown at Granada

It is round 2 of the Dallas eatery takeovers for Momma Bodden and myself as we check out a neighborhood beer garden with a flare for the healthy side: Sundown At Granada. Teaming up with our two favorite partners in crime, Kenzie and her mom Diane, we are looking for a place that can sweet talk our stomachs and provide a fun atmosphere to hangout on a late Friday night. The checklist for tonight’s dining experience include: lighter food options, social vibe, comfortable attire, and a good time.

Sundown At Granada is a local sourcing, farm-to-table establishment linked to the historic Granada Theatre on Greenville Avenue. Praised by my friends Jessica and Renae Bartol (who happen to be some of the finest foodies out there), I was anxious to take the gang to this fairly new restaurant that opened about a year ago. In addition to that, Renae just so happens to work at the bar, so another perk is getting to see her beautiful face upon our arrival.

With a location in one Dallas’s hottest weekend spots, parking was by valet (you could chance it down one of the neighborhood side streets, but I’ve risked it before and it didn’t end so sweet). The weather was cool outside, which was perfect for the inviting patio located both upstairs and downstairs, but with a possible oncoming rainstorm we decided to take advantage of the funky interior dining area. Inside is lined with warm, dark woods, vintage rugs, and rustic accents that have you envisioning a homey library that just happens to house a full functioning bar and serve food. The circle of big, comfy chairs make you want to plop down with a book and cocktail. The waitress sat us at a table in the center of the popping atmosphere on what seemed to be a raised floor, which we later learned to be the stage for that night’s band.

I love eating clean, but usually when I hear of a healthy, vegan, or vegetarian establishment I think small plates, lettuce, and a growling stomach. Sundown At Granada definitely slapped my wrist for those prejudice remarks. Glancing over the menu made me giddy inside to see all combination of flavors, ingredients, and innovations. The first thing to catch my eye was the stuffed avocados. Avocados on their own have me fist pumping for more, but these avocados come in three different versions: SouthWest, Italian or Waldorf. SouthWest includes tomato, feta, black bean, sweet corn, and hemp-seed agave. Italian includes sun-dried tomato, toasted almond, basil, and shaved parmesan. Lastly, the Waldorf includes chilled grilled chicken, candied pecans, and blueberries. Essentially the plate comes with 3 avocado halves where you can choose any combination of ingredients that are then paired with cucumber slices and endives (lettuce cups). Ummmm YES PLEASE!!!

Each avocado was so different from the last, hitting a different note on my tastebuds. I scraped each halve completely clean not because I was fighting satisfy my hunger, but because they were just THAT GOOD. The plate is actually quite filling even after sharing it with the rest of my table (though I did hog most of it).

Coming off a rather large lunch my mom and I decided to split the Kale Cesar Flatbread for our main course. Kenzie went with the Spicy Berry-BBQ Atlantic Salmon with spiced pecan roasted sweet potato and seasonal vegetables. Mrs. Scovill decided on the Rosemary Glazed Meatballs made of kobe beef and accompanied with blue cheese, fig, cranberry, and rosemary fig au jus.

Recommended by our waitress, the Kale Cesar Flatbread will seriously rock your world. Usually I stray from anything Cesar  at restaurants because they make it heavy and thick with fat, but this place does it just like my mom’s version. You can tell it’s homemade because it is more acidic with lemon and garlic, light, and lacking any kind of cream. The thin crust is evenly coated with melted parmesan and then topped with the tossed salad. None of the components overpowers the others. Packed with plenty of nutrients, the Kale Cesar Flatbread is a refreshing plate that tricks you into thinking you’re eating more calories than you are. The option of chicken or gulf shrimp are offered as toppings as well if you want a little more substance.

I didn’t try the salmon, but just look at the picture and you can tell it’s top notch. Blending the tangy BBQ with the sweetness of the blueberries and spicy salmon, the chef allows all the ingredients to flow together. The salmon was cooked perfectly to keep it moist and not chewy.

Sorry not my best picture taking, but I was busy scarfing down my flatbread

You can really tell the quality of beef the kitchen uses when you eat the Rosemary Meatballs. Coated with generous helpings of the rosemary au jus, the sauce didn’t drown out the meat nor were the meatballs dry or crumbly. The dish was evenly balanced with the sweetness of the fig and cranberry to the sharp notes of rosemary and blue cheese. The different textures keep you curious for more.

At the end of our going-on 3 hour dinner, everything on the checklist was met with high remarks. The food left us completely satisfied, but without that feeling that we needed to be rolled out. The atmosphere promotes the constant flow of conversation and makes you want to stay all night. My only complaint was that our waitress was not attentive at all. Though she was quite helpful when it came to the menu, she would leave us hanging for half an hour at a time. I think we sat for almost 45 minutes after placing our appetizers and drinks before she took our main order. Compared to the rest of our experience this was a minor detail for me and I will definitely be bringing plenty of my friends back for more.

The Low Down On Brunch

In addition, I stopped by for brunch about a month ago and was just as blown away. We sat at a high-top table on the patio and enjoyed the cool breeze of the start of spring. Most the group ordered the Sundown Benedict, a delightful plate of shiner brisket, BBQ hollandaise, poached eggs, whole wheat molasses toast, and a sweet potato hash. Being my first eggs benedict, it definitely convinced me it will not be my last. The meat was tender, hollandaise was tangy yet sweet, and the sweet potatoes were baked to a perfect crunch. However, I left with a rather large portion of my stomach left unsatisfied and I do not like leaving a restaurant still hungry. The other two diners at our table had no issue with portion sizes as they devoured their Buddha Wraps, leaving behind unfinished bites that I eyed with envy. The Buddha Wraps includes quinoa, avocado, eggs (which can be substituted for whites), feta, drunken mushrooms, chipotle cream (can be substituted for extra avocado), basil, and a side of sweet potato hash. A hardy meal that even filled the SMU football player joining us.

A Little Extra Detail

Sundown At Granada offers over 60 selections of beer and hand-crafted cocktails. The meat is grass-fed and the kitchen doesn’t house one freezer, meaning everything is FRESH. Entrees can come gluten-free and avocado can be substituted for cheese. It’s a place for music lovers to eat pre or post-show for the Granada Theatre. The restaurant even features live music from a wide variety of bands every night starting at 11 pm, so if you don’t feel like buying tickets or waiting in long lines grab a seat at the bar with your friends and let the music flow as you nourish your body with some good eats. The prices are pretty moderate ranging from fairly cheap to a little pricier, but for the quality you are receiving I think they are reasonable.

Bodden Duo Takeover: Max’s Wine Dive

As much as I love living, breathing, eating, and exploring Dallas, Tampa will always hold a big piece of my heart. Tampa is home to distinctive parts of my life that Dallas could never compete with. The beach, cuban food, childhood friends, the Tampa Bay Lightning, my puppy Dakota, and of course my crazy family. One of the things I miss the most is all the time spent cooking, shopping, discovering new eateries, getting my nails done, staying up all night watching crime stories, stuffing my face, and even butting heads with my momma. Though she may get on my nerves now and then, lecture me about obvious things I already know, and make me just want to scream at points, she truly is my best friend. Momma Bodden may be the only one that can truly rival my food obsessed tendencies. She is always the first one I go to when I want to gush over my latest foodie experience.

This past week the mother-daughter Bodden duo finally reunited to take over the Big D and all its delectable dishes. The first thing we do every time my mom comes in is plan out our week of restaurant to hit and meals to make. It is a week of time together we precisely plan out down to the last bite consumed. The only downside to Momma Bodden’s visits is the number of restaurant blogs that pile up on my to-do list within only a couple days. Some may see this as a blessing and I definitely do, but it is also the definition of some serious #BloggerProbs

Now down to the food…

Those of you that read my blog on the regular know I am a sucker for a good brunch. The thought of fried eggs, sausage gravy, flaky biscuits, and a big fat burger make me go weak at the knees. Of course when I thought of the best way to celebrate the arrival of Momma Bodden the first thing to come to mind was a sunrise brunch paired with a couple mimosas followed by much needed retail therapy. The issue is we wanted to hit brunch on a Friday and most locations only serve it on a weekend. Max’s Wine Dive to the rescue! Food I was dying to devour and a restaurant atmosphere I wanted to personally experience myself, Max’s Wine Dive was the ideal choice to kick off our week together.

Already feeling good about the morning, I open the doors to Max’s like I am walking into Narnia. Floor to ceiling windows looking out to the buildings of downtown, expansive wine bar and walls lined with bottles, eclectic mix of art and high-top tables, a jukebox filling the great room with good vibes, and an open view of the kitchen creating food masterpieces, I feel lost in a wonderland of booze and enticing eats. An upbeat and inviting staff sporting “Fried chicken and champagne?…Why the hell not?!” tshirts give us a quick rundown of the inner workings of the joint and leave us to gawk at the menu.

The moment the waiter drops our menus, I alert him we need an order of Max’s famous cinnamon rolls ASAP. Though not really my thing, Max’s cinnamon rolls are held on a pedestal of culinary greatness by any and every individual that knows of them. Impatiently doing the casual glance over the shoulder to the kitchen in search of my rolls, I actually don’t need a full hour to deliberate the menu this time. The foodie inside me had our order set in stone a couple months ago from hours of ogling articles, reviews, and online menu itself. Game faces on, Momma Bodden and myself challenge the Hangover Pot Pie and Southern Fried Chicken to a battle of the tastebuds and starving stomachs.

 

Arriving in a sizzling cast-iron skillet, the cinnamon rolls are like nothing I’ve seen before. Usually the dough is thick and sometimes gummy, but these rolls are made of flaky croissant-like pastry that breaks apart at the touch. Dolloped with a glob of royal icing in the center of the three rolls, the heaviness of this dish is left to our discretion. Go big or go home is my motto, so I scrape every cinnamon cluster caked to the skillet and scoop generous helpings of icing on each bite. The best way to describe this heavenly creation is life changing. They are delicate, yet indulging with just the right amount of flake, pastry, cinnamon sugar, and melty icing dripping down the side. If it were socially acceptable I would have licked the skillet clean.

When the hangover pot pie hit the table I felt like it was my birthday. A dish ordered in partial for the experience alone, I did not fully prepare for the massive puff pastry staked with 3 large pieces of crispy bacon that appeared bigger than my head. I couldn’t even see the homefries, collard greens, cream sauce, provolone, and fried eggs housed underneath. Usually when my food appears I devour the contents within seconds, but the pot pie literally had me wide-eyed, jaw dropped, glaring in amazement. I had no idea where to begin. Taking my fork, I mash the ingredient down to an approachable measure and dive in. Cheese strings from my mouth as I let the cream, greens, egg, and potatoes mellow in my mouth. The combination of textures, flavors, and presentation set this dish apart from any I know.

The southern fried chicken served as an admirable companion to the pot pie in taste and show. Two large breasts and a hefty wing lay upon the pile of potatoes, greens, and Texas toast. The crispy, brown exterior of the chicken consists of Max’s own jalapeño-buttermilk marinade that is deep fried slow and low at 250. The meat itself is moist, rosy pink, and not overpowered by the tasty spices coating the skin. Though the collard greens and homefries spoke to my soul, I wish we had ordered the chicken and waffles instead, so to appreciate other components from the kitchen.

Located in the heart of Uptown, an area known for its one-way streets, maze-like setup, and countless tow-away zones, Max’s Wine Dive is an easy find with a convenient parking garage located right behind the restaurant. Between the helpful staff, organized management, and innovative kitchen, Max’s combines its 150+ wine selection and comfort food to a tee. Chef Patrick divides the menu into “Classics” and “Chef’s Seasonal Creation,” with homey originals like Max’N Cheese, Signature Blend Burger, and Shrimp & Grits, paired with more quirky items such as Nacho Mama’s Oysters, Wagyu Steak & Eggs, and Pork Stuffed Piquillo Peppers. There are additional restaurant locations in Houston, Austin, and San Antonion as well.