72 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH | APRIL 2018 HugsCafé Everything about Hugs makes us want to smile—from the friendly staff, to the exceptional customer service,tothegiant“HUGS”signon thewall,andofcourse,tothefood. OwnerRuthThompsoncreatedthe Hugsconceptasalunch-onlyplace where adults with special needs could find meaningful work and then used her cooking background to create truly delicious menu items.You’ll find daily soups, fresh salads and decadent sandwiches that are piled high with tasty fillings. Our favorite just might be The Chickie Hug, made with Hugs’signature chicken salad, cucumber,freshspinachandtomatoonyourchoiceofbread.UltimatePic- nicPotatoSaladisamust-tryside,andeveryoneravesabouttheSignature WeddingCakeCookies.ClosedonMondays. 224E.VirginiaSt.|McKinney (469)301-6900 www.hugscafe.org Norma’sCafé Since 1956, Norma’s has been serving up its own brand of delicious fare and down-home hospitality. From giant omelets stuffed to the brim, to burgers,sandwiches,andsomuchmore,narrowingdownyourchoicescan beachallenge.EveryonelovesNorma’sbiscuits,butdon’teattoomanyof them or you won’t have room for things like the Chicken Fried Steak (one ofDFW’sbest),Open-FacedPotRoastSandwichonTexastoastservedwith mashedpotatoesandsmotheredwithgravy,ortheubiquitousdinerPatty Melt, positively oozing with Swiss Cheese and smothered onions. Don’t forget the pies!You can’t leave without indulging in one of Norma’s Mile- HighCreamPies™;thecoconutversionisanotherworldlyexperience. MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW www.normascafe.com Spoons Located right on the square in beautiful, historic McKinney, Spoonsoffersbreakfastalldayplus aplethoraofdelicioussandwiches, burgers and hot dogs, soups and salads—something to suit every- one’s culinary cravings. Start by sharing an order of Cottage Pota- toesAlltheWay—basically,abreakfastversionofcheesefries:housepo- tatoessmotheredwithCheddarand PepperJackcheeses,crumbledapple smokedbacon andasideofSpoons’salsa.Spoonsisfamousforitschicken salad, and once you’ve tried it, you’ll know why: diced red grapes, celery, and pecans, mixed with mayonnaise and pickle relish, served on bread or slider buns, make it a standout. It’s a terrific place to chill with family and friends after shopping “The Square.” Hint: Do not miss out on the killer dessertsincludinghomemadepies(mightwesuggestcoconutcream!). 100E.LouisianaSt.|McKinney (972)548-6900 www.spoonscafe.com Cajun Amberjax ThislightandspaciousLouisiana-styleeateryhasplentyto offer. Not only is it smack-dab in the middle of one of Dallas’hottest dining destinations for date night and more, the freshly prepared seafood is tough to beat. Whetheryou’vegotahankeringforDownHomeShrimpandGrits,Lobster Mac&CheeseormaybesomethinglighterlikeSearedYellowfinTunawith Wasabi, Ponzu and Ginger, Amberjax will not disappoint. Don’t like fishy things?Noworries.Theyalsoofferdeliciouschickenandbeef. 3011GuldenLn.,Ste.107|Dallas (469)513-9088  www.amberjax.net LavaCantina Lava Cantina offers a unique din- ing/entertainment concept that father and son owners Steve and IanVaughnliketocall,“Creolefood with a Mexican twist.”The place is flooded with music memorabilia, making it the perfect backdrop to enjoy live outdoor bands, a roof- top patio, fantastic food, and plenty of adult beverages.This is where you want to people watch, with that just-right combination of Austin-esque outdoorsy-ness with a nod to bigger venues such as House of Blues. Grab a nosh or a meal: appetizer standouts include Crawfish, Alligator and ChorizoDipservedwithtortillachips,andGreatBallsofFire(basically,rice balls)madewithboudinsausage.Entreescanbeaslightorasdecadentas yourwaistlineprefers. 5805GrandscapeBlvd.|TheColony (214)618-6893 www.lavacantina.com French BonnieRuth’sBistroFrançaisetPattisserie Can’t get to Paris? Then get to Bonnie Ruth’s, where you’ll enjoy classic Frenchbistrocuisine,musicandawarm,invitingatmosphere.Menufavor- ites include Croque Monsieur with decadent béchamel sauce, Steak Frites (ala10ouncesofNYStrip,pansearedandservedwithredwinejus)andof course,OnionSoupGratinéemadewithvealstock,caramelizedonionand topped with melted Gruyere. Heavenly. And don’t forget to swing by the adjacentpatisserietopickupsomepost-datedeliciousness. 916GardenParkDr.|Allen (214)383-6777 www.bonnieruthsallen.com Cadot Chef Jean-Marie Cadot, a native of Paris, grew up in a family that has been in the restaurant, hotel and bakery business since 1758—and no, that’s not a typo. Inotherwords,Cadotknowsfood, and the offerings at his epony- mous restaurant in North Dallas are French comfort at their finest. Be sure to start with the Onion Soup Gratinée, a rich broth with silky onions, smothered in bubbling cheese. Afterthat,anychoiceistherightchoice.FromDuckTerrinewithPistachios, Foie Gras andTruffle, to Flounder Crusted with Parmesan, to other French classics, such as Steak Frites with Peppercorn Sauce or Coq AuVin—each dishisbothlovinglypreparedandexpertlyexecuted. 18111PrestonRd.,Ste.120|Dallas (972)267-5700 www.cadotrestaurant.com risen°1 Who doesn’t love a really good soufflé? And this is definitely the place for one.Whether you go with a savory version likeTruffle Infused Mushroom or Herb & Spicy Sausage, or a sweet soufflé like Chocolate or Grand Mar- nier (we would definitely suggest at least one of each), these are soufflés justlikeyourgrandmotherusedtomake,ifshehappenedtobeFrench.Or a chef. Or both. If you’re really lucky, you’ll enjoy one of their spectacular seasonal soufflés, like Cranberry Champagne. And of course, you simply cannotmisstheinadvertentappetizerforwhichtherestauranthasbe- come most famous: Marshmallow Soup. Though not technically marshmallows,smallpuffsofbakedgoatcheesefloateffortlessly onadeliciousredbrothtoppedwithgreenpesto.Yum. 5360W.LoversLn.,Ste.220|Dallas (214)366-9900 www.risesouffle.com German Kuby’sSausageHouseandEuropeanMarket Kuby’s Catering has been a Dallas staple for decades. From mouth-water- ing deli trays to box lunches to sit down dinners, everyone loves Kuby’s sausages, Oma’s Potato Pancakes, Schnitzel, Reuben Sandwiches and HomemadeSoupsthatchangedaily.Cateringstartsatjust$14perperson and includes two sausages, several traditional German sides, mustards, bunsandevenAppleStrudelfordessert. 6601SniderPlaza|Dallas (214)363-2231 www.kubys.com Italian & Pizza BrioTuscanGrille While Brio offers a delicious menu to suit many different needs or palates (gluten-free, children’s, reduced calorie), it’s their friendly, personalized servicethatreallymakesthemstandout.OrasBriolikestosay,“You’renot just a customer, you’re considered part of the family.”Its“Lighter Side of Tuscany”optionsareespeciallypopular.Eachoftheseentreescontains550 calories or less, and with succulent choices such as Shrimp Mediterranean or a 5-ounce Filet Brio with Roasted Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes, you’llnevermisstheextracalories. 810CentralExwy.S.|Allen (214)383-5556 www.brioitalian.com Carrabba’s Because sometimes, you’ve just gotta have Italian. Whether you’re carb loading with a rich plate of lobster ravioli or keeping it Paleo with a thick and juicy steak or seafood and a side of grilled asparagus, Carrabba’s ap- peals to families and business professionals alike. Life-just-got-easier op- tions, such as online reservations, several under 600-calorie entrées, and a gluten-free menu, make Carrabba’s both accessible and upscale. Don’t miss the Italian lettuce wraps with wood-grilled chicken, vegetables and ricottasalata,drizzledwithportwinereduction.NewownerMarcoMarti- nezhasapassionforcustomerserviceaswellashiscommunity,sobesure tosay“Ciao”onyournextvisit. 17548DallasPkwy.|Dallas (972)732-7752 www.carrabbas.com DoughBros.ItalianKitchen What goes better with craft beer than craft pizza? At Dough Bros., pizza and calzone dough is made fresh daily—they even use locally sourced honey.StartwiththeheavenlyKaleArtichokedipservedwithpitapoints, then go for one of the classic pizzas such as Margherita orThe Bro (meat lovers’delight). You can also build your own from a lengthy list of fresh ingredients such as spicy ranch sauce, banana pepper, broccoli and even house made mac and cheese (on a pizza!). Not feeling dough-y? Try the Mediterranean Chicken Salad with tomato, artichoke, black olives and ‘shrooms or any of the delicious entrees such as Panko Crusted Chicken Parmesan. 5181KellerSpringsRd.|Dallas (469)248-0058 2851PlanoPkwy.|TheColony (469)353-8182 www.doughbro.com DoughPizzeriaNapoletana Whyhavejustaplain-opizzawhen youcanhaveagourmetNeapolitan pizza—in Plano? With seasonal, foodie-driven ingredients, in- cluding house made mozzarella, sautéed prosciutto, wilted arugula andtrufflevinaigrette,eachpizzais more like a work of art. And what’s not to love about a burrata bar? (Think: mozzarella on the outside, cream on the inside). In fact, we’d suggest starting off with the signatureTruffle Burrata, filled with mascarpone, black truffle flakes and truffle essence. Then,moverightintoanyoneofseveralpizzascookedjustninetyseconds in an 800+ degree oven for the perfect crust. Dough is a proud member of the Association of Neapolitan Pizzaioli, ensuring its pizza-making tech- niquesadheretoauthenticNeapolitanstandards. 5960W.ParkerRd.,Ste.286|Plano (469)814-0269 www.doughpizzeria.com Grimaldi’s There was a time when you could only get Grimaldi’s famous coal-fired brickovenpizzainNewYork.Butthatwasthen.Today,thereareGrimaldi’s almost everywhere, it seems.While the menu is somewhat basic (pizzas, calzones, salads), it’s also consistent. But what we like about the Allen lo- cation is that it overlooks the little park atWatters Creek where live music isoftenplayedduringwarmermonths. 836MarketSt.|Allen (214)383-9703 www.grimaldispizzeria.com Kenny’sEastCoastPizza If you’re from the east coast, there’s no doubt about it: you’re going to be verrrrypickyaboutyourpizza.That’swhyNorthDallashasdrawnthelucky straw in pizza eating, because Plano is where native Bostonian (and one of Dallas’fave restaurateurs) Kenny Bowers opened his own pizza place. While the menu also offers Italian American favorites featured on the menusofhisothersuccessfulrestaurants,expectaselectionherefocusing