GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MAY | JUNE 2018 69 Piada When you hear the words “street food,” you probably think about Viet- namese,Thai,orMexican.Rarely,doyouassociatestreetfoodwithItalian, so it’s nice to find a place founded on that very concept. It all starts with Piada’ssuperthinpizzadough—notquitetortilla,notquitelavash—but wonderfully chewy and light. From there, a plethora of topping options (delectablemeatballs,friedchicken,steak,avocado,greens,etc.)turnsthe dough into your choice of either a folded/layered sandwich known as a Tasca(pocket)oraPiada(wrap).Streetsidesarealsogoodandveryfresh, including Orzo Crunch or Roasted Corn. Piada’s reasonably-priced menu makes it a favorite for a quick bite or a sit-down dinner in a fast, casual atmosphere. MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW www.mypiada.com Ruggeri's Ruggeri's has been a favorite desti- nation for authentic Italian cuisine for more than twenty-five years, whether you're looking for a cozy weeknight spot for mouthwatering pasta or somewhere to celebrate a special occasion. Soft-Shell Crab Oreganato is a delicious starter, sautéed with lemon, plenty of gar- licandoregano.Movingontopasta,goforRavioliFrescodelGioro—ten- derdoughpillowsstuffedwithsausageandricottaandtoppedwithalight tomato basil sauce. But the true menu star just might be the 16-ounce vealchopwithwildmushroomsandMarsalawine;itmeltsinyourmouth. Craving veal but can't conquer 16-ounces? Go forVitello di Scampi—veal andshrimplivinghappilyonthesameplate,inalightandlusciouslemony butter sauce. Traditional Italian desserts (Tiramisu, Cappuccino Pie, Spu- mone)satisfyyoursweettooth,too. 5950-ARoyalLn.|Dallas (214)750-0111 www.ruggerisrestaurant.com Russo’sCoal-FiredItalianKitchen This Houston-based eatery does offer a well-rounded menu, including Arancini (delectable Sicilian rice balls loaded with herbs and Romano cheese in a rich Bolognese sauce), fantastic Calzones, and standard Italian entrées (Chicken Piccata and the like). That said, the real draw to Russo’s isthepizza,thankstoitsnearly1,000-degreecoal-firedoven,whichgives us that chewy, but crispy, crust we love. Try the Prosciutto and Kale with Mozzarella and Ricotta cheese. Feeling carnivorous?The Paesano Napola- tana will leave you feeling sated. Russo’s is family-friendly, and they cater tobothbigandsmallparties. 700E.CampbellRd.|Richardson (972)235-7992 www.russoscoalfired.com Mediterranean MamaPitaMediterraneanGrill If you’re looking for affordable and delicious Mediterranean food, Mama Pita is waiting for you. Easily customizable plates, salads and pitas allow you to pick and choose whatever sides you crave, from light and crispy falafel and flatbread to creamy hummus and tzatziki. Kafta (beef kabobs) are tender and delicious—perfect for dipping in one of several garlicky sauces(trytheyellowtahini/carrotdip).Counterserviceisfastandfriend- ly,andtheopenandairyatmospheremakesitaniceplacefordining-in.Or, ifyouprefer,orderonlineaheadoftimeandtake‘erhome. 5800LegacyDr.,Ste.C6|Plano (972)403-1609 www.mamapita.com Zoë'sKitchen The name "Zoë's Kitchen" has become synonymous with quick, healthy and delicious Mediterranean food for busy people on the go; it’s also a perfect choice for family takeout, offering something for everyone’s taste buds.Startwithaclassichummustrioappetizer,whichincludestheclassic version, basil pesto and harissa red pepper—served with pita bread, pita chipsandplentyofcrispveggies.Kabobsareflavorfulandfilling,whether you go with skewers of moist chunks of chicken, beef, seafood or veggies. There are loads of options for vegetarians, Paleo eaters and those eating gluten-free, and check out the website for additional information on food sensitivitiesandallergens. MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW www.zoeskitchen.com Mexican CasaMama Ifyou’relookingforafamily-friendlydininglocationofferingbothauthen- tic Mexican recipes (specifically, from the Santiago Maravatio Guanajuato region) andTex-Mex favorites, Casa Mama is the right place for you.You’ll findallyourfavoriteMexicandisheshereandafewpleasantsurprises,too, includingrichandfillingGuisoPorkStew,homeyTortillaLasagna,Chipotle Enchiladas, and Ribeye or Salmon Tacos. White Queso is one of the best around, served with light, crispy chips—take it up a notch by adding in ground beef, chorizo or brisket. House made salsa is unique and comes withafreekick.Serviceisknownforbeingexceptionallyfriendly,andstaff ishappytoaccommodateanyspecialorders. 19129PrestonRd.|Dallas (469)828-1045 www.casamamas.com ElChicoCafé–NewListing Back in 1926, Adelaida Cuellar opened a small chili and tamale stand at the Kaufman County Fair and the rest, they say, is history. There may now be almost 50 El Chicorestaurantsaroundtheworld, but the brand has not forgotten what’s important to its customers: homey Mexican food, premium beverages and warm, friendly service. Top Shelf guacamole, made table- side, is always a favorite. Combos are plentiful, and while we love every- thingfromthefajitachickentothejackandcheddarchimichanga,we’dbe remissifwedidn’ttellyoutogoforwhereitallstarted:Threebeeftamales toppedwithchileconcarne,cheddarandonions. MultiplelocationsthroughoutDFW www.elchico.com Mr.Mesero Featuring both “American standards and Mexican classics,”this cozy, but popular, McKinney Avenue spot is favored by the in-crowd, making it a wonderful place for a date night or meeting up with friends. During non- peaktimes,it’salsoanicefamilydestination.Whentheweather’snice,the outdoor patio is especially popular to enjoy a Micorita, a house specialty madewithHerraduraJimadortequila.OtherfavoritesincludeBrisketTacos and the flat grilled Mico“12”Strip Steak, served with serrano and grilled cherrytomatoes. 4444McKinneyAve.|Dallas (214)780-1991 www.mrmesero.com Seafood Lefty’s Lobster and Chowder House Long considered a neighborhood gem, Lefty’s serves the kind of seafood you’d expect to find some- where on the East Coast: clam chowder, lobster bisque (Can’t decide between the two? Ask for half and half), whole main lobster (Lefty’s uses cull lobsters that have one claw—hence, the name) and friedshrimp.Heartysaladsaremadeheartierwiththeadditionofchicken, salmon, shrimp or lobster—and if you’re simply not feeling fishy, go for a perfectlycookedfiletmignonorburger.Lefty’snumerousaccoladesspeak for themselves, and it gets a lot of regulars, especially on weekends—so be sure to make a reservation online. Open for lunch and dinner, and the barstaysopenlate. 4021BeltLineRd.|Dallas (972)774-9518 www.leftyslobster.com SeaBreezeFishMarket&Grill FindingtrulyfreshfishinDallascanbechallenging,butSeaBreezemakes it sooo easy. Selections are flown in daily, representing only the freshest seafoodavailable.Partretailfishmarket,partsit-downrestaurantwithfull bar, at Sea Breeze you can purchase fish to prepare in your own home...or let the experts do it for you while enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail. Be suretostartoutwiththeSesameCrustedYellowfinTunaNachoswithavo- cado wasabi, sweetThai chili, and lemon zest—or maybe you're more of aSmokedSalmonDeviledEggperson;youcan'tgowrongwitheitherone. TheLobsterRollisatopseller,itstraditionalsplit-topbunfilledgenerously with buttery lobster salad.There's a nice selection of soups and stews, in- cluding a stellar cioppino, and gumbo that will remind you of your Cajun granny(ifyouhaveone). 4017PrestonRd.,Ste.530|Plano (972)473-2722 www.seabreezefish.com SeaBreezeLobsta&ChowdaHouse For the past decade, the Oruch family has brought North Texans the freshest seafood selection in the region at their acclaimed Sea Breeze Fish Market&Grill.  The menu at this newer restaurant showcases a limited menu of special- ty items including the New England Lobster Roll—a simple sandwich of wild-caught Maine lobster simply dressed with mayonnaise, celery and tarragon on a buttered bun brought in from New England.  We also rec- ommend the Connecticut Lobsta Roll—butter poached lobster on a bun. The tasty rolls are joined by shrimp cocktail, peel & eat shrimp, a smoked salmon dip and the restaurant’s celebrated Clam Chowder.  Come for the foodandfortheEastCoastvibe. LegacyHall 7800WindroseAve. |Plano (972)473-2722 www.seabreezefish.com TheKeeper Sustainable seafood and a tropical tiki bar create the just-right combina- tiontogiveyoualittletasteofyourlastbeach-yvacation.Themenu's"Just FlewIn"sectionofferstheday'sfreshestselections,bothartfullyprepared andutterlydelicious.Therearealsosomeunexpectedseafoodmenuchoic- es, including shareable portions of Crab Fried Rice with crispy Spam and topped with a perfectly cooked egg, and the Hamachi Crudo—buttery, rawHamachitoppedwithapple,avocado,chilies,yuzusauceanddelicate microgreens.Housesaladsarefreshandseasonalingredient-inspired,and ifyou'resimplynotinthemoodforfish,TheKeeperoffersasuperbGrilled HalfChickenwithTomatoButterSauce. 5840LegacyCircle,Ste.D100|Plano (469)210-5337 www.thekeeperplano.com TheOceanaireSeafoodRoom While this may be considered more of a date night place, if you happen to bring your in-laws here for a night out, they’ll never forget it.The freshest seafoodinasleeksettingmakesTheOceanairetheperfectspotforaluxu- rious dinner with top-notch service. Menu offerings are based entirely on freshness and availability, so arrive prepared to“just go with it.”There are severalsidesyouwon’twanttomissincludingChardonnayRoastedMush- rooms and Shells & Cheese with Smoked Gouda and Applewood Bacon. Theirfullbarmightjustmakeyouforgetyoupromisedtopickupthetab. TheWestinGalleriaDallas 13340DallasPkwy.|Dallas (972)759-2277 www.theoceanaire.com Southern SugarbaconProperKitchen WhenwethinkofSugarbacon,wethinkofupscalecomfortfoodinawarm, rustic setting. Let’s start with the signature appetizer: sugarbacon. Picture aperfectlittlecubeofhouse-smokedBerkshireporkbelly,glazedinsmoky anchoBBQsauce,sittingatopspicybreadandbutterpicklesonatinypiece of toasted bread. Berkshire pork is known for its rich taste—thought by sometobethe“Kobebeefofpork.”Onebiteofitandyou’llknowwhy.But try not to get stuck in the appetizer section, or you’ll miss out on several other delicious offerings, such as the collard green salad with bacon, bleu cheese and pickled apple or the mighty fine SB burger made with local Wagyubeefandtoppedwith,yougotit,sugarbacon.Southernsideswith atwist,likegreenchilehominy,roundoutthemealnicely. 216W.VirginiaSt.|McKinney (469)952-5150 6400GastonAve.|Dallas (972)290-0731 www.sugarbacon.com