Latest visit: Jan 2018 (Grapevine)
First visit: 2015 (Grapevine)
Regular readers of the RJG (do such people really exist? Questions...) will know we are big fans of New Mexican cuisine, to the point where we travel there at least annually. Presumably just to eat. And, well, that's not far from the truth.
So why have we been so tardy to review Mi Dia From Scratch, since they've been open for over 6 years now? I have to admit I was a bit reluctant originally. They had been advertised as something of a Mexico City interior kind of place, with New Mexican seemingly a "throw in", and their menu lacked any authenticity in this area. But over time, they fine tuned that menu, and we've now been a few times, and it's superb each visit. Mi Dia is one of only a couple of restaurants in DFW that knows that Christmas has another meaning outside of a religious event or a holiday.
Let's get this out of the way first: This isn't a fast casual restaurant, nor a mid priced family dining establishment. Mi Dia is borderline fine dining, and I've been here more times for business luncheons or dinners than for personal meals. However, on one fine Monday for lunch, Mrs. RJG and I wandered over as we had a hankering for some Santa Fe cuisine, and our next trip there isn't for another 5 months at the earliest.
There's a corporation behind Mi Dia, and that capital is necessary to a) be in the location it is, and b) to build such a lavish restaurant. If I heard our waitress explain correctly, the owners possess most of the restaurants nearby, including Bob's Steakhouse. There's also a chef behind the food creations, and it shows.
As is often the case, with places like Mi Dia,one must start off with a frozen margarita (or on the rocks as the Mrs. prefers).You can smell the tequila before the waitress can get it off the tray. So after two sips, and already half in the bag, it's time to dig into the complimentary chips, served with both a green and a red salsa, side by side in the bowl. If you're like us, you'll be asking for more. At least once I've had an appetizer here with the Tampa Pound and a bottle of wine (after the margarita), and the heck if I can remember what it was! Oh wait - it was the queso fundido, because I remember us making fun of the name - in that drunk sophomoric way that the waiters must endure nightly I'm sure. We weren't terribly annoying that night. Says I anyway... Well, it was delicious too. OK, back to the lunch with Mrs. RJG. I keep it simple: The Xmas burrito. I cannot for the life of me understand why New Mexican cuisine isn't more popular here. My goodness, just the flavor of the green and red chile alone is enough to make your mouth water. Of course the grilled chicken breast (fajita style), the rice and beans only adds to the allure. And it's piping hot - temperature and spice. Mrs. RJG had the Huevos Rancheros, and once again it was the chile that ruled the palate. Refried beans is not a NM tradition however, and we both prefer the whole beans one gets in Santa Fe, but it's hardly something to get all worked up about. We were both completely stuffed once the main meal was over, so dessert isn't something we could even imagine, but of course they have it.
As mentioned, the setting is very nice, with outdoor dining, and a bar area if dining solo or looking to meet new people. Even at lunch, there was quite a bit of activity at the bar we noticed (we sat right "below" it). Mi Dia is on Main Street north of 114. It's a large building, you really can't miss it. Tons of parking for all the restaurants in the area.
Mi Dia From Scratch has been a hit, and as such, they now also have locations in Plano and Flower Mound for those poor folks who have to live over there in the congested freeway areas of the endless northern Dallas suburbs... (kidding, kidding....)
There's a corporation behind Mi Dia, and that capital is necessary to a) be in the location it is, and b) to build such a lavish restaurant. If I heard our waitress explain correctly, the owners possess most of the restaurants nearby, including Bob's Steakhouse. There's also a chef behind the food creations, and it shows.
As is often the case, with places like Mi Dia,one must start off with a frozen margarita (or on the rocks as the Mrs. prefers).You can smell the tequila before the waitress can get it off the tray. So after two sips, and already half in the bag, it's time to dig into the complimentary chips, served with both a green and a red salsa, side by side in the bowl. If you're like us, you'll be asking for more. At least once I've had an appetizer here with the Tampa Pound and a bottle of wine (after the margarita), and the heck if I can remember what it was! Oh wait - it was the queso fundido, because I remember us making fun of the name - in that drunk sophomoric way that the waiters must endure nightly I'm sure. We weren't terribly annoying that night. Says I anyway... Well, it was delicious too. OK, back to the lunch with Mrs. RJG. I keep it simple: The Xmas burrito. I cannot for the life of me understand why New Mexican cuisine isn't more popular here. My goodness, just the flavor of the green and red chile alone is enough to make your mouth water. Of course the grilled chicken breast (fajita style), the rice and beans only adds to the allure. And it's piping hot - temperature and spice. Mrs. RJG had the Huevos Rancheros, and once again it was the chile that ruled the palate. Refried beans is not a NM tradition however, and we both prefer the whole beans one gets in Santa Fe, but it's hardly something to get all worked up about. We were both completely stuffed once the main meal was over, so dessert isn't something we could even imagine, but of course they have it.
As mentioned, the setting is very nice, with outdoor dining, and a bar area if dining solo or looking to meet new people. Even at lunch, there was quite a bit of activity at the bar we noticed (we sat right "below" it). Mi Dia is on Main Street north of 114. It's a large building, you really can't miss it. Tons of parking for all the restaurants in the area.
Mi Dia From Scratch has been a hit, and as such, they now also have locations in Plano and Flower Mound for those poor folks who have to live over there in the congested freeway areas of the endless northern Dallas suburbs... (kidding, kidding....)
8/31/16; 1/27/18 (new entry)
No comments:
Post a Comment