Dining With Delia Jo

The dog days of summer seem to have officially arrived (wipes sweat from brow). That means your furry friend could use a special treat. Okay, your pup always deserves something special, but why not spoil him throughout the summer, especially?

Every Wednesday through August 16, Mutts Canine Cantina will be hosting the Dog Days of Summer event,  featuring free dog baths, doggy treats, splash pools, and more.

During these special events, Uptown’s premier dog park will have free dog baths, doggy treats and splash pools. And while your pup plays in the water with his or her new friends, human companions can treat themselves to $2 ice cream and $5 frozen drinks all day, every Wednesday. Yappy Hour will also be available from 4-6 p.m. with $3 Franconia and margaritas.

And yes, the $2 ice cream special applies to the dogs as well. They won’t be able to resist the peanut butter-flavored treat with the milk bone on top!

Don’t have a four-legged pooch to bring to the event? Mutts has got you co…

Unless you've been hiding under a seashell lately (hey, I wouldn't blame you, I love the ocean), you know that poké is all the rage in DFW right now.

While the raw fish dish is trendy locally, they've been eating it this way in Hawaii for decades. Pronounced POH-keh, if you're eating it for the first time, try and think of it as sort of a deconstructed sushi roll. Simply, poké is raw fish, cubed, and served in a bowl, either plain or over rice. The newest wave of poké craze has introduced a whole number of fixings that allow you to customize your bowl to fit your fancy. Sauce = Delia approved.

Thus far I've tried around 5 DFW poké concepts, but Frisco's new Fish Bowl Poké stands out to me for a few different reasons.

1. The space is gorgeous. What once was a nail salon is now an inviting, vibrant space that makes me feel good about eating here. I'm talking total transformation.  Enter and go to the right, where you'll see the stunning chalkboard menu a…

Fleming's has long been a Delia Jo favorite for steak, seafood, sides, and splendid service. From my days in Birmingham and Nashville, Fleming's was a place I frequented because I knew I wouldn't be bothered when dining alone at the bar, and I knew I could always anticipate stellar food and unmatched yet unobtrusive hospitality. I have many fond memories from my 20s of dining at Fleming's.

So naturally I was thrilled when Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar opened a location in the Shops at Legacy in Plano last year. Once again, the consistent excellence at Fleming's has made it a go-to destination of mine for fine dining.


This is why I'm thrilled to share with you Fleming's new limited time, summer prix fixe menu, aptly named "A Summer of Love".

For prices ranging from $59.95 to $89, you'll enjoy three exquisite courses, price depending on which steak selection you choose.


Your meal will begin with a Campari Tomato Bruschetta, top…

Canadian "unchained" restaurant Earls celebrated their grand opening festivities last week at Legacy West, and the new space is absolutely stunning. Who would know that the restaurant originated as a burger and beer joint more than 30 years ago?

Earls is named after Leroy Earl (Bus) Fuller and his son Stanley Earl Fuller. I wondered why there was no apostrophe in Earls, and this explains it: it's plural, named after the two namesakes.

Each location of Earls is tailored to the city it inhabits, with decor and menu items that the population will find instantly familiar, even when dining at Earls for the first time.


You know I had to try the Queso Fundido Dip, a menu item they of course had to include on their first venture into Texas. Any regionally specific menu in Texas is obligated to include some form of queso. (I believe there's a law. I may have written it.) The dip is a three-cheese blend, topped with chorizo and salsa fresco. Dip to your delight! This queso ha…

Who doesn’t love Taco Tuesday? Especially when you don’t have to do the cooking!


If you’re looking for Rusty Taco, please don’t fret, the name has changed to R Taco, but
what hasn’t changed is the hipster vibe and laid back atmosphere that this taco shop
has brought to hungry taco fans of Dallas Texas since 2010. With tacos full of flavor, stiff
margaritas, and savory churros (they are divine!), you will not be disappointed when stopping
by this place with friends and family on Tuesday...or any other day of the week.



You'll find fresh ingredients, fast service and quality tacos at R Taco. In fact,  it’s hard for me not to buy one of everything on the menu! The crispy-fried Baja Shrimp Taco comes served with a savory baja sauce, red cabbage, cilantro and fried shrimp which made my heart smile, followed by the fried Fish Taco drizzled with a chipotle crema that was heavenly.

Since I’m never too full for dessert, I simply had to get my hands on the churros... and I'm glad I did,…

Peacock Elite Indian Cuisine first fluffed its feathers (read: opened) earlier this year in Plano, touting a menu filled with both North and South Indian influences. There's also a surprising cocktail program that will spark your interest, quite literally (more on that later).

Owned by husband and wife Ramu and Vijaya Nettem, along with Vijaya's brother Raghu, Peacock Elite is a clean modern space infused with bright blue tints, and an appropriately placed peacock that greets you as you enter.


The staff and ownership at Peacock Elite instantly feel like a family, and they're happy to welcome you into their extended family as you dine in their restaurant. While you're there, you become one of their own.

A myriad of concoctions, both edible and drinkable,  await you at Peacock Elite Indian Cuisine. Ask the bartender to make you one of their signature cocktails like the Nirvana, which comes complete with "fireworks" at the table as the bartended shakes cinnamon…

Biscuits, and cocktails, and giraffes... Oh my!

Brunch is a force to be reckoned with at The Royale. In fact, I think it's quickly shimmied its way up to the top of my list of Plano brunches.

The Royale opened last year in Plano (read all the juicy burger details in my Plano Magazine article), and they've just introduced their new brunch menu, which I'm pretty darned excited about.

To begin your brunch safari, imbibe one of their featured $6 brunch cocktails, like the house Bloody Mary, an Aperol Spritzer, or Thairish Coffee. Those are sure to help you spot lots of exciting brunch items on the menu.




A giraffe! In the wild! With house-made donuts on its neck! No, you haven't already had too much to drink (you just got started). These are crumbly (read: messy) delights, complete with cardamom sugar and DIY toffee dipping sauce.



Also to share, don't skip the Jalapeño & Cheddar Drop Biscuits, with a seriously addictive spicy sausage gravy. Don't let them tell …