#41 Brunch at Hotel Drover

Even though I've lived most of my life in DFW, I don't know Ft. Worth very well, but my #50by50 challenge is the perfect opportunity to explore the city where I live.  The Stockyards are perhaps one of the most well known attractions of Ft. Worth.  While I have been to Billy Bob's for a few concerts over the years, I haven't really spent much time down there. When I read about the Hotel Drover, I knew it would be one of my #50by50s.

      

Sunday brunch at 97 West Kitchen & Bar at the Hotel Drover is an absolute must!  For an appetizer, we started with the giant cast iron skillet, complete with candied pecans.  Piping hot and so so delicious!  You will definitely want to order one to share, although you may want to order it at the end of your meal for dessert.  It was super sweet.

I splurged and ordered the crab cake benedict.  OMG!!!  Incredibly decadent and scrumptious.  An English Muffin with spinach, Roma tomatoes, poached eggs, crab cakes, and hollandaise sauce.  There really aren't the words to describe how amazing this dish was.  I've ordered it many time before at all sorts of places, but this was the best.

After brunch, we walked around Mule Alley a little bit and discovered the Cowtown Winery tasting room.

There's so much more to explore down there, so I plan on visiting again (when it's a bit cooler) for a part 2.  Hopefully when I return to the Stockyards I'll also get a chance to see the cattle drive.

#39 Goldee's & Lost Oak Winery

 In 2021, Texas Monthly published its 50 top BBQ joints.  Because there are so many new places on the list and because I 💓 BBQ, I knew, visiting the number one spot, Goldee's, had to be on my #50by50.  We got there a few minutes before they opened and had to wait a couple of hours.  It was worth the wait!  We decided to get a little bit of everything in order to sample it all which is definitely the way to experience Goldee's.

  

Out of the meats, turkey, brisket, pork ribs, and sausage, the pork ribs were my favorite.  The meat just fell off the bone and the seasoning was next level.  The turkey and brisket were pretty amazing as well.

When you're talking BBQ, there are some sides that are staples.  But it seems like most places have a couple that are specific to them and Goldee's is no exception.  Their pork hash and jalapeno cheese grits both stood out as excellent and unique sides.  The jalapeno cheese grits were so creamy and cheesy, not too spicy either.  The pinto beans and potato salad were really delicious, too.

Things I learned from my visit to Goldee's - 

1. You will wait.  Take a chair and drinks.  Pay attention to the weather and dress accordingly.
2. Get there early and don't be in a hurry.
3. Order a little bit of everything and share.
4. Get some to go so you'll have lunch for the next couple of days.
5. Go with people you enjoy hanging out with.  

After our bellies were full,  we headed southwest just a bit to visit Lost Oak Winery in Burleson.  It's a beautiful and expansive property with some really fabulous wines.  

Another great #50by50 adventure!

#23 Marker Cellars

My #50by50 adventure continues with a foray to Alvord, a small Texas town about 10 miles northwest of Decatur.  Why, you may be asking, would I venture out to Alvord?  Because it is home to Marker Cellars, a fantastic little winery with beautiful scenery, live music, and of course, a great variety of wine.  It's located in the Bluestem Grasses of the LBJ National Grasslands, which I was not familiar with.  I love that I got to drink wine with friends and learn about this area of Texas nature.

Even if you live on the west side of DFW like I do, you are still looking at an hour drive to Marker Cellars, but it is totally worth the drive.  First of all, it's in the middle of nowhere, so the views are just gorgeous and more importantly, peaceful.  They have a wide selection of wines, so you can choose to do a sweet or dry tasting, or if you know what you want, get a glass or bottle of your favorite.  And if you aren't feeling the wine vibe, Marker Cellars makes ciders as well.  Marker Cellars also lets you bring in your own snacks which only makes an afternoon listening to live music and drinking wine that much better.

       

After our afternoon at Markers Cellars, we headed back towards Decatur to Greenwood Grocery.  While a visit to Greenwood Grocery wasn't a totally new experience for me, going on a Saturday night for the catfish was.  I hadn't been to a catfish dinner in I don't know how many years.  It reminded me of going to the Hilltop on Friday nights when we would visit my grandparents in Nebraska as a kid.  You just can't go wrong with fried catfish on a Saturday night.  It was fried to perfection and served with this little pot of beans.  

       

     

All in all, a great way to spend a Saturday in North Texas.