Where should we eat?

My husband, FWJoey, and I enjoy dining out. We share an interest in trying new restaurants and new types of food. Our friends know this about us so often times we are asked for restaurant recommendations. A couple of weeks ago someone suggested that I start a blog where I can write about my restaurant experiences. So, here it is...my blog...simply called "Where should we eat?"

It only makes sense that I begin by writing about the last restaurant we visited. Last night, we went to Cacharel in Arlington. I am told it is a french restaurant - whatever that means. Cacharel is located on the 9th floor of a business building located near Six Flags. For us, it was out of the way since we live in Fort Worth, but we had a gift certificate to the place so we decided to see whether it was worth the trip. The food (with the exception of the dessert) was excellent. However, the drive to Arlington will probably prevent us from frequenting Cacharel again in the near future.

Our table was tucked away in a corner in front of a window and our server was great. Service really makes a difference.

I started with Belveder dirty martini. It was perfect. Very chilled and not overwhelmingly dirty. FWJoey sipped on Shiner Bocks. There are two ways to dine at Cacharel: (1) order the three course meal at $44.50 per person which included appetizer or salad, main course, and dessert or (2) order from the steak menu (starting at $32.50) which includes filet mignon, NY strip, buffalo filet, ostrich steak and a couple others - I think the steaks are served with a potato side and some veggie sides.

After talking to the server, we struggled with deciding which way to order. Our server, Jeremy, claimed the steaks were the best around and that he did not even know where the restaurant bought its meat because it was top secret. Despite Jeremy's steak endorsement, FWJoey and I both opted for the three course meal.

FW Joey started with the smoked salmon quesadilla. It contained the perfect amount of goat cheese and the tortillas were toasted to a golden brown. It was really yummy!! My appetizer was also yummy! I selected the "Escargot." It seemed like a no brainer since I was at a french restaurant named "Cacharel." I do not remember having had escargot in the past so this was a first. At this restaurant, the escargot is not served in its shell, rather, it is served with a rich mixture of grapes, nuts, perhaps mushrooms, garlic and butter. I am not sure what the heck I was eating, but it was delicious. And the serving was super sized! Very generous portion.

For our main course, FWJoey had the pork chop. It was pretty darn tasty, but I gotta say - it was not any better than the one FWJoey has mastered out on his grill on the back deck. FWJoey's side item of whipped potatoes were creamy and yummy.

I had the pike (some kind of flaky, white fish) for my entree. I loved it! It was a little heavier than tilapia, but not as heavy as sea bass. It tasted very fresh and was served upon saffron sauce. I am not always a huge fan of the saffron sauce, but this one was better than any other I have had. My entree was also served with three baked clams and an oversized sea scallop. I loved it! This was one of the best fish dishes I have had since moving to Fort Worth.

For dessert, FWJoey and I both made the mistake of ordering the chocolate souflee. It just sounded so tempting that we couldn't resist - but I wish we had. While souflees may be difficult to prepare or whatever the fact is that this one tasted like nothing. Seriously, it was a bunch of fluff that dissolved in your mouth the instant it hit your tongue. I felt like I was eating air. I think cotton candy would have been more enjoyable. I have never had a chocolate souflee before so I do not know if they all taste like nothing, but this one sure did and I caution everyone from ordering it.

BottomLine: We had a very pleasant and satisfying dinner at Cacherel. I would recommend it - especially if you live in Arlington. Would we go back? Sure, we would like to, but the drive to Arlington poses a hindrance.