This is my first recipe post in a LONG TIME. It’s not that we don’t cook–we actually cook more now, and my lack of restaurant posts is testament to that–but we don’t do much that’s really interesting or experimental. However, we got some really awesome kitchen tools as wedding gifts so maybe that will change! Now, this super easy steak marinade I found on Allrecipes.com was SO good I ate the steak strips for both lunch and dinner (as salad and then inside a pita). Mario nearly fought me for the leftovers. Part of the appeal was the super tender sirloin “stir fry strips” I found at Publix, but the flavor of the marinade was also really amazing.

Steak Salad

My salad was just bagged spring mix topped with the warm steak strips and some Marzetti Simply Dressed Greek Feta dressing I received through the fine folks at Foodbuzz (my ad provider) from Marzetti. I love feta cheese and try to put it everywhere I can (the aforementioned dinner steak pita was topped with feta), so I chose this yummy Greek dressing over some of the other varieties available in the new all-natural dressing line–like Ginger Sesame, Blue Cheese, and Pomegranate. The cool dressing and warm steak were perfection together!

I think that constitutes my “full disclosure”, so here’s the marinade recipe:

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“So, how was that first bite for you guys?” That line from our waitress at Restaurant August in New Orleans sealed my love letter with the restaurant. I made our reservation two weeks in advance, knowing that we had a one night stopover in NOLA before flying out to our Carribbean paradise of a honeymoon. One night in New Orleans. One single meal. After some nerve-wracking research (which included wiping drool from my keyboard while comparing a number of menus), the near-impossible decision was made. We found Restaurant August to be a stellar choice.

Restaurant August

I was also excited to finally dine at one of NOLA darling Chef John Besh‘s restaurants, as August is one of the 8 he owns in and around New Orleans (and 1 in San Antonio). Coincidentally, my dad had reservations for 2 weeks later with some lawyer buddies. When I mentioned where we’d be dining, he said the phrases “absolutely sublime” and “the best restaurant in New Orleans right now” were used to describe it to him. Cue intense anticipation.

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One of my new favorite places (and apparently, one of EVERYONE’S favorites) in Jax is French Pantry. Yelp, Urbanspoon, Chowhound, even coworkers were telling me I HAD to get out to French Pantry–followed by a run-down of the rules. First, they’re only open from 11-2 M-F. There is ALWAYS a line, so plan accordingly (French Pantry lunches are “extended” lunches). Dine-in if you can for some of their fresh bread. The warehouse-like building can be difficult to identify (though usually, the line gives it away). And finally, dessert is a must.

French Pantry

French Pantry apparently supplies much of the fresh baked bread to restaurants in town. You can also pick up small items like loaves of bread, packages of rolls, or boxes of cookies from their display cart after your lunch. I’ve visited a handful of times now and always end up ordering one of their famed bruschettas, which are not your typical tomato/basil/olive oil-topped bread rounds. These are topped with a cheese and protein and served over salad:
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