LA PERLA NEGRA, Ft. Worth, TX ~ October 2015

Usually I do intense research for a Monday-Night-Travel-Day-Quasi-Day-Off eatery prior to arriving my first night in a new city. But our travel day to Ft. Worth was a late one (we didn't even get into the hotel until 7pm,) so my two main goals were: 1) close by, and 2) lighter fare.

La Perla Negra fit the bill, and how! Located a short walk from our hotel in Downtown's Flatiron District, on a slice of Houston Street that also houses a fantastic cocktail bar and a beer-palooza tap room, this brainchild of three respected Ft. Worth restauranteurs serves fresh, Latin-inspired cuisine built around ceviche, healthy salads and cocktails.

I opted for wine -- a pleasant native Texan rosé -- and my friend and I split a few dishes.

We had the shrimp ceviche with the Costa tiger's milk, and I'd beat the word "fresh" to death to describe it. The quinoa salad was swimming in fresh veg and avocado, and was a very large portion. (My friend actually felt it was a little "too" healthy for her tastes, but it was so clean and bright and exactly what I needed!) We were both sated by some warm and rich empanadas. The first one we split simply up and disappeared, so a second just HAD to be ordered.

The cocktail list and tequila offerings are extensive, although in our post-travel-day-haze, we couldn't bring ourselves to indulge. But sitting outside on the sidewalk patio sipping our wine and marveling over the simple yet delicious plates in front of us relaxed and satisfied us just as well.


La Perla Negra
910 Houston St., Fort Worth, TX

PLANK, Omaha, NE ~ October 2015

As a performer, it is always tricky to manage food intake and show timing. Eat too much too late, and you're bloated and sluggish. Eat too little too soon, and you're fighting a growling stomach and low blood sugar. A nice seafood meal is always a good option, and PLANK was a shining star in Omaha, deftly fulfilling our between-show needs.

Any concerns about the freshness of seafood in the middle of the country dissipated as soon as we walked in; the oyster bar was meticulously cared for, and the decor was modern with clean lines in the bright space, giving even the atmosphere a waft of "fresh."

I even returned on Sunday between shows, and allowed myself a single glass of Cava, which paired perfectly with my choices. (Do you know how hard it is for the WINE MINX to limit herself to one delicious glass of Cava?!?!? VERY.)

The first afternoon, I enjoyed the lobster salad over iceberg wedge. Yes, an "iceberg wedge" is hardly the stuff of gourmands' dreams, but it didn't overpower the lobster, and I just dressed it myself with a little blue cheese dressing for a kick. One friend loved her fish and chips — lightly battered, the fish was perfectly cooked and not at all greasy, and the fries were seasoned to a T. Someone else had the panko-crusted Walleye Puttanesca, delish.

On day two, I started with the shrimp cocktail — a classic — and enjoyed the salmon cobb salad. Once again, the flavors were fresh, the fish cooked perfectly, and the portions ample but not overbearing.

The service was also attentive, helpful, and accommodating. A special shout-out to Summer, who handled our group of 9 with aplomb. Plank offers a large menu with something for everyone, and a very solid wine list (I wish I'd been able to venture out with it further!) Plus, they make fresh homemade lemonade, which you can also get with a passion fruit, guava, or other additions. The straight-up version was perfection.

Omaha's foodie rep is further bolstered by Plank, and if you like seafood, is a must-visit next time you're in town.

Bon appétit!