On the small plates side there is the Pho Bone Marrow which Ha describes as a riff on pho flavors, blending a European dish with Vietnamese flavors. Photo by John Suh For the modern Vietnamese menu, Ha has brought her Mom's Eggrolls from the Bravery Chef Hall location along with her Rubbish Apple Pie which impressed the Master Chef judges. It's a wonder anyone manages to open a restaurant in this city but they do and we are the lucky diners. Ha and Suh have been put through the wringer with opening the new location due to construction delays, utility issues and of course, the inevitable wait for permits. Both Ha and Nguyen were finalists for the 2022 James Beard Awards Best Chef: Texas for Xin Chao and are currently semi-finalists for this year's JBA for Outstanding Chef. That success paved the way for her restaurant Xin Chao in partnership with Chef Tony Nguyen. That experience led to television appearances, her own cookbook, the opening of the original The Blind Goat, which earned her a James Beard Award semi-finalist nomination in 2020 for Best New Restaurant. Ha, who many know as The Blind Chef, won Fox's Master Chef Season 3 in 2012. She has Patrick Dao assisting as sous chef. With the Spring Branch spot, Ha will have a much larger venue (and kitchen) to create the neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant and pub that she envisioned along with an expanded menu and bar program. It has since shuttered to make way for the new location. The new Spring Branch location is an expansion of her first restaurant, The Blind Goat, which she opened at Bravery Chef Hall in 2019. The modern Vietnamese restaurant comes from Chef Christine Ha and husband/business partner John Suh. Man that was sinful and so good.The Blind Goat, 8145 Long Point, opened softly February 23. I ended the evening sipping the Van winkle and eating their incredible Whiskey Cake. How could I not like an establishment that uses recycled corrugated with their name on it for coasters? By the way, I have been in the corrugated business for more years than I will mention. I was very impressed and very happy as I left. I didn’t have the time or capacity to try more of the menu but everyone I spoke with at the bar was enjoying their choices. The food was just as good as the strong bourbon selection. The bar staff is all very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The next time you are in the DFW area, take the time to drive to Whiskey Cake in Plano. Last sip of 13-year Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye WOW! This is another great offering from Buffalo Trace you will not find in many bars. So smooth and so Van Winkle, words just can’t describe it. Chris suggested I try the 13-year Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye. Chris said the incredible selection of bourbons are the passion and vision of Tanner Fleming, the General Manager. I met Chris, the Assistant General Manager. Deviled eggs Fried green tomatoes and a Sazerac cocktail and I complemented it with the fried green tomatoes with remoulade & lemon sauce. Bartender Anthony made it for me and it was everything I expected and more. I then ordered a Sazerac cocktail made with Rittenhouse Rye. I know, bad joke, but they are incredible. I followed that with an order of the deviled eggs which were egg-cellent. Not to mention great color, very deep, very rich. It is a high proof bourbon at 134, with a lot of spice and body. I had never had this one and I was told it was excellent and easier to find than the normal Stagg. from Buffalo Trace based on the suggestion of the bar staff. With a sitting area of sofas and chairs you feel just like you were having a drink at home. It feels like an old downtown establishment. Whiskey Cake opened 5 years ago last November. “D Magazine” has named it as the best Dallas dessert 3 years running. Whiskey Cake is named after their incredible whiskey cake. There are so many choices you will get brain freeze picking from their over 150 offerings of the liquid gold. In a new brick building in Plano is a hip bar and restaurant with a southern spirits and food menu big on choices. But at Whiskey Cake, I didn’t see anything missing. I may start a turf war in Texas but IMHO there can’t be a better selection of bourbons in Dallas, maybe all of Texas. It’s in Plano at Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar. I have been to Bourbon Mecca in Texas, and it’s not in Dallas.
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