This week we’re coming at you with a tower of black sugar boba shaved ice, a stone fruit salad that will soon disappear along with the summer heat (manifesting this), and a wine that will have you kicking back on a patio despite the absolute brutality of this summer’s mosquitos.
Also, if there’s something you ate or drank recently that was so good it compelled you to send it to the group chat or post it online, I want to hear about it. Email me at cballor@dallasnews.com or find me on Twitter.
Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Lambrusco
I was introduced to this Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena lambrusco for the first time this week and I fell hard. It is crisp, dry, affordable and perfect for patio weather. Lambrusco is a fizzy (not quite sparkling) wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. Most people have only experienced the sweet versions of it, but the dry lambruscos are the ones to pay attention to. The Vecchia Modena lambrusco is made from the lambrusco di Sobara grape varietal, which gives it a subtly floral and fresh quality as opposed to the more tanic lambruscos out there. It’s incredibly sippable, and also just stunning in a glass with its pink hue and frothy top. This is a go-to wine to always have on hand for impromptu dinner parties or when you want to treat yourself without opening the most expensive bottle on your shelf. You can find it at Jimmy’s Food Store for $15.99. – Claire Ballor, food reporter
Jimmy’s Food Store is located at 4901 Bryan St, Dallas. jimmysfoodstore.com.
Grilled Peach and Plum Salad at Sachet
Just as summer began its last lap around Dallas, Sachet unveiled this perfect late-season salad. It has layers of flavor, but stars char-grilled peach and plum slices, bursting with juicy sweetness. A bed of Texas-grown baby greens is barely dressed in lemon juice and olive oil to let another sauce shine: a silky cashew purée, brightened with refreshing orange blossom and lemon notes. The luxurious sauce brings a rich component to the vegan salad — it doesn’t need cheese for that. Crumbles of almond granola add crunch as well as notes of cardamom and cinnamon. Torn mint leaves lend a cool, herbal spark and round out the salad’s Mediterranean profile. You’ll want to corral a bit of each element on your fork to relish the carnival of flavors and textures. There are just a couple of weeks left to enjoy this dish before California peaches stop coming. For now, it’s summer’s last gasp, in salad form. — Tina Danze, contributing writer
Sachet is located at 4270 Oak Lawn, Dallas. sachetdallas.com.
Black Sugar Boba Milky Shaved Ice at Meet Fresh
At Meet Fresh, a Taiwanese dessert restaurant in Plano, I had the pleasure of enjoying their “Black Sugar Boba Milky Shaved Ice.” This flavor is the perfect transition into the fall season, especially if you like brown sugar boba tea. I couldn’t help myself and ordered the large bowl. Co-owner Xu Chen said the proportions are generous because they’re meant to be shared with friends and family. He told me that Black Sugar Boba has been a crowd favorite since it has so many flavors and toppings. It comes with black sugar boba, caramel pudding flan, red beans, vanilla ice cream, and is drizzled with their milk tea sauce on shaved ice (made with condense milk). Best of all? Everything is fresh, and the flavors and toppings all complement each other. I basically had several different desserts all in one plate. I agreed with food editor Erin Booke who said it resembles a chocolate sundae fountain. And who wouldn’t love that? Be sure to check out the “Pudding & Q Mochi Milk Shaved Ice,” as well as their other signature taro dessert bowls. – Tina-Tien Nguyen, contributing writer
Meet Fresh is located at 2001 Coit Rd #137B, Plano. meetfresh.us.
