La Duni-Fairview

La Duni is a popular Latin American restaurant with four locations in the DFW area.  I have always been a big fan of the location at NorthPark Mall and I have dined their on several occasions when forced to go shopping with my wife.  The location in Fairview is much closer to me, but I was disappointed with the service when it first opened and haven't been back since.  After a hiatus of several years, my family and I decided it was time to give this location another chance.

Brunch Chile Relleno

On a recent Sunday, we decided to try out the weekend brunch menu at La Duni in Fairview.  A Brunch Chile Relleno sounded intriguing, so I had to order it.  This poblano pepper was absolutely huge and took up half the plate.  The pepper was stuffed with refried black beans, eggs, bacon bits, cheddar, mozzarella, gruyere, queso fresca, and charred salsa roja.  The dish really hit the spot and had an outstanding flavor.  I would have preferred more bacon, but who doesn't prefer more bacon?  The roasted potatoes were also better than average.  

Breakfast Tacos

My wife ordered the Breakfast Tacos with roasted potatoes.  She let me have one of her tacos and we both agreed that they were a little bland until you added some hot sauce and avocado mash to them.  My father-in-law had joined us for brunch and he ordered the Migas.  Although I didn't sample that dish, he said that it was very good.

Nutella Milk Chocolate Cake and Cuatros Leches Cake

La Duni is famous for their desserts and we ordered a trio of desserts; Cuatros Leches Cake, Nutella Milk Chocolate Cake, and a Grape Snow Cone for my daughter.  My daughter certainly enjoyed the snow cone, but my wife and I were big fans of the cake slices.  The Nutella Milk Chocolate Cake was very good and topped with an expresso white chocolate ganache sauce, but it was not near as good as the Cuatros Leches Cake.  We have had the Cuatros Leches several times before and it seems to get better each time.

Grape Snow Cone

Although the service wasn't exactly stellar on this visit either, the food more than made up for anything lacking with the service.  The first time I visited the restaurant, we had to wait for close to an hour for our food.  On this visit, they had our food to us in less than fifteen minutes.  I am glad that I gave this restaurant a second chance and my family will certainly be going back in the near future.  The brunch items were very good, but I might just go back and have a variety of cake slices for my meal.  

La Duni (Fairview Location)

http://laduni.com/fairview-village/#

Livin the Good Life Rating=3

5th Street Patio Cafe

My wife recently had foot surgery to fix a bunion that has been giving her trouble.  Why would I mention feet and surgery in a food blog?  The reason I mentioned it is because my wife was unable to drive for a while, so the girls and I had to drop her off at some training she had to attend for her job.  We had not had breakfast yet, so I decided to take the girls to eat breakfast at 5th Street Patio Cafe in Frisco.  I have never been there before, but my wife and several of my work colleagues absolutely love this place.

My two breakfast dates

As you walk in to 5th Street Patio Cafe, their is a large menu board on your right.  You place your order at the register and then take a seat and await them to bring your meal.  They had a rather large breakfast menu to choose from, but my oldest daughter knew what she wanted immediately.  She said, "Daddy, they have the best pancakes here."  Apparently, even my daughter has been here before without me.  I really wanted to try the biscuits and sausage gravy, but I also wanted French toast.  Since I couldn't decide,  I got both.  After placing our order, I grabbed a highchair and a table.

My daughter's pancakes

Our order came out very quickly.  My daughter immediately dug into her pancakes and gave a thumbs up when I asked her if they were good.  I started with the impressive looking biscuits and sausage gravy.  Most biscuits and gravy come with a small side of gravy.  These came two to an order and were served in a large soup bowl and smothered with gravy and a few green onions.  As great as they looked, they tasted even better.  The biscuits were freshly made and the gravy had a fantastic flavor.  After they were devoured, I began eating the French toast.  The French toast was tasty as well, but certainly played second fiddle to the biscuits and gravy.

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

French Toast

I really didn't know what to expect going into this place, but I was very pleased with the food.  The cafe is small, but they serve up some big-time food.  On top of having great food, they have very reasonable prices as well.  5th Street Patio Cafe will certainly be added to my rotation of breakfast joints in Collin County, but I want to go back and try some of their lunch or dinner items as well.

5th Street Patio Cafe
http://www.5thstreetcafe.com/index.html
Livin the Good Life Rating = 3