Around Town ~ Villa Del Mar

 

        Time flies when you are having fun and that can’t be more true when owning a restaurant.  A new Mexican food restaurant opened just last September and we finally made our way over to check out Villa Del Mar.  Located at 326 Industrial Drive E, Sulphur Springs, and open Sunday - Thursday from 11 am - 10 pm, and Friday - Saturday from 11 am - 11 pm.  On special event  nights they are open later.  Of course, you can hop in for happy hour from 2-6 pm during the week and grab a drink.

Diego and I chatted for a bit before the evening rush to find out what the best dishes are and when the musical talent will be arriving next.  If you have not been inside the building in a while, there is a raised platform towards the front that allows for bands to come and perform.  This Saturday is when they will next have a live band, performing from 8 pm - 12 am.  And then a mariachi band will play on Saturday, February 14.  This Saturday, come and see Pilotos Del Triangulo, no cover fee, order some food and drinks and enjoy the music.  

Villa Del Mar is not your typical Tex-Mex, while they do have some crowd favorites on the menu their focus is more seafood, with that great Mexican flavor.  Think Coastal Mexico, with a variety of seafood choices to fill your plate and your tummy.  By far the favorite dish at the restaurant is their seafood tostadas.  Three fried corn tortillas, topped with a variety of items including some seafood favorites.  The other crowd favorite is molcajete, and their seafood option is the most selected one.  A bowl filled with octopus, shrimp, a delicious sauce and so much flavor.  

Of course I should have asked about the favorites before we ordered but what we ordered was just as delicious.  Shrimp nachos, chicken enchiladas, full shrimp dish and a brisket dish that had a great kick.  If spice isn’t your thing, be sure to ask if you can have your dish a little bit milder, even my spice loving group, was looking for their water glass.  

If water is not your beverage of choice, Villa Del Mar offers a full bar with plenty of beers on tap or in the bottle.  Customize your drink with specialty tequila or grab one to sip on during your meal.  Or ask for some classic mixed drinks such as a Paloma or house made Margarita. You will not be disappointed with your choice. 

We hope that you will stop in and visit Villa Del Mar soon and discover Mexican food from the ocean is just as delicious as that from Texas.  No matter if you are there for just a meal or to enjoy the band, you won’t go wrong with a visit. 

Let's Eat ~ Flip's Burgerland

 

    For this month I had to call in a favor to make sure I could be able to review Flip's Burgerland to the best of my ability and Toby totally came through for me.  As the name suggests Flip's is one of the locations downtown, located at 210 Main Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas; where you can grab a fresh cooked burger and fries. I just love the total play on words for the name of this business, IYKYK.  To be clear, burgers is not all they serve, you can have a grilled chicken sandwich as well.  

    If you happen to know, I actually do not eat meat.  When it as suggested I swing by Flip's I had to make a call to see if they could hook me up with a vegetarian option.  We worked it out and based on looks you would never know that I was not eating meat, in my opinion.  Since I didn't want to just eat fries, but they could be eaten as a meal if you only wanted some spuds. 

    I loaded my burger with grilled mushrooms and onions and everything else they top them with, including cheese.  After all what is a burger with out some sort of cheese.  Of course I also ordered French fries.  I loved how if you are dining in, your food comes out right on a piece of paper.  The fries did have a boat to help contain them, but other wise it was straight paper.  Makes clean up easier I imagine. 

    I watched them package up to go orders and he even uses the paper to hold all the fries together when sending the order out.  Great way to save on not having to wash dishes and reducing Styrofoam in the land fill. The fries and burger were hot and delicious.  You can basically take your burger and make it how you want and it will be served to you, just that way.  The mushrooms and onions were done to perfection, and added a wonderful flavor.

    Here is one of the best parts, starting Sunday after Thanksgiving they are going to be open for lunch only, Sunday - Wednesday from 11 a. m. to 3 p . m they will be open and the grill will be hot.  I'm so happy to be able to recommend another restaurant option for guests who happen to be in town on Sunday.  They will also have dinner hours Thursday - Saturday when they will be open from 11 a. m. to 8 p. m.  

    Pull up a chair and order your fresh, hot burger just the way you like it.  You won't want to miss out on Flip's Burgerland the next time you stay at the Oaks bed and breakfast while in Sulphur Springs.  

Terrarium Class ~ The Plant Niche

     If you are looking for a great Girls Night Out event or a fun and unique Date Night, look no further than The Plant Niche for one of their hands on classes.  You can schedule a private class for  your group or join in on one of her pre set classes and savor the fun.  

    Not only is Erika very helpful and hands on, she is knowledgeable about her products and services that she has to offer.  Part of her business is coming to your home or office, placing plants and maintaining them on a schedule that fits your plants life style.  I know I can get discouraged when I purchase a plant and it does not do well.  Erika helps to make your plant investment grow.  

    
                                                    

    In one type of class Erika teaches you how to create your terrarium and allow for the best environment possible for your plants to thrive.  She provides the container, tools, soil, rocks and plants for your experience.  As she said you are creating an "artistic botanical garden, and you are the artist." 

    

In our class we had the choice to create a foliage garden or a succulent garden.  Usually she has each class select one or the other, so plan your class well.  The foliage garden we built came with rock for the bottom, soil, three plants and moss for the top to help retain moisture for a happy plant home.  To keep your plants happy Erika suggested misting the plants every so often and that the mist is like, "lotion on the foliage."  If one of the plants starts to look a little weepy, add a little bit of water just to that plant.  There is no need to add water to the whole of the terrarium. 

    For the succulent gardens, the glass bowls began with rock, soil, three plants and then they layered with rock and sand.  We had adorable little tools to help move our sand and rocks around so as not to damage the plants after placement.  The tools helped to bring sand and rock into artistic shapes and make a lovely home environment for the succulents.  Erika suggested keeping the succulent terrariums in a location that had good indirect light and some humidity so the plants could pull the water from the air.  I think a bathroom with some lovely light would work wonders for this tiny garden.

   

 No matter if you are looking for a great night out or if you want to liven and freshen your home or office with plants, look no further than The Plant Niche.  Erika will help you to select the best plants for your environment and maintain them for your ease.