I was recently invited into Brined Southern Kitchen + Bar, another new restaurant in the Mockingbird Station area of Dallas. It’s located next to the Angelika film/movie house, where Mezze Tapas formerly operated.
Don’t let the word “southern” fool you into thinking Brined is anything typical. Sure, you can get comfort foods like chicken and waffles, burgers, fried chicken and biscuits, but you can also get a cast iron seared salmon with zucchini and cauliflower mash (my favorite of the dishes I tried), an array of tempting salads and a seafood bowl that was popular on the Mezze menu.
The upscale farmhouse decor is beautiful and comfortable. I especially love all the whitewashed brick and the fountains.
It’s a good thing I wore some forgiving pants the day we checked this place out … because we sampled one appetizer, three entrees and a lovely glass of wine!
First up was the calamari (pictured above), prepared with fresh squid dipped in a tempura batter and served with two dipping sauces: a smoked chili aioli and a sweet chili sauce (my favorite of the two). The calamari was tender, and the batter was lighter than what you’ll find at most restaurants, which is a particularly enjoyable bonus when you have more or, in my case, a lot more you want to eat!
Next up was the Blues Burger, which we ordered without the blue cheese or the optional fried egg. The burger is made with a delicious beef patty, onion rings, mushrooms, tomato, pickled mustard and chino aioli sandwiched between a brioche bun. It’s a festival of flavor …. especially with the housemade pickles added to it.
And despite what some friends and family may say (ha), I don’t have a big enough mouth to eat this without resorting to a knife and fork, so I suggest keeping those nearby if you order one of their burgers. Housemade pickles, pickled okra and crispy parmesan fries are all served on the side. And wow, those pickles … (read more about them below).
Next up was my favorite dish — the Cast Iron Seared Salmon. It’s served with grilled zucchini, cauliflower puree and crispy fennel. I tend to eat on the healthier side (or at least try to), and when I find a healthy dish that rivals any guilty food pleasure, I am in taste-bud-no-guilt-heaven! This entree also pairs nicely with the Minuty rosé wine shown in the photo above, which is a delicious French rosé that hit the spot on a triple digit Texas summer day!
In fact, I liked this salmon so much that I went back on my own a week later just to order it. On both trips, it was delectable and beautifully plated.
Last but definitely not least, we tried Brined Southern Kitchen’s chicken and waffles. It took me years of living in the south before I was willing to try chicken and waffles. Go ahead and tell me, because I agree — I was a fool! This deliciously southern combo is a match made in heaven, and at Brined that match is made divine with crispy, slightly spicy fried chicken breasts; waffles that could easily stand solo; thick and crispy bacon (I repeat, bacon!); cheese sauce (which can be served on the side) and syrup. Salty, crunchy, fluffy and sweet all come together nicely with this signature dish.
I can’t leave these beautiful pickles out of this review!
I was a late bloomer as a fan of pickles, and I’m still rather picky about them. I prefer those that are slightly sweet with just a little spice, and the Brined housemade pickles hit the mark for me. You can even take a jar of their pickles or pickled okra home with you — $5 for a small jar; $10 for a large one.
I found the staff at Brined to be genuinely friendly, enthusiastic and accommodating. And if you have a group gathering for a special occasion, there’s a room/area in the back that is well-suited for that kind of thing. Personally, I’m looking forward to going back when patio weather returns. In the meantime, however, there is plenty of covered parking in the Mockingbird Station garages, to keep your car out of the sun — always a plus with our crazy hot summers!
Address:
5321 E Mockingbird Ln #110, Dallas, TX 75206, US
Website:
www.brinedsouthernkitchen.com
