Cheesey Evening

I know that I have been remiss in writing, especially after promises to write more often.  Well, there will be no more promises... hopefully, the writing will just magically happen.  Hubby and I have been busy with work and life and not exploring Fort Worth as much as we should.  In an effort to take advantage of our time here, we decided to go out to dinner somewhere new.  Magnolia Ave in Fort Worth's Near Southside neighborhood is Fort Worth's Brooklyn, bustling with new restaurants and a hipster vibe.  Although we didn't spend too much time in Brooklyn while we lived in NYC, I have a feeling it would have been totally up our alley.

I had read about the opening of Magnolia Cheese Company and knew it was a place I had to try.  Their motto is "Cheese, Wine, Learn & Dine" which I knew would be a perfect fit for a delicious dinner.  Although I was excited about checking it out, I wasn't sure what to expect besides cheese and wine.  Hubby and I were pleasantly surprised by the small menu of fresh and healthy offerings including sandwiches, salads, and a quinoa of the day. 

We decided to start out with a cheese plank... it is a cheese place after all.  The menu listed three plank options: the local, the traveler, and American artisan.  Since we were in a local mood, we decided to check out a selection of cheeses from nearby producers.  Each cheese was more delightful than the next with delicious accompaniments like wildflower honeycomb, curried pecans, and a spiced date compote that I almost licked off of the wooden plank.

Although it doesn't look like much food, the flavor explosions in our mouths left us satisfied and worried that we wouldn't make it to the main course.

Knowing that the possibility of a Dairy Queen blizzard was in my future, I played it safe and had a mixed greens salad for dinner after our cheese course.  The salad was fresh and made me feel good about my dinner choice while still feeling decadent.  Hubby even remarked that he would come back for lunch just for the salad.  While I stuck to greens for dinner, hubby tried a sandwich (please don't ask me to remember which one it was because, unfortunately, I don't... though I want to say it was the cheddar and turkey one).  The sandwich was served with a side of kale chips, which we both found surprisingly delicious.  The chips were salty and crunchy and almost melted in your mouth... it makes me wonder if all kale chips are that good, though probably not.  Hubby also got the quinoa of the day, which had beets and goat cheese. 

Hubby's healthy plate was not only good for you but just plain old delicious

Overall, the meal was outstanding.  Everything was fresh and tasty without being heavy.  The atmosphere at the Magnolia Cheese Company was laid back and welcoming, which only enhanced the eating experience.  It will definitely be a place that hubby and I return to... nothing wrong with a little wine and cheese.