Saturday, October 24, 2015

Foreign Correspondents



 Foreign Correspondents

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Service (Staff):


- Highly welcoming

- Very attentive

- Talkative

- Knowledgeable

- Delayed food delivery

- Managers visited the tables

- All hands on dek



Ambience: 


- New

- Trendy

- Bright colors

- Modern

- Art walls

- Adequate volume

- Mix crowd & family oriented

- No patio available

- Cozy

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Service: 4.7/5

Ambience: 5/5

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•Address• 4721 n main | houston  tx

•Area• midtown

•Telf• (713) 864-THAI

•Web• www.treadsack.com/foreigncorrespondents

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Stuffed Sticky Rice

(khao bai) coconut sticky rice stuffed with lightly salted and grilled mackerel, carmelized shallots, and fresh cucumber.

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- Sweet but salty kick

- Sticky

- Caramel after tasting

- Fishy

- Mild aroma

Mackerel: salty, tender texture, full flavor

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Dish: 5/5

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Spicy Blue Crabs

(phat phet bpuu) a plate of big #1 male blue crabs from anahuac, tx. deep fried then stir- fried with spicy curry paste and holy basil

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- Large

- Interesting

- Spicy juice

- Sweet tasting meat

- Time consuming to open it

- Original

- Messy

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Dish: 4.7/5

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Water Spinach with Crispy Pork Belly

(phat pak boong muu grawp) a simple stir- fry of water spinach and crispy pork belly with chilis

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- Hard

- Highly fatty

- Sharable

- Simple

- Unimpressive

- Big chunks of pork

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Dish: 3/5

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Green Papaya Salad

central thai style

(tam thai) the thai variation, quite a bit sweeter with a lighter sauce

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- Crunchy veggies

- Refreshing

- Medium size

- Sweet & spicy kicks

- Earthy

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Dish: 5/5

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Raw Beef Laap

(goy nuea) in isaan, a raw laap is called goy. Finely minced beef tossed with chili powder,

ground rice, herbs, and spicy dressing

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- Strong

- Highly rich (mint)

- Warm

- Very spicy

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Dish: 3/5

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Friday, October 23, 2015

Hunky Dory



Hunky Dory

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Service (Staff):


- Serviceable

- Very attentive

- Detailed oriented

- Knowledgeable

- Welcoming



Ambience: 


- New

- Patio available 

- Loud

- Slightly dim

- Easy menu

- Light colors

- Visible kitchen

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Service: 5/5

Ambience: 5/5

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•Address• 1801 n shepherd | houston  tx

•Area• the heights

•Telf• (713) 864-2450

•Web• www.treadsack.com/hunkydory

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Snapper Tartar

sparklingly fresh gulf fish with capers, cornichons, dill & shallots served with chips & malt vinegar aioli

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- Fresh

- Light

- Sharable

- Ynusual

- Crispy chips

- Bitter

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Dish: 5/5

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Filet Steak au Poivre

8 oz Certified Angus. served with mashed potatoes & fresh fries

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- Tender

- Slightly overcooked

- Juicy inside

- Fulfilling

- Salty kick

- Rich sauce 

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Dish: 4.5/5

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Roast Beats

with goat cheese & honey

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- Big chunks

- Creamy

- Juicy

- Sharable

- Fresh

- Light

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Dish: 5/5

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Tarakaan


Tarakaan

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Service (Staff):


- Highly welcoming

- Friendly

- Fantastic

- Talkative

- Serviceable

- Young



Ambience: 


- New

- Trendy

- Chic

- Dim

- East coast vibe

- Easy menu

- Energetic

- Mixed crowd

- Great music

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Service: 5/5

Ambience: 5/5

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•Address• 2301 main st | houston  tx

•Area• downtown

•Telf• (832) 487-9096

•Web• www.tarakaan.com

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Hamachi Tiradito

passionfruit, shallots, chili oil

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- Fishy

- Fresh

- delicate

- Sweet

- Softly spicy

- Easy to share

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Dish: 5/5

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Short Ribs "Dumplings"

coriander braised short ribs, nasturtium

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- Sticky

- Warm

- Small but plenty of beef

- Sweet kick 

- Tender

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Dish: 4.3/5

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Mushroom Fried Rice

foraged mushrooms, hazelnuts, sous vide egg

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- Warm

- Chunks of mushrooms

- Egg: cooked perfectly

- Fulfilling

- Well cooked 

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Dish: 5/5

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Pork Gyoza

black vinegar, chili oil

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- Easy to share

- Slightly spicy

- Warm

- Plenty of filling

- Juicy

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Dish: 5/5

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Black & White mediterranean and seafood bistro


Black & White

mediterranean and seafood bistro

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Service (Staff):


- Terrific

- Highly serviceable

- All hands on deck

- Knowledgeable

- Eager to please

- Always smiling



Ambience: 


- New

- Open kitchen

- Two dining options

- Spacious

- Modern-ranch decor

- Patio available

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Service: 5/5

Ambience: 5/5

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•Address• 1001 studewood | houston  tx

•Area• the heights

•Telf• (346) 980-8484

•Web• www.blackandwhitehou.com

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Salmon Croquettes

prepared with a classic italian bread mix, served with crudites

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- Easy to share

- Warm

- Crunchy (outside)

- Soft & smooth (inside)

- Lack of salmon 

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Dish: 4.5/5

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Nostro Polpo

fried octopus tentacles lightly seasoned with paprika, clove, salt, olive oil and a dash of lemon zest on a bed of mashed potatoes

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- Large

- Warm

- Fulfilling

- Slightly bitter but enjoyable

- Fresh


Mashed P: smooth, chunks of potatoes 

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Dish: 5/5

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Greens With Grilled Goat Cheese

selection of mixed greens with walnuts and raisins, served with a mango vinaigrette.

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- Fresh

- Cheese (best part)

- Sweet kick

- Cold & warm

- Large

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Dish: 5/5

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Tuna Tostadas

Chipotle mayo spread, covered with delicate cuts of tuna tataki marinated in Ponzu sauce with thin slices of avocado and fried leek.

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- Easy to share

- Only 3 tostadas

- Slightly spicy

- Sweet kick

- Creamy avocado

- Crunchy

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Dish: 5/5

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Izakaya


Izakaya

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Service (Staff):


- Serviceable

- Very attentive

- Detailed oriented

- Funny

- Talkative


Ambience: 


- New

- Trendy

- Bright

- Young crowd

- Adequate volume

- Graffiti walls

- Modern 

- Cozy

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Service: 5/5

Ambience: 4.5/5

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•Address• 318 w gray st | houston  tx

•Area• midtown

•Telf• (713) 527-8988

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Beef Bulgogi Lettuce Wraps

korean style marinated beef with vegetables

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- Spicy and sweet

- Light

- Juicy

- Tasty

- Sharable

- Pricy

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Dish: 4.3/5

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Vietnamese Style Scallops

pan seared scallops, vietnamese slaw, nuoc mam

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- Big scallops

- Warm

- Sweet kick

- Crunchy

- Easy to share

- Tasty

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Dish: 5/5

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Mochi & Bacon

bacon-wrapped grilled japanese rice cake

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- Original

- Sticky

- Soft texture

- Highly greasy

- Bacon flavor

- Plain flavor

- Sharable

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Dish: 3.3/5

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Mushroom Mac & Cheese

seasonal mushroom, houston dairy maid's cheese, panko, nori

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- Very cheesy

- Creamy

- Hot

- Strong gouda flavor

- Large

- Recommended

- Chunks of mushrooms

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Dish: 4.5/5

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Ka Sushi


Ka Sushi

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Service (Staff):


- Long waits

- Quick

- All hands on deck

- Detail oriented

- Food (quick delivery)

- Attentive


Ambience: 


- New

- Tiny

- Loud

- Tables too close 

- Dim

- Easy menu

- Bright bar

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Service: 4.5/5

Ambience: 3.5/5

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•Address• 1901 n shepherd | houston  tx

•Area• the heights

•Telf• (832) 879-2118

•Web• www.cafe101houston.com

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Octopus (app)

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- Delicate

- Small portion

- Sweet & sour

- Well cooked 

- Firm

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Dish: 5/5

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Edamame

green soy beans + sea salt

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- Sharable

- Well cooked

- Salty kick

- Large portion

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Dish: 5/5

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Cucumber Jack

pepper tuna, salmon, jackfruit, citrus, truffle ponzu

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- Fresh

- Sweet & sour

- Light

- Room temp

- Delicate

- Clean

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Dish: 4.5/5

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Dirty South

softshell crawfish, spicy tune, seared salmon, avocado, rasberry dijon

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- Recommended

- Warm

- Spicy

- Crunchy

- Fresh

- Adequate size 

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Dish: 5/5

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Sweet Potato Roll

crispy sweet potato, ginger apple slaw, balsamic

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- Unique

- Interesting

- Crispy

- Sweet

- Light

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Dish: 5/5

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Cafe 101 asian fusion


Cafe 101

asian fusion

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Service (Staff):


- Young

- In a rush 

- All hands on deck 

- Knowledgeable 

- Difficult to approach 


Ambience: 


- Modern

- Loud 

- Messy

- Cold

- Spacious

- Mixed crowd

- Bright

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Service: 3/5

Ambience: 3.7/5

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•Address• 9889 bellaire blvd | houston  tx

•Area• chinatown

•Telf• (713) 272-8828

•Web• www.cafe101houston.com

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Kimchi Fries With Beef

fusion style fries dressed w/ kimchi, beef, onions, cilantro, chilli sauce & mayo

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- Soggy

- Soft

- Spicy

- Warm

- Large 

- Average beef

- Unimpressive 

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Dish: 3/5

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Fried Squid Balls

deep fried minced squid paste tossed w/ salt & pepper

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- Warm

- Sharable

- Crispy

- Firm

- Crusty

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Dish: 5/5

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Sizzling Beef Short Ribs

lightly fried beef short ribs tossed in salt & pepper w/green onions & bell peppers

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- Hot

- Large 

- Spicy

- Sharable

- Well cooked

- Fresh

- Fatty

- Smoky aftertaste  

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Dish: 4.5/5

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Pour Society an american pub


Pour Society

an american pub

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Service (Staff):


- Quick

- Knowledgeable

- eager to please

- approachable 

- detail oriented 

- serviceable 

- welcoming



Ambience: 


- rustic decor

- energetic 

- bright 

- spacious 

- plenty of tvs 

- diff ages 

- casual

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Service: 5/5

Ambience: 5/5

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•Address• 947 n gessner | houston  tx

•Area• memorial

•Telf• (832) 831-0950

•Web• www.poursociety.com

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Mac & Cheese

ham rock, cheddar, bread crumbs

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- warm

- cheesy

- mild 

- big chunks of ham 

- thick 

- overcooked 

- strong cheddar 

- crunchy topping

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Dish: 4/5

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Seven Layers

crab and shrimp, guacamole, pinto beans, sour cream, corn, pico, radish

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- smooth

- large

- beautiful presentation

- sharable

- crunchy chips

- fresh ingredients

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Dish: 5/5

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Carrot Salad

kale, avocado, chermoula, pistachios whipped goat cheese

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- Fresh

- Small

- Cheesy

- Very strong

- Disappointing

- Bitter kick

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Dish: 2/5

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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

White Oak kitchen + drinks


White Oak

kitchen + drinks

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Service (Staff):


- Quick

- Knowledgeable

- Young

- Highly serviceable

- Attentive

- Detail oriented

- Easy to reach

- Managers/chef did not visit the tables



Ambience: 


- Business casual

- Moder & rustic décor

- Mixed crowd

- Cold

- Slightly loud

- Glass walls

- Inside shopping mall 

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Service: 5/5

Ambience: 4.3/5

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•Address• 5011 westheimer rd | houston  tx

•Area• uptown

•Telf• (713) 960-6588

•Web• www.whiteoakhouston.com

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Steak + Frites

chimichurri + truffle fries

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- average chimichurri

- large | warm

- Steak: slightly fatty but soft

- Fries: crispy, warm, thin, perfect salty touch, strong truffle flavor

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Dish: 4/5

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Buffalo Truffle Burger

90% lean buffalo meat, crumbled blue cheese, arugula, whole wheat slow dough challah bun 

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- fulfilling

- warm

- overcooked meat

- strong flavor

- earthy

- lack of truffle

- Fries: crispy, warm, thin, perfect salty touch, strong truffle flavor

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Dish: 3.7/5

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Smoked Mac + Cheese

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- Warm

- Cheesy

- Creamy

- Smoky 

- Sharable

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Dish: 4.7/5

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