Simple Living

Texas Roadhouse Bone-In Ribeye: Their Best Steak I recently tried the bone-in ribeye at Texas Roadhouse after years of ordering their regular steaks — and now I wish I had discovered it sooner.  The flavor and juiciness are on another level. The bone helps keep the steak tender and adds that rich, steakhouse taste I usually only find at higher-end places. At $30.99 for a 20-ounce cut, it’s an incredible deal. You get a big, flavorful steak that easily beats most others on the menu. If you usually stick with the sirloin or boneless ribeye, do yourself a favor and try the bone-in next time — it’s the best steak Texas Roadhouse serves.

Weekend Drive to Houston: Coffee, Cuban Food & Buc-ee’s Finds Took a quick weekend trip to Houston—nothing too planned, just wanted to enjoy a smooth drive down I-40 and check out a few spots in H-Town. Kicked things off with coffee at Carino’s, which was a solid start to the day. For lunch, I stopped at Cafe Piquet for some Cuban food. Tried the Ropa Vieja (shredded beef), and I’m definitely a fan—savory, tender, and full of flavor. Both on the way there and back, I made sure to swing by the Buc-ee’s in Madisonville. Their breakfast burrito hit the spot, and I found a shoulder bag that’s giving off serious Lululemon vibes—functional and surprisingly stylish. All in all, it was a simple, short, and refreshing getaway. Just the kind of low-key reset I needed.

Riding the Shinkansen: Osaka to Tokyo in Style During my 2025 trip to Japan, I had the chance to ride the iconic Shinkansen bullet train on the popular Osaka to Tokyo route. I opted for the fastest service, the Nozomi , and made the journey from Shin-Osaka Station to Tokyo Station in just 2.5 hours —smooth, fast, and impressively punctual. Train vs. Plane: Why the Shinkansen Wins While it’s technically cheaper to fly , the Shinkansen offers unbeatable convenience. There’s no airport hassle , no long check-ins or security lines—just a quick boarding process and a seamless connection to Tokyo’s local subway system. For travelers who value efficiency, the train is a clear winner Tips for a Better Ride Book in advance for a window seat—especially if you want a view of Mount Fuji or just a bit more comfort. Same-day tickets are usually available, though they may not offer the best seat options. A minor downside: the change in elevation caused some ear popping, so it’s something to...

Flying the ANA Airbus A380: A Jumbo Jet Built for Vacation A Rare Bird in the Skies I recently had the chance to fly aboard ANA’s Airbus A380, a double-decker jumbo jet that’s become something of a unicorn in modern aviation. ANA operates this aircraft exclusively on the Narita (NRT) to Honolulu (HNL) route, and if you’re heading to Hawaii, it’s absolutely worth trying at least once. Spacious, smooth, and strikingly quiet for its size, the A380 offers a unique experience tailored for leisure travel. Comfort and Cabin Experience The flight was every bit as comfortable as you’d expect from ANA, with service that met the airline’s consistently high standards. The aircraft layout felt thoughtfully designed for relaxation—whether you’re in economy, premium economy, or business class, there’s a sense of space that smaller widebodies just can’t match. If you’ve flown ANA’s 787 or 777 aircraft, the service and seat experience will feel familiar. The key difference here is the novelty and...

III Forks: Best Steakhouse in DFW III Forks has officially topped Del Frisco’s as my favorite steakhouse in DFW.  I had the cowboy bone-in ribeye, and it was incredible — perfectly cooked, juicy, and full of flavor. The corn and mashed potatoes are a must, and the asparagus and tomatoes were excellent too. It’s a real treat from start to finish, and I can’t wait to go back.

Best Steakhouse Experience Yet in DFW: Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Top-Tier Location, Ambience, and Service Having only sampled a fraction of steakhouses in DFW, I can confidently say that Del Frisco’s Double Eagle is a standout. The location, ambience, and attentive service set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. Quality from Start to Finish Everything from the appetizers to desserts was outstanding. For my main course, I enjoyed a 16 oz prime ribeye steak, cooked to a perfect medium rare, with a flavorful garlic butter sauce. The oysters were surprisingly delicious for a steakhouse, proving the quality across their entire menu. Must-Try Recommendations Based on recommendations, I tried the mashed potatoes and warm butter cake, and they lived up to the hype. Paired with a classic Caesar or Cobb Salad wedge, these sides rounded out the meal perfectly. A Repeat Visit in the Future Del Frisco’s Double Eagle has earned a spot on my list for future visits. With eve...

BBQ Review: Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum, Dallas, Texas I recently visited Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum, Dallas, to check out their BBQ. It was a solid experience overall, though I wouldn’t go as far as to call it the best BBQ around. Here’s a breakdown of what I tried: The Meat Selection Beef Rib : Easily the highlight of the meal—tender, flavorful, and satisfying. Brisket : Decent quality, but it didn’t quite reach the level of other well-known Texas BBQ spots. Pulled Pork : A bit of a letdown, as it was on the dry side. Sides That Stand Out Where Pecan Lodge really shines is in its sides. Compared to other BBQ spots like Hutchins or Rudy’s, their Cole Slaw and Potato Salad are standouts—delicious and well-seasoned, adding a fresh balance to the heavier BBQ flavors. If I could change one thing, I’d swap the rolls for classic white bread and would have preferred more onions alongside the pickles. A Sweet Finish Next Door Though Pecan Lodge doesn’t offer pecan pie, their proximity to a ne...

Road Trip to Houston: A Relaxing Getaway I recently had four days off and decided to take a road trip to Houston. During my stay, I dined at Bori K-BBQ and spent the night at the Woodland Resort. Overall, it was a pleasant and chill experience. Dining Experiences Bori K-BBQ - Amazing! Hilton Woodland Resort - Phenomenal Sushi Masa - Meh, Okay Bori K-BBQ was the highlight of the trip. This upscale restaurant offered some of the best food I’ve had in a while, making it an unforgettable dining experience. In contrast, the other restaurants I tried were average at best. I ended up sticking to hotel food, which, while a bit pricey, was convenient and surprisingly decent. The best part of the trip was simply doing nothing and relaxing. I took it slow and soaked in the atmosphere, which made for a refreshing break. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my phone with me and missed out on taking more pictures. 1. Bori K-BBQ - Amazing! I visited Bori during lunch, and the food was both delicious and reas...

NYC Itinerary: A Week of Exploring Manhattan Visiting NYC for a week in May was a fantastic experience. I focused on specific areas of Manhattan each day to minimize travel times, allowing me to explore 12 neighborhoods in just 7 days. My goal was to take my time and fully immerse myself in each neighborhood and its attractions, rather than rushing through everything. Lessons Learned The Met is #1: If you only have time for one museum, make it this one. Times Square is fun for 5 minutes: Consider staying elsewhere. Subway is cheap and efficient: Use common sense; it’s the best way to travel. Slow down and enjoy: Spending time in a local coffee shop can be more enlightening than an hour at a Starbucks Reserve. ❤️ denote places or things that were awesome and worth a visit. Original Itinerary Day 1 - Arrival/Times Square/Midtown South 10:40 am: Arrive at LGA ✈️ 11:00 am: Take Q70 Bus 🚎 to Subway E/F train 12:00 pm: Explore Times Square 1:00 pm: Lunch at Luke Lobster Roll/Udon L...