Modern Simple Living

Food & Drink Joe’s Bakery: A Breakfast Stop Worth Making Dishes: 2 Price: Value Gear Featured: 1 Section I Joe's Bakery Experience Joe’s Bakery is definitely worth a stop for breakfast. They serve a delightful mix of Mexican food along with classic American bacon and eggs. The scrambled eggs are amazing, and the barbacoa is a standout. It pairs perfectly with some tortillas, creating a delicious combination.  The prices are very affordable. I opted for the small half-price plates, which were quite filling for me.   Section II Gear Spotlight: iPhone 14 Pro Camera Also, these are my first few photos taken with the new iPhone 14 Pro’s camera. It’s an improvement over the 11—not a giant leap like the upgrade from the 6s to the 11, but still a noticeable enhancement. Enjoy your next breakfast!

Gear Review iPhone 14 Pro vs. iPhone 11: A Comparison Incremental upgrades or a game-changing leap? ~2 Years of use 48 Megapixels 2 Models compared Section I Initial Impressions This comparison may not be entirely fair, as the iPhone 11 is the entry-level model for the 11 series, while the 14 Pro is one of the premium offerings in its series. However, I own both and am very familiar with the 11, having used it for two years, while I've just started using the 14 Pro. Since the 5.8-inch iPhone X, most modern iPhones have looked and behaved quite similarly. They seem to have standardized around the 6.1-inch form factor introduced with the XR and then the 11. The only real difference between the XR and the 11 was the single versus dual back cameras. With the 14 Pro having the same 6.1-inch screen as the 11, it feels functionally similar to its predecessor. Yes, the 14 Pro boasts triple cameras that are significantly larger, along with a 48MP sensor compared to the 12MP of the 11. It ...

Gear Review Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen Review A long-term look at balancing smartwatch utility with the desire to stay untethered 44mm Size 10 Days Testing Period ~8,000 Average Daily Steps 10 Months Ownership Table of Contents ① Initial Impressions ② 10-Day Review ③ 10-Month Review Section I Initial Impressions I recently got the Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen in 44MM, featuring the Cellular + GPS model. I'm curious to see how it compares to my old Series 2, which only had GPS. After wearing it for a few days, I'm ready to share my thoughts. Overall, the SE 2 feels very similar to my old Series 2.   Section II 10-Day Review After a solid week and a half with the watch, I can say it’s a good choice for anyone looking for a smartwatch without the hefty price tag of $400 for a Gen 8 or $800 for an Ultra. The SE covers all the basics and truly helps me "untether" from my phone. There's something liberating about not always needing to have my phone on hand. Setup and Usage → ...

Food & Drink Cappuccino Search in Dallas Exploring the local coffee scene, one cup at a time 1 Coffee Shop 5.5/10 Rating 1 Ongoing Quest Section I The Search for the Perfect Pour I'm still on the hunt for a great cappuccino in Dallas. Recently, I visited Kona Reserve in Frisco, but it was just meh. They slightly burnt the espresso, which surprisingly helped avoid the overly milky taste that often plagues cappuccinos.   Café Experience Aside from the coffee, the café itself is quite nice. The staff is friendly, and there's ample parking—something many coffee shops in Dallas at least have going for them. → Atmosphere — A nice environment that feels welcoming. → Service — The staff is friendly and helpful. → Convenience — Ample parking availability. Note: While the burnt espresso helped cut through the milkiness, it wasn't the refined balance I'm looking for. Quick Review Summary Metric Score Espresso Quality 5/10 Milk Texture 6/10 Overall Experience 5.5/10 That...

Food & Drink Labor Day Taco Fix and Frozen Margarita A holiday indulgence that packed a bigger punch than expected. $12.99 Price 1 Margarita 1 Taco Plate Section I The Holiday Meal I got my taco fix and decided to enjoy Labor Day by knocking back a frozen margarita. The margarita set me back $12.99, which surprisingly cost more than the taco plate!   Reflection I managed to finish it and ended up feeling pretty buzzed. Tip: If you are sensitive to alcohol, I recommend ordering the smaller size to keep the buzz manageable. Item Cost Comparison Taco Plate < $12.99 Frozen Margarita $12.99 Happy Labor Day—may your drinks be cold and your tacos be plentiful.

Food & Drink Lemma Coffee: A Mixed Bag Why Yelp ratings don't always tell the whole story 115 Yelp Reviews 3.8 Coffee Rating 12 Frisco Shops Tested Section I The Yelp Disconnect How is Lemma Coffee rated 4.7 out of 5 on Yelp? That’s the same rating as Summer Moon! You really can’t trust Yelp anymore, even with 115 reviews. If they’re giving high marks for location, ambiance, and staff, then sure, it’s a 5. But the coffee itself? I’d rate it around a 3.8. So far, in the dozen Frisco coffee shops I’ve tried—except for Summer Moon—they all seem to think a cappuccino should taste like a glass of warm milk. Am I ordering it wrong?   Rating Breakdown → Cappuccino Rating — 5/10 → Espresso Shot Rating — 4/10 Tip: If you are looking for a balanced espresso, look for notes of dark chocolate and creaminess rather than harsh bitterness. Section II The Verdict Item Original Rating Revised Rating Cappuccino 5/10 N/A Espresso Shot N/A 4/10 Update — July 2023 I gave the shop another try...

Food & Drink Searching for the Perfect Tonkatsu A quest for the ultimate crispy pork cutlet 2 Locations 1 Dish ~1 Search Section I The Tonkatsu Hunt I'm still on the lookout for a good Tonkatsu spot (Pork Katsu). My search has led me to sample a few different venues as I try to find that perfect balance of crispy panko and tender meat.   Current Contenders I’ve tried the food court option at Mitsuwa, and while it’s decent for a quick meal, it hasn't quite hit the mark. I’ve also spent some time at Kurobuta, which is clearly a step up from the food court variety. → Mitsuwa Food Court — A decent, accessible option, but ultimately lacks the depth of a specialized kitchen. → Kurobuta — The superior choice of the two, though still not perfect. The Verdict At Kurobuta, you get quite a bit with your meal, which can be both a plus and a minus depending on your appetite. The pork is flavorful and tender, but it just lacks something in the panko batter and the sauce.     ...

Food & Drink Torchy's Tacos: A Chain Experience *Is this DFW staple worth the hype?* 6/10 Rating 1 Lunch Meal ~30+ Mexican spots visited Section I The Verdict I heard great raves about Torchy's Tacos and decided to give it a try for lunch. Overall, it was okay. After trying several dozen more Mexican spots across the West Coast, I’d say it’s a decent chain restaurant.   Taste Test The queso is probably the best I've had in DFW, thanks to its nice kick with some spice, guac, and cilantro. However, the tacos were just decent; they seemed to be lacking something that I can find in other local taco shops. → Torchy's Tacos — A decent chain experience, great queso, but lackluster taco fillings. → Fuzzy’s — The preferred alternative among the two popular chains. Note: If you are looking for the highlight of the menu, stick to the queso. While the tacos are still "good," they don't quite hit the mark compared to independent local spots. Comparison Table ...

Food & Drink Disappointing Visit to Original Pancake House *Searching for the perfect bacon and eggs in North Texas* 2 Locations 1 Disappointment 1 New Favorite Section I The Experience at Frisco I had high hopes for Original Pancake House since I've enjoyed their Dutch Baby and other offerings at different locations. However, the Frisco location fell short and was meh at best. I'm still on the lookout for a solid breakfast spot to satisfy my bacon and eggs fix.   2024 Update: Changing My Routine The Plano location is decent, however since discovering First Watch, that's become my go-to breakfast spot. Location Status Verdict Frisco Original Visit Underwhelming Plano Secondary Visit Decent First Watch New Routine Go-to Note: While regional chains can be hit or miss, finding a consistent spot for staples like bacon and eggs is worth the trial and error. → Original Pancake House — A classic chain known for the Dutch Baby, though quality can vary by specific franchise ...

Food & Drink Sweet Break at Tous le Jours Bakery A quick caffeine and pastry stop at the H-Mart in Allen 1 Stop 6/10 Cappuccino Rating 2 Bakery Chains Compared Section I The Bakery Experience I recently stopped by the Tous le Jours Bakery located inside the H-Mart in Allen. After finishing up my grocery shopping, I took a quick break to enjoy a cup of coffee and explore their selection of pastries.   Taste Test & Comparison The pastries were definitely the highlight of the visit, proving to be of higher quality than the coffee. While the cappuccino was acceptable, it was not the main event. → Tous le Jours — Offers superior bread-style pastries, making it a better choice for those who prefer traditional bakery items. → Paris Baguette — Known for their sweeter, donut-style offerings, which provide a different experience compared to the bread-focused menu at Tous le Jours. Quick Tip: If you are craving a solid bread-based pastry, prioritize a visit to Tous le Jours ov...