A few weeks ago, Dive Coastal Cuisine (home of my favorite ahi tuna wrap on the planet), invited me in to sample some of the new summer menu items before they officially introduced them. Such a treat! Franchesca Nor, the chef-owner, grew up with such a strong foundation for caring about sourcing local, fresh ingredients that it just came naturally to her when she decided to go into the restaurant business. That  philosophy is absolutely obvious when you taste the food at Dive. It’s different from all the other restaurants in town, and it’s even different from all the other seafood restaurants in town. Often, I find it’s exactly what I’m craving, whether I want to be good, or even a little bit bad.

These little hotties give you that burn in a good, good way. They’re filled with vegetarian-friendly goodness, but meat-lovers will be happily scarf ’em right down, too. Jalapeños stuffed with Grilled Jalapeño Poppers stuffed with black beans, quinoa, goat and jack cheeses, and topped with a Sriracha-aioli drizzle. Yep.

Artichokes get the lemony, spicy treatment at Dive. It’s a good way to start your meal, I’m thinking. You can plan tomorrow’s play date, bitch about your nanny who just quit, or complain that the other mommies get to do more yoga than you do. Oh, yeah there are a lot of mom-types at Dive. But don’t let that deter you. Moms know what’s good.

A light salad of mangos, crisp jicama tomatoes and romaine lettuce tossed in vinaigrette is summer on a plate. What else do you need, really?

Dessert? Oh, well, okay.

This key lime pie should do it. The crust has a crunchy slightly spicy mix of graham and ginger snap. Nothing too fancy. Exactly right, and perfect to share, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Check out Dive’s updated summer menu right here:

Dive Coastal Cuisine  |  3404 Rankin Street |  Dive-Dallas.com

**PLEASE NOTE:** I was invited to sample items from Dive’s summer menu and meet with Dive’s chef/owner as part of a #VIPeek. Thus, the meal we enjoyed was comped. However, as always, free food does not buy favorable words from this bitch. I happened to already love Dive’s fare, which remains fact despite any freebies received.