If Memory Serves chronicles moments from my dining past, perhaps explaining why I’m so damn strange.I was a kid when I started to pick up on the the existence of regional differences in what and how people cook. My dad grew up on a poor Southern farm and thus favored…
The folks from Marketing have been hanging around my office, coughing up a storm and pointedly refusing to use Purell, despite the containers placed all around the office. I think they’re hoping that, weakened by a particularly nasty strain of swine flu they’ve been incubating for months (and you thought…
I’ve spent some effort avoiding this day, hoping it would never, ever come. But all of my valiant, last ditch efforts–a quick search for an apartment in Allen, begging to work from a Starbucks in Oklahoma City for a day or two–fell through.Now I’m trapped. Although I’ve spent much of…
El Fogon3636 Frankford972-820-6440Does it matter if a funky little ethnic joint is lodged in a far north strip mall? Is character defined by the shell or what is inside?Some would have you believe that location and setting matter more than unique flavors. So the fact that El Fogon is hidden…
Each week in ‘Knockers’ we order from a different delivery restaurant, assessing their efficiency and keeping a running score.Nara Pizza & Oven3716 Belt Line, Addison972-488-3663Promised delivery time: 40 minutesActual delivery time: 27 minutesScoring summary:Beating–nay, crushing–the promised delivery time: 23Five minutes spent in limbo on the phone as they figured out…
When David Pedack fires up his rickety ZAP car—a three-wheeled all-electric bug assembled in Hong Kong—and clatters down the street on a pizza delivery run, it may be the only time he feels real solitude. The pressure of opening Urbino Pizza e Pasta, his second restaurant, eases just a bit…
We’ve discussed this in the past, though in regards to restaurant reviews. Critics generally allow a new place one month to work out the kinks before we pounce.This practice has drawbacks, of course. Years ago New York Times writer Eric Asimov called it “bullshit” when I mentioned that chefs expect…
It was certainly a vocal week on City of Ate. People like bc, jamey, curmudgeon and DallasDude churned out more words that I did–at least it seems that way.Of course, we’re still on our ‘no prizes’ kick so their efforts earn them little more than our appreciation. We did have…
Great. The full force of Texas winter is upon us…for a day…in October.Another month and Europeans will start seeing mulled wine stands open. Decades ago these probably held a big, steaming pot of red wine spiced with cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and other seasonings. Nowadays, of course, you find commercial-sized stainless…
Every time I go…strike that. The few times I’ve been to old downtown Carrollton, the square always seems deserted. Oh, there are cars, but few people–until you walk into Babe’s, where you find the entire population of North Texas.So if, as writers at the New York Times suppose, Southern fried…
Agave Tapas2067 Summer Lee Dr.Rockwall214-771-0423Actually, the name includes “grill,” “restaurant” and–I think–“bar” in addition to “tapas.” And the name says it all.In some ways it reminds me of the time I stopped in a place called Carlos O’Kelly’s, a Tex-Mex establishment that may or may not have also served corned…
Each week, Pairing Off attempts to find just the right bottle of wine to go with ordinary food.There’s gonna be a moment when you think “this is the low point–it can’t get any worse.” Of course, intellectually you know it can get much worse. But the little speech, however mistaken,…
Driving around Dallas last week I came across an abandoned concrete structure with block glass inlays and “restaurant” painted across the front. It was like spotting an original streamline diner–different construction materials, I know, but the rounded corners and crumbling Art Deco era touches inspire the same flush of nostalgia…
Growing up a Cardinals fan meant we took more than just the occasional pilgrimage to beautiful Busch Stadium. Our route to the ballpark varied, but it was always about three hours and–if we approached down a certain highway, my mom would always–and I mean always–point out the street where Marty…
Got into the office a little while ago after having spent the morning comforting (meaning carrying around) an ailing cat and eating breakfast–a couple of Rice Krispies treats, but it counts.That I did, in fact, stop for breakfast is of critical importance–or so says one of the greatest press releases…
Last week’s mini-tempest raised by Veggie Guy Eddie Garza’s visit to the state fair was fascinating. In amongst voices of reason were several judgmental statements, such as “have a cheeseburger; It will make you feel better” and “awww, poor ignorant meat eaters….bless their hearts…” Then there was my favorite, from…
Thai Chili397 Las Colinas Blvd. E, Irving972-831-0797All those self-sustaining, walkable neighborhoods built, or to be built, in the DFW area are supposed to make the city seem somehow, well, like a real city. But one of the original and most European developments languishes.Oh, the apartments are doing fine, as far…
You know, I had planned to further stoke the vegan-meat eater fires lit by Veggie Guy. But someone posted this question on the blog and it caught my interest.We’ve all heard it–Dallas has more restaurants per capita than New York, or than all other American cities…there are a few variations…
A hell of a lot to wade through this week, mostly thanks to the state fair.Two things before we get to the non-winners. First, I think I found a way to rid my desk of some of the accumulated junk…uh, I mean, of the highly sought after prizes, which this…
We can all come up with a list of drinks we deeply regret trying. Some of them were probably part of our repertoire at one point in time. For example, back when I was a high school n’er-do-well, groups of us sneak bottles of Cold Duck or, worse, Malt Duck…
As a kid, my parents subjected our family to a couple different themed meals on a regular basis. One was Dad’s weekly catfish and hushpuppies fry-fest. Others involved dinners at which Mom stretched a pound of meat to serve the entire table. Until my early 20s, I firmly believed you…
Norma’s Cafe17721 N. Dallas Tollway(at Trinity Mills)The most recent addition to the Norma’s line up just opened on Trinity Mills in North Dallas. It has a leaky roof and sterile surroundings. Inside, however, it’s a fun combination of 50s diner and Texas chic.To explain: there are padded soda fountain stools…
