They bill themselves as founding distillers of the infamous spirit. But Pernod should be ashamed of themselves after a performance given by their representative last Friday at Morton’s.Pernod teamed with the downtown steakhouse for an “introduction to absinthe” session, which included cocktails and samples served in the more traditional manner–dripping…

It wouldn’t be a stretch to say he’s a fan of Texas Motor Speedway. After, all, Burton’s first career win in NASCAR’s top series came here in 1997. A decade later, he became the track’s first repeat winner.The South Boston, Virginia, native has taken the checkered flag 21 times in…

“Well let me just quote the late-great Colonel Sanders, who said ‘I’m too drunk to taste this chicken.'” (Ricky Bobby, as played by Will Ferrell, in Talladega Nights. Quoted because…what the hell, it’s race weekend.)…

State & Allen Lounge2400 Allen St.214-239-1990How can you not like a place that looks–from the outside, from the awning down–so damn Parisian? One set on a neighborhood corner so walkable?You don’t even have to like their menu to be drawn from your car and onto the patio for a drink…

You may not know his name. Short shies away from cameras and microphones, after all. But only a few chefs have a longer resume, at least when it comes to cooking in Dallas.Bella, a brand new spot in the Quadrangle, is his first small kitchen. Through much of his 25…

“I got a friend who wrecked a bar stool.” (From the tape of a 911 call in Newark, Ohio, that led to the arrest of a man for operating a vehicle–his motorized bar stool–while intoxicated. The 911 dispatcher asked if he hit his head on the floor and was informed…

Allow us to reflect on these three months past.Looking back at our antics–pairing wine with sausage biscuits, Buffalo wings, Arby’s and such–we realized that graphic artist Patrick Michels deserves occasional recognition. Each week, after all, we ask him to risk sizable fines–or at least phone calls from copyright infringement lawyers,…

His name is synonymous with “tasting menu” in Dallas, thanks to his work with Lola’s Tasting Room.He runs the main kitchen, as well. But the 10-course tasting ranks as one of the most impressive, spellbinding experiences in the city–at least as far as cooking goes. Uygur’s emphasis on seasonal ingredients…

“Every patched pothole comes with the Colonel’s very own stamp of approval.” (Roger Eaton, president of KFC, announcing the fast food chain’s plans to fill potholes in at least four American cities, free of charge. In return, the company gets to stamp its brand on each patch–which you will notice,…

We began the 10 Questions series early in the new year, so it seems like a good time to pause and look back.Over the past few months, we’ve interviewed some interesting characters, including chefs, waiters, managers, bartenders, food critics and outright celebrities. While we never intended the 10 Q segment…

“I just wanted to find a way to save money. We have to sell ads for our yearbook, for our school newspaper. I don’t think this small amount of advertising will change my classroom.” (Jeb Harrison, history and economics teacher at Pocatello High School in Idaho, who agreed to carry…

Mattito’s6129 W. Main St., Frisco214-872-3411There’s one key difference between the original Dallas operation and its Frisco counterpart: location.And before you finish that “no shit, Sherlock” response, allow me to explain. In this case, location refers to mindset more than anything else. Mattito’s famed Uptown restaurant is neatly camouflaged by other…

Every once in awhile I wonder just why some people are keen to lavish praise on restaurant owners. Yeah, I know–the Food Network and those in the media who promote the celebrity chef idea share a portion of the blame. But many of the folks who dine regularly simply don’t…

Three months in and Quesa-D-Ya’s looks like the restaurant to beat. They slipped past the early leader, Nandina Asian Tapas, the week of January 26 and have held on since, easily brushing off a few feeble challenges.So as the first quarter closes, we pause to assess the highs, lows and…

Davis is kinda like Richard Petty or the New York Yankees, at least in the world of competitive barbecue.Since he began working the pit in 1994, this Marietta, Oklahoma, native has claimed 66 grand champion titles, including last year’s World BBQ Cook Off in Munich. He’s even featured on the…

“People ask me every day if Kent’s place is hurting our business. I tell them, ‘heck no, they are helping it.’ I look at it this way: Everybody loves comfort food. Kent serves the rich guys, and I serve the guys who used to be rich. And believe me, there…

In the fifteen years of tending bar Chancy Jones put in before taking a job at Windmill Lounge, he remembers shaking up two–maybe three–Negronis. Three months at the cocktail dive on Maple and he’s an expert.”I’ve probably made 40 or 50 of them,” he says.But the complex, bittersweet and herbal…

Before he opened Sevy’s Grill back in 1997, Severson had already piled up 23 years of food service experience…probably not counting his time at McDonald’s as a teenager.The Michigan native studied at the famous Culinary Institute of America and worked several kitchens before earning a local following as chef at…

“At Brinker, we hold the utmost respect for the litigation system; however, we are disappointed in the jury’s decision and plan to appeal. We remain steadfast in our belief of the merits of our case.” (a spokeswoman for Brinker International Inc. on a federal jury verdict this week awarding $270,000…

Avanti Neighborhood Bistro5001 Addison Circle, Addison972-386-7800Duck confit consists of meat cooked in its own fat. The French developed a simple process rendering it perfect for storage over those occasional periods of foreign occupation. Merely by ramming it into a crock also packed with fat, duck (or other fatty meats like…