Appetite For Instruction has taken the day off (it will return next week) because…well, because we had a party to celebrate the Best Of issue last night and the thought of flipping through all those pictures of chefs chopping raw meat…we just couldn’t face it…
I walked into Jen’s Place, saw that the daily special was brisket and noted three things: 1) This is a cafeteria, not a BBQ joint. 2) Nobody named Jen makes a good brisket. To make a good brisket, you need a name like Rusty or Dusty or at least a…
There’s a boundary, a set of criteria, something that delineates those who like appetizers from those who quiver at the mention of tapas. Wish I could put my finger on it—though judging from the number of times I heard “Oooh, I love tapas” from women in professional income brackets, I’d…
Each week, Pairing Off attempts to find just the right bottle of wine to go with ordinary food.There were no deluxe boxes with creamy, canned cheese goo when I was a kid. There were no cartoon-shaped pastas, either. All we had was regular old macaroni and a packet of salty…
On The Range is a weekly exploration of the history and lore of Texas menu items.Migas, chilaquiles, menudo. In this series, we’ve written numerous times about savory South-of-the-border breakfast and brunch dishes. But what about pastries such as dulce de leche cake or alfajores cookies or pan dulces? And why…
El FenixMultiple locations Dude Factor: 10, or Jerry Haynes, on a scale of 1 (Mary Kay Ash) to 10.Honestly, if it weren’t for El Fenix, I wouldn’t be the dude I am today. You see, my family made the weekly pilgrimage for the Wednesday enchilada special for years. So often,…
Hollywood has provided us with any number of memorable food-related moments. The explosive restaurant scene in Monty Python’s Meaning of Life comes to mind, as does Woody Allen’s attempt to drive a lobster from behind a fridge by scaring it with a bowl of clarified butter in Annie Hall. And…
It always makes me chuckle when I receive e-mails from extreme health-food vegans telling me I should be eating a healthier plant-based diet. The last one I got said, “You are a bad example of the way vegans should eat.” This guy must’ve read all about my sick obsession for…
Julia Child said the only time anyone should ever eat diet food is while waiting for a steak to cook. That philosophy works for the rare woman like Child, who at 6’2 could absorb the extra calories stuffed in French cuisine. She was a giantess, but by no means gentle…
Had a brief conversation on Sunday with a woman named Banana (although it could have been Brianna, maybe even Bianca) about a newly opened spot on Trinity Mills at the Tollway.The place is called Malarkey’s Tavern and features a leprechaun on their marquee–so guessing Irish…though Banana said they had “good…
As most of you know, Smoke’s Tim Byres spent part of the summer tooling around America’s old south in search of small town chefs accomplished in the art of traditional wood-fired cooking. Until I saw their menu, however, I had no idea Byres also used some of that time to…
Norma’s Cafe3330 Belt LineFarmers Branch972-243-8646I love diners that serve breakfast all day long. There’s just something about pancakes in the middle of the day or an evening meal of sausage and hash browns topped with a rich, runny egg…except that you can’t order sunny side up in Farmers Branch.At least…
Each week in ‘Knockers’ we order from a different delivery restaurant, assessing their efficiency and keeping a running score.Tuk Tuk Asian Cuisine 1520 Elm St., #115214-749-1538Promised delivery time: 30 minutes Actual delivery time: 11 (!) minutes The ScoreNeighbor from the apartment upstairs brings food, and it’s exactly what I want:…
Who knew a bar would combine uptown chic with beer belching?Public House in Denton ain’t no ordinary cocktail adventure. Inside you’ll find a mix of sophistication with booze, beer and more beer. Set up like a restaurant, with tables resting throughout and the bar smack dab in the middle of…
Three different festivals this weekend will highlight cuisine from around the world: Greece, Thailand, and, perhaps most foreign of all, Uptown. The Dallas Greek Food Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (13555 Hillcrest Road) showcases Greek culture in general, with music, games and activities for students and children. Coffee…
Last Friday I was sitting at Cretia’s, eating dinner and watching a crew set up for live entertainment. The space is small enough for amplified music to drown nearby conversation. Crank it up, the restaurant could obliterate all form of interaction. One of the guys even suggested moving a dinner…
Pepperidge Farm sent two boxes of crackers to my office. Wilonsky saw them and ran over to Jimmy’s, returning with some cured meat and a hunk of cheese. My desk is now covered by crumbs, two empty boxes, white wrapping paper of the kind you find at, oh, an Italian…
Ah, the drink before dinner.Yes, I’m guilty of slamming…I mean sipping…a martini or two while waiting for a table. But my behavior changes when I’m traveling through Europe. Instead of gin, I’ll order sherry or vermouth, perhaps a Campari or Dubonnet. Why I approach a meal differently has to do…
Raise your hand if you’re sick to death of the big ol’ fuss over “cougars.” Really, what’s so morbidly fascinating about a woman of a certain age who likes to get her freak on? Forty is the new 20 after all, right? All things being equal, we hope to hell…
This week, Dave seeks out a bigger slice of the pie, with a trip to Eno’s Pizza Tavern.For the full Eno’s experience, though, take a stroll through the dining room, kitchen and bar, and have a very brief encounter with the pizza oven’s open flame, in this week’s Dish slideshow…
Vermont brewing company Magic Hat has a fall sampler that is making its way to Texas beer stores, which according to the company marks the arrival of the brewer’s full line of beers in the state. Magic Hat is best known for its apricot-infused #9 (which got a nice little…
Because Mexico celebrated their declaration of independence one day this week–and independence day another (and again in the spring, if you count Cinco de Mayo, as some do)–we decided to join in the festivities.You know, by eating tacos.Al pastor is one of those beautiful fusions of foreign tradition and local…
