Food & Drink

Back in the days of required home economics class–before it was called Life Skills or whatever PC term schools call it now–students (at least in the South) were at some point required to perform an experiment with an apple pie. But not just any apple pie…On the day the teacher…

Although typically reserved, Sally flutters her eyes and grins as she tosses her head back, her hair flailing softly across her shoulders as she moans with repeated and joyous abandon. As her tempo quickens, Sally’s neighbors pause with alarm. She rocks with repeated gasps and jolts. Sally’s excitement rings throughout…

Alligator Cafe4416 Live Oak St.214-821-6900Dude Factor: 10, or Justin Wilson, on a scale of 1 (Jared Leto) to 10.Today being Fat Tuesday and all, we decided to load up the Dude Food crew and head out to indulge in some fattening Cajun food. The fact that we missed out on…

I haven’t enjoyed Chinese New Year, aka Vietnamese Tet, since I was a child, when there was nothing to worry about except counting the monetary contents of the shiny red envelopes given to kids as part of a good luck ritual by their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and family friends…

In Venezuela, it’s called Carne Mechada. In the Caribbean, it’s known as Ropa Vieja. The Mexican version goes by the name Carne Deshebrada. In any case, shredded beef is an important component of the cuisines of several south-of-the-border countries. Here, we are talking about marinated, slow-cooked moist beef, as opposed…

Now that Pinkberry’s opened its new West Village location, the Dallas frozen yogurt invasion may finally be complete.Alongside Uptown competitors OrangeCup, Red Mango and The Yogurt Shop Formerly Known as Yogilicious, how many more yogurt shops can one neighborhood support?All these options can make choosing your yogurt stop a little…

On a bitter-cold Sunday afternoon, when a bad case of the drags and the more-errands-to-run blues has Roasted feeling down, there’s no elixir that can jazz us up quite like a double dose of straight espresso. Oh, those hot oily-black and caramel-sweet shots of liquid lightning – don’t even think…

Some think the best thing about February is Valentine’s Day and spending some romantic time with your significant with a box of chocolates and bottle of wine. Not us. We’d rather drink strong cocktails named after a tropical cyclone, eat fried oysters and do anything possible to have the most…

Let’s get one thing straight. Chewing the Scenery isn’t about critiquing the farm freshness of the organic veggies at Bolsa, the authenticity of the Japanese noodles at Tei-An or the political incorrectness of the high-fat Stodg Burger at The Porch. No. It’s about design. Whether it’s a gimmicky new trend…

The weekend’s big event may be out in Arlington, but the American Airlines Center’s still hosting the rookie challenge and the slam dunk contest tonight and Saturday, and the arena’s catering crew — who figured prominently in our list of DFW’s stadium-food surprises — are turning out a new menu…

Each week in ‘Knockers’ we order from a different delivery restaurant, assessing their efficiency and keeping a running score. Sushi Zushi 3858 Oak Lawn Ave. Dallas, TX 75219 214-522-7253 Promised delivery time: 60 minutesActual delivery time: 40 minutesScoring summary:Having my favorite food delivered: 25 Knowledgeable staff with good recommendations: 10…

In this week’s Observer, we take a look at DISH on Cedar Springs Road, a new spot that’s generous with the ambiance and capitalization, but, Elaine says, short on attention to the food.It photographs well, though, as Sara Kerens ably demonstrates in this week’s Dish slideshow…

Demonstrated by Chef Timo Plaza of Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen Pull out a pen and paper, City of Aters, we’re about to give you a quick lesson in shrimp. Did you know the term “shrimp” originated in the 14th century from the Middle English term “shrimpe” meaning “small of stature”–well…

Valentine’s Day plans? Sure, there’ll be dinner, maybe a little dancing. And every Walgreen’s and Albertson’s this side of Hell is decked with pink and red and little naked dudes pimping waxy chocolate. Central Market even wants you to learn how to make chocolate. There are flower deliveries and flowers…

Wake up Dallas and smell the coffee. Oh, that hot, cup of pluck–it’s just what we need to get the heart racing and the morning going in one wired adrenal-pumping shot. Though, honestly, today Roasted may need a triple. But where to turn, so many choices and so little time…

Satisfying, delicious morsels of doughy goodness packed with intense flavors, various ground meats, and the heart-warming comfort of soup all rolled into one bite-sized dumpling. Any description of xiao long bao is destined to fall short, because the best way to experience the soup dumpling is to share a steamer…

Dr. Bell’s BBQ1404 Main St214-741-4552Dude Factor: 9, or Dr. House, on a scale of 1 (Dr. Phil) to 10 (Hawkeye)If you’re looking for a meal of substance in the middle of the workday around Main and Akard Streets, your options are pretty limited.There are plenty of places to find a…

After a positive dining experience at the Super H Mart last week, I asked my mother if she was up for joining me on one more food expedition before she leaves town. She said yes, but any early excitement she held for Grimaldi’s pizza or Rise No. 1 baguettes soon…

Each week in ‘Knockers’ we order from a different delivery restaurant, assessing their efficiency and keeping a running score.Tiff’s Treats1001 Ross Avenue 214-720-0500Promised delivery time: 3:00 p.m.Actual delivery time: 3:00 p.m.Scoring summary:Being able to order cookies, brownies, milk, etc. for an afternoon sugar rush: 50 (no joke)Having the option to…

Valentine’s Day slowly starts invading our retail stores (and our lives) shortly after all the artificial Christmas trees and inflatable snowmen leave the shelves. The shelves get restocked with candy hearts and cutesy lovey-dovey stuffed animals holding hearts that read “I Love You.” Then it’s just a countdown to the…