10 Questions: Mo Rocca

His offbeat comedian is known for appearances on The Tonight Show, The Daily Show, NPR’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me and other top programs. That’s not bad for a Harvard graduate.Rocca first hit it big writing for children’s television. But his unique approach and wry insights eventually led him into politics…

Food For Thought 4.9.09

“Kosher, black, smoked, Celtic, Hawaiian–salt lovers have never had it better. But there’s a downside to this desire: We may be shorting ourselves on iodine, and that could spell trouble for the thyroid gland.” (John Hastings, writing in Bon Appetit. Seems there’s never a trend in food that is all…

Maximo takes a lot of pride in its food. We’re not sure why.

You’ve heard this sort of thing before: “Your job is safe,” or “I was just out with guys.” Maybe you believe such assurances the first few times. After a couple trips around the block, however, you catch on. And the more absurdly cocksure in delivery, the more red flags should…

Angry Dog: Don’t Get Mad. Get a Burger.

Summer’s on its way, and that means it’s time to bulk up to fit into that bikini, ladies! That’s right, I’m talkin’ to you, skinny bitch. Last I heard, Abercrombie don’t make a size quad zero, so it’s time to shove some meat into that Skeletor face of yours—or you…

Chewing The Fat: Wednesday Ground ‘Round

It’s Wednesday again–and that means it is time for leftovers from the world of food news. Because nothing says “public safety” like drunks with hidden guns, the Tennessee State House just passed a bill allowing concealed weapons in establishments serving alcohol. The bill still needs to clear the Senate before…

Pairing Off: Subway

Subway is the new Domino’s–the place that sustains America’s college students and helps its workers fight off the pangs of hangover. But the sub shop chain has become so much more, enduring crowds of office drones at lunch and tailgaters on weekends, for example. Of course, that doesn’t mean their…

World Championship of Quail Egg Eating

Last Saturday’s Prairie Dog Chili Cookoff had a little something for everyone: Tons to sample, huge flea market and, best of all, the world championship of quail-egg eating. Now, if you dismiss competitive eating as a disgusting sideshow, you’re be denying the true greatness of Lester Tucker. The undisputed king…

On The Range: Frozen Margaritas

The classification of tequila is determined by the distillation process, presence or absence of adulterants and length of time spent in aging. If the tequila is distilled from 100% blue agave–a succulent plant related to the lily family and not the cactus–it will be labeled as such on the bottle…

The Season For Magazines

Though the name might suggest otherwise, new magazine Edible Dallas & Fort Worth is not intended for Mothra. Rather, the publication–part of the Edible Communities chain–offers stories about North Texas chefs, farmers, retailers, vintners and brewers, all aimed squarely at “locavores,” those who prefer foods made from locally grown and…

10 Questions: EllynAnne Geisel

You wouldn’t think a book on aprons would stir up such a fuss. But when Geisel’s The Apron Book hit the stands, it earned loads of critical praise (“the pattern of life remembered though a homely object,” said Jackie Lyden on NPR) and reached best seller status.Her second volume, The…

Food For Thought 4.8.09

“Coke’s messages were totally unacceptable, creating an impression which is likely to mislead that Coca-Cola cannot contribute to weight gain, obesity and tooth decay.” (From a statement released by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission regarding an advertising campaign run by the Atlanta-based soft drink company. Coca-Cola’s ads labeled as…

Dude Food: Rooster’s Roadhouse

Rooster’s Roadhouse113 Industrial St., Denton940-382-4227Dude Factor: 10, or Brave Combo, on a scale of 1 (Don Henley) to 10.Last weekend I found myself at Denton’s finest watering hole/music venue, Dan’s Silverleaf, when I noticed a new restaurant called Rooster’s a couple doors down. Just as I was walking up, some…

Veggie Girl: Kereje

Behind a beaded curtain at one of Kereje’s secluded booths this Sunday, my dinner companion for this week’s culinary adventure equated our situation–my situation, really, since he’s Taiwanese–to entry #71 on the blog Stuff White People Like: “Being the only white person around.” In other words, everyone else at Kereje…

What’s Hot Off The Grill?

The answer: our subscription newsletter (Hot off the Grill is a clever title, no?) compiling on one handy electronic page the city’s more interesting culinary events, specials, openings and closings and more. In the current issue, learn about about Steak Nite at Off the Grid, a “picnic-style party” held every…

Killian’s California Red…And White

Beer pairing dinners have been the rage of late, but apparently some people still do things the old-fashioned way. Kent Rathbun’s Jasper’s (7161 Bishop Rd., Plano) is offering a four-course wine pairing dinner with Ed Killian–good name for the maker of a mass produced “Irish” red beer, although he’s really…

10 Questions: Willie Trimmer

If you’ve been around the city’s hottest clubs, you know Trimmer or one of his DJ crew.Known as the 12-Inch Pimps–a reference to album size–they play somewhere in Dallas every night of the week. Weekends might find Trimmer at one location, Jonny 5 at another and perhaps Kean playing somewhere…

Food For Thought 4.7.09

“Consumers are more concerned about the safety of food served in restaurants than food available from supermarkets, about a 15 percentage point difference. However, feelings about food safety in restaurants have remained relatively unchanged whereas the number of consumers who feel confident in the safety of foods in supermarkets is…

Short Orders: Tupinamba

Tupinamba12270 Inwood972-991-8148Eddie Dominguez’s place is the restaurant equivalent of the Grapevine Bar–an unassuming, colorful, come-as-you-are kind of place.If you’ve never been to the latter (conveniently located across the street from our offices) or if you can’t ignore for a moment the bar’s reputation, then consider Tupinamba one spot where the…

Which End Is Up?

A couple good things have come out of the recession, when you stop and think about it. Some of the high end restaurants trimmed their prices, for one thing. Prix Fixe menus have become the rage. Places like Blue Collar Bar and Kent Rathbun’s new place celebrate the depression era…

How ‘Bout Them Knockers: Rocco’s Uptown

Rocco’s Uptown 2916 McKinney Dallas, TX 75204 (214)871-9207 Promised delivery time: 30 minutes Actual delivery time: 60 minutes Ordering online and not worrying if you will be put on hold listening to Kenny G : 20 Singing along with the website’s Italian music while I ordered : 30 Comment box…

Thank God It’s Monday

There are few reasons to look forward to Mondays and the workweek they begin…unless, of course, you frequently find free CDs and beer in your office mailbox. Well, The Grape (2808 Greenville Ave.) and Dallas winery (yes, you read that right) Times Ten Cellars have given local drinkers at least…

10 Questions: Amity Thomas

Every couple minutes, a little ping from the computer tells food writers another email from some public relations person somewhere has arrived. Yes, we complain about the pestering. But without Thomas and her ilk, news of grand openings, upcoming events, menu changes and the like would be slow to filter…