Dallas Houston's To Become Hillstone

Stopped by the spot in Preston Center tonight for a bite to eat after the monthly "Syndicate" investment club meeting.  And there painted onto the front entry glass was "www.hillstone.com/".  When asked, our server informed us that they would be making the name conversion by the end of July - however the Addison location would remain a Houston's.  And Cafe R & D will remain Cafe R & D.   Houston's, Dallas wishes you adieu (but hey, we join the ranks of New York, San Francisco and Boston, IJS).

NOTE:  I was once a Houston's server at the Walnut Hill location (which is supposed to be re-opening as Glen Lakes Grill per the TABC application pasted on the front window).  I just hope they keep the Grilled Chicken Salad.

Artin's Grill in Plano is Open

Dining out anonymously in Plano can be a challenge for a chef/owner who's been around for 25 plus years.  Sevy and I went on "date night" last night with Richard  Chamberlain and wife Lisa, and they knew people at both restaurants we were checking out.    Not just staff, but guests came by to say "Hi" to this great guy - and he doesn't even have a TV reality show!

We had intended to have some appetizers at Coast Global Seafood, but on the walk from the parking  garage noticed a new place had opened directly across the street.  Artin's Grill, according to Chef Christopher Short (who knew RC) it has been open for one-and-a-half weeks.  And he confirmed after we took a gander at their menu, they are directly positioned to compete with Houston's, their menu style and layout is very, very similar.  I would describe their decor as, Tall.  But I don't review restaurants on this blog.

I didn't try either of the appetizers the boys ordered at the bar (Calamari $9, Taquito's $9), my calories were devoted to wine (Mer Soleil $16) and I don't know if the Absoluts the boys drank ($7) were a good price or not since I (rarely) drink vodka.   LC was our designated driver and had water - good girl.   They do not seem to have a website up yet.  The only two guests dining stopped by on their way out - their daughter had graduated with the Chamberlain's daughter last year.  Does everyone up here know Richard?  It appears so.

We couldn't stay long - we were hurrying back to catch Chefriend Kent on the Channel 5 news.  Boy does he look wonderful with his new hip!

Opportunity Missed

We had "date night" last night, went to a very crowded Dallas mall to see Sherlock Holmes, so crowded was this mall it took us over 20 minutes to find a parking place.  On our way up the escalator, hubby noticed tucked in the back corner a chain restaurant, well, that I had quite a rant about earlier this year.  Sister was going to a movie that was ending an hour later than ours, we figured we'd be hungry after, so hubby asked, "Do you want to give it a try?"

Hesitant after our last visit (at a different location), I agreed in the interest of follow-up.  Seven o'clock we exit the theater, mall's even fuller and the restaurant was on a 30 minute wait - people in their large waiting area were lying down, so apparently they had settled in.  We decided to check out their bar - all bar seats and tables full, then we looked in their back room.  Not a staff member in sight in the room for the two minutes we looked, but the manager made two full rounds of the rest of the restaurant, doing what I couldn't figure out.  Every single of the 20 or so tables were devoid of guests, the only occupants were the unbussed plates and glasses on about half.  Apparently at one point in the day they had somebody waiting on these tables, why would they stop?

We left, shaking our heads at this missed opportunity.  You pay the top rent, you have to turn the tables - all of them - in this economy, which requires appropriate staffing.  How can such a large, publicly traded company afford to miss such opportunities and stay in business?

It turned to our advantage for the evening however, we crossed Central Expressway to the new Park Lane development and visited a new brewpub, enjoying wonderful service with good food comparably priced to the restaurant's inside the mall.  And satisfied we didn't miss the opportunity to experience someplace better.

Samar

Old definition:  An island of east-central Philippines in the Visayan Islands northeast of Leyte in the Samar Sea, an arm of the Pacific Ocean. The island was the first in the archipelago to be discovered by the Spaniards (1521).

New definition:  An island within downtown Dallas, part of the chain of Stephen Pyles Islands on Ross, an arm of the Dallas Arts Center.  The island offers tapas from three regions:  Spain, the Middle East (various countries), and India and you'll want to taste them all.

Luckily we were with two couples who have traveled extensively and have tasted the "real deal", which they fully endorsed as authentically flavored.  My impression?  You can have a wonderful meal and not have to mortgage the house, the setting beautiful and soothing.  Each plate was enough for two to have a full taste of the dish (but they are small, tapas sized helpings)  and in general the wine prices were really affordable.

Of course I don't review restaurants - and truthfully he sent our group out the entire selection of desserts, gratis.    But even if he hadn't, I'd still recommend giving it a try.

Halfway Between Here and There

Halfway between here and where? Last week Sev & I had a little overnight getaway and while on the road he was very excited to treat me to his latest restaurant discovery (Thanks Kevin!), the Dairy Palace in Canton, TX.

I've been asked several (hundred) times "What do chefs like to eat?", and this place has the home-style menu. The most expensive item is the Catfish & Shrimp Plate at $11.89, they also have a Salmon Burger ($8.99) and a whole section of "Great Tasting Mexican Food" that includes a Supreme Fajita Wraps (with "East Texas Chicken or West Texas Beef") as well as 12 different (World Famous) Hamburgers.

"Country Breakfasts" (served 24 hours a day) include classics like the #5, Chipped Beef On A Shingle ($3.59) or the #8, Chicken Fried Steak-N-Eggs ($6.39). Along an entire side of the restaurant is the Blue Bell Ice Cream Center, with over 36 flavors like "Black Walnut", "Cake Batter" and "Cotton Candy".

As many times as I've been to First Monday Trade Days, I've never noticed this little place off of I-20, usually I take the exit before. But when we pulled into the parking lot (adjoining the gas station on the corner), it was unmistakeable that the Dairy Palace draws quite a crowd.

This place has quite the following with Dallas chefs too following a certain pig hunting getaway. And I have to concur, it's a treasure of a spot that the big city just can't afford to offer. And not only did Sevy and I stop on the way there, but we stopped the next morning on the way back, too.

Jackpots are relative, I'd like to say I had a winning hand with this find.

Married, With Restaurant

Last night as I was drifting off with Channel 5 news, an ad for a new cooking show, where "eight couples go up against 'The World's Greatest Chef'". I immediately sat up and said "Wolfie?" (sorry honey). But no, it was an ad for the latest reality cooking show 'Chopping Block', featuring Marco Pierre White. According to NBC, Chef White (who apparently made Gordon Ramsay cry, so expect tears on this show) is "the original rock-and-roll chef" formerly winning three stars from Michelin, but who was retired for many years until he replaced Gordon Ramsay on the British version of "Hell's Kitchen."

Eight couples will be split into two teams, each team gets their own restaurant - next door to their competitors somewhere in Manhattan.. They will be responsible from taking the "bones" of the building through development, design and production to the finished product. One couple from the worst-performing eatery will be sent home each week. This lends the show a "novel twist," according to NBC reality chief Craig Plestis, "That's where you're going to see all the drama."

Yes, opening a restaurant can be extremely stressfull on a relationship, but is this a cooking show or a relationship show? I guess time will tell. One thing to keep in mind, it was all filmed last summer. The premiere episode is on March 11, 7pm (Central).

I've never seen Chef White's "Hell's Kitchen" episodes, but I did see him up against one of Dallas' top chefs, Richard Chamberlain. In my mind, Richard won that round.

Sweet Dallas Recipes

From Helen Thompson, "Texas-based food writer and editor", with Metropolitan Home and Meredith Publications (among other gigs), comes a collection of dessert recipes from some of Dallas' favorite restaurants. Dallas Classic Desserts, (Pelican Press), with a foreword by Patricia Sharpe.

Missing Doughmonkey's Madagascar Flourless Chocolate Cake? It's in there. Got a hankerin' for Al Biernat's Texas Pecan Pie a la Mode (I do!), it's in there. How about Asian Mint's Green Tea Ice Cream Cake (yes, yes, yes), it's in there. And (don't melt) there's even the recipe for La Duni's Quatro Leches Cake. Need I say more?

I'll share one of the recipes here, it's one I happen to have on file in my computer since my job duties include recipe typing.

Sevy's Grill's Three Citrus Pie. (Makes 1 pie)

Pie Shell:

1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs

12 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

6 large egg yolks

6 Tablespoons fresh orange juice

6 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

6 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 (14 ounce) cand Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk

Whipped cream to garnish

Thinly sliced citrus fruit to garnish

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. To prepare the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a medium bowl and mix well. Press evenly along the bottom and sides of a 10-inch pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool.

Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees. To prepare the filling, beat the egg yolks in an electric mixer on low speed until just blended. With the motor running, slowly pour in each juice in a thin stream. Let set for 5 minutes, then gradually stir in condensed milk. Pour into the cooled crust.

Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack, then chill. Garnish each slice with whipped cream and a thin slice of citrus fruit. You may also garnish with raspberry sauce streaks if desired.

Dallas Classic Desserts can be ordered online, 20% off of the cover price of $15.95, here.

Neighborly News In Preston Center

So yesterday morning I had to run down to Sevy's Grill to pick up payroll reports (everyone wanted to get paid this week) and since I parked in back I exited down the alley that we share with the soon-to-open Rathbun's Blue Plate Kitchen. I couldn't resist slowing down to take a peek. Well the paper is off the windows, and it looks like they've made some significant changes to the interior. And later in the day Sevy and I stopped by the restaurant again, and noticed they were getting food deliveries. We can't wait for them to open, welcome to the neighborhood Kent! We'll be regulars.

In my email inbox, news of a grand opening party to benefit the March of Dimes on February 17th looks fun, cocktails and hors d'oevres for $75 (RSVP only). So this morning I checked Kent's website, and there is a contest going on! Anyone one who signs up for their newsletter will be entered into a drawing.

"One lucky winner will be invited to all three VIP opening parties, including lunch for two, for an entire year!!"

Ready, set, go.

Flu Got You? Here's What I'd Do

Call Jeff Dains, GM of Neiman Marcus' Downtown Restaurants at (214)573-8228 and order a Sunshine Tray. Personally I think they need to rename it the Ginormous Happy Basket, because even if you're feeling bad, its contents will cheer you up. Kevin Garvin told me that Mr. Marcus was the recipient when he was feeling under the weather and Jeff mentioned that they have people who send themselves a little "Sunshine" for illness or birthdays.

We received one a few years ago, a large wicker basket filled with their popovers, strawberry butter, fresh fruit, and two quarts of their deliciously delicate chicken broth. They have many options from their kitchen and bakery: muffins, shrimp salad, chicken salad, cheeses, you can build what you'd like. While the basket is not inexpensive at $60, it contains food for several days, or several people if others can't keep their hands off.

The healing qualities of food are debatable, but the comfort qualities certainly are fact - no doubt this basket is all about quality.

Practicing Eating at Nick & Sam's Grill

About the 3rd time my fork fell on the ground, the Boy and Sister started teasing me. But there was so much food on the table, it left very little space for things like bread plates and silverware. The whole Sevy family had been invited to the practice, or mock dinner at the new Nick & Sam's Grill, on the corner of Fairmount and Cedar Springs. Of course I don't review restaurants on this blog, just consider this an introduction.

With a black enamel finish, the bar area at the entry lends sophistication and a perfect background for the beautiful oil paintings on the wall (many by artist/owner Phil Romano). Doors on the front of the building open wide, making the bar and patio (one of two patios) a part of the busy urban setting outside. The Boy said the style and feel of it reminded him of Gramercy Tavern, and we couldn't disagree, but maybe using more black paint.

We decided to sit in the bar, half inside-half out, so I didn't get a view of the other dining area, but the second patio (on the side of the building) was enclosed and we could see a fireplace within through the plastic drapes. We were early, but they had quite a few tables already seated, and the servers were spot on. Of course in this economy there are many good people available, and Nick & Sam's Grill seems to have picked only the very best.

Beginning with a house specialty drink, a blood orange martini, immediately upon being seated the food started flowing from Samir Dhurandar's kitchen - we never saw a menu. A basket of homemade potato chips, very lightly salted, thick and crunchy was followed by their guacamole and chips, prettily assembled with a garnish of chopped tomatoes on top. Hummous, topped with olive oil and pine nuts, and accompanied with toasted pita was hard to share with everyone. And surprisingly, while three of us aren't big lamb fans, their Chicken Fried Lamb Ribs left four plates with only the bones on them.

Second round, salads. Their House Salad is one I would order again, thinly sliced strawberries and pumpkin seeds with a light (not overly sweet) vinaigrette. Their Asian Chicken Salad included snap peas and had a chicken breast with it's skin-on (well kind of, it was so crispy that it curled away from the meat) I didn't ask Samir, but it looked like it had been rotisseried. Finally, a delightful Taco Salad, with ground beef and all the fixings, tomatoes, kidney beans, cheese and a ranch-styled dressing. Samir said they also have three other salads: a Salmon Salad, the Romano Salad and a Chopped Salad.

Entrees kept up the high standards, somehow the NY Strip ended up in front of the Boy, he shared a 1/2" x 1/2" piece with each of us before it was gone (oh to be 17 and able to eat that much), it came with a small fry basket full of thick, fluffy french fries, served still piping hot. I landed the Chicken Fried Pork Chop, tender, easy to slice and definitely not greasy, it was served with a canning jar full of Greek salad, a delightfully arranged layering of orzo, black olives, lettuce, and feta. Jim had the Striped Sea Bass and Stir Fried Vegetables (confession - not a seafood eater myself, he loved it), and Sister had the dish all the servers whispered to us to request, The Grown-Up Grilled Cheese, yum. Served in a three-sectioned plate, with a small salad and some of the best Tomato Basil soup I've had, I'm not going to spoil the surprise of what's in this sandwich. I'll only say, the waiters are absolutely right, and were thanked appropriately.

There were no desserts available at that time, and we were good with that. While I don't review restaurants on this blog, let's just say we'll be going back.

Crashing Maximo

It's a rare Friday night Sevy doesn't work, so last night with the evening ahead of us we decided to spend quality time together - furniture shopping. We had intended to go see Slumdog Millionaire afterwards, but on the way home (with a large armchair tucked in the back seat) Sevy said "Hey, I think tonight is Maximo's mock dinner, want to go by and check it out?". For those unfamiliar with the term, mock dinners are practice dinners held before a restaurant opens, an invitation-only trial run for the staff and management. We had no such invitation, so we crashed the bar to say "Hi" and "Good Luck" to friends Mark Maguire and Amador Mora.

North of LBJ, catty-corner to the Galleria, several nice restaurants have opened in the area over the last few years. The previous tenant in the Maximo space, BLT Steakhouse didn't last long. I don't think BLT's failure could be put squarely on a problem location (I read their offering prospectus when they were shopping investors, hmmm). Mark agreed it's a low profile, tucked-away location, but in a beautiful building and in a neighborhood that has been enjoying a renaissance for the last several years. Many of our towns nicest restaurants (ahem!) were in former restaurant spaces (Sevy's used to be Loma Luna, The Mercury used to be a Spasso Pizza, Abacus was a closed-down-quickly billiards place), and I believe this team with their experience can make this a destination place.

I stuck to the bar, making friends with the bartendress and enjoying a house specialty drink (I would very much recommend), the Black & Blue. A cross between a mojito and a margarita with blueberries and blackberries crushed with mint leaves. Yum - I had a second one while Sevy toured the kitchen (chefs do that). The bar was immense, tall and wide it easily seats a couple dozen people on stools. The large room had rough wood ceilings, it reminded me of a hotel bar from the 1800's. There was an antique circular velvet settee in the middle of the room that softened the masculinity of the room. Of course I forgot my camera at home.

Mid-way through my second Black & Blue, I decided to poke my head through the velvet draped entry to the dining room. It was a completely opposite environment from the bar; drenched in white paint, lots of windows, very sophisticated and full of people, it was also full of energy. Things appeared to be going smoothly, the family we chatted with while valet retrieved our car said it was a wonderful dinner with no problems. Of course they could have been Mark's family for all I know, usually family sits in as the testers for the experimental meal.

Tonight they are open for a charity event, and their actual hard opening is sometime next week, I didn't catch the date. We'll definitely be returning, I told Mark I was going to hold a Maximo Mommy Monday Happy Hour with the Hillcrest moms soon.

One Evening in San Francisco

For pro's in the food business, it's torture to be in a food mecca - a city where the abundance of talent and availability of excellent product are fused - and only have one night to eat. On the way to Napa to cook the Cattle Baron's dinner that had been auctioned in 2007, Sevy and I, with Lisa and Richard Chamberlain had booked one extra night for the city on the bay. From the moment we sampled produce at the farmer's market earlier in the day, our taste buds were on "flavor speed".

I was working with a new camera and before I left Dallas Sister showed me how to take the multi-shot photo of SPQR, above. Unfortunately I didn't learn quite enough, almost all of the food close-ups turned out blurry. But I did take notes on things we liked - their dishes were amazingly simple yet delicious. On the list of "Things We Would Reorder" (or TWWR for short) were the brussels sprouts with garlic and capers, a charred heap of caramelized flavors; the beets with ricotta and slices of crostini to spread it on; and spinach with chantrelles, lightly sauteed and served with a lemon slice on the side. Located in the Pacific Heights, this is a tiny, tiny charming Italian restaurant.


We also grazed at Slanted Door, located in Ferry Plaza on the Embarcardero. Chic, Vietnamese cuisine and crowded with people willing to wait 1+ hours to dine. We were very lucky to catch a group leaving the bar and happy to watch the energy of the restaurant and sample their fare from there. TWWR were the Vegeterian Spring Rolls, containing a quality tofu and an excellent peanut sauce; and their Five Spice Duck was also memorable. But the waiter recommended their house specialty and he was dead on with that - Niman Ranch Shaking Beef had me practically licking the plate.

Also on the Embarcardero, on Pier 1 1/2 (tho' we didn't dine there) was the newly opened Peruvian spinoff, La Mar, which I envision as having the happiest chefs in town - they certainly had an amazing view of the bay. If we'd had one extra night we would have tried it. And I took a picture of their stuffed pepper waiting to be delivered to some lucky diner - it was the only food shot that was not blurry.

Welcome to Preston/Forest Chocolate Angel too

Ran by the newly opened Chocolate Angel too yesterday and picked up lunch to take home. Just down the way from The Mercury and Chic by Barcelona, it's been open for less than 1 month. I don't review restaurants on this blog, so consider this more of an introduction.

With windows overlooking both the front and the (open air) lobby of the building, the interior was bright with light. Featured at the ordering counter is a case containing ready-to-go boxed meals of their house specialties, along with a large cookie selection, including decorated sugar cookies. The cases and the menu were very similar to Celebrity Cafe & Bakery at Preston/Royal, but there is much more table space and a room to the side that could hold a group of 20 - 24 people. It seemed like a great place to have a meeting, and am going to keep it in mind for the future. Overall, my chicken salad was a great value, and very tasty; service was friendly and fast.

Preston/Forest has certainly seen a "food explosion" over the last few years, this opening brings the total number of places you can get something to eat to 25. Fine dining (The Mercury), Greek (Ziziki's), American Grill (Woodland Grill), Spanish-kind-of (Chic by Barcelona), Italian (Prego Express, Penne Pomodoro), Tex-Mex (Mi Cocina), Asian (KU Sushi, Pei Wei), seafood (TJ's Fish Market, Mainstream-soon to be Rockfish), coffeehouse (Starbucks), subs (Quizno's, Potbelly's, Jimmy John's), cafe (Corner Bakery, LaMadeleine, Chocolate Angel II), salads (Snappy Salads), barbecue (Sonny Bryan's), hamburgers (Scotty P's), gelateria (Paciugo), fast food (Jack in the Box), and grocers (Whole Foods, Tom Thumb).

Guess there's many of us in the area that enjoy eating out.

Chocolate Angel Too at Preston/Forest Now Open

A few months ago I noticed a temporary sign hanging announcing the soon-to-open Chocolate Angel Too at Preston/Forest (just down from The Mercury and Chic by Barcelona).

From Morgan, the manager of the new store, word comes that they've opened - just in time for Christmas. They are open for lunch 7 days a week and until 8pm on Monday through Friday. Telephone 972-788-4600.

My mother-in-law happens to be a huge chocolaholic, so I'll be stopping by today for a little Christmas day dessert.

Destination: San Francisco's Ferry Market

The opportunity to get away is limited for a small business owner, so when a commitment to prepare a dinner in Napa came up, we added an extra day for San Francisco and were joined by friends Lisa and Richard Chamberlain. Arriving in time for lunch, we set out for the Ferry Market in the Embarcardero, under the Bay Bridge. Not only was the exterior surrounded by 10' x 10' white tents operated by produce merchants, the inside was a bustling thriving mercado of specialty items.

It was obvious we were about to enter Oz, the samples of fruits on the sidewalks gave a warning that this was not going to be just another gourmet market. And opening the door led us right down the main hall to culinary heaven. Standing there, right across, was Acme Bread Company, selling crunchy-crusted, still warm sourdough loaves. I purchased 4 or 5 different types of bread and rolls. Next to them, an outlet for Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, their Mt. Tam is my favorite Triple Cream (yes, it does make a difference!) Brie. While the line was long inside the store, outside they were selling sampler bags for a flat $20, so we grabbed one of those. Next shop, delicious-looking cured meats, too many to choose from, luckily they also had a cone-filled assortment of various shaved proscuitto and salamis, a flat $8. Carrying our purchases, we came to store #4, Ferry Plaza Wine Bar, merchant of fine wines, and their house brand was pretty good too. So we ordered some wine flights and sat eating our bread, cheese and meats, and toasted our first two hours in San Francisco.

Once sated, we continued our walk of the market: mushroom stores, pasta stores, I purchased two cookbooks to bring home. We were shopping and waiting for friend Casey Thompson to meet us for a quick catch-up on what's going on with her post-Dallas chef life. Which led us to the back, where more tents were set up for sellers of produce and cooked delicacies. While killing time, Richard and Sevy shared a crab sandwich while Lisa and I split a chicken empanada

topped with a red mole.

This is the market template that everyone in Dallas would love to see downtown, local produce, local food production companies, thriving businesses and a tourist attraction. Yummy.

Help Name A Restaurant Contest

Current restaurant buzz has the new Wolfgang Puck restaurant concept in Reunion Tower soliciting name recommendations (for those readers not from Dallas - that's our round globe on the city skyline). Alibaster K. Abthernabther has a few suggestions, here.

My recommendation? D'Orb.

You have one too? Post it here, or to actually enter the contest, email wolfgangdallas@wolfgangpuck.com. The winner gets a free dinner for four each month of 2009.

Eating Santa Fe - Or How To Dine At 8 Restaurants In One Day

A weekend in Santa Fe in September was a regular thing for me for several years. My mother (in her 70's) would drive out west in her Toyota with her two dogs and travel around the national parks in Utah, Nevada and Colorado, then drive down to Santa Fe where I would fly in to meet her. We'd spend a couple days shopping on the square, eating at any place that would allow dogs on the patio, and just lazing about. But this year I visited in May with my husband, we were on our way back to Dallas from Aspen, and I insisted we visit this wonderful city for a day.

On the drive we assembled a list of restaurants that we really wanted to try, a modest 14 or so. Shopping and other entertainments were not included unless they fit in the regional area where we would be "fooding". Arriving late at night (OK, we were a little delayed by a casino along the way), we decided to devote our entire next day to delving into the SF restaurant scene. First on the list was Cafe Pasquale's for breakfast, in the April/May '08 edition of the Santa Fean local chef's voted it "Best Breakfast Burrito". Definitely worth the wait for a table.

Walking back to the hotel, we passed by the Santa Fe School of Cooking located on W. San Francisco St. just off the square. I noticed this little sign out front that said "Walking Restaurant Tour Today", hmmmmmm - interest piqued we walked up the steps, and signed up when we heard the list of restaurants. The tour (totalling about 12 people) began at the Cooking School, Chef Rocky served Duck Tamales and explained the program. Each restaurant on the tour included a private tour of the restaurant, a house specialty and a glass of wine.

At Amavi we were served Scallops by owner Tomas Odai, at La Casa Sena it was Trout in Adobe with a wonderful historical account of the restaurant by Chef Patrick Gharrity. At Santacafe, we were fed their Tiger Prawn Tempura, and at this point I'm feeling a little hungry - and buzzed, I don't eat seafood. Finally at Rio Chama it was short ribs - satisfaction! And it also turned out that Chef Kerpon, who used to live in Dallas had played golf many years previously with my husband.

The entire tour took about 3 hours, with about 2 miles walked, but this was an incredible behind the scenes look and feel for some of Santa Fe's premier restaurants. Afterwards we were in serious need of a siesta, then it was back up and into the car for the rest of the list. We shared a pate appetizer at the bar of The Compound, great food but the atmosphere had no pizzazz. Then we went to La Boca, where Chef Campbell (who previously rocked at El Farol) has opened his own tapas restaurant - and it's keeping him very busy from the looks of things.

Last but not least we had to go back to Coyote Cafe. Having enjoyed national recognition over the first few years it was open, it became a mainstay and fell off the "cutting edge" list of restaurants. Until Chef Eric DiStefano and his wife Sarah took it over, and put everything they had into it, including revitalizing the menu. Formerly of Geronimo's, Chef DiStefano left his comfy job to take the risk of his own place, and in return was named "Most Innovative Chef" by his fellow SF chefs this year. I recognized Chef at the front door the moment we walked in, we introduced ourselves and from there progressed a culinary feast. I only hope that we have the opportunity to show chef (and his lovely young wife) the same hospitality they showed us. The food was stellar, if I had to pick only one restaurant to return to, this one would be IT.

Santa Fe in September is beautiful, some year's I've been there they've had snow up in the mountains. The chile's are in, aspens are beginning to turn, and while the days can get in the upper 80's, the nights are pleasantly cool and dry. The shopping on the square and at quirky little places like Jackalope can't be beat. And the food never goes out of season.

Post-Football Food Fun

There was a time when everyone went to the former Slider's & Blue's after the game, and even though service was slow and the best thing on the menu was cheese fries, they could handle (hand wobbles up and down here) a large disorganized group of adults and adolescents. Now Slider's location is a big hole in the ground, and we locals have been searching for new post-game digs. In our area of North Dallas we've been splitting time between Goff's Hamburgers and Prego Express, and after Thursday's JV game it was Prego's turn.

However on the way there I mentioned to hubby how a lovely martini would help wash the taste of defeat from our tongues. What about sticking money in Sister's hand and dropping her at Prego's, while we (adults) slide into Woodlands Grill, three doors down? I do not review restaurants or their food on this site, but I will say that the energy at the little place was very high; patio busy, bar busy, restaurant busy. The jeans and t-shirts we wore in were just fine, we didn't feel out of place, and best of all, it was quieter than the place with all the teenagers.

So now all we need is a restaurant with a full liquor license up by Goff's for the every-other Thursday visit.

Wolfgang Dishes on Julia's Breasts

Among other things, I kid you not. Krys Boyd (who happens to be the best talk radio show host in Dallas) interviewed him today on Think (90.1 FM, 12:00 - 2:00, Mondays - Fridays). A witty, honest and entertaining interview with a God of food who is here for the Nasher Speaking Series event tonight - and he's probably checking up on one or two restaurants he's got working here. Well I don't have tickets to tonights event, we're watching Sister cheer for the JV team, so I'm going to settle for the podcast to catch up on the parts I missed.

Which reminds me of my Julia story, it would have been around 1993 or '94 and Julia came to town for a book signing and AIWF dinner in her honor at the Crescent Club (Richard Chamberlain had just returned there from the Little Nell in Aspen). It was a seated dinner, so other than your table-mates, the opportunity to meet and greet was limited. At one point I went to the restroom, as I was washing my hands who should come out of one of the stalls but Herself. I felt like Julia Lewis-Dreyfus in a Seinfeld episode - I mean what do you say, "Here's a towel, I watched you in black and white when I was younger?" So instead I cooly nodded (like she should know who I was) and returned to my table - they were about to serve the Foie Gras course. I kid you not.

After dinner a group of us took Julia to Primo's, to experience the "real Dallas" and to sip and talk about food on the patio. Julia had a beer. I kid you not.

On the Road - NashVegas, Tennessee

Nashville's a great city, Jim picked up the name NashVegas when he was helping open a restaurant in the late 1980's - The Merchant's, located near the original Grand Ol' Opera. I've forgotten much about that time, except for the part where a major portion of our honeymoon was spent problem-solving cross country, oh and the part where he said he'd never do a 3-story restaurant in a 100 year old building again. A few years ago we stopped in for lunch with the kids, the menu still had 5 Pepper Chicken, and it was exciting to see Dad's picture on the wall (even if it was on the way to the bathroom). If you've never been to Nashville, it's a city with deep southern roots, music everywhere and a little laissez les bons temps rouler added in.

This year we pulled in late, grateful to see that the Holiday Inn had a lounge and live music, like a semi-pro mike-night for those looking for their big break. But before Daddy and I could settle down with a glass of wine, we needed to feed the teenagers. Inquiring at the desk, they sent us to a pizza place across from Vanderbilt University, the Mellow Mushroom. Oh. My. God. I love cheese on my pizza, but this could have choked a horse. Their salads were huge, the hummus was some of the best I've ever had. With full tummies we stayed in the room, watching Night 2 of the Olympics.

The next morning, we were up and ready for the final leg to Dallas. But we came to Nashville for the purpose of checking out Vanderbilt U for the (too) soon to be graduate. We drove around for an hour and He Loved It Most of all schools on his list. Sister thought the Parthenon replica was kind of cool.