Leslie Brenner

Barbecue, Paleo Restaurants and Even More Barbecue: This Week In Dallas Dining

Enjoying Craft beer week? It's not over yet. Lauren has been detailing all the beer-laden events you've had to choose from all week, and there's still a few more if you're looking for plans. Don't jump up too quick though. We've got a week to wrap up first. This week I reviewed Belly and Trumpet, t ... More >>

Rocco Milano on the Changes at Private|Social

Private|Social, or P|S, or whatever it's called now has been a shifty restaurant as of late. After Tiffany Derry left the kitchen at the start of the year, Najat Kaanache was announced as the follow-on chef. Kaanache brought global flavors and a whimsical approach to the menu that didn't impress Les ... More >>

Second Chef Leaves Hyped FT-33

Last week news came out that Brady Williams, the sous chef at FT-33, would be leaving the restaurant. Williams was replaced by Bradford Hodgkins, who previously worked with chef/owner Matt McCallister at Stephen Pyles. I talked to Williams over email about his departure and he told me it was strictl ... More >>

The Time to Drink At Smyth Is Now

Bloggers be bloggin' about Smyth, the new cocktail den in Uptown. Whitney Filloon over at Eater says a lack of signage and an unmarked door can make the new bar difficult to find, but hunting down Smyth a challenge worth taking on. Smyth is intended to be reservations-only, but for now according to ... More >>

Matt McCallister Wins Food and Wine's Peoples Choice Award

Just last week we told you that Food and Wine was having a little Internet-based people's choice chef extravaganza that featured not one, but two local chefs. Today, the magazine announced that Matt McCallister has won the Southwest region. Food and Wine didn't say how many votes McCallister (or an ... More >>

Oak Owners Plan Pakpao: A Thai Spot For The Design District

If there's one thing Dallas loves more than a popular restaurant, it's a second restaurant by the same owner. Side Dish has a short blog post about Richard and Tiffanee Ellman. The owners of the popular Design District restaurant Oak are bringing us another concept early this summer. Pakpao promis ... More >>

After Two Years, Lucia Is Still Killing It

When I first visited Lucia, David Uygur was present but he wasn't working in the kitchen. The chef at Dallas' beloved Italian restaurant was sitting in his dining room at a table with his wife, having a quiet meal before heading home for the evening. See also: - Lucia's Best Kept Secret At first I ... More >>

Hibiscus Executive Chef Takes Over at Whiskey Cake

Gastropubs everywhere! Just eight days after The Dallas Morning News published Leslie Brenner's guide to gastropubs, Whiskey Cake announces the gastro-blah blah based in Plano has a new chef. Brent Hammer, formerly of Hibiscus on Henderson, will take over as chef de cuisine. See also: - With a Name ... More >>

The 30 Essential Texas Restaurants: Plus Some That Nearly Made It

If you've read this week's feature -- The 30 Essential Texas Restaurants to Visit Before You Die -- by food critic Katharine Shilcutt at our sister paper the Houston Press, then you've no doubt already asked why X, Y or Z restaurant didn't make the list. Maybe you've asked this question angrily to ... More >>

Tiffany Derry Leaves Private Social

Tiffany Derry is bolting. In an exclusive interview with Leslie Brenner at the Dallas Morning News, which gave the Top Chef contestant's restaurant four stars in a review published last year, Derry announced her departure to pursue national television projects. Her last day at Private Social will be ... More >>

Burger Week Cometh and Meat Fight Is Here: This Week in Dallas Dining

CoA is kicking off burger week Monday. We're packing in so many burger posts we may have to clean the plaque from our server lines, so be sure to eat some greens this weekend -- next week will not be good for you. Before you shut down your computers and head out into this blissful, almost summery we ... More >>

Banchan and Rabits and Chicken Fried Burgers: This Week In Dallas Food News

If you follow our blog closely, you'll know we're a little more than halfway done our 100 Favorite Dishes List. I'm getting a lot of emails from you guys about where I should head next, and having a lot of fun exploring. This weekend I'm checking out some jerk chicken and a Cuban sandwich that comes ... More >>

Can Campo Survive without Matt McCallister?

When Campo Modern Country Bistro first opened, it did so to much fanfare. Owners Miguel Vicéns and John Paul Valverde built a charming space from a rundown bungalow in Oak Cliff, and they hired Matt McCallister to consult as a temporary executive chef. In the weeks preceding the opening, McCalliste ... More >>

Private | Social | Ramen! | Oh.

My first run-in with Private Social came just after the restaurant, helmed by Top Chef alum Tiffany Derry released its lunch menu. I noticed the noodles right away. Leslie Brenner and I had been begging Dallas for a proper Japanese noodle house, but it has never materialized. Perhaps a decent hot bo ... More >>

Prepping For The Super Bowl: This Week In Dallas Eats

This Sunday, Americans will eat more food than on any other day, with the exception of Thanksgiving. On Super Bowl Sunday we shamefully watch others with the sports skills we wish we had, and use excessive amounts of food to comfort ourselves for our own lack of stamina and hand-eye coordination. No ... More >>

Campo Modern Bistro Serves Up Poetry, But How Long Will Its Poet Last?

It's odd putting time into a restaurant review when you know the restaurant you're writing about will most likely not exist as it does for very long. Campo Modern Country Bistro, the subject of this week's review, opened last year with Matt McCallister as its "consulting executive chef." After desig ... More >>

Reviews, Reviews, Reviews and Bad Tomatoes: This Week In Dallas Eats

Flickr​Y'all got your shopping done? I'm feeling the pinch. A few more items to check off my list and then I get get my egg roll on, all over Dallas. Things are scheduled to be quiet tomorrow so we're wrapping things in iceberg a day early. Dipping sauces' are on you. This week I reviewed Mar ... More >>

Fieri Sightings, Burgers, Puffy Tacos and New Openings: The Week in Dallas' Food Scene

​Ugh, indeed. I'm definitely still the new guy. I don't know how I can be described as anything but the new guy when you take into account my antics at the Loon last night. Apparently they pour their drinks with a heavy, heavy hand, and I was the last to know. The weekend is here, though, an ... More >>

The Curse of the iPhone at the Dinner Table

Two men and an iPhone​"Is it just you dining?" "Yes, my waitress, I'm a sorry solo sap. Thank god my iPhone can keep me company." I tweeted that exchange from Princi Italia, the subject of this week's restaurant review, while enjoying one of the nicer lunches I've had in some time. Two days ... More >>

Before Anthony Bourdain Visits Dallas, He Chats with City of Ate About Bad Food Critics and Evil Truffle Oil

​Anthony Bourdain comes to Dallas this Thursday, visiting the Majestic Theater to share what will no doubt be candid and curse-filled insights into his life's work, travels and food. Since City of Ate is sponsoring the event, I spoke to Bourdain recently, asking about his new show, the food sc ... More >>

Fighting Off Hangovers and the Cardinals: The Week That Was in the Dallas Dining Scene

The dining room at Baboush​What are you doing sitting at your desk? Don't you know you could be drinking a Sazerac right now? I wish I was. But first there's a week to wrap up, and it's filled with pizza drama, digestion aids and holy shit it's a patio! If you enjoy too many whiskey cocktails ... More >>

Zio Cecio Cucina Italiana To Open in October

​On the heels of Leslie Brenner's hyper-delicious Italian food photo orgy, news of another Italian restaurant has landed in my in-box. Francesco Farris will open Zio Cecio Cucina Italiana next month on Lovers Lane, just west of Neighborhood Services, Bijoux, and Fireside pies. The restaurant ... More >>

Google Buys Zagat. What's Next (Besides Mind Control, Obviously)?

​The Google-chompers gobbled up Zagat yesterday, as reported by the New York Times, the LA Times, and then everyone else. The acquisition gives the internet mogul access to a sizable restaurant database full of addresses and reviews that's 29 years in the making, and positions the company to c ... More >>

The New Kid in Town, Squealing on Yelp and More

Sara KerensChicken, waffles and coffee at Oddfellows.​This week in food blogs, the T Room sold sandwiches, users decided Yelp! is even more unreliable than they thought, and the newly opened and recently gassy Redfork is down two chefs. Most important, our new food critic started posting. Read ... More >>

Too Hot to Eat is Too Hot to Think Much About Eating, Apparently

Hungry burger fans mob the opening of Dallas proper's first In-N-Out. No, wait. They don't.​Even though a new In-N-Out opened, the only things hot this week were Trinidad Scorpion "Butch T" peppers and the puzzling chains on Michael Costa's The Office Grill. Read on. City of Ate Welcome to ou ... More >>

Bait & Switch: Have You Ever Been Conned by Good Restaurant Review?

Horne & Dekker proves it: You can't trust the media.​You know the feeling you get when you read a music review, and the critic is all "You gotta hear this one song, it'll change your life, I swear!" and then you go buy the CD and it sucks and you feel like a chump? I had that feeling at Horn ... More >>

Is BEE A Keeper? Bloggers Share Their Thoughts

​In-N-Out has poked its head out of the ground again, looking for its shadow. Besides that, muffins may be coming back in a big way. In case you missed either post or are hesitant to believe BEE's boastful name, Dallas blogs and writers are here to enlighten you. Dallas Observer Hanna Raskin fin ... More >>

Bloggers Leave Super Bowl Behind but Can't Stop Talking About the Weather...oh yeah, and V Day

​Now that blogs are wrapping up Superbowl coverage, they've moved on to buzzing about two more Dallas observations: cold weather and Valentine's Day. They're answering what to eat to keep warm, what to eat to get laid and what to do when your Which Wich is too short. But really, we just want ... More >>

Homesick Restaurants: How Dallas Became a Dining Nowhereville.

Undaunted by the Darkness of Black Friday, Food Bloggers Keep On Blogging About the Holidays

​Listen, I love Thanksgiving. I love Christmas. I've never get more excited than I do during the holidays. It's just that I hate Black Friday. Last year I worked two jobs. 7 a.m. found me selling candles at Yankee Candle when there was no one there to buy them. Then at noon I switched over t ... More >>

Lettuce Wrap Up: Puck Wolfgang! and Frozen Ghost Vodka

The Fair's left us...​As the State Fair roller coaster eases back into the station, the setting sun is casting a clichéd orange glow and Dallas bloggers are beginning to reminisce about what they wish they'd seen. Five Sixty initially wanted to see a gaggle of veterans in pressed khakis and past ... More >>

How Do Diners Know When "Local" Means "Good?"

If you're going to brand deviled eggs, this guy should get his due.​Diners who've doted on the salmon-topped deviled eggs at Neighborhood Services Bar & Grill have had no way of knowing the smoked fish came from TJ's Seafood Market -- a situation TJ's owner Jon Alexis aims to change. As Alexi ... More >>

Goody two-shoes go wild for Square Burgers

Sara KerensThe burgers are great, the desserts are tiny at Square Burger​This week's Dallas food blog coverage is a medley of Czech chili, lamb burgers at Square Burger, good eats from Ethiopia, seafood stew from San Francisco, and gun-eating Texans. We'll help you to prepare your sweet tooth ... More >>

Sloppy Seconds: Unexceptional food at the Common Table

Sara KerensThough this may look great, we were not impressed.​This week's Dallas food blog coverage is a sampling of Vietnamese feasts and uncommonly bad food, a stolen can of Whoopass and stale popcorn, an elaborate post-Gospel Last Supper and vegan barbecue, and more highlights. Check ... More >>

Organic Burgers, Fried butter and Everything in Between

Photo by Jose Ralat MaldanadoThe Pyramid Restaurant's Andre Natera was this week's media darling.​This week's Dallas foodie coverage is an assortment of organic, frozen and fried foods, dried and proscuitto-wrapped figs at the height of fig season, fancy Finnish foods and a battle at the Pyramid. ... More >>

The Mansion's New Chef Bruno Davaillon Is Breaking Into The Job Slowly, But It Seems Just A Matter Of Time Before His Celebrity Shines.

News Editor Bob Mong: New Business-Editorial Arrangement Won't "Cross the Line"

​Late this morning, Dallas Morning News editor Bob Mong called Unfair Park to discuss, at great length, Wednesday's memo in which Mong formalized what he refers to in the missive as "business/news integration," which involves some section editors reporting directly to advertising-side general mana ... More >>

Dallas News Publisher Jim Moroney Really Wants to Stress, "Our Content Isn't For Sale"

News publisher Jim Moroney​Late this evening, Dallas Morning News publisher and chief executive officer Jim Moroney called to discuss editor Bob Mong's memo concerning the paper's new "business/news integration," which has some of the paper's section editors reporting directly to newly assigned ad ... More >>

Sloppy Seconds: Branching Out

In the week that brought a spirited City of Ate debate over the merits of eating in the Dallas suburbs, even if you live in the city, we covered plenty of other reasons to try new things. This week saw looks at ultra-pure water, soul food for the fancy, and the best breakfasts you're not eating in D ... More >>

The Long Good Bye to Lola

The Long Good Bye to Lola

Good Riddance Lazare And Other Annoyances From Yesterday

​OK, so we're a little steamed here.First off, our blog system was acting up: running like, well, me on a football field (which is to say slow), cutting off sentences when we pounded the keyboard in frustration, dropping comments. But it's all better now.Then the people at Lazare, who last week co ... More >>

Chef David Uygur Looks At Life After Lola

​A week ago today, Leslie Brenner of the Dallas Morning News dropped a bomb on the Eats blog: nine-year-old Lola on Fairmount Street is closing in October. The Uptown charmer has earned top marks from reviewers and locals alike for its thoughtful, well-executed menu and top-notch wine program. T ... More >>

Sloppy Seconds: Don't You Forget

​Breakfast is really the only meal that could make that movie work. Not that The Supper Club couldn't be great too -- but it would have to go in a different direction. This week we learned that Lola is on the way out, even if plenty more places are just opening their doors. Wrapping up another wee ... More >>

And The Winner Is...

You know, we had a winner selected. It was a comment posted by someone on DMN's blog. Unfortunately, we came up empty when we went to look for it today.Either someone deleted the comment or we completely misremembered just where we first saw it. (Both are distinct possibilities.) So, after searching ... More >>

Sloppy Seconds: All Washed Up

After a long night traipsing around Austin looking for another Michelob Ultra or Tuaca giveaway party, nothing soaks it all up like a lukewarm slice of Roppolo's pizza and a mind-clearing read through the City of Ate archives. That's how some of us felt, anyway, in the wake of SXSW this week. If you ... More >>