The not-so-new-anymore uptown sports bar, The Nodding Donkey is celebrating its one-year anniversary tomorrow with a free buffet from 4 to 7 p.m., drink specials and an appearance from their real-life mascot donkey, Willy. Penelope Carlton, in-house baker for The Nodding Donkey (and sister restaurant State and Allen), will even…

Officially, yesterday was National Boss Day. But for most of the working world, any day this week would work for excessive, strategic ass-kissing. If you forgot to get your boss that bottle of liquor, don’t sweat it. We’ve got you covered. Here, our five best ideas for a lunch worthy…

Recently we ran a little ditty about a few new eateries in central Arlington. In response, a couple of dive-savvy readers asked about the often-overlooked older bars in the area, all of which are just west of the Ballpark in Arlington and Cowboys Stadium. They’re perfect for avoiding the lackluster…

In part one of our three parter, Oddfellows Chef Brady Williams told us about his icy road to cooking, while part two covered his take on the Dallas food scene. Today we learn a little about how he runs things in his restaurants and end with a discussion on music,…

In part one of our three-parter with Oddfellows’ Brady Williams, we tracked his course from hockey goalie to chef. Today: The Dallas restaurant scene. What do you like most about the Dallas restaurant scene? From the industry side, the people I gravitate to are really trying to change the food…

In part one of this week’s Three-Course Meal series we hear from chef Brady Williams of Oddfellows, who discusses his first job at a greasy-spoon diner, what his grandmother taught him about cooking and what lead him to Dallas after playing hockey. How old are you? I’m 25. When was…

Recently some businesses along Knox Street colluded, but not in a mafia-ish way, to “brand” their neighborhood, officially calling it “The Knox Public Improvement Project.” Catchy, isn’t it? To celebrate their new collaborative identity and goal of improving things, this loosely knit group of restaurants, retails shops and artsy places…

Carl’s Jr. seems extremely excited to be opening its 50th restaurant in Texas this Saturday at 550 W. I-30 in Garland. To commemorate the occasion they are deploying a food truck, which will hit this city over the next few days with free samples of burgers, fries and drinks. Below…

Since October is National Cheese Month, it’s fine time to “Meet the Cheeses” at Central Market, where, in addition to their standard vast collection, they’re hosting a few classes. For the industrious cheese devotee, Allison Hooper is in town to host a class this Thursday, October 13, from 6:30 to…

Deep Ellum dabbles in variety of things. The familiar: bars, music venues, restaurants, tattoo parlors and stores filled with vintage tchotchkes. Then there are a few surprises, like a winery, a cheese shop and ninja parking lot attendants. Hopefully soon they’ll add to the list of familiar a community garden…

Chef Aarón Sánchez, a regular on the Food Network and executive chef of Centrico in New York City, will sign copies of his new cookbook, Simple Food, Big Flavor, at Central Market on Lovers Lane this Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In his Latin cuisine-inspired cookbook, Sánchez features…

The Common Table chef Mike Smith has been kind enough to play along with us this week in our Three-Course Meal series. In Part One, he divulged some of his favorite hangouts and dives. In Part Two he imparted knowledge gained after two decades in the restaurant business. And today,…

Okay, kids. We’re gonna do this thing in a couple weekends and I’m gonna need a good showing. Plan accordingly. The 2nd Annual Blues, Bandits & BBQ cook-off in Oak Cliff is on October 22 from noon to 6 p.m. Not only should you plan on heading out for some…

In part one of our interview, we talked with Common Table chef Mike Smith about running a successful restaurant. Now, in part two of of three, we discuss the Dallas restaurant scene and some of his favorite off-duty places. Tune back in tomorrow for part three. What are your three…

Raise your hand if, when your spouse is out of town, you plan your meals like you’ve just been released from prison? Okay, put your hands down. This perplexes me. Honestly, does your spouse normally restrict or mandate what you eat? Why does where we eat become the biggest decision…

Chef Mike Smith has been involved in the restaurant business basically all of his life, beginning when he was just a toddler and his mother owned a restaurant in Louisiana. In his long career he’s tended bar, balanced books and surely mopped a floor or two. His first real cooking…

As part of Arlington’s Re-identification Program, Twisted Root Burger Company is opening today at 300 E. Abram Street in the original downtown area of the city. By renovating an old furniture store, this Reader’s Pick for Best Burger has quietly flown in under radar to this newest location. Just a…

Even though Penelope Ryholt is a professional pastry chef, at night she dreams of even sweeter things. In a light pink chef’s coat that accentuates her auburn hair and ivory skin, Ryholt says: “I use to lay in bed at night and dream of the kind of ice cream I…

This weekend is working out to be a tailgating wonderland. With highs forecast to be in the mid-80s and clear skies, it’s busy times for lawn chairs, grills and coolers. Travel trailers for the A&M and Arkansas game began arriving Thursday night. Collins and Interstate 30 in Arlington will serve…