Globetrot Before Clearing Customs

Want to get the heck out of Dallas but aren’t sure where to go? Don’t worry, it’s a common problem. There are so many destinations that it can be overwhelming to plan for what should be a relaxing (or enjoyably adventurous) vacation. The Travel & Adventure Show aims to help…

Chef Tell: Morgan “Straight Man From Texas” Wilson Wins

​Let’s just say that last night on Top Chef Just Desserts, Dallas’ Morgan Wilson made quite an impression. Good, bad, sweet, saucy and everything else in between. He was even bold enough to overshadow the super enthusiastic and over-confident Team Go Diva (Flamboyant Zac, aka Zamboyant, Yigit and bitchy Heather…

The Dance to Freedom

Most folks queuing up to see Mao’s Last Dancer will do so because of the dramatic and romantic story–a young Chinese ballet dancer, hand-picked to be a part of a foreign-exchange dance program, falls in love with his beautiful company member and his new country and ultimately defects via a…

A Texas Mystery, In Sharpie

After a successful friendship lasting more than 50 years, Texas gents George Arnold and Ken Squier decided they’d test their bond and try writing a book together. Arnold already had seven books under his belt in “niche” genres like colloquial humor, but he wanted to branch out. Both he and…

Know the Formula for Pie?

North Haven Gardens​Be jealous. I’m totally getting a piece tomorrow. Actually, I’m getting several pieces tomorrow…pieces of (hopefully) delicious pie. North Haven Gardens is hosting its Fall Harvest Pie Contest and as luck would have it, I’m a judge. (Maybe they heard about my office birthday baking, because it surely…

Q&A: The National’s Scott Devendorf Talks Meeting Obama, Collaborating With St. Vincent and The Stresses of Recording

In this week’s print edition we featured The National’s Saturday show at the House of Blues. But the article–concentrating mostly on the band’s latest album, High Violet–offered only a glimpse into an interview with bassist Scott Devendorf. Here, we’re giving you the whole thing–complete with anecdotes about a spontaneous concert…

Chef Tell: Screams Over Ice Cream and Flaming Sideshow Sweets

It was all stressy-stress on last night’s Top Chef Just Desserts. At the start, Princess Dexter was shaving and talking about his stress. Zamboyant was concerned about the Two Faces of Dex and his stress. Malika the sad divorcee was again discussing her hatred of cooking under stress. Because no chef ever…

The National Can’t Write Happy Songs

Fights happen—in relationships of family, politics, love and, well, the inner workings of a band. And it’s no big secret that Cincinnati/Brooklyn’s The National comprises two sets of actual brothers (Aaron and Bryce Dessner and Bryan and Scott Devendorf) along with frontman Matt Berninger. But with the band’s latest release,…

Prepare for a Journey…

Used to be, Dallas Contemporary focused on just Texas artists. But then, used to be, Dallas Contemporary lived in a much different venue. Now housed in a larger, much more raw space–repurposed industrial quarters, actually, and one of the few like spaces in the US–the Contemporary has expanded its focus…

Know the Formula For Pie?

Be jealous. I’m totally getting a piece tomorrow. Actually, I’m getting several pieces tomorrow…pieces of (hopefully) delicious pie. North Haven Gardens is hosting its Fall Harvest Pie Contest and as luck would have it, I’m a judge. (Maybe they heard about my office birthday baking, because it surely can’t have…

Model Watch: It’s a Roller Coaster Ride for These Sea Princesses

First off, apologies: Apparently, all this time there’s been another model on America’s Next Top Model from Arlington, which makes three. Or, now, two. I know, right? Clearly, she captured my attention for these last three weeks. Her name is Liz, and she’s a single mom.So, then. Last night’s episode…

Chef Tell: Wedding Cakes and Cliques

At the start of last night’s Top Chef Just Desserts, Princess Dexter was not really lamenting his huge blow-up — wait, make that blow-ups, plural, because he clearly didn’t remember all of them — on last week’s episode. Others were sad that Mama Bear Tim had been kicked off, and…

Living for the Dead

Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) may sound dreary, but it’s actually a celebration. The Mexican holiday inspires festive remembrance of the dead by way of folk art, food and storytelling. The Modern Shop at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is getting into the spirit,…

Where They Naturally Occur…

Fans of Stephen Lapthisophon shouldn’t expect a sculptural installation from the winner of 2008’s Wynn Newhouse Award for artists with disabilities at his Gallery 219 exhibition, Specificity. What they can expect, however, is one fully cohesive exhibition and more incorporation of food into his exhibited photographs, as the show description…

Chef Tell: Morgan Wilson Can’t Stop a Trainwreck

​I predicted in the premiere episode recap of Top Chef Just Desserts (because, like Gail Simmons, we must always refer to it as Top Chef Just Desserts and nothing other than Top Chef Just Desserts) that Princess Dexter (Seth) and Zamboyant (Zac) would prove to be powerful allies and/or enemies…

Model Watch: It’s Makeover Time, Angels!

Let’s be honest: We can just post this pic of Dallas model Ann and walk away, right?​For another week, we watch America’s Next Top Model so you don’t have to. That, right there? That’s a solid. So then, to commence with the recapping.Last night’s episode began with the de rigueur…

Top Ten Moments on Last Night’s Top Chef D.C. Reunion

Last night, the cast of Top Chef D.C. came back together to rehash the season with judges Gail Simmons, Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi, Eric Ripert and producer/consummate reunion host Andy Cohen. A lot was discussed — some interesting and some not so much — so I’m breaking down the best of…

Happy Birthday, Dear DADA

How well-established were you when you were just 25? Remember that year? The year you finally learned not to mix your liquors, that 401Ks might be a good idea, that paying rent is truly better than couch-surfing, and that Friday night is a good night to stay in and decompress…

100 Favorite Dishes: Kibbi at Ali Baba Cafe

As a countdown to the Dallas Observer’s “Best of Dallas” 2010, City of Ate is serving up 100 of the favorite dishes we crave, savor and hope to scarf down again soon. These dishes are in no particular order. Some are little known, others celebrated. Some are pricey, others can…