The Sylvan 30 development saw the birth of its latest restaurant yesterday, when Whisk Crépes Cafe opened its doors for the first time. The weather was outstanding, and a propped open front door gave the small cafe an airy feeling. Owner Julien Eelsen was on hand, donning an apron and doling…
I’m pretty sure I’m inside an old movie’s dream sequence. Hazy light oscillates around the corners of my vision. There’s a faded blue notebook in front of me, like something you’d find in your great- grandma’s attic, that reads “Savory Psalms of Ida Claire.” A Jimi Hendrix Experience album rests…
It’s a strange little trend. Conservas, or foods preserved in cans or jars, are considered a delicacy in parts of Spain and Portugal, and their allure as a specialty food is slowly spreading. In 2014, a London design firm opened up a pop-up restaurant named Tincan in Soho, devoted to…
Normally, I don’t get very excited when concepts are announced long before they open. Uchi won the grand prize for forward-looking news releases when their PR machine started dive-bombing my inbox months before the restaurant opened its doors. The thing is, Uchi delivered, providing a top-notch dining experience in spite…
Poutine. Ramen. Samosas. Dallas is crazy about foreign foods, from the trendy bowl of pho to the old standby of tacos al pastor. But our city has such a diverse collection of nationalities that there are dishes, and even whole cuisines, you’ve probably never heard of. Here are some of…
There’s a sweet, new trend brewing, and it’s threatening fans with potential dental work and serious buzz on the side. Audacity Brewing has been kegging up a new beer called Evil Cream Soda. To be clear, the brew is actually a beer, but just one sip will confirm why it…
Tacolandia approaches! In just three weekends taqueros from all over DFW will descend on City Hall Plaza, blanketing the area in a thick blanket of salsa verde. Additional taco makers are still confirming, but presently 30 are slated to stuff your face with more tacos than you can possibly handle…
Earlier this year, I discovered CocoAndre in Oak Cliff and their dipped-to-order paletas that promised to make summer a better season. The paletas were presented still wrapped in cellophane, and after I chose my flavor (coconut) it was taken in the back where baths of molten chocolate waited. Moments later…
Recklessly eyeballing the showcase at Haute Sweets Patisserie, how do you choose just one beauty from the splendid array of desserts? The delicately adorned pastries are all equally stunning. Answers to such questions are elusive, but a simple truth can be distilled from years of life experience: choose the shiniest…
The number of epicurean events that take place in the DFW area has exploded like a Taco Bell hot sauce packet at the bottom of a $30,000 millionaire’s Louis Vuitton. We have beer-focused events. Meat-based events. Taco-based events, wine-, barbecue-, local-, farm-, vegetarian-, city-within-a-city- and chef-based events. Now, we have…
Picking the best chef for Dallas Observer’s Best of Dallas© issue is rarely straightforward. Some years are easier than others, as when chef Matt McCallister opened FT33, turning Dallas’ fine dining scene on its head, but most years I’m forced to sift through a bunch of really great kitchen wizards…
There’s just something about ornately arranged pumpkins that makes a person thirsty. Thoughout the month of October, the Dallas arboretum’s concert series will feature pre-concert craft beer tastings. A different local brewery will be on hand for each concert and this week it’s Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s turn. Enjoy four…
As much as we’re happy for summer to be on its way to a close — finally and thank God — the flavors of summer are something we seek year-round. We purchase mealy, mushy imposters that pretend to be tomatoes in December, sit on patios when it’s too damn cold,…
If you missed the glory that was Meat Fight last year, it was probably because you hesitated and debated whether you should spend your hard earned loot on tickets. The answer was obviously yes, but that momentary hesitation cost you because tickets sold out in minutes. Meat Fight, a barbecue…
They say if you don’t like the weather in Texas, just wait five minutes — it’ll change. For the past year or so, the same could certainly be said for Front Room Tavern, the swanky restaurant inside Highland Park’s equally-swanky Hotel Lumen. This place has seen a name change, a…
The Dallas Farmers Market has seen an incredible number of changes in the past few years. Pecan Lodge ditched the location for trendier pastures and the restaurant and invigoration project is well underway. The market just doesn’t look much like it used to, for better or worse. In a bright…
Sometimes life really just isn’t fair. You have probably enjoyed the crisp, cheesy slices consistently turned out by the team at Zoli’s one zillion times, but you’re going to really have to do double-duty to enjoy this Bishop Arts slice joint before it closes its doors forever. Thanks to impending…
Why is there not more talk about gorditas? I realize tacos will reign supreme forevermore — they are cheap, delicious and perfect — but it seems that maybe the gordita is not getting the attention it’s due. Gorditas are a bit like arepas, the stuffed corn cakes popular in Venezuela…
When Cliff Edgar first opened the doors to Brick & Bones, he thought he had created a dive bar. Sure, he’d hired a chef he’d latched onto during a stint at Table and Tavern, but the focus of the space was meant to be cold beer, great cocktails and a…
Not to be left behind in the mobile kitchen craze, Richardson finally has its own food truck park. After overcoming numerous obstacles (including Oncor showing up late to the electricity party), the soft-opening date became a moving target. Although months behind schedule, the little food truck park that could swung…
Where Michael Martensen goes, good drinks follow. We first enjoyed his libations at The Cedars Social and have since been sipping way too many fancy drinks at Proof + Pantry. Last week, Martensen and his collaborators at Misery Loves Company opened the doors to Madrina, their “French-Mex” concept in Highland…
I’d like to believe that Dallas Observer readers are the type who order local beers at their favorite watering holes, rather than some sort of yellow swill, like Bud Light or Coors Light. Unfortunately, whenever someone orders craft beer, there is always some d-bag who attempts to be snarky and…
