Fishing Around Lands a Keeper at Taco Taco

This week, Cheap Bastard rolls the dice and finds she loves the crunchy fish taco (heh, heh, she said crunchy fish taco) at Taco Taco, 5954 Royal Lane, 214-750-4420.) Other diners in the restaurant besides me count: 0 Times I laughed when I realized that I recommend the crunchy fish…

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…

Next Week is Dallas Coffee Education Week

Tom Vincent of Texas Coffee School takes the business of grinding beans to a new level. And, yes, he actually has a school in Arlington. But he also regularly holds class at places like Oddfellows and The Original Pancake House in Addison. He got into the brew business several years…

Private Social Hears No Evil, and That’s the Problem

When Private Social opened last fall, the occasion was marked with a red-carpet affair. Literally, the rug was rouge, and it was rolled out for the city’s socialites, both actual and aspiring, all craving a first look into Uptown’s latest offering to the upscale dining gods. The pseudo-celebrities were out…

The Design District Has a New Taco Stop

When we got notice of a new taco shop opening, we immediately considered our lunch plans solidified. Taco Stop, the new taco stand that opened this Monday in the Design District (1900 Irving), has a lot going for it with respect to Observer employees. For one, it serves tacos, which…

How to Open a Bottle of Wine with Your Shoe

I know you’ve been there. It’s late on a Tuesday and your boss has just handed you your ass on your last project. You’re tired. You’re stressed. You need a drink. And despite having a few bottles of wine on hand you don’t have a corkscrew to open any of…

Gloria’s is Expanding to Houston. MILF Alert?

The first bit of news here is that Gloria’s is expanding its Salvadorian food empire yet again. The restaurant’s website confirms they are scheduled to open their first place in Houston this spring, which would make 14 altogether, including one in Austin. The second bit of news is that, according…

Mason Bar is Open in State Thomas

The first time you look up at Mason Bar, located at 2701 Guillot St., you might not even realize what you’re seeing. In what looks like an old, abandoned brownstone from the outside, Mason, led by underground Chef David Anthony Temple (yeah, DAT one) is open and comfortable on the…

Central Market’s Chocolate Festival: A Guide

Central Market’s annual chocolate festival starts today and lasts through February 14. Some of the best chocolatiers from around the world will make appearances over the next few days and, as always, there are some interesting back stories. If you can fight through the crowds, don’t take lightly the opportunity…

At Cane Rosso, Tryouts for a Mike Napoli Pizza

Yes, it’s another post about Il Cane Rosso. Yes, I’m conflicted about the amount of real estate devoted to the Deep Ellum pizza maker. But this time it’s about a badass catcher, so it’s a must. Dallas Morning News sports writer Evan Grant recently bellied up to the pizza bar…

Rush Patisserie’s Croissant Deals Brunch Another Blow

Back in August, I posted about the perils of brunch and proclaimed breakfast the superior morning meal. I’d just had a croissant at Zaguan Bakery and thought the black coffee and newspaper culture of the breakfast crowd was infinitely more appealing than the mimosa-drenched brunch set. The croissant I had…

How To Order Sushi Like A Champ At Yutaka

When I stumbled into Yutaka on Friday night without a reservation and was told I’d have to wait an hour to sit at the sushi bar, I wasn’t disappointed. I left my name at the stand and walked two doors down to Sharaku, the Izakaya owned by the same folks…

Oak in the Design District is Open for Lunch

The new Oak at 1628 Oak Lawn in the Design District, which was previously only open for dinner, announced today that they are now open for lunch. For starters the lunch menu includes hummus, foie gras and celery root and apple soup. For sandwiches they have a lamb bacon BLT,…