The question is not how Olivella’s does the simple Italian thing so well, but why more restaurants don’t. Is it so difficult, really, to buy fresh, healthy ingredients, and then to keep the food simple enough to let their flavors come through? Apparently so, or more places would do it…
Recipe Demonstrated by Chefs Nathan Tate and Randall Copeland of Restaurant AVA There’s been much ado about Copper River Salmon lately. Its name is tossed out left and right, accompanied by buzzwords like “sustainable” and “seasonal”, but what exactly is this trendy fish? What makes it different from its more…
Chicken salad is of great cultural significance. Unlike omelets, which require a measure of creative destruction–can’t make one ‘without breaking a few eggs’ speaks to enduring human progress, a can-do attitude, let’s soldier on and get the job done, that sort of thing–the chicken salad idiom allows us room for…
Of all the fast-food chicken places in my neighborhood, Popeyes is by far my favorite. Williams Chicken is OK. I used to work at a KFC and have pretty much had my fill for this lifetime while Church’s makes me question the existence of God. Problem is, my daughter isn’t…
Last night, Channel 8 Meteorologist Greg Fields and Rick Boyer of Robert Mondavi hosted a small dinner at Abacus to introduce the legendary California brand’s new Solaire line of wines. Boyer, who is gearing up for his 32nd vineyard harvest later in the year, is the winemaker behind the new…
On The Range is a weekly exploration of the history and lore of Texas menu items. “Was there ever a fruit as sensual as the avocado? So rough-hewn, dare-to-touch-me masculine on the outside, so yielding, inviting, soft spring green and feminine inside?…It’s no wonder that this perfect fruit begs to…
In our wildest dreams, we never thought a seal hunting protest would be worth noting on City of Ate–but the comments on our coverage of PETA’s downtown demonstration this afternoon has taken on a distinct culinary flavor. Readers have contributed a pair of seal recipes.It’s not all that much of…
Don’t know if the PR person was inspired by the building itself or by thoughts of old Wolfy reading this, but a line in a press release on behalf of Five-Sixty assures us that, thanks to their extensive wine collection, they now “will blow even the toughest critic.”OK–pulling the line…
Each week the Dude Food guys assess the ‘masculinity’ of Dallas area dives. The more fried meat and junk on the walls, the better the rating…Norma’s Cafe1123 W. Davis St.214-946-4711Dude Factor: 10 (June Cleaver) on a scale of 1 (Kate What’s-Her-Name, the one in all the tabloids) to 10.Norma’s Cafe…
Two days after the Morning News gave Lazare a scathing one-star review, I went to see for myself. I had actually meant to go somewhere else, but Lazare was closer. Having read the review, I wasn’t expecting much. And the menu didn’t bode well for a vegan meal. Most things…
The food biz is risky. Dallas is an incredibly competitive market when it comes to restaurants, and given the current economy, it’s tougher than ever before to make a go of a place while everyone is cutting back on pretty much everything. Starting a new food business requires much in…
Moments ago a couple of bruisers from marketing showed up. They’re a bit clumsy, they told me. Sometimes they break things–and with that, a pair of scissors they carried accidentally ripped through a priceless velvet Elvis (the one with a tear rolling down his cheek).Joke’s on them: I was already…
Six months (plus a couple) into City of Ate and I’m still trying to figure out blogging. In the past couple of months, we’ve also added twitter–fortunately handed to someone else, since my response to the first mention of it was along the lines of ‘I’ve read about it in…
Bongos Cantina3625 W. Northwest Hwy.214-484-9384No apostrophe in the name, as far as I can tell. The new-ish spot draws its moniker either from the string of bongos doubling as bar stools or the rhythm of a Latin American beach or…something.Maybe the owners just like the name.I should have asked, as…
Each week in ‘Knockers’ we order from a different delivery restaurant, assessing their efficiency and keeping a running score. Oriental Lite Restaurant14925 Midway, Addison972-788-2288Promised delivery time: 45 minutesActual delivery time: 31 minutesScoring:Quick and easy ordering: 6Surprisingly extensive delivery area: 12Beating promised delivery time by 14 minutes in spite of delivery…
A couple of notable news items came across the desk this weekend while you were out grillin’ with Dad. Time to play catch up:Last Friday, June 19th, Nestle USA announced a voluntary recall of nearly four dozen Toll House refrigerated dough products. The action was prompted by an FDA investigation…
Why in the world would anyone leave San Diego to visit Dallas in late June? Well, if you’re Stone Brewing Co. head brewer Mitch Steele, leading a beer dinner at Dallas’ best bar and the restaurant with the best bar food is enticement enough. The Libertine Bar (2101 Greenville Ave.)…
Getting of the beaten path and trying new things can be especially rewarding when of comes to food, and this week on City of Ate proved it. From a Hophead excursion to Bonnaroo, to a taste of new gelato flavors for summer, we brought plenty of ways to avoid the…
Seems like every week someone questions the Dallas Morning News star rating system. This morning, DMN critic Leslie Brenner posted a thoughtful discussion of its inner workings on their blog. But I wonder if stars will confuse or annoy readers, no matter what.For instance, if you lump every restaurant into…
With the occasional exception of Champagne, most Americans forgo traditional aperitifs before dinner.OK, I can see waving away vermouth and some of the other ancient liqueurs. But in the right place–say a patio at happy hour or a table at some French restaurant–the seemingly forgotten Kir always calls out.I say…
Not gonna lie–it’s rather a difficult task, placing these in an order we’re completely happy with. Preferences for size, atmosphere and noise level of a patio can change rather abruptly, after all. And factors such as cloud cover dictate whether it’s comfortable to sit outside of Social House or under…
In case you didn’t get the memo, Oak Cliff is the city’s hot dining destination. Really. Need proof? It’s home to some of the most buzzy restaurants in town (Bolsa, Spiral Diner, the Belmont Hotel) and the Bishop Arts District–a buzz that extends to include shopping, attitude and more. Its…
