Sloppy Seconds: A Toast to American Leaders

As we pause today to grill, drink and honor America, we recall those leaders who've helped shaped the country through skill, hard work and strength of personality -- appropriate enough for the end of a week of local food writing that embraced the power of the individual at the top.

The Week in Review(s):

• Your own Dallas Observer: With a couple of chefs behind the scenes, there's always someone there to take credit for great performances, and someone just out of sight to blame for the mishaps. Dave finds some of each at Cadot this week, but ultimately finds reason to be encouraged.
  
• Dallas Morning News: Texas native and Craft chef de cuisine Kevin Maxey is an all-star in Leslie Brenner's appreciation of the restaurant that's been a revolving door at the W Hotel. Contributor Lawson Taitte is utterly unimpressed by the sleek Euro dress-up, or the food itself at Vapiano, coming nowhere near the words "thank goodness," even if she does mention Chef Boyardee.
  

Highlights from City of Ate:

• Handle the Proof: The Spirit of '76
  To judge by the historical record, nation-building is a little like bowling, washers or horseshoes -- better, to a point, when you've got a buzz going.
  
• Hophead: When Pairing Beer, the Sommerlier is Helpful... Sometimes
  Trying to find the right beer to pair with an all-American corn dog gorging, we're met by a crisis of leadership on an online sommelier.
  
• Cliff Cafe Gets the Sack
  With a strong guiding hand from the folks at Bolsa, Cliff Cafe is on the way to reinvention as a barbecue joint.
  
• Top 10 Greatest Cooking Shows Ever
  Nobody in cooking depends on the power of their personality more than the cooking show host, who must sound intelligent, perform in the kitchen, and stay engaging in a one-on-one match with the camera.