Dallas Observer | The Leading Independent News Source in Dallas, Texas

Dallas (Mostly) Struck Out At The James Beard Awards, But We Know A Winner When We See It.

By Chris Wolfgang

Jun 17, 2025

Dallas may lack in big culinary awards. But a winner is in our backyard doing work that’s more important than any accolade.

Dallas Chef Wins Second Place in 2025 World Food Championship

By Aaren Prody

Apr 3, 2025

Senior sous chef Ricardo Viesca Gutierrez at The Sheraton beat out more than 1,200 chefs from around the world.

2025 Dallas James Beard Finalists Announced

By Lauren Drewes Daniels

Apr 2, 2025

The James Beard finalists are out, with several big Dallas names on the exclusive culinary awards list.

Two Dallas Spots Earn Kudos on Texas Monthly's List of Best New Restaurants

By Lauren Drewes Daniels

Mar 6, 2025

Chef Tiffany Derry's Italian spot garners more praise, as does James Beard Award contender and Tokyo-born chef Masayuki "Masa" Otaka's yakitori.

James Beard Semifinalist Announced: RJ Yoakum, Smoke 'N Ash, Starship Make Cut

By Lauren Drewes Daniels

Jan 22, 2025

We cross-reference the James Beard list with Michelin for anyone keeping score.

2011 MTV Video Music Awards: My Top 10 Observer-ations

By Richie Whitt

Aug 29, 2011

Best performance of the night, by far, was Chris Brown's dancing melody which included him grooving to Nirvana and flipping and flying in the air on wires hooked to his back. Very cool. 9. Upon receiving a Moon Man trophy for Best New Artist, a dude named Tyler, The Creator's...

With USC Out, Oklahoma Should Be 2004 National Champs

By Richie Whitt

Jun 7, 2011

When Ben Johnson was stripped of his 100-meter gold medal in the 1988 Olympics, it was awarded to second-place finisher Carl Lewis. When Carter High School was ripped of its 1988 Texas State 5A Football Championship, it was given to the team it beat in the title game -- Converse Judson...

Something for Super Bowl Visitors to See When They're Done at Dealey Plaza

By Richie Whitt

Jan 25, 2011

I'm sure the Sixth Floor Museum will be buzzing. Southfork Ranch. And, unless I'm gauging folks way wrong, during the upcoming Super Bowl week the gentlemen's establishments around D-FW will be jammed as well. But for football fans -- visitors and locals -- there's something you just gotta see. Remembering...

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I Have A ... List. Of the Best Black Athletes in the History of Ever

By Richie Whitt

Jan 17, 2011

While a lot of you are off work today, take time to remember and refresh the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The rest of us? Let's commemorate MLK Day with an impossible task: Selecting the world's all-time greatest black athletes. First step, choosing the criteria. Sheer athleticism? Popularity? Accomplishment? Social...

The Heisman Trophy: Style Over Substance

By Richie Whitt

Sep 21, 2010

Reggie Bush gave back his Heisman Trophy. To which I respond: Big friggin' deal. I know the Heisman is one of the most hyped awards, but - let's be honest - it's also the most meaningless sports trophy this side of the Governor's Cup, Golden Boot and the Iron Skillet...

What You Missed at Last Night's Dallas Observer Music Awards

By Richie Whitt

Jul 22, 2009

Dared to mingle with the younger, hipper, more talented crowd at The Granada last night and bumped into: *Martellus Bennett, who hopped up on staged and rapped like three songs. (Famous brother in tow.) *Mike Modano. (Famous wife in tow.) *Joey Greco. (Famous Cheaters crew in tow.) For what it's worth, my...

Oscar Overhaul: Ahem, Where Was Sports?

By Richie Whitt

Feb 23, 2009

I generally agree with Jerry Seinfeld. On everything. Including the Oscars. During a show at, of all places, UTA's Texas Hall in '02 the comedian quipped, "Worst thing about The Oscars is that they never tell you the final scores. We're Americans. We not only want to know who won, but by...

Firing a Bad Coach: Good; Honoring Bad Players: Notsagood

By Richie Whitt

Jan 26, 2009

Something tells me the inventor of basketball planned neither on 100-0 winners nor 100-point-loser celebrities. I just threw up in my Raisin Bran. Now, where'd I ... put ... my ... ah, there it is ... soap box. America has gone softer than Bob Dole without his Viagra and it makes...

Star-Studded Tuesday

By Richie Whitt

Sep 2, 2008

The DASA awards make for the most, um, interesting pairings. Right, Scott? If you have $200 – or perhaps $5,000 – burning a hole in your jorts, make plans to be at the Fairmont Hotel tonight for the 43rd annual Dallas All-Sports Association Awards Banquet. It’s the one chance a...

Awards & Accolades

Dallas Influencers Among Time's Top 100 Creators

'One of Everything' at Birrieria Cortez

Awards & Accolades

Dallas Influencers Among Time's Top 100 Creators

'One of Everything' at Birrieria Cortez

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