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DFWTexEx

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Posts posted by DFWTexEx

  1. I enjoyed the series and enjoyed the film.  I was pleasantly surprised that they made no attempt to "reset" the story.  It was simply the next episode. If you didn't know the show, you would enjoy many of the moments and the nice looking film, but much of it would be lost on you.  I saw it with my mother, father and sister.  My mother and I were fans of the show.  My father and sister were not.  I gave them a 15 minute summation of the series before we went in and helped them.   My mother has been dealing with health stuff and we were happy that she agreed to go.  As it ended, she said out loud, "I don't want it to end".   That made me so happy.  And I agreed.

  2. 7 hours ago, Landomatic said:

    No doubt Michalene Busico has a TON of skins on the wall.  Whether you agree with her stuff or not, it's hard not to respect her opinions.  

    Yeah, I have to say that, unlike above, I have a hard time taking anything Brian Reinhart says as a food critic too seriously.  What is he like 25 with literally zero food critic experience before he started doing it for the Observer?  I've always just kind of viewed him as someone on their staff who probably works pretty hard, writes pretty well (and fast) and does it for cheap, which is the direction of a lot of newspaper writers.  Not to mention, the Observer is a totally different demographic than DMN or D Magazine.

    That said, as you mentioned, he apparently played a pretty big role in this Bon Appetit article and "Restaurant City of The Year" award.  It's surprising to me they would use him as a resource as I would have guessed Bon Appetit to be much more in line with DMN or D Magazine than the Observer.  Which brings me to my next point...

    I'll probably get negged for this, but if we're really being objective here...as nice as it is to have this award for Dallas, I'm not buying it at all.  In looking closer at that article, there are maybe 2-3 restaurants mentioned that could be considered really great on a national scale.  And that's enough to make us the "Restaurant City of The Year"?  Hell, for the most part, the article only really covered about 3 basic food categories (Mexican, Asian, other).  Or 3 basic areas of town (Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum, other).  Admittedly, I haven't been to most of the restaurants mentioned, but the ones I have been to aren't that great.  We're really pointing to Ceviche Oyster Bar and Jalisco Norte as some kind of great restaurants?

    Sorry, not to be a wet blanket, but unless we're being total homers, this article and award is pretty laughable.  You look at their own top 50 restaurants list (of which Dallas had 2 - Khao Noodle Shop & Petra and the Beast) and there are several other cities with more than 2 restaurants.  I'm guessing they feel they need to spread the love around from year-to-year otherwise NYC would probably get it every year and it would be a pretty worthless award.  But that aside, overall, this looks to be lazy journalism at best.  I expect better from Bon Appetit.

    Not negged at all.  I agree with a lot of your take.  I think the premise is that Dallas is not just about steakhouses any more and it's worth a look for its evolving and improving food scene, which is true. I didn't take it as, "We thought about and decided that Dallas has the best restaurants in the country".  It's like, "Wow!  Dallas has interesting food?  Who knew?"  

  3. This is moderately cool.  It would be truly exciting and I would be all in if it actually downtown Dallas to downtown Houston.  In Dallas, it will actually make it to the Cedars, about 1/2 mile short of Union Station where it could connect to light rail and the TRE.   From what I understand in "Houston" it will stop at Northwest Mall, outside the loop, necessitating a transfer to ride share for the most important part of the trip.  

  4. Posting this here instead of the main thread so it doesn't derail into a Houston vs. Dallas vs. Austin troll war.

    Quote

    In a year that has seen Dallas -- and Texas in general -- grow increasingly prominent on the national food scene, the city has picked up its greatest accolade so far.

    Today, Bon Appetit named Dallas its 2019 Restaurant City of the Year in a story that declares (with a bit of a wince): "Texas' oft-skipped food destination is no longer skippable." Past winners include Portland, Maine (2018), Chicago (2017), Washington, D.C. (2016) and San Francisco (2015).

    Quote

    "I was blown away by nearly every place I visited," she said. "There was a real energy in the food scene. Donny Sirisavath at Khao Noodle Shop and Misti Norris (whose cooking I loved at Small Brewpub a few years back) at Petra and the Beast really exemplify that creative energy and distinctive vision. There are no other restaurants in the country like those two places!"

    Very interesting to read especially since Dallas has historically been largely ignored by the national food press and the Beard awards.  I have to say that a lot of interesting places have opened up recently to supplement the great steakhouses.  I haven't been to Petra yet, but all my friends are enthusiastic about how good it is and I did love Misti's cooking at Small.   Khao is the tits.  I have been twice and it is all that.  Simple, unpretentious, almost fast foody, but creative and so good.

    I think the recent good press is also helped by the new good editor at the DMN who has more national good will than Leslie did.  Plus Bon Appetite named Trompo one of their best new restaurants a couple of years ago, so Dallas was on its radar.

  5. This could go in the Bishop Arts thread too, but here come Pinchos/Pinxtos.

    Quote

    Sketches will specialize in "Pinchos," a more sophisticated version of Spanish tapas, typically found in the north of Spain. Pinchos often use toothpicks; "pinchar" means "to pierce."

    "It will be a casual place to eat and drink," he says. "We like places that serve several purposes, and this one will be no different. Whether you want to have a full meal, a bite or just have a few drinks with a friend, this place will accommodate that."

    It's from the Wild Detectives guys, so I'm intrigued and hopeful.  They hit a home run there.  If they capture the unique feel of that place with good food and wine, this will be be terrific and very Spanish.

    Sketches of Spain

  6. On 8/31/2019 at 1:44 AM, C-Man said:

    We went down there tonight and wound up eating dinner at the bar at Bolsa. After dinner, met a friend on the patio at Paradiso/Botanist and have to say that is a really cool spot. However, this apparently is just the tip of the iceberg of a massive development that is going to involve a hotel, etc. The weather was great tonight and as the weather cools off, you will not be able to find a spot outside. It's neat. But locals -- the OG locals -- must hate what is happening here.

    OG Locals gave up on BA when the valets came.   I hear about it ad nauseum every couple of months on FB.   I'm 15 years local and love a lot what is happening.   The development is putting in parking that might help the area overall.

    Bolsa, by the way, is still rocking it.  So, is Hattie's.  It's nice that with all the new comers, the places that made the area what it is are still at the top of their game.  Seriously, the beef tartare at Bolsa that we had a couple of weeks ago is one of the best things I have tasted in a long time.

    • Like 1
  7. This is very cool and I look forward to it.  They have Iberico at Central Market, but I bet something like this will take it to another level.

    The only other Spanish place I know is Izkina in Deep Ellum.  It's definitely a bar that serves tapas as snacks, but that is more or less how it's done in Spain.  Not high end at all, but the one time I went, the food was good even if the place was a bit disorganized.  We are definitely missing the foodie Spanish experience (especially since Flores' place in Trinity Groves place closed).

  8. Those awesome Jimmy's sandwiches are classics, no argument here.

    But, in the exact opposite direction and probably what I crave the most is the jambon buerre at Scardello's in the farmer's market.   It just a crusty baguette loaded with nice rosemary ham and so much french butter than I usually ask for half butter.   That's it.  No cheese.  No vegetables.  No dressings.  Nothing.  So simple and so perfectly good.

    And a few steps away is the Banh Mi at Nammi.  This is the first banh mi I ever had, so it's still my favorite.

    I love a good Mexican torta and getting one in Mexico is usually my favorite lunch on my trips down there.  I have not found an equivalent in Dallas, even in Oak Cliff.  I need to keep trying.

  9. 2 hours ago, C-Man said:

    Think there's a third concept that's also going to share that courtyard, right? Is that the coffee shop?

    From D:

    Good Companions: a historic Craftman-style house has been converted into a cozy English cottage-style coffee shop, a 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. location with a fireplace and couches for lounging, sticky buns and house-churned butter. There will be bites like kouign amann pastries and prosciutto baguette sandwiches that can be taken out and eaten under the oak tree or with a glass of natural wine, an obsession of Natasha’s that will find expression here. The name is inspired by Michael and Natasha’s grandparents, who belonged to a British cycling club of the same name. (“Cycling is a big part of Oak Cliff,” Michael says.)

     

    It's all so precious, but I can't deny that I will be there.

  10. Good to have a thread about Bishop Arts, that's my hood.

    I tried to get into the soft opening of the Botanist, but it was packed.  I hope to try Paradiso soon; it looks like a nice add to the district.   That little courtyard with the bar and the restaurant will be perfect in a couple of months.  The anti-gentrification crowd is probably horrified, but I like it.

  11. 21 minutes ago, tantric superman said:

    Wasn't a huge fan of this film (The Big Night), but did remember the long (and I think final) quiet scene.

     

    I am still a big fan of the Big Night.  Excellent film and the uncut final scene is classic cinema, what a story it tells.

    Big Night's big meal (not the eggs at the end) came to mind when I though of the thread title.

    Babette's Feast, of course, 

  12. We went back in May, early in its run.  I agree the food was very good, and, like you, we especially loved the gnochi.  Our waiter was fine with our ordering tapas style, in waves.  Considering we had no idea how big the portions were (and it was difficult to tell from the menu), that worked out well.

    I guess if I lived in the area, I would love the casual vibe of the place.  I would like that I could go get interesting, well prepared food in flip flops and shorts or a business suit.  For us, that place is Nova.  But, living in Oak Cliff means that I have to pass several good to great restaurants to get to a place like Homewood and for the bother, it has to be special.  Lando, on a separate thread, you talked about how the space, service and food all have to be great (not fancy, they just need feel right) to create a special night.  I agree completely, which is why Homewood fell flat to me.  It felt like a slightly upscale Denny's.  The server was casual and as disinterested as could be (no sense of the excitement that should have been there considering the restaurant was just a couple of weeks old).  The table and settings were plain.  Nothing special.  Yes, I will go back, especially if invited by friends who live up there or if we are already in the area, but I just can't see making a reservation and Ubering up there for another meal there.  Maybe that's just me.

  13. BART from SFO is a breeze.  That's my go to when I fly into SFO. I hate being in traffic.   Yes, you take an airport train to the BART station, but that is no big deal.  And it's fine with luggage; lots of people use it to get to and from SFO.   Exit Powell Street. You hotel should be a short walk or a short Uber depending on where you are.

     

     

    • Like 1
  14. On 7/22/2019 at 5:14 PM, Redneck Mutha said:

    We're down to about $115/mo for TV and internet:

    Spectrum 200GB internet ($65).

    Spectrum TV app ($30).  Only available if you can get their internet service at home.  It gets you all local channels, Spectrum news, 10 channels that you choose which includes my ESPN and Fox sports needs, and a bunch of music channels.  I think we can do 3 streams, but if you are not on Spectrum wifi (using the app on another wifi service), you can't get your local stations.  Not being able to record sucks, but overall quality has been good so far.

    Philo ($20).  Includes 58 channels of various entertainment, no news or sports - A&E, Comedy C, 4 MTVs, AXS, 3 Nicks, TLC, IFC, the Discovery networks.  The wife can usually find something to watch with those choices.  Unlimited dvr, but shows older than 30 days drop off, plus you'll have ads.  I was expecting poor quality from stuff I'd read, but it's been good so far and fits our needs.

    Pluto (free)  100+ channels of really random stuff, including a cult movie channel, Wipeout channel, The Onion, Cult Films Channel.  Plus they'll run a lot of good older movies on the movie channels and on demand.  The price is certainly right.

    Add another $16 or so for Pandora Premium and XM streaming sub for music streaming, and those are all our streaming options for now.  Considering Netflix.  We also have a Prime membership, but rarely take advantage of their TV/music, so I really don't count that expense toward our streaming.   

    Understanding that all cable / internet companies subject you to at least one ring of hell, how is Spectrum?

    I have been with Uverse/DirectTV for years but the cost is out of control.  The high speed internet packages from Spectrum look great and when packaged with TV seem like a good deal.  A buddy down the street works at Spectrum corporate and swears by it and assures me that it will be great and he will get me A+ support, etc.   

    Weighing that against all the complications of cord cutting.  I am willing to pay some extra for ease of use, so long as the product is great quality and reliable.

  15. On 5/22/2019 at 2:28 PM, oSuJeff97 said:

    In34

    Also that Champion spark plugs shirt Brad Pitt is wearing is shit hot. I think I might get one.

    Yeah, cool shirt but the shit hot part was when he took it off.  55 years old.  Damn.

    Saw it last night at the Texas Theater in Oak Cliff, classic single screen theater.  Ran into a bunch of neighbors and friends at the bar.  Old School.  It was the right place to see it.  They dug into archives and found out that Wrecking Crew was licensed to the Texas in its first run, so they were able to secure it for one showing next week right after this film.  

    Overall, I enjoyed it very much.  And I am liking it more as I think about it.  It's one of those films that not about what you think it's about.  I read a review today that said it was a terrible movie because it was a movie about the Sharon Tate murders and it focussed too much on the two main guys.  WTF?  

    The look and feel, cinematography, set design, etc. were terrific and DeCaprio and Pitt were spot on.  Great performances.   I give it two thumbs up.

    • Like 1
  16. 12 hours ago, VABuckeye said:

    HOTEL SECRETO

    Quote

    We had a good bit of seaweed at Hotel Secreto's beach.  You aren't allowed in the water there so it didn't bother me much other than the occasional stank from it.

    Does not compute.  I have only been one of the asshole tourists doing a day trip but would like to stay on the island next year.  Do you recommend a hotel that does not have a swimmable beach?  On a beach vacation.

    I get it at Cabo because you go for the pools, but this is the Caribbean.  

  17. 4 hours ago, Landomatic said:

    Ya know, we consider ourselves somewhat foodies or restaurant snobs or whatever, but I’m thinking people must have to be whole other levels of FOODIE to appreciate most of Pyles’ concepts.  May just not be enough demand for that level in Dallas.  Seems he fails more than he succeeds lately.

    I really don't think it's about the food.  There are places in Dallas cranking out aggressive, foodie food and doing well (and picking up steam):  Petra, Homewood, Mot Hai Ba, Khao...hell even Marcellaio has duck tongues.  I think it's about the atmosphere.  Unless a place is serving classic French (or at least French inspired food), folks just don't think it's worth putting away the jeans and khakis and eating on a white table cloth with nice cutlery and linens. Everything has gone casual.  Bouillon is the one new restaurant where many folks still dress up, but, hell, the servers are in jeans and leather aprons. 

    Homewood, for instance, is putting out some serious food.  Matt McAlister can kick all sorts of ass.  But, it's in a barely renovated Becks Prime spot.  We were seated in a counter where the benches were upholstered in classic Denny's style.  The food was terrific, but it did not feel like a special night out.   And maybe that's the point.  McAlister wanted a place where you could stumble in flip flops and have aggressive, high end food. And, so far, it's working.

    Pyles is trying to find that balance.  He closed Stephen Pyles because he thought that Michelin was coming to Texas and wanted to position himself for a star or two.  That was what Flora Street was all about.  His gamble on the high end experience did not pay off.

  18. 17 hours ago, Eggo said:

    San Miguel de Allende is high on our list. Recommended length of stay? 

    For us, San Miguel is about relaxing, just walking around, finding cool places to look at art or whatever, getting a bite to eat or coffee, etc. and then hit a pool,  hanging out on a rooftop terrace with drinks, siesta etc. Then, a nice dinner, hit a bar, and end with wine on the rooftop again.    For that, 3-4 nights is great for us.  It may be too much for people who are agenda driven and need a precise, planned list of activities.  So, if you need more, you would consider hiring a car and going to see the other historic, colonial cities (Guanajuato, Queretaro, Dolores).  Every time we go, we consider going to see another city, but never do.  It's just too damn nice in SMA to leave, but that's us.  Most people recommend seeing, at least, Guanajuato.  There are also cooking classes and such, but we have never done that either.  It's funny, on other vacations, we are super active, but in San Miguel, we just let time slow down.   

  19. We just did this.  Went to San Miguel de Allende for a long weekend. Cool days but sunny enough to let us jump into a really cold pool to freshen up.   Had to wear sweaters at night.  Ate good food; had good drinks; relaxed. Beautiful place.  2 hour flight to QRO or BJX, then get a car to pick you up.  Perfect summer escape.

     

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    • Like 4
  20. With respect to Puerto Vallarta, I haven't been in 20+ years, but it's on the list for the next 6 months.  We are scoping out places in Mexico for a second home / transition into retirement by working remotely (which I can do from anywhere).  So many of our gay friends in Dallas swear by it  that we need to check it out even if we are already leaning towards San Miguel de Allende.  The infrastructure does sound right for what I need, plus it accessible and on the water.  And by all accounts, it is a lot of fun and still charming.

    Nueces, you are right about Cabo.  We have been several times.  While the nightlife in Cabo proper may be what some people want, it was trashy and not for us.  Cabo was built for tourists and has absolutely no authentic Mexican charm (that being said, the Office restaurant on the beach is fun and the views from houses on Pedragal are amazing). That is the only reason we would go back.  We did do a high end adults only AI (Secrets) a few years near San Jose del Cabo and it met our needs for that particular vacation: beautiful resort, great pools and no stress drinking.  We took a taxi into San Jose del Cabo one day and it does have some colonial charm (not like the Silver Cities, but ok).  There are plenty of art galleries and all that, but it was worth only a few hours and some beers with perfect guacamole and chips on the square.  In and around San Jose, you are also near Flora Farms, which is also a really nice escape from the resort.

  21. From KRGV:

     

    IT WAS THE PERFECT STORM...What happened yesterday? Far more rain fell than was anticipated. This is because an exceptionally rare event occurred in the atmosphere. Two separate areas of strong storms ran into each other at the same time in the same place, right over the RGV. The first area was expected. Storms from Mexico moved in from the west. The second area of storms from the north was not expected. These storms started Sunday morning along a cold front in Oklahoma. Every computer model said these storms would fall apart before arriving in the Valley, but the very hot and humid air across South Texas kept them alive against all odds. Once the two areas of storms collided, they stalled out and poured. Our fate was sealed.

    To say it is exceptionally rare to see extreme flooding like this in back to back years is an understatement. No one alive today can remember this happening before in the Valley. Flood events that used to occur every hundred years or so are sadly becoming more common.

  22. 13+ inches of rain Harlingen just tonight with more to come.  I don’t live there anymore but reports from family and friends are about something extraordinary and dangerous.  My sister’s place is about to flood for the first time  

     

     

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