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DFWTexEx

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Posts posted by DFWTexEx

  1. Headed to Houston tomorrow for the Temple - Houston game on Saturday.  Game time is 6 p.m. Saturday.  We need one great dinner Friday night and one fun lunch on Saturday.  We are staying downtown.   We are from Dallas, so for dinner  we are not looking for steaks or Mexican or anything we can get here.  Prefer something chef driven and interesting.  The last we did this we had the tasting menu at The Pass.  For lunch, anything casual and fun and preferably in downtown would work.

    Recommendations appreciated!

  2. Bullion: updated but classic French, in a really cool space downtown.  Dallas' only Michelin star chef.  Definitely see and be seen, but the food and service measure up.  Great place for special occasion.

    The French Room: classic Dallas dress up spot.  New chef that worked at great places (including Heston Blumenthol's place in London) is rolling out his new menu.  I think this is the last place in Dallas that requires a jacket for men in the main room.

    Flora Street Cafe: more hip than the above two, but still a place to dress up and have a grown up night out.  Do the tasting menu if you are somewhat adventurous eaters.

    Fearing's.  Start with a drink at Rattlesnake, then go in for a big meal that will be excellent.  Service is perfect and they will do up your anniversary.  That's what they do.

    The Mansion:  jury is still out on the changes the new chef is making.     The bar scene is still great, if a bit douchy.  

    Lucia:  if you can get in, this is a different way to celebrate.  Much more casual and homey, but service is very intimate; it may be the best meal in town.  And walking around Bishop Arts after - go to get a slice of pie and or some chocolate at Dude -- can make this a romantic night.

     

    Skipping obvious big steakhouse style places (Al Biernet's, Prime, etc.) because of your post and focusing on chef driven places.

    • Like 1
  3. Aren't cocktails garnished with jalapenos that are smoked and candied or crusted with Mexican peanut candy or macerated in rosemary broth or some such?  I can't see a place like La Cantera just slicing up a fresh or pickled jalapeno and putting it on a cocktail.

  4. No idea what the criteria is, but according to the article they improved their safety stuff in the past few years after years of bad things, as you note.

    Quote

    This year, Lion Air was one of three Indonesian airlines whose safety rating was upgraded to the highest level after meeting standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

     

  5. "The crash just after takeoff of an Indonesian airline jet carrying 189 people will confound investigators, because none of the familiar characteristics of an aviation disaster was present: the airplane, a Boeing 737 Max-8, was brand new, having entered service only in August; the Max-8 is the most advanced version of the 737; the airline involved, Lion Air, was recently upgraded to the highest safety level; and there was no weather involved."

     

    https://www.thedailybeast.com/189-missing-in-lion-air-boeing-737-plane-crash-that-should-never-have-happened

  6. 3 hours ago, Dutch said:

    El si hay is very hit and miss, I've found.  When it's on, it is incredible.  When it's off, it's off.  

    I have to agree with this.   That's why, I have pretty much switched to Trompo for that style of taco (different meats, I know, but the street taco style).

    The elote guy at El Si Hay is always outstanding if you are willing to deal with the complexities of how he chooses who is next in line...and there is always a line.

  7. 7 minutes ago, RollLeft said:

    On your next visit I recommend Fort Santiago.   The whole area reminds of San Antonio as it is a Spanish part of the city.  Its similar and no more than a visit to the Alamo, but i like history so if you do also you'll appreciate it.  Lastly, while i feel they have good food imo it hasn't surpassed the hospitality.  I'll be down there in a few weeks so i'm hoping to find something new.  Glad you enjoyed your trip.

    I did got to Fort Santiago, the Cathedral and the historical part of the city.  It's amazing to me that these people are still thriving when you consider the number of natural disasters and wars that have absolutely devastated them.  Beautiful, old part of town.  Had some buko juice, which was nicely refreshing in the heat.  I agree about the food.  The seafood was good because it was fresh and simply prepared.  Beyond that, I didn't really have anything that stood out, but that was partly because this was a short trip and I didn't have a lot of time to explore.

    The BPO seems to be pretty mature in the Manila area.  I think Eastwood City was created just for that world.  It's a 24/7 commercial center, servicing the C shift people who work during US business hours.  That is where we are setting up.

  8. Back from this trip:

    • City was more fun than I thought.  I stayed in at the Peninsula in Makati and had business in Eastwood, so I know I was mostly in the "good parts" but I did not expect such a modern and Western place.  Felt like any big US city.  I walked around at night around the hotel.  There are some urban green spaces surrounded by restaurants.  Women were jogging at night by themselves; that's how safe it felt.  Duterte may be a maniac, but according to my driver, the criminals are scared of him (for now).
    • RollLeft's tip about the NBA was no joke.  Even the little guys bicycling you around the tourist spots could talk hoops.  On my last day, the sports section of the local paper had one story about Pacquiao and 3 NPA stories on its front page (a long story on the death of Tex Winter, a story about the Utah Jazz defense, and a story about Donovan Mitchell)
    • We did go to Jollibee.  I did not have spaghetti but had a little burger with one piece of delicious, spicy fried chicken.  The standard fast food menu there (including McDonald's) was fried chicken (pieces, not tenders or nuggets), spaghetti and a hamburger steak with mushroom gravy.  Hamburgers were listed as "other items".
    • The seafood is great as expected.  Our best meal was the Dampa Seafood Market, where we walked the stalls and picked the best fish, giant prawns and some squid... and then walked into a restaurant and had them cook it up for us.  It's a little rough in there but they keep it clean and smelling fresh.  It's worth the drive.
    • Speaking of drives...the worst traffic that I have ever seen.  The trains and buses don't work well.  I don't know how they will figure it out.  Waze and Google Maps alternated between working and not working. But, one usually kicked in and got us around.  There is no Uber.
    • Didn't get to go to the clubs or see the woman and or pretend women dancing.  But, I did ask about that because on the next trip, more guys are coming.  So, that will be setup and I will report back.
    • Like 2
  9. Seems that I will be going there on a business trip in a couple of weeks.  Traveling solo.  Manila metro only. Staying in Makati.  Work stuff in Eastwood.  This will be my first visit.   Sadly, I can't get out to the islands on this trip (maybe next time since we are opening an office there).  Pro tips?

    Me: gay, middle aged guy, not into ladyboys.

  10. 1 hour ago, Stunns38 said:

     


    Sorry to hijack but how’s that PhD place on Davis for football/bar food? Moving to that area in a few months and that looks like a future regular joint for me.
    Thanks

     

    Up until a year ago or so, the food at PhD was not fit for human consumption.  It was really bad.  But, they changed a few things. I have ventured back slowly (it's a short walk from my house).  The wings are good.  The nachos are really terrific actually.  I order them without meat and with extra jalapenos.  They are old school: individual, broiler melted nachos instead of the gloppy cheese sauce over chips.  I don't think the burger is that great, but it's at least ok now (and 1000% better than how they started).  The rest of it is hit and miss, from what I can (stopped eating there for a while).  Lots of TVs, excellent service usually, good drink and beer selection (not so much for wine), great patio on nice days.  The live music is not that good and can be distracting if you want to watch games.   Nova is our go-to for neighborhood bar/restaurant because the food is so much better, but it will be pricey if you sit and drink or order more than pizza.  PhD is a good, lower cost, sports bar alternative, especially for watching games.  The crowds are very different, but both fill a need.  Welcome to the neighborhood!

    • Like 1
  11. Not sure if you are near North Oak Cliff/Bishop Arts, but the brunch choices down here are great.  Hattie's for a nice family brunch when you  are dressed for church would be my recommendation, but Boulevardiere, Bolsa and Smoke are also top notch.  Nova too, but it's more of boozy crowd, with live music and all that, even if the patio is very family friendly.  

  12. 25 minutes ago, Digdogger said:

    The cruise ships let off in Fira, not Oia.  The cable car and donkeys both dump you out there.

    My bad then.  It just seemed like Oia was crowded as fuck and not fun at all.

  13. We did Athens, Santorini and Crete.  All were great in different ways.

    Athens was much better than we expected.  We really enjoyed it.  Of course, part of this was because we stayed at the Royal Britagne, with views of the Acropolis.  I highly recommend this place.  We did quite a bit of walking and really loved the city (especially the semi-licensed packs of well kept, stray dogs).  The rooftop restaurant at the Britagne is beautiful for breakfast, but I would not recommend it for dinner (over priced and underwhelming).

    Santorni was gorgeous and I look forward to going back.  But, again, it has a lot do with where you stay.  I think a poster up thread recommended staying up away from Fira, in one of the smaller villages overlooking the Caldera  We stayed in Imerovigli at the Chromata and it was perfect.  Quite, cave style hotel with perfect views of the Caldera.  The village around us was nice and quite, with a couple of nice places to eat.  We walked into Fira (about a 15 minute walk, although it is a hard uphill coming back) a few times for dinner and nightlife.  We took a bus to Oia.  What a shitshow.  Yes, it has some iconic views, but that is where the cruise ships land.  We could barely walk through some of the streets and we were there in "shoulder" season / October.  I can't imagine what it would be like in Summer.  I would not stay there and I would not even go back there to visit.  Fira would not be as bad.  Oh, and as recommended above, definitely do a Catarman cruise.  You can do a day one with more beach activity.  We chose a sunset one and still got some swimming in (especially at the hot springs) and it was a highlight of the trip.   Pick a nice one where there are going to just be a handful of people on board with you.

    Crete was quite nice. I can't say too much about it because we stayed at a big hotel (Blue Palace) that was full of surly Russians.  The villages nearby were nice.  We skipped meals at the hotel to eat along the water in more simple tavernas.  Much better.  We were in  Elounda and visited Spinalonga island, which was creepy and interesting.  The beach was rocky.  But I liked the vibe in Crete a lot.  It felt like Mexico.  Knossos was a good stop to see some significant ruins on the way to the airport in Heraklion (one of the most ridiculous aiports I have been to, by the way).

  14. 16 hours ago, RPM said:

    Same. Now get ready for the onslaught of "Police can't do their job now for fear of being convicted" from their union. No way will they ever admit they're not an occupying force in a war zone. Stop fucking shooting innocent unarmed civilians and there won't be a problem.

    Yes, but one of the interesting things about this case is that his fellow officer testified that they were not in imminent danger, contradicting the testimony of the murdering officer.

  15. I'm on the hoax wagon, but it's not that far from reality.

    We all know the girls that went batshit crazy planning Kardashian style weddings for no reason, creating all sorts of grief for everyone around them.

    And, in the Valley at least, the system of "padrinos" or sponsorships of the wedding is really common among a certain crowd/class of folk.  You essentially sell off sponsorships for each element of the wedding (cake, band, dress, flowers, food, etc.).  And, at the reception, all the sponsors march in to be acknowledged.  I moved away before I was a part of that, but my parents still write checks.

    • Like 1
  16. 16 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

    E is the best restaurant in the Cosmo and maybe the best in all of Nevada.

     

    Momofuku, Jaleo, Rose Rabbit Lie and China Poblano all solid as well

    I agree about E, but I just looked it up.   Wow.  I went when it was $250/per person including wine pairings, tax and gratuity.  Things have changed.

  17. So much on here sounds great.  But, which of these islands is accessible by either a normal size jet or a larger regional jet directly or that flight plus a boat / ferry ride?  In other words, no puddle jumpers or sea planes would be involved to get you there.

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