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DFWTexEx

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Everything posted by DFWTexEx

  1. Same for TCU over Wisconsin in the 2011 Rose Bowl. They would join the Big XII the next year.
  2. If you are open to something other than summer sun, that's a perfect time to head south of the equator. We went to Argentina in late July/August and had to pack winter clothes. It was a fantastic break from the heat. We stayed in BA mostly, but went out to an estancia to get out in the country, ride horses, etc. I am not sure what the mountains are like at that time of year, but the city was really nice. Great food and walking for sure.
  3. The last few minutes of My Dog Skip.
  4. I’ve had plenty of fantastic meals. Some at expensive, highly rated, famous restaurants. Some, simple and perfect at places with names I can’t even remember (ask me about the huachinango at some nameless hotel in San Blas, Mexico). But, the topic is “Best Dining Experience”, which calls for one answer and that the answer is about the overall experience and not just the quality of the food. For me, that’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The history, the place, the walk, course after course of the most thoughtful food from the farm, precisely executed (even if that meant a raw vegetable with just a hint of salt). The meal lasted almost four hours and it flew by. I had no idea it was 1:00 a.m. when we left. It was like an adrenaline rush.
  5. My report: NOLA: we went there for my birthday dinner before the VT Sugar Bowl in 1995. It was a special occasion place then and everything about that night was spectacular. For nostalgia, we went back for my birthday dinner before this Sugar Bowl. They overhauled the restaurant in 2017. It's much more casual now with pizza and global small plates. We sat on the third floor, essentially in a storage room. Food was pretty good (best dish was roasted octupus with "Elotes" style corn). Service was very good. Fun people at the adjoining 2 tops made for a enjoyable night. Cochon: spectacularly disappointing. I had never been. Based on the reviews, awards, etc, my expectations were sky high. Maybe it was an off night, but just about everything went wrong. Every dish came out lukewarm / room temp. Wrong dishes were served. Wrong wine was served (partially our fault for not paying attention). Awkwardly long ass gaps between courses. Signature cochon dish was an inedible salt bomb. We didn't complain but, to their credit, they could sense that things were not right. Same thing was happening at the table next to us (they did complain and sent several things back). Manager apologized halfway through the meal and they ended up comping us a few items. Not sure I will return. Couvant. Opposite of Cochon. I had no expectations. It was a last minute table on New Year's Eve. We loved it. Service was great. French bistro food, done really well. Terrific oysters with a mignonette that had a nice crunchy bite to it were my favorite. Skate was buttery and rich. Good place. Antoine's. Still perfect. My favorite meal. Our server, Sterling, has been there for 52 years. He had quite a bit to say about the "young ones" that don't listen to him. The oysters rockefeller and pommes souffle were as great as always. And the fish dishes look simple, but are just right. The Ramos gin fizzes to end the meal were perfect. I can't wait to go back. Marigny Brasserie. Good find on Frenchman for lunch. Sat at the bar and watched the Saints, with good gumbo and po boys. Not a dive, but casual and good.
  6. I’m at this game. Go Owls! No piped in music. Other than a bit of pyro for the national anthem, no production whatsoever. Just college bands, cheerleaders and the game on a nice, cool sunny day. So pure and clean. Whatever happened to this?
  7. If you live in a neighborhood that does home tours and if your house is ever on it, I'd pay to see this and everything else in your house.
  8. Resurrecting this thread as the mayor race starts to heat up. Who's in? Albert Black - prominent business man; first black to lead the regional chamber Regina Montoya, political player with lots of connections, GC at Children's, former Clinton aide Larry Casto, former city attorney and the apparent candidate of the Citizens Counsel money (although the Council said that for the first time it would not be endorsing anyone...not surprising since that endorsement has not been as helpful as its money). Is he taking the support and money that Bobby Abtahi wanted? Mike Ablon, a developer who did nice things in the Design District....the real estate development community's dream candidate Jennifer Staubach Gates - Did the Halloween costume really eliminate her? [Scott Griggs]* - The apparent new urbanist leader of the next wave of city leadership; portrayed as an Oak Cliff liberal, but is really the most economically conservative, pro police member of the City Council (and is certainly the smartest). Will try to create an "across the aisle" coalition, but will start with Hunt and Kingston on his team. *unannounced
  9. DFWTexEx

    Dallas | BBQ

    C-Man's review of Sammy's is actually spot on. I ate lunch there at least once a week in the mid to late 90's. It was always enjoyable because of the atmosphere and sides and despite of the meat.
  10. True, but reheated Royal China is still probably better than anything else out there. We are too far for any of the delivery services, so it's take out for us. I drive from Royal to Oak Cliff like it's a f'in emergency.
  11. DFWTexEx

    Dallas | BBQ

    Go get a double serving of the zucchini casserole and an iced tea. It'll be great and you'll be happy. If you deviate from this, it will not go well for you.
  12. Haven't heard much about Up on Knox. Fine China got destroyed in the DMN review (consistent with what I heard from friends). But, the chef there was awesome at Top Knot. Maybe she righted the ship.
  13. The D list is out: Dallas' Best New Restaurants Restaurant of the Year: Bullion Macellaio Billy Can Can The French Room Up on Knox Fachini The Charles Zayatinya Fine China Petra and the Beast I have only been to three of these). I can't argue with Bullion being up there. It is really remarkable. Billy Can Can was fun and the food was delicious. Macellaio had some good moments but a very aggressive, upselling and over pouring waiter ruined the night and we may not go back despite big fans of the Ugyurs and Lucia. Misty Norris at Petra is getting all sorts of press again, like she did at Small. I am an adventurous eater, but her stuff can be pretty aggressive even for me. She pushes the envelope. We will try it, but with "foodie" friends. That is not the place you go for a chicken caesar.
  14. Happy to recommend several places, but can you provide some more guidance? Are you looking for restaurants for the whole family? How old are you boys? Will you have an adults night out? In what are of town are you staying? Budget? My family is from your neck of the woods and I am down there a lot. Good thing you are not asking for Mexican food recs, because nothing in Dallas compares to what you can get in the Valley. Nothing. What I'd do for some shrimp from the Oyster Bar now, or the caldo de res (with the comida corrida) at the International!
  15. DFWTexEx

    LSU @ aggy

    Uncatchable
  16. Oh man. My parents are Winstar fans. Since they discovered it, they rarely stay with me for more than a day when they come to visit. They say hi, take one of our cars and go up there. I have joined them a few times. It can be a horrible place. The crowd is a typical casino crowd. It used to be that the food was the worst part of the experience (along with the unacceptable antes on the table games). Other than El Fenix, there was nothing to eat in the place unless you liked the fried bologna at Toby Keith's restaurant. BUT, they recently added a Micky Mantle's / Kirby's set up. Now, there is a quiet place to get legitimate cocktails, nice wine, and upscale steakhouse fare. The happy hour is terrific (excellent lamp chops). If you go for Thanksgiving, be sure to eat there. Do not eat at any of the hotel restaurants or buffets if you can avoid it, except for maybe a basic breakfast. I have not been to the nightclub, but we did try their attempt at a Vegas style pool lounge party one weekend night last summer. It was laughably sad. I actually felt sorry for them. They had the LED lights, dancing girls, all of that. And a bunch of senior citizens sitting on the lounge chairs probably wanting them to turn down the music.
  17. DFWTexEx

    Dallas | Italian

    I agree. That's what I tried to say when I said it was a nice place to start or end the night. I wouldn't eat there.
  18. DFWTexEx

    Dallas | Italian

    It’s true that the food at Saint Rocco’s is terrible. Very expensive Macaroni Grill quality stuff, but the NYC / Frank Sinatra atmosphere and very good service is enough for some people. That all being said, they have a terrace / rooftop bar that has a fantastic view of the bridge and downtown. It’s on the third floor or so and it’s a very nice place to start or end the evening.
  19. Thanks for the recs. Plans changed and we didn't make it in on Friday. We drove up in time for lunch at Xochi. Great, interesting food. Nice service. Walkable to the hotel. Perfect.
  20. I agree. This is not a bad list. I might replace Fachini with Sprezza, but that may be because I have not been to Fachini. I would replace El Si Hay with Trompo. Knife doesn't belong on the list. Otherwise, yeah, it's a pretty good list.
  21. 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!
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
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