Mini-Review: Hannah’s Off The Square (Denton)

After living in Denton for a few years, I’ve got a soft spot in my belly for (Or is it from?) Little D. The food and drink are cheap, tasty, and freshman fifteen friendly. I’ll cover my college favorites later, but when you want pumpkin curry soup (e.g. more than pizza and beer) there are only a few places to go in D-town.

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Who Doesn’t Love a Good Plano Tart?

Over on the D Home blog, Christine Wilson Lieb (fancy name) reports that Tart Pastry Boutique is opening a new Plano location. Mmmmm… fancy cupcakes in the burbs.

Aeropress, How I Love Thee

Nancy may like her folgers, but I can’t stand most drip coffee. Call it fru fru, but I don’t care. It’s bitter, and gives me the jitters.

That’s why I’m happy to have found the Aeropress. It’s somewhat similar to a french press, except it uses air to push the water between the grinds and through a very fine filter. Everything happens in around 30 seconds, which reduces the acidity, and in turn the bitterness. The result is a very good cup of homemade espresso. I add hot water to mine to make an americano.

Aside from not having to fight Wick for our coffee machine every morning, other benefits include cleanup. Click the filter cover off, and push the plunger while aiming at the trash. A puck of used grinds goes flying, and yes, it’s fun. Wipe the end of the plunger and you’re done. No need to clean the cylinder, as the plunger cleans the sides as you push down. The best part? It’s under $30. I found mine at Sur La Table.

Here’s Boing Boing’s Mark Frauenfelder demonstrating how it’s done.

Jessimo Do Sushi

Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson were seen dining at Sushi Samba this weekend with Romo’s parents. Lots of affection and yellowtail tacos for all involved as well as pink sparkling sake (Jessica’s favorite). Insert your own joke here.

Rockwall Is Rocking

Did you know that the Hilton Bella Harbor, a chic resort on Lake Ray Hubbard, is set to open after the first of the year? Well, color me stupid, I didn’t have a clue. So when I learned that Belo Mansion exec chef Steven Weir was hired to head up Mistra, the Hilton’s tony restaurant with an “eclectic cuisine without boundaries” menu, I was surprised. So pretty soon you can have your Texas venison with honey-braised mushrooms, duck confit lasagna rose with saffron pasta, or lobster stew with a macadamia nut sambal and watch the sun set over the yardarm. No boundaries? Bring it. (Candy or Eric, find me a foreclosure in Rockwall.)

SideDishers Come To The Plate

And I thought this was a “soft” launch. I woke up this morning to a half a dozen congratulatory e-mails. “Yea, more restaurant news!” “You rock!” And my favorite:

Finally!! So glad they unleashed you Nancy. Wondering if the rumor about a new Fireside pies going into the old Riviera, George, Urban Bistro spot is true? And any news on where Tre Wilcox has landed?

Thanks AC, I love a good question(s) with my morning coffee (Folgers Half & Half. I hate fru fru coffee). Anywhoo, I sent an e-mail to Tre to find out what his plans are although I hear through the grease traps that he is working on a project with Chantal cookware. Kent Rathbun told me Tre would be working with Abacus through the holidays. Also, on January 24th, Tre will be one of our contestants for D Magazine’s Stainless Steel Chef competition. (More on that later.) Yes, Fireside Pies is going into the old George/Riviera space. But FP prez Tristan Simon is a tree killer–he let those cyprus trees in the parking lot die. T-Bone, get a hose on ‘em quick. Next?