Giada Slowly Takes Over the World

Ah Giada de Laurentiis. How you confound me. You’re pretty, engaging, and just perky enough without being obnoxious, unlike that twit Rachel Ray (yummo = gag me). I’ve tried your recipes with spotty success. (You’re the queen of polenta but your sticky bechamel could be used as grout.) I like you. I just don’t trust you. You seem hellbent on world domination, albeit with a wink, smile, and plate of delicious biscotti in hand. Now comes word that you’ve launched a line of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, sea salts, and Tuscan herb mixes through Crate & Barrel. Fine. Resistance is futile. I give. But could you ask your Sicilian “friends” to do something about Ms. Ray while you’re at it? Thanks.

Cowboys and Cabernet at Dallas City Market

We all have our own ways of getting ready for the big game. Tony Romo takes Jessica Simpson to Los Cabos. (You’d better win, Romo.) I head to Dallas City Market for their buttermilk-fried chicken tenders party platter. DCM is also offering 15 percent off all wine this weekend in preparation for the Cowboys-Giants melee. If the Cowboys lose, you can always drown your sorrows in a spry yet earthy Pinot.

Re: Knish This

Nancy, here’s where I get my deli fix:

-Deli-News

-Cindi’s Deli

-Bagelsteins

New Menu Set To Debut At Hector’s

This just in from the affable Hector Garcia at Hector’s on Henderson: execuchef Blythe Beck is rolling out a new menu starting Jan. 9^th. Besides wintry goodies like a slow braised beef chop served with whipped parsnips, Beck is going to serve a chicken and thyme-scented waffle pot pie. Hmm, I hope it tastes better than it sounds. You’ll be the first to know.

Royal China Gets A (Much Needed) Face Lift

An alert SideDisher with a brain for Italian wine and a bod for sin writes:

It looks like the ages old Royal China [in Preston Royal] is undergoing a makeover. Phil Cobb is “consulting.” The menu is also in rehab.”

That’s good news. Phil Cobb, where have you been?

Mini-Review: Bukhara Grille in Richardson

Good timing, I had my first trip to Bukhara Grille on Friday. After living in Richardson for nearly 3 years, I was surprised I didn’t know about this place earlier. It’s semi-new, but I didn’t even know the shopping center it belongs to existed. It’s not exactly hard to find (Campbell and Greenville Ave), just not in an area I visit a lot. (Also discovered there’s a Benny’s Bagels next door, which on a visit to the following morning, wasn’t nearly as crowded as all the other bagel shops in Richardson.)

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Knish This

As I reported yesterday, I took my five perfect nieces to New York to teach them a thing or two about ethnic food. After touring the Tenement Museum in LoHo (the new SoHo), Mia, my 8-year old niece pictured to the right, was curious about, in her words, “Jewish food.” So we rounded the corner and hit Katz’s Delicatessen where our very patient waiter, who introduced himself as Richard The Lionhearted, lectured my eager little shiksas. “Girls, you’re not here to eat grilled cheese sandwiches, OK,” he said. “I’m going to tell you what you are going to eat.” Needless to say, ten eyes rolled toward me. In the end, they all tried potato knishes, real deli pickles, matzo ball soup, and pastrami sandwiches but the lesson fell apart once one of them figured out that a “frankfurter” was “Jewish” for a hot dog. Hmm. Need to workshop this lesson locally. Gilbert’s is long gone and Dallas is short on real delis. Help me here.

Dish on This

Several SideDishers are asking for reports. Here are their cries:

Has anyone been to Bukhara Grille in Richardson? The food was just great, I think no no one can beat them in Dallas for Indian Cuisine.

And this:

Cafe Rembrandt, anyone? We had a BLAST there on New Years Eve. They have a great lunch, fantastic dinner, and a great bar menu. Everyone dies for the Curry Katchup. Jazz on Friday nights and some times stage shows on Saturday nights.

Stage shows and curry? I say let’s hurry. Indian is the new Asian.

Cooking With Class

My pal Freda over at the AIWF just sent me the line-up for the next session of the Dallas Farmers Market Chefs Cooking Class series. As usual, it’s a doozy. Co-sponsored by the Dallas Farmers Market Friends, the 5-class series starts on January 19 with Mansion chef John Tesar (theme: sustainable seafood). Classes are held each Saturday in the demonstration kitchen upstairs in the Market Resource Center from 11:30AM to 1:00PM. Individual class are $25 with reservations, $30 at the door. They also offer a 5-class package for $110pp. If you haven’t ever gone, go. They are fun and insightful. Plus, after class is dismissed, you can peruse the Market for supplies. It’s a great way to support your local chefs and market. Here’s the schedule: Jan. 26—Jeff Moschetti (Stephan Pyles Restaurant; theme: Valentine’s Day Favorites). February 2—Joanne Bondy (Old Hickory; theme: Fungus Among Us). February 9—Scott Gottlich (Bijoux; theme: Roasting, Braising, & Baking). February—16- Abraham Salum (Salum Restaurant; theme: Umami, The Fifth Taste). Call 214-653-8088.