Nove! Vino! Prego!

Call me late to the party: I still haven’t been to Nove. Now comes word that they are hosting a bitchin’ wine din-din on Feb. 7. The Tenuta di Ghizzano Wine Dinner will be hosted by Henriot Imports and Republic National Distributing Company and—drum roll please–Countess Ginevra Venerosi Pesciolini! Italian royalty no less. Her family arrived at the small Ghizzano hillside hamlet near the end of the 14^th century. The 865-acre estate, located in the northwestern part of Tuscany between Florence and Pisa, is famous for its olive and wine groves, and the winery produces few, but choice, bottles. The five-course dinner is $100 pp (not including tax and gratuity). 214-720-9903 for a seat.Bella.

Diners And Dives

SideDish Nation: let’s get busy. I want to compile a list of the best diners and dives in Dallas. All-nighters. Breakfast favorites. Best places to eat after the bars close. Old-fashioned waitresses. I’ve got my favs. What are yours. Suburbs, I’m talking to you too.

Spa Food

Well, it’s not exactly what you think of when you hear the term “spa food.” But the newly remodeled Mokara Salon and Spa is offering some yummy treats during the month of February. Guests who book any of three Valentine’s treatments—Peppermint Pedicure and Minty Manicure (75 min for $100), Chocolate Cherry Body Wrap (60 min for $120), or Mokara Melting Massage (75 min for $150)—will also receive a box of cupcakes and complimentary champagne during their treatment. Sign me up. I’ve never been known to turn down a cupcake or a cocktail.

Valentine’s Day for Lucky People at Stephan Pyles

I’m guessing that I will probably spend Valentine’s Day this year doing that whole, “It’s just another day! Really!” song and dance, while “just looking” at the potentials on Match.com. But for those who love food and love each other, Stephan Pyles is offering a four-course dinner on the big day. Jump for the details.

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Mobil Announces New Star Ratings

Mobil Travel Guide unveiled its list of four-and-five star hotels, restaurants, and spas. Here are the area winners:

Mobil Five-Star Lodging: Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas
Mobil Four-Star Lodgings: Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Irving
Mobil Four-Star Restaurants: Abacus, The French Room, Nana, Stephan Pyles
Mobil Four-Star Spas: The Spa and Salon at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Irving

Hmm.

Barbecue Sighting In Lewisville

Today’s mail is full of good stuff. Here’s a heads up from a Campos-lovin’ Disher:

There is a BBQ place in Lewisville, TX that has the best I’ve ever tasted, and I love BBQ. It’s called “Dats Good Que“. It was actually voted number one in Lewisville. I eat there all the time. Gloria Campos gave “mad props” to the hot tamales they sell on Wednesdays. Andre Geraud (center for the Dallas Cowboys) makes frequent stops there before home games. Walt Garrison is also a regular. This is a hidden gem and needs to be known city wide. You don’t know me but trust me anyway.

Well, that’s what the man I married said to me but he wasn’t talking about food. Dude, you’ve got my attention. I’m on my way.

Aqui Esta Un Restaurante Nuevo

A dedicated Disher files this report:

Try Dos Cocinas Restaurant [5415 Maple Avenue] - hot new restaurant in Dallas. The tacos al vapor (as we eat them in Mexico City, in a small-rounded, moist tortilla), are delicious and the price is only .99 cents each. Another interesting dish is the “Chilaquiles Pie Azteca” - I’ll have to try it next visit. Their menudo is the best I have tried, ever.

Best menudo ever? Nice. It’s the breakfast of champions for sure.

Let’s Not Forget The Japanese

Can Dallas really handle any more Japanese restaurants? I guess so. A Disher enlightens us all:

I enjoyed the food and service at Ku Sushi & Japanese Restaurant located at Preston and Forest Lane in Dallas. Restaurant opened not too long ago. Ku had excellent sushi and sashimi that was fresh.

Anyone been? Anyone else ready for a new cuisine to hit this city?

Cookies In Time For Love

Who doesn’t love iced cookies? We do and so does Dunia Borga of La Duni Latin Café and Aló. She has created some lovely hearted shaped cookies just in time for Valentine’s Day and they’ll be available at both La Duni locations and Alo.

Re: Michelada

When I was in Costa Rica last year, we drank muchos micheladas–but there, they were beer over ice with lots of lime juice. Very refreshing on the beach. Imagine my surprise when I ordered one at Blue Goose and got Stephen’s version…still good, but really not what I wanted. Maybe there’s another place in town that serves them this way? Or, I suppose I could make them at home when the weather warms up.

Lady Needs Chocolate Cake, STAT

(And she isn’t even preggers.) A dedicated Disher is “trying to find a bakery with a “killer” chocolate cake.” That’s a little harder than it sounds. Sometimes when I’m in the mood for CC, I head to Stein’s Bakery for their old-fashioned sugary version. However, seeing as I’m a single dog mother, I don’t tend to by whole cakes, I get my dessert fixes at restaurants. Like Truluck’s or (warning: loud groovy music) Hibiscus–they both have dangerously deadly CCs. Hell, Ain’t No Mo! Butter Cakes does the trick as well. This lady is desperate y’all. Get busy.

Michelada: The Mexican Bloody Mary

Like bloody marys? (Looking at you, Eric) —Then you’ll like the Michelada. Just substitute the vodka for a mexican cerveza, and you’re set. The beer adds a nice flavor, and a little carbonation. Plus, it’s an excuse to drink beer for breakfast. I got mine (this weekend) at Matt’s Rancho Martinez.

And when you get asked by your friends what the hell you just ordered, it translates roughly to “My beer” or “My cold beer.”