Bill “Freckle Face” Addison is a Weiner

Whoopsie-doodle, I mean winner. (What would I do without Spell Check?) Anywhoo, I just intercepted a secret DMN company memo announcing:

“Bill Addison will receive a national Association of Food Journalists award for restaurant criticism. The other finalists are: Will Ferrell for Talladega Dinner Nights and M.F.K. Fisher’s Recipes from the Grave. The ranking of the three awards will be announced at a conference in October.”

Kidding, so, so, so kidding. Way to go, Freckle Face, I hope you beat the pants off of your true rivals Lee Klein of Miami New Times and Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post-it.

Master Sommelier Drew Hendricks Moving to Houston

Yes, it’s true. I heard the nasty rumor today and didn’t want to believe it. I immediately called Drew Hendricks and he confirmed the sad news. He’s moving to Houston to work for Pappas Restaurants as the Director of Beverage Education. How could Dallas’ hottest sommelier leave our fair city? “I want to be able to spend more time with my family,” he said. Good enough reason. I guess. He promised he’d still be around for wine dinners from time to time at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. His replacement at Charlie Palmer is not finalized, but we are going to guess that Brandan Kelley, who has worked with Hendricks since the hot spot opened last year, will be a natural replacement. We’re going to miss you, Drew.

France Gives In, Loosens Grip on Wine Laws

This isn’t exactly Dallas news, but news to Dallas wine lovers. In order to compete with global competition, France has loosened its grip on antiquated wine laws and regulations and will now allows growers to plant whatever they want, wherever they want. That means you’ll be able to buy a Pinot Noir from Bordeaux (if it will grow there) or a Cabernet Sauvignon from Burgundy. Believe it.

Inwood Village: Hot, Hot, Hot

Enough about Shinsei, eh? On to the burgeoning corner of Inwood and Lovers. Long ago, this was the epicenter for fine dining and it’s nice to see it blossom again. Last night I saw people walking and I don’t mean exercising. They were strolling from bar to restaurant to shop windows like people who live in real metropolitan areas. (This is Dallas, right?) Bijoux, Fireside Pies, Rise No. 1, Badovinus’ new place—all lovely spots. Plus, just west OF Inwood is Café Italia and one little restaurant where I like to hide, Patry’s Bistro & Wine Bar. Don’t tell Freckle Face, but I think he and Kim “Call Me Kardashian” Harwell hit this spot too hard. Best stuffed leeks I’ve ever had. Man, I’m into italics and handing out “bests” this morning. It’s got to be something in those shishito peppers. I mean, I am hooked. Oh well, it could be worse.

Shinsei: The Breakfast of Champions

As you may have guessed, I had dinner last night with some old (Hi, Dr. Kirkham!) friends at Shinsei. As usual the food was great: the vegetable tempura that includes avocado slices, tofu, and red peppers may be my favorite pre-meal nosh in town. Instead of ordering entrees, we loaded up on sides and sushi. And oh what a glorious meal: bok choy, broccolini, and the best Brussels sprouts EVER. I stuck to my standard bowl of veggie fried rice with an egg on top but this time I added an order of shiny and sweet shishito peppers to the mix. Ohmigod. Even better for breakfast this morning. Seriously.

Shinsei: The Red Basil Mojito

I don’t know if Shinsei is participating in this all-things-pink weekend surrounding the opening of Sex and the City, but last night I spied a couple of folks sipping this gorgeous drink at the upstairs bar and had to give it a try. (I hear everything, including the popcorn, at the Inwood Theater is going to be pink, yuck.)  Instead of muddling mint, the bartender grabbed a handful of organic (natch) red basil and mashed it with sugar and rum. According to said bartender, they only make ‘em when they can get the red basil. When I left last night, he still had half of a bag. We were in the other.