Articles for July 20th, 2011

Top Chef Just Desserts Season 2 Contestants Announced. Guess What? There is One From Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 20th, 2011 4:25pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Food On TV | 2 Comments »

I just watched the trailer for Top Chef Just Desserts and learned about “poo orgasms” and “sugar hookers.” Show looks, well, interesting? Shocker! Dallas has a chef in the competition: Lina Biancamano, the executive pastry chef at Stephan Pyles. The show season-premier is  August 24 on Bravo at 9PM.

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Restaurants: The Grape in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 20th, 2011 12:00pm | filed under Bacon, Brunch, Cheese, Cult Cuisine, Hippie revolutions, My Favorite Restaurants List, Neighborhood restaurants, Nostalgia, Restaurant News, Reviews | 29 Comments »

The cheese and charcuterie plate at The Grape is my favorite meal in Dallas. (Stock photo from The Grape.)

If you ever decide to become a restaurant critic be prepared for the inevitable question: “What is your favorite restaurant in Dallas?” It’s a hard question for me to answer. Not because I’m evasive, it’s because I feel like I have to quantify my choice by answering “well, if I’m in the mood for Mexican then I would consider this place or that place. If I want casual then I head here.” And so on and so forth. Pick one out of 6,200? That’s tough.

Ten days ago I took my mother, brother, and sister-in-law to dinner at The Grape. I wasn’t going to do a review. I wasn’t even hungry. I’d just spent a long week and a half eating tricked up fancy food at a new restaurant in Dallas and I just wanted to kick back and enjoy time with my family. Two and a half hours later, I emerged renewed. Just when I thought I couldn’t be impressed, I was impressed. I can now say, without hesitation, that The Grape is currently my favorite restaurant in Dallas.

I decided to call chef/owner Brian Luscher, who I’ve never met in person, and talk to him about my experience at his restaurant and discuss some of the details he pursues in his kitchen. I combined the interview with a quick review.

Jump for the glory of The Grape.

Continue reading "These Are a Few of My Favorite Restaurants: The Grape in Dallas"

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Somebody Help This Poor Boy: Peach Cobbler in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 20th, 2011 10:30am | filed under AgriBusiness, Cult Cuisine, dessert, Farmers Markets, Recipes, Shamless self promotion, Skinny bitches, Somebody Help | 13 Comments »

Assembling a mise en place for my super-secret East Texas peaches dessert. Doggie chew bone (right) not included.

Have you been eating Texas peaches? This guy has and he has a question for you.

Just finished some peaches I picked up at Dallas Farmers Market last week, and they were spectacular. Which brings to mind the question: which restaurants in town serve a great cobbler? I’m a Southern boy and really enjoy these  two months of the year when you can get a good peach cobbler at its freshest. Any info would be appreciated.

I’m not giving him my address and I know Gubbins wouldn’t give out hers. So, restaurants feel free to sell your peach desserts below.

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Let’s Discuss: Is Yelp Deleting Customer Comments to Sell Ads?

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 20th, 2011 9:19am | filed under Bad critters, Bring it!, Celebrity Diners, Cult Cuisine, Food Fight!, Food Writing, Foodie People, Hippie revolutions, Hot Links!, I Went to College for This?, Nutjobs, Overprivileged chimps, questionable judgment, Rants, Really?, Reviews, Slow News Day, Travel, Yum is Dumb | 36 Comments »

I know very little about Yelp. I see it when I am searching for restaurants but I have never stop to read the reviews. Anywhoo, several people  emailed me this week with complaints and concerns about Yelp. One loyal Disher sends this post found on Cavilli Pizza’s Facebook page. (Cavilli, that will be $15 for the link.)

Fans, just wanted to let you know that YELP has been removing our 5 star reviews for our McKinney location, we have talked to them and they have told us we can’t do anything about it. YELP has been unfair and removed 24 reviews all of which were 4 and 5 stars. But they keep calling us to advertise, and told us it would get better if we advertised. It’s all about making money, what a shame they used to be a great site.

Ouch! Maybe their cyber technicians can detect comments left by the same person. I don’t know. However, this morning comes a note from another just-as-loyal Disher.

I think you’d better take a seat and get ready for this rumble. Oh, and if you know Jack Perkins of Maple & Motor, you might want to text him a link. Okay? Let’s go.

Continue reading "Let’s Discuss: Is Yelp Deleting Customer Comments to Sell Ads?"

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