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Articles about Food is art. Art is Food.

Seventeen Hundred Seeds, a Farming as Public Project

Robert Hamilton and Cynthia Mulcahy (photos by Erin Ahlfinger)

As you drive down W. Davis Street in the heart of South Dallas, a field of sunflowers is the last thing you’d expect to see tucked among the single-story brick buildings, just blocks from the thriving Bishop Arts District. The fact that it’s so out of place in its surroundings is part of what makes this display of farming as public art so charming.

The project is a collaboration of the agricultural and artistic expertise of art dealer Cynthia Mulcahy and artist Robert Hamilton, who run Mulcahy Farms. They began looking for a site over a year ago, and chose the 1.6 acre plot in Oak Cliff for its location and visibility. The land was cleared and prepared for planting in March. Seventeen hundred and sixty Aztec Gold sunflower seeds went into the ground in a grid pattern under an ominous sky on a North Texas spring day. Days passed, and farming as art became entertainment as area residents and passerby took notice and began to express interest. Police, firemen, and bus drivers now honk in approval as they pass through their daily routes. “It really is like street theater,” notes Hamilton. “The traffic slows down.”

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posted by Carol Shih | May 22nd, 2012 1:30am | filed under AgriBusiness, Food is art. Art is Food., food art | (0) Comments »

White Rock Lake’s Natural Beauty Inspires Mexican Artist Luis Sottil to Paint Two-Story Mural in Mi Cocina in Lakewood

Artistic rendering of an artist's rendering.

I’m a sucker for birds. So is Mexican artist Luis Sottil. You may have seen his work in other Mi Cocina restaurants: he currently has paintings in six other restaurants. The mural at the new Mi Cocina in Lakewood, in the old Matt’s space, is scheduled to open in July. Sottill uses only natural pigments such as cochinella, mother of pearl, minerals, vegetables dyes, and14kt gold in his paintings. For this painting he was inspired by these birds: “Hooded Oriole, Altamira, Golden Cheeked Warbler, Painted Bunting, Texas Hummingbirds, and the Northern Mockingbird.” Tex-Mex for Twitchers!

UPDATE: Scott from dallasfood.org brings up a good point in the comments section. Several of the birds listed above would be a rare sighting at White Rock Lake. The press release reads:

This is the first time Sottil has studied the local natural environment and incorporated it into his Mi Cocina murals. The artist has chosen to feature birds including the Hooded Oriole, Altamira, Golden Cheeked Warbler, Painted Bunting, Texas Hummingbirds and, of course, the Northern Mockingbird.

Luis Sottil was inspired by his research of the history and “exuberant beauty” of White Rock Lake and the Lakewood area, and it reminded him of the lush biodiversity on his native Tampico, Mexico. In particular, Sottil was drawn to the many colorful birds that are common inhabitants of White Rock Lake which reminded him of home.

Hmm. Methinks Sottil should seek the advice of JR Compton and switch out the golden cheeked warbler for a monk parakeet. If you truly want to represent the “exuberant beauty” of White Rock Lake.

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 15th, 2012 9:51am | filed under Copy/Paste Press Release, Food is art. Art is Food., Mistakes I made, News for Twitchers!, Overprivileged chimps | 7 Comments »

Purple Yams Aren’t Weird, Are They?

Earlier this week, I was minding my own business and munching on a purple yam (skin intact, baked in the oven – just the way I like it) when my co-worker asked me, “What’s that purple thing?” I looked down at the purple yam I was snacking on, and it suddenly dawned on me that purple yams are like gold kiwifruits. Not everybody knows that they exist.

Now it is time for me to interrupt your usual morning program with (what I like to call) Friday Fun Fact Time. Purple yams are available. You can buy them in Asian markets. More specifically, you can find them at the H Mart in Carrollton where I do all my purple yam shopping.

I find them much sweeter than the regular sweet potatoes you find at grocery stores. The flesh melts into a gooey, sticky consistency after you wash the skin thoroughly, pop them into the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and leave them in there for a good 40 to 60 minutes. Don’t forget to line your baking pan with aluminum foil so they don’t stick, either.

posted by Carol Shih | May 4th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Food is art. Art is Food., dessert | 8 Comments »

Miele Celebrates “Better Living” In Time For Earth Day

Seared Jumbo Diver Scallops with Mango Pico de Gallo and a Quick-Pickle Fresh Dill Cucumber from Miele Table Artist, Chef Uwe Muller

The Earth Day idea started with an original focus to think green, live green, be green…but over the years it has transformed beyond this idea into one of also living local, eating local, and supporting local (along with living a healthier lifestyle with a focus on sustainability).  Miele, German based producers of the high-end kitchen appliances and vacuum cleaners, has embraced these ideals in every aspect of its business, carrying the principle of bearing responsibility for generations to come.  With this comes their focus to help their customers live a better life with the help of their tools.  Last night at their Dallas gallery showroom in the Design District, Miele hosted a “Better Living” dinner with Chef Uwe Muller, adjunct instructor at Dallas’ Le Cordon Bleu who recalls growing up in his native Germany with Miele appliances in his home. I was an invited guest. (more…)

posted by Hayley Hamilton | April 20th, 2012 1:31pm | filed under Chefs, Food is art. Art is Food., Texas Wine, Wine & Spirits | 3 Comments »

If Only I Could Stock My Imaginary Perfect Kitchen With These Goodies


Modern ceramic mug for $24 from shopterrain.com

Instead of, you know, working, I am doing some online shopping in secret. Except it doesn’t really count as ’shopping’ when you know you can’t afford a set of natural Opinel knives for $88, does it?

This is all D Home’s doing. Ever since I got hooked onto their blog, I’ve been drooling over pretty photos of chairs and flowers and chandeliers, none of which I actually need. But now that my imagination is running wild with crazy redecorating ideas, the first place I want to start is in the kitchen. It’s where I spend a good chunk of my time eating and pretending to know how to cook.

Jump if you like drooling too.

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posted by Carol Shih | April 4th, 2012 11:52am | filed under Food is art. Art is Food. | 1 Comment »

Friday Fun: Cell Phone Camera Food Porn Video

George just sent me this video. It’s hysterical.

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2012 11:31am | filed under Bring it!, Delusional behavior, Food Porn, Food is art. Art is Food., Hot Links!, I Went to College for This?, Nutjobs, Procrastination is part of the creative process | 1 Comment »

Don’t Judge Us for Caving in to Pinterest.

Hey, ya’ll. We have a drool-worthy SideDish Pinterest board for you to waste more of your time on. And if hot food pics don’t suit your liking, follow our Travel, ShopTalk, Weddings, Home, and – of course – Nancy’s “World of Birds” board. Didn’t know that Nancy was a birdwatching fanatic? Yeah, neither did I until she once stopped our conversation mid-sentence and grabbed her binoculars (that she apparently keeps at her desk?) to watch two eagles flying outside our window. Props to her bird photography, though. Just look at this baby hummingbird…

posted by Carol Shih | March 14th, 2012 1:13pm | filed under Food is art. Art is Food. | 8 Comments »

The Most Underrated Restaurant in Dallas: Canary By Gorji

Sweet Face: Chef Mansour Gorji.

I’ll be quick and to the point: Canary By Gorji is the most underrated restaurant in Dallas. Every time I eat there I am seduced by the creative cooking and I fall in love with Chef Mansour Gorji.

I took my family to Canary By Gorji  for dinner last night and we had a comfortable, laid-back dining experience. (I don’t have pictures because I didn’t use my cell phone.) The music, service, food, and atmosphere all work together to produce a calm atmosphere. We left happy and I didn’t feel like I’d just worked a review.

If you’ve eaten at this small, mostly Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, you have met Gorji. When he isn’t at a market buying fresh ingredients, he is in his kitchen creating unique dishes or visiting with customers. He was the first chef to champion the pomegranate, which he still uses as a garnish on steaks and in sauces. Last night, I devoured a celery root (trending!) and carrot salad that was so fresh it tasted like it was just plucked from the garden. The filleted trout served with a just a touch of white wine and lemon sauce is topped with tart barberries and capers. His food is so clean; so delicious. My mother claimed the pork chop as “the best she’s ever eaten.”

Gorji is a hard working chef. Not only does he cook every night, he supports local charities and produces a line of products which are sold online and in local stores. I’ve never seen him without a smile and a good-natured laugh. Go visit him. He will dazzle your taste buds and your heart.

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 14th, 2012 10:57am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Food is art. Art is Food., GO TEXAN, My Happy Pills Are Working, Ouiet Restaurants, Reviews, fish, pork | 19 Comments »

Report From Rio: Guess the Mystery Ingredients

Yesterday, I visited a food market near the beach at Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro. I spent long time at the stall in the picture to watch the owner make his own hot sauce by mixing various peppers with vinaigrette and herbs. Besides peppers, dried herbs, and sauces, he displayed several medicinal nuts. I don’t speak Portuguese, and it was difficult to understand the passionate descriptions of the two ingredients in the picture below the jump. Do you recognize them? (more…)

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 22nd, 2012 9:47am | filed under Ethnic Food, Food is art. Art is Food., food art, game | 12 Comments »

When Mystery Donuts Appear on my Desk, I Question the Meaning of Life

My surprise package from Pookies Donuts

I woke up this morning craving two things: donuts and a Big Breakfast from McDonald’s (don’t ask me why). The universe must really love me, because I walked into work this morning only to discover a big box of donuts sitting on my desk. It came with a mysterious note from Rinny & Joaquin Lewis: “Mark suggested we bring these by. Thank you [insert smiley face].”

Er, thanks for the donuts, guys, but… who are you?? Have we met before? And what did I do to deserve these fatty donuts? Three weeks ago, I gave a random man my extra DART ticket, but that was the latest act of kindness I can remember…

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posted by Carol Shih | February 21st, 2012 10:53am | filed under Bacon, Food is art. Art is Food., Good Morning, donuts | 10 Comments »

Chinese New Year at Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck

Golden pineapple sticky cake with gold-dusted chocolate talon

Last night, I schmoozed with some Dallas media people at Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck for a complimentary sampling of its Chinese New Year’s menu. Big D foodies like Teresa Gubbins, Steven Doyle, Jennifer (RealPoshMom), and the nice lady from foodbitch (I swear you said your name was “Katie,” but your blog says “Rachel.”) busted out their phone cameras the second after Executive Chef Patton Robertson finished introducing each course. Photos of the five courses happily lodging inside my intestines have already been posted on several different blogs, so there’s no point rehashing all the deets. I’d just like to add this little bit: the lobster dumpling had a thicker skin than I’m used to, yet the golden pineapple sticky cake made the whole elevator ride up to Five Sixty completely worth it for someone with baby acrophobia.

Jump because you’re hungry and you know it.

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posted by Carol Shih | January 26th, 2012 3:08pm | filed under Chinese New Year, Food is art. Art is Food., Good Asian Grub, Uncategorized, press trips | 2 Comments »

Report: Beaujolais and Beyond at the Omni Dallas

Beaujolais festival goes shagadelic at the Omni. (photo by Desirée Espada)

Friday was the night to be French in Dallas! The French American Chamber of Commerce threw their annual Beaujolais and Beyond Festival at the new Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel. This festival started in Dallas over 20 years ago and it celebrates the arrival of the first bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau wine which is ceremoniously released each year on the third Thursday of November. Recently organizers have broadened the scope and now include wines from elsewhere in France and French grape varietals grown in the US. They have also invited French restaurants and caterers to provide a cornucopia of food. Friday’s soiree had a ‘60s theme and most of the sponsors were in costumes (I had no idea how many identical twins Austin Powers had). Images from the decade were displayed on a giant overhead screen and a section near the front was roped off to display iconic cars  which included a Jaguar e-Type, Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia, and a Porsche (Austin Powers 7th thought that it was the 356 Super 90). Impossibly thin girls in mini-skirts and Mary Quant tights danced on pedestals and one was kind enough to explain to me that the particular e-Type on display had the closed-in headlamps, making it more valuable to collectors.

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posted by Andrew Chalk | November 21st, 2011 11:26am | filed under Andrew Chalk, Beverages, Celebrity Chefs, Food is art. Art is Food., Texas Wine, Wine & Spirits, appetizers | 1 Comment »

Chef Richard Chamberlain Plans to Pop Up a Restaurant Called Element in Addison

Okay folks, I have a serious question. This pop-up restaurant stuff is getting out of hand. What is the difference between catering a two-night event and a pop-up restaurant? I suppose I should ask Richard Chamberlain. He is “opening” Element, a “two-night only pop-up restaurant” to celebrate the opening of Addison’s Vitruvian Park. It’s an outdoor “restaurant” with a theme. (Catering job!) Here’s Chef Chamberlain:

“The theme of the restaurant is based around elements: water, earth, iron and fire. Live music, theatrical lighting, fine wines and four courses of delicious food prepared in an open kitchen will make for a once in a life time experience.”

Live music? Oh, no! That song! I am sure this will be a lovely celebration. The Elements menu is below along with all the details you need to know.

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posted by Nancy Nichols | October 13th, 2011 9:43am | filed under Buzz Killer!, Celebrity Chefs, Food is art. Art is Food., Restaurant News, catering, pop-up restaurant | 13 Comments »

An Open Letter to Chef DAT

Dear Chef DAT,

Who are you? I’ve been getting press releases from you for a long time but for the life of me I can’t remember meeting you. I do understand that you live underground and you cook a lot there as well, but do you ever actually come out during the day?

You talk funny. I mean, you write funny. You “sound” like you are totally hip and in with all of the IN people which explains a lot about our relationship. It’s so cool that you are throwing a birthday party for yourself on October 23! You must have lots of friends! Three LIVE bands, CAJUN food, and BYOB! Totally bitchin’. And Thursday, you only have 20 seats left for your super secret dinner in Deep Ellum. Have you done the math? Do you think you can get that many people under the ground in Deep Ellum? It must be so freakin’ dark, dude. Six courses for $66? That dinner is like so effin’ New Testament! And payable in “unmarked, untraceable cash only”? Brilliant.

Keep it up and maybe you’ll get your own restaurant one day. Oh, wait. My spirit is shaking. I’m getting an incoming subliminal message from, wait…oh…I can’t quite make out the voice, I can only hear pigs squealing. Oh, now  it’s clear. It’s  Steven Doyle LIVE from the State Fair. He says you have a “concept portfolio”  for a future restaurant called Twenty-Seven. Far out, it sounds so Satanic! Will you take American Express? Awesome. Keep us posted.

Good luck,

Nancy Nichols

posted by Nancy Nichols | October 11th, 2011 3:06pm | filed under Bad Names For Restaurants List, Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Cult Cuisine, Dancing, Drinking, Food is art. Art is Food., Hippie revolutions, Hole in the wall, I Went to College for This?, Nutjobs, Openings, Really?, Restaurant News, Rewritten Press Releases, Slow News Day, Steven Doyle, UpsideDown Restaurants, make mine a double, questionable behavior, questionable judgment, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 43 Comments »

Get Ready for New Groovy Swag at the State Fair of Texas

Get it? Corn dog. Hah!

Here is a preview of some of the hip new t-shirts carnival workers will be wearing when the Texas State Fair opens on Friday. They were designed by the Belmont Icehouse in Deep Ellum. They will be available for purchase.

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posted by Nancy Nichols | September 27th, 2011 1:02pm | filed under AgriBusiness, Cult Cuisine, Food is art. Art is Food., I Went to College for This?, I'm about to get fired, Pre World Series Depression, Procrastination is part of the creative process, Slow News Day, State Fair of Texas, food art, pop-up restaurant | 4 Comments »

Photo Essay: Jennifer Rubell’s Made in Texas at the Dallas Contemporary

This mountain of freshly made chips was placed not only to look interesting, but for benefit-goers to snack on. Taking the first chip from the may have felt strange, but breaking boundaries is a major part of Legendary Presents. In addition to the aesthetic appeal, artist Jennifer Rubell says she hopes they taste good too, adding with a laugh that “if it doesn’t taste good, it’s all for naught.” (Photo by Desirée Espada)

Last night, intern Jessica Melton and photographer Desirée Espada attended the LEGENDARY event at Dallas Contemporary that featured Jennifer Rubell’s Made In Texas multifaceted art installations. Seven platforms displayed the human labor that is most often hidden inside the kitchens, factories, and warehouses of Texan businesses. Each platform was a living scene taken directly from a factory, workshop, or enterprise in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It was a gorgeous night.

See it for yourself below.

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posted by Charlotte Tobin | September 23rd, 2011 1:20pm | filed under AgriBusiness, Events, Food is art. Art is Food. |