Articles about Ouiet Restaurants

People We Love: Battuto’s Gene and Julie Gates

Gene and Julie Gates (left); seared scallops over lemon risotto (right) photos by Ariel Gonzalez

Gene and Julie Gates (left); seared scallops over lemon risotto (right) photos by Ariel Gonzalez

You know Gene and Julie Gates. Or, at least, you’ve heard them. They’re the husband-and-wife team that used to be the glorious morning voices of 103.7 Lite FM. Now they’ve switched careers and jumped into the restaurant world by opening Battuto, a family friendly Italian restaurant in North Dallas. (“Battuto,” says Gene, “is the base which most sauces are built from. It’s traditionally made with lard and parsley, and you very slowly heat the onions” for extra flavor.)

The Gates’ restaurant softly opened mid-March, and it’s gearing up for a grand opening any day now. Full disclosure: our own Hayley Hamilton helped consult on the wine menu. Here’s what the former radio hosts-turned-restaurateurs have to say about life, love, and the pursuit of good food.

Carol Shih: I’m just in awe of that…

Julie Gates: That we’ve worked together, and we haven’t killed each other?

CS: Yeah, that’s crazy. Working together since 1995 is a long time. Continue reading "People We Love: Battuto’s Gene and Julie Gates"

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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.

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Restaurant 101: What to do if Your Employer Doesn’t Provide Paycheck Stubs

Yesterday, I posted the news that Michael Costa of The Office Grill filed for bankruptcy. In the comments section, one of Costa’s former employees asked a great question.

Anybody have some suggestions for the former employees when it comes tax time? We never received check stubs or info on the taxes taken out of them, that is when we did get them and they didn’t bounce.

I contacted Gregory P. Williams, a CPA with Restaurant CFO Partners in Plano. He has a lot of answers. They are below. I’ve also included his contact information if you have more questions.

Continue reading "Restaurant 101: What to do if Your Employer Doesn’t Provide Paycheck Stubs"

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Toddlers and Toques: Should Fine Dining Restaurants in Dallas Ban Children?

Tall toques and toddlers: good or bad idea?

Lots of chinwagging taking place in the webosphere. Fine dining restaurants, such as this place in Pennsylvania, are banning children under six years of age. I tend to dine early and have witnessed children who squeal and squirm while their parents sip wine and attempt to enjoy a fine meal. I believe it is a good practice to take children into fine dining restaurant. It’s important to learn manners at an early age. The only time it chaps my sass is when the parents don’t reprimand their misbehaving offspring or take charge of the situation. Take this recent example from a loyal Disher.

Jump for the shrilling report.

Continue reading "Toddlers and Toques: Should Fine Dining Restaurants in Dallas Ban Children?"

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Random Post: Red-Tailed Hawk Eats Critter

Ann Althouse is a law professor in Dearborn, Michigan. She writes a blog about politics and law. Yesterday a bird-watching Disher  sent me a link to to her website. It’s a pretty amazing piece of video.  A friend of Ann’s, armed with a video camera, spent a great deal of time filming a red-tailed hawk as it devoured some poor critter. I asked Ann if I could share the footage with the bird watchers of Dallas. She  says there is quite a debate on the species of the dead critter. (h/t PK)

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Somebody Help This Poor Boy: Quiet, Intimate Restaurant on Saturday Night

Tall order from a short reader:

I’ve been traveling for work quite a bit lately, and I want to take my wife to dinner on Saturday night.  I’d like for it to be nice, but more importantly it needs to be intimate.  We need to be able to have a quiet conversation and enjoy each other’s company.  Any suggestions?

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