Spring has sprung...kinda

May 3rd and it's a beautiful, sunny 64 degrees here in Dallas.  Yes Dallas, Texas.  I'm not sure I've ever worn a sweater in May before but I'm wearing one today.  I had to have one on yesterday since it was a whopping 40 degrees.  Unexpected to say the least.

My garden is back in full swing with lots of kale, tomato, pepper, onion, basil and squash.  We might be on squash overload this year because I threw a few seeds in the garden box early on.  When nothing happened, I got impatient and bought some started squash plants.  Now the seeds have sprouted.  Good thing hubby likes squash.

The biggest disappointment from the last month is that I've discovered I cannot grow an avocado tree here in Dallas.  After LOTS of online research, It appears our climate is too cold as one hard freeze will kill an avocado tree dead.  Boo.  Also they take 7 YEARS before they produce fruit.  I practically eat an avocado a day so I'm not sure I can wait that long (even if it were possible).

I heard about a book called Absolutely Avocados in last month's Redbook mag.  This chick claims you can substitute an avocado for the stick of butter used in chocolate chip cookies.  No lie!  Her food looks pretty good so I'm tempted to order the book and give it a try.

There are also quite a few home renovations in the air for this spring/summer.  And I have plans to put a chicken coop in my back yard!  I'm SO excited about having chickens.  Lots to do - and as my dad would say - I'd "better get busy, cause times a wastin'."

Restaurant Week is here!!! Yea!!!

I love a good excuse to go to a fancy restaurant.  KRLD Restaurant Week is the best reason to get your butt out of the house and plan a date night with your husband, boyfriend or best friend.  What is it?  Over 125 restaurants have a three-course dinner for just $35 per person.  And these are really fabulous spots such as Capital Grille, Eddie V's and Del Frisco's. The participating restaurants will make a $7 donation to the North Texas Food Bank or Lena Pope Home for every prix fix dinner purchased.  Dining out for a good cause.  I love it.

Technically, Restaurant Week begins on Monday, August 13th, and runs through Sunday August, 19th, However; Lots of restaurants are giving a preview starting this weekend.  Here's my dining list for the week:

• Stephan Pyles
• Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck
• Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (of course my favorite)
• Mi Piaci
• Possibly The Mercury (I've been wanting to try this place for a while now because its close to my house)

Where are you going for Restaurant Week?  Haven't decided yet?  HURRY!  A lot of places are booked already but you can still make your reservations HERE.

Erath Pinot Noir

I love a good wine that's also a good value.

Check out this post from D Magazine on Erath Pinot Noir.  And then go get yourself a bottle (or two) and have your own wine tasting.  I think this will definitely be on my weekend agenda!

Cheers!

Best of Big D

I have to admit, I love D Magazine's Best of Big D.  It's my go-to for suggestions on everything that is Dallas.  

Not too long ago, I needed a new hair stylist.  I'm not super picky about my hair but the stylist I went to in the past was obsessed with blondes.  She wanted to take my natural medium blonde hair and make it lighter, and lighter, and lighter.  Finally I had had enough.  I'm not going for a Marilyn Monroe 'do.  I looked to the Best of Big D for suggestions and decided on Johnny Rodriguez Salon (Voted Best of Big D 2010).  They are awesome!  I couldn't be happier.

So now, a florist I'm working with, FREESIA, is in the running for Best Florist 2012.  I think everyone should go HERE and vote for Freesia.  Why?  Because, when a local business goes above and beyond, I think they deserve support from their customers.  Shannon does beautiful designs and was willing to work with my budget.  Gotta love that!  

Even if you are not interested in voting, I suggest checking it out for new places to try (or visit if you are an out of towner).   Its a great resource! 

Mission Impossible: Best Burger in DFW

There are some things I'm on a never ending quest to find - the perfect pair of jeans, the best mascara (although I think I've come close with Lash Blast), my absolute favorite bottle of wine (liking them all is problematic).  Add to the list, Best Burger in DFW. 

I don't eat a lot of burgers in general.  So when I want one, I want it to be REALLY GOOD.  I have yet to find THE ONE that stands out above all others to the point where I will forgo other burger places.  Sidedish had an article a few days ago about Elevation Burger.  I have to say, I'm a fan of the grass fed beef so I'll be checking this one out soon.  The Sidedish article also mentions a place called Restaurant Ava which is supposed to have an excellent burger as well.  I love the name Ava so I wouldn't mind checking into this place also; however, its all the way out in Rockwall and I'm not sure I'm counting that as DFW at this time.  Plus, I'm lazy.  A drive to Rockwall for a burger seems like a long way.  Maple & Motor is another Dallas joint on the list of places to visit soon.  Here's what I've tried so far:

Twisted Root - Good but not great. My burger was a little over cooked.

Love Shack - Another decent burger.  The quail egg on top was a cool touch but it didn't knock my socks off.

The Grape - Voted Best Burger 2009 by Texas Monthly, this was, by far, my favorite of all I've tried.  Its a 10 oz. homemade patty with pepper bacon, Vermont white cheddar, horseradish pickles and dijonaise.  Yum.  Still when I think of having a burger I don't think, "OMGee I HAVE to have the burger from The Grape."  

Burger Girl on McKinney - This joint is now closed.  I guess that pretty much sums up their burger.

Yourway Burgers & Wings - I actually bothered to write a Yelp review about this place.  What's cool is that they will infuse your burger with various ingredients.  You can read the full review HERE.  I have been back a couple of times.  Its close to my house which makes it a favorite. 

In-N-Out - This place is all hype.  I just don't get it.  Its not that good and the fries taste weird.

Hopefully I'll come across my favorite soon so I can end my quest to find the best burger.  I cook a pretty good burger myself.  I guess I could always work on my own to make it the best, then when I open my restaurant, people will know where to find the best burger in DFW.  Just sayin.

And I haven't forgotten that I owe you all the secret to the perfect and best grilled cheese.  If you've been on a quest to find the perfect grilled cheese, don't fret!  Its forthcoming...

Time for Bar None Again!

Once again I am involved with the Bar None show.   This is only my second year to be in the show but this is the group's 26th year to produce it and everyone puts in a lot of time and effort to make it great.  Proceed's benefit the Sarah T. Hughes Diversity Scholarships  (so my singing, dancing, acting skills are put to good use for a good cause!)

This year's show - *BLEEP* My Lawyer Says - promises to be entertaining.  The show runs June 15 - 18, at the Greer Garson Theater on SMU Campus.  Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the show's website:  http://barnoneshow.com/

Superbowl Sunday

Well the Superbowl is here.  I always enjoy watching the game but I don't know how I feel about all the riff raff that has come to Dallas.  Not only are we having to apologize to outsiders for the weather***, but people here seem to have lost their damn minds.  Case in point, Restaurant Critic, Leslie Brenner's article on where to eat this weekend in Dallas (see the full article here). 

Look, I can't disagree that Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse is one of, if not the best, place to eat in Dallas.  But Asian food?  Really?  Really Leslie? 

Do you think people come here for a visit thinking "Gee, I can't wait to get down to Texas and get some good Asian food.  Throw in a fusion twist and top it off with an emulsion sauce and then I'll know what Texas is really all about."  Trust me outsiders, you don't want emulsion, you want Queso, and lots of it.

To me, Ms. Brenner's article seems like a desperate attempt to show the outside world how posh Dallas folks can be.  Ok, so yes, we have sophistication.  But isn't part of the Texas charm also our rough edges?  Our fierce Independence?   Our confidence, without being cocky?  I could use the same words to describe Texans as I could to describe the Tex-Mex food we are famous for:  Spicy and Warming.  Why would you want to miss out on that experience?

I'd wager most out-of-towners would rather find a hole in the wall Tex-Mex joint, even if it wasn't rated 5 stars by some restaurant critic.  Try Monica's aca y alla; Joe T Garica's, or even Mia's.  All are delicious and worthy of a visit while here in Dallas.


***Dear God...Sorry to let you know this so late in the game but we here in DFW have decided to control our own weather from now on.  And we decided to make it miserable for Superbowl weekend on purpose.  Thanks, Lesley.  P.S. Can you make sure it never snows in Pittsburgh or Green bay ever again.  They seem to have a problem with it all of a sudden.