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.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
DFW Pug Rescue & Wine! Two of my favorite things!
I recently learned that DFW Pug Rescue has its own wine! You can check it out here:
http://www.benefitwines.com/dfw_s/211.htm?Click=1424
Who wouldn't want wine with pugs on the labels? I know I want one of each. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit pug rescue.
I have been a pug owner since I was in 2nd grade and I love this breed. They are such sweet dogs and funny to boot. I currently have 3 - Iris, Cactus Jack and Beans. They make me smile everyday.
Info on DFW Pug Rescue:
"Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue Club is the largest pug rescue organization in the United States and has rescued and placed over 5,000 huggable, squeezable, absolutely adorable pugs — we rescue approximately 10 pugs a week.
We rescue ALL pugs regardless of age or medical condition. Since we rescue ALL pugs, our veterinary care is our biggest on-going expense and we average approximately $150,000 a year in veterinary expenses. This amount is after our veterinary care clinics provide deep discounts. 100% of all funds donated to DFW Pug Rescue are used to pay for Veterinary care."
http://www.benefitwines.com/dfw_s/211.htm?Click=1424
I have been a pug owner since I was in 2nd grade and I love this breed. They are such sweet dogs and funny to boot. I currently have 3 - Iris, Cactus Jack and Beans. They make me smile everyday.
Info on DFW Pug Rescue:
"Dallas Fort Worth Pug Rescue Club is the largest pug rescue organization in the United States and has rescued and placed over 5,000 huggable, squeezable, absolutely adorable pugs — we rescue approximately 10 pugs a week.
We rescue ALL pugs regardless of age or medical condition. Since we rescue ALL pugs, our veterinary care is our biggest on-going expense and we average approximately $150,000 a year in veterinary expenses. This amount is after our veterinary care clinics provide deep discounts. 100% of all funds donated to DFW Pug Rescue are used to pay for Veterinary care."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wine
I'm a huge fan of wine, but this wasn't always the case. My dad forced Texas wine on my family at holidays which nearly ruined my taste for it. Obviously Texas is not known for its wine-making. It seems this is changing and I may have to venture out and give the Texas wines another chance.
D Magazine's Sidedish recently wrote a story about a vineyard from my neck of the woods (East Texas), Kipersol Estates. What?! Tyler, Texas has a vineyard? Yes, its true. And apparently its putting out some pretty good stuff.
You can read the full review of the Kipersol wines here - and I think you should if you like wine and you like Texas. (If you don't like wine or Texas then I have serious doubts about you're sanity).
Some of my other favorites include:
Bonny Doon Vinyard - I'm typically not a fan of California wines (simply because I think most have too much oak and I recently learned I have a oak allergy - weird I know) but I am a big fan of this company and their Cardinal Zin in particular. Moderately priced.
Big House Red - Very fruit forward red blend. Great with a Burger. Another moderately priced wine.
Marqués de Cáceres 2004 Rioja Crianza - a little dryer than I normally like but very nice once it opens up a bit.
Trevor Jones Boots Grenache - This wine was a recommendation by one of the sommeliers at Pappas Bros Steakhouse in Dallas. Excellent light red wine. I liked it with the steak I had but I know some people prefer a heartier wine with steak. Not for everyone.
D Magazine's Sidedish recently wrote a story about a vineyard from my neck of the woods (East Texas), Kipersol Estates. What?! Tyler, Texas has a vineyard? Yes, its true. And apparently its putting out some pretty good stuff.
You can read the full review of the Kipersol wines here - and I think you should if you like wine and you like Texas. (If you don't like wine or Texas then I have serious doubts about you're sanity).
Some of my other favorites include:
Bonny Doon Vinyard - I'm typically not a fan of California wines (simply because I think most have too much oak and I recently learned I have a oak allergy - weird I know) but I am a big fan of this company and their Cardinal Zin in particular. Moderately priced.
Big House Red - Very fruit forward red blend. Great with a Burger. Another moderately priced wine.
Marqués de Cáceres 2004 Rioja Crianza - a little dryer than I normally like but very nice once it opens up a bit.
Trevor Jones Boots Grenache - This wine was a recommendation by one of the sommeliers at Pappas Bros Steakhouse in Dallas. Excellent light red wine. I liked it with the steak I had but I know some people prefer a heartier wine with steak. Not for everyone.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Christmas 2010
Well another Christmas day is over. As the evening winds down, I sit on the love seat with a pug in my lap, another at my feet, and think about how very lucky I am. My dad is on the big couch, flipping through the channels. An advertisement for a show called "Gold Rush" flashes on the screen.
"That's the biggest bunch of idiots I ever saw doing that", says my dad. I chuckle. Not five minutes later the remote control in his hand drops to the floor and I hear a loud snore. He's had a long day.
As per tradition, my brother and family came over for Christmas Eve dinner last night. After spending the evening with them, I always wish I saw them more throughout the year. My brother is great company - like my dad but less grouchy. I love how close my nieces are. My brothers were so much older than me I practically grew up an only child. My nieces are sweet and very close with one another. And my sister is law is cool in a no-nonsense sort of way. They are a great family. They didn't leave last night until almost midnight. My dad was tired but we had to sit on the couch and watch a few minutes of "A Christmas Story."
My dad gets particularly tickled at this movie even thought he's seen it a million times. When the dad in the movie says "He looks like a deranged Easter bunny. He looks like a pink nightmare!", my dad gives a deep belly chuckle, his eyes crease and his cheeks pop with laughter. I love to see my dad give a genuine laugh. Its greatness.
Today we headed to my grandparents house to have Christmas. I have spent every Christmas day of my life going to my grandparents house. Now, more than ever, I love going out there to see them. While I visit with my grandmother, my dad and paw paw start talking about everything that's wrong with the world. I guess my dad woke up refreshed from his night's sleep because he was extra spicy today.
The following phrases came out of my dad's mouth today (some more than once):
"And that was the worse thing I've ever seen in my LIFE!"
"I'll tell you another thing that's wrong with the damn toll roads..."
"It made her so mad, she couldn't hardly breath..."
"Texas used to have the best roads in the world until the federal government got involved..."
"If you want to see an example of Obama-care, then let me tell you where you need to go..."
"Then I said, look fella, I ain't belivin' that...."
"They're not helping the consumer so, I can't figure out what the Department of Insurance actually does..."
Needless to say, he was quite worked up. My paw paw listened and had his own feedback. At one point I turned to my grandmother and said "Curtis is awfully talkative today." She nodded in agreement.
It was good food and good times. I found myself giggling more than once at my dad's rants. My paw paw had some good stories as well. I've heard some of them before but somehow I don't mind hearing them again.
Now back at home, I am more thankful for my family than ever. My grandparents are in relatively good health for being 80 years old. My dad, after having some significant health problems, is doing better and is in good spirits. Of course, there's always an empty spot during the holidays because my mom is not with us. But how can I complain with so many other blessings in the form of family and friends?
So Christmas 2010 comes to a close. The kitchen is clean, a small fire is dwindling in the fireplace and I sit here among a chorus of snoring from my dad and pugs. The angel on the tree makes me think of my mother - somewhere far above she is looking down on all of us. Hopefully she's giggling at my dad's stories.
Home is truly where the heart is...and there's no place I'd rather be.
"That's the biggest bunch of idiots I ever saw doing that", says my dad. I chuckle. Not five minutes later the remote control in his hand drops to the floor and I hear a loud snore. He's had a long day.
As per tradition, my brother and family came over for Christmas Eve dinner last night. After spending the evening with them, I always wish I saw them more throughout the year. My brother is great company - like my dad but less grouchy. I love how close my nieces are. My brothers were so much older than me I practically grew up an only child. My nieces are sweet and very close with one another. And my sister is law is cool in a no-nonsense sort of way. They are a great family. They didn't leave last night until almost midnight. My dad was tired but we had to sit on the couch and watch a few minutes of "A Christmas Story."
My dad gets particularly tickled at this movie even thought he's seen it a million times. When the dad in the movie says "He looks like a deranged Easter bunny. He looks like a pink nightmare!", my dad gives a deep belly chuckle, his eyes crease and his cheeks pop with laughter. I love to see my dad give a genuine laugh. Its greatness.
Today we headed to my grandparents house to have Christmas. I have spent every Christmas day of my life going to my grandparents house. Now, more than ever, I love going out there to see them. While I visit with my grandmother, my dad and paw paw start talking about everything that's wrong with the world. I guess my dad woke up refreshed from his night's sleep because he was extra spicy today.
The following phrases came out of my dad's mouth today (some more than once):
"And that was the worse thing I've ever seen in my LIFE!"
"I'll tell you another thing that's wrong with the damn toll roads..."
"It made her so mad, she couldn't hardly breath..."
"Texas used to have the best roads in the world until the federal government got involved..."
"If you want to see an example of Obama-care, then let me tell you where you need to go..."
"Then I said, look fella, I ain't belivin' that...."
"They're not helping the consumer so, I can't figure out what the Department of Insurance actually does..."
Needless to say, he was quite worked up. My paw paw listened and had his own feedback. At one point I turned to my grandmother and said "Curtis is awfully talkative today." She nodded in agreement.
It was good food and good times. I found myself giggling more than once at my dad's rants. My paw paw had some good stories as well. I've heard some of them before but somehow I don't mind hearing them again.
Now back at home, I am more thankful for my family than ever. My grandparents are in relatively good health for being 80 years old. My dad, after having some significant health problems, is doing better and is in good spirits. Of course, there's always an empty spot during the holidays because my mom is not with us. But how can I complain with so many other blessings in the form of family and friends?
So Christmas 2010 comes to a close. The kitchen is clean, a small fire is dwindling in the fireplace and I sit here among a chorus of snoring from my dad and pugs. The angel on the tree makes me think of my mother - somewhere far above she is looking down on all of us. Hopefully she's giggling at my dad's stories.
Home is truly where the heart is...and there's no place I'd rather be.
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