dftimes Anonymous

Thanks a lot, appreciate the prize and opportunity.

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

eastside Anonymous

sweet!

Are you suppose to swallow, or spit? hmmm.. that didn't sound good. Anyway, I enjoyed reviewing the local restaurant's!

off to the wine stroll I go!

Thanks, eastside

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

DC Anonymous

As I said, whoo hoo!

Nothing in this precludes electric sex lamps - see review of Oishii. The readers demand more.

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

webra Anonymous

Cool. I love winning by default. I'm so glad I discovered that easily overlooked link to the story contest.

I'm obviously a big foodie, so this is going to be better than Christmas for me.

DC - damn you were hard to try to catch up with. I am in awe of your reviewing prowess and a bit envious of all the great restaurants you've been able to try.

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

DC Anonymous

Tear it up back to the place and hike it over to the Arts District. Not sure where we're supposed to start.

Into the Nasher - a kindly gentleman slowly tells us to get lost and get our wristbands at the Meyerson. No worries.

It's always a pleasure to visit this space, and on this afternoon, no exception. I would estimate 15 or so tables sit in a lazy semi-circle. All offer a few varieties of their wares. Some are clearly interested and others are hired guns. Food makes it into the cheese cubes category. The crowd varies from the old and disinterested to the young and trying too hard.

We try to avoid the Cadillac guy, and despite my "I'm really more of a turbocharged 4 cylinder" comments, he drones on and on. It's ok, we empathize.

Shuttle over to Victory. Where we were was in an expansive space with some gentle piano accompaniment. Now, we spy what amounts to a parking lot and some guy covering the Commodores covering Faith No More covering a bag of cats.

Before we make it in, Tom invites us to see his new restaurant. It's what I guess you could call sexy if that translated into how about a few extra hours on the stairmaster before we start on those corsets sort of sexy. Friendly.

Once in the corral, we're flanked on either side by soggy quesadillas and some kid of Texas version of Boothe's. She doesn't look impressed. I don't look impressed. The snacks offered up by Victory Tavern are not too bad. We'll check them again.

Along the line, someone tries to tell me that shiraz, syrah and petite sirah are really all the same. We smile and move on past the next fruity cocktail offering.

At the end of one end of the corral is the Viking Kitchen Tent. About 4 people are in there watching someone wash dishes. Seems a little light. There is also a huge section of monster olives and serrano. It's not bad overall, but where the hell is the wine?

A guy wearing sunglasses drops some strawberry gelato into my champagne. This idea is as good as it sounds.

On the other side, I think I am at Goody Goody on Friday. There are all sorts of small people offering small tastes of crappy cocktails, like Flintstone's Vitamins mixed with Tuaca. Wine, anyone, anyone, Bueller?

The crowd is more premature melanoma than the Arts District, with a few leathery ones thrown in for good measure.

I can't help but feel that I am not here to enjoy the place, but for someone to take my money.

Back on the shuttle, we decide to conclude at the Nasher.

The space is the smallest of them all, but with the garden open, it's probably the most civilized. The offerings again vary from the interesting to the Kendall Jackson levels.

As far as Wolfgang is concerned, well, if you ever end up with some time in Denver, I'd give his place there a pass. On this evening, crab balls, although tasty, are at a premium.

It's getting on, and time to retire this event.

On the way out, we're flanked by a cadre of Dallas ladies who comment how the Victory scene was so much better, to see the buildings and people. I mention that we may not see any of the tax money from the plaza for another 11 years or so and one of them starts into me how I would like a toxic waste dump, I ask like the one around Parkland, and this seems only to instigate her further we don't get invited to the limo.

Oh, Dallas, at least your city councillors are pleased with themselves.

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )