Top 9 biggest restaurant news stories in Dallas-Fort Worth in 2010

by Teresa Gubbins

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Dallas chefs bring attention home.

Dallas-Fort Worth had no shortage of exciting restaurant news in 2010, and you only need consult the Dining section here on Pegasus News for proof.

But on the chance that you missed some of the 1,000+ dining stories and reviews, here are the top 10 highlights:

1. The pursuit of excellence by chef Matt McCallister. In July, McCallister launched Fuego, the four-seat chef's table at Stephan Pyles, where he experimented with molecular gastronomy and other au courant foodie trends. He participated in Dallas Vegan Week, and then in the fall, he and his event-planning partner and wife Iris organized two Chefs For Farmers dinners, one in Dallas, one in Fort Worth, to mark their appreciation for local chefs and vendors. In November, he left Stephan Pyles to further his culinary education by visiting legendary kitchens across the country, starting with Alinea in Chicago. He contributed his time and energy to events like judging at the Dallas Vegan Fair, and he inspired others to do the same.

2. The opening of Lucia. It's not just that it's good food. It's:

• the re-emergence of chef David Uygur
• the further coalescence of Bishop Arts
• the lift it will give, locally, to Italian food
• last but not least, No-Knead Bread

3. Beer. After a dry spell dating back to the very founding of Dallas itself, the city graduated in 2010 from Bud Lite to the regular tapping of rare kegs at a handful of new beer-friendly joints including Meddlesome Moth, The Common Table, Holy Grail Pub in Plano, and Eno's Pizza Tavern in Bishop Arts, joining stalwarts like Fillmore Pub, The Ginger Man, and Old Monk.

4. West 7th in Fort Worth. Fort Worth's mixed-use complex is one of the busiest restaurant scenes in DFW, with new places opening nearly every week. The list includes Bailey's Prime, Tillman's Roadhouse, Patrizio's, Brownstone, Magnolia Motor Lounge, Fireside Pies, and MK Sushi.

5. Village at Fairview and Village at Allen. Collin County gives Fort Worth a run for its money with this two-for-one: two mixed-use developments across the street from each other on Stacy Road, one officially in Allen, the other in Fairview. The avalanche of restaurants includes Bailey's, Twisted Root, Patrizio's, Bistro Babusan, and Wyland's Ocean Blue.

6. Locals on reality TV. Dallas-Fort Worth talent is keeping Food Network and Bravo stocked, with chef Tiffany Derry winning as fan favorite on Top Chef Season 7; chef Morgan Wilson nearly winning Top Chef Just Desserts; and now Derry returning with fellow Top Chef alumnae Tre Wilcox and Casey Thompson on Top Chef Allstars. They couldn't do it without us.

7. The Dallas Farmers Market finally took off, with dining destinations that include Pecan Lodge Catering and Old World Sausage Co.

8. 48 Nights. This "guerrilla restaurant" on Sylvan Avenue premiered in February, featuring a different chef every week, and set the stage for a year of foodie-ism Dallas had not previously seen. Before you knew it, we had supper clubs, pop-ups, food trucks, and long tables.

9. Gringo taco wave. Dallas-Fort Worth has had dozens of wondrous, authentic taquerias for decades, supported by their neighborhoods and communities and occasionally sought out by flavor-mad adventurers. But then came the gringo taco. It started in Fort Worth with chains like Fuzzy's and Yucatan. Then the chefs stepped in, a la Good 2 Go Taco in East Dallas. Followed by Rusty Taco on Greenville, Austin-based Torchy's in North Dallas, and Digg's on Hillcrest. Authentic, no. Tasty, yes.

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