Posted on October 9, 2008 at 10:47 a.m.

Food: 5/5  Vibe: 3/5  Service: 3/5  Value: 2/5  Overall: 4/5

Was never overwhelmed by Pyles' work at Star Canyon, etc. but had a single dish at lunch that blew me away: Special pasta with beef, mushrooms, goat cheese and the lightest, tastiest pumpkin sauce ever. Total mouthgasm.

I found service thorough, but cloying.

Note: Even at lunch, there is a strict "no shorts" rule. Our out-of-town guest had to borrow a pair of slacks from the restaurant before he was admitted.

On Stephan Pyles Restaurant

Posted on September 16, 2008 at 12:09 p.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 5/5  Overall: 5/5

Actually, Jason, ecg0792's email addy suggests a local affiliation, so we'll presume that he's got some experience with Texadelphia. And that the Cheez Whiz they put on sandwiches in Philly has done some sort of damage to his faculties.

On Texadelphia (Dallas)

Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:17 a.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 5/5  Service: 3/5  Value: 3/5  Overall: 4/5

I remember when this was still "the media bar" and you could catch a drink with Dale Hansen mere minutes before the late sports report.

Solid bar. Among the best martinis in town. Despite reputation as a dive, has a remarkably good kitchen - and not just the legendary pizza.

On Louie's

Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:11 a.m.

Food: 3/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 3/5  Value: 5/5  Overall: 4/5

The classic dive.

On Lakewood Landing

Posted on August 8, 2008 at 5:05 a.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 3/5  Overall: 4/5

Beer selection is great, if not as wide as Gingerman. Upscale pub grub is great. One of the few places in town to get a cheese plate right. Highly recommend the frites.

Only complaint is terrible acoustics that make it impossible to hold a convo when crowded. But then there are always Capitol, Idle Rich and the place across from IR - all basically the same place. Capitol is least crowded but give it time.

On The Old Monk

Posted on July 28, 2008 at 5:14 p.m.

Food: 2/5  Vibe: 1/5  Service: 3/5  Value: 4/5  Overall: 3/5

Needs more air conditioning.

On Wang's Chinese Cafe

Posted on July 28, 2008 at 5:13 p.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 3/5  Service: 4/5  Value: 4/5  Overall: 4/5

First, if someone tells you to meet them at Wang's off NW Hwy, they probably mean Howard Wang's and not this joint.

Portions are generous; everything is fresh; and spicy means spicy.

On Howard Wang's China Grill

Posted on July 17, 2008 at 10 a.m.

Food: 5/5  Vibe: 3/5  Service: 4/5  Value: 5/5  Overall: 5/5

The main reason I go on picnics.

On Brothers Fried Chicken (Dallas / Fitzhugh & Gaston) (Closed)

Posted on July 5, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.

Food: 4/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 3/5  Overall: 4/5

Always delish, and the service is always attentive and genuinely friendly (as opposed to the forced uncomfortable chatter you get many places).

Often really crowded prime-time dinner, although they do have a large common table you can sometimes sneak into.

We prefer it for a late supper, as their sides and appetizers steal the show from the entrees anyway. They rock the deviled eggs, although the portion seems to have gone heavier on the salad garnish at the expense of the eggs. Flatbread pizzas are great and light enough to leave room for more. Spinach dip and/or hummus come with cracker-crisp pita bread.

New dish for us tonight was the gouda grits. And they were the star of the night.

On Kitchen 1924 (Closed)

Posted on July 1, 2008 at 1:51 p.m.

Food: 5/5  Vibe: 4/5  Service: 5/5  Value: 3/5  Overall: 5/5

I've been a long-time Bob's zealot, but a dinner with a group of pals last night may have turned me around.

The bone-in fillet may well have been the best steak I've ever had. Really well-flavored, tender and cooked perfectly.

And while there was no Bob's carrot, the array of sides presents a lot of variety and decadence. We shared potato croquettes, creamed corn and broccolli. Only the broccosparagus was unremarkable.

Appetizers were excellent too. The Jumbo shrimp cocktail had a great remoulade. Garlic bread with blue cheese was fought over.

Salads went beyond the usual lazy wedge. I had a great pile of alternating layers of tomato and red onion smothered in Gorgonzola dressing.

The service was excellent -- not over-officious like at many pricey steak houses. The server even helped us play a prank on the pennypincher in the group by faking a higher tab when presenting the check.

Highly recommend, although I also recommend an expense account. Food prices are a decent value, but even more so than most places, the wine markup was extreme.

On Nick & Sam's