Eating the D 100: Best Random Finds

You know how you get stuck in a rut, want to try a new restaurant, but don't have any clue where to go. Here's a list(from the list) about the best random finds we encountered on the list. Sure, there are others, but these are our tops recommendations if you're looking to change up your usual weekend dining plans:

1. Mr. Wok – This is the restaurant I have told more people about than any other. It’s a hole in the wall in an old Pizza Inn in Plano and it is the best Chinese food in town. Call ahead to make sure they’ll save a Peking Duck for you. And BYOB.
2. Wingfields – This burger is amazing. But I am not kidding you when I tell you to call in your order ahead of time. Seriously, there is nowhere to wait and nowhere to sit, and expect to be doling out cash to panhandlers who walk by while you wait in your car. Also, you might want to take an SUV since my $6 burger turned into an $800 burger thanks to a pothole so big and deep that it cracked my headlight. Thanks Dallas streets.
3. Tei Tei Robata Bar– Two words – River Crabs. They’re small, adorable, crunchy, delicious, and Tei Tei has them. Go early to get a table, or show up later and plan to spend some time cooling your heels and people-watching in the bar. Try the more adventurous items on the menu and you’ll be pleasantly surprise, but you should definitely get the beef on the hot rock. It sounds gimmicky, but it melts in your mouth.
4.  Meshack’s Bar-B-Que Shack – This truly an old white BBQ shack with a window. So glad we found this BBQ in Garland. It’s definitely on the list for some of the best BBQ in town. Go early or they might run out of what you want.
5.  Urban Crust – The Sig-O and I had the misfortune of living north of 635 for a few years. Urban Crust made living in the northern hinterlands much more tolerable by giving us an upscale pizza place that has a killer rooftop bar (32 degrees) for pre or post-dinner cocktails. If you happen to be up north, definitely check out Urban Crust or its sister Urban Rio.

The Sig-O and I are still "discussing" who will make the overall top 5, but we've got a few other lists coming your before then so check back to be In the Know!

I Ate the D 100 AKA Much Respect for Nancy Nichols

In June of 2013, D Magazine finally printed their list of the Top 100 restaurants in Dallas. This isn’t an annual list, or even a biennial list. It’s been a while since they last published that list, but knowing how we all love a good list so we can compare notes(scores) with friends, the good folks at D, more specifically Food and Travel Editor Nancy Nichols, put together the list of the top 100.

I generally read D cover to cover the day it arrives in our mailbox(don’t judge), so I remember when the issue came out. I remember turning to the Sig-O when I saw the list and saying, “We should do this. We should eat at all 100 top restaurants.” How on Earth I managed to snag someone who would blindly join me on this quest to #EatTheD100 is beyond me, but the Sig-O said, “Sure. Why not?” So the quest began.

A few clarifications before I go on. We did not do all 100 in the time since the list came out. We’ve been in Dallas about 15 years, so if we had already been to one on the list, it counted. If one of us had been to the restaurant, but the other had not, it could still count – those amounted to less than five restaurants each. As people who eat out a fair bit, vary their restaurant choices and have adventurous palates, we (I) were pretty disappointed when we had been to just over 50 of the top 100.

While we’re not in 100 percent agreement with where restaurants were placed on the list, we really have no qualms for the majority who made the list. Were there some that should have been on the list but weren’t included? Of course. Were there some that were on the list that probably shouldn't have been? Probably. Were there any who absolutely didn't belong on the list? Yes, but only one and I’m not going to front them out publicly because someone still has to make a living and feed their family from that restaurant, but hopefully not feed them food from that restaurant. What about the ones that closed? Yes, we made it to all of those before they closed.

I now completely understand why Nancy gets tired of the “what’s the best restaurant in Dallas” question. Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time we’ve been asked that question, I would be able to go back to all of our favorites on the list and probably still have a little cash in my pocket for a drink at the Windmill. I’m by no means a restaurant critic, but I have gained a new found respect for those who have to eat for a living. Personally, I’ll stick to food as a hobby rather than a living. And I’m never attacking a list of 100 again.

I knew this adventure would eventually end up on the blog, but I’m not going to bore you with reviews of all 100.  Because we all love lists, we’ve created “Best Of” lists from the Top 100 list. Yep, lists from lists, mind blown! I’m breaking these lists up over several days, so check back later for the next installment. 

Decks in The Park This Thursday at Klyde Warren Park

For all the details, check out www.DecksInThePark.com 

Texas Food Truckin' Fest at Globe Life Park in Arlington April 25-26

You love food trucks. Who doesn't? Well, the best food trucks from around the state are set to be at the Globe on April 25th and 26th so you can finally check out that great food truck from Austin or Houston that you keep hearing about. Plus, all your Dallas favorites will be there too. 

You can get discount admission to the fest by bringing a non-perishable food donation for the North Texas Food Bank. Here's where you can get all the deets.

Planning Your Next Picnic Date

You know how it goes. She(or maybe he) wants to go on a picnic at the Lake or the park because it's romantic. You kind of agree, assuming you can get past the sitting on the ground, bugs crawling around, and the bikers whizzing past you. But grocery bags aren't sexy, not even the ones from Central Market. So what's a girl or guy to do if you don't have your own cute picnic basket? The smart folks over at Scardello have you covered.

Scardello has picnic baskets available for rent. Inside the basket you'll find everything you need for the perfect picnic, packed with artisan cheeses, sliced baguette and wine along with glasses, plates, and all of the other service items you need to make your picnic a fantastic success! The best part is that they handle all the unfun parts of the picnic - packing, dishes and cleanup. And you're in the know about cheese or wine? That's ok too since you can customize to your hearts content and they'll provide the basket. Prices start at $49.95 and include the cheese and wine. Here's the rest of the deets from Scardello.

And just think, if it happens to be one of those very, very special picnics and you get a "yes," you can always register for your own picnic basket.

Spring Break Block Party in the Dallas Arts District!

On March 14th (Friday!), Dallas Arts District is helping you celebrate Spring Break by closing down Flora and Harwood streets to throw an EPIC Arts Block Party!

Starting at 6:00 pm, the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Collection of Asian Art, and Nasher Sculpture Center are hosting this free family event. Grab dinner or dessert from gourmet food trucks lining the streets as you enjoy all three museums and participate in special activities, live concerts, guided tours, films, and more!

Click here for all the artsy details.

Texas-Sized Yoga Session on The Bridge this Weekend

It's Thursday afternoon, so you're no doubt planning your weekend as you read this. How many times have you thought to yourself while driving over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, "Ugh, if I could just get out of my car and do yoga on the bridge, my life would be so much better." Well, Saturday, you'll get your chance thanks to the Trinity Commons Foundation. See the details below, or check out their site.

WHAT
Yoga on the Bridge is a Texas-sized yoga session that will be held in the middle of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, directly below the center white arch.

WHEN
Saturday, March 1, 1 p.m.

CLASSES

A one-hour open level yoga class will run side-by-side with a 45-minute family yoga class. Open level yoga is designed for adults who are new to yoga as well as for experienced practitioners. Instructors and assistants will ensure you have a satisfying experience. The family yoga class is designed for adults and children.

COST
Adults may participate for a minimum $5 donation per person. Your tax-deductible donation supports the non-profit Trinity Commons Foundation and its goal to turn the Trinity River Corridor into Dallas' Central Park. Children may participate for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

LOCATION
Yoga on the Bridge will take place in the middle of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge over the Trinity River in Dallas, TX. Access will be from the west end of the bridge (Singleton Blvd. at North Beckley Ave.). Parking will be available in Trinity Groves and on nearby streets. Some street closures will be in place for other All Out Trinity events. Please consult the map found here.

SPONSORS
Presented by the Trinity Commons Foundation as part of All Out Trinity, the second-annual Yoga on the Bridge is sponsored by SYNC Yoga & Wellbeing and Clairevista Vitality Club.

INSTRUCTORS
Yoga instructors include Jennifer Lawson, Mike Luckock, Julie Wright and Stephanie Spett.

Brace Yourself . . . Big Texas Beer Fest is Coming

The Sig-O and I hit up the Big Texas Beer Fest last year and it was AMAZING. Featuring local beers, as well as some very not local (aka international) beers, this is a contender for one of the best beer festivals in town. Tickets are already on sale, and are likely to sell out (particularly the VIP tickets). VIP is the way to go if you've got the cash to spend (Just found out VIP has already sold out!), otherwise you'll likely find yourself in a line that snakes around the Automobile Building at Fair Park.(Also found out that they took note of that last year and are staffing up with lots of volunteers to fix this). I know we've got this one on our calendar again and are looking forward to checking out some new brews as well as revisiting favorites. www.bigtexasbeerfest.com  

Take Your Pup to Paws on the Prairie at Trinity River Audubon Center

Join Trinity River Audubon Center for the 2nd annual Paws on the Prairie on February 8th, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.. Normally they're bird-watching and tracking wildlife, so this is the one day a year that domestic pets are allowed on their 120 acres and 5 miles of trails.  Learn how you and your dog can help the environment. Exercise mind and body with a fun dog agility course. Don't have a pet? They've got you covered too since you can take home a new friend through their pet adoption partners. Free Family Fun! Great food and doggie giveaways too. Free admission with a $5 parking suggested donation. Click here for all the details

Suburbia Music Festival Presale Code

LIVE NATION ANNOUNCES DAVID GUETTA, ALABAMA SHAKES AND J. COLE AS PART OF THE LINE-UP FOR THE FIRST-EVER SUBURBIA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Festival To Be Hosted By The City Of Plano, TX On May 3 & 4, 2014

Festival Line-Up Of World Class Pop, Rock, Dance, Folk Rock, Alt Country, Singer/Songwriter and Urban Music Artists Includes Tegan and Sara, Violent Femmes, Third Eye Blind, The Dandy Warhols And Many, Many More

The day by day festival line-up to be announced soon! Be sure to check back often at:
Website: www.suburbiamusicfest.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SuburbiaFestTX
Facebook: www.facebook.com/suburbiamusicfestival
Instagram: www.instragram.com/suburbiamusicfest
Be part of the Suburbia Music Festival conversation: #suburbiafest

Junior Associates of the DMA are throwing a FREE Party!

The Junior Associates of the DMA are bringing the party to the Dallas Museum of Art for their annual and highly anticipated event, Curators' Choice. Junior Associates are encouraged to bring their friends for a fun cocktail party, complete with tunes by DJ Mark, and a photo booth from CultureMap Dallas, followed by brief tours where you have the chance to hear curators and local artists talk about their favorite piece in the collection. It's free for anyone to come, click here to RSVP.

WHEN Friday, January 24 6:30 - 9 pm WHERE Dallas Museum of Art 1717 N. Harwood St. Dallas, TX 75201

State Fair of Texas Ticket Deals!

Nobody should pay full price for tickets to the State Fair, which opens Friday. Here's a round up of the ticket deals (Thanks to the fabulous people at CultureMap):

North Texas Food Bank deals: On opening day, anyone who brings in a full 20 ounce Coca-Cola product or Dasani water will get into the fair for $6. Also, NTFB has teamed up with Kroger for a special deal every Wednesday, where everybody who brings in at least three cans of food gets in for $3. That means 3 cans for each person. Don’t try to get in a crowd on 3 cans.

It's good to be a senior: Sure, seniors — anyone 60 and over — already get a $4 discount from the regular price, but every Thursday during the State Fair is Senior Day, where those lucky folks can get in absolutely free.

McDonald's coupons: Eat at any area McDonald's, and you're likely to get a coupon for $3 off general admission, good for any day at the fair. They also have a coupon where a child can get in for half price when an adult pays full price, a discount of $6.50.

Dr Pepper deals: Make sure to save up those empty Dr Pepper cans, as each one is good for $5 admission on Tuesdays or $8 admission any day after 5 pm.

Coca-Cola Thursdays: In addition to the opening-day deal, every Thursday is Coca-Cola Thursday, where an empty 20-ounce bottle is good for $6 admission.

Dickies Day: Forget the Coke bottles on Thursday, October 3 — just make sure to wear any piece of clothing with a Dickies logoon it, and you'll get in for free.

Cinemark Thursdays: Movie lovers can trade one piece of entertainment for another on any Thursday, as a ticket stub from any Cinemark theater gets you in for free.

KISS-FM Fridays: Go to the KISS-FM site and print the coupon for $5 off general admission on any Friday. Make sure to print a coupon for every person in your group.

Discount on Midway rides: Saving on ticket prices is one thing, but everyone knows it's the rides and the food that really drive up the cost. If you go on any Tuesday, though, all rides except for thrill rides and the Texas Star are only six coupons, a savings of anywhere between two to six coupons (or $1-$3) per ride.

Friday Night Date Night Plan - 'Til Midnight at the Nasher

It's Wednesday, you've got a date set up for Friday, but you have no idea what to do. Dinner and a movie seems so cliche. No worries, we've got it handled for you with a free concert and movie at the Nasher. Oh, and the art, don't forget to look around while you're enjoying the concert and movie so you can check out the incredible sculpture at the Nasher, and we're not just talking about your date.

Cans for Cans Food Drive with Real Ale Benefiting North Texas Food Bank!

Dallas Theater Center Introduces All-You-Can-Watch Stage Pass

Introducing DTC Stage Pass!

For the lover of live entertainment, the on-a-whim decision-maker and the life-of-the-party friend. Dallas Theater Center has a brand new way to see theater — DTC Stage Pass. 

DTC Stage Pass is like a gym membership for on-stage entertainment. For $25 per month, you can attend as many DTC performances as you'd like. And you don't have to make any real plans. Just show up to the theater an hour or so before show time and get the best available ticket for that performance. If your friends tag along, you can get them 15% off the regular ticket price. They'll think you're awesome. With DTC Stage Pass, you can binge-watch your favorite shows for just $25 per month*! 
Click here for all the details

Free Produce at the Dallas Farmer's Market This Weekend!

For National Farmers Market Week in Dallas, Chipotle will encourage shoppers to buy locally from the Dallas Farmers Market by offering the first 250 market-goers who visit the Chipotle tent $10 currency tokens (redeemable for produce at the market) both Sat. and Sun., Aug. 10 and 11. Farmers then redeem the tokens to receive the full cash value. In addition, Chipotle will be onsite until noon both days providing "Grow Your Own" cilantro seed packets and Chipotle recipe cards for classic menu items like its famous guacamole and salsa, plus a buy-one, get-one card, good for a free entrée with the purchase of any burrito, burrito bowl, salad or tacos at any area Chipotle location. Click here for more details.

Dallas Arboretum Dollar Days Start Thursday!

The Dallas Arboretum is offering up the chance to explore its grounds for just $1 next month. The August Dollar Days program allows guests of all ages to enter the Arboretum in exchange for pocket change from 9 am to 5 pm. The $1 admission excludes parking. Sounds like a great time to take the kids, visiting guests, or even your Sig-O to the Arboretum.

Tomorrow is Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo

Got Thursday plans? Consider changing them. Thursday is Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo, with $1 admission and dollar deals all day. That means $1 for selected snack items, including canned drinks, hot dogs and ice cream, $1 to feed the lorikeets and yes, kids 2 and younger are still free.

The program, presented by MetroPCS, will run all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Say hi to  our zoo friendsand send us some cute pictures while you’re there. You may want to consider taking DART (the Red line goes straight to the entrance); parking remains $8.

Why You Have to Go See Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The Sig-O and I were fortunate enough to go see Dallas Summer Musical's Priscilla, Queen of the Desert last night, and I've got to be honest, I'm checking our calendar to see if we might be able to go see it again. It was that much fun.

Was it the fabulous costumes that made us want to up our Halloween game? Maybe. Was it the fun music that had us singing along and will undoubtedly leave us singing "It's Raining Men!" for days? Yes.  Was it the cast of drag queens and more that was entertaining, interactive and spot-on? Hell yes. I'm not going to lie, I was a Priscilla virgin before last night. I was too young when the original movie came out and just never got around to seeing it, but now I've already told the Sig-O to put it at the top of the Netflix queue. It's likely the gayest musical you'll ever see, but that's the point. And everyone, gay, straight, young-ish and older, was having a great time. Go get your tickets ASAP because Priscilla is wheel's up on May 26: http://www.dallassummermusicals.org/shows_priscilla.shtm

 

Dallas Symphony Free Community Summer Concerts Announced!

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra announced its 2013 Community Concerts Series starting on Monday, May 27, with the popular Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display at Flagpole Hill. The series includes four outdoor concerts in different Dallas parks and neighborhoods.

The 2013 Dallas Symphony Orchestra Community Concerts Series Schedule:

Monday, May 27, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display at Flagpole Hill

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Exall Park

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Kidd Springs Park

Tuesday, June 11, 2013 - 8:00 p.m.

Paul Quinn College

Click here to get all the details.