Valentine's Dinner at Home Thanks to Civello's

Want to surprise your sweetheart with a homemade Valentine's Dinner rather than fighting the overpriced restaurant crowds, but you don't know how to cook? Do you know how to boil water? If so, Civello's Ravioli has you covered with their adorable heart-shaped stuffed pastas that have been tinted using red beets(just the tint, not beet flavored). They've got four different fillings, so whether your Sig-O prefers cheese or something more exciting, they have your dinner taken care of. Prices range from $10-$20 a dozen (lobster is more expensive then cheese, obviously).

Call 214-827-2989 for the current selections, visit them at http://civellosraviolismo.com/  or swing by the shop on Peak Street. Since you're saving all that money by staying in for dinner, go splurge on a good bottle of Italian wine at Jimmy's Food Store, just up the street.

Restaurant Week Report: Canary By Gorgi

I have to share that we had the most delightful dinner at Canary By Gorgi on Saturday night. We hadn’t been there before, but after looking at Chef Gorgi’s RW menu, and knowing we could cross another off on our quest to eat at all 100 of the D Magazine Top 100 restaurants (we’re at 84 thank-you-very-much), we happily pointed our car north to Addison.

The 4^th course was actually the 1^st course, and was a poached shrimp on a grilled avocado with a puttanesca sauce. The warm tomato sauce and shrimp came together so well with the cooled avocado. We knew that if the rest of dinner was like this, we were certainly in for a treat.

I then had the seared sea scallops, which had a delightful gazpacho salad with them. What a welcome change to have a gazpacho salad rather than the usual, and often not done well, gazpacho soup. The Sig-O loved the escargot. Again, a welcome change being served in a Mediterranean pomodoro sauce rather than the usual garlic butter.

While I’m normally not a steak during RW person, the side of gnocchi with valdeon cream sauce convinced me to try the filet. So glad I did, as this is one of the places in town you can count on to cook your steak to the perfect temperature. When you ask for medium rare, that truly is what comes out, not the more medium pink that many places pass off as MR. The Sig-O was quite pleased with the lamb T-bone and grilled quail, “Wait, I get both.” Yes, it was quite the plate, and proof that Chef Gorgi knows how to treat RW diners right. When the table gets suddenly quiet after the entrees are brought, that is generally a good sign. We both agreed that this was one of the better RW menus we experienced.

But wait, there’s more! Desserts were the chocolate liqueur cake and the date and Turkish kefir butterfly. What a wonderful flavor juxtaposition we had with those two – chocolate cake was dark deep chocolate with a sweeter icing, while the butterfly was beautifully tart and well complemented by the sweeter date. Chocolate and kefir, what an interesting finish to our meal.

After so many years of RW and countless delicious meals, it’s so refreshing to see Chef Gorgi still embracing Restaurant Week and the cause behind it. More importantly, with his charming demeanor and delicious food, he’s enticed new customers to come back to his lovely little Addison gem. I know we’ve already decided to go back for our anniversary this fall, if not sooner.

Free Grilled Cheese Sandwiches at Norma's to Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day on Friday

You've probably had it marked on your calendar for weeks now, but in case you didn't, Friday(tomorrow!) is National Grilled Cheese Day. And your friends at Norma's are helping celebrate by giving free grilled cheese sandwiches to those who go by tomorrow. Word on the street is they've created a new one stuffed with (wait for it). . . . mac & cheese and bacon. That sounds like a plan.

Savor is Heading West, At Least to West Dallas

It's no secret that we're big fans of Savor Dallas, but we're definitely fans of the new addition to the weekend festivities - Savor Trinity Groves!

It's an exciting preview taste of the new restaurant and retail incubator Trinity Groves, Thursday March 14th from 6:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m.. Just cross over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and join the party featuring food, fun, music and libations.  The list of restaurants is so super secret, they can't even reveal the participating restaurants yet. But, we will as soon as we can.

Celebrate with Stella Artois Beer, premium wines, and great entertainment.

The evening benefits "Hunger Busters".

Taste delicious food, and experience the unveiling of Dallas' newest foodie destination, as you Savor Trinity Groves. Tickets are $40 per person, and include all food and beverages offered. Get tickets at www.SavorDallas.com. Easy access on your mobile: www.SavorDallasTickets.com

Free Food at Cafe Brazil Today

Café Brazil is celebrating four years at its Bishop Arts District location. Today from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., diners can get a free entrée and dessert with the purchase of a beverage.

The offer is good for dine-in only, and they ask to "please tip your server generously." And, again, it's only at the location at 611 N. Bishop Avenue.

Free Crazy Tacos at Rock & Roll Taco Through May 5

Rabbit, wild hog, shark and "mystery" are among the taco flavors Dos Equis is bringing to Dallas for its Feast of the Brave promotion (the press release hints that the mystery involves iguana). Each taco comes with a "bravery score" and Dallas is facing off against five other cities to see which can get the most points.

James Quiñonez of Rock and Roll Tacos will be the chef behind the unusual offerings. A truck will be in Dallas today through May 5 at various locations (location info under the Feast of the Brave tab here). One free taco per person while supplies last.

Free Cone Day from Ben & Jerry's Tomorrow!

Beer Dinner at Katy Trail Ice House Tonight

Free Cupcakes at Sprinkles Tonight

Sprinkles is handing out free cupcakes tonight between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. to promote its newly expanded hours.

One per customer. Anything in the case. No purchase necessary.

The fabulous cupcake bakery at Preston Center, at the southeast corner of Preston Road and Northwest Highway.

The store's new hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Spice & Wine Dinner at Samar Tonight

Looking for a fun weeknight date night? Samar's Spice & Wine Dinner is a great option that will break you out of that same old routine. Check it out:

$1 Bubbly but you have to go to FW. But it's still $1 bubbly

Dish is Turning Two and You Get to Celebrate

Free Wine Tasting at Cork Tonight

Free Wine Tasting Tonight

Paternina Spanish Wines Monday, December 19 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Come try some amazing Spanish wines from Paternina winery, including Marques Valparaiso and Conde De Los Andes Rioja. For more details please call the store at 214-780-0373

Cork Wines 3636 Mckinney Ave Dallas, Texas 75204 214-780-0373

Wagyu Beef: It's What Should Be for Dinner

The Sig-O and I were out for a late night date night last night at World Beer Company Bottle Shop (more about that and the awesome beers later) and Carroll from Marbleous Beef Company was there sharing bites of his fabulous Wagyu steaks. And now I think I may be a meat snob b/c me ruined us for all other steaks. The Wagyu steaks are so tender and so delicious that it really may be the only steak I want to eat. Here's a little info about Marbleous and Circle L Ranch in Waxahachie. Eat Local! Give Carroll a call, order some fabulous steaks and he'll even deliver them to you for free!

Food Truck Rally Saturday - The Butcher's Son, Gandolfo's, Ruthie's & The Cup Cakin Machine!

Thursday Night All You Can Eat Ribs at Off the Bone Barbeque

Off the Bone Barbeque introduces THURSDAY NIGHT ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT RIBS SPECIAL! Today, Off the Bone Barbeque announced its new Thursday night all-you-can-eat baby back ribs special. Stop into Off the Bone Barbeque on Thursday from 6:00pm to 9:00pm to enjoy an unlimited quantity of the barbeque spot's famous pork ribs, plus two sides and a soda for just $29.95.

Off the Bone bills itself as a "gourmet" barbeque restaurant, and that attention to flavor and technique is evident in each bite. From the pecan-smoked meats and delicious sides, down to the customer service and comfortable atmosphere, Off the Bone wants every customer to feel like they're sitting down to a family dinner.

Off the Bone is located at 1734 South Lamar Street in Dallas, Tx. In addition to in-store dining, Off the Bone offers a full catering menu for parties and events. For more information, visit www.offthebonebarbeque.com

Harwood Street Market at Dallas Farmers Market Tomorrow

Play with Cows and Get Great Samples at Lucky Layla Customer Appreciation Day Next Saturday

From the Cut and Pate via Eats Blog Division:

Lucky Layla Farms and Lavon Farms hosts a customer appreciation day 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 (that's a Saturday). It's a chance to visit a working dairy farm with tours led by owner Todd Moore. Families are welcome.

There will be plenty of samples on hand, including cheeses and drinkable yogurt, and the farm store will be open, where you can purchase a number of dairy products, including Grade A raw cow's milk. That's the only legal way to purchase raw milk - at the farm. Lavon Farms is at 3721 N. Jupiter Road in Plano.

Tiff's Treats for $3 a Dozen for Charity!

Annual Wine Sale at Jimmy's

20% Off Wine Sale
October 27-29, 2011
Thursday, Friday, Saturday all wine in the store is 20% off.
ALL WINE!
No minimum - No maximum
Sales applies to wine in store NOW 

For those not entirely In The Know, Jimmy's is at Fitzhugh and Bryan. While you're there, grab any of their fabulous Italian specialties or a sandwich. Yes, this sale sounds like a good reason to go on a wine run for lunch and get a great sandwich. You'll thank me.