There are many delicious secrets to discover within this little Highland Park chocolaterie. It’s not just any chocolate shop, it’s a boutique. The handcrafted chocolates made by Kate Graver (formerly of Nobu and Stephan Pyles) are positively inspiring. Resembling rich jewels, pretty flowers and colorful buttons, each one is transformed, molded and then carefully airbrushed to perfection. She even makes little chocolate stilettos and handbags my friend T. calls “Jimmy Chocs”. There’s a wine bar with jazz on weekends and a tiny little creperie.
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February 15, 2011
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother – Itty Bitty Foodies Style
No doubt we’ve all heard of Amy Chua’s new parenting memoir “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” . When I first read her article “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior” on the Wall Street Journal, I thought it was a satirical piece and kept waiting for the punchline. I read in horror the part about her daughter, Lulu (age 7) when she couldn’t play “The Little White Donkey” and Chua writes, “We worked right through dinner into the night, and I wouldn’t let Lulu get up, not for water, not even to go to the bathroom”. (Watch a video of a different 7 year old girl here playing it. Note - it’s not an easy piece). I felt polarized over the article and judging by the 7000+ comments posted on the article, I’m not the only one.
Feelings of outrage are easily understandable. I would never call my children, ‘garbage’ nor will I force my children to those extremities (no dinner? no bathrooms breaks over a piece of music? That’s not me). But it was being sympathetic to Chua that conflicted me the most.
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February 9, 2011
Royal China Dallas Restaurant
You may wonder why we chose Royal China as the venue for a celebratory meal on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Tucked on the corner of Preston and Royal, Royal China’s customers are predominantly non-Asian dining on the ubiquitous American Chinese favorites like orange chicken or beef and broccoli. Even the children’s menu features nuggets and rice. But Royal China surprisingly has some of the most authentic Chinese dishes in Dallas and the answer lies in the hands of Zhang Xue Liang, Royal China’s noodle chef and his crew of dumpling makers.
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February 3, 2011
Gong Xi Fa Cai – Happy Chinese New Year!
新年快樂
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE GOLDEN RABBIT
JOY, PEACE, HEALTH AND PROSPERITY
It is the first day of the Lunar New Year. Although it is commonly known as Chinese New Year, many other countries with significant Chinese populations such as Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia also partake in the festivities. According to custom, the new year starts on the first day of the month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day.
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February 2, 2011
Maple & Motor – Burgers and Beer
First rule upon entering this gas station turned insanely popular burger joint – line up and order before sitting down. Do not try (or even think about) poaching a seat beforehand. And just like how Mother Nature has a way of moving things along, by the time you order and pay, there’ll be a table free for you. The same applies to the parking lot. Pick up trucks and luxury vehicles alike wait patiently for a spot. And the turnover is quick. Maple & Motor’s ’greased stained tribute to low class cool’ has garnered quite a cult following here in the BigD. No wonder DMagazine honored it with it’s Best Burger accolade 2010. It’s personable owner, Jack Perkins wanders round greeting regulars by name and shaking hands with patrons like old friends.
Perrfection in a burger!
Ok. Now to the burger.
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