Recent posting had me pouting about everyone else’s vacations. Well this past weekend, I got an urban vacation – not Dubai, Maccuhu Pichu, Steamboat Springs, NYC, nor Alaska. FS and FSTBDIL came to Dallas (no further) and we met them at a hotel. FW (I will probably get in trouble for that…or at least questioned) Deb found a deal on two rooms at the Intercontinental Hotel through Hot Wire. Side note, that hotel is appropriately named as it truly was a vast, interesting blend of cultures and nationalities walking through the lobby. They even had a Larry-guy singing Frank Sinatra songs in the lizard lounge, and I would venture a guess Ol’ Blue Eyes is not on the top seller list in New Delhi.

Two nights in Dallas is what we mustered. The company was delightful as always, but let me plug a few words about a favorite subject of mine: that would be f-o-o-d, and add a few comments about destinations visited.

Late night dinner Friday had us trading jabs with Panchito the Waiter at On The Border. What a great guy. Originally from California, I asked him whether he prefered TexMex over CalMex – he gave me a “come on guy” look and simply said he lived all but the last 2 years of his life in San Bernardino and went and got me more iced tea (I guess that means CalMex). He was a lot of fun as he sat down at our table twice just to visit with us during our meal. Side Story: Last time that happened we were at Chick’s for a hamburger when Chick himself (know him very well BTW) sat down after our meal was delivered at his restaurant and boldly proceeded to eat most of my French-a-Fries. In between his stories, all Chick would say, with a mouth full of potatoes, “these are delicious”. Sorry that had nothing to do with this past weekend. Imagine that: giving a waiter some grief and keeping him from his other tables, just so he could return the favor to me/us. I like to think we were just so interesting to him he wanted to quit his job and become part of our family. Panchito took good care of us that evening, and we took good care of him with a more than generous tip.

Saturday lunch had us in Deep Ellum eating burgers at Angry Dog. The Dallas Morning News ranked this restaurant 1 of 5 top burger joints in DFW. It was g-o-o-d. Crowded with sardine-packed tables (I thought about eating the French-a-Fries of the lady sitting next to me…but didn’t – she was a burger snob).

Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff Saturday afternoon was our next stop. Always a treat down there looking and browsing through the many art galleries…and oh yeah, they have a Blue Bell Ice Cream shop down there owned by a Dallas cop (or maybe an ex-Dallas cop). Talked briefly with an artist; Deb bought something from one shop that I don’t think I was suppose to remember (so I don’t). Check out Hunky’s burgers if you go – they’re suppose to be a top burger joint in DFW as well…but I haven’t been.

Rooftop beer drinking at Gators in the West End was the next destination. Now let me just say this about that: don’t go to Gators. On the roof, the pigeons (rats with wings as FD calls them) own the table scraps. Waiters toss crumbs about that creates a flutter of wing flaps over, under, and beside your head. Picture this big ol’ rotund Irish boy with a hand over the beer mug to keep feathers out of the beverage and the other arm thrashing about wildly in the air trying to keep those “things” at arms length…not very attractive I know. You can order a meal on the roof top at Gators…if you want…but don’t…unless you are really hungry. And if you are really hungry at Gators and gotta order a meal, don’t ask for more napkins. We watched a table get their food delivered and then asked for a few more napkins. The waiter headed back to his station and saw some unused napkins on the recently vacated (but not bused) table next to us. He grabbed those napkins and took them back to the table…with a smile and anything else? OK then this: the kicker was that the waiter had the shoo the pigeons off those very same napkins as they were the roost for a pigeon eating off the yet-to-be-bused plates at the table. We left….

Saturday night…OMG. We made reservations at one of my top 3 restaurants picks: Jaxx Cafe in Addison. This retail strip restaurant is a wonder. Deb introduced it to me about 4 years ago (I’ve since out ate her at Jaxx 3 fold times). We ordered a $70 bottle of some-kind-of-wine (Gene the Waiter’s recommendation)…oh wait let me tell you another quick story: Andrew the Waiter used to be my favorite waiter at Jaxx. I asked for him when I made the reservations and the young lady hesitated, then said “Andrew no longer works here”. WUWT? So as Gene was closing us out for the night, I asked him if he knew Andrew. He said he indeed knew of him, and then said “Andrew was let go after the owner found him passed out under the bushes in front of the restaurant one Sunday morning. Apparently Andrew had a nice tip night or something and was able to purchase a spirited beverage bottle-of-something after his shift. (at least he didn’t drink and drive). Andrew is now working tables at Los Lupes Mexican Restaurant in Addison…but I don’t go there – my English translation of Los Lupes is “Loose Stoolies”. Ok, back to the Jaxx meal. I had the Jaxx Pepper Steak – a handsome filet cut of beef with a flavor to savor. Deb ordered the combo appetizer that she liberally shared with all of us, FSTBDIL had calamari (the best calamari I’ve ever tasted comes from the kitchen of Jaxx – better than fresh calamari in San Francisco), and the FS had a filet that was second only to mine. I always cap off my meal – whether it’s lunch or dinner – with Jaxx’s signature desert: white chocolate bourbon-infused bread pudding (somebody bring me a Kleenex I’m crying over here it was so delectable). Have I mentioned the outstanding bar at Jaxx? Nope I haven’t, so let me do so now. The Bar Keeps know their business – they been doing it a number of years. Outstanding selection of my favorite: single malt scotches (they have a Glenmarange Port Wood Finish that will make you pee your pants and slap the pup it’s so gooooooood). Deb enjoys having the Bar Keeps build her a Cosmo for before, during, and after dinner drink(s). We were one of the last tables to finish that night (BTW their hours on the door read “11:00 a.m. till Close” – I like a place that will shut it down when the customer, at their own leisure, is done with their evening at Jaxx). We closed the night by moving to the bar – the other 2 tables and us – to watch Michael “Homely” Phelps win his 8^th gold medal in Beijing. That was entertaining in itself. None of the patrons were feeling their toes, fingers, tongues, etc. and we all hooted and hollered throughout the entire race. All that was missing was flag waving and unison singing of the National Anthem. Jaxx Café: bring the bucks – dinner, wine, and tip will run you at least $50 a head, and it’s well worth it, dammit. Don’t let the façade deter you from going in – GREAT PLACE TO EAT!

Sunday morning brunch found us drinking Mimosas and eating delicious omelets, soups, fruit cups, crab cakes, and Crème Brule at another of my top restaurants (maybe a top 5 this one is). St. Martin’s Wine Bistro on lower Greenville. It is simply outstanding food and service. What more can I say…this: it was voted as The Most Romantic restaurant in Dallas last year. I’ve had their wine and cocktails with a dinner meal also. Let these guys be your guide – they know their spirits. This restaurant is also well worth the $30 per head for a Sunday brunch meal.

We wrapped up our vacation weekend at the Dallas Farmers Market. This place is fun to go to – they got all kinds of fruity sweet things, and things green we are told to eat every day. It’s pretty cool. You can easily drop $20 and have enough perishables to last you a week. The Farmers Market reminds me of an outdoor Sam’s. You can walk through the 2 sheds and sample food for hours before buying anything.  Go hungry, leave full. That’s OK by me – but I don’t freeload mind you…I buy so much produce when I go to Dallas Farmers Market, I end throwing 30% of it away not being able to eat all before it becomes pigeon food.

And that folks is how I spent my summer’s vacation.

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