Today Dishing: Easter Tablescape

It's Spring and it's still cold, but we can hop to it and warm up the house by setting a colorful Easter table. It's eggs-actly what the Doctor ordered to cure our wintertime blues.

This Easter table is all about the bunnies and the eggs.

The egg embellished tablecloth creates the base for this whimsical tablescape.
                                              
Plastic eggs fill glass jars and green grass tops the eggs.The illusion of bunnies jumping from jar to jar is achieved by using graduated sized jars.

Large bunny ears top off the center jar and serve as the focal point for the table.
                                                                                       
Glitter enhanced eggs  hang from the chandelier and provide interest above the table.

The large bunny ears, the green bunnies and the glitter eggs are available at Pier 1.

Villeroy & Boch green charger plates hold pink Kate Spade dinner plates and are topped off with Lenox Floral Fusion salad plates.
                                                   
Using one solid and one patterned napkin, held together with bunny napkin rings, adds contrast and color to the table.

The finished product, tells a story, lightens the space and readies us for the warmth to come.

                                               
                                                                             

Today Dishing: Baked Red Snapper

Intending to make a quick spaghetti dinner yesterday, I went to Whole Foods to pick up a few ingredients.

In front of the fish department, whole red snappers were displayed in a bed of ice.  They were beautiful and on sale. Time to adjust the dinner menu.

I've never cooked a red snapper but I have made a whole salmon, which was not difficult and thinking the same  rules must apply, I was up to the challenge. New menu: Baked Red Snapper and linguini with white clam sauce. (Little neck clam were also on sale)

This was an experiment, but it turned out very well.

Meet my friend, Mr. Red Snapper.

                                                
INGREDIENTS
1 2-3 pound whole red snapper
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4-6 sprigs flat leaf parsley (thyme could also be used)
1 lemon, cut into moons
3 cloves garlic, smashed
Salt and Pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS
Lay the fish on a large piece of aluminum foil.
Stuff the fish with all but four lemon moons, parsley, butter and garlic.

Pour olive oil over the fish to cover the skin.
Cut 3-4 diagonal slits across the fish.
Stuff the slits with lemon moons.

Liberally salt and pepper the fish.
For this dinner, I arranged the clams around the fish.

Cover the fish with another piece of foil and crimp edges to form a tight seal,
Place the entire package on a baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

The finished product.

Yep, it's that easy. It makes a dramatic presentation, but watch out for the bones.

As a stand alone entree one fish this size feeds two to three people. For the same amount of work and similar cost, a whole salmon produces more edible fish.

Today Dishing: Bishop Arts District- Dallas

After two days exploring the attractions of downtown Dallas, I spent the next five days in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. This once elite residential area fell to economic distress in the 1960's. In an attempt to breathe new life into the area the Bishop Arts District arose in the 1980's.

The primarily two block section offers a myriad of quaint shops and eating establishments ranging from Texas BBQ to fine dining.

During my brief stay, I availed myself of as many of these eateries as time allowed. What follows is a compilation of the spots visited along with a quick assessment.

TILLMANS ROADHOUSE
This cowboy chic restaurant was referenced in the Day One of Dallas blog. Enjoyable dining experience with really good food.

Photo courtesy of Bishop Arts web page.

 ODDFELLOWS
After three unsuccessful attempts to dine here, we finally met with success and dined on breakfast  for dinner with waffles and fried chicken and short rib hash. Are you kidding me? Well worth the wait.

Photo courtesy of Bishop Arts web page.

 BOULEVARDIER
This French neighborhood  bistro offers some of the best oysters I've ever eaten.                                                                                             


GLORIA'S
This renovated 1920's firehouse serves Tex-Mex and Salvadoran cuisine. The margarita alone is worth the trip but the food is authentic and exceptional.

Photo courtesy of Bishop Arts web page.

HUNKY'S

Directly from the set of "Happy Days" the only thing missing is the Fonze. This retro diner setting offers juicy old fashioned burgers dripping with nostalgia.

Photo courtesy of Bishop Arts web page.

LOCKHART'S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ
Make no mistake about it, this is Texas BBQ with no frills. It's all about the meat here. Stand in line, place your order by the pound and watch as the beef is cut off the brisket then wrapped in paper along with two slices of plain white bread. Meat so tender, no knife required. This is the kind of meal you get a  hankering for once you return home.                                                                               

                                

                                                                        

                                                                                           Photo courtesy of Bishop Arts web page.

                                                                                 
WHITEHALL EXCHANGE
Sunday morning brunch found us sipping bold bloody Mary's here. Mimosa's by the pitcher is the other Sunday morning specialty. Delightful! 

When visiting Dallas,  a visit to the Bishop Arts District must be included on your "to do" list.

Today Dishing: BLT Salad

Made this salad to accompany homemade pizzas. It is colorful and delicious.

                                              
BLT  Salad

2 entree size servings

2 cups butter lettuce, chopped
2 cups fresh arugula, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
4 slices thick-cut bacon, fried and crumbled
1 cup sweet corn
1 avocado, chopped
1/2 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4 ounces feta, crumbled
1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 lime, juiced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Combine lettuce, arugula, tomatoes, corn, garbanzo beans and avocado in a large bowl.
Mix together salt, pepper, olive oil and lime juice and add to salad.
Add bacon and feta and toss into salad.

Enjoy this quick and easy salad as an entree or side salad.

Today Dishing: Day Two in Dallas

Needing coffee and a quick nosh before embarking on day two, we inquired about a Starbuck's location. "On the next corner", we were told. We sped to the corner and found nothing. The curious thing about Dallas is that there are no retail stores and few restaurants at ground level.  The lack of retail diminishes the amount of foot traffic, thus no people walking around.This is a noticeable difference from what we are accustomed to in Chicago. After making another inquiry, we learned the Starbuck's was located on the basement level  of the commercial building at the corner. Our scavenger hunt over, we ate.

Coffee in hand, we made our way to the light rail station where we boarded for our ten minute ride to The George W. Bush Presidential Library on the campus of SMU. The library offers inter-active and engaging educational activities. One room is dedicated to 911, the day and the activities of the days that followed. In the center of that room stands twisted, charred girders from the World Trade Center. And although , Marianne and I both visited the 911 Memorial in NYC seeing these massive twisted girders was chilling.
                                     
This was my first Presidential Library experience but Marianne has visited four and she ranks this one second to The Kennedy Library. I say this is certainly a worthwhile stop on any trip to Dallas.
Admission: $15.

Opting to walk to the Dallas Arts District we worked up an appetite. Heeding the tip from a parking valet, we headed to Savor. This gastropub is located in the 5.2 acre deck park which provides green space to the downtown area. The food delighted us, the activities in the deck park entertained us and "the see and be seen" crowd in the restaurant enchanted us.

Located in the center of the Dallas Arts District, the Cathedral Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in 1898, allowed us a few  minutes of quiet reflection amidst elaborate stained glass windows.

The Dallas Arts District plays home to the Nasher Sculpture Garden  and Museum. Coming from Chicago we were perplexed by the large concrete wall  around the garden limiting people passing from enjoying the art. The garden as well as the museum  offers a worthwhile use of your time.
Admission: $10

The Nasher Sculpture Garden

                                       
Drake, the concierge at the Adolphus reserved seating for us at Dakota's. Dakota's sits on a plot of land formerly occupied by a Baptist Church. The land acquisition stated no alcohol could ever be sold "on" that property. For that reason Dakota's is one floor below street level. A ride down a glass elevator to a subterranean courtyard reveals a five tiered waterfall. The art deco/beaux arts architecture provides a stunning backdrop to this unique dining experience. I  recommend this spot for both the food and the circuses.

This day again ended with wine and chocolate cake in the lobby of the Adolphus.

I stayed in Oakcliff for four additional days but Marianne flew home late Saturday afternoon but not before checking out Old Red.  The following is her assessment of Old Red.

Below is the interior of Old Red where I spent three hours.  Built in 1892 as a courthouse, it now is an extraordinary museum covering the history of Dallas County with many interactive exhibits, films, and artifacts. Most interesting of the latter are Clyde Barrow's gun, Tom Landry's fedora, a KKK hood, a flapper wedding dress bought in 1925 from Neiman Marcus, and the handcuffs worn by Lee Harvey Oswald. 

Lee Harvey Oswald was held at the old Municipal Building on Main with an exit on Commerce. He was being transferred to the Criminal Courts building (across from Old Red) when he was shot.

Last note about the Adolphus: After visiting Old Red Marianne tripped and fell. Upon reaching the Adolphus, the concierge called for the hotel car and directed the driver to take her to a  near-by Primary Care facility. While the Doctor checked her and bandaged her leg, the driver remained with her the entire time. When released the driver drove her to the airport and refused any payment.... even a tip. Instead he told her to enjoy a glass of wine and relax before boarding the plane.

Now if that's not going above and beyond, I don't know what is. A big shout out to the Adolphus and it's staff. We strongly recommend this hotel.

Honestly, if you plan well two or three days is sufficient to explore Dallas. Our unsuccessful attempts to dine at Wolfgang Puck's Five Sixty in Reunion Tower leave us with reason to return.

The "lights at night are big and bright...."

                                         

 

In days to come, I will include a blog about the eight establishments I dined at in the Bishop's Arts District.

Today Dishing: Dallas in Two Days, Y'All

Can you make a dent in discovering a city in two days time? This was the challenge taken up by my friend Marianne and me. Destination: Dallas, Texas. Time Allowed: 80 hours.

Twenty-nine hours of our allotted time included the road trip to Dallas, which got us to Norman Oklahoma the first day.  We lucked out by finding a Charleston's Restaurant in Norman steps away from our hotel. A warm cozy dining room, a knowledgeable server and two delicious meals helped us relax and ready ourselves for the next day.

Just three hours out of Dallas, we made it into town mid-morning. Early check-in posed no problem at the Adolphus. The Adolphus, built in 1921, oozes charm and southwestern hospitality. The staff could not have been more helpful and attentive. More on that later.

Our ambitious itinerary, planned by Marianne, required us to check-in, drop our bags and get busy.

First Stop: Dealey Plaza
We walked the planned motorcade route for November 22, 1963, then stopped to check out the changed route. The JFK Memorial sits on the edge of Dealey Plaza. We had totally different reactions to it. Marianne liked it,  whereas it left me cold.

                                   
                                     
  The memorial build in 1970, is designed as an open tomb and symbolizes the freedom of Kennedy's spirit.

This plaque rests adjacent to Elm Street.

 On Elm Street, just outside the former book depository, a white" X"marks the spot where Kennedy was hit by the first shot.  A second white "X" maybe 50 feet farther down Elm marks the spot where the fatal shot hit The President. It has been fifty years since the events of that day and yet I surprised myself by  my emotional reaction to seeing these "X"s. Everything I've ever seen, read or felt about this place poured over me as I stood transfixed gazing at the spot where history was made. The "grassy knoll", the overpass, and the six floor red brick building remain exactly as they were that November day.

The "grassy knoll"

The second of the two white "X"'s

                

 The Sixth Floor Museum presents the window view of Elm Street, films, television footage, single frames of the Zapruder video, Lee Harvey Oswald's cufflinks and much, much more. I believe no one could walk away from all this information without formulating a definitive opinion about much of what occurred  November 22, 1963. This is a must see on any trip to Dallas.
Admission:$16

While still immersed in the assassination story, we ventured to Oakcliff just outside Dallas to see the Texas Theatre where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested. Unable to get inside we settled for pictures of the facade which was refurbished by Oliver Stone for his 1990 film JFK.


While in Oakcliff, we investigated The Bishop Arts District which turned out to be quite the find. This two block area of artisan shops and restaurants offers a diverse selection of food. On that day we sampled St. Simon's oysters at Boulevardier, a French Bistro and dined on truffle oil popcorn and lobster tamales while watching old movie projected on the wall at Tillman's Roadhouse.
                                                                     
A separate blog on the Bishop Arts District will follow at a later date.

Day One ended with a glass of wine in the opulent lobby of the Adolphus. A good day!

Tomorrow: Day Two in Dallas

Today Dishing: Pizza Night

A couple Saturday's ago, we decided to spice things up with homemade pizza night. With the help of Trader Joe's ready made pizza dough, diners selected from a variety of ingredients to create their own

signature pizzas. If you have the time and are up to the challenge, homemade dough most certainly can be used.

                                             

This pizza uses a combination of cream cheese and sour cream with dill as the  base. Smoked salmon, red onion, grape tomatoes and capers top it off. A little squeeze of lemon adds a little zip.
                                               
                                                 
A more rustic pizza starts with the sauce of your choice, prosciutto and parmesan topped with a generous helping of arugula.,


In addition to the signature pizzas, I revisited a recipe I've had for years to make $20 stuffed pizza. It's not Lou Malnati's but amazingly, it's not that far off. And because the dough does not rise before using, it's fast and convenient.


$20 Stuffed Pizza

CRUST
1 cup lukewarm water
1 package (1/4 ounce envelope) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon melted margarine
3-3 1/2 cup flour

TOPPING

1 27 ounce can peeled, stuffed tomatoes
1/2 tablespoon Dell 'Alpe Italian seasoning for pizza, or other pizza spices
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese

FILLING

Let your taste buds be your guide. Remember it's your signature pizza.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

For Crust
Dissolve water in lukewarm water .
Add melted margarine, salt and sugar and mix well.
Slowly add flour until reaching dough consistency.
Divide dough into three rounds.
Set aside one round.
Combine two remaining rounds into one then roll out with rolling pin into a circle.
Grease 10"x2" springform pan.
Mold dough into bottom and sides of pan.

Filling

Prepare your chosen ingredients.
If using Italian sausage, saute it first. Vegetables should also get a quick saute before adding to the pizza.

Topping
Simmer topping ingredients for 5-10 minutes.
Roll out remaining dough round into 10" circle.
Place the circle over the filling
Prick the dough several times with a fork.
Slowly pour topping sauce over top layer of dough.
Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella.

Bake 45-60 minutes.
Cover with foil halfway through.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Italian sausage $20 Stuffed Pizza

                                   

                                                                        Mangia!