Don't Talk to Me, I'm Eating (really good pizza)

Margherita Pizza at Cavalli in Irving

At this stage in my life I tend to judge every pizza by Brooklyn standards. It was an article in the Dallas Morning News today that had Cavalli Pizza in Irving living up to Italian standards that was cause for me to head to this nearby suburb this evening. Cavalli Pizza did not disappoint, at least by Brooklyn standards.

These Italian standards come from something called the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) and determine things like the purity of the ingredients and the temperature of the ovens. Kind of reminds me of the German purity laws for beer. Whatever the guidelines, if this is the result, I'm sold.

All the pizza's on the menu at Cavalli are personal-sized. Pizza's in Napoli are huge, however. But there was a large pie at another table, so I asked. Turns out if they're not busy, they can make a large pie. The cost $14.95 for Margherita. A personal-sized Margherita is $6.95 or $9.95 depending on what type of mozzarella you want.

Margherita is a favorite, and the gold standard, but we also tried the Contadina, which has sauce, mozzarella  sausage, basil and olive oil.

Cavalli is my new standrad for pizza in Dallas.

3601 Regent Boulevard, Irving

A Walk Through State Thomas

State Thomas is clearly a success story in terms of urban revitalization, but I'm not sure it's one known about much beyond Dallas. I took the opportunity to walk around the area today, with a particular interest in looking at some of the historic houses. 

If this neighborhood was like my former Pittsburgh neighborhood of Deutschtown, there would be a concerted effort to keep commercial uses out of residential buildings. In Deutschtown there's even an effort to keep commercial uses out of some commercial buildings. This is misguided at best and more accurately detrimental to a vibrant urban neighborhood. 

Walking through State Thomas, it is refreshing to see many office and light retail uses in buildings built for residential purposes. It neither detracts nor seems to keep residents from wanting to live there. 

Another thing that hasn't been welcomed in neighborhoods like Deutschtown is higher-density development. Yet here in State Thomas most of the newer development is at a far higher-density than the blocks with single-family homes. Restaurants, nail salons and coffee shops are mixed in, helping to make State Thomas a great place to live. Like Deutschtown, State Thomas is within walking distance to downtown. 

It is worth remarking that what can be lost on older neighborhoods like Deutschtown with more to work with is obvious in State Thomas.

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Macho Nacho for Lunch

We first walked into Macho Nacho at Cedar Springs and Throckmorton during the Cedar Springs Merchant's wine walk a few weeks ago. They offered us some free nachos with our free wine. That in itself should be reason enough to come back. But the place just looks cool. 

At lunch today we found a refreshing twist on some old favorites. No black or refried beans here. The choice is refried white or pinto beans. Neither of us tried a nacho dish, but Greek God tacos with lamb were particularly tasty. Most dinners are prices around $10.

French Toast, Dallas Style

French Toast from Eatzi's

Until recently I thought of French toast as something powdery and on the light side. In Dallas it seems to be somewhat consistently served like a brick. With syrup it takes on the consistency of Crisco. I thought this was local to one restaurant, but my experience has been repeated much to my dismay. What's with this thick bread?

Summer Kick-off in the Arts District

When's the last time you saw a line at an art museum approaching ten p.m.? Dallas kicked off summer with an annual block party Friday evening including a well-attended, free outdoor concert by The Polyphonic Spree. The Dallas Museum of Art stays open until Midnight the third Friday of each month.

Grapevine to Host Dallas Vintage Jewelry Show

Promoters recently announced Grapevine, Texas will be home to a new show focusing entirely on vintage jewelry. Vintage dealer Melissa Sands and Promoter Eric Miller have teamed up to bring the show to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“It’s rarely a question of if vintage jewelry will sell,” says Sands adding that while everyone loves vintage jewelry, the most typical jewelry buyer falls right in line with the demographics in North Dallas. “There’s already been an enthusiastic response to the show. This is an ideal specialty show for the region.”

Dealers will be bringing a variety of vintage costume jewelry along with vintage and antique fine jewelry to the Grapevine Convention Center, March 16-17, 2012.

Sands says the dates were chosen to provide an opportunity for dealers to add a show while traveling to Texas for Round Top. She also says preliminary interest from dealers has been strong and expects to fill the 23,000 square foot convention center.

The Grapevine Convention Center was chosen because of it’s easy access and location among some of Dallas’s most prominent suburbs. Moreover, the town is an attraction in itself.

“Grapevine is located among the regions most vibrant suburbs including Southlake, Westlake and Colleyville in the fourth largest MSA in the country and is easily accessible from throughout the region,” Miller says.

Dallas and Fort Worth residents are already accustomed to visiting Grapevine for other shows and festivals and Miller says the location also means dealers will have an enjoyable destination. “Having an enjoyable experience is an important component to both wanting to travel to a show and having another reason to come back,” Miller says.

The traditional Main-Street neighborhood with shops, restaurants and wine-tasting rooms is within walking distance of the Convention Center. There are plenty of comfortable hotel options at all price levels.

About the Dallas Vintage Jewelry Show: The Dallas Vintage Jewelry Show will be held March 16 and 17, 2012. Some fifty dealers are expected. The hours for the show will be Friday, 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. with Happy Hour 5:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dealers should contact Melissa Sands at 847-579-9079. Eric Miller can be reached at 214-329-9733. More information is available at www.dallasvintagejewelry.com.

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Sushi, Noodles and Rice on Lemmon

Wai Wai,  4315 Lemmon Ave

Stopped into a little Asian fusion restaurant on Lemmon Avenue near Wycliff for dinner this evening. It's in a shopping plaza and from the road it could be anything from a dingy little place to something else. The atmosphere was a pleasant surprise, however with somewhat of a big city fusion feel. Electronic screens and well-illustrated menus make it easy to order and the prices are quite reasonable too. This evening there was also a sake and domestic beer special. Not much into light beers, I chose the sake, which despite being from different countries, paired well with the Tofu  Pad Thai. Check it out!