TO DINING OUT

ASIAN MINT $$ODFBWB Our Highland Park location, The Mint, offers an array of Asian-fused cuisine, specializing in Bangkok style dishes. We feature farm fresh ingredients, beautifully presented, coupled with a chic atmosphere and friendly service. Happy Hour is 5pm-6:30pm Mon.-Fri. – all beers and house wines are $3; $2 off appetizers, soups & salads. 4246 Oak bv Ave. 214.219.6469. The Asian Mint, along with its fused and sushi menus, also offers one of the best dessert bars in Dallas. 11617 N. Central Expwy. 214.363.6655. www.themintdallas.com

BACK COUNTRY BBQ $ WB Over 30 years of Texas-style BBQ. Family dining –8 different meats, variety of homemade vegetables. Complete catering & custom cooking. Beer, wine, margaritas. 6940 Greenville Ave. 214.696.6940.

TEX MEX GRILL $WB If you are looking for great Tex-Mex dining at reasonable prices try Tex Mex Grill and Cafe at the corner of Walnut Hill Lane and Plano Rd. Everything on the menu is quickly prepared using fresh ingredients. Offering a different lunch special each day, beginning at $4.99. Private Party room, seats 40 people. Adult beverages are limited to margaritas and beer. Catering beginning at $6.50 per person. New Hours: Mon- Thurs 11 am - 9 pm, Fri.- Sat. 11 am - 10 pm. 214.343.8740 texmexlakehighland.com

Washington

Wine drinkers are creatures of habit. Once we find like, it’s almost impossible to get us to try something different. That’s one reason why the wine business spends so much time and money on marketing gimmicks, cute wine labels and the like.They know how difficult it is to overcome our lethargy.

But wine should not be that way. There are, at best guess, more than 15,000 different wines on sale in the United States, so it’s not like we don’t have a lot of choices. And there is plenty of quality within that quantity. Wine, whether cheap or expensive, sweet or dry, red or white, has never been better.

Nevertheless, how many times have we said, “But like that,” when someone has suggested we try something new. I’m no different in that regard, and it sometimes takes all my professionalism to taste a wine I going to like.

So, this month, try something that What’s the worst thing that can happen? You’ll discover a new wine? Here are a few suggestions:

Rene Barbier Mediterranean Red ($6). This red blend from Spain doesn’t have the bitter tannins and harsh acid of many red wines. In fact, chill this you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it before.

Too many wine drinkers know Texas wine stinks, even if they’ve never tried it. That’s open minded, isn’t it? Becker’s reserve merlot ($18), which won a gold medal at the recent Lone Star International, should change most people’s minds. And this recommendation comes from someone who doesn’t much care for merlot.

Cupcake’s riesling from Washington ($12), another gold medal winner at Lone Star. It’s not sweet like white zinfandel, but the sweetness is a pleasant part of the wine.

—JEFF SIEGEL

With Your Wine

Grilled black bean burritos

Another fast-food staple that is easy to make at home and actually tastes better. Not only does it pair with almost any kind of wine, but it’s a great way to use leftover rice or that can of black beans (or pinto beans) that has been sitting in the cupboard. And don’t be afraid to add chopped jalapeños, diced onion or even pitted olives.

Serves 4-6, takes 30 minutes

2 c cooked black beans

2 c cooked rice

1/2 to 1 c best quality green salsa

6 large flour tortillas, warmed

1 c grated cheese

1. Mix all ingredients, except the salsa and tortillas, in a bowl. Add the salsa a bit at a time, until you have a thick mixture that you can spoon onto the tortillas.

2.Spoon 1/6 of the mixture into the center of a tortilla. Wrap the tortilla into a log shape, folding the bottom over the mixture, then tucking in each side, and then folding the top over all.

3. Put a tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet, and warm over medium heat. Grill the burritos, a couple at a time, in the skillet, foldside down first. Cook on each side for 2 or 3 minutes or until each side is brown.

ask the WINE GUY?

ARE THERE REALLY HEALTH BENEFITS TO DRINKING WINE?

Yes, in moderation — a glass or two a day. Researchers still aren’t quite sure what all the benefits are and what causes them, but they seem to be centered around your heart and come from a compound called reseveratrol. Red wine seems to produce more resveratrol than white wine.

—JEFF SIEGEL

ASK THE WINE GUY taste@advocatemag.com selection of Texas native, adaptive and butterfly host plants, only on current inventory.

Atomic Pie

Specializing in American and Italian flavors. Choose from our signature pizza, sliders and fries, fresh salads and much more. We are conveniently located in your neighborhood.

11am-9pm, Fri and Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 12pm-9pm