out&about in october

10.02.10.10-03.10

Urban Herb Days

FREE This is your chance to learn everything you ever wanted to know about herb gardens. Local gardening groups will host workshops and lectures at North Haven Gardens starting at 11 a.m. Saturday when Diane Poston of the Herb Society of America will speak on the best times to plant herbs. North Haven Gardens coach Kay Nelson will offer tips for beginners at 1 p.m., and Beth DiGoia of the Herb Society of America shows what to do your herbs after harvesting during the 2:30 p.m. session. There’s another Herb Gardens 101 class at 11 a.m. Sunday if you miss the first one. During the weekendlong event, North Haven Gardens will sell all 4-inch herbs for $1.99. 7700 Northaven. 214.363.5316 or nhg. com. —EMILY TOMAN

10.01-10-02 ST. RITA’S GARAGE SALE

FREE The St. Rita Catholic Community will have a garage sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday with proceeds benefiting Oblates Missions in Haiti. 12521 Inwood. 972.934.8388 or stritaparish.net.

10.23

PHECPTA PROGRAM FREE Author

Colleen O’Donnell will speak about how to bring the generosity out of your children in “Help Your Children Experience the Joy of Giving” 7 p.m. at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church as part of the Preston Hollow Early Childhood Association’s series. 9800 Preston. phecpta.org.

10.12 SENIOR EXPO FREE

The Jewish Community Center will host its Senior Expo, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., providing information on retirement communities, health care and screenings, plus a wide selection of arts and crafts, jewelry, books and movies. Dave Lieber, a Fort Worth Star-Telegram investigative columnist, will talk at 1 p.m. about how to protect yourself from scams. 7900 Northaven. 214.739.2737 or jccdallas.org.

10.30 PSALMS AND SONNETS $15-$25 The Texas Voices presents its fall concert at 6:30 p.m. at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, featuring choral music by Ralph Vaugh Williams, John Rutter and Brian Edward Galante; Dallas composers Debra Scroggins, Joel Martinson and Steven Gutheinz; and guest organist Clarice Candamio. 9200 Inwood. thetexasvoices.org.

Fifth Quarter

W HETHER THE y scoRE d the winning touchdown or got their butts kicked, every team deserves a treat after the big game. Lovers Pizza & Pasta accommodates the winners and losers with its community atmosphere. “We like family together,” owner Benini Zeqiri says. “That’s what people like about us.” That, and the authentic Italian food. The recipes came from Zeqiri’s uncle, who owned a restaurant in Venice some 30 years ago. He moved to New York City, eventually made his way to Dallas, and opened Brothers Pizza. Zeqiri tried his hand at the business with the first Lovers Pizza & Pasta location at Lovers and the Tollway — hence the name. The menu includes homemade salads, pastas, seafood, sandwiches and, of course, gourmet pizza. The white pizza combines freshly made Alfredo sauce with mozzarella cheese, steamed broccoli, red peppers, mushrooms and spinach. But it really comes down to two key ingredients, Zeqiri says: “For pizza, the No. 1 things are cheese and sauce.” —EMILY

Pictured:

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 Lawn 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

CHUBBY’S $ When looking for a restaurant to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, we all want a place that serves up variety, hearty helpings and even bigger portions of friendliness. The Touris family has developed a recipe that delivers all of the above at a good price. With four locations in the Metroplex, Chubby’s Family Restaurant provides a rustic setting with down home cooking. Catering available. Locations: 11331 E. NW Hwy. 214-348-6065 and 7474 S. Cockrell Hill Rd. 972-298-1270.

EL TIZONCITO $ New location at Forest Lane, this Mexico City taqueria is a Dallas must-visit. The décor offers a casual experience that corrects the misconception of an original Taqueria. The Tacos al Pastor shaved down from the vertical oven and the unique Tamarind Margarita are a must-try. “What a pleasant surprise.” George Bush. “Excellent service complements exceptional food.” Gary Fisher. “Best Tacos in Dallas.” Mico Rodriguez. Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm Fri-Sat 10am-1am. Catering available. 3318 Forest Lane Suite 100 Dallas TX 75234 972.247.8797

Mingle with cheese makers who share secrets on stuffing, topping, dipping and melting. From sampling stations to pairing advice, Central Market’s Hail to the Cheese will earn your vote in every department.

SPANN RECOVERY RED ($15) CALFORNIA >

Red blends — red wines made with more than one grape often misunderstood in the United States. We tend to think of them as somehow inferior to varietal wines — those made with just one grape because they need more than one grape because the quality of the first grape isn’t very good.

In fact, nothing is further from the truth. Some of the world’s greatest wines are red blends, like French Bordeauxs and Rhones and some of the best Napa Valley cabernet sauvignons. And many California wines that say they are varietals may well have more than one grape in them. That’s because federal law allows producers to include up to 25 percent of another grape or grapes without changing the name of the wine or saying so on the label. Which means that your $12 bottle of pinot noir may be only 75 percent pinot, and one-quarter something else (often syrah).

So, as the weather turns cooler, give red blends another look. You’ll be surprised at what you find, as these wines demonstrate. All of these wines are available at Central Market:

This California wine is made with four grapes, including one that is white. Look for lots of fresh red fruit, low alcohol, and the quality and value that Peirano is known for. Serve this with hamburgers or any other end-of-the-season backyard cookout.

The best

Bordeaux can cost thousands of dollars a bottle, which means value is often in short supply. Fortunately, the Goudichaud (made of merlot and cabernet) offers look at how dark and complex red Bordeaux can be. This is a wine for those who like to pair wine with cheese.

Betsy and Peter Spann are former Casa Linda residents who moved to Sonoma to make wine, where they focus on blends. The Recovery Red has six grapes, and tastes of red berries. It’s wine, but not especially heavy.

—JEFF

DALLAS

5750 E. LOVERS LANE | 214-234-7000

PLANO

320 COIT ROAD | 469-241-8300

JEFF SIEGEL’SWEEKLYWINE REVIEWS appear every Wednesday on the Advocate Back Talk blog, prestonhollow.advocatemag.com/blog