Delicious

A guide to dining & drinking in our neighborhood

Rathbun’s

Preston & Luther 214.890.1103

blue Plate Kitchen

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wIth Its warm, rustIc atmosPhere and soft lighting, Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen feels like home. “I think that the kitchen should be part of the experience,” says Kent Rathbun, owner and executive chef. “We specialize in country-style foods, but we also have choices for people who want to stay healthy.” The restaurant serves down-home favorites with a gourmet twist — from the heart-healthy shrimp, crab and lobster coleslaw to the more indulgent fried green tomatoes. The latter come sprinkled with chunks of goat cheese and a sauce prepared with Round Rock Honey, ancho chiles and fresh thyme. Rathbun has been cooking since age 5 with no formal training—he simply learned by doing, picking up a few tricks along the way. For dishes like the coleslaw, he replaces mayonnaise with a vinaigrette combination for a lighter, more sophisticated taste. The kitchen is complete with a rotisserie, smoker and woodburning oven. The diverse menu includes everything from mac ‘n’ cheese and tacos to seafood and ribs. “We try to stay very accurate to the dish, whether it is country style or Mediterranean,” Rathbun says. Be sure to stop by the “pantry” where the restaurant sells homemade jams, dressings and sauces. —Emily three more spots for feel-good food:

1 Neighborhood ServiceS

This upscale restaurant hits the spot with nightly specials, including meatloaf, chicken potpie and veal piccata — bring an empty stomach but a full wallet.

Lovers & Inwood 214.350.5027

Preston & royaL 214.368.1101 neIghborhoodservIcesdaLL as.com

2 celebratioN reStauraNt

Chefs make everything from scratch here — pot roast, chicken and dumplings, peach cobbler, and more — so you get that home-cooked taste without all the work.

Lovers & eLsby 214-351-5681 ceLebratIonrestaurant.com

3 ciNdi’S N.Y. delicateSSeN royaL & centraL 214.739.0918

For some foodies, comfort is a bowl of matzo ball soup or a plate of cheese blintzes. And this Jewish-style deli has arguably the best bagels in town.

TomAn

Forest & marsh 214.739.0918 cIndIsnydeLI.com

ASIAN MINT $$OD FBWB

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

Re:

FREIXENET CORDON ROSADA BRUT ($11) SPAIN>

Wine writers complain a lot about Thanksgiving, and how difficult it is to recommend wines for the turkey fest, but the holiday they really dislike is Valentine’s Day. What’s the point of pairing wine with chocolate?

Having said that, Valentine’s Day is — next to Thanksgiving perhaps the most requested wine recommendation holiday on the calendar. What can I buy my girlfrend? What would my husband like? And is there wine that goes with chocolate? I actually get more requests for Valentine’s Day wine than I do for New Year’sEve.

Never fear, though. Champagne and sparkling wine fit Valentine’s Day like a red paper heart (and yes, you can even drink it with chocolate). Keep in mind that sparkling wine is made throughout the world, but that only sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France can be called champagne.

So if you’re wondering where to go with Valentine’s Day wine, here are three sparkling suggestions: Spanish bubbly is called cava, and this one is more fruity (some citrus) than similarly priced cavas. In this, it’s more like champagne and is a nice change of pace.

This sparkling wine is from the French region of Loire and is made with chenin blanc; most champagne and California bubbly is made with chardonnay. That means the Moncatour is a little more acidic and a touch sweeter.

The real stuff, with champagne’s classic green apple and great bubbles that stream to the top of the glass.

—JEFF SIEGEL

Wine is made with grapes, which are a fruit, and most fruit has naturally occurring acid. Wine grapes have more natural acid than table grapes, which is one reason why chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon make better wine than concord grapes.

—JEFF SIEGEL