A year ago FortWorthHoleInTheWall was giddy over the possibility of nearing 25,000 hits. Now, thanks to my mom, and her refresh program, there are almost 100,000 hits. Thanks to everybody who keeps reading despite the useless posts, address-less locations and quasi-posting lags. It's been fun and I hope you think so as well. If not, start your own blog and do "real" reviews that are "helpful". Just kidding, don't leave me...I didn't mean it...come back baby...
Below are a couple of changes as well as a new blog you should check out.
First, Fort Worth Foodie put out its summer issue of Fort Worth Foodie Magazine, the Hole In The Wall edition. The writers were kind enough to ask for some input from FWHITW and even published a few quotes. Check it out and take six or seven home to tape on your wall.
Second, you may remember that I added Urbanspoon tags a few weeks back. Well, as of this moment, Urbanspoon has FWHITW listed as the number one FW/D Blog. Basically that means we beat dallas. You can all take part of the pride in this ridiculously small achievement.
Thirdly, I added a map to the left side. If you're at home or work and need a close hole in the wall, just click on the map, find your location and see what is nearby. I'm working on making the address pins appear on the iphones but I have as much computer knowledge as Spiral Diner has beef.
Finally, Linguine and Dirty Martinis is run by a culinary student here in Fort Worth. Because she actually knows about food she has some great insight into local restaurants and also some delicious looking recipes. If you're a foodie or just enjoy food beyond your Golden Corral love, check it out.
Again, thanks to everybody for reading and I hope we can keep this going for at least another 100,000 hits.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
King Tut
dallas recently had the King Tut exhibit in downtown for viewers to come and see ancient Egyptian artifacts. "Well whoop de doo" said Mayor Moncrief, allegedly. Fort Worth has had its very own King Tut exhibit for over 15 years and ours comes with lunch specials, chicken shwarma, and all the Egyptian decorations you need for a Bangles' music video.
You're thinking, "what kind of food does King Tut serve?" Egyptian, obviously. "What is Egyptian food," you continue. Sand.
Actually, according to my acute culinary distinction skills, Egyptian food is Greek food, is Mediterranean food. Sure, the Egyptians and Greek share a sea, but I would have expected a different menu. The food that I saw at King Tut seemed very similar to the food at Scampi's and Chadra Mezza. That isn't to take anything away from those two restaurants which both have delicious food and amazing atmospheres. But they don't have Egyptian decorations. Seriously, there are sarcophagi, pyramidal things, and hieroglyphics everywhere. Even the menu is in ancient hieroglyphics.
I went for lunch recently and had the Chicken Shwarma. This dish is a mixture of chicken pieces, tomatoes and onions, cooked together with a side of rice. The lunch specials are all $6.95 and include a salad, however, no substitions are allowed. If you, like a certain Hole In The Wall father, suggest beef instead of chicken in your shwarma, you'll spend the rest of lunch in a sarcophagus.
The chicken was tender and flavorful and the onions and tomatoes made for a healthy feeling meal. My rice had good flavor but was a bit dry. Egypt is mostly desert though, so that makes sense. However, with the salad this was a perfect sized lunch meal that will satiate your appetite without making you feel stuffed. King Tut also has some vegetarian options, but you'll have to wait until the Nile flood waters recede.
At dinner time, the prices rise significantly so head over at lunch for the better value. As an example, hummus was about $5 and most dinner entrees seemed to range from $10-$15.
If you missed the King Tut exhibit, remember that the Fort has all the essential ingredients of Egyptian history right here on Magnolia Avenue. If you've been, let me know what you think. If you haven't, walk like an Egyptian on over there. Admit it, you were expecting that at some point...
King Tut is at 1512 West Magnolia Avenue, and is closed on Sundays.
You're thinking, "what kind of food does King Tut serve?" Egyptian, obviously. "What is Egyptian food," you continue. Sand.
Actually, according to my acute culinary distinction skills, Egyptian food is Greek food, is Mediterranean food. Sure, the Egyptians and Greek share a sea, but I would have expected a different menu. The food that I saw at King Tut seemed very similar to the food at Scampi's and Chadra Mezza. That isn't to take anything away from those two restaurants which both have delicious food and amazing atmospheres. But they don't have Egyptian decorations. Seriously, there are sarcophagi, pyramidal things, and hieroglyphics everywhere. Even the menu is in ancient hieroglyphics.
I went for lunch recently and had the Chicken Shwarma. This dish is a mixture of chicken pieces, tomatoes and onions, cooked together with a side of rice. The lunch specials are all $6.95 and include a salad, however, no substitions are allowed. If you, like a certain Hole In The Wall father, suggest beef instead of chicken in your shwarma, you'll spend the rest of lunch in a sarcophagus.
The chicken was tender and flavorful and the onions and tomatoes made for a healthy feeling meal. My rice had good flavor but was a bit dry. Egypt is mostly desert though, so that makes sense. However, with the salad this was a perfect sized lunch meal that will satiate your appetite without making you feel stuffed. King Tut also has some vegetarian options, but you'll have to wait until the Nile flood waters recede.
At dinner time, the prices rise significantly so head over at lunch for the better value. As an example, hummus was about $5 and most dinner entrees seemed to range from $10-$15.
If you missed the King Tut exhibit, remember that the Fort has all the essential ingredients of Egyptian history right here on Magnolia Avenue. If you've been, let me know what you think. If you haven't, walk like an Egyptian on over there. Admit it, you were expecting that at some point...
King Tut is at 1512 West Magnolia Avenue, and is closed on Sundays.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tim Love on Top Chef
For those of you Bravo fans, did you see Chef Love tonight?
Tim Love, Iron Chef and owner of our very own Lonesome Dove, represented Fort Worth well this evening on Top Chef Masters. He made a strawberry dessert three ways for some girl scouts and lost points because he didn't make a bunny or mouse. Apparently it was a craft contest and not a cooking show. He made a chicken fried strawberry, chocolate covered strawberry, and a strawberry milkshake. Are we going to see the chicken fried strawberry at Lonesome Dove or Love Shack?
For the second contest, the chefs had to use a microwave and hot plate to make their meal. Chef Love made some amazing on-the-fly changes when it turned out they didn't have the ingredients he needed at Whole Foods (more like, Incomplete Foods). But, he fell just short of moving on.
Chef Love, you represented us well. I think the judges were blinded by the frenchness of your competition. Also, the Tuaca chef's jacket is sweet.
Tim Love, Iron Chef and owner of our very own Lonesome Dove, represented Fort Worth well this evening on Top Chef Masters. He made a strawberry dessert three ways for some girl scouts and lost points because he didn't make a bunny or mouse. Apparently it was a craft contest and not a cooking show. He made a chicken fried strawberry, chocolate covered strawberry, and a strawberry milkshake. Are we going to see the chicken fried strawberry at Lonesome Dove or Love Shack?
For the second contest, the chefs had to use a microwave and hot plate to make their meal. Chef Love made some amazing on-the-fly changes when it turned out they didn't have the ingredients he needed at Whole Foods (more like, Incomplete Foods). But, he fell just short of moving on.
Chef Love, you represented us well. I think the judges were blinded by the frenchness of your competition. Also, the Tuaca chef's jacket is sweet.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Excitement, Joy, Tears
You might notice something new on some of the posts below. I have added an urbanspoon tag in hopes that they will gleefully accept my drivel as useful reviews.
There are two main reasons for this. First, I started this blog to share the greatness of our hole in the walls and I think this will give some new ideas to people who don't know about this blog. Second, the urbanspoon app on the iphone will probably become the most amazing app ever if you can read these reviews when shaking up random Fort Worth holes.
If you've got any other hints, ideas, or suggestions for making this blog more user friendly, iphone friendly, or legen...wait for it...dary, please let me know. Comment here or email me at fortworthholeinthewall@yahoo.com
There are two main reasons for this. First, I started this blog to share the greatness of our hole in the walls and I think this will give some new ideas to people who don't know about this blog. Second, the urbanspoon app on the iphone will probably become the most amazing app ever if you can read these reviews when shaking up random Fort Worth holes.
If you've got any other hints, ideas, or suggestions for making this blog more user friendly, iphone friendly, or legen...wait for it...dary, please let me know. Comment here or email me at fortworthholeinthewall@yahoo.com
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Swiss Pastry Shop
Until a couple days ago, I thought this was just a bakery. Turns out, that's just part of their business. Don't get me wrong. I didn't think it was just any bakery. I knew it was The Swiss Pastry Shop. But I thought they just served cakes and cookies. Apparently they also serve huge, delicious breakfasts, at low prices.
The Swiss are notoriously famous for their Pope Patrol, neutrality, and country omelettes (French for omelet). Because I couldn't convince the waitress to dress in a swiss guard outfit, and because I had no wars for them to step aside from, I had the country omelette for breakfast. Unfortunately, since it was my first time at the SPS, my knowledge of the portion sizes was limited. I ordered a pastry to go along with it and had enough food to feed the entire population of Swissies here in Texas.
When you walk into the SPS, you will instantly be taken over by the essence of baked goods. Instinctively, you will gain five pounds of anticipation weight. It's like the bars that pre-clear your credit card for $300. I heard about them from a friend.... The breakfast crowd was sparse on the day I went, so I didn't have to share the smell with many people. But I imagine there is a crowd on weekends, so plan accordingly (nostril funnels so you can bring in more scent).
The country omelette is named so, because it is the size of the country of Switzerland. Inside it are unaccounted for funds, chocolate, and great skiing. Plus some potatoes, cheese and ham. It also comes with a side of toast or biscuits. I chose toast but never made a dent in it. I'm sure it tasted toasty (this type of description is probably what has kept the Star-Telegram from asking me to take over as restaurant reviewer).
The omelette was terrific, with perfectly prepared eggs (not overcooked, no runny juices) and the chunks of inside stuff were all appropriately sized. I think the total for the omelette was less than $4. All the money you save can go into your secret account.
I also had a fruit pocket or some similarly named item which is basically a pastry with fruit in it, but in a different form than a kolache. Mine was apple and it was great. An obviously fresh pastry is such a treat and it really washed down the omelette.
So to summarize, the food was good, the smell was good, the service was great, and the prices were cheap. There were some downsides, however. Nobody dresses like the Pope Patrol. And I think Dan Brown was in the corner, writing me into his next book. Somehow I helped the Catholics hide their secrets in fruit pockets.
If you've been to the Swiss Pastry Shop and have other recommendations let me know.
The Swiss Pastry Shop is located at 3936 W. Vickery.
Coming up, I've got reviews of King Tut and my dinner at Paco and John, Mexican Diner.
The Swiss are notoriously famous for their Pope Patrol, neutrality, and country omelettes (French for omelet). Because I couldn't convince the waitress to dress in a swiss guard outfit, and because I had no wars for them to step aside from, I had the country omelette for breakfast. Unfortunately, since it was my first time at the SPS, my knowledge of the portion sizes was limited. I ordered a pastry to go along with it and had enough food to feed the entire population of Swissies here in Texas.
When you walk into the SPS, you will instantly be taken over by the essence of baked goods. Instinctively, you will gain five pounds of anticipation weight. It's like the bars that pre-clear your credit card for $300. I heard about them from a friend.... The breakfast crowd was sparse on the day I went, so I didn't have to share the smell with many people. But I imagine there is a crowd on weekends, so plan accordingly (nostril funnels so you can bring in more scent).
The country omelette is named so, because it is the size of the country of Switzerland. Inside it are unaccounted for funds, chocolate, and great skiing. Plus some potatoes, cheese and ham. It also comes with a side of toast or biscuits. I chose toast but never made a dent in it. I'm sure it tasted toasty (this type of description is probably what has kept the Star-Telegram from asking me to take over as restaurant reviewer).
The omelette was terrific, with perfectly prepared eggs (not overcooked, no runny juices) and the chunks of inside stuff were all appropriately sized. I think the total for the omelette was less than $4. All the money you save can go into your secret account.
I also had a fruit pocket or some similarly named item which is basically a pastry with fruit in it, but in a different form than a kolache. Mine was apple and it was great. An obviously fresh pastry is such a treat and it really washed down the omelette.
So to summarize, the food was good, the smell was good, the service was great, and the prices were cheap. There were some downsides, however. Nobody dresses like the Pope Patrol. And I think Dan Brown was in the corner, writing me into his next book. Somehow I helped the Catholics hide their secrets in fruit pockets.
If you've been to the Swiss Pastry Shop and have other recommendations let me know.
The Swiss Pastry Shop is located at 3936 W. Vickery.
Coming up, I've got reviews of King Tut and my dinner at Paco and John, Mexican Diner.
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