Wow. Just Had to Share.

So my Dad took me to dinner at Red Hot & Blue before I left Dallas. I ordered iced tea to drink. This is what they gave me - a pitcher with a straw. In spite of the super spicy BBQ sauce I poured all over my delicious plate of brisket, I was unable to finish my beverage.

I guess it's the heat, but I'd forgotten how much liquid people seem to consume here.

I Know You're Envious, But Try to Restrain Yourself

Those of you who've never been to Braum's won't understand, but BEHOLD! The Cherry Limeade. See how it glows in the light of the setting sun... taste the glory of real lime juice. Can't go to Dallas and not stop at Braum's. Yes, back in Dallas just for a few days to see my Mom.

What to Eat

As I may have mentioned previously, Dallas is a major restaurant test market, and you can get some really great food at a WIDE range of prices. Below are some of our favorite places to chow down in Big D, grouped by approximate price ranges. At least one of us (frequently both of us) have eaten at and enjoyed all of these selections. Obviously, the higher range options will require an advance reservation.

Cheap/Fast
Taco Bueno - one step up from Taco Bell, just as cheap, but with fresh salsa.
Chipotle - Barbacoa taco!! NOM NOM NOM! Kelly's favorite.
Tin Star - one of Adam's favorite Tex-Mex stops.
Schlotzsky's - sandwich chain, but not available everywhere.
Jason's Deli - admirable rendition of a muffaletta!

Mid-Range/Comfortable Sit-Down
Snuffers - they were making cheese fries before Outback existed. Mate.
Cafe Brazil - 24 hour step-up from a diner (some locations DO close on weeknights)
Green Papaya - Vietnamese
LaMadeleine - chain of French-type yumminess, good for breakfast/lunch/dinner.
El Chico or El Fenix - staple Tex-Mex, Kelly's childhood favorites.
Gloria's - Salvadoran, recommended by Adam!
Mia's - OMG! sour-cream enchiladas that will make you weep with pleasure!
Blue Mesa Grill- just slightly chic, nouveau Mex.

Oooh-la-la/Suit and Tie
Stephan Pyle's - you know, from the Cooking Channel?
Fearing's - at the Ritz. Really.

Get Thee to the Airport!

UPDATE: Dallas is now attempting to launch itself into the 19th century with rail transit (otherwise known as TRAINS). I have zero experience of the service myself, and can offer no opinion or recommendations. Check the website, and see if it looks like your sort of thing. It is an option, at least. Keeping in mind, they don't operate on Sundays. Because, apparently, people don't travel on Sundays.

For those of you flying in for the weekend and not planning to rent a car, a cab will run about $40 between DFW & the Adolphus, and about $20 between Love Field & the Adolphus. There are also the SuperShuttles - at about $40 for two people.

This may not help you get FROM the airport to the hotel, but the Adolphus does offer hotel shuttles TO both DFW & Love Field airports. The cost is $17.00 per person one way, and they depart at 5 minutes to the hour and 25 after the hour. No reservations needed - just show up! Certainly a better deal than a cab!

For those of you brave enough to rent a car and take on Dallas traffic:

Map from DFW

Map from Love Field

THE MAIN EVENT

Both the ceremony and reception will be in the Century Room at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. There will be drinks between the ceremony and dinner, with dancing to follow (so any Baptists out there may want to come as Catholics just for the evening!).

The Adolphus is a luxury hotel, built in 1912 by Adolphus Busch (anyone heard of Anheiser Busch?). It is located in downtown Dallas, minutes from a wide variety of historical, cultural and tourist attractions. Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Aquarium, the West End Marketplace and more! My personal favorite spot to visit downtown is Fountain Place (The water garden surrounding the base of this IM Pei skyscraper is lovely even in the Texas summer heat). For a great view of the city - head to the Sky Lobby at the Chase Tower (open to the public Mon-Fri from 9-5).

We have reserved a block of rooms at a discounted rate of $119/night for a deluxe room, and $169/night for a junior suite. You do need to mention that you are coming for the Clark/Rains Wedding in order to get the discounted rate. They are accepting reservations now, and these rates are only guaranteed until June 5, 2008. After that date, regular (higher!) rates may apply.

FYI - There are a handful of dining options at the hotel, including room-service and the Bistro (CRABCAKES Cassidy!), but the French Room is closed during the month of July. We’ll also make some local restaurant recommendations in future posts.

Click the Adolphus link to the right to get an idea of the facilities.

THE TRUTH ABOUT TEXAS IN JULY

The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

Hot water now comes out of both taps.

You can make sun tea instantly.

A seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron!

If the temperature drops below 95, you may feel a little chilly.

In July, it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.

You CAN get sunburned through your car window.

You can actually burn your hand opening the car door.

You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.

You can see asphalt in its liquid state.

Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"

(If you're not excited about the wedding now, there's no hope for you!)

BBQ in Flower Mound

During our visit, Erlann (Kelly’s mother) organized a BBQ to celebrate the engagement and help me get to know some of Kelly’s extended family. Since we were a bit of a crowd, Barry and Susan kindly hosted the event at their lovely home in Flower Mound, TX. So many Texas towns seem to have interesting, quirky names. Mind you, I come from Quebec where people thought nothing of naming a community St. Polycarpe or St. Louis de Haha…so quirky may just be a matter of perspective.

I was a little anxious before we arrived but everyone was so gracious and friendly that, before long, I felt right at home. Erlann was even kind enough to make labeled hats so I could learn everyone's name with a minimum of embarrassment. At any rate, between the wonderful company, delicious food, and Barry’s potent margaritas, Kelly and I got some much needed relief from the frenetic pace of our visit.

Check out the photos on our Flickr page.