Ah yes... Fairly common knowledge that a good Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with oysters, but if one prefers a less sweet choice, Pinot Grigio is an excellent choice.

Lol! Perhaps that's the difference. I prefer an oyster to taste like the ocean, not a fruit or vegetable. And honestly, if they resonate any taste of metal, I send them back - regardless of originating coastline.

Interestingly, not all would agree that ocean selections are more flavorful that gulf options. I believe it's a personal taste, which only you can decide. I find the brininess of the Gulf oysters much more appealing. But that's how my taste runs. You should find somewhere that has both and try each - standalone, without red or Mignonette sauce.

So pleased to read of your successes!! And do come back!

Nearby on McKinney Av - S&D Oyster Co. New Orleans style oyster bar, long-time independent, casual with beer and limited wine. My personal favorite, trusted source for (raw and fried) Gulf oysters.

Within a 4-5 block walk of the Melrose, Pappadeaux's - regional chain, casual, full bar.

PBS, Ch 13 DFW, tomorrow (Sat, 2/8),11am - TX Parks and Wildlife discusses hunting, trapping and cooking feral hog.

Once you arrive and if you decide to come to G'vine, repost and I'll route you directions through a "back way" to avoid the often-time traffic congestion (particularly during peak and early evening hours) due to extensive highway construction through G'vine.

Just for info - Lupe's is definitely more (Mexican) restaurant than bar. The others mentioned are more sports bar with menus.

I hope you thoroughly enjoy your "foodie crawl" time while here.

That question is probably better asked closer to your arrival time. D/FW is not huge on the crawfish front, but there are a number of restaurants that have them, though not all the time, depending on price and availability.

Pappadeaux is a large regional chain, so it's not a surprise their quality control wanes at times. I would say the same of Uncle Julio's Mexican, but if they have a particular dish to your liking, then jump on it! :)

The outlet is in Grand Prairie. I'm of no help there.

Sorry, I don't know about the goat. Once you arrive, I'd call them direct as it may be a seasonal item.

You should be arriving right in the middle of crawfish season. It began the beginning of Jan. this year.

RE: Babes - You order your meat entree, salad and *all* the sides and biscuits are served family style and unlimited - honey and molasses are staples on the table. Dessert and drink is extra. No alcohol - not sure if that location is BYOB.

Yes, there is an Uncle Julio in Grapevine - Wm D Tate @ Hwy114.

Tamales: while in G'vine, Tommy Tamale is your best bet, but they are for take "home'' and heat. I'm going to tell you he purchases them from multiple local sources, freezes them, then sells to the public. You're going to read "freezes" and say "bleh....". Not so! Google Tommy Tamale and read others' reviews. His tamales are undeniably good. Hopefully you will have access to a micro while here, but if not, he usually keeps the more popular ones "ready to eat" in a crock pot - so if you want to buy some of those and "tailgate" it, that would be an option - call ahead to place your order.

He also has various salsas, tamale toppings, jellies and chips available, but the tamales will stand on their own, plain. Steve and Jan are both great people - Steve LIKES to talk! :) http://tommytamale.com/

It sounds like you liked Uncle Julio's - there's one in Grapevine as well as other notable restaurants. Also check out a couple of well-liked taquerias (El TacoH and Burritos Locos) and Tolbert's for dinner and live music most nights. https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/Default.aspx
http://www.tolbertsrestaurant.com/

Bishop Arts is about a 15 min. drive east and south. There are a number of well-liked and reviewed, independent restaurants in the area. While driving there from I-30, you'll likely pass Smoke - great daily breakfast and Sunday brunch as well as lunch and dinner. http://bishopartsdistrict.weebly.com/
http://smokerestaurant.com/

Fried Chicken! Babe's Chicken Dinner House (local chain) in Arlington. http://www.babeschicken.com/our-kitch...

A city's skyline is always a unique view not seen anywhere else. You could enjoy a cocktail and appetizer atop Reunion Tower (the ball) at Five Sixty (happy hour Mon-Thur). http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restauran...

"Stellar" restaurants is hardly the topic. Why the snarky Grapevine hate?

No need to hate on G'vine - particularly when you're wrong.

Smoke being considerably nearer to the Anatole than Bishop Arts' Oddfellows.

They have a very small (about 3 tables) eatery. The boiled shrimp in the case are quite alluring, but if you're tempted to order a plate of fried shrimp, you'll be sorely disappointed when you are served frozen popcorn shrimp. :( That said, the fried oysters were small (a couple of months ago), but tasty and barely cooked, as they should be.

If you cook red beans and rice, be sure to pick up a bag of their Camellia brand beans. You'll be surprised at the creaminess of the finished bean and liquor as compared to the local grocery store brand.

Take a look Smoke, relatively near the Anatole (opens at 8am) or, just east of downtown Dallas in Deep Ellum, AllGood Cafe (opens at 9am). Given morning rush hour, AllGood is probably further than you wish.

Bayou Boys in Lewisville (ok, not Plano) has Savoie. http://www.thebayoumarket.com/Cajun_D...

Looking at Southlake's newly opened Rockfish Grill's menu today, they have a quite extensive beer menu - both domestic and craft.

An excellent multi-generational bakery is Stein's - SW corner Preston/635. Been around since the 1940's - old-school, so nothing "artisinal", just simple and good. They have a handful of bread selections, which I've never tried - the sweet baked goods are not not cloyingly sweet. Top picks: cherry crowns, gingerbread men, petit fours, fruit pies.

Buon Giorno roasts their own beans.

Well, full capabilities were mysteriously restored overnight. I did notice I was having issues with other sites, some giving Java Script error msgs. I wasn't under the impression Java was loaded on any Apple product. In any case, the sun spot turned away and all sites are functioning properly today......

I just went to Eno's about a month ago. I had the Northside and found it generally lacking flavor, even though the menu listed a number of usually flavorful aromatics. I would expect to find a mild, sweet, European basil on pizza, but here, they chose to use the more pungent Asian variety (that, I did taste). The listed ingredient of salami was visually non-existent, so needless to say, that flavor also was non-existent. Disappointing.

Stick with Cane Rosso and order anything with the hot soppressata.

So it's not Dallas, but back in summer, a neighbor was talking good things about Anakaren Bakery in Arlington - don't know the exact location.

Also Breadhaus in Grapevine.

I added brine up about 1/3 the way. Those lids fit pretty tightly, so I keep the container at the front of the fridge and give them a flip-over every few days. I usually eat them within 2 weeks and they're fine. I don't like paying for brine either!

Maybe you can help them perfect the crust! :)

It seems it's unachievable to ever recreate the "tastes of home".

The funny thing, Jimmy's has been the most well-respected Italian market (by "real" Italians, cooking "real" Italian) for AT LEAST 30 years, that I personally am aware. But only in the last few years has it become the trendy mecca of which to praise ......