Monthly Newsletter

Father's Day is relatively new as days of observation go. The U. S. did not make Father's official until Maine's Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal in 1957 accusing the Congress of ignoring fathers while honoring mothers. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared the third Sunday of June to be Father's Day, but it wasn't made an official national holiday until President Richard Nixon made a proclamation in 1972.

With all the enthusiasm for days of observation (aided, admittingly, with some commercialization), Father's Day typically involves gift-giving, special dinners honoring fathers and family-oriented activities. If you have not inaugurated some family traditions for the day, now is the time to start. We steadfastly maintain the Rockwellian image of the family father, and we are here to help with the celebration.

Very often, it is day celebrated at home displaying culinary skills with a special meal or perhaps a family outing. We do hope that children have their opportunity to contribute to the preparations. We love Dallas restaurants, and we don't want to slight them. They are our standard-bearers for excellence in cuisine, and it just may be that father has a wish to celebrate at one of his favorite restaurants. Nonetheless, Father's Day is the perfect day for an outdoor meal, preferably at home, for all to enjoy. And don't forget grandfathers, as well as uncles and great uncles whose children are elsewhere.

Considering the current emphasis on natural and local foods, and with June the beginning of the area's local food bounty, this would be the perfect occasion to explore local markers, such as the area Farmers Markets and the specialty shops that Dallas enjoys. On a trial run for the current seasonal foods, we visited the Dallas Farmers Market with an eye toward a menu incorporating the best of the seasonal produce. It is hard to beat J.T. Lemley's tomatoes at the market, and the peaches, blueberries and blackberries are just beginning to arrive. All are "musts" on a menu suited for outdoors. The Dallas Morning News does a great job in keeping us up to date on the produce availability and vendors at all the area's proliferating markets.

For a number of years, the interest in the Farmers Markets waned. A number of factors -- both the economy of the last two years and the simultaneous growing interest in fresh and local foods -- have caused rejuvenation. New market venders, especially cheese and meat producers are noticeable in Shed # 1, where you will find the farmers and farm merchants, as well as in Shed #2.

We also visited our other favorites, such as Jimmy's Food Store at the corner of Bryan and Fitzhugh and Spiceman's F.M. 1410 a few doors away where all the top chefs find the local best. At the latter, the selection of peas and lettuces were tempting, and the wild mushrooms were worthy of a photo shoot. We even came home with East Texas strawberries, a first for us. We hope you will explore our Source Section on Food so as not to overlook our other special food shops, including Kuby's Sausage House and Vega's Butcher Shoppe for meats, Rex's Seafood Market and TJ's Fresh Fishmarket, as well as the cheese and bakery shops. Of course, we have Central Market and Whole Foods as our always-excellent stand-bys.

With the idea of an outdoor meal, we gathered other resources. An outdoor festivity can be accommodated with all the style of an indoor feast with a bit of creativity. The Mottehedeh tin plates mimicking fine china designs that came out a few years ago are available at numerous Dallas shops, including Neiman Marcus, the Ivy House and Madison. Some fun linen, plastic goblets and fresh flowers in an appropriate container, such as an antique pottery pitcher, add style to the setting.

And what of gifts to fit the occasion and the entertaining theme ? Thinking ahead, there is a wealth of food, wine and entertaining-themed ideas. A few we have thought about include:

• a super grill for the Father who wants to take up grilling and needs an outdoor toy of his very own. But, perhaps everyone already has one. If not, we have checked out Jackson's Home & Garden on Lemmon Avenue, and all the big box stores have grills galore.
• a showpiece culinary knife from Williams-Sonoma. We have our eyes on the amazing Shun Japanese knives. Certainly, if a knife will make all the difference in outcome of a fine meal, this one will do it. Shun knives are made from carbon steel that does not rust and keeps a fine-tuned edge. Besides, they are great looking.
• a gift of wine accompanied by the start of a wine book collection. See our Source Section on Wine for outstanding wine shops and our extensive book selections. A selection of Burgundy wines might call for the companion book, Cote d'Or, by Clive Coates. Kevin Zvraly, the master wine teacher, has a wonderful and comprehensive book, The Complete Windows on the World Wine Course, which has been recently updated.
• along with the above, subscriptions to Wine Spectator, Decanter for Bordeaux wine buffs, or the net subscription of Burghound.com for Burgundy enthusiasts are worth exploring.
• a cooking class at Milestone Culinary Arts Center or Central Market. Perhaps the donor can make it a couple's event. Also check our Chef Cooking Classes for the top Dallas chefs who offer fabulous classes.

We wish your family a Happy Father's Day! We hope these ideas will encourage the father of the family to enjoy the kitchen and share his culinary accomplishments with friends and family. Last but not least, we hope you will share your family's celebration with us for a future Father's Day.

Indulge us!
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