OLD Eats DO NOT USE

Throughout the rest of February, patrons of Central 214 can get a free dessert for every three children's books they bring to the restaurant at the Hotel Palomar.

The book drive benefits the Krissi Holman Family Resource Library & Children's Collection at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.

The books may be new or gently used, should be geared toward toddlers or children, and may be published either in English or Spanish. Young-adult (YA) books, aimed at teenagers, are also being sought for Children's patients, who include young people up to 18 years old. Donors are asked to include their names on a note in the books, so they can be named on the donor bookplate.

Executive chef Tom Fleming hosts tonight's kickoff party for friends and supporters of the library. On Saturday, Feb. 16, Central 214 and Hotel Palomar also will hold a day-long book drive, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Get maps, hours and more for Central 214

Posted by Joyce Saenz Harris at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Metro blog wrangler Steve Harris, to whom I am related by marriage, went to the Mavs game last night -- and came home wishing he'd had time to grab dinner somewhere other than inside the arena:

Have you ever tasted worse concession food than at American Airlines Center? Cold, rubbery hotdogs; cold tasteless burgers; cold, limp fries. Did I mention that the food is cold? I really don't have much to compare it with since I attend a Rangers game about once every other year.

Hey, the Mavericks were cold, too, last night, but at least they warmed up.

Columnist Jacquielynn Floyd then notes that the swells in the swanky seats tend to get better grub than the plebes:

There's an OK bowl-of-chili available on Level 3. Costs eight bucks and its has beans in it, but you can have all the onions you want for free.

Generally speaking, though the quality eats are reserved for the swells with tickets on the Platinum Level, which is off-limits to riffraff like us.

They have lots of swanky stuff there -- a fancy buffet with dessert cart, elaborate salads, peanuts you don't have to remove from the shell yourself. The fans there dress better and smell nicer, too.

Posted by Joyce Saenz Harris at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

We've been feeling Morocco lately, and not just because a good friend recently returned from Marrakech toting suitcases crammed with caftans and babouches.

Multiple trips to Victory Park's new Medina Oven & Bar are at least equally to blame. Manager and co-owner Sam Benoikken actually grew up in Medina, and when he tells us his chicken tagine and seven-vegetable couscous are just like home, our mouths are way too full to argue. Settle into a pillow-strewn banquet and savor, or, if the weather's pleasant, head outside for the patio's perfect view of Victory fountain.

Medina Oven & Bar, 2304 Victory Park Lane, 214-979-0003, medinadallas.com

Tracy Achor Hayes

Photos by Carter Rose/special contributor

• Get maps, hours and more for Medina from GuideLive.com

Posted by Christopher Wynn at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

The Spring Mountain Vineyard wine dinner slated for Saturday at the Rosewood Mansion Restauarant is going to be rescheduled at a later date, I'm told by the winery. No other details at this time.

Posted by Kim Pierce at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I really hate those affected exclamation marks, but this is big news to Doughmonkey fans. The bakery has quietly, softly reopened its doors on Snider Plaza.

Today's "menu" includes Meyer lemon tarts, Fiji and Granny Smith apple pie, hot chocolate made with Valrhona Araguani chocolate, cayenne peanut brittle (and more) and of course chocolate-chip cookies. It at 6708 Snider Plaza, open 10 a.m. to 5ish p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Posted by Kim Pierce at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)