Adventures in and Around Fort Worth

This piece was originally written for the eChaser, the monthly newsletter of the Fort Worth chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists, Public Relations Society of America and International Association of Business Communicators. The consensus of about 100 people at the Trinity River Vision panel discussion moderated by Society of Professional Journalists Oct. 12 was that the project is one huge, expensive distraction. Panelists Jim Lane, former City Councilman and Tarrant Regional Water District Board Member, former City Councilman Clyde Picht, Fort Worth certified public accountant Steve Hollern and meteorologist John Basham added their input for the project. Trinity River Vision executive director J.D. Granger and the representative for the city of Fort Worth’s seat remained empty. “I don’t really have a big for or against The Trinity River Vision downtown other than that it is a distraction, and what I mean by distraction is we in Texas … don’t get enough rainfall,” ...

The best breakfast taco I've had is from the Taco Heads food truck on West Seventh and Carroll Street. I've had a lot of breakfast tacos, but this one reels me back almost every day. It's embarrassing actually. And I don't order one, but two. The eggs don't taste like they've been sitting under a warmer for hours. They are perfectly scrambled every time and spill out of the warm, grilled flour tortilla (corn tortillas are also available). Taco Heads doesn't skimp on the shredded sharp cheddar cheese that's sprinkled all over the top either. The bacon isn't rubbery or undercooked; it's thick and crispy. And the fresh, finely chopped pico adds another layer of flavor to finish off my favorite breakfast taco. The tacos come with their light, spicy verde sauce. You must at least try a bite with this tummy concoction. Taco Heads just started serving breakfast Aug. 6, and I couldn't be happier. The only thing is I need to tack on an extra...

Harper's Bluebonnet Bakery When I was a little girl my mom surprised us with treats. We would come home from school to find a snickers in the kitchen, some sparkle lip gloss on our pillow or my favorite treat — sugar cookies from the best  bakery in town . Not only did they taste brilliant, but the cookies always highlighted a theme in Fort Worth (like TCU football is here), a holiday or season. In the fall we would find brown, red and orange autumn leaves, black or purple bats, orange pumpkins and black witches on broomsticks in a white box on our kitchen counter. Since then my mom has moved away, and now in my late twenties I try not to eat snickers and cookies every afternoon. But the other day she came in for my brother's birthday and brought me a box of these butterflies and T-shirts. I recommend stopping by Harper's Bluebonnet Bakery's new location and trying one. I have eaten the whole box in a matter of days.

Scotland: Food, Edinburgh and the Highlands

picture from The Feast website "Ace of Cakes" Duff Goldman tries Mike Smith's coconut pie at Paris Coffee Shop for his new show "Sugar High." Click here for more information .

The best fish and chips I've ever had anywhere in the world is right here in Fort Worth at Zeke's on Camp Bowie. I'm serious. I don't know what the secret is in their batter, but it's so light and crispy that I can't get enough. A blogger for Forbes magazine agrees . In July they published a piece stating Zeke's is one of the top 20 restaurants in the country for value "with food scores no lower than 25 and an average price per head no higher than $27." Translation: the best bang for your buck. I wasn't aware of this article when I dragged five of my friends there a few Friday nights ago. I had warned them that they will have to shower once finished and their diets must be left at home. They were still intrigued ... after all, you know it's good if you have to shower afterward. Fried cod and shrimp combo As we waited in the slow and inefficiently constructed line we overheard an older couple from Fort Worth saying this was their...

Buckshot Fort Worth just got a little luck. No really, Bailey's Prime Plus in Fort Worth is getting a new cocktail menu created by their bar director Eddie "Lucky" Campbell and creative consultant Michael Martensen. This is something to look forward to if you're already a fan of The Usual's anomalous and matchless creations. I met "Lucky" a little more than a year ago when he was a bartender at Bolsa in the Dallas Bishops Arts District. His enthusiasm for his concoctions reminded me of a child with a new magic trick, or like Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail . He volunteered to make my friend and me samples of his favorites, and the drinks were an experience in themselves. It's great when the drinking is a culinary experience and less of a "how-drunk-can-I-get" experience. They were all unique with fresh and new flavors. Below is a list of what you will find on the newly available cocktail menu. The Trophy Wife Grey Goose, St...