Tastes of the Town

Milana Shydler speaks while she demonstrates how to cook fried rice.

Milana Shydler speaks while she demonstrates how to cook fried rice.

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Tastes of the Town: How to cook up authentic fried rice

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, October 23, 2025
I recently attended a demonstration given by Milana Shydler on the secrets to making authentic fried rice.“I’m from a Chinese family. My parents immigrated from rural China in the 1950s after the Communist takeover” she said.Her parents set new roots while keeping certain food traditions alive.
Archived from the Hoover Institution Digital Collections.

Archived from the Hoover Institution Digital Collections.

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Tastes of the Town: Looking at the Clean Plate Campaign

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, October 16, 2025
I recently learned a clean plate is sometimes seen as an insult to the cook. In China, leaving a bit of food shows that enough was served to satisfy one’s appetite.I was brought up to believe food left on my plate was wasteful and wrong.
Holly Noel and Mary Jane Berry set a table.

Holly Noel and Mary Jane Berry set a table.

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Tastes of the Town: Table scape is ‘Right Neighborly’

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Holly Noel and Mary Jane Berry are friendly next door neighbors, who share their cooking stories, techniques and tablesettings.“A lot of baked goodies, soups and casseroles have been passed both ways across our shared fence and we've also been known to borrow from each other when we run out of an...
New York pizza aficionado Tom McCabe tries a slice from Niki’s Pizza & Pasta.

New York pizza aficionado Tom McCabe tries a slice from Niki’s Pizza & Pasta.

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Taste: Niki’s Pizza & Pasta put to the New York test

Linda Dwyer
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Positive online reviews influenced my decision to try Niki’s Pizza & Pasta, a fairly new restaurant near Randalls at 5731 Williams Drive.It’s a small establishment with only a few tables.

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Have you ever tried ostrich meat?

Linda Dwyer
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Our family moved to the Lone Star state in the early 1990s. Texans at that time were going all in on ostriches, and the goofy looking birds were stars at the State Fair.
Barbara Cooper served as a tablescaper and host for a May tea party. Photo by Linda Dwyer

Barbara Cooper served as a tablescaper and host for a May tea party. Photo by Linda Dwyer

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Tastes of the Town: Tablescaping for tea time

Linda Dwyer
Friday, May 30, 2025
Recent bountiful rains inspire efforts at springtime landscaping. However, spring is also a prime time for tablescaping: setting the table with extra effort and creativity enhances the dining experience. Tablescapes use a theme to personalize birthdays, graduations and celebrations.
Carlos Manzano and Santos Garcia prepare Pico de Gallo.

Carlos Manzano and Santos Garcia prepare Pico de Gallo.

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo this weekend

Linda Dwyer
Friday, May 2, 2025
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo, mis amigos! Monday, May 5, will be a joyful day of celebration, so dust off your sombrero, grab a pair of maracas and take a siesta before the big fiesta. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory during the Franco-Mexican War.
An Italian beef sandwich entree with a side of wicked slaw.

An Italian beef sandwich entree with a side of wicked slaw.

Italian beef sandwiches find Georgetown home

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Bill Nychay has capitalized on Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches at WiseGuys, A Chicago Eatery in Round Rock. From the team behind the eatery comes the following announcement.“Welcome to our newest creation, The Red Door Kitchen. Everything you love about Wiseguys and more.
Linda Dwyer's grandson, Simon, finds eggs on Easter.

Linda Dwyer's grandson, Simon, finds eggs on Easter.

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Holy holidays aren’t only a winter pastime

Linda Dwyer
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Three major religions celebrate High Holy Days in the spring. In an online post, stand-up comic Jason Salmon riffs, “This time of the year, a lot of the big religions make their play. They tell their story with food. It’s like a competitive reality TV cooking show.”
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