• The only Oak Cliff restaurant that came close to making the The Houston Press’s list of the 30 Texas restaurants to visit before you die is Smoke. An odd list, certainly, including the El Fenix downtown.

• Wine of the week: Alaya 2009 ($10), a Spanish red blend. has many of the qualities of a great cheap wine, including lots and lots of black fruit that is neither sweet nor extracted – just intense. Available at Spec’s.

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