There has been a lot going on in Dallas lately. And much more is in store for the future.

DallasFood.org released their final choices for the Chicken Fried Steak Countdown today. The Beaujolais Nouveau Festival is tonight.* Whole Foods is having a tasting tomorrow, too. More wine-related events can be found at DallasWine.com.

Next week marks the opening of Dallas Roof Gardens:

The top level of the downtown resto hosts a rooftop stream and dizzying (stay strong) views of the city. One floor below, thereâs the ultra-swank Petrus Lounge. And a quick walk down the staircase brings you into the main dining room, where chef David Gilbert (formerly of The Beverly Hilton) whips up palate-pleasing fare.

Coming up at the end of the year, New Year’s Eve at the Nasher. Tickets aren’t cheap, but Wolfgang Puck is making dinner.

And to make the Arts District construction a bit more bearable, I found some nice imagery of the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater and the Winspear Opera House. The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation has exciting plans in store for our city.

After reading the glowing review of Back Yard Burgers over at Metroblogging Dallas, I finally got around to trying out Back Yard Burgers last night. I’m sorry that I have to be the one to say this, but they really don’t live up to the name. Burgers cooked in my back yard are juicy and never overcooked. The bacon cheddar burger I tried was well done and dry. The bacon was overcooked, too. I didn’t really taste much of the cheddar, but the onions and pickles masked the tomato quite well. What was missing? Oh yeah, lettuceâit was so small I didn’t even taste it. I think YUM could make a better burger.