Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1495454
By Diana Spechler. Photography Sheryl Lanzel. Meet Contemporary + Cuisine Cute A t the benefit dinner f o r t h e D a l l a s C o n t e m p o r a r y ' s r e c e n t s p r i n g exhibition, a collective sigh of bliss rippled through the room — maybe because halloumi cheese always elicits that reaction, but probably because the halloumi, resting in a spicy green corn soup called chileatole, was the sublime creation of James Beard Award semifinalist Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman. The setting was José, the Mexican spot on Lovers Lane where Quiñones-Pittman works her magic. You might remember José from Netflix's Taco Chronicles — or, thanks to the Lalo Tequila cocktails, you might not remember it at all. For the evening's event, hosted by Megan and Brady Wood and Lisa and John Runyon, 100 guests forked over $1,000 each for the twin privileges of supporting the Design District's beloved art museum and experiencing three of the world's most heavy-hitting Mexican chefs: Quiñones Pittman, Francisco "Paco" Ruano of Guadalajara's Alcalde, and Tomás Bermúdez of Guadalajara's La Docena. Both Alcalde and La Docena made last year's 50 Best Restaurants list in Latin America. And Quiñones-Pittman is once again up for a James Beard Award — Best Chef in Texas. Proceeds from the benefit supported Dallas Contemporary's Spring 2023 exhibits: the private collection of Marcela and José Noé Suro, "Cerámica Suro: A Story of Collaboration, Production, and Collecting in the Contemporary Arts," and a solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Eduardo Sarabia, "This Must Be The Place." If that first-course halloumi won the evening's gold medal, chef Ruano's dessert — rice pudding with truffle shavings — takes the silver. The showcasing of culinary art complements the visual art throughout José, including Sarabia's grand white-and-blue ceramic vase on the bar, and a live performance by Mariachi Sol Azteca. Great food, great visuals, great music — a Dallas art-world hat trick. Josh Wyatt Claire Gogel José Noé Suro Kristie Ramirez Brady Wood Jordan Jones Muñoz Rachel Yamada Mark Giambrone, Lisa Runyon