GERMANIC URBANITY

Note to first-time visitors of Hofstetter’s: Bring a healthy appetite, but leave the lederhosen at home. While you’re at it, you might as well leave your assumptions about German restaurants there, too. Because even though Hofstetter’s does feature German and Austrian food, it’s anything but the sausage-schlepping, half-timbered Bavarian joint some might expect.

One step into its minimalistic interior, and you’ll know Hofstetter’s is much more sophisticated, and its cuisine is, too. But that’s not to say you can’t get your Wiener schnitzel fix when you want it.

The menu contains enough classic Germanic dishes to keep sauerkraut, veal and wurst lovers happy. But it also offers choices such as seared sea bass, New York strip and shrimp pasta for those wanting a wider variety.

Denise Gardner bought the place several months ago from Norbert Gregor, who founded the restaurant almost 20 years ago. Since then she has expanded the wine list and made various adjustments to the menu, keeping some of the old while introducing some new, and hoping to accomplish the same trick with diners.

HOFSTETTER’S SPARGEL CAFÉ
4326 Lovers (at Douglas) 214-368-3002
Hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dinner: Mon-Sat 5-10 p.m. Brunch: Sun 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
RR, OD, FB, $$

Pork Tenderloin Medallions In Gorgonzola Cream Sauce (serves 4)

8-12 pork tenderloin medallions
3-4 oz Italian Gorgonzola or good blue cheese
3 oz dry white whine
4 oz heavy cream
2 oz toasted, chopped pecans
1 sprig fresh thyme
3 tablespoons butter or oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Trim two whole pork tenderloins of all fat and skin, then cut into 2 oz pieces and pound slightly to half-inch thick round medallions over medium heat, three to four minutes on each side. Set meat aside and keep hot. Pour off excess fat, deglaze skillet with white wine and add crumbled Gorgonzola and thyme. Simmer for two minutes, then add heavy cream. Simmer additional two minutes.

For the final step, add toasted pecans, salt and ground black pepper to taste, arrange medallions on plate and nap with the Gorgonzola sauce. Serve with grilled asparagus, späetzle or any starch you like.

family fan

Mom Likes Them Best This is just not fair at all. If adults want to experience Greece, they’ve got a long, expensive trip ahead of them. But all kids have to do is go to the Dallas Children’s Museum. There, they can visit a Greek village, wear traditional clothing, shop in a small market and sip fake coffee in an outdoor tavern. They can even hear stories and play games. Open Tuesday, March 9, at 308 Valley View Center. Call 972-368-6555 or visit dallaschildrens.org for membership, ticket and event information.

on the go

Cool Squares Ever wonder how Picasso came up with the idea to paint with all those cubes? It started when he spent a year drawing, painting and sculpting likenesses of his companion, Fernande Olivier. You can get an up-close view of those early cubist works this month at The Nasher Sculpture Museum, in its first temporary exhibit, Picasso: The Cubist Portraits of Fernande Olivier. Through Sunday, May 9, Tues-Sun, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays, 2001 Flora. Call 214-242-5100 or visit nashersculpturecenter.org for information.

American Salute It’s a free country … so why listen to patriotic concerts in July, when everyone else does? Exercise your right to be different by attending a Meadows Wind Ensemble concert led by guest conductor Col. Timothy Foley, commander of the U.S. Marine Band, “The President’s Own.” Friday, March 26, 8 p.m. at the Owen Arts Center, 6101 Bishop on the SMU Campus. Call 214-768-1951 for information.

arts & entertainment

Sketching in the Galleries Thursday, March 4, public gallery tour at 6 p.m. and sketching with artist Cynthia Padilla at 6:30 p.m. Meadows Museum, 5900 Bishop, on the SMU campus. Materials are provided at this free event. Call 214-768-2516 for information.

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse March 5, Carrie Newcomer with Nick Annis opening ($12); Saturday, March 6 ($20 advance/$30 door) modern folk music icon Janis Ian, with Michael Troy opening; Friday, March 12, Small Potatoes with Greg Klyma opening ($10); Friday, March 19, Pierce Pettis, with Dulcie Taylor opening ($12); Friday, March 26, Michael McNevin and Dave Crossland ($12). A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit www.unclecalvins.org

The Grand Event Wednesday, March 31, 7:30 p.m. Meadows at the Meyerson, the annual event benefiting the Meadows School of the Arts will feature the sounds of nature with Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture,” Dvorak’s “Amid Nature” and Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1.” Tickets $5-$20. At the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora. Call 214-768-2787 for tickets and information.

Library Exhibit Throughout March: Science expo, from Wise Academy. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal.

Through the Needle’s Eye Through Sunday, June 24, The Dallas Museum of Art features this small but important collection of American quilts created from the 1820s to 1945. The exhibition of part of Quilt Mania, a citywide collaboration among 11 Dallas-area cultural institutions. Tickets to the DMA are $6 for adults, $4 for senior adults and children 12 and under. Downtown Dallas, between St. Paul and Harwood, just south of Woodall Rogers Freeway. For information visit dallasmuseumofart.org or call 214-979-6476.

Gardening Festival Saturday, March 20, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Join King of Glory Church for this 2nd annual festival featuring morning and afternoon gardening classes presented by experts and Master Gardeners. Neil Sperry, prominent Texas gardening expert, author and radio personality will be the keynote speaker at 2 p.m. His topic: “Steps to Successful Landscaping,” A rich range of displays rounds out the event, with plant materials for sale and information from area flower societies and nurseries. Also, children 6 to 12 can attend classes led by Texas A&M extension service agents and participate in craft activities. Admission is $7, or $5 with two canned goods. On the north side of I-635 LBJ Freeway, between Preston and Hillcrest. For more information, call 972-661-9435 or visit www.gardeningfestival.com.

community

Irish Fairy Tale Road Wednesday, March 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Dallas Children’s Museum presents the third event in its cultural stories series, highlighting Irish tales. Make St. Patty’s Day crafts, dance to traditional Irish music and listen to stories from the Emerald Isle. For information about these and other classes and events, call 972-380-0404 or visit dallaschildrens.org.

Tour Dallas Saturday, April 3, 8 a.m. Join thousands of local cyclists for an 8-, 20-, 30-mile bike ride around Dallas, with proceeds benefiting Dallas CASA, a volunteer group that works with abused and neglected children. The bike tour (which is not a race) starts at American Airlines Center, with routes including various downtown sites, White Rock Lake, Turtle Creek Boulevard and Swiss Avenue. Visit tourdallas.org for registration and information.

Photography Club Thursdays, 1 p.m. This class is for anyone who has ever taken photographs and wondered what they could do to get better results. Some classes include outings to local sites for picture taking. All you need is a camera, film and enthusiasm. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact scane@jccdallas.com.

health & fitness

Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.

Stretching and Exercise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Stretching and low-impact group exercises with instructor Dorothy Gross. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com

library

Library Live! Music for Little Ears Tuesday, March 9, 10:30 a.m. Young listeners will be amazed as beautiful illustrations come to life through piano music with Anne Marie Nelson Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

literary

Preston Royal Book Discussion Group Wednesday, March 17, 10:30 a.m. Join the group for a discussion of Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri. Preston Royal. Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

The Writers Studio Sunday, March 21, 7-9 p.m. The Writer’s Garret and KERA 90.1 present author Nicholson Baker as part of a series of interviews with some of the world’s most accomplished writers, recorded live for radio broadcast. Theatre Three, 2800 Routh in the Quadrangle. For information, visit writersgarret.org or call 214-871-3300.

Readers’ Theatre Mondays, 1 p.m. Sharon Cane leads weekly sessions reading various plays, with one or more performances planned throughout the year. No memorization required. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.

seniors

Shepherd’s Center of North Dallas Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. This friendly group of men and women ages 60+ meets weekly for classes such as Tai Chi, pilates, wellness techniques and intermediate line dancing. Also offered are panel discussions, speakers, book reviews, musical presentations, medical advice, card games and social activities. Bring lunch; coffee is provided. Newcomers welcome. Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood. For information, call Anabel at 214-350-0465.

Exercise For Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. For information contact aangorina@jccdallas.org.

AARP Free Income Tax Help Mondays noon-4 p.m. Bring your W-2, 1099 or any other current tax information and a copy of your previous year’s tax return. AARP offers this free assistance to anyone, provided that no one ages 55+ are waiting for help. Call to confirm dates and times. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

JAN IAN CONCERT

MUSIC THROUGH THE YEARS

Folk musician Janis Ian has worked as a singer, songwriter and guitarist for more than three decades, though not always with fold music. She became a household name in the ‘70s after winning multiple GRAMMY Awards with her critically acclaimed folk albums and hit song, “At Seventeen.” Like many artists, Ian succumbed to disco in the ‘80s, and managed to succeed at that, too. Then came a string of projects for film and television, including The Simpsons, General Hospital and Murder, She Wrote. In the ‘90s, she returned to her roots garnering another GRAMMY nomination for her album, Breaking Silence. This month, she’ll release her newest CD, Billie’s Bones, with a concert at Uncle Calvin’s Coffeeshop. She’s an unusually well-known artist for the live music venue, and she’s getting unusual treatment: Her show will be Saturday, March 6, the first one we know of being on any night other than Friday. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door. 9555 N. Central Expressway. Call 214-363-0044 for tickets and information.