Your Dark Companion Podcast

Episode 197 of Your Dark Companion welcomes back one of our favorite recurring guests — Sarah Blaskovich, food writer for the Dallas Morning News — for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant scene.
From the rise of upscale Mediterranean dining to the buzz around Delilah’s glamorous supper club experience, Sarah breaks down what’s trending, what’s opening, and what might struggle in 2026.
We cover:
Why Mediterranean cuisine is suddenly everywhere in Dallas
The hype (and vibe) behind Delilah in the Design District
Jason Garrett’s new Italian venture, Café Luca
Tiffany Derry’s upcoming sports bar concept in Grand Prairie
Why restaurants could face serious economic challenges in 2026
The reality of food pricing, rent spikes, and razor-thin margins
Plus, Sarah shares insight into how she approaches food journalism ethically — yes, she pays for her meals — and why covering restaurants is more like breaking news than you might think.
If you care about food, business, Dallas culture, or just want to know where to eat next — this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:00 – Intro & Welcoming Sarah Back04:43 – How Sarah Became a Food Reporter15:06 – Why Mediterranean Cuisine Is “So Hot Right Now”26:00 – Inside Delilah: Dallas’ Glamorous Supper Club34:37 – AM FM Diner & Music Culture in the Design District37:40 – Jason Garrett’s Café Luca Explained40:05 – Tiffany Derry’s New Grand Prairie Sports Bar46:39 – Why 2026 Could Be Tough for Restaurants52:40 – Inflation, Rent & The $20 Burger Debate57:57 – Chef Shirley Chung & Night Rooster1:04:14 – Budget-Friendly Dallas Favorites1:07:40 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next in DFW Dining
Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion
IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/X: https://x.com/YDC_DfwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanionFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445
The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolfIG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579
To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

Show Notes

Episode 197 of Your Dark Companion welcomes back one of our favorite recurring guests — Sarah Blaskovich, food writer for the Dallas Morning News — for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving Dallas-Fort Worth restaurant scene.

From the rise of upscale Mediterranean dining to the buzz around Delilah’s glamorous supper club experience, Sarah breaks down what’s trending, what’s opening, and what might struggle in 2026.

We cover:

Why Mediterranean cuisine is suddenly everywhere in Dallas

The hype (and vibe) behind Delilah in the Design District

Jason Garrett’s new Italian venture, Café Luca

Tiffany Derry’s upcoming sports bar concept in Grand Prairie

Why restaurants could face serious economic challenges in 2026

The reality of food pricing, rent spikes, and razor-thin margins

Plus, Sarah shares insight into how she approaches food journalism ethically — yes, she pays for her meals — and why covering restaurants is more like breaking news than you might think.

If you care about food, business, Dallas culture, or just want to know where to eat next — this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Welcoming Sarah Back
04:43 – How Sarah Became a Food Reporter
15:06 – Why Mediterranean Cuisine Is “So Hot Right Now”
26:00 – Inside Delilah: Dallas’ Glamorous Supper Club
34:37 – AM FM Diner & Music Culture in the Design District
37:40 – Jason Garrett’s Café Luca Explained
40:05 – Tiffany Derry’s New Grand Prairie Sports Bar
46:39 – Why 2026 Could Be Tough for Restaurants
52:40 – Inflation, Rent & The $20 Burger Debate
57:57 – Chef Shirley Chung & Night Rooster
1:04:14 – Budget-Friendly Dallas Favorites
1:07:40 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next in DFW Dining

Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: 
patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion

IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/
X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445

The Old Grey Wolf: 
X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf
IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579

To reach out email us at: Info@Stolenwatermedia.com

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Creators and Guests

Host
Mike Rhyner
Mike Rhyner… "a little on the bumpy side, but rather likable"…so stated famously by a grade school teacher in Oak Cliff, where Mike grew up. A complicated guy, yet a guy who can do long division and remember call strike three to A Rod. Probably best left unattended. Don't expect assistance from him if a medical situation arises.

What is Your Dark Companion Podcast?

"Whatever I want it to be about on a given day; is what it is." Your Dark Companion couples your familiar friends from radio, Mike and Grubes! Mike brings his classic interviews that draw you in, and Grubes—The Devil—drops…well the drops, and throws the occasional grenade. Mike likes to draw on his fascinating acquaintances and friends allowing them to tell their stories as you've never heard them. But he also goes outside his network, sharing Grubes' network, and often outside of both, to bring you those they don't know, but believe have a story that will make you laugh, make you think, think differently, or just entertain you…"that's what we are trying to do here."