Last night, at the invitation of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, I attended the annual Dining in the Dark event. It’s pretty much what it sounds like: I ate in the dark.

I’ll have a story about it in next week’s paper, but SideDish writer/ culinary gremlin Carol Shih also attended, and sat right next to me. Click over to SideDish to read a transcript of our dark conversation.

Miss Georgia Fisher and I visited Dallas Country Club today for the first time, at the invitation of one Buddy Macatee. After our lunch in the Turtle Creek Grille, Buddy gave us a quick tour, including the bar.

The bar, which I thought would be a natural place for Highland Park single-malt scotch. Because, you know, Highland Park. I craned my neck to look at the top shelves, and still couldn’t see any. Is there really no Highland Park scotch at Highland Park’s country club? Please correct me if I’m wrong, or correct the situation.

Ever since Dallas put out bid proposals to privatize the Dallas Farmers Market, I’ve been thinking about the viability of it. I’ve been a few times, bought way too many jalapenos, and was considerably underwhelmed. Most of the produce is, sure, “farm” fresh, but it’s apples from Washington or grapes from California. The “local” section is a few dudes trying to convince you that zip code honey will mask your allergies. (Speaking from personal experience, it probably won’t.)

There’s a somewhat puny market held every weekend in the West Village, but it’s certainly not a destination stop.

But I’ve lived in cites where farmers markets thrive under unusual circumstances. Baltimore’s largest is held under a freeway, and D.C.’s survived a fire that gutted its only building. Surely the Park Cities could cobble something together in Snider Plaza, or Lakeside Park, no?

The problem is traffic. Would Parkies stop by on their way to Central Market, or would they pass and say, “Hmm, I wonder what that is?”

Reitz argues that the demise of the centralized (but drive-necessary) downtown market could force smaller ones to pop up around the city. There’s no reason one of those places couldn’t be in the Park Cities.

(Note: If one already exists and I’m a complete idiot, disregard this.)

Yesterday was the deadline for veteran HPISD cafeteria volunteers — including yours truly — to claim our preferred shifts for the 2012-13 school year. The process is now open to new volunteers. And apparently, we could use some new blood. This is from an email I got last week from the volunteer chair at the high school:

We have had many days with several no-shows, and it cripples the cafeteria. The paid staff has to step in to serve and cashier, and then they cannot do their regular duties, like cook and restock.

If you want to be part of the solution, click here.

Back east, there’s a Dunkin Donuts (approximately) every 13 feet. These purveyors of coffee and confection were a part of my youth, meaning I had two friends who worked there so we ate donuts until we heaved.

So when I moved to Texas and started looking around for a DD, I was distressed that the closest one to my apartment is on Preston and 635, 20 minutes from Casa de Pearson. It’s a trek I’ve never made.

Now, hopefully, that will change. Jerry Jones and Troy Aikman are teaming up to bring 50 new Dunkin Donuts locations to DFW in the next five years, making this the first time I’ve actively cheered for Cowboys.

I know there used to be a location in Snider Plaza, so two questions:

1. Why did it close?

2. Would the Park Cities be receptive of another location? (Please say yes.)

I’ll let the Highland Park DPS blotter do the talking:

24 SATURDAY

Between 6:30 and 6:50 p.m., someone stole a $750 Stetson silverbelly cowboy hat from Patrizio’s in Highland Park Village. The victim suspects a man with whom he “had a confrontation [with] earlier in the evening over a female in the bar.” The suspect later told a waitress “You better call the cops because I’m about to kick [the victim’s] ass.”

Have you been to Union Bear yet? No? Turn off your computer, drive to the West Village, and drink.

I don’t usually rep for certain spots here (that’s what our advertisers are for!) but I’ve been to Union Bear probably 10 times since it opened in January. It has the best beer selection in the city (sorry for taking your only months-old title, Strangeways), and is reasonable beyond fiscal sense.

That said, they’re having a La Marzocco (read: fancy coffee) event at the spot Wednesday, March 28. The info is tight with the details, but it kicks off at four. Then you might as well stay all night, even though they kicked the Southern Star Le Mort Vivant (their best beer on tap, IMO) last week.

As the News reported a couple months back, Carbone’s Fine Food and Wine, the Italian-American market and restaurant moving into the old Talbot’s site at The Shops of Highland Park, had a late-March ETA.

Carbone’s arrival is still imminent, says owner and Nonna chef Julian Barsotti — just not so soon, as you can probably gather from ongoing construction. But Barsotti did get specific about his expected opening date: Tuesday, April 17 .

Think you’ll visit?

Park Cities resident and regular SideDish contributor George Lewis espied this park job outside the Chanel in Highland Park Village  today.

And the debate rages on: okay for a quick second? Never okay? And is Jimmy John’s the blandest sandwich shop in the world, or the absolute blandest sandwich shop in the world?

All eight D-FW area Whole Foods stores will participate in the Street Fari Festival this weekend, but the Park Lane location seems to have a few more tricks lined up:

Join our Park Lane store on Friday the 23rd from 6:30-8:30 for a “Street Food Festival Dinner”
Savor an exclusive meal rich in culture and flavor. $35, RSVP’s required. This is an international culinary experience you don’t want to miss. Our acclaimed chefs will present hand-crafted menu items featuring local dishes from around the world. Menu highlights include:
◦Mini Banh Mi Sandwiches from Vietnam
◦Tacos Al Pastor and Elotes from Mexico
◦Ukrainian Peirogies
◦Eggplant Caponata from Sicily
◦Chicken Brochettes from Morocco
Beverages included; ages 21 and up.

It’s not street food, but it’s global Cuisine for Charity on Saturday the 24th at Park Lane
The Whole Planet Foundation helps empower women across the globe with micro loans. Join us for a culinary tour showcasing tasty dishes from around the world. A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Whole Planet Foundation. Help us help a million more people to change their own lives! Menu highlights include:
◦Yogurt Tilapia
◦Butter Chicken
◦Vegan Saag
◦Vegetable Biryani Stuffed Bell Peppers
◦Banana Ice Cream with Pineapple Coconut Love Crunch and Whole Trade Chocolate
Beverages included; ages 21 and older.
$35, reservations required

For more information and to reserve a seat, head to the Whole Foods Park Lane website.