No spoilers here, but the two remaining couples face a pretty daunting challenge in France as they try to be the last of nine pairs remaining and win their dream of opening a restaurant under the tutelege of chef Raymond Blanc.

Among those judging the final efforts are Raymond's mother -- looking even sterner than Rocco DiSpirito's mama in The Restaurant.

The Dallas Farmers Market has a colorful, shallow-and-wide tote with the farmers market name on it and mesh panels. Neat, for $20. I saw it at Koster-Pastabilities next to El Mercado.

Whole Foods Market is selling a dual-purpose tote. First, it's a tote for a cause: The purchase price of each Feed 100 bag provides 100 school lunches to needy children in Rwanda. What's also nifty is the way it looks like a small burlap clutch, which unzips to reveal the all-cotton tote. The outside of the clutch becomes, a la Transformer, the bottom of the tote. Way cool for $29.99. (Then again, getting it back inside is kind of like repacking a parachute.)

Every two weeks, we'll present a list of top restaurants in one category (ranging from burgers to Thai and late-night joints to ice cream shops) selected by our squadron of dining critics. We're kicking it off with - what else in Dallas? - steakhouses.

But, as has become the tradition during the Eats blog's inaugural year, we're looking for your opinion, too. So let's hear it: What chophouse most sets your carnivorous heart atwitter?

Post your picks and feedback here. Or e-mail dining@dallasnews.com. We'll publish some of these comments in a print version, which will appear in a future issue of Guide.

Click the link below to read our picks.

He's the current champion in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition. And now Nathan's is looking for challengers in a regional qualifying round, to be held June 21 at Sam's Club, 1200 E. Spring Creek Pkway. in Plano.

You must be 18 or older to compete, and you must enter in advance, online. Regional winners will compete with Joey C. for the national title on July 4th, in Coney Island. Prize: the coveted Yellow Mustard Belt. (And, we imagine, a major bout with indigestion.)

Lisa's a designer, and also the wife of Gilbert Garza, co-owner of Suze.

The best thing about a true neighborhood eatery is the camaraderie among the regulars. Tillman's is taking it to a whole new level and we have the photos to prove it. The Bishop Arts District roadhouse is now hosting Tuesday game nights.

This mostly word-of-mouth event (until now) has friends and family sharing bites and then lingering to play cards, checkers and --- my fave -- Jenga. (Too bad my hand-eye coordination is so poor. If only I had played more Atari growing up.)

Starts at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday. Tillman's supplies the games. Prepare to be in it to win it.

Tillman's Roadhouse, 324 W. 7th St., 214-942-0988, www.tillmansroadhouse.com

Photos by Stephen Karlisch

And don't fret, Dad: If you come in next month on Father's Day (Sunday, June 15th), you too will get a freebie cone or cup.

To locate a TCBY store in Dallas or elsewhere, go here.

Also spotted: the first few local peaches (at the Lemleys, hard, must be ripened), green plums, squash (including the quirky-looking eight-ball), and blackberries. Also, a lot coming in from South Texas, like peas.

I'm still working spring onions, which are so abundant right now. Yesterday, I got some herbed-whole-wheat pasta from Pastabilities, then sauced it with one of Gnismer's microwaved onions (method detailed here), mooshed up and cooked a bit longer with some olive oil to further caramelize, salt and Parmesan. The onion turned sweet and gooey, contasting nicely with the saltiness, and al dente bite of the pasta. I suppose you could throw in some balsalmic vinegar, but you don't need it. Sided the whole afair with a sweet cantaloupe from one of the dealers under Shed No. 1. Hey, his lemons were four for a dollar. Can't beat that.

He had a lot to say – as you can imagine if you've seen him on Top Chef, Iron Chef America or Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. And there wasn't enough room in the paper. So I'm sharing some leftovers. Click below to read more about his advice for aspiring oenophiles and his love-hate relationship with his Top Chef blog on BravoTV.com.

First stop: The Burgundy Boucherie in Grandview, the area's only grass-fed butcher shop, where Jon and Wendy Taggert dry-age, cut, and sell their pasture-raised meats. They also serve burgers made with their beef. Yum.

Traci Griseta of Terrell; her husband, Tony; son, Colton, 16; and daughter, Emerald, 14 will have two minutes to run through Market Street and grab as many groceries as they can.