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Sharon Hage is Not, I Repeat NOT, Involved In New Henderson Restaurant Project

Last Thursday, Christopher Wynn reported on Eats blog that Donald Chick, the groovy dude involved with La Condesa at Victory Park, is opening a new place on Henderson. Wynn wrote that the restaurant would be named Jones and the food, “California roadhouse with a farm-fresh mentality,” would be cooked by a chef picked with the help of “Chick’s friend, York Street’s Sharon Hage.” I just received an e-mail from Hage. She writes:

“Donald Chick had/has no authorization to use my name in conjunction with his upcoming restaurant project.  We are barely acquaintances, much less friends.  Several months ago, he called to discuss his plans and the possibility of my consulting on the menu.  We met twice-briefly.  I suggested he contact Mark Cassel.  End of story.”

She goes on to make it clear that she has no stake in Chick’s plans or right to use her name in the promotion of Jones. However, I am burying the lead. Hage’s only action in this “friendship” with Chick was that she suggested a few months ago that Chick should contact Marc Cassel. From the “sound” of the e-mail, it looks liked the veteran nice-guy chef will helm the kitchen at Jones. And Sharon Hage had nothing to do with it. Donald, perhaps you should have at least added Hage to your Facebook page before you claimed her as a friend. You picked the wrong chick to tick off. Speaking of chicks, back to you, Casey.

The New Look For This Blog And The Rest Of dmagazine.com

You may notice a new look for SideDish, and the rest of the site, for that matter. Those who are curious can find more info here. Or, just take a tour of the new site. We hope you like it.

A Whole Lotta Whole Foods

Sarah, Zac, and I joined the perky Karen Lukin, media and communications rep for Whole Foods, for a tour of the new Lakewood store, due to open its doors Monday morning. Jump for pics and details.

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Open That Bottle Night

Earlier this week, KERA ran a Fresh Air interview with Wall Street Journal wine critics (and husband-and-wife duo) John Brecher and Dorothy J. Gaiter, the creators of “Open That Bottle Night.” The idea behind it: Too many people hold on to sentimental bottles of wine, and no occasion ever seems special enough to pull the cork. Instead, one night a year, these critics encourage readers to crack open a special bottle and celebrate the wine itself. That night, dear Dishers, is this Saturday. I have my bottle picked out. What will you be drinking?

John Tesar is Moving to New York

Cathy B. at Eats blog has the story.

UPDATE: I just found the official press release in my junk mail folder. Details below.

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Jay Jerrier’s Il Cane Rosso Comes to Times Ten Cellars

You know Jay Jerrier. He’s one of the dudes behind Campania Pizza, and he’s the one who is certified by the Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana to make authentic Neapolitan pizza. Jay’s latest project is called Il Cane Rosso, and it’s coming to Lakewood’s Times Ten Cellars on March 4. Il Cane Rosso is an Italian, wood-fired oven that Jay put on a trailer so he can bring it to your party or event. He’ll make his awesome pizzas right on the spot for you and your guests, complete with 00 flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and house-made Fior de Latte. He’ll also be making foccacia and desserts. Come try it out at 5:30pm next Wednesday, or the one after that. He’ll be at Times Ten every Wednesday in March, “until the dough runs out,” as he says. Click here for the menu.

Casey Thompson Speaks Out on Casey Thompson Speaks Out About Top Chef

Hmm, Casey-Gate has proven, once again, that Facebook creates more enemies than friends. I have had several e-mail exchanges with Casey this morning and she is obviously unhappy with what happened.

I just want to make one thing clear: I have read the original Facebook exchange between Sarah and Casey. Sarah clearly asked Casey to make a comment on the results of the Top Chef show for SideDish. Casey replied. Sarah copied and pasted Casey’s reply. Any claim that Sarah tricked Casey is false. Let’s move on.

The Rosewood Mansion Closes The Chef’s Tasting Room

According to an e-mail message I just received from The Brad and former Mansion executive chef John Tesar’s comments on his Facebook page, the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek has closed the Chef’s Room at The Mansion. Tesar writes on Facebook: “John Tesar is sad that the Chefs room closed today [Thursday] and that the Mansion is giving up!”

Although I am sad that the Mansion has closed the Chef’s room, I doubt they are giving up. They may just be adjusting to the reality of the current sad state of fine dining. Not to mention the fact that they have not replaced Tesar with a high-profile chef to attract diners to the Chef’s Room. I will follow up with a phone call in the morning.

Updated Savor Dallas 2009 Schedule

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Old Pescabar Space Will Be New Lazare Space

Stopped in West Village last night to see what was going on in the old Pescabar space. A sign in the window advertising for help indicates the name of the restaurant is Lazare. The contact person is veteran restaurateur Russell Hayward (Tom Tom, Fuse, Nikita, Timpano, Samba Room, Canonita, Mignon, Fishbowl, and TABC to name a few).

Scotch Tasting at Second Floor Restaurant March 5

For those who don’t like sous vide or don’t want to hang with us or couldn’t get in, here’s something else fun to do next Thursday, March 5: A scotch tasting dinner at the Second Floor Bistro and Bar, Scott and Gina Gottlich’s place in the Westin Galleria. Guests get a four-course dinner plus pairings of scotch, which might not be something you’ve thought to pair with your dinner before. Balvenie Distillery Ambassador Andrew Weir will be there to talk about the scotch, and random factoid–he appeared in Braveheart with Mel Gibson. We know someone who would be there if he wasn’t a fictional character. Jump for details.

Also happening at the Second Floor: Half-price bottles of wine on Sundays, and a list of “Gina’s Picks,” bottles of vino for $20, available every day.

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SideDish Supper Club Update

See that groovy drink to the left? That’s a watermelon martini. But it’s not just any watermelon martini, it’s a martini made with watermelon prepared sous vide. This morning I met with Mercury Chef Chris Ward and he showed me the cocktail he created for the inaugural SideDish Supper Club dinner on March 5th. Next week’s event is sold out but the Mercury is hosting another one on the 12th. Wait until you taste that watermelon. Mercury: 972-960-7774.

Free Cappucino Saturdays at Flavors From Afar

Owner Nancy Krabill discovered two new roasts —Sant’ Eustachio and Cafe del Doge—on her last visit to Italy in November and now she’s sharing the brew for free on Saturdays at her Snider Plaza gourmet boutique. Sounds like a good reason to skip that super grande, half-caf, mocha, double shot, skinny, frappe with extra whip and just drink some good coffee.

Casey Thompson Speaks Out About Top Chef

Casey speaks! And she doesn’t sound happy, folks. I asked her to comment on last night’s episode, and here’s what she had to say:

Carla was not prepared and in over her head. The show did not talk about how the first course (crab) took her half of the friggin’ cooking time that day, I was left to work the rest of HER dishes.

She also did not have a plan. The ONLY thing she had in mind was a cheese course! I would NEVER do a cheese course. And where in the hell did french come from!? She is not even classically trained! It (the show) didn’t talk about how I worked on a sauce for 2 days and Carla forgot to put it on the plate… It didn’t show how the 2nd course (fish) was MINE. It didn’t show how she took the sous vide idea and decided to GRILL it last minute causing it to be tough… And it didn’t show how she WANTED to do the souffles which she does not even know how to make! That was HER food, because it certainly was me asking her how she wanted to do this and that while she was busy picking crab the entire time and making a souffle that didn’t rise!

I am done with TC. I did not influence her. She has NO ideas of her own, oh, except a cheese course.

Wow.

Celebrate Texas Independence Day By Drinking Wine

Didja know Texas Independence Day is right around the corner? (Of course you did, you’re planning to go get tacos like we discussed here). Another thing to do? Drink Texas wines. Lisa, otherwise known as C&S on DallasEats, otherwise known as our resident wine chick (not to mention the author of an upcoming book on Texas wines) did the legwork for you. Keep reading:

Hey Dishers!

It’s been a while since our last visit (yes, I’ve missed you terribly!), and if you’re wondering what’s been happening in the world of Texas wine, this is the perfect time to catch up. You see, Monday is Texas Independence Day, the anniversary of the adoption of our Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos in 1836. What better way to pay tribute to our founding fathers than by toasting them with glass of our state’s finest?

Jump for info on local winemakers and a sneak preview of two new wine posters from the Texas Department of Agriculture (much cuter than they sound).

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Top Chef : It’s Over

Jump for the recap. I don’t want to write too much here for people who haven’t watched.

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Top Chef Finale: Seriously?

That’s all I can say. More tomorrow.

Top Chef Finale: Who’s the Winner?

I’m feeling mixed emotions of sadness and excitement and hunger for tonight’s final episode of Top Chef: New York. Yes, the season has been kind of a disappointment overall. But mostly, I.Can’t.Wait. Cause I think Carla’s gonna take it. She’s pretty much saved this season from being a total snooze fest. Well, she and HosEah, of course. For all the other TC fans out there, who do you think is the winner? It’s probably going to be Stefan. But I’m going to hoot and holler if it’s Carla. Show us the love!

Free Culinary Lessons from Rosewood Crescent Hotel

We say “free,” but the fine folks from Rosewood refer to their 2009 Culinary series as “complimentary.” Either way, each month team Rosewood CC will host a cooking demonstration by a member of their culinary team. Jump for joy and the details.

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Bailey’s 1st & 10 to Reopen as Lakewood’s 1st & 10

I just got a note from a friend who says he and a few other SMU grads are reopening Bailey’s 1st & 10 at Mockingbird and Abrams. Seems the place closed down last November and the guys have signed a new lease, hired the old cook back, installed a few flat screens, and applied for a TABC license. Obviously they won’t open until they get this license, so opening date is still to come. But he assures me the place will be basically the same, just updated. And it will now be called Lakewood’s 1st & 10. When I hear the opening date I’ll pass it along.

Upcoming Cheese Classes at Scardello

A friend of mine took a cheese class from Scardello recently and couldn’t stop raving about it. She had so much fun that she ended up buying a bunch of cheese and having her own cheesy little Uptown tasting party the next night. But, in a good way. Here are the upcoming classes:

The Blues: Blue, green and in-between! Those lovely veins running through blue cheese make the mouth tingle in anticipation. Learn about these wonders of the cheese world. Taste examples from mild to strong, creamy to crumbly and one or two that feel like a good old fashioned kick in the teeth! Of course we pair these delights with near-perfect libations.
Thursday 26th 7pm

Italian Cheese and Wine
Discover Italy’s wealth of luxurious cheeses. Each cheese is as distinctive as its home geographic region. Deliciously paired wines enhance this exquisite sampling. Join us for a Italian Experience you won’t forget!
Thursday March 5th 7pm

Washed Rinds – “Festival of Smells”
Washed rind cheeses (the smelly ones) hit your nose with a distinctly powerful odor. But that isn’t the end of the story. These cheeses may be difficult to smell, but the flavor is delicate, meaty, followed by silky textures. We’ll discuss and taste a through a number of washed rinds from the European standards to some new American favorites.
Thursday March 12th 7pm

Classes are $25 and you must make a reservation with your credit card. Start the dialin’.

The Closure of Franki’s Li’l Europe

You can file this under the “Don’t Get Mad Get Even” department. The following is a note I just received from Gabriela Kovacic, co-founder of Franki’s Li’l Europe. As the lovely and talented Teresa Gubbins reported from her roost, the restaurant closed a couple of weeks ago. Pour yourself another cup of coffee and read on.

The Closure of Franki’s Li’l Europe, Casa Linda Plaza, Dallas
February 24, 2009

The last nail on the coffin of Franki’s Li’l Europe was pneumatically hammered into place by the landlord, after the bank seized property early last week according to the notice posted on the front door, though the 1 ½ decades of good times, good food and good value at Franki’s Li’l Europe in Casa Linda Plaza had come to an end long before this.

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Health Magazine Hearts Jason’s Deli

I’ve never been too fond of Jason’s Deli, but then again it has been maybe five years since I visited one. Today comes word that Health Magazine has ranked Jason’s Deli #2 on a list of 100 of “America’s Healthiest Chain Restaurants.” (Panera was rated number one.) Although the restaurant started in Beaumont, Texas, the chain with just over 200 locations has a corporate office in Dallas.

I’m leery of any nutritionist that views a salad bar as a healthy dining option, but it turns out the menu at Jason’s is heavy on organic ingredients and portion-controlled items. And Jason’s shifted away from trans fat and high fructose corn syrup ten years ago. Long before it was cool. So, congrats, Jason’s Deli. Oh, and check out this video. It will make you giggle.

Exclusive Wine Dinner at York Street

On Monday, March 2nd, at 7:00PM, Chef-Owner Sharon Hage is hosting the annual fundraising dinner in support of the 2009 AIWF sponsored Days of Taste program. Great food for a great cause. Chef Hage will prepare a special seasonal, four-course menu paired with wines from small vineyards. There is also a Champagne reception. Days of Taste is a discovery-based program teaching fourth- and fifth-graders how food weaves its way through daily life from the farm to the table. Teams of chefs, food professionals, farmers, and teachers collaborate to guide children through an exploration of taste and teach alternatives to “fast food” habits. Only a few seats left, so hurry. AIWF members $125. Guests $150. It’s just a phone call (214-696-2493) or a click away.

Hector’s On Henderson Loses Chef

Christopher Wynn reports on Eats blog that Hector’s new chef Troy Kingsley  has already called it quits. He was there less than a month. Attention chefs: Job opening.