Articles for April 1st, 2009

This Just In: Chef Darren McGrady Will Be On Larry King Live

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 4:26pm | filed under Chefs, Food On TV | 4 Comments »

Chef Darren “Bouillon” McGrady, who also goes by The Royal Chef because he was the personal chef for Princess D and the Royal Family, is going to be on Larry King Live tonight. The e-mail notice sez:

The Obamas in London!

The President and First Lady take Britain by storm – and meet the Queen. The U.K. is mad for the American “royalty”! The Fashion! The Food! The Frenzy on Larry King Live! Chef McGrady will be talking about afternoon tea with the Queen and Dinner at Downing Street.

Set your TiVo now. 8:00PM.

4 Comments »

Calling All Pastry Chefs

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 2:48pm | filed under Baking, Chefs | 2 Comments »

I need this. If you make it and bring it to the office, I will shill about you until the cows come home.

2 Comments »

Watel’s: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 2:42pm | filed under Chefs, Food On TV, Foodie People, Restaurant News, Wine & Spirits |

Just off the phone with restaurateur/chef Rene Peeters of Watel’s. The restaurant is closed and being remodeled. He asked me to hold off on the details until he can get them organized. We chatted about the old days—when Dallas was full of great French restaurants cheffed by great French chefs like Jean LaFont, Guy Caillaud, and George Patry. Recently Peeters dined with LaFont and reported that he is still in Dallas and in good health. Let’s hope we can say the same for Watel’s. We need good French food.

Mi Piaci’s Executive Lunch Special Starts Today

posted by Todd Johnson | April 1st, 2009 2:23pm | filed under cheap eats |

Even high-powered business execs need a little lovin’ when it comes to the old bank account. Enter Mi Piaci and its new executive lunch special: entree, side, and salad for only $15. Choices include salmon with pomegranate port reduction, pork tenderloin with Barolo demi-glace, penne arrabbiata, rigatoni with peppers, carmelized onion mashed potatoes, panzanella salad and more. The deal is served weekdays 11am-2pm.

Central Market Removes Pistachios From Shelves

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 1:50pm | filed under Groceries, PR People, Snacks | 1 Comment »

Ding, dang. I love pistachios and I am pistachio-ed off at the recent voluntary recall of the salty nuts. Just received word from Aimee Deputy, the shopping sheriff at Central Market:

Due to the recent FDA recommendation that consumers should avoid eating pistachio products,  Central Market H-E-B is voluntarily removing any product containing pistachio nuts from our stores until further FDA verification has been received.

Central Market H-E-B has elected to remove these products strictly as a precautionary measure, even though we have received numerous affidavits from various vendors stating their products do not contain ingredients from the FDA-identified Salmonella source.

Central Market H-E-B is removing these products as part of our ongoing commitment to food safety and the safety of our customers.

Murmur.

1 Comment »

Nancy, This Little Birdie Is for You

posted by Jennifer Chininis | April 1st, 2009 1:49pm | filed under dessert, Travel |

I saw the pretty birdie and had to take a photo. It’s a fancy little fruit cake by Fiona Cairns, available at Fortnum & Mason. She also does little cupcakes decorated with shoes and handbags–perfect for a bridal shower (assuming you were getting married and living in London, that is). TTFN, Dishers. I’m off to Paris tomorrow.

Where I Ate in London: Satsuma in Soho

posted by Jennifer Chininis | April 1st, 2009 1:42pm | filed under cheap eats, Travel, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Dearest Drew. Thank you for your recommendation of Satsuma. After a cruise through Fortnum & Mason–where I wanted to buy beautiful handmade Easter eggs, every kind of marmalade known to man, and dainty little cakes–we walked over to Wardour Street until we ran into one of the restaurants mentioned here. It’s been a long day for us–we just arrived at London Heathrow at about 10:45 this morning–so I can’t say much beyond bento box=good. Loved the little salad with scallops, shrimp, and calamari and the crunchy vegetarian roll (see right). Miso soup was warm and comforting. Crispy shrimp reminded me of a Middle Eastern pastry. The only not-so-hot items in the box were the tuna and salmon sashimi. They were just so-so. My sister had the chicken katsu bento box, and the crispy breaded chicken was hearty and just as delicious. We are very happy girls–and even though it’s only 7:30 pm here, we’re in our jammies and ready to crash. Next time we’re here (we come back on April 8 & 9, actually) I hope to try Rasa. Thank you, foodie friends! Stay tuned for more of my European eating adventures.

1 Comment »

Wine Dinner Wednesday

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 1:39pm | filed under Wine & Spirits, Wine Dinner Wednesday |

Jump for this week’s wine dinners. Restaurants, if you don’t see yours I didn’t get it. Send away. UPDATED!

Continue reading "Wine Dinner Wednesday"

Somebody Help This Poor Boy: Cabrito

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 1:22pm | filed under Foodie People, Restaurant News | 5 Comments »

A dapper dude is looking for a goaty restaurant:

The NY Times story (I love Bruni’s video reports) on goat got me wondering where to get the best cabrito in Dallas.  Any thoughts?

My first thought is El Ranchito on Jefferson. Put in your earplugs. Y’all hit it.

5 Comments »

SideDish Supper Club Is Simmering

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 1:05pm | filed under SideDish Supper Club |

Want to be the first to find out the details of the next SideDish Supper Club? Type your e-mail address in the SupperClub button on the right side of the page. Or Twitter for deets.

Crawfish: Where’s Your Favorite?

posted by Sarah Eveans | April 1st, 2009 10:09am | filed under Uncategorized | 16 Comments »

Last week I was lured into Pappadeaux for their Monday and Tuesday night special: $3.95 per 1 1/4 pound of crawfish, with potatoes and corn. The place was jammed, and as a result, the waitstaff was overwhelmed. Our server was very nice and kept apologizing for the long waits on everything–drinks, bread, entrees, check–but it was clear that they were just understaffed. He was trying his hardest and we didn’t hold it against him. Here is a pic of the crawfish. For $4, it was a good amount (though there was just one lonely potato and one small piece of corn), and the crawfish were really big, but I’m not dying to return. I’d rather pay more and get better service, a cleaner table, and perhaps something to wipe my hands with after I’ve eaten. I’ve had crawfish at Dodie’s that I really enjoyed (lips burned for hours after eating), but I’m wondering where everyone else goes. Lemme know, because I feel a craving coming on…

16 Comments »

Whole Foods Rises To The Occasion

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 10:04am | filed under April Fools, cheap eats, Foodie People | 3 Comments »

Not to be outdone by Market Street, Karen Lukin of Whole Paycheck Foods, sends this link to the unbelievable specials at WPF. Organic air (spray bottles) is now only $6.99. If you purchase 50-lbs. of organic bananas, you get a free Huntsman spider (no worries, they’re farm-raised 0utside of Tulsa). Check out their recyclable pet poop bags, recipes for milk gone bad, and a photo of their newest store opening. Tra la.

3 Comments »

Market Street Opens In Plano

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 1st, 2009 9:48am | filed under April Fools, Groceries, Hippie revolutions | 2 Comments »

Market Street, United Supermarkets’ all-in-one grocery store, opened this morning in Plano (W. Park @Preston). The first 100 people through the door will receive free milk for a year. As an added bonus, all 100 milk drinkers will become bloggers on SideDish. They will talk about milk every day for a year. Oh, this is going to be so fun. It just makes me Twiter all over.

2 Comments »

Somebody Help Me: Where To Eat in London’s West End

posted by Jennifer Chininis | April 1st, 2009 8:16am | filed under cheap eats, Travel | 7 Comments »

Hello, friends and foodies. I’m in London for the night before I leave for Paris tomorrow afternoon. I’m staying at the Langham, and I need a decently priced spot for dinner nearish the hotel. As you can imagine, we’re pretty beat, but we’re going to hang in there! I’m off to Fortnum & Mason right now (can’t wait), but I’d like a quiet little bistro or cafe for dinner. Any suggestions? (James Dean, there’s a message from me in your inbox on FB.)

7 Comments »