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Hey, Todd. The New Tex-Mex Spot on Henderson Is Called Hacienda. And It’s Opening July 23.

I’ve been trying to wait until I had some firm details about the place, but the best I’ve got are some semi-reliable rumors—and this rendering—even though the grand opening is scheduled for July 23. (And the web site is still under construction.) Anyway, Hacienda is a partnership between Vickery Park owners and Lotus owners, so I think we can expect it to be as much a watering hole–plenty of tequila?–as a restaurant. I’m still waiting to get an idea of the menu, but I do think it’s going to be more upscale than, say, Cuquita’s but not as fancy as, say, Trece. I think we can expect a valet, even though there is adjacent parking (hate that). What else? Oh, if you’ve driven by the patio space looks pretty inviting, so assuming they can tolerate the summer heat, I suspect we’ll be seeing lots of pretty girls on that patio–perhaps waving to all the pretty boys on the patio at Capitol Pub. Stay tuned for more official details.

New State and Allen Concept in Uptown To Be Called Nodding Donkey

Remember when we told you that the folks behind Uptown’s popular State and Allen Lounge were re-opening the shuttered 2900 as a Tex-Mex concept? Well, word comes that the resto is going to be called the Nodding Donkey (an homage to Texas oil wells, pictured here), and it will feature not only Tex-Mex, but other “Texas style fare.” Read on:

Says Calabrese (one of the chef/owners), “At first we assumed that we would just do Tex-Mex and do it really well and that would be enough. But a couple of things then inspired me to think why not do a Texas style cuisine restaurant/cantina — Tex-Mex, BBQ, Smokehouse, Caballero cooking, Texas comfort food, etc. We will do it all and we will do it the best way possible. We will have about fifteen staple items, and then rotate others based on trends.”

Jump for the entire release. The Nodding Donkey is set to open this fall.

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The Next Food Network Star Episode 4: Total Dallas Mel Domination

In this week’s episode of The Next Food Network Star, someone gets whacked with a sheet tray, someone channels Something About Mary during judging, someone serves raw burgers, and someone TOTALLY DOMINATES. Jump for it.

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Marc Cassel’s PARK Is Coming to Life

Just drove down Henderson Avenue this morning to get a slap in the face (AKA: double espresso from Pearl Cup) and saw that PARK—chef Marc Cassel’s new restaurant—is looking nice and near completion. That makes my stomach happy. I miss Cassel’s days at Green Room in Deep Ellum. That was a great restaurant. I’m hoping PARK is as good. More Henderson Avenue news: Cuquita’s (best liver and onions in Dallas) old spot is soon to be a new Tex-Mex place by the owners of Vickery Park restaurant. You know, Henderson Avenue is shaping up to become a great foodie hotspot.

Southwest Foodservice Expo: Richard Chamberlain, Recipe of the Day

Chef Richard Chamberlain.

Go Texan. Go Richard Chamberlain. Go to the store and make this recipe: Texas Beef  Brisket with Texas Tomato Peach Barbecue Sauce. Jump for it.

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Southwest Foodservice Expo Report: Aphrodite Divine Confections

Yesterday, I met Charles. He is at the Expo promoting Aphrodite Divine Confections in Garland. In this video he talks about being Santa at Collin Creek Mall, the “little factory in Garland”, what he does with his gloved finger and peanut butter, and his religious experience with a scone. Enter at your own risk.

Southwest Foodservice Expo: Reports From Day One

Gena and Mark Maguire. Mark will be sworn in as new prez of TRA tonight.

Yesterday, the Southwest Foodservice Expo opened for a three-day run at the Dallas Convention Center. I spent most of the day wandering the halls with InsideCorner’s Evan “Grumpy” Grant. We bumped in to PegNews’ Teresa Gubbins and Marc Lee, Mark and Gena Maguire, Herschel Walker, Amy Severson, Lee Fuqua, and Richard Chamberlain.

I hope the 12 Dishers who “won” an opportunity to roam the event will file their reports below. If you followed DSideDish on Twitter, you already know our knee-jerk reactions. If not, I’ve decided to post my report through pictures. Click on the box below for slideshow.

Southwest Foodservice Expo June 28, 2009

Tom Colicchio Wants To Do More Wine Dinners at Craft Dallas (and the Parking Is Complimentary)

I sat down with the Craft Dallas owner the morning after his very successful wine dinner with Ramey Wine Cellars. Here’s the full interview.

Dallas Farmers Market: The Baker Man, Paul Wackym

Paul Wackym makes wacky-good cookies. I met him (and his cookies) in Shed 1 at the Dallas Farmers Market.  Last night I ate six of his margarita with Key lime and sea salt cookies for dinner. Check him out.

Somebody Help This Poor Girl: Eight Ball Squash

Texas produce is pretty.

Or zucchini. Or both. Aren’t they pretty? Somebody tell me what to do with them.

Parigi Takes a Annual Team Parigi Vacation

Three years ago, Parigi closed for a week around the 4th of July. The staff pulled together for a massive remodel. They got so much done and developed such a great team spirit, they decided to make it an annual event.

Starting Friday, July 3, Parigi will close and the staff will take recent input from their customers, employees, and friends, and make some adjustments to the restaurant. They will re-open on July 10th. “We’ve got some fun changes planned this year,” said Chef Chad Hauser. “Here’s a hint: circles, beautiful fabrics, and marble.”

And ice cream. Hauser promises to serve the winning recipe from the Mama Ida Ice Cream Social competition.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Eat Texas

J.T. Lemley.

Saturday the Dallas Farmers Market was teaming with a bounty of good eats. After the ice cream social, I headed to Shed 1 to pick up some local goodies. The temperature hovered around 102 degrees. Sadly, JuHa Ranch was  sold out of beef and the checkout line at Texas Meats Supernatural–a marketing co-op of Rehoboth Ranch, Truth Hill Farm, and Windy Meadows Family Far–was too long.

J.T. Lemley: The farmers touch.

However, the ever-present J.T. Lemley was full of tomatoes and peaches and Dr. Blueberry was selling the sweetest dang berries I’ve ever eaten.

Mama Ida Ice Cream Social at The Dallas Farmers Market: The Winners

Mama Ida and the winning team of Joshua Webster, Elvin Westbrook, Charles Miller, and Aaron Cessac.

Full disclosure:  I overslept and missed the ice cream tasting, but I did get down to the Dallas Farmers Market in time to meet the winners and take their pictures. The 3rd Annual Mama Ida Ice Cream Social is a fundraiser for the Dallas Farmers Market Friends, founded by Ida Papert.  Local culinary students and kids from the Dallas County Youth Village are given local ingredients and a chance to compete for a cash prize.

Congratulations this year go to “Reckless Abandonment,” a sub team of Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School for their roasted fig and brandy ice cream. And kudos to Parigi chef Chad Hauser for immediately asking the winners to supply his restaurant with their ice cream.