Articles for July, 2009
Callie McDole Of Dallas Makes Papou’s Dressing
Remember the floor-wax-or-dessert-topping called Shimmer? Dallasite Callie McDole’s salad dressing is sort of like Shimmer—you can pour it on a salad, use it as a marinade, or just rub it on your thighs and have the pool boy lick it off. Extra, extra read all about it.
An Open Letter To Bonathon: Battle Of The Interns
- Would you mess with this dude?
Well, our shy little intern Bonathon has caused quite a ripple in the intern world. First, he single-handedly shut down one of Dallas’ favorite soul food restaurants, Vern’s. Now he’s got a inbox full of groupies. (Yes, he does.) Today comes a challenge from Josh Storie, an intern at Levenson & Brinker PR. This is all sooo Facebook. Go, Josh:
13 Comments »Dear Bonathan,
For right now, my name is Josh. You don’t know me but I’m fully aware of who you are. Stories of your interning escapades have provided more humor for the lovely ladies in the cubicles beside me than anything else since I started interning here at Levenson & Brinker PR. As I’m sure you can tell, this is a pretty happening place. But, nonetheless, the tales of the infamous “Bonathan” have caused three of the women who oversee my imminently important and exceedingly entertaining duties as an intern to dub me with a nickname as well. (Oh, it gets better–flip the page.) Continue reading "An Open Letter To Bonathon: Battle Of The Interns"
Comfort Food In Dallas: What Comforts You
I am getting a little uncomfortable with the direction comfort food is taking. Can I blame it on the Gen Y population? Sure, why not. They don’t read SideDish. Gen Y’ers are more Britney than Julia.
While the overall trend in dining today is to eat sloooowly, the Gen Y’ers I know are more content to snack quickly. What happened to the good old days of turning on The Thorn Birds (before you knew Richard Chamberlain was gay), grabbing a spoon and a half gallon of ice cream, and eating the whole thing? Once, after I got turned down for what I thought was my dream job, I went back to my apartment, made a three-layer German chocolate cake, and ate every last crumb. Did I feel better? You betcha.
What is comfort food? At home it is one thing, but now restaurants are trying to comfort us in public. Take Kent Rathbun. (beat, beat…) He has gourmet comfort food. He isn’t alone; there are lots of folks making their mortgage payments by selling upscale mac and cheese. Isn’t gourmet comfort food an oxymoron? If you agree, then WTF is healthy comfort food? A lie? You betcha.
I was curious to see if there were any distinctive differences between generations when it came to constant cravings. I didn’t have to Google far to find this little salty tidbit. Jump with me. Continue reading "Comfort Food In Dallas: What Comforts You"
23 Comments »Restaurant Review: Legally Blonde In Dallas
- Chef Eric Shelton. What does he have in store for Mama Mia? Greek food!
Omigod, omigod you guys. Last night I took one of my perfect nieces and her almost perfect BFF to see Legally Blonde at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Natch, we were undernourished and running late. We decided to take the easy way and eat at the Music Hall. Yow. Zah. Not only was the food lovely, it was fun.
The dining room, managed by Culinaire (Nicola’s, Coast Global Seafood) International, and kitchen have been overhauled. The restaurant even has its own name—M. And chef—Eric Shelton. Chef Shelton designs a menu around each musical. For Happy Days, it was roast beef sliders and shakes; bangers and mash for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But I have a feeling he hit his stride with Legally Blonde: the buffet included “Bend and Snap” peas, “Oh My God You Guys” salad, and a “Carvard University” meat slicing station. Okay, you think it’s corny? Then you have a chip on your shoulder. My girls, who know every song and dance movement of this show, loved it. The festive food followed by a fabulous show combined to create an evening the three of us will never forget. Seriously.
9 Comments »Winners Announced: Private Screening of Julie & Julia
Here are the winners to next week’s screening of Julie & Julia in Dallas:
Ames Hutton
Mary Hite
Lisa Freeze
Anne Clarrissimo
Jay Pritchard
You have won 2 tickets to see Julie & Julia next Thursday, August 6th at 7:30 p.m. at the Angelika. Thank you Karen Lukin of Whole Foods.
1 Comment »A Blog Post To Julie & Julia Author Julie Powell
- Julie Powell last night at the DMA.
Tomorrow morning when the New York Times best seller list is released, Julie Powell’s book, Julie & Julia, will be in the number two position. Not bad for a former underpaid secretary-turned-blogger-turned-book author- turned-guest lecturer at last night’s Arts & Letters Live program and the Dallas Museum of Art.
Before last night, I made my feelings about the movie and Ms. Powell pretty clear—I didn’t particularly care for either one of them. The movie was nice, but I don’t like nice overly sweet movies. I can’t comment on Julie Powell’s book or blog because I haven’t read them. I admitted that, right or wrong, I am extremely jealous of her rags-to-riches-by-blogging success.
Last night, Ms. Powell appeared at the DMA to speak and answer questions. The main hall was filled to capacity and another crowded room watched via closed circuit. SHE IS A FOOD BLOGGER. She does not have the cure for AIDS.
The good news is that I had a chance to tell Julie Powell, in front of a live audience, that I didn’t like her. I told her I was an insanely jealous food blogger and I wanted to know how in the hell she scammed this whole movie deal. You know what she said to me? “Yes, the bloggyness now is so different. I would want to throw me under a bus, too.”
I love her.
And I’m sending her a love letter.
Continue reading "A Blog Post To Julie & Julia Author Julie Powell"
22 Comments »SideDish Movie Screening: Win Tickets To Private Screening
Dishers, you have only two hours left to register to win a pair of tickets, compliments of Whole Foods, to see a private screening of the movie Julie & Julia. Fill out this form and cross your fingers. Winners announced at 5:00 p.m. today.
8 Comments »Bailey’s Prime Plus GM Judd Fruia Is Now The Former GM
Judd Fruia, formerly of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse and Fruia’s Tre Amici, is now formerly of Bailey’s Prime Plus. Word on the street is that Fruia was fired, but word on the street is not to be trusted. “My departure from Bailey’s was amicable,” said Fruia via e-mail. “Now it is time for me to move forward.”
Dallas Restaurant Bijoux Receives Award Of Excellence From Wine Spectator
Here’s the thing about descriptive blog headlines. You don’t need to say much else—unless you want more information about Bijoux, which we’ve got. Oh, and you can read about other restaurant awards in the current issue of Wine Spectator.
4 Comments »Society Bakery New Kids on the Block Cake A Hit With “The Guys”
Society Bakery's NKOTB cake. The hottest one is second from the right.
A couple of weeks ago, a very exciting thing happened. The New Kids on the Block came to town. If you get my newsletter (Oh, you don’t? Sign up here) or ever check out www.dmagazine.com, you probably already know how excited this makes me. (I know it’s not the coolest thing in the world, but we all have our guilty pleasures, and this one’s mine. Haters to the left.) So when Roshi Muns from Society Bakery sent me this picture, I had to know more details. Like, why wasn’t I invited to this party. Here is her story:
The New Kids manager found us. They had asked a local contact where to get an awesome cake and they said Society Bakery! So they sent us their tour poster to get inspiration. The party was a private band and crew party at Gilleys the night before their Friday night concert. It was to celebrate the completion of 140 shows on their tour. They took the pic and sent an email saying they loved it. And this week they sent us a care package with hats and t-shirts and blankets and cds and even baby clothes. We put their pic up in the bakery.
The cake was half chocolate, half vanilla, with vanilla frosting. I’m posting this because I know I’m not the only person out there who wants to squeal a little bit when they see this picture. Also, props to Society Bakery. I need to come visit. And after I leave, if you’re missing a t-shirt or two, I don’t know anything about it.
2 Comments »Bailey’s Prime Plus Set To Open On Park Lane In Dallas
Leslie “Catch a Falling Star” Brenner, you rock. Thanks to you, the new Bailey’s Prime Plus (and stuff, and such, and beyond) will feature not only baked potatoes, but a substantially new menu.
- The Baked Potato Room at Bailey’s Prime Plus in Dallas. (Kidding.)
Yes folks, as the Dallas restaurant world continues to shrink and die, flamboyant restaurateur Ed Bailey is stepping up to the proverbial plate and building another opulent “not-your-typical” steakhouse.
The second location of Bailey’s Prime Plus in Dallas will be a 12,000-square foot space with 20-foot ceilings and a reflecting pool that “traverses the entire space with four full size trees rising from its center”. The rear portion of the bar with “curved banquette seating and subdued lighting, has space for live music performers such as a jazz quartet or a DJ spinning for dancing.” Spinning and dancing and eating steaks and plain baked potatoes will be available in late August/early September. Chef to be announced soon. I am glad someone in the restaurant business is having fun. Seriously.
8 Comments »
Oak Cliff Cellars Inaugural Tasting At Lavendou In Dallas
Andrew Chalk is one of the Dishers who participated in the SideDish Hits the Southwest Food Service Expo at the end of June. He turned in a series of videos that featured some of the unusual items such as coffee made from civet (cat) poop and chocolate-covered crickets he uncovered at the Expo. It turns out that AC, not this AC, is an ace when it comes to wine. He knows a lot about it and his life is one ceaseless search for the fine wine. Last night he attended Oak Cliff Cellars inaugural tasting at Lavendou in North Dallas. He files this report:
1 Comment »Jim Richardson is a brave man. In the face of the worst recession since The Flintstones and manifest oversupply in the wine industry, the man has opened a winery in California. And while most wineries are named after romantic place names, cute critters, or the founder, he decided to name his after where he hails from in Dallas. Hence, Oak Cliff Cellars was born. You don’t borrow from a bank for this sort of thing and “JR” (as he goes by) is not too big to fail, so that rules out the taxpayer. Rather, you invest your own money, and maybe that of some close investors who you beat in a card game. In the time-honored tradition of start-ups you rent space in the premises of a larger, more established, producer and hire an experienced consulting winemaker. After selecting and fermenting grapes, you spend 18 months dealing with problems while your precious fist vintage ages. Eventually, the miracle of oak-aging and a newfound belief in prayer brings everything together and you show your new baby to the world.
That is what JR did on Wednesday night at Lavendou. Big jammy jump here. Continue reading "Oak Cliff Cellars Inaugural Tasting At Lavendou In Dallas"
Wine and Dine with Frasca
I know we focus on all things Dallas, but over the weekend I had the pleasure of taking a cooler weather get away to Denver, that included an incredible Lyle Lovett concert at Red Rocks, a fun Colorado Rockies game, and an outstanding meal designed by two James Beard Award winners. Based on the oversold flight out on Friday afternoon, there were many Dallasites with the same idea in mind.
If you find yourself in Denver, then dinner at Frasca, a short drive away in Boulder, is a must.
Why? Talent and passion, accented with award winning grace from owner and 2008′s James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef: Southwest,” Food and Wine Magazine’s “Best Chef, 2005,” and recently competing on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and owner, 2003′s James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Wine Service” recipient and ”Wine Director of the Year” from San Francisco Magazine, and James Beard 2008 “Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional” nominee, Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey. Jump for more.
Separated At Birth? Christopher Wynn And Chef Grant Achatz
 |
 |
| Christopher Wynn | Chef Grant Achatz |
Just opened my James Beard Foundation Newsletter and thought they were running a big picture of DMN scribe Christopher Wynn. Nope, the article, “Where Grant Achatz Likes To Eat In Chicago”, had nothing to do with CW. Where does the chef who favors molecular gastronomy love to eat? Jump for his list. Where does Christopher Wynn love to eat? Let’s guess.
Continue reading "Separated At Birth? Christopher Wynn And Chef Grant Achatz"
1 Comment »Nana Inducted Into Nation’s Restaurant News’ Fine Dining Hall Of Fame
Speaking of in boxes, Nancy, I got this one yesterday: Nana has been inducted into the 2009 Fine Dining Hall of Fame by Nation’s Restaurant News. You know, I went to Nana–back when it was Nana Grill–for prom night, forever cementing it in my mind as the go-to special occasion restaurant in Dallas. I fell in love with it all over again at a semi-recent media dinner.
The other 2009 honorees are Barolo Grill in Denver; Blue Ginger in Boston; Bouley in New York; Herbsaint in New Orleans; Naha in Chicago; Michael Mina in Las Vegas; Michael’s on East in Sarasota, Fla; New Rivers in Providence, R.I.; and Slanted Door in San Francisco. Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley received “Fine Dining Legend.”
SideDish Movie Screening: Julie & Julia And Whole Foods In Dallas
Okay Dishers, you’ve heard about the movie, read my review, and are already sick of the trailers on TV, BUT I bet you still want to see this flick for FREE. I have 5 pair of tickets to give away. All you have to do is fill out this tiny little form for a chance to win 2 tickets to see Julie & Julia next Thursday, August 6th at 7:30 p.m. at the Angelika. Then you can thank Karen Lukin of Whole Foods for making it happen. If you want to get psyched for the movie or you just happen to be in Preston Forest next Monday (August 3), Whole Foods is hosting a “We Remember Julia” cooking class at 9:00 a.m. It is also free. Begging for freebies is always encouraged. Bring it. (You have to see the fake yawn scene.)
UPDATE: NYT article on food prep for the movie.
16 Comments »Italian Wine Sale: Vin Classic Wines In Plano
From the Department of Cut and Paste:
Stock your cellars with these great summertime deals on delicious Italian wines. In addition to the Super Bargains listed below, all other Italian wines in the store will be on sale at 15% off. Sorry, no phone or email orders taken for this sales event. Vin Classic Wines location only (The Shops at Legacy, Plano) 7/29-8/01/09.
Italian Wine Super Bargains below.
Continue reading "Italian Wine Sale: Vin Classic Wines In Plano"
From My Inbox: Food Events And Happenings In Dallas
*EatZi’s Market & Bakery’s Summer Series Cooking Classes
featuring the culinary creations of Chef Jay Valley the tricks of the trade inside the kitchen of Hunger Busters’ new facility. (Details below the jump.)
*Lookout Oceanaire! Coming to Uptown in November: Ocean Prime.
*Swirl Winery is excited! They are teaming up with Sushiya and have a zillion events in August. (Deets below.)
*George Clooney added you as a friend on Facebook. WHOOPS, dang personal mail. I really should get a separate account. Carry on. Continue reading "From My Inbox: Food Events And Happenings In Dallas"
Texas Wine Events In Dallas: August Is Going To Be Fun
Texas has 177 wineries and 280 commercial vineyards. The folks behind GO TEXAN want to discuss them all. Hence, the GO TEXAN DrinkLocalWine.com Conference 2009, set for Aug. 14 & 15 at Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts Dallas. Plan to hang with local wine writers, food bloggers, columnists, sommeliers, producers, and growers.
The conference will include three seminars, focusing on trends in Texas wine, the distinctive grapes that Texans are using to make those wines, and how consumers can work to get more regional wines in stores and restaurants. The final event of the day will be a Texas Twitter Tasting, moderated by Russ Kane of Vintage Texas, where participants will “be able to taste some of the state’s top wines and blog or Twitter at the same time.” Full schedule here.
Then on Sunday and Monday, August 16 and 17th, the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas and the Texas Sommelier Association will host the Annual Texas Sommelier Conference (TexSom), at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Colinas.
The general public is invited to attend five classes on Sunday, August 16th and the grand tasting on Monday evening, August 17 where wine professionals and the public meet to taste world-class wines and witness the announcement of Texas’ Best Sommelier 2009.
Each class offers at least six wines to taste and lasts one hour and fifteen minutes. Courses open to the public include: Pinot Noir, Sake, Austria, Rioja, and Northern Rhone.
Speakers include some of the nation’s top wine professionals: Master Sommeliers (MS), Certified Wine Educators, one Master of Wine (MW) and other respected wine educators.
A separate set of courses, designed exclusively for the trade and media, are offered on Monday. Click here to register for both the public and trade sessions.
Jump for schedule and more details. Continue reading "Texas Wine Events In Dallas: August Is Going To Be Fun"
2 Comments »Subscribe
SideDish is a food-related discussion among editors at D Magazine about the Dallas-Fort Worth dining scene -- everything from good meals to bad service, kitchen gossip to restaurant news, chefs' secrets to culinary trends. Bon appetit.
- FrontBurner Blog
- SideDish Food Blog
- FrontRow Arts Blog
- D Home Blog
- ShopTalk Fashion & Beauty Blog
- BridalBuzz Weddings Blog
- Park Cities People Blog
- Preston Hollow People Blog
- Oak Cliff People Blog
- Party Pics
- DAILY
- Al Dia
- Daily Commercial Record
- D Home Blog
- Dallas Morning News
- Denton Record Chronicle
- Diario la Estrella
- The Herald Democrat (Sherman)
- McKinney Courier Gazette
- Pegasus News
- Quick
- Star-Telegram (Fort Worth)
- ALMOST DAILY
- Allen American
- Carrollton Leader
- Celina Record
- Colony Courier Leader
- Coppell Gazette
- Frisco Enterprise
- Flower Mound Leader
- Garland Morning News
- Hood County News
- Lewisville Leader
- Little Elm Journal
- Mesquite Morning News
- The Mesquite News
- Plano Star Courier
- Richardson Morning News
- Rowlett Lakeshore Times
- Southlake Times
- Waxahachie Daily Light
- WEEKLY
- Cedar Creek Pilot
- Cedar Hill Today
- Dallas Business Journal
- Dallas Examiner
- Dallas Observer
- Dallas Post Tribune
- Dallas Voice
- DeSoto Today
- Duncanville Today
- Ellis County Press
- El Heraldo News
- Fort Worth Weekly
- Fort Worth Business Press
- Oak Cliff People
- Park Cities People
- Preston Hollow People
- The Sports Page Weekly
- Texas Lawyer
- Wylie News
- MONTHLY
- Advocate Magazines
- Avid Golfer
- CliffDweller
- Cowboys and Indians Magazine
- Cross Timbers Gazette
- Dallas CEO
- Dallas Child
- Key Magazine
- PaperCity
- Texas Technology Magazine
- Texas Monthly
- BI-MONTHLY
- D Home
- SEMI-YEARLY
- D Weddings
- COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS
- SMU Daily Campus
- TCU Daily Skiff
- North Texas Daily
- UTA Shorthorn
- TELEVISION
- Dallas Community Television
- The CW Channel 33
- KDFW FOX Channel 4
- KERA PBS Channel 13
- KTVT CBS Channel 11
- KTXA TXA Channel 21
- KXAS NBC Channel 5
- TXCN.com
- WFAA ABC Channel 8
- RADIO
- KERA 90.1 FM
- KLIF 570 AM
- WBAP 820 AM
- KXEB 910 AM
- Texas Talk Radio 990 AM
- KRLD 1080 AM
- The Ticket 1310 AM
Home |
Masthead |
News from D |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Subscribe |
Advertise |
Privacy Policy |
Customer Service |
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index