There is a boutique winery in Sonoma creag small production, high quality, incredibly juicy Pinot Noir. Vision Cellars was created in 1995, with 1997 being their first release, by Mac McDonald. Mac started with a desire to find great grapes and make great wine. He knew from childhood he wanted to make wine…influenced by his Texas roots. His dad was a moonshiner and mom would make wine out of any fruit available…Mac gave wine a try one day and fell in love. With one taste he knew his profession would be to make wine.
Today he makes about 4000 total cases, a good number in his opinion….as he doesn’t want to get too big. He uses both grapes he grows, and from growers that find him from Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino and Marin counties and the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County. He believes if you make good wine, the good fruit will find you, and they do as some of the best growers in California seek him out to make wine from their grapes. And they do. Continue reading "Mac McDonald Had a Vision to Make Great Wine…And His Vision Became Reality"
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I was with Sarah this morning at Charlie Palmer, where we filmed the celebrity chef preparing his Colorado lamb rack with fingerling Lyonnaise and pancetta balsamic reduction. It was, in word, divine. While Kyle is editing the video for your viewing pleasure, I thought I would give you a little teaser: the recipe, which executive chef Scott Romano promises is “home chef friendly.” To be sure, he sent the recipe to his mom and asked, “Is this something you could make?” Also noteworthy: Charlie Palmer is a really affable, down-to-earth guy. He was a pleasure to talk to and cook with. And even though he’s richer than I’ll ever be, I don’t mind putting more money in his pocket. I’m excited to eat at his restaurant—someplace in Dallas I haven’t been. Well, at least I haven’t eaten in the dining room. I just had a bite in the kitchen.
7 Comments »Yow. Zah. Pegasus News is, as my mother always says, chicken on fire. First they announce “Outbursts,” and now I learn on Twitter they’ve lured Shannon Sutlief from her perches at DMN, GuideLive.com, and Eatsblog to the roost at PegNews. I wonder if roost-ruling Teresa Gubbins (no link, Sweet Cheeks, I do have limits) will even talk to me anymore. She’s pretty big time now.
4 Comments »I wrote this item yesterday and forgot to post it:
Eat before you “Think” or “Think” before you eat? Today that’s a tough question: James McWilliams, author of the new book Just Food: Where Locovores Get it Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly, is Krys Boyd’s guest at 12:00 noon on Think. (KERA 90.1) McWilliams, a fellow in the Agrarian Studies Program at Yale University, is currently an associate professor at Texas State and he has some thought provoking ideas on food systems. If you would like a little background info before the show, check out Crunchy Con, Rod Dreher’s interview that ran in April. (Rod, how is the chicken business?)
My apologies to Krys. However, you can download the interview here.
1 Comment »It sounds like somebody still has some money and big ideas. “Listen” to this:
“High-end design and sensual opulence return to nightlife in Downtown Dallas this fall. Thrive, a Las Vegas style nightclub and Ten15 Elm restaurant will be in the new 20,000 square foot edition to the Downtown Dallas Crowne Plaza Hotel set to open this September at 1015 Elm St. This multimillion-dollar renovation was envisioned by the owner of TOG Hotel Properties, Terry Tognazzini and Charles Doell of Mister Important Design, renowned nightclub designer in San Francisco and Las Vegas.”
Somebody fill me in—I didn’t realize Downtown had lost its sensual opulence. Oh wait, there is more:
“The new edition of the Downtown Dallas Crowne Plaza Hotel will be transformed into a celebration of cutting edge style and luxury. Setting the new standard for Dallas’ nightlife experience, Thrive will offer unrivaled service in a high-energy atmosphere with state-of-the art lighting, elaborate metallic wall coverings, and a never-been-seen French ceiling. The French ceiling is a new concept from Europe that is created from stretching reflective vinyl over the ceiling and using molds to create stunning designs and visual effects.
Jump for more info on the bar. However, the details about the restaurant are scarce: “Ten15 Elm is a plush yet approachable dining destination that will offer simple well-executed dishes created by local Dallas chef Brian Litolff.” According to this, Litolff’s most recent gig was as a private chef in Allen. Continue reading "Opulence in the Time of Recession: Ten15 Elm Restaurant to Open in Downtown Dallas"
1 Comment »Charlie Palmer, the chef who was a proponent of eating local and regional long before it was fashionable, will be in his Dallas restaurant, Charlie Palmer at The Joule, today and tomorrow. Our intrepid reporter, Sarah Eveans, is on her way to The Joule to film a video segment with Palmer and company. Head down for lunch today–Chef Palmer will be autographing cookbooks and hanging out in the dining room.
If you miss him at lunch today, Chef Palmer plans to stop by Brandan Kelley’s wine tasting that takes place tomorrow from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The program is “Napa Valley, A Texas Favorite.” $25 person. Reservations required 214-261-4600.
Comments are open. Operators are standing by.
[UPDATE: The Grape.]
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Pegasus News is Desperate for Comments: Develops “Outbursts”
I thought I was desperate for attention! Mike Orren, the wizard behind the Oz over at Pegasus News, has found another outlet for his ADHD—it’s called Outbursts. The feature is designed especially for your prefrontal cortex and encourages “verified users” to “post news and links on any local topic you like. All you have to do is click the “Post an Outburst” link on the Outbursts page.” According to this “complete guide to ADHD site” symptoms of the disorder include “blurting out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences.” Check out Outbursts and leave your scathing comments here. Remember, we have prizes and they don’t!
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