Articles for September 24th, 2009

Report From TABC: Twisted Vine is Closed and Charges are About to be Filed

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 24th, 2009 4:35pm | filed under Closings, Food Crime, Restaurant News | 8 Comments »

twistedIn mid-July a reader wanted to know if anyone in Dishland had experienced problems with Twisted Vine, a wine tasting shop on Greenville and Walnut Hill.  Comments and complaints about Twisted Vine started pouring in. Eventually I contacted the TABC to see if they were looking into the situation. They confirmed there was an investigation underway.

Last week, I spoke with Jeff Gladden, a Lieutenant in the Enforcement Division at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. He said, thanks to SideDish, they have a growing list of victims to interview and Twisted Vine is now closed. A few minutes ago, I got an update on the situation from agent Robert Holloway. He reports that there are one or two more interviews to conduct in the investigation before they take the paperwork to the District Attorney. If you would like to speak with agent Holloway, send me an e-mail.

8 Comments »

The French Room, The Hotel Adolphus, and WTF is Going On?

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 24th, 2009 1:41pm | filed under Awards, Celebrity Chefs, Restaurant News | 5 Comments »

Okay, let’s get this complicated situation out in the open.

Headline yesterday: French Room Chef: Chef Marcus Strietzel =wrong. (Two chefs, Marcus/Marcos, both with last names beginning with “S” threw me for a loop.) I ran a corrected headline at the bottom of the post and received an e-mail from David Davis, PR director at the Hotel Adolphus:

The headline is incorrect.  Marcus Strietzel is the hotel’s new executive chef, not French Room chef; Marcos Segovia continues as the Chef de Cuisine of The French Room.

Yea! All clear. This morning Davis sends this:

“I apologize that I have not sent you an official release. We are waiting on Marcus’s headshot. The hotel has been very busy since he was promoted and he hasn’t been able to stop long enough to have his photo taken. It happens today (Thurs) around 4:30 p.m.  I like to do this all at once, rather than sending out the release – and, then, later, the photo.”

No apologies necessary. Glad the hotel is busy. But wait? Former French Room execuchef William Koval leaves an interesting comment under the post. Jump for the rest of the story. Continue reading "The French Room, The Hotel Adolphus, and WTF is Going On?"

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This May Sound a Bit Cheesy, but …

posted by Evan Grant | September 24th, 2009 12:15pm | filed under AgriBusiness, Cheese, Chefs, DideDish CheeseHead, Silly Reasons to Celebrate | 7 Comments »

On Wednesday afternoon my good friend and colleague, Nancy Nichols, called me and said “Get over here right away, I need to see you. I am making you the Big Cheese!”

I’m thinking: Promotion!

Nancy was thinking: Cheese!

Continue reading "This May Sound a Bit Cheesy, but …"

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SideDish CheeseHeads Celebrate Texas Cheese and Wine at Celebration

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 24th, 2009 11:35am | filed under AgriBusiness, Awards, Cheese, Chefs, Hippie revolutions, Restaurant News, youthful spontaneous restaurants |
Paula Lambert and Evan Grant. Who knew?

Paula Lambert and Evan Grant. Who knew?

An emergency surgery on a torn retina kept me from attending last evening’s SideDish CheeseHead Celebration at Celebration Restaurant. My good friend and award-winning blogger, Evan Grant (way to go, Grumpy!), subbed for me. Needless to say, he and Mozzarella Company owner Paula Lambert bonded instantly. Thanks to the folks at Lucky Layla, Latte Da, and Mozzarella Company for generously supplying their cheeses. Also thanks to Kiepersol Winery for donating bottles of their award winning Cabernet and Merlot and to wine guru Whit Meyers for pouring them. Kudos to the Ozarows from Empire Baking Company for the bread. Celebration owner Ed Lowe and the great facilitator Lincoln (sorry don’t have his last name) gave us the space and plenty of set-up support. Evan is working up a report of the evening. Thanks to the 50-strong SideDish CheeseHeads who showed up. Here’s looking at you! A few R.P. Washburne photos after the jump. Continue reading "SideDish CheeseHeads Celebrate Texas Cheese and Wine at Celebration"

Tre Wilcox Goes to Loft 610: Takes Abacus Sous Too

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 24th, 2009 11:03am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Restaurant News | 11 Comments »
Tre's amigos: Executive eous hef Jermaine Brown, owner Brian Twomey, and executive chef Tre Wilcox
Tre’s Amigos: Executive sous chef Jermaine Brown, owner Brian Twomey, and executive chef Tre Wilcox

Buried near the end of an official press release on Tre Wilcox’s new gig at Loft 610:

“Joining Chef Tre in the kitchen will be longtime friend and Abacus colleague Jermaine Brown, who will take over as Executive Sous Chef.  Brown is leaving his current position as Executive Sous Chef at Abacus to reunite working with Chef Tre.”

Full release below. Continue reading "Tre Wilcox Goes to Loft 610: Takes Abacus Sous Too"

11 Comments »