I just learned from Facebook that Darryl Beeson, former cellar master at the Mansion and other Dallas restaurants, passed away today. He was 54. According to Savor Dallas co-founder Vicki-Briley White:
“We just received a phone call with the sad news that Darryl Beeson has passed away. We will update you as soon as Jim speaks with his cousin who left the message for us. Our prayers are with his family.
Followed by:
”Darryl had been in a minor car accident in University Park. The paramedics noticed that he was incoherent and took him to the hospital. He’s been in the hospital for several weeks. His liver and kidneys started failing him and he has been in and out of ICU during this time. The actual cause of death has not been determined.”
Darryl is survived by his two daughters. He was a great guy.
UPDATE: In 2001, Darryl, then cellar master at Voltaire, wrote a piece for D Magazine with a surprise ending. You can read his words here.
12 Comments »
I know this is a food blog but I am home sick and bored. And Amy Severson just commented that her neighborhood is full of cedar waxwings. So is mine! Here is a post I wrote last year on cedar waxwings. So far today I also have seen American goldfinches, house finches, titmice, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, great blue herons, great egrets, red-bellied woodpeckers, ruby-crowned kinglets, and white-winged doves from the window in my home office. Okay, I’ll shut up now.
No, not that Eric, Eric Nicholson over at People “Who Need People” Newspapers. Eric is writing a retrospective on Popolos for Preston Hollow People. (The restaurant is closing tomorrow night.) If you have memories you’d like to share, please email Eric: eric.nicholson@peoplenewspapers.com. (Where is the actual hollow in Preston Hollow?)
1 Comment »Sorry for the last minute notice but I’ve decided to organize an impromptu SideDish Tasters Event. Some of you participated in the SDTE we held last summer for Zinsky’s. Others contributed to the Jammin’ With Wild Salmon (and wild commenters) at TJs Market in Preston Forest . I’m going to gather some hand-harvested diver scallops and some U-10s and see if YOU can taste the difference. ONLY FIVE OF YOU. Chef Richard Chamberlain of Chamberlain’s Fish Market has agreed to do the ordering and provide the space. We are trying to work out the details but this much I know: The event will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2 at Chamberlain’s Fish Market in Addison.
Stay tuned. Contest rules will be announced soon.
1 Comment »Long story short: Yesterday I wrote a post about Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville. A co-worker brought me some samples and people in the office seemed to like them. A bundle is a yeast roll filled with sweet and savory fillings such as spinach and feta, chicken curry, chocolate hazelnut, and cinnamon. (Here is the menu.) Anywhoo, after I posted the news I asked the co-worker how she came across Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville. She admitted that her father owned the store. I took the post down. Several of you sharpshooters out there noticed the edit and asked me why I removed the post.
I decided to give them a try. Last night I took the leftover bundles home and heated them in a real oven—all we have here is a microwave and I couldn’t imagine radiation plus yeast would equal gourmet. I sampled the chicken curry and broccoli and sun dried tomato. I love yeast rolls—I grew up eating them for lunch every day in the cafeteria of Arthur Kramer Elementary School—and these little bundles are good yeast rolls. However, the fillings are skimpy—there isn’t a good proportion of roll to meat or chocolate and after two you are full and feel like you will burst if you drink a glass of water. The product is an appealing idea—this morning I tried the cinnamon roll with my coffee—but I get that these little bundles are better when they fresh from the oven. The Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville is the first store. You can visit and buy a bundle or a Bundles Gourmet. They are trademarked and ready to roll out.
6 Comments »
“I Scuba for Scallops” Blind Tasting: Chamberlain’s Fish Market on February 2
I am really sick today and I am not thinking clearly. However, I have started this contest and I’m going to finish it. Tuesday, FIVE lucky Dishers will get a chance to make Dallas seafood history by participating in our “I Scuba for Scallops” contest. Contestants will use their palates to see if they can taste the difference between an expensive hand-harvested scallop and a dry-packaged U-10. I’ve just returned from the doctor and the doctor said I need rest so I’m going to lie down for a couple of hours.
While I snooze, you have to find some lyrics to one of my favorite songs. I buried them in this post. The first five of you to reveal the band and the song will be invited to the tasting. If you are going to play, PLEASE make sure your schedule is clear from 1-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Go now. It’s Friday and Google is standing by.
Winners announced at 5:00 p.m.
UPDATE: Time and date of this tasting may change. Developing.
13 Comments »