Articles for March 15th, 2010

Founder Patrick Esquerre Returns to La Madeleine as a Special Advisor

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 15th, 2010 3:53pm | filed under AgriBusiness, Celebrity Diners, Restaurant News | 12 Comments »

Last Friday, La Madeleine hosted a blogger’s breakfast to unveil their new look. Our man on the CEO beat, Glenn Hunter, was there. He files this report:

When it comes to taking advice from women, Patrick Esquerre and Philip Costner of La Madeleine Country French Café are of one mind.

Esquerre, who founded the bakery-café chain in 1982 and recently rejoined it as a “special advisor,” says the café first became a hit because he listened to suggestions from its female clientele, including well-off Dallasites like the late Annette Strauss. They told him to put in fireplaces, for example.

Costner, the café’s COO since July 2008 for new owner Groupe Le Duff, of Montreal, says he’s learned to listen to females as well–specifically, to his 12-year-old daughter. Accompanying Costner to a La Madeleine, the girl asked him, “Dad, what do we do here?” right off the bat, Costner recalled.(The café’s “buffeteria” concept seemed confusing to her.) Then, spotting all the bakery goods and other menu items, she asked, “Dad, what do they sell here?” Continue reading "Founder Patrick Esquerre Returns to La Madeleine as a Special Advisor"

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Restaurant News Bits and Bites

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 15th, 2010 1:53pm | filed under Restaurant News |

Burger Girl. Leave it to Teresa Gubbins to come up with this report. The old La Cubanita spot is now Burger Girl, a ready to roll out concept from Nick Galanos, a Twin Peaks franchiser and owner of Lemon Bar. Hot pants and hamburgers? Who could ask for anything more.

Canary Café. Join Chef/Owner Gorji of Canary Mediterranean Steak & Seafood as he shares his award-winning cooking techniques. His eighth in a series focuses on New Mediterranean cuisine and includes a three-course dinner paired with three wines for $59, plus tax & gratuity on March 22nd at 7 p.m. Seating is limited; call 972-503-7080 for class reservations.

Lavendou Bistro Provençal. Lavendou owner and founder Pascal Cayet and execuchef Francois Soyez, are spotlighting the cooking from the areas of Grenoble, Normandy, southern France, and in the culinary tradition of cooking with mushrooms from the forest territories in France. (Did you get that it is food from France?) The details for Lavendou’s Celebration of French Culture menu is below le saut.

The Place at Perry’s. March Madness Celebration. Come in Monday March 15th – Wednesday March 17th and fill out your official “The Place Bracket”. Then watch all the action on one of our 5 TV’s (‘cept Sundays) and win prizes! Happy hour specials during all games in the bar and lounge.

Hibashi Teppan Grill and Sushi Bar. April promotion: one child up to the age of 12 per family of four eats free!. Deets below.

Capital Grille. The Capital Grille’s announces an exclusive Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon.  From March 14 to April 25, The Capital Grille will offer an original, limited-production wine hand-selected by Master Sommelier George Miliotes. The Capital Grille will donate $25 from the sale of each bottle to Share Our Strength and its mission to end childhood hunger in America.

Continue reading "Restaurant News Bits and Bites"

Wilonsky Reports Kenny & Ziggy’s Deli (Finally) Headed to Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 15th, 2010 12:21pm | filed under Delis, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 6 Comments »

Here’s the whole story on the famous deli from Houston. The news will make somebody I know very happy . Wonder if they’ll take over the former Roaster’s space at LBJ and Preston. I still find it sad that Dallas can’t revive its own deli scene.

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Chic From Barcelona is Still Open

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 15th, 2010 11:45am | filed under Mistakes I made, Neighborhood restaurants, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 8 Comments »

Eat more chicken from Barcelona

Don’t know how it happened but our web listing for Chic From Barcelona said the restaurant is closed. It’s not. It’s open. Go. Eat. Report.

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Are You a Bartender? Michael Martensen Wants You to Join the North Texas Chapter of the National Bartenders Guild

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 15th, 2010 8:58am | filed under cocktails, Hippie revolutions |

Former Mansion bartender and current “beverage educator”, Michael Martensen is shaking more than cocktails. He is starting the North Texas Chapter of the National Bartenders Guild. What is the NGB?

We are a community of professional bartenders that get together to talk about trends, education, and local happenings in the food and beverage industry.  The North Texas Chapter just became official this past month after months and months of petitioning to the.  Please go here for a longer description of the guild.

The North Texas Chapter goals are to educate the masses on the American Cocktail. Granted there will always be a place for a whiskey and coke in the bar we are all challenging ourselves to raise the bar and standard of cocktails offered behind the bars in Dallas/ Ft Worth.  We preach the culinary cocktail using fresh ingredients, hand squeezed juices, homemade tonics and syrups and of course the most important ingredient quality spirits.  Along with all these unique ingredients and tasty cocktails one of the most important ingredients of a working bar is great service with a smile.  Nobody likes being around a disgruntled bartender.  We will be having monthly meetings, luncheons, happy hours etc.  Also one goal of the chapter is to give back to the community in some way.

The first meeting will take place on April 13 at Bolsa (1:30 p.m.).  Don Q Rums is “sponsoring” the meeting and hosting a competition. The bartender that shakes the best cocktail of the day will win a trip to NYC. Questions? northtexasbartendersguild@gmail.com

Green House Truck: A Real Chef-Driven Restaurant

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 15th, 2010 8:42am | filed under Restaurant News | 1 Comment »

Michael Sigel, the man behind the wheel of Green House Truck, has the inspections completed on his food truck and is ready to roll. We asked for a food truck in Dallas and we got one!  Chef Ben Hutchison, formerly of Food Company, has put together a lovely menu. I’ve printed it below the jump. Sigels says the menu may be limited until they can finish their 5,000 square food facility later this month. Until then, you can get updates here. Continue reading "Green House Truck: A Real Chef-Driven Restaurant"

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