Articles for March 30th, 2010

What I’m Drinking Now: Easter Wine, Texas Style

posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 30th, 2010 4:44pm | filed under Easter, Texas Wine, Wine & Spirits |

As we welcome spring with a beautiful Easter weekend, why not celebrate some of the Texas wine makers that are doing great things here and abroad.  Yes, we continue to see Texas wine makers emerging onto the market with pleasing Texas based selections; but I also love the stories of our wine makers from Texas that are making stellar wine from California to Argentina.  Here are a few that may go well with your Easter brunch.  Some selections were sent for editorial consideration, some I just love.  Thank you Easter Bunny!!!

Oak Cliff Cellars Chardonnay– I just found this little gem the other night at Dali Wine Bar.  The creation of Oak Cliff, Dallas resident Jim “JR” Richardson, who started his winery in Calistoga, California, just a few years ago, mainly because he loves wine, and the celebration of bringing friends together around a great food with a glass of your favorite wine.  The Chardonnay is fresh and crisp, filled with bright green apple and pear with light mineral notes. Continue reading "What I’m Drinking Now: Easter Wine, Texas Style"

Chef Kelly Hightower’s Cuisine to Highlight Nova Menu

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2010 2:02pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Restaurant News | 5 Comments »

Ever heard of Kessler X+? Neither has Todd Johnson, D’s art director and knower of all things Oak Cliff. Anywhoo, it is minor news to a major-ish announcement: “The first gastro-pub in the burgeoning Kessler X+ area, Nova will spotlight the cuisine of Dallas native Kelly Hightower, formerly of Hatties, The Mansion on Turtle Creek, and Kavala, among others.”  (Someone please define gastro-pub for me. I thought it involved lots of beer.) What happened to tapas for bikers? Jump for details on “walkability,” “social hub,” and “globally influenced plates.” Continue reading "Chef Kelly Hightower’s Cuisine to Highlight Nova Menu"

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Chef Matthew Antonovich Speaks

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2010 12:53pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Nutjobs, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 7 Comments »

So, this is the last post about Matthew Antonovich until he opens a freakin’ restaurant in Dallas. He responds (sin spell check) to yesterday’s post:

Nancy,
Thanks for your interest in my culinary project, The Dallas concept raised 1.2 million and the adjusted 1.9 million to complete the project was to much to put into the area which only has one other new restaurant opening in and we did not sign the final lease after getting the final construction bids and cost for furniture, fixtures and equipment.  My investors, a real estate development group I have been working with in Dallas is looking at another restaurant site and we are looking at the concept for that area, and will review plans again on this perticular location closer into the Turtle Creek business area.  Continue reading "Chef Matthew Antonovich Speaks"

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Shinsei Chef Shuji “Elvis” Sugawara Injured in Motorcycle Accident in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2010 12:38pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Restaurant News | 16 Comments »

Elvis last week. Photo by Kevin Marple.

Shuji “Elvis” Sugawara, the handsome master sushi chef at Shinsei, suffered serious head injuries after a motorcycle accident late Sunday night in Lakewood. “It happened about 10 p.m.,” says Shinsei co-owner Tracy Moore Rathbun. “The doctors said he was so lucky. He is responding to the surgery really well.”

Sugawara was found by a passing motorist who called 911. There are no details about how the accident happened. Sugawara suffered a massive head injury and was in surgery all night Sunday. Eventually doctors stopped the bleeding in Sugawara’s brain. “Lynae stayed with him all night,” says Rathbun of her business partner, Lynae Fearing. “They said that head injuries like this are usually fatal.”

Sugawara is in ICU at Baylor. Rathbun projects he will be out of the restaurant for at least a month. Elvis will have a computer up soon! He wants to hear from you.

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Sushi Rock in Plano Presents Thai Food from Issan Region on Saturday Nights

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2010 10:48am | filed under Celebrity Diners, Ethnic Food, Restaurant News | 1 Comment »

Hunting for sticky rice in Issan.

A loyal Disher just emerged from his fox whole to report this:

Sushi Rock in Plano is now offering traditional (not Americanized) Isaan food Saturday nights from 10:00 pm until 2:00 am. They will continue offering sushi and their full menu until 2:00 as well. Thai musicians will perform live during this time also.

Well, bring on the scorpions! This region of Thailand (Northeast) has already introduced the American palate to papaya salad and sticky rice.

I spoke with the lovely Vasana Tung, one of the owners of Sushi Rocks. “We are a Japanese restaurant but we decided we wanted to do something different for the late nights on Saturday,” says Tung. “Instead of opening another restaurant we decided to do this.” She’s sending the details later today.

UPDATE: MENU BELOW

Continue reading "Sushi Rock in Plano Presents Thai Food from Issan Region on Saturday Nights"

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Somebody Help This Poor Girl: 48 Nights @ Sylvan Thirty in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2010 9:01am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Hippie revolutions, Restaurant News, Silly Reasons to Celebrate | 9 Comments »

This gal e-mails me every Tuesday morning.  She, oh let’s call her SYBIL, is crazy to find out who the chef of the week is/was  at 48 Nights @ Sylvan Thirty.

In case you’ve been on a morphine drip for the last couple of months and watching endless reruns of “24″, you know all about the guerilla restaurant in Oak Cliff. (No, not Gorilla. That’s the new vegetarian spot  in East Dallas.)

Anywhoo, 48 Nights is a pop-up restaurant that rotates 24 high-profile chefs over 48 nights  in building scheduled for demolition. The Smoke/Bolsa folks are behind the charity-driven enterprise that is open only on Monday and Tuesday of each week through July. They’ve created a great buzz—the “game” is to release the menu in advance and reveal the chef only once the patrons are seated on Monday night. Smart, the next two months are pretty much sold out, however I found plenty of availabilities in May, June, and July.

Which brings me back to Sybil. Every Tuesday morning she wants to know who the chef was on the previous night. So, this post will be a first in a series called “Enable Sybil, Feed 48 Nights.” Mr. Mojo is rising. Who was the freakin’ chef last night? Go. Eat. Report. (Kidding about Gorilla.)

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