Articles for June 15th, 2010

Fin Sushi to Open at the Ilume

posted by Todd Johnson | June 15th, 2010 5:13pm | filed under Openings/Closings, Restaurant News |

The owners of Sushi Axiom are set to open their latest creation Fin Sushi this autumn at the Ilume in Oak Lawn. Not familiar with the Ilume? It’s to Dallas’ twentysomething gays what the Village was to swinging heteros in the 1970s. In other words: party central. Chef Doug Brown’s DISH is already a hit there. Will this new Japanese fusion spot take off? We’ll find out in September.

Dial Fast: Urbano Cafe in Dallas is Hosting a BYOB Dinner

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 15th, 2010 5:03pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, cheap eats, Restaurant News | 3 Comments »

This just in:

Urbano Cafe is doing a BYOB Wine Dinner on Monday, June 21 at 7 pm.  The price is $65, which includes tax and gratuity.  The menu is below. GO! 214-823-8550. Continue reading "Dial Fast: Urbano Cafe in Dallas is Hosting a BYOB Dinner"

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Mini-Review: Al’s Pizzeria in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 15th, 2010 2:22pm | filed under Baking, pizza, Procrastination is part of the creative process, Restaurant News, Reviews | 9 Comments »

Before I get started, did you know about this website? You poke in your zip code and it shows you all the restaurants that deliver in your area? Hmm. Sorry, I’m easily amused (and distracted). UPDATE: The website above is awful. Sorry.

The other night I called Al’s Pizzeria to deliver a pizza, veggie calzone, and a salad. Al’s is close to my house so the pizza is always hot and they make a good pie. While my (Words With) Friend chowed down on a righteous pepperoni pizza, I tried the veggie calzone. (Check it out above. It looks like a smiling spaceship.) At first I was a bit disappointed—the cheese in the calzone wasn’t melted  and the vegetables (mushrooms, peppers, olives, and onions) were cool to the touch. I popped it in the oven and heated it up until the cheese and marinara sauce bubbled over the mushrooms.

I hadn’t eaten a calzone in a while and I’d forgotten how dang hard they are to eat (especially when you are attempting to play WWF on your iPhone). Once you add the sauce and pick it up, the whole ship crumbled to a messy pile of melted cheese, vegetables, and crust. Had to use a fork. And while it may not look pretty, it tasted pretty damn good. Do you calzone or pizza?

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Chalk Talk: Caymus Vineyards Wine Dinner at Pappas Bros. Restaurant in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 15th, 2010 1:41pm | filed under AgriBusiness, Andrew Chalk, Events, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

He went, he drank, he wrote. Go, Andrew.

I’m not sure if it’s coincidence or if winemaking estates follow each other around doing wine dinners, but Dallas has been visited by some top people in the business lately. Last week we had Rutherford winemaking estate, Quintessa, in town and this week there was a big dog tasting of wines from another top line Rutherford estate, Caymus Vineyards. Coincidence or not, I hope this continues. These wines are great.

This time the location was Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas. The tasting was sponsored by the restaurant and led by Wine Director, Barbara Werley. She is a Master Sommelier. Pappas wine cellar has 2,250 wine selections in an inventory of 30,000 bottles, so if you accidentally locked yourself inside you could live for several months. You would also be more liquid than most big banks.

Jump for fun. Continue reading "Chalk Talk: Caymus Vineyards Wine Dinner at Pappas Bros. Restaurant in Dallas"

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Chalk Talk: Pappas Bros. Steakhouse Master Sommelier Barbara Werley

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 15th, 2010 10:24am | filed under AgriBusiness, Celebrity Diners, Restaurant News, Steak, Wine & Spirits |

Last Friday, Andrew Chalk caught up with Pappas Bros. Steakhouse’s Master Sommelier Barbara Werley at a Caymus Wine Dinner. On this video, Ms. Werley demonstrates the art of sampling Napa Valley Cabernet and discusses “tannin on the back of the throat.”

Houston’s in Preston Center is Changing Name to Hillstone

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 15th, 2010 8:48am | filed under Celebrity Diners, Restaurant News | 24 Comments »

Got this note from Amy Severson late last night:

Houston’s Preston Center will be changing their name to Hillstone by the end of July. Addison will remain Houston’s. Our wonderful server said something about being able to offer more regional “somethings.”  I don’t know exactly, I was busy noticing they had Merryvale Chardonnay (by the glass) back on the menu – FOR $4 LESS PER GLASS THAN A YEAR AGO!  Of course some of that is because the vineyards have been slashing prices, still, 1/3 (almost) less. I did notice that their French Dip had gone up $1. Also, the old Houston’s location on Walnut Hill has applied for a liquor license as Glen Lakes Grill.

Hmm. This is a curious move. The name Hillstone doesn’t make me hungry. “Hey, honey. Let’s go to Hillstone’s.” Guess it works in Boston, New York, and San Francisco.  I thought Houston’s was the restaurant everybody wanted to be? Now Houston’s is putzing with Houston’s?

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