Articles for January 27th, 2011

Who Ever Said Bordeaux Is Dead Hasn’t Been to Dallas

One of the 2011 ”trends” I had read about was that Bordeaux was dead….I don’t agree, and it seems others in Dallas don’t either by the number of guests packed into The Grape last night for their monthly “Come As You Are” wine dinner featuring a selection of Bordeaux wines paired with Chef/Owner Brian Luscher’s scrumptious fare.

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Former Bolsa Mixologist Shakes Things Up in Plano at Zanata

Dub is now doing his thing at Zanata in Plano.

Walter “Dub” Davis has made a few cocktails in Dallas. He has worked at the Loon, Obar, Steel, and Bolsa. For two years he worked alongside Eddie “Lucky” Campbell and Michael Martensen. Recently he took his talents to Zanata in Plano. Since, he has morphed from bartender to mixologist. “I was already looking to maybe do something in that area because of the old school downtown architecture in an area that has nothing but strip malls,” he says. “I am doing market fresh, vintage, and classic cocktails. Also some molecular mixology (foams, liquid nitrogen, etc). And in the next few weeks I will be implementing an ice program with hand-chipped ice for whiskey lovers.” Way to go, Dub. Plano, the new Bishop Arts?

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Gear up for V-Day With a Chocolate Tasting at The Cultured Cup This Saturday

On Saturday, The Cultured Cup will host a pre-Valentines Day tasting of (among other treats) Nibs chocolatier Steve Smith’s 43rd Blend Tea Truffle from his new collection of French-style chocolates. In addition to blood orange and strawberry, the truffle gets its flavor from a tea blend created for the 43rd President and his wife.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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Big Bottles Abound for Cotes du Coeur

Last night Cotes du Coeur hosted their Big Bottle Night in preparation for their 20th gala benefiting the American Heart Associationthis April 9.  Dozens of Dallas wine lovers gathered at the home of Pam and Gary Patsley to donate their large format, “big” bottles for the Big Bottle Wine Alley auction featured at every Cotes du Coeur event, and the bottles were impressive.  From a 2008 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir donated by Lisa Ross, to a Staglin2003 Cabernet Sauvignon donated by Brenda and Clay Cockerell, to a 2007 Domaine de la JanasseChateauneuf du Pape donated by Greg Schonert, to a 12 year vertical of Norma Jeane donated by Hunter and Emily Bywaters.  Continue reading "Big Bottles Abound for Cotes du Coeur"

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Super Bowl: Green Bay Reporter Wants Good Food in North Texas

Hark! Football writers will be descending on North Texas. Apparently some of them like more than steak and strip joints. This request comes from Tom Rozwadowski, a reporter for Green Bay Press-Gazette/Green Bay Hub.

I’m trying to consume as much dining information as possible from your site, but I thought it might be more useful to go straight to the source. I’ll be in Dallas for the entire week covering the Super Bowl and am looking to eat as much amazing food as possible while there. I’m pretty sure I’ll be staying right downtown, but I’ll have a car, so I’m open to traveling out wherever need be. Could I bother you for a few quick “MUST” recommendations (breakfast, lunch or dinner, various price ranges) while down in the Big D? (I’m a “Top Chef” fan and saw that Casey Thompson’s restaurant was given a good review on your site, so I’m marking that one down already.)

Here is your chance to show him the real Dallas. Hut-one, hut-two. Snap.

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Restaurant Rant: Super Bowl Not a Big Deal for Most Dallas Restaurants

Call me a curmudgeon but I don’t think the fact that the Super Bowl is coming to the area is going to make or break too many local restaurants. Sure, a few will profit from corporate buy-outs and private events, but for the most part the majority of small independent restaurants will suffer. Why? Because many locals don’t give a flip about football and the last thing they are going to do is go out to dinner when they think every restaurant in town is booked with rowdy out-of-towners.

I’m sure the “Gentleman’s Clubs” and Kent, Dean, and Stephan will do well.  Good for them. However, how many Cheeseheads are going to head to Scardello’s or Mozzarella Company to sample local, artisanal cheese? How many Iron City Beer guzzlers will sample a Texas beer flight at the Meddlesome Moth? Hey Jay-Z, are you there? We’d love to hear your plans. The rest of us are either fleeing the city or hunkering down at say The Grape, Local, Cadot, or Suze. Restaurants, make your pitches below.

Don’t be afraid to dine out at your favorite local hang next weekend. Make it Minorities Rule weekend. The lunatics will be elsewhere. That’s my 5 cents. Your ball.

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Cedars Social Pre-Opens on Jan. 31 With Five “Supper Bowl” Chef Dinners

On Monday Jan. 31, the new Cedars Social cocktail den and kitchen will kick off its Supper Bowl, a pre-opening dinner series with menus prepared by Tim Byres (Jan. 31st), Bradley Ogden (Feb. 1), Matt McCallister (Feb. 2), John Tesar (Feb. 3), and Tiffany Derry (Feb. 4). Notable mixologist Michael Martensen will be on hand “handcrafting” cocktails. Each dinner can only accommodate 40 people, so reserve early.

6:30 pm cocktails and small plates
7 pm supper, cocktails, and wine
Cost: $125 per person

Call 214-928-7700 or email supperbowl@thecedarssocial.com to reserve your spot.

The Cedars Social is located at 1326 South Lamar. Supper Bowl is sponsored by Russian Standard Vodka.

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Cane Rosso’s Jay Jerrier in His Own Words

In the current issue, I profiled Jay Jerrier of Cane Rosso, who is opening his new pizza joint in Deep Ellum in a few days. For those who prefer pictures to words, our friends at The Wolf Group produced a video. Enjoy.


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Hanna Raskin is Stripped of Anonymity on Eater.com

The ability for dining critics to remain anonymous is almost impossible these days. While Leslie Brenner and I cling to the idea that we are still somewhat unknown (cue laugh track), the Dallas Observer’s Hanna Raskin attended Monday night’s Foodways Texas event and wore a nametag. Of course, Eater.com has posted her picture. Do you think this matters? Can I sell my fat suit and wig collection on eBay? And if that is Hanna? Girl, you need to eat more.

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Chefs for Farmers: Next Gig at Highland Park Cafeteria in Dallas on March 13

Chef Matt McCallister loves farmers. photo by Kevin Marple.

My first headline for this post was “How Cute is Matt McCallister?” Then I continued to read the list of chefs who are participating in the next Chef for Farmers event and I decided I could write that same headline about all of them. Well, maybe not Jack Perkins. He’s too grizzly. And John Tesar isn’t boyishly cute. He is John Tesar.

Anywhoo, the technically jobless McCallister is credited with founding Chefs for Farmers, the organization dedicated to raising the “awareness for the importance of using local ingredients and supporting the farms and farmers in and around Dallas-Fort Worth and North Texas.”

I hate long tables so I’m glad to read that this event at the Highland Park “Casa Linda” Cafeteria, is glorifying cafeteria-style seating and McCallister plans to spin farm tunes alongside DJs Jennifer Miller and Paul Paredes. I’m humming the Old MacDonald remix as I type. (For the record, I made the “spin farm tunes” up. But it’s a good idea.”IJS.) Oh, and it’s BYOHairnet.

Go below fo mo.

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