Articles for February 3rd, 2011

Komali in Dallas Opens Tonight

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 3rd, 2011 5:55pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 10 Comments »

Abraham Salum hooks up the phone at the front desk.

Abraham Salum has decided to open Komali, his new contemporary Mexican restaurant next door to his sister restaurant Salum, oh in about 15 minutes. He’s just plugged in the phone and the contractors have left for the night. I’m waiting for the restaurant’s phone number. 4152 Cole Ave. Dallas.214/252-0200.  Open  Saturday for  lunch and dinner.  Closed all day Sunday. More details on the way.

UPDATE: Komali menu below. Continue reading "Komali in Dallas Opens Tonight"

10 Comments »

Green Bay’s Charles Woodson Signing Bottles at Central Market?

posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 3rd, 2011 4:13pm | filed under celebrity sightings, Super Bowl, Wine & Spirits | 3 Comments »

Yes, you did read correctly.  Heisman winner and Green Bay Packer cornerback Charles Woodson is also a wine maker. 

When Woodson played for the Oakland Raiders he developed a love for wine and wine country and after partnering with Rick Ruiz, formerly with Mondavi, he created Twentyfour by Charles Woodson.  24 was his number when he played for Oakland.  The wine, created in the heart of Napa from fruit grown just outside of Calistoga, is “of pure enjoyment, gratitude, giving back and paying forward.” As noted by Woodson, and evident in his work as $10 of every bottle purchased is donated to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, a part of his alma mater, the University of Michigan.  

Woodson will be at the Central Market  on Lover’s and Greenville from 4-5 tomorrow, with the line forming at 3pm.  He will only be signing bottles of his wine, no memorabilia.  You can purchase the wine to hold a spot in line starting at noon.

3 Comments »

Super Bowl XLV Party Report: Don Julio Tequila Event

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 3rd, 2011 3:51pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Super Bowl | 4 Comments »

Mixologist Michael Martensen and chef Richard Chamberlain party for tequila. photo by Madelyn Miller.

Steven Doyle is a party animal. He files the following report on last night’s soiree:

As the week progresses the XLV parties are kicking it in high gear and last night was no exception.  One invitation led me to join a group at “Joule Lot” which is basically the parking lot behind the Joule in downtown Dallas typically used for Neiman Marcus shoppers.

The party was celebrating Don Julio tequila and for the event they flew in Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa Ranero , a charming host.  When we arrived there were only a few people milling around the giant tent-turned-dining-room.  The tables were elegantly set and cocktails were passed by waitresses more elegant than the tables.  As we wandered about I noticed the menu at each place setting and it looked amazing.

Jump for more. Continue reading "Super Bowl XLV Party Report: Don Julio Tequila Event"

4 Comments »

If You Have An Extra $20,000 To Spend Tonight Head to Bailey’s Prime Plus

posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 3rd, 2011 3:38pm | filed under Wine & Spirits | 3 Comments »

Bailey’s Prime Plus on Park Lane has acquired a phenomenal bottle of wine.  A 1961 magnum of Chateau Petrus, which they are selling for $20,000 to the first guest willing to buy it.  Included with the bottle is a 5 course dinner for up to 10 guests.  Only 3500 total cases of this impressive Bordeaux were made in 1961, only a few large format bottles.  It received a 100 point rating from Robert Parker.  Bailey’s purchased it from a private collector who promised it was stored in optimal conditions since they purchased it in the late 1980′s from Sotheby’s.

3 Comments »

Valentine’s Day Plans Made Easy

posted by Sarah Reiss | February 3rd, 2011 2:26pm | filed under Events, Valentines Day | 6 Comments »

(photo courtesy of Flickr user lifelikeapps)

While you may not be alone in having not made V-Day reservations yet, you will be alone on the day (all alone) if you mess up this part of the romancing process. Local chefs have done the work for you by preparing canoodle-worthy menus; all you have to do is pick up the phone and reserve two spots.

jump for the full list of this year’s menus… Continue reading "Valentine’s Day Plans Made Easy"

6 Comments »

Restaurant Rant: Leslie Brenner Falls Off Her Rocker Again

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 3rd, 2011 1:49pm | filed under Food Crime, Hippie revolutions, hold on to your effin hat, Murmur, Nutjobs, Overprivileged chimps, Restaurant News, Skinny bitches, Super Bowl | 52 Comments »

Dallas has a rich history of Tex-Mex. El Fenix opened in 1918. photo courtesy of El Fenix.

I know Leslie Brenner works hard and I swore to myself that I would quit pointing to things she writes that I consider odd or wrong. However, my brain snapped into a million fragments as I read her column on where Super Bowl fans can dine without a reservation.

After touting Tei-An and steakhouses she writes:

“If you’re looking for a place with another kind of serious Texas flavor, charge right past the Tex-Mex spots you’ll see all over town; Tex-Mex is not Dallas’ strong suit.”

What is she smoking? Seriously? El Fenix has been open since 1918. Tex-Mex is not our strong suit? When did we become the hotbed for soba noodles and octopus salad? Don’t get me wrong, we have excellent Japanese restaurants. But are they our strong suit. If so, why have I spent the last several days answering e-mails from visiting media members looking for hole-in-the-wall Tex-Mex and margaritas. I have to go outside and find some ice to slip on. Leslie, you can catch up on the history and significance of Tex-Mex in Dallas here. Or at least talk to Kim Pierce. Charge right past? Oh, my.

52 Comments »

OMG Hurry: Dean Fearing and Emeril Lagasse are at Sonny Bryan’s

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 3rd, 2011 12:41pm | filed under BBQ |

The Dean with Emeril and Dave. photo swiped from Fearing's Facebook page.

Talk about a slow food news day. Dean Fearing just posted a picture of himself  on Facebook. “With old buddy Emeril in town at Sonny Bryan’s on Inwood eating the BEST ribs! With Dave the coolest Pit Master!”  He’s only been there for 14 minutes. Hurry.

Happy Chinese New Year: Where to Feast in Dallas?

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 3rd, 2011 11:46am | filed under Ethnic Food, Festivals, Restaurant News | 10 Comments »

How bad can The Year of the Rabbit be? photo courtesy of Crow Museum.

It’s time to tuck a plum blossom in your hair and feast on the delightful foods of China. Today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year and 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit (tranquility!). No more nasty tigers or stinky rats, just cute little bunnies. You can take your bunnies to the Crow Museum of Asian Art on Saturday where they will feature lion dances, lantern making, yoga inspired by the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and a rabbit petting zoo in honor of the Year of the Rabbit.  I’ve got plans to feast at Yao Fuzi in Plano. Have any of you decided where you will celebrate? Give it up.

10 Comments »

Emeril Lagasse Kicks It Up a Notch Filming New TV Show at El Fenix in Downtown Dallas

posted by Christine Perez | February 3rd, 2011 11:30am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Food On TV, Tex-Mex | 15 Comments »
Mike Karns, Alfred Martinez, and Emeril Lagasse

Mike Karns, Alfred Martinez, and Emeril Lagasse

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse is in Dallas this week—not for Super Bowl XLV, but to film episodes for his new show, The Originals, which will air this spring on the Cooking Channel. He spent Tuesday and Wednesday at El Fenix (first, at the restaurant’s tortilla chip factory on Harry Hines Boulevard, then at its longtime spot downtown). Today and tomorrow, Lagasse and his crew will be at the original Sonny Bryan’s and The Mecca.

“These days, everyone is trying to do everything new,” says the celebrity chef, who took a break from filming to talk with me. “I wanted to do something old. So I’m going around the country to visit older, established restaurants that have had a significant impact not just on the food scene but also on American culture.”

Continue reading "Emeril Lagasse Kicks It Up a Notch Filming New TV Show at El Fenix in Downtown Dallas"

15 Comments »