Articles for April 21st, 2011

Asador, a New Destination Restaurant in the Renaissance Dallas Hotel

posted by Andrew Chalk | April 21st, 2011 4:00pm | filed under Andrew Chalk, Restaurant News | 3 Comments »

The ‘lipstick building’ as it has been known to cab drivers and long-term residents since its construction in 1984, is considered iconic by some and gimmicky architecture by others. Nonetheless, there is agreement that it is one of Dallas’ most distinctive buildings. It has been a luxury hotel under a couple of brands but currently it’s the Renaissance Dallas Hotel.

Renaissance is Marriott’s  “lifestyle’ brand,” according to general manager Mark Woelffer. Marriott regards Westin’s ‘W’ brand and Hyatt their closest competition. With that mandate it’s great to their renewed commitment to opening a destination restaurant in the hotel. Asador is the creation of Dean James Max a successful chef in Florida with a couple of James Beard nominations. Their slogan is “Modern Farm To Fire.”

So, a new name, a celebrity executive chef, and a catchy slogan. Could this be a good deal for Dallas?  I attended a press event and followed up with a Q&A e-mail with some of the people involved to get a better look at the restaurant.

Continue reading "Asador, a New Destination Restaurant in the Renaissance Dallas Hotel"

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CuriousDish: Current Dallas Food Trucks and Those on the Way

posted by George Lewis | April 21st, 2011 3:37pm | filed under Food Trucks, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Yum Yum food truck

The City of Dallas is moving at what feels like glacial speed, but thanks to the push from the Dallas Arts District and anxious entrepreneurs, the food truck scene here is about to change. Here is an overview of who’s here and who’s coming.

Starting with the two trucks that are the bleeding edge of this new-to-Dallas trend we have Green House Truck staking out the upscale gourmet end of the food truck spectrum.  Green House is usually parked in University Park., where they have secured a permit.  City Street Grille has been out in the Design District lately. City Street managed to get a Dallas permit, but not for the Central Business District.  Both trucks are actively working with the City of Dallas on easing regulations.

jump to read more… Continue reading "CuriousDish: Current Dallas Food Trucks and Those on the Way"

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Penfolds Plans 2006 Grange Release Dinner at Ruth’s Chris in Dallas

posted by Andrew Chalk | April 21st, 2011 3:03pm | filed under Andrew Chalk, Wine & Spirits | 3 Comments »

Penfolds, by acclaim, makes one of the 10 best red wines in the world. Lovers of Shiraz will have a chance to sample the illustrious wine  on May 1 at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Dallas. On that evening, Penfolds is conducting a synchronized release across the US of the new 2006 vintage of Grange. For serious wine lovers, roll the press release:

Celebrate the exclusive U.S. release of the 2006 Penfolds Grange at Ruth’s Chris. Enjoy this highly coveted wine, along with other award winning Penfolds’ wines paired with signature dishes for an unforgettable evening.

Join us Sunday | May 1st | 6pm
$150 per person (not including tax & gratuity)

To commemorate this special occasion, guests will receive a keepsake. Call today to reserve your seat as space is limited. 972-250-2244.

Below you will find the menu. Also, a look at what a bottle costs, by vintage, right now: Continue reading "Penfolds Plans 2006 Grange Release Dinner at Ruth’s Chris in Dallas"

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Eating Lebanon: The Adventures of Chef Chad Houser, Randy Potts, and Chef Kamal Mouzawak

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 21st, 2011 12:48pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Cooking, Farmers Markets, Gardening, Restaurant News, Travel | 3 Comments »

Chad sees squash blossoms and gets excited, wanting to use them at his dinner he will cook at Tawlet. Rabih is concerned, wrinkling his brow, and keeps pointing to the trash, "no good! no good! no good!" so Chad picks one and eats it raw as the farm manager Rabih's eyes almost pop out. We had the manager of Tawlet call Rabih and ask him in Arabic to bring a bushel to the Souk al Tayeb market on Saturday so Chad can buy them from him. Photos by Randy Potts.

This morning comes a photo dispatch from Randy Potts and Parigi Chef Chad Houser who are in Lebanon. You can read their previous reports here, here, and here. Jump for more. Continue reading "Eating Lebanon: The Adventures of Chef Chad Houser, Randy Potts, and Chef Kamal Mouzawak"

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Oh, Cedars Social. You Had Us At $4 Cocktails

posted by Sarah Reiss | April 21st, 2011 12:31pm | filed under Bars, cheap eats, cocktails | 3 Comments »

This just in from the press release department:

Wonder why the cocktails in Dallas taste better? Well, there are two reasons and Eric Seed, of Haus Alpenz, will educate guests during a special cocktail tasting at The Cedars Social May 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Patrons will experience pre-prohibition cocktails like never before (editor’s note: for a mere $4) as Seed shows how Dallas’ elite mixologists are changing up the cocktail scene using premium ingredients such as Crème de Violette, Dolin Vermouth’s and Velvet Falernum, to name a few. So come out to The Cedars Social to meet Eric Seed yourself and let one of the uber-knowledgable mixologist delight you with a drink made with these amazing spirits from Haus Alpenz. For more information about Eric Seed and Haus Alpenz, visit www.alpenz.com.

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You Ask; We Provide. Chef Keith Cedotal’s Mango Smash Recipe

posted by Sarah Reiss | April 21st, 2011 11:45am | filed under dessert, Recipes | 2 Comments »

Malai Kitchen's Sticky Mango Smash dessert. (Photo by Desirée Espada.)

Last week we posted a First Take Restaurant Review of Malai Kitchen in Uptown’s West Village. After receiving numerous emails from mango-loving readers, I reached out to Malai Kitchen to see if they’d be willing to shoot us the recipe for the sticky Mango Smash dessert. Thank goodness Chef Keith Cedotal was happy to share.

jump for the recipe… Continue reading "You Ask; We Provide. Chef Keith Cedotal’s Mango Smash Recipe"

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Urbano Cafe in Dallas to Host Chef Sharon Hage for Special Dinners

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 21st, 2011 11:10am | filed under BYOB, Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Events, Local/Slow Food |

Sharon Hage will guest chef in Urbano Café’s new space on May 4. The event is almost sold out. I just spoke with owner Mitch Kaufman. He says they are adding two seatings on Tuesday, May 3. Hage tells me she is in the process of finalizing the menu which will highlight the bounties of spring. Best part? It’s BYOB. 214-823-8550. Seatings are 6:30 and 8:20 PM. Price is $75 plus tax and tip.

A Exceedingly Polite and Respectful Apron Throwdown

posted by Sarah Reiss | April 21st, 2011 10:39am | filed under Baking | 11 Comments »

So clearly, you people are all sorts of whipped up around Lisa Garza’s pricey aprons. So I thought I’d share the following with you. This morning, the enterprising Jennifer Garr emailed me to let me know that she’s been making an alternative for quite some time now.  Here’s what she had to say:

Hi Sarah,

I saw your post and read the comments on the aprons designed by Lisa Garza. I think her aprons are wonderful but I did notice several of the comments were not in her favor. I too make aprons, they are MUCH more casual than the ones designed by Lisa and they do not compete with hers at all. My aprons are very practical (all have a terry cloth towel at the bottom), stylish and fun and are all handmade here in Dallas! Perhaps some of the people who left negative comments will like our price point a little better; our aprons are $36 and you can get them at Nothing Bundt Cakes in Preston Royal. That location has sold over 200 of them! Check ‘em out!

Jennifer Carr, www.jenrosiedesigns.com


11 Comments »

Top Steakhouses in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | April 21st, 2011 10:07am | filed under Food Fight!, Steakhouses | 23 Comments »

Here’s a link to my report on the 20 Top Steakhouses in Dallas. Read it and we’ll discuss.

23 Comments »

What To Drink Now: Wine for Easter Brunch

posted by Hayley Hamilton | April 21st, 2011 9:01am | filed under Easter, Wine & Spirits | 4 Comments »

Easter brunch often incorporates great traditions with the flavors of spring.  Add one of these bottles to your Easter table for pairing with everything from roasted lamb to spring greens and veggies.  Some of these selections were sent for editorial considerations, all are tasty.

2009 Fume Blanc Reserve from Robert Mondavi  has always been a favorite when looking for a Sauvignon Blanc that was fresh and vibrant, but not the huge citrus bomb.  Blending a bit of Semillion to the Sauvignon Blanc at the end adds richness and depth to the wine in a very Bordeaux style.  It is a special wine for Mondavi with less than 2000 cases made from their To Kalon vineyard blocks in Napa.  Continue reading "What To Drink Now: Wine for Easter Brunch"

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