Articles for May 12th, 2011

Spanish Wine and Food Pairing at Central Market in Dallas

posted by Andrew Chalk | May 12th, 2011 3:25pm | filed under Andrew Chalk, Celebrity Chefs, Wine & Spirits |

Daniel Olivella, Quim Marqués, and Miguel Torres thank the crowd

Dallas Central Market cooking school was packed last night for the first event in Central Market’s Pasaporte Espana. The event featured a food and wine pairing with two chefs: Quim Marqués and Daniel Olivella. Marqués is the  owner of Suquet de l’Almirall in Barcelona. He is a former finalist in the Spanish Chefs Championship Competition and worked at the world’s most famous restaurant El Bulli. He is also the author of several cookbooks. Daniel Olivella is the chef/owner of B44 in San Francisco and Barlata in Oakland. A native of Catalonia, he came to the United States at the age of 17 to work in his uncle’s Spanish restaurant in Chicago. At 28, he went to San Francisco where he worked in famous kitchens such as Delfina and Zuni Café. In 1999 he opened B44 and subsequently received accolades as San Francisco’s Rising Star Chef of The Year and for creating one of USA Today’s Top 20 Dishes in America. The wine and expertise came from Miguel Torres of Torres Wines who matched each course with a Torres wine.

Vamos… Continue reading "Spanish Wine and Food Pairing at Central Market in Dallas"

A Soda Even Tim Might Drink

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 12th, 2011 2:41pm | filed under Cheap trick for comments, Diets are stupid | 11 Comments »

It may not be common knowledge outside these four glass walls, but our own Tim Rogers has recently given up his sugar shack membership, broken his vows to the cult of the cane, sworn (mostly) off the processed crap, and shuns sweeteners with a passion. So let’s see what he has to say about this:

Whole Foods has recently introduced Austin-based Sans Diet Soda to the market. The gimmick: Sans is free of artificial sweeteners and colors, and has no sugar or calories. The company partnered with Truvia to sweeten the drinks without that a weird bitter aftertaste a lot of other stevia-based drinks have.

The sodas come in five flavors: orange, lemon lime, cola, black cherry, and root beer.

So, what do you think? Is it natural? Is it cheating? But more than that, is it any good?

11 Comments »

Brews News: North Texas Beer Festival Starts Tomorrow

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 12th, 2011 2:24pm | filed under beer, Brews News, Events, homebrewing |

Starting tomorrow you can sample from more than 100 craft and import beers at a three-day North Dallas event brought to you by North Texas Beer Festival, Guiness, Franconia, and FC Dallas. (Beer & soccer—sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.) The main event will go down Saturday from 1-11 pm at the Plano Center; general admission tickets cost $30; your ticket entitles you to 12 2oz. tasters.

Events kick off tomorrow at 7 pm with a Sunset Brews Cruise at the Pier 121 Marina in Lewisville (1481 E. Park Hill Road). To participate in this part of the event, attendees must purchase the $ $119 VIP ExBEERience package.

On Sunday at 3pm, duffers can head to the Top It Off Charity Golf Tournament. Registration is $95 per person and proceeds benefit the Good Samaritan Inn. The event will be held at Top Golf, 1500 Allen Station Parkway.

jump to read more... Continue reading "Brews News: North Texas Beer Festival Starts Tomorrow"

Somebody Help This Poor Girl Out: Big Game & Booze

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 12th, 2011 12:55pm | filed under game, somebody help this poor girl out, Wine & Spirits | 12 Comments »

This letter just popped up in my inbox:

Hi SideDish-
My husband would never write this letter so I’m jumping in for him. He’s been invited to a new friend’s ranch for a guy’s weekend. The theme of the weekend is Big Game meaning that they’re going to eat some game and shoot some skeet. The friend is hosting the whole thing, he only asks that the guests bring what they consider to be an item of game to cook on Saturday night and the alcohol they think would pair best with it. (Wild turkey & Wild Turkey is already taken, thank you very much.) We are at a loss. Hopefully you can post this on the forum and your readers can send some clever suggestions.

OK, folks. Help a sister out in the comments section.

12 Comments »

The Message Behind the Meat: Heart Attack Grill vs. In-N-Out Burger in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 12th, 2011 12:24pm | filed under Burgers, Buzz Killer!, Cult Cuisine, Diets are stupid, Food Fight!, Junk Food, mob scenes, Openings/Closings, Politics of Food, Rants, Restaurant News | 46 Comments »

It’s another day in Dallas and what do you know, before you can say double-double-animal style, we have a new burger controversy on the grill. Tomorrow is supposed to be opening day for the Heart Attack Grill in the West End. A group has already planned a protest (see below). Why? Let’s refresh our memory:

Their motto? “Treating anorexia since 2005.” Their objective? “Always keeping the patient’s budget in mind, you’ll have the comfort of knowing that all your meals are absolutely free once you reach the 350 pound goal weight. Imagine the joy of knowing you’ve finally achieved something!” Their sales pitch? “Doctors agree that continually cycling body weight up and down is one of the very worst things a person can do to themselves. That’s why our program is focused upon keeping your weight in an extremely stable, gradual, and constant upward slope.”

Since I posted the arrival of Heart Attack Grill, the company’s 575-pound spokesman died. He was 29. Funny? Some people think so. Subtle? As a heart attack. Please stay with me here. Continue reading "The Message Behind the Meat: Heart Attack Grill vs. In-N-Out Burger in Dallas"

46 Comments »

The Secret Secret In-N-Out Burger Menu

posted by Jason Heid | May 12th, 2011 11:51am | filed under Burgers | 2 Comments »

We’ve gave you the rundown already on In-N-Out Burger’s secret menu. Now some helpful bloggers from Los Angeles are cluing us in to the secret secret menu:

The Monet – An inverted paper employee hat filled with 32 oz. of burger dressing, topped with pickles floated on the surface.

√(4 x 4)/4 – Hamburger.

Vegan Style – 4 leafs of lettuce between 2 leafs of lettuce.

John 3:16 style fries – Fries, no salt.

Mt. Rushmore – 4 fresh whole potatoes, peeled and hand carved to the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln, deep-fried to golden brown perfection.

Deluxe Flying Dutchman – Kobe beef culotte steak, seved with jalapeno marmalade, with roasted tomato and morel mushroom flan on the side.

They’ve also got some called “the Billy,” and “the Cold Karl,” that I prefer not to repost. I know we’re well past the point of over-saturation in In-N-Out content, but I still feel like I could read these “secret” items for hours.  If you’re not a fan of  John 3:16 style fries, I suggest you go for the Genesis 19:26 style fries (extra, extra salt).

But really, if you’ve not heard of the items that Zac Crain discovered on the menu, you’re missing out.

2 Comments »

Cedars Social Grand Opening—Suggested Attire: Riot Gear and Teflon

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 12th, 2011 11:05am | filed under Bars, cocktails, Events, grand opening, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News |

Behind the gorgeous yet foreboding doors that front The Cedars Social, Michael Martensen, Brian Williams, and John Tesar are gearing up to host this Lamar cocktail den and kitchen’s long-awaited grand opening celebration. On May 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., all comers are invited for 120 minutes of complimentary Don Q Rum cocktails (sponsor) and aps.

No doubt the combination of hipster magnetism and free booze will whip up a frenzy on both sides of the Trinity—and this is not a big place—so come prepared for a little waiting, a little posing, and a lot of jostling. The reward may be hard won, but, dare I say, worth it.

The Cedars Social is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. for lunch and dinner and on Saturday and Sunday for brunch.

Brews Flash: Oskar Blues Headbrewer Headed to Dallas for American Craft Beer Week. Sa-weet!

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 12th, 2011 10:36am | filed under beer, Brews News | 1 Comment »

I believe I’ve mentioned here before, that I’d do a mile-long sack race if there was an Oskar Blues’ Ten Fiddy waiting for me at the finish line. In light of that obvious bias, I offer the following press release:

For the first time in its six year history, American Craft Beer Week, May 16-22, will see official events hosted in all 50 states, making it the largest-ever celebration of U.S. craft brewers.  Dallas is a hot spot on Oskar Blues Brewery’s radar as head brewer, Dave Chichura and sales leader, Nick Lensing will be making a run of events May 17th through the 19th in the Dallas area.

jump for the list of appearances… Continue reading "Brews Flash: Oskar Blues Headbrewer Headed to Dallas for American Craft Beer Week. Sa-weet!"

1 Comment »

Olé! Pasaporte España Kicks Off At Central Market Despite Torrents

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 12th, 2011 10:14am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Cheese, Chef's tasting, Chefs, classes, Cooking, Cooking Classes, Delis, Ethnic Food, Events, Foodie People, Groceries |

Central Market kicked off Pasaporte Espana with a food & wine class in the Cooking School (left) and a prepared-foods case stocked with national favorites. (Photos by Sarah Reiss)

Central Market’s Pasaporte España—a total store takeover with Spanish seafood, wine, pastries, oils, canned seafood (a Spanish specialty), and so much more—kicked off last night in the Greenville Ave. location. For the ribbon cutting (which was supposed to be held in the tent in the parking lot but was moved to the entry vestibule due to rain), top brass filled the store with costumed team members, flamenco guitarists, flamenco dancers from the 2011 Dallas Flamenco Festival, Spanish wine producers, cultural liaisons, and more. jump for the pictures and a video of saucy flamenco dancers … Continue reading "Olé! Pasaporte España Kicks Off At Central Market Despite Torrents"

Eat This Now: Dungeness Crab Dip at Hibiscus in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 12th, 2011 9:53am | filed under Daniel Walker, Eat This Now! | 2 Comments »

Ladies and Gentlemen: I present Daniel Walker:

This week, I feel as though I should share with you a Dallas classic, a dish that you should not miss tasting at least once while you live in Big D. So I introduce you to or remind you of my old friend, the baked Dungeness crab dip at Hibiscus.  Please excuse all typos or mistakes in the words to follow, as I am already drooling heavily on my keyboard.

Come with me. Continue reading "Eat This Now: Dungeness Crab Dip at Hibiscus in Dallas"

2 Comments »