Articles for July 15th, 2011

Matt McCallister Has Best Mussels at Bastille on Bishop

posted by Todd Johnson | July 15th, 2011 1:24pm | filed under Chefs, Contests, crepes, Events, seafood | 3 Comments »

If you missed last night’s second annual Bastille on Bishop celebration in Oak Cliff’s Bishop Arts District, you missed a tasty, sweaty good time. The 100+ degree heat didn’t deter the crowds from enjoying street side crepes, wine from Calais Winery, and mussels from local chefs such as John Tesar (The Commissary), Marc Cassel (Peavy Road), Tim Byres (Smoke), and others. In the end, former Stephan Pyles chef Matt McCallister won first place in the best mussels competition with Scott Romano of Charlie Palmer at The Joule taking second.

3 Comments »

SideDish Word Ban: YUM!

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 15th, 2011 1:14pm | filed under Food Crime, Food Writing, I Hate it When That Happens, Mistakes I made, Mixology is fancy for bartender, Politics of Food, PR People, questionable judgment, Rants, Silly Reasons to Celebrate, Special Offers, Stupid terms for food, Yum is Dumb | 9 Comments »

Beginning today, July 15, 2011, I am banning the use of the word YUM from any post on SideDish. You can YUM away all you want in the comments, but I will do my best to keep it from appearing in an official report. I do my best to stay away from “foodie,” but have yet to find the perfect replacement. YUM, however, has many. HOWEVER, I reserve the right to use “yummers” or “yum” when  I am being sarcastic or quoting a person.

If you spot the word YUM in a post after today, you will win a prize. Carry on.

9 Comments »

Ate it For $8: Cafe Izmir in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 15th, 2011 12:56pm | filed under Ate it For $8 | 6 Comments »

Could this be the best hummus in Dallas?

This week Kristy Alpert heads east to Cafe Izmir.

Overview: Co-owners Mehdi Nazari, Ali Nazary, and Beau Nazary are on to something. More than 14 years ago they opened Café Izmir on a quest to bring quality Mediterranean food to Dallas. “The closest place to get good Mediterranean food before was in Los Angeles,” says Mehdi Nazari who came to Dallas from Persia. Two years after opening the doors, Café Izmir developed a loyal clientele for their magical mezze for lunch and prompted this family-owned establishment to open the Izmir Market & Deli a few doors down. Just like its sister restaurant, the market offers Mama Nazy’s recipes and an escape into a truly enchanting world.

Jump for more. Continue reading "Ate it For $8: Cafe Izmir in Dallas"

6 Comments »

Toddlers and Toques: Should Fine Dining Restaurants in Dallas Ban Children?

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 15th, 2011 12:20pm | filed under Bad critters, Bring it!, Buzz Killer!, Cult Cuisine, Food Crime, Food Fight!, I Hate it When That Happens, Nutjobs, Ouiet Restaurants, Overprivileged chimps, questionable judgment, Rants, Really? | 33 Comments »

Tall toques and toddlers: good or bad idea?

Lots of chinwagging taking place in the webosphere. Fine dining restaurants, such as this place in Pennsylvania, are banning children under six years of age. I tend to dine early and have witnessed children who squeal and squirm while their parents sip wine and attempt to enjoy a fine meal. I believe it is a good practice to take children into fine dining restaurant. It’s important to learn manners at an early age. The only time it chaps my sass is when the parents don’t reprimand their misbehaving offspring or take charge of the situation. Take this recent example from a loyal Disher.

Jump for the shrilling report.

Continue reading "Toddlers and Toques: Should Fine Dining Restaurants in Dallas Ban Children?"

33 Comments »

Wendy Krispin and Kay Agnew Team Up to Open Royal 60 in the Dallas Design District

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 15th, 2011 10:37am | filed under catering, Celebrity Chefs, Hippie revolutions, Nostalgia, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 7 Comments »

Two Dallas food biz veterans, Wendy Krispin and Kay Agnew, are joining forces to open Royal 60. Both gals are dear to my heart as they have spent most of their lives catering. (I still believe every presidential candidate should be able to cater a wedding for 400–hardest job in the world.) Kay has been slinging Cajun food and running restaurants almost 30 years while Wendy is just out of rookie status at 25 years. Kay’s restaurant Margaux’s has had at least nine lives and probably close to that many locations. Her current digs in the Design District will be the new home for Royal 60. “This project is a way for Kay and I to celebrate our combined experience,” Wendy said. They are working on the plans for Royal 60, but it will basically be a wine bar with food. Details on the way…You go, girls.

7 Comments »

Food Feedback Friday

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 15th, 2011 9:00am | filed under Food Feedback Friday | 18 Comments »

Hey, Dishers. Where did you eat this week? Did you find something fabulous? Did you find something foul? We’d love to hear your thoughts on your latest restaurant experiences. Here’s what you reported last week.

18 Comments »