Articles for August 1st, 2011

The Free Man Soft Opens With Some Semantics Issues

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 1st, 2011 1:29pm | filed under Food Fight!, I Hate it When That Happens, It's just lunch, Murmur, Neighborhood restaurants, Openings/Closings, Politics of Food, Really?, Restaurant News | 5 Comments »

John Jay Myers has swung the doors wide on The Free Man, his new Cajun cafe & lounge in Deep Ellum. His mission:  combining a bit of Bourbon Street with a nightly live-music venue. Menu items: etouffee, jambalaya, gumbo, boudin, alligator, and more. Sounds great to us, but the Cajun vs. Creole distinction seems to have some people in a huff.  The general consensus: Bourbon Street/New Orleans=dignified Creole, while western Louisiana=wild & wooly Cajun.

I’m guessing you have a lot to say about the hair-splitting (or cavernous) distinction. I do so love a debate.

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August 1: Monday Food Truck Schedules in Dallas

posted by George Lewis | August 1st, 2011 12:53pm | filed under Food Trucks | 4 Comments »

Okay folks, we are going to attempt to print a Food Truck Schedule every Monday. Hopefully, it will be good for the week of the post. I urge you to check the truck’s Facebook or Twitter feeds to ensure that they haven’t moved, canceled, or had vehicle problems.  Locations are always being updated, so if you see a “TBD” for later this week, then there is a chance that they’ve found a location by the time that day comes around.  These three, Gandolfo’s NY Deli, Ssahm Korean BBQ, and Nammi Vietnamese Bahn Mi are the most active trucks out there in Dallas.  We hope to have many more trucks in the schedule going forward.

Again, be sure to check their Facebook or Twitter feeds.  And don’t blame us if they’re not at the specified location.  Our info is only as good as what they give us. Having made those disclaimers, here you go.

Update: Added Jack’s Chowhound for Wednesday-Friday.
Update 2: Gandolfo’s moved for Thursday morning. Schedule is changed.
Update 3: Friday: Updated Jack’s.  Added City Street. Continue reading "August 1: Monday Food Truck Schedules in Dallas"

4 Comments »

Two Weeks Until TEXSOM

posted by Hayley Hamilton | August 1st, 2011 12:52pm | filed under Texas Sommelier Conference, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

In two weeks the best Sommeliers, wine professionals, aficionados and wine lovers in Texas will come together at The Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas, for the 7th annual Texas Sommelier Association Conference (TEXSOM) delivering top-notch wine education at very reasonable prices.  Over the course of three days, from August 13-15, TEXSOM offers attendees in-depth classes in everything from ancient Japanese traditions influencing the production of Sake, to the terroir of Washington State, to the effects sub-climates in Greece have on their wine.

Founded in 2005 by James Tidwell, MS, CWE, Sommelier at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas; Drew Hendricks, MS, CWE, Director of Beverage Education for Pappas Restaurants in Houston; and Guy Stout, MS, Education Director for Glazer’s Distributors and presented by the not-for-profit organizations the Texas Sommelier Association and the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas.

The agenda for this year includes everything from the various wine regions of Spain, to New World Bordeaux blends, to the wines of Piedmont, to a vertical tasting of Chateau Musar with Serge Hochar, the first Decanter Magazine Man of the Year in 1984, and more, all leading to the Grand Tasting featuring 150 wines of the world and announcement of the Texas Sommelier of the Year on Monday night.  Scheduled Master Sommeliers include Serafin Alvarado, Wayne Belding, Richard Betts, John Blazon, Thomas Burke, Brian Cronin, Fred Dame, Brett Davis, Laura DePasquale, Jay Fletcher, Ken Fredrickson, Doug Frost, Keith Goldston, Scott Harper, Drew Hendricks, Jay James, Geoff Kruth, Andrew McNamara, Sally Mohr, Melissa Monosoff, Peter Neptune, Sean Razee, Paul Roberts, Joseph Spellman, Larry Stone, Guy Stout, Bobby Stuckey, James Tidwell, Barbara Werley, and Laura Williamson.

This years conference adds an additional element on Saturday, August 13, of a social media symposium with professionals lending advice, information and insight on staying connected as the wine subculture continues to become more and more mainstream.  This day long session is open to the public, but seating is very limited.  Tickets and information available here.

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Mad Tavern to Open in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 1st, 2011 11:01am | filed under beer, Burgers, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 8 Comments »

Hello Dishers! Welcome to August. This is a love/hate time for restaurants: many close while others participate in restaurant week/month. Sounds like Trece closed yesterday, and I’ve heard rumblings about some other significant closures to come. But today comes word of an opening.

Mad Tavern, a gastropub “specializing in beer, whiskies and high-quality European dishes,” will open on Friday, Aug. 26 at 18101 Preston Road, Ste. 102 in Dallas.

Cue the press release quote:

“We’re very excited about introducing Mad Tavern to the public,” said Sanjeeva Balachandra, owner. “Mad Tavern is a unique place where people can come to

watch their favorite sports teams on the big screen, or shoot pool, play darts, dance or just hang out and enjoy good music, top-quality food and premium

drinks. Plus, we have one of the best selections of beer in the Metroplex, so it’s a great place for beer enthusiasts. We have 125 different kinds of ales and lagers

to choose from, 32 of which are on tap.”

Cue the money quote: “Menu items include European fare, such as steamed mussels and corned beef and cabbage, as well as hamburger, steak and other American favorites.

UPDATE: Mad Tavern will postpone its grand opening due to construction delays. Stay tuned for details.

Oh, you must jump for the rest. Continue reading "Mad Tavern to Open in Dallas"

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Brews News: Zio Carlo Brewpub Struggles to Open in Fort Worth

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 1st, 2011 9:00am | filed under beer, Brews News | 4 Comments »

The brewpub's frontage on Magnolia St. in Fort Worth. (Photo by Julissa Trevino)

Ace contributor Julissa Trevino sends us this report from the field. Take it away, Julissa…

At the corner of W. Magnolia Ave. and College Ave. in the Near Southside neighborhood of Fort Worth, Carlo Galotto looked tired but was still smiling as he sat on a dusty wooden bar stool in the spacious brick building that used to house Gunn’s Cleaners in mid-June.

Galotto, owner of soon-to-open Zio Carlo Magnolia Brewpub, spends 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week working on what he hopes will become a neighborhood establishment reminiscent of old Europe.

But the 52-year-old, thin Italian immigrant from Turin doesn’t have much time. Having worked on the opening since Oct. 2008, when he bought the property, Galotto had hoped open up his business in July. With less than a week go for before the end of the month, it’s looking less and less likely for the hopeful brewer.

jump to read more… Continue reading "Brews News: Zio Carlo Brewpub Struggles to Open in Fort Worth"

4 Comments »

Inventory at Tom Spicer’s FM1410

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 1st, 2011 9:00am | filed under AgriBusiness, Cooking, Cult Cuisine, Farmers Markets, Gardening, Groceries, Health Food, Hippie revolutions, Local/Slow Food, Politics of Food | 3 Comments »

Tom Spicer: "Even cucumbers need a little shade."

This unedited list just in from Spiceman:

Developing and properly staffing any small business operation, especially a farm of any size, on less than a budget of shoe string potatoes isn’t easy… then throw a tanked economy on that camel. Fewph!

But I’ve DONE IT! My garden is filled out and flush, The new deck we built less than a year ago RULES, I have awesome garden workers, 2 lovely ladies to assist you with your produce needs (Ellen and Nicole)…now all I need is a driver.

Ok nuff said…here comes the good stuff: Continue reading "Inventory at Tom Spicer’s FM1410"

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