Articles for August 8th, 2011

Gouging at Wild Salsa

posted by Tim Rogers | August 8th, 2011 1:52pm | filed under Uncategorized | 60 Comments »

I’ve been to the new Wild Salsa place downtown a couple of times and haven’t had any complaints (save for the dance music that drove me nervous). A friend of mine, though, relays some details from a recent meal there that I find disturbing. He went during happy hour to have dinner with his family and to avail himself of the aforementioned hour of happiness. He ordered a well bourbon and was informed by the waiter that happy-hour pricing did not extend into the dining room. Only those seated in the bar area are allowed to be happy. STRIKE ONE. Happy hour is not like a City Council district. It is not meant to be gerrymandered. It’s more of an “at large” situation in my book. Happy hour extends from the front door to the back door and includes the restrooms and kitchen, should you find yourself needing to visit either.

Fine. My friend rushes through dinner so that he can relocate his family to the bar area and order a drink. He orders the well bourbon, Jim Beam, on the rocks. Well drinks are $4 during happy hour. Guess what he finds on his bill, though. He finds that his drink cost him not $4 but, instead, $5. Reason being: he was charged $1 for the ice. STRIKE TWO. We do not live in France. We live in America. And here in America, ice is like suffrage. You don’t get charged for it. Maybe if you’re serving Scotch with those special ice balls made with water drawn from the same spring that feeds Loch Ness, THEN you can charge $1 for it. Otherwise, ice must be free.

Wild Salsa, you’re on notice.

60 Comments »

August 8: Your Food Truck Schedule Update in Dallas

posted by George Lewis | August 8th, 2011 1:47pm | filed under Food Trucks |

Many of the DFW food trucks are off on Sundays and Monday. They are busy prepping for the week.  I will try to update the schedule throughout the week as the owner/operator/chefs report changes.

Again, be sure to check their Facebook or Twitter feeds.  We’ve added the websites, Facebook pages, and Twitter feeds at the bottom of the schedule.  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 City Street Grill Wednesday breakfast.

Update1: Added Crazy Sisters Wednesday lunch.

Jump. Continue reading "August 8: Your Food Truck Schedule Update in Dallas"

It’s “Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day.” Insert Heavy Sigh.

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 8th, 2011 11:43am | filed under Cheap trick for comments, Dallas Must-Do List, Silly Reasons to Celebrate |

The drought and soul-killing temperatures have done a number on my zucchini this year. The lush, ground-hugging vines that should have taken over my entire plot by now, look like dead snakes that tried to cross a desert highway. You, too? In years past, I’ve had such a viney bounty that I’ve used this holiday to not only unload my stash, but commit notable acts of agricultural mischief. There were the brown bags on doorsteps, the twine-tied bundles in mailboxes, the Jenga-stacked sculptures, and, of course, the zucchini I hung individually from my neighbor’s tree. The fun was in convincing their kids that they were alien fruit pods that could explode at any moment.

Memories. Like the corners of my mind…

To distract myself, I’m looking ahead and thinking about creating some new arcane traditions. Here’s the list of upcoming unusual holidays. Some have to do with food, but not all. And I left out the boring ones. Any ideas for ways to commemorate? Continue reading "It’s “Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day.” Insert Heavy Sigh."

Somebody Help This Poor Greek Virgin Out

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 8th, 2011 11:13am | filed under Somebody Help, somebody help this poor girl out | 26 Comments »

A Monday-morning reader asks:

Hey, y’all! My sister’s coming in town from Chicago. Our family has this tradition where, on each visit, we pick one nationality and eat everything that city has to offer. Last time she came to town it was Vietnamese. The time before that we did French. This time she wants to do Greek. I need some help making a list (and a schedule) of all the decent places to get Greek food. We’ll go as far North as Frisco if we must.Also, what are some things on a Greek menu that we should try but might not know about?

A worthy task. Let’s help him out.

26 Comments »

Oh, Chocolate Lovers…2011 Dallas Chocolate Conference Schedule Announced

posted by Sarah Reiss | August 8th, 2011 10:40am | filed under Bring it!, Chocolate, Diets are stupid | 3 Comments »

Melted, molded, enrobed, and hand-rolled—Chocolate stands front and center on August 27 at the Addison Conference Centre during the 2011 Dallas Chocolate Conference. Read on for the full schedule:

The conference is an immersive and rewarding event for chocolate lovers with two main components both included with a single ticket purchase: A Showcase of Chocolate and a Chocolate Academy. The Showcase of Chocolate is an exhibition hall where attendees can sample chocolates from the participating chocolatiers and chocolate makers. The price of a ticket is $15 (plus tax) in advance and $20 (including tax) on the day of the Conference and includes ten samples during any one of the four sampling sessions. Sessions are an hour and a half long and start at 11:00 am. Tickets for children include three samples and are available for $5 (plus tax) in advance and $6 (including tax) on the day of the Conference. Attendance will be capped to ensure that attendees are able to interact with the chocolatiers and chocolate makers.

The schedule of classes has been finalized and covers the full spectrum of chocolate—from making it to baking with it. Classes include demonstrations (with samples, of course), lectures, interactive sessions, and panel discussions.

The Chocolate Academy will kick-off at 10:00 AM with the Chocolatiersʼ Roundtable—a free-flowing discussion with all participating chocolatiers. Adrienne Newman (Madame Cocoa) will be the Chocolate Academyʼs mistress of ceremonies. While all classes are included with a ticket purchase, space is limited and is on a first come, first seated basis.

The full schedule is as follows:

jump for the deets: Continue reading "Oh, Chocolate Lovers…2011 Dallas Chocolate Conference Schedule Announced"

3 Comments »

Two Things That Have Already Ruined My Day

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 8th, 2011 10:28am | filed under Bad critters, Buzz Killer!, Hippie revolutions, Nutjobs, Overprivileged chimps, Skinny bitches | 4 Comments »

1. Ann Hathaway is going to play Ruth Reichl in Garlic and Sapphires. I would have picked Tina Fey

2. Groupon for tickets to see Stevie Nicks. I feel old.

4 Comments »

Dallas’ Mozzarella Company Wins Four Ribbons at the American Cheese Society Annual Competition

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 8th, 2011 9:56am | filed under AgriBusiness, Celebrity Chefs, Cheese, Goats! | 4 Comments »

Cheese maven, Paula Lambert, sends word from the Great White North.

Dallas’ Mozzarella Company won four ribbons at the American Cheese Society Annual Competition last weekend in Montreal, Canada, more than any other Texas cheesemaker. They were one of a very select group of cheese companies to win three first place ribbons!  This marks the 25th year that Mozzarella Company cheeses have been singled out for their excellence by the prestigious judges of the ACS. This year’s winners were: 1st place – Hoja Santa Goat Cheese; 1st place – Goat’s Milk Ricotta; 1st place – Pecan Praline Mascarpone; 3rd place – Queso Blanco with Chiles and Epazote

If you haven’t eaten at least two gallons of that Pecan Praline Mascarpone you haven’t lived. Jump for Lambert’s thrill of victory:

Continue reading "Dallas’ Mozzarella Company Wins Four Ribbons at the American Cheese Society Annual Competition"

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Food For Thought 2011at Tower Club Raises Funds For Big Thought

posted by Andrew Chalk | August 8th, 2011 9:44am | filed under Andrew Chalk, Celebrity Chefs, Charity events |

My Award for Best Display Goes To Gigi's Cupcakes

There was a full house Saturday night at The Tower Club for Food for Thought, an annual charity fundraiser hosted by the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers. The beneficiary was Big Thought, a charity whish “is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits focused on building partnerships that allow all children access to quality learning opportunities.”Their mission: “to make imagination a part of everyday learning — we do our work so that children have opportunities to become imaginative, adaptable and productive adults, resulting in stronger communities and a more capable future workforce. We do this because we believe that every child and family should be immersed in opportunities to imagine, create and succeed”. Big Thought programs are accomplished both at schools and after school hours in the broader community.”

This is the third such event hosted by the DAYL. Each year, Food for Thought honors a local civic leader with the Gavel of Excellence award for significant contributions of service made to our community. This year’s recipient Daryl “Moose” Johnston was honored with  the Gavel of Excellence Award for his work with SLANT 45: Service Learning Adventures of North Texas. Created to utilize Super Bowl XLV for inspiration to get kids to design and implement volunteer projects throughout North Texas. The three time Dallas Cowboy, Super Bowl winning fullback and NFL commentator more than doubled the original goal with his outstanding leadership, resulting in 44,140 North Texas youth donating 445,418 hours of community service. Previous Gavel of Excellence award recipients include Jim Keyes, former CEO of Blockbuster and Ebby Halliday.

The chefs taking part were also a parade of stars. Here they are with apologies to them if I butchered the names of their dishes. These were transcribed from a voice recording made in the hurly-burly of the event. Jump. Continue reading "Food For Thought 2011at Tower Club Raises Funds For Big Thought"