Articles for September 20th, 2011

Breaking News: Michael Costa Arrested By TABC at The Office Grill in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 20th, 2011 8:57pm | filed under Breaking News, Food Crime, Restaurant News, TABC | 56 Comments »

TABC officers and Michael Costa (light blue shirt to right) outside The Office Grill in Dallas. (Photo by Nancy Nichols)

This evening, around 6:40PM, officers from the TABC entered The Office Grill in far North Dallas (Frankford and Tollway) and arrested co-owner Michael Costa. I’m awaiting information on the specific charges of the arrest but his business (Lucky 7 Private Club) has appeared consistently on the TABC credit law delinquent list which is released every two weeks.  The most recent was published yesterday. (A detailed explanation of why a business is included on the list is below the jump.)

Costa was handcuffed inside the restaurant and taken to Collin County Jail.

The Office Grill co-owner Michael Costa once again behind bars. (Photo by Nancy Nichols)


Tonight’s arrest is the second for Costa this month.  On September 13, Costa was arrested for “a bond forfeiture for theft of $1,500<20k.”

Jump for TABC rules.

UPDATE: I have turned the comments off until I have more details about the situation. Sorry, but thanks.

UPDATE: Comments on.

UPDATE: I’ve been on deadline all day. According to an officer of the Collin County Jail, Michael Costa was arrested for two charges. Both were “an act prohibited during permit suspension.” Since the TABC arrested Costa it looks like Costa’s liquor license was suspended and he continued to sell alcohol. Both charges are misdemeanors and bond for each charge was set at $1,500. Costa bonded out earlier this afternoon. Mug shot below.

Continue reading "Breaking News: Michael Costa Arrested By TABC at The Office Grill in Dallas"

56 Comments »

Chef Francesco Farris Readies to Open Zio Cecio Cucina Italiano in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 20th, 2011 1:45pm | filed under Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 8 Comments »

Construction of former Arcodoro/Pomodoro chef Francesco Farris’ new restaurant, Zio Cecio Cucina Italiano, is going full tilt boogie. Earlier in the year, Farris announced he would be taking over the little house on Lovers left vacant after Patry’s closed, but this morning I found the sign and the construction crew working furiously at the former Café Italia space down the street. The place has been stripped back to the studs and the tradesmen were laying glass tile on the bar.

I caught up with a frenzied Farris who is leaving for Bologna where he will compete in the Sfoglino d’oro (Golden Doughmaker). “I am going to Bologna and will open as soon as I come back,” Farris said by phone. “You’re gonna love this place. Very nice inside. Nice price range. Good food.” The menu will be Italian with a Sardinian twist and will include pastas, risottos, seasonal items and organic meats. Target date for opening is October 5. His general manager will be Dallas Italian restaurant veteran, Alessio (Alessio’s il Ristorante) Franceschetti.

UPPITY DATE: More details below.

Continue reading "Chef Francesco Farris Readies to Open Zio Cecio Cucina Italiano in Dallas"

8 Comments »

John Tesar Introduces One Art With Sous Vide Octopus

posted by Andrew Chalk | September 20th, 2011 12:38pm | filed under Andrew Chalk, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 7 Comments »

John Tesar puts the finishing touches on the sixth and final course. (photo by Desirée Espada)

The Table is dead. Long live One Art. Commissary owner/chef John Tesar always knew that an upscale burger operation, albeit with a good burger, would not cast his name in Dallas dining history. Hence the reason for the room at the side of The Commissary where some 12 diners at a communal table can order food that is a bigger stretch of the chef’s abilities. In its initial incarnation as The Table diners ate food very similar to that which Tesar prepared at The Mansion. The Table was popular. However, it wasn’t what Tesar wanted to do. When I heard it was to be replaced with a more farm-to-table concept, I was worried. Farm-to-table is commonplace around town now and, in some cases, stressing the origin of the food is a cover for serving rather pedestrian dishes. Plus, Tesar’s food could lose its distinctiveness if he was trying to cook within the boundaries of an established style.

jump for more… Continue reading "John Tesar Introduces One Art With Sous Vide Octopus"

7 Comments »

In-N-Out Opens in Arlington, Texas

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 20th, 2011 11:04am | filed under Burgers, Cult Cuisine, grand opening, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 9 Comments »

Are you over In-N-Out? Guess what? They don’t care. Their quest to dominate the burger market in the Midwest continues on September 22 when they open another location at 1075 West I-20 in Arlington.

9 Comments »

Sake Season Opens in Japan. Celebrate at Tei-An.

posted by Nancy Nichols | September 20th, 2011 9:55am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, food pairings, Restaurant News, Sexy food | 1 Comment »

Chef Hung Nguyen is one of only a handful of Level II sake sommeliers in the world. He is also one of the nicest guys in the world. Today, Chef Hung announces he is teaming up with another one of the nicest guys in the world, Teiichi Sakurai of Tei-An, to celebrate the annual opening of the saké brewing season in Japan, “Nihonshu no hi.” Here is Chef Hung:

On Sunday, Oct 2 at 7pm, I’m teaming up with Teiichi Sakurai and the Tei An staff to present a special dinner of authentic and progressive Japanese cuisine, paired with saké. Our emphasis this year will be on saké from the Tohoku region, which was devastated by disasters earlier this year. The overall effect of those events on the quality and availability of Tohoku saké won’t be known until at least next year, so we’ll savor these 2011 brews while we still can. As a side note, we’re drinking brews produced prior to the disasters–there should be no contamination concerns.

Menu and details below.

Continue reading "Sake Season Opens in Japan. Celebrate at Tei-An."

1 Comment »

DrinkLocalWine.com Regional Wine Week Contest

posted by Hayley Hamilton | September 20th, 2011 9:23am | filed under Contests, Texas Wine, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

Do you only drink Texas wine? Or are you drawn to Virginia Viognier? Passionate about bubbly from New Mexico or think Colorado Cabernet is the next great thing? DrinkLocalWine.com has a contest for you.  Every state in the country is making wine and there is a lot out there to like. During  Regional Wine Week, October 9-15, wine from every state other than California, Washington, and Oregon will be showcased and celebrated.  The website is asking for fans of wine from the other 47 states to submit brief write ups– just 47 words– on their favorite wine, region, or producer from any place other than California, Washington or Oregon.  Entries will be evaluated by the website editors with the best winning a spot at the 2012 DrinkLocalWine.com event in Denver. More information here.

1 Comment »