Articles for November 2nd, 2011

Central Market Debuts New Online Store: 20+ Tasty Gift Boxes, Available 24/7

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 2nd, 2011 2:54pm | filed under AgriBusiness, Gifts, Groceries, hostess gifts | 1 Comment »

When I contacted Central Market this morning for an update on their Preston Royal store, I was told there was a press release going out today. It just arrived. Since I have to work at my real job this afternoon, I’m going to copy and paste it.

Wondering how to send a sweet gift – without going to the store?  Know a college student hungry for snacks before finals or have a homesick Texan who needs a pick-me-up?  Looking for unique ideas for holiday gift giving?  Get ready to ship delicious treats from Central Market – just by shopping on the web!

Oh My God! Continue reading "Central Market Debuts New Online Store: 20+ Tasty Gift Boxes, Available 24/7"

1 Comment »

Chefs for Farmers and Dallas Uncorked Present Mixin’ It Up On the Boulevard 2012

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 2nd, 2011 2:15pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Events, Festivals | 7 Comments »

Last night the organizers for Mixin’ It Up On the Boulevard 2012, announced the details of their upcoming event. The outdoor food, wine, and spirits festival will feature an A-list of celebrity chefs, local farmers, and award-winning wine and spirits.

The event, co-created by Dallas Uncorked and Chefs for Farmers, will take place at Lee Park on May 6, 2012. Dallas Uncorked was founded by Hayley Hamilton, who is also a featured contributor on SideDish. Chefs for Farmers was created by Chef Matt McCallister and Oh*Brownie founder Iris McCallister. Together they have pulled in a load of talent and the event will benefit Charity: Water and Meals on Wheels Inc.

Jump for the glorious details.

Continue reading "Chefs for Farmers and Dallas Uncorked Present Mixin’ It Up On the Boulevard 2012"

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What to Drink Now: Carmenere

posted by Hayley Hamilton | November 2nd, 2011 2:04pm | filed under Wine & Spirits |

I attended a Chilean wine webinar the other day teaching and tasting all things Carmenere and Carmenere blends.  Known to be the signature red grape of Chile, Carmenere is a smoky and spicy wine filled with roasted pepper, mingled with bold fruit and earthiness. Carmenere is a great food wine, pairing perfectly with grilled meats, hearty stews and spicy Mexican and Latin flavors.  Of the wines we tasted here are some of the stand outs.

2008 Casa Silva Los Lingues Gran Reserva 100% Carmenere from the Colchagua Valley.  Hand picked and hand sorted grapes which are carefully handled from vineyard to winery to ensure the best care is given to these high quality grapes.  The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, and is then aged for 10 months, 85% in French oak, 15% in stainless steel.  The result, a round wine with intense black cherry, black berry and forest floor aromas, leading to black cherry, cedar and spice on the palate with a long finish.   Continue reading "What to Drink Now: Carmenere"

Grocery Store Update: Whole Foods in Addison, Central Market at Preston Royal

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 2nd, 2011 11:11am | filed under Groceries | 7 Comments »

Whole(y) Foods has just signed at lease on a property in The Village on the Parkway Shopping Center, at the southeast corner of Belt Line Road and Dallas North Tollway in Addison. Yikes, it’s only 3 miles from the store on Coit and Belt Line. Oh, the Coit location will die when the Addison store opens in Spring 2013. Makes me sad. That Richardson store has been there for 25 years. The Addison Whole(y) Foods will be 10,000-square feet larger (36,000) and will employ 120 more peeps.

Central Market in Preston Royal. Apparently there is a press release coming out later today with more details, but I managed to squeeze a little info out of the PR machine at CM.

On Preston Royal, we’re set for an opening mid-winter…it’s under construction…we’ve had our chefs traveling up to NYC to visit Zabar’s, Eataly and Eli’s and a # of other cool places to look for the coolest, tastiest, most authentic NY Deli Offerings – from latkes and noodle kugel to fresh pasta and carryout offerings. We’re having a lot of fun working on the new offerings for Preston Royal, really trying to match unique flavors to the unique neighborhoods and communities in that area. We want it to feel personal!

Cool. Although can someone please describe what “mid-winter” means in Dallas? Thank you.

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Stone Crab Season is Here

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 2nd, 2011 10:35am | filed under catering, Cult Cuisine, Foodie People, Foodie Video, Kosher, seafood, sexy things to do with your feet, SideDish Bump! | 2 Comments »

If you come here often, you know the ubiquitous jonfromtjs.  His comments are found on every food blog and social media outlet in Dallas. His real name is Jon Alexis. His real job is marketing his family’s seafood and catering shop TJ’s Seafood Market. I’ve known Jon’s parents, Pete and Caren, since the early 1700s.  I’ve witnessed Jon’s profile and knowledge of business mature. Jon’s sends many enthusiastic announcements about the promotions at TJs. This one caught my attention.

Florida Stone Crabs – a trip to Miami without leaving your home. Stone crabs are sweet, mild, and delicious. Dip in TJ’s Creamy Mustard Sauce for an authentic experience. Prices are in flux – right now LARGE claws are 31.99/lb.

Thanks for that, Jon. Oh, and I love the video. It cracks me up.

2 Comments »

Good Asian Grub: Bon Mua in Carrollton

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 2nd, 2011 9:30am | filed under Ethnic Food, Good Asian Grub | 2 Comments »

Combination seafood noodle soup with roasted pork, shrimp, squid, and fish cakes. (photo by Carol Shih)

D Magazine intern Carol Shih prowls Dallas in search of the best Asian cuisine. This time she bribed her Vietnamese-American friend to help her translate and teach her the art of eating.

When I took my old high school buddy Theresa to Bon Mua (“Four Seasons”), a Vietnamese restaurant in Carrollton, she laughed the minute I started draining the bowl of beef broth the owner, Din Huynh, placed in front of me. “You’re not supposed to drink it first,” she said. “You pour a little bit onto your rice to wet it, and then you finish the soup after you’re done with the meal.”

Jump. Continue reading "Good Asian Grub: Bon Mua in Carrollton"

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Special Report: The Best Coffee in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 2nd, 2011 9:00am | filed under Coffee, Cult Cuisine | 4 Comments »

Oddfellow's. (photo by Elizabeth Lavin)

Todd Johnson wears a lot of different pants around the D empire. Primarily, he is the company’s Creative Director. He oversees all of the art and photography and design stuff. He eats out almost every meal and posts his meals on Facebook. But Todd drinks more coffee than any other human being I have ever met.

When he came up with the idea of doing a feature on the best coffee in Dallas, the rest of the tea-sipping editorial staff said, “Go, dude.” He went. And went. And went. After a month of sampling coffee all over town and showing up for work buzzed like a meth addict, Todd is now back to speaking simple English and being civil to his co-workers. Read his story here. I promise you a contact caffeine high.

Agree or disagree below.

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Maple & Motor in Dallas Offers Car Service on Monday and Tuesday Nights

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 2nd, 2011 8:30am | filed under Burgers, Cult Cuisine, I Went to College for This?, Nutjobs, Restaurant News |

The Dude of burgers.

Maple & Motor owner Jack Perkins has a fond spot in his heart for the gone-but-never-forgotten Prince of Hamburgers on Lemmon. Starting next Monday night, Perkins will offer “back-in car service” after 5PM. Perkins will reserve spaces for those of you who would like to dine in the luxury of your car. Just back in and blink your lights. Monday and Tuesday nights only, weather permitting.