Articles for November 16th, 2011

High Seas Adventure Stars + Vodka + Sigel’s = Flannel Alert

posted by Sarah Reiss | November 16th, 2011 1:47pm | filed under Events, Wine & Spirits |

Deadliest Catch captains in town to hawk their Time Bandit vodka.

I love a man in flannel, so much that every man I dated from 1988 to 1998 looked like a three-dimensional incarnation of the Brawny man. So, it stands to reason that curiosity will get the better of me on Black Friday (Nov. 25) between 11 am and 1 pm and compel me to swing by the Sigel’s on Greenville to meet Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch captains Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand during their visit to promote vodka. The name of their boat, btw, is Time Bandit, which is (not coincidentally) the name of the vodka they’re in town lending their scruffy mugs to.

Here’s how it all came together: Every October the brother launch Time bandit from Kodiak, Alaska, for the king crab season. The U.S. Department of Commerce has rated fishing in the Bering Sea as the most dangerous job in the country because it has the highest mortality rate of any occupation, ranking above law enforcement officer or firefighter in number of deaths per 100,000 workers. (See our story on how two local boys ended up in this most dangerous profession here.) The Hillstrands never dreamed they would become television stars when they began a life of crab and salmon fishing in the Bering Sea many years ago. Thanks to the reality series about the dangers aboard the Time Bandit and other king crab fishing vessels, the brothers and their boat are known to millions of people around the world. Looking for a way to take advantage of the reality show’s popularity, the brothers had an idea for a vodka named Time Bandit.

“We’ve been really amazed about this,” said Andy Hillstrand. “We had an idea it’s worked out so far. The response has been tremendous.”

Thanksgiving Cometh—Only Eight Days Left to Secure a Reservation

posted by Sarah Reiss | November 16th, 2011 11:00am | filed under Holidays, Thanksgiving | 2 Comments »

We are now officially within the Thanksgiving fortnight. More menus are coming to us every day. Be advised: we like you and want to make sure you aren’t just groping around in the dark. Hence this list. Your only job: make the call.

jump for the latest menus… Continue reading "Thanksgiving Cometh—Only Eight Days Left to Secure a Reservation"

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Dallas Beer Week’s Saturday Festival Goes Belly Up

posted by Sarah Reiss | November 16th, 2011 10:35am | filed under beer | 7 Comments »

This just in: Dallas Beer Festival, the multi-brewery event/festival that had been scheduled for this Saturday at Fair Park, is no more. Citing concerns over low ticket sales, the organizers pulled the plug yesterday afternoon. The local opinion on the cancellation seems to be landing in two camps:

  • The organizers tried to start too big with a full week and a festival. The should have looked to events like Oak Cliff’s Brew Riot for evidence of the value of starting small.
  • People don’t advance purchase tickets for this sort of thing. Folks who had planned to show up and pay at the door are a little pissed.

Luckily, none of the week’s other events at pubs and bars around town have been cancelled. Shannon Wynne (Flying Saucer, Meddlesome Moth) says, “”We are still holding steady with our Beer Week. We are local, and people know us. We are not swooping in to make a quick buck off Dallas beer enthusiasts and then leave. We serve hard-to-find beers 365 days a year and are working hard to help enlighten the public to the flavors available throughout the world.”

Word up, Shannon!

UPDATE: I’ve heard that some folks are confused by the festival cancellation. TO BE CLEAR: Beer Week has not been cancelled, just the Saturday festival. Everything else should still be going on as planned.

jump for the press release from the folks behind Dallas Beer Week… Continue reading "Dallas Beer Week’s Saturday Festival Goes Belly Up"

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Driftwood in Oak Cliff Announces Omar Flores as Executive Chef

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 16th, 2011 10:07am | filed under Restaurant News | 7 Comments »


Last night Mike Hiller announced: Omar Lopez to Lead Kitchen of Driftwood. Hmm. After my last conversation with owner Jonn Baudoin, I was under the impression the chef was “coming from a big restaurant in Dallas.” Don’t know a Omar Lopez. I typed a note to Mr. B. “No, I’ve hired Omar Flores as Executive Chef,” Mr. Baudoin says. He is leaving Abacus where he has been since 2006.”

Baudoin says Flores took the original menu for Driftwood and turned it into something really special. “He took the concept menu and created a menu beyond my expectation that highlights his style and techniques,” he says. “We communicate and respect each other.” Driftwood is located at 642 W. Davis and will be seafood-centric.

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Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream in Plano Wins Awards

posted by Nancy Nichols | November 16th, 2011 9:19am | filed under Contests, ice cream, Restaurant News | 5 Comments »

Henry Gentry of Henry's Homemade Ice Cream.

Henry Gentry of Henry’s Homemade Ice Cream insists ice cream will “make you pretty.” After 26 years of making ice cream at the “micro-creamery” in Plano, Henry’s business is looking pretty good. I’ve noticed his name on some fancy menus alongside the likes of Paula, Tom, and Jimmy’s.

Henry “speaks in ALL CAPS.” He sends word: “HENRY’S placed in every category this year at the NATIONAL ICE CREAM Awards in Jacksonville, FL. A total of 30 entries were submitted by Ice Cream companies from all over the nation. The competition was tough, but HENRY’S licked them!!!”

1st Place in BEST NEW FLAVOR for Butterscotch Blast

2nd Place in Homemade Vanilla

2nd Place in Strawberry

5th Place for Best Southern Flavor for M. L. Dubay Toffee

In the press release, Henry thanked his employees (a nice touch) and Mrs. M.L. Dubay for surviving cancer and opening her Toffee Treats business. Ice cream must make you nice too.

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What to Drink Now: Pinot Noir for Thanksgiving

posted by Hayley Hamilton | November 16th, 2011 8:52am | filed under Thanksgiving, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

I’m breaking the Thanksgiving wine posts up a bit this year because so many people have a set varietal they love to pour for Thanksgiving, so I’ll have a few posts with turkey day wine options for pairing one varietal or another.  For me, I love Pinot Noir with the Thanksgiving meal.  It is generally not as heavy and weighty as say a Cabernet, has good fruit flavors with earthiness, and pairs well with traditional fall flavors like roasted squash and sweet potatoes, roasted turkey and cranberries.
Some wine selections were sent for editorial consideration.

2008 Stoller JV Estate Pinot Noir – Jeunes Vignes, or Junior Vines, Pinot Noir is made from young vines grown on the Dundee Hills Stoller estate in Willamette Valley with an approachable, lively style.  Ripe raspberry, bing cherry, baking spice and violets with a subtle touch of vanilla on the finish.  An easy to drink wine with a great price tag for Willamette Valley Pinot – around $20 a bottle.   Continue reading "What to Drink Now: Pinot Noir for Thanksgiving"

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