2011 December 09 | SideDish

Articles for December 9th, 2011

Esquire Gives Meddlesome Moth Some Love

posted by Tim Rogers | December 9th, 2011 1:09pm | filed under Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

The Meddlesome Moth made Esquire’s “Best Beer Menus in America” list. That makes me thirsty.

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Restaurant Review: Catrachito Honduran Food in Dallas

Tacos Hondureños. A large wheat flour tortilla filled with chicken and deep fried in lard. The whole thing is showered with strands of chopped cabbage and drizzled with a ranchero-style dressing and sour cream.

Just about the only things I know about Honduras is that that the scuba diving is world class and it is one of the few countries in the world to be invaded by a neighboring country after a soccer game. The cuisine remained a cipher. I was excited, therefore, when, driving to work one morning, I found myself behind a truck painted with “Catrachito – 100% Comida Hondureña.” Even I knew that that didn’t refer to a comedy club, so I noted the details and made a mental plan to check it out. This is not the only Honduran restaurant in the DFW area, but this is an outsider’s review, so if you know Honduran cuisine (or were involved in the soccer war) please chime in.

Let’s kick it.

Continue reading "Restaurant Review: Catrachito Honduran Food in Dallas"

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New Winter Menu at Bailey’s Prime Plus

posted by Andrew Chalk | December 9th, 2011 10:12am | filed under Andrew Chalk, As the Restaurant Turns, Poor World Series Performance Cost CJ Wilson $25 Million!, Restaurant News, Sommeliers are people too | 2 Comments »

Bailey's Prime Plus Execuchef Grant Morgan

Execuchef Grant Morgan and sommelier Jennifer Jaco have settled in to their relatively new jobs at Bailey’s Prime Plus. Earlier this week, Bailey’s held a media dinner at their Park Lane location to showcase their new winter menu and tell us about enhancements to the wine program.

The wine program enhancements are exciting. The number of selections on offer has doubled from 300 to over 600 and Jaco is now building a series of ‘verticals’ (i.e. several vintages of the same wine) to offer depth as well as breadth. These numbers are in the ballpark for receiving a ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ certification from Wine Spectator magazine. There are only 907 restaurants in the world with this designation or better (and only 5 in Dallas) so it confers considerable prestige. The other side of the wine program is the acquisition of some interesting bottles from ‘off the wall’ places. She served us some with the meal (more on that below). The bottom line is that Bailey’s is serious about the quality of their wine program.

Jump for the bounties of winter. (But first a juicy tidbit: Jennifer Jaco is the girlfriend of Michael Ehlert, the chef Ed Bailey lured from DBGB Kitchen & Bar in New York. I spotted Ehlert in the kitchen at Bailey’s where he’s busy testing his menu for the soon-to-open The Chesterfield.) Okay, let’s eat. Continue reading "New Winter Menu at Bailey’s Prime Plus"

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Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | December 9th, 2011 10:00am | filed under Baking, BBQ, C-Ya C.J., Cheese, Copy/Paste Press Release, Events, Holidays, hostess gifts, Hot Links!, Local/Slow Food, Poor World Series Performance Cost CJ Wilson $25 Million!, Restaurant News | 2 Comments »

Sigel’s Addison. Saturday, December 10 from 11AM to 3PM. Sigel’s Cheesemonger Teresa McGee and Brazos Valley Cheesmaker Marc Kuehl will be at Sigel’s-Addison to taste Marc’s award winning raw-milk cheeses. More below.

Slow Food Dallas and North Haven Gardens. This very cool partnership will present a series of classes for novices and experienced gardeners. Mark you calendars. Here’s the linky dink.

Urban Acres. Holiday Market 2011. Need creative gift ideas? Or just want something fun to do with friends and family this weekend? Please join us this Saturday, December 10th for a Holiday Artisan Marketplace at Urban Acres! We’ve invited our favorite local craft and food artisans to share their goods in our fun, community-based setting. Each artist will showcase handcrafted artwork or artisanal foods that we just know our Urban Acres friends will appreciate! Check out the vendors here!

Smoke Camp at Lockhart Smokehouse. Smoke like a pro after “Smoke Camp.” The pitmasters at Lockhart Smokehouse will share some trade secrets such as: choosing the right meat, dry rub vs. wet rub practices, smoking techniques, proper trimming and carving, plus the art of “Burnt Ends.” Class includes dinner, cold beer, and a t-shirt. “Smoke Camp” will be held Tuesday, January 17 from 6:30-8-30pm. Cost $75. Space is limited, so call us to make your reservation early. 214-944-5521.

White Rock Market. The 3^rd Annual Holiday Market takes place on Saturday, December 10 from 9AM to 3PM at Green Spot Market in East Dallas. (702 N. Buckner Blvd. 2140797-4989) Music, local food and handicraft vendors galore. It’s free. Venodors listed below.

Nosh. Black Winter Truffles from Perigord are now at NOSH. Fresh Capelini or Risotto with shaved Black Winter Truffles $25!

Details. Continue reading "Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas"

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Attention Dallas Restaurant Industry: Judges Needed for GDRA Competition

posted by Nancy Nichols | December 9th, 2011 9:30am | filed under Food Fight!, Poor World Series Performance Cost CJ Wilson $25 Million!, Restaurant News |

On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association will be hosting its annual TX ProStart Regional Competition for over 25 high school teams from our area that utilize our ProStart curriculum. What is ProStart? I’m glad you asked. ProStart is a two-year program that provides training and certification in both culinary and management. Over 30 teams of high school students will compete in culinary and management battles. The top 3 winners will go on to State competition, and the State winner will go to the Nationals in Baltimore. The National winner will get a free roundtrip to Saturn. (Just wanted to see if you were still with me.)

The GDRA needs judges! So, if you are a chef, a sous chef, a kitchen worker, a recipe developer, a kitchen manager, or an expert in your restaurant, contact Contact Tracey Evers, tevers@gdra.org or our assistant director Candice Sullinger , csullinger@gdra.org.

More details below. Continue reading "Attention Dallas Restaurant Industry: Judges Needed for GDRA Competition"

What To Drink Now: California Pinot Noir

posted by Hayley Hamilton | December 9th, 2011 9:00am | filed under Wine & Spirits | 2 Comments »

I have always had a great affinity for Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley. I had visited the Oregon region probably 3 times before ever stepping foot in the prestigious Napa Valley, and have found that the charm and personality of the then still small and developing region has lasted through the years. I am headed back to Willamette this weekend for an annual holiday trip with friends, showing them why I love Oregon Pinot Noir so much, but before I go I wanted to give a few tips on some great California Pinot Noir options.