Articles for February 2nd, 2012

Michael Martensen Hosts New Pop-Up Bar in Deep Ellum: Hid In 2612

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 2nd, 2012 6:28pm | filed under Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Michael Martensen is at it again. After a successful run in Oak Cliff with his pop-up emporium Bar 828, he has created Hid In 2612 on Commerce Street. (That would be 2612 Commerce.) The small, 1,400 square-foot cocktail lounge is next door to Cane Rosso. “We got our liquor license today at 1:00PM,” Martensen said. “We open tomorrow night at 8PM.” They will be open Friday and Saturday this weekend and Tuesday through Saturday of next week. Eight nights. Period.

The groovy space has already been decorated by King Zulu Bong Design group and once again features furniture from Again and Again. Martensen is teaming up with fellow mixmaster Brian McCullough who worked at Smoke and was also involved in Bar 828. McCullough is working on getting Standard Pour on McKinney open. Details are still sketchy. A Deep Ellum Arts project TBA will be the beneficiary of proceeds. Times, etc to follow. Food–pizzas and flatbreads–will be provided by Jay Jerrier’s Cane Rosso.

UPPITY DATE: “The same crew that brought you the hit pop-up cocktail lounge BAR828 is at it again. Operating under the name Hid In 2612, mixologists Michael Martensen and Brian McCullough will bring in a host of guest bartenders from the best establishments around town for only four nights. The official kick off is 8 o’clock p.m. Friday, February 3. The additional dates are Saturday, February 4, Thursday, February 9, and Friday, February 10. There will be private parties in between these dates. The space, located at 2612 Commerce Street in Deep Ellum, is adjacent to Il Cane Rosso and will be part of their expansion once Hid In 2612 closes its doors. Decor and design of the space are by the talented team of KingZuluBong, with accessories offered by Again & Again. The chosen mix of furnishings will offer an experience unlike any other in Dallas! Hid In 2612 is a cash only establishment. The hours will be from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Food will be available from Il Cane Rosso, as well as surrounding restaurants.
A portion of the proceeds from Hid In 2612 will be donated to the Deep Ellum Community Association. Find out more about DECA at deepellumtexas.com.”

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What To Drink Now: Happy Pisco Sour Day

posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 2nd, 2012 3:58pm | filed under cocktails, Silly Reasons to Celebrate, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

Pisco Sour with Pisco Porton at Bolsa

On the continued trend of every cocktail and spirit having its own day, Saturday marks Pisco Sour Day. Celebrated annually the first Saturday of February this day celebrates the Peruvian spirit Pisco, shaken or blended with lime, simple syrup and a bit of egg white to create the ideal refreshment on a hot summer day (it is summer in Peru.)  Earlier this week Johnny Schuler, a.k.a. Mr. Pisco, visited Dallas to make make sure we are ready to celebrate the occasion.  I had a chance to visit with Schuler at Bolsa to learn more about pisco and why he has spent the last 35 years making it the fifth white spirit of the world, “more flavorful than vodka, not as strong as tequila.” Continue reading "What To Drink Now: Happy Pisco Sour Day"

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We Love Chocolate

posted by Krista Nightengale | February 2nd, 2012 3:16pm | filed under Chocolate, dessert, Diets are stupid, Valentines Day |

As you’ve probably figured out from this month’s cover, we love chocolate. And we love our local chocolatiers. From shoes of chocolate to hand-painted pieces, it’s all beautiful and delicious. Before diving into the world of chocolate, I gave a call to DallasChocolate.org founder Sander Wolf. I asked him about the state of chocolate in Dallas, and he told me that “it’s emerging. We’re not San Francisco or New York, but there’s a lot of people doing a lot of good stuff.” One great thing about chocolatiers in Dallas is that everybody has his/her own specialty. “When they get together, there’s virtually no overlap,” Wolf says. “Even if you gave them all the same ingredients, they would turn out completely different.”

To see the result of their work, check out these gorgeous photos by Manny Rodriguez.

And, if you’d like to find out where you can taste some of this chocolate, jump. I’ve included information from DallasChocolate.org about what our favorite chocolatiers are up to this month.

Continue reading "We Love Chocolate"

Gourmet Live Announces The Top 25 American Food Entrepreneurs. Dallas’ Jeff Sinelli Makes the Cut.

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 2nd, 2012 12:49pm | filed under Awards, Cult Cuisine, restaurant business news, Restaurant News, Sandwiches | 3 Comments »

Gourmet Live just released their list of the top 25 food entrepreneurs who have emerged over the last 25 years. Right there on the list alongside Howard Schultz, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, and Martha Stewart is Dallas restaurateur Jeff Sinelli, founder of Which Wich? They refer to Which Wiches as “the funnest lunch in the land.” The next Norman Brinker?

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Taco News: Rusty Taco and ocaTaco in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 2nd, 2012 12:13pm | filed under Openings/Closings, Restaurant News, Tacos | 9 Comments »

A taco-loving Disher asked me about two new taco spots. He writes:

What happened to the two taco places that were supposed to open at UT Southwestern? Rusty Taco and the Maple and Motor version? Are they still in the works?

The Rusty Taco location is already up and running. They opened at 5350 Harry Hines across from UTSW last October. They are also open in College Station and St. Paul, Minnesota.

I asked Jack “Harvey” Perkins of Maple and Motor for an update on ocaTaco. He replied: “We hope to take possession next Tuesday at the latest. If that happens, we can open Monday the 13th. We will open for lunch only for the first four weeks. After that it is breakfast and lunch with a full coffee/espresso bar M-F. This will be the only location we will be doing at UTSW. There will be a friends and family night some time the week of the 6th. I would invite you, but you wouldn’t come.”

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Matt’s Rancho Martinez in Lakewood to Close on February 11: A Fond Farewell From Estella Martinez

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 2nd, 2012 11:57am | filed under Closings, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 5 Comments »

Dearest Matt’s Family & Friends,

As we move into the next chapter of the Matt’s Family Business Saga, I am, both saddened and excited. Change, for me, is trying to say good-bye to what I’ve known and loved for 20+ years. Matt Jr., my late husband, our family and I came to your neighborhood and became deeply rooted here. Lakewood and the surrounding areas, have been so gracious and have made us welcome from the very beginning. We have been part of your family and you, a member of ours. Together, we have experienced and shared moments of joy, countless special occasions and shed a tear or two. We take with us treasured memories and warm, on-going relationships.

The time has come, all too quickly, to embrace the future and opportunities yet to come. Lakewood will continue to be Matt’s home, just down the street at 1904 Skillman. Unfortunately, though we had hoped to transition without down time, it just didn’t happen.

Jump for the good news. Continue reading "Matt’s Rancho Martinez in Lakewood to Close on February 11: A Fond Farewell From Estella Martinez"

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Top Chef: Texas, Episode 13 Recap

posted by Carol Shih | February 2nd, 2012 11:41am | filed under Breakfast, Bring it!, Celebrity Chefs, Contests, Delusional behavior, Top Chef: Texas | 5 Comments »

Pee-wee Herman stops by for a surprise visit.

PROLOGUE

Jonesy’s gone, but five chefs are left
In fair San Antonio, where we lay our scene.
It’s still unclear whose knife skills are best,
At least we know Ed sleeps in suits, not blue jeans.

Jump for the rest of sonnet.

Continue reading "Top Chef: Texas, Episode 13 Recap"

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Free Food Today From Nammi and The Butcher’s Son at FairLease in Dallas

posted by George Lewis | February 2nd, 2012 10:27am | filed under Food Trucks, Free Stuff!, freebies | 1 Comment »

Nammi and The Butcher’s Son have teamed up and are serving FREE food today at FairLease, Inc., an automotive leasing company.  The two food trucks have been teasing us with this special surprise for several days now and asked us to hold the information until the event starts at 11AM. But they just tweeted it so we’re posting!

Want some free food? FairLease is at 8131 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, TX 75251, near the I-635 and 75 High Five exchange.  All you Texas Instruments employees, line ‘em up.

The event is part of Fairlease’s Random Acts of Fairness program. What a great spirit!

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Denny’s and Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan Team Up To Sell Skillet Meals

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 2nd, 2012 10:00am | filed under AgriBusiness, Celebrity Diners, Food On TV, Making Up Is Hard To Do, restaurant business news | 4 Comments »

Don’t bite me for posting this. Let it be known that usually I am not easily motivated to promote national chains serving average food. I love dogs and I love National Geographic Wild’s “The Dog Whisperer” starring Cesar Milan. His dog-training shows are as addicting as “House Hunters International.” However, Cesar’s method of teaching one how to be the alpha member of the pack only works on animals. Every time Zac or Tim start to attack me, I stand tall and poke them deep in the solar plexus and “sisst, sisst, sisst” until my mouth is dry. They just look at me and continue to chew on my ego.

But hark! This morning comes word from the corporate world of Denny’s: They’re produced a video spoof dubbed “Skillet Whisperer” for Funny or Die. The company’s original intent was to find “someone energetic and who would connect with English-speaking Latinos but also the Spanish-preferred Latinos.” Instead they have produced a bilingual “commercial” funnier than any you’ll see on the Super Bowl. More importantly, it makes this middle-aged WASP want to try a skillet at Denny’s.

Skillet Whisperer with Cesar Millan – watch more funny videos

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