Articles for February 29th, 2012

A Car Plowed Through Jimmy’s Food Store

posted by Carol Shih | February 29th, 2012 5:40pm | filed under Breaking News, Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

The DMN reports that an elderly woman crashed her car into the front side of Jimmy’s Food Store, a popular Italian grocery store and deli, around 3:30 pm. Thank the universe no one was seriously injured, but some wine and tables were destroyed during the drive-in (not really a drive-by, is it?). Jimmy’s fans can rejoice, though; manager Jeff White says that the store will resume normal business hours tomorrow since the sandwich counter is unharmed.

Good grief, it looks like Jimmy’s has had its fair share of bad luck. 2004 marked the year Jimmy’s suffered a terrible fire, and now a car just went and plowed through it.

6 Comments »

Spread Eagle Saloon Spreads its Wings Today

posted by Carol Shih | February 29th, 2012 1:41pm | filed under Openings/Closings, questionable judgment, Restaurant News | 7 Comments »

Krista Nightengale discovered breastaurant-ish Spread Eagle Saloon last August, and since then we’ve been eager to see how its marketing team would deal with such a, uh, wonderful name. Turns out today is owner Scott Scripps’ Grand Opening Party featuring $3 drinks and live entertainment starting at 8pm. I’d rewrite the rest of the press release, but it’s more effective if you read it yourself. Couldn’t have said it any better.

Guests will be able to order from the full menu which contains starters like the Pork Belly Stuffed Jalapenos with Honey-Bourbon Shiner Bock Glaze, Roasted Garlic Goat Cheese Fritters, or a Scotch Egg; Sandwiches like The Loaf (meatloaf with pickled shallots and Muenster cheese on a Ciabatta bun), or the Pig Press (smoked ham w/pork belly, sweet pickles, and Swiss cheese), or a “Traditionally Awesome” Turkey Club. In addition to the food, visitors to Spread Eagle Saloon can order from the distinct beer menu which features over 40 varieties of traditional American, Overseas, and American Craft Beers, all served cold in the can. A popular recent trend in craft brewing, canning provides for a fresh product uncontaminated by light and loss of carbonation and is environmentally friendly by means of recycling and lesser shipping weight.

Spread Eagle Saloon is owned and operated by Dallas native and SMU grad Scott Scripps. Scripps is a downtown resident as well and so is invested both personally and financially in the success of Dallas’ core neighborhood.

As for the name? Well, let’s just say there may have been some drinks involved.

Restaurant hours run from 4pm-2am on Monday through Sunday; kitchen closes at 11pm. Lunch and day-time hours will be added in mid-March.

7 Comments »

I Finally Found a Good Reason To Run…

posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 29th, 2012 1:25pm | filed under Wine & Spirits |

A press release just hit my inbox that makes this yoga lover want to roll up my mat and strap on some running shoes to prepare for the Third Annual Fueled by Fine Wine Half Marathon through the stunning Willamette Valley, Oregon wine country.  On July 15, when it is hotter than anything in our fine city, 1500 enthusiastic runners will hit the trail in one of the most picturesque wine regions in the country, running a half marathon through the Dundee Hills of Willamette Valley.  Presented in collaboration with the Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association, runners will have special access to some of the area’s most prized vineyards as the trail takes them off traditional paved streets through the vineyards of wineries such as Stoller, Domaine Drouhin and Archery Summit.  Perhaps the best time of year in Oregon is July, with day time temperatures barely reaching 80 and dropping into the low 50′s at night, and the chance of rain at its lowest all year.  Best part is, after the event runners and their friends & families are invited to a post-race wine celebration featuring 21 of Willamette’s best wineries including Domaine Serene, Winderlea, Stoller, Domain Drouhin, Archery Summit, Lange and many more.  Oregon Pinot doesn’t get any better than this, and you get some exercise too!  Register here.

KRUPS USA Awards White Rock Coffee with Best Brews in Dallas

posted by Carol Shih | February 29th, 2012 1:02pm | filed under Breaking News, Coffee | 1 Comment »

photography by Elizabeth Lavin

For the second year in a row, White Rock Coffee has won the coveted KRUPS USA Award for having the best cuppa joe in Dallas. Public voting through KRUPS’ Facebook page helped determine the winner. KRUPS USA, a company that makes coffee, espresso machines and kitchen appliances, has been trying to bring attention to well-deserved coffee shops from New York to Los Angeles.

“We were so thrilled with the response we received last year, and look forward to bringing these well-deserving coffee shops the attention they have earned,” said Michele Lupton, Marketing Communications Director for the brand. “At KRUPS, our motto is ‘Passion, Precision, Perfection,’ and we are always delighted to find like-minded coffee-purveyors who share our same goals.”

Jump for the list of winners. Continue reading "KRUPS USA Awards White Rock Coffee with Best Brews in Dallas"

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Happy Birthday, Leap Year Babies

posted by Carol Shih | February 29th, 2012 12:10pm | filed under Chirpy, Delusional behavior, Easy Mark |

Leap day only comes around once every four years, and for some reason, it makes me think about frogs. Dead frogs. The frogs that my Taiwanese grandmother likes to cook for dinner sometimes.

(Sorry, frog rights activists.)

I like frogs, so I thought I’d post a video to commemorate all the poor froggy souls that have been consumed for the past 32098024980298 years.

Edit: I just received word from DISH that “guests with a leap year birth date will receive a special gift of 50% off their food at DISH tonight. All they need to do is show their ID with their February 29 birthday.”

Sissy’s Fried Chicken Makes You Feel Right at Home

posted by Carol Shih | February 29th, 2012 11:11am | filed under grand opening, lunch, Nostalgia, Openings/Closings, Patio Dining, Restaurant News | 13 Comments »

Main dining room (left); screen porch (right) [photos by Micah Nunley)

It’s no secret that I avoid fried chicken like a bad disease. Something about fried chicken makes me want to look, sniff, and throw it back inside the KFC container it came in. Yet Sissy’s fried chicken is something else entirely. Paired with a fresh housemade Sriracha sauce, this Lisa Garza special has that hard-to-find balance you seek in any good ‘ole piece of Southern fried chicken: crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.

At the media lunch I attended last week, I split a family-style meal with three other persons, and it took no small amount of self control to remember my table manners and share the amazing plates provided by Sissy’s Southern Kitchen and Bar.

Jump for some more Sissy’s love. Continue reading "Sissy’s Fried Chicken Makes You Feel Right at Home"

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Gas Station Tacos: Shell Station on Industrial Blvd. in McKinney

posted by Chris Baccus | February 29th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Gas Station Tacos |

Christopher Baccus is  a taco junkie and blogger. Not just any kind of taco, primarily those found in or near gas stations. In his last report he took you here. This week he presents…

It was a beautiful day in mid-January when our family enjoyed a walk around the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary’s Dinosaur exhibit. Heading back to the freeway, driving the side roads of McKinney, we passed a couple gas stations.  The side of a Shell station had a large “Tacos 99¢” sign on a window.  There was no other signage or even a name for the food stand inside the service station, but inside was a diverse selection of breakfast, fried burritos, hot dogs and tacos.

Several trays of meats rested behind a glass food service area. Out from the hidden kitchen emerged a young woman asking if I wanted something.  Not exactly the friendliest of hellos and no hint of a smile.  I ordered several tacos: beef, chicken, pastor (pork), and a lamb barbacoa all on corn tortillas with cilantro and onions.

Continue reading "Gas Station Tacos: Shell Station on Industrial Blvd. in McKinney"