Articles for March, 2012

Reader Reviews: 2012 Savor Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 31st, 2012 11:40am | filed under Savor Dallas 2012 | 4 Comments »

Anybody out there savoring the events of this year’s Savor Dallas? We’d like to hear what you have to say about your experience. What have you sipped or sampled?Report your findings here.

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Deep Ellum Brewing Company Adds Beer Garden. Debut Tomorrow at High Noon in Dallas.

posted by Andrew Chalk | March 30th, 2012 6:12pm | filed under beer, Patio Dining |

Deep Ellum Brewing Company’s Brand and Sales Ninja, Tait Lifto, sends the news. This may be the place to hang before Savor Dallas’ sold-out reserve tasting:

Deep Ellum Brewing Company is proud to introduce the next step in our young life: a brand new beer garden premiering to the public tomorrow, Saturday March 31, 2012 from noon to 3pm.  We will be open to the public for a brewery open house with a tour at 2pm.  Come see the brand new beer garden, a new painting by the Davies brothers, listen to Fish Fry Bingo and more.  You are invited to attend – we now accept credit cards at the door as well.  I’m attaching a photo of the beer garden at 90% completion – it will be 100% by tomorrow.

Details: Continue reading "Deep Ellum Brewing Company Adds Beer Garden. Debut Tomorrow at High Noon in Dallas."

Central 214: Chef Graham Dodds is Nuts for Eggs

posted by Andrew Chalk | March 30th, 2012 11:46am | filed under Andrew Chalk, appetizers, ChirpyChirpy, Farmers Markets | 6 Comments »

Photographer Kevin Marple+Graham Dodds' Scotch egg=Central 214 deliciousness.

Graham Dodds, execuchef at Central 214, is doing some crazy stuff with eggs. He serves a Poached Farm Egg: an egg atop a Lyonnais salad of chopped greens, lardons and crumbled Caprino Royale goat cheese ($10 at lunch and pictured below the jump). Cut the floppy egg with your knife and the viscous yolk flows out like molten lava and runs with an iridescence that makes you wonder if you should be wearing protective dark glasses. {Ed. note: I’m leaving it in!]

The unavoidable feeling of richness carries through to the taste as well. It reminds me of what a farm egg is supposed to taste like. They do because Dodds buys them from Steven at Urban Acres. You can too. They come from Yellow Prairie Farm in Caldwell Texas,  where the farmer’s name is Dan. He is just one of the small producers that Dodds has fastidiously sought out during his years working as a chef.

Jump for the glory of Graham Dodds’ eggs. Continue reading "Central 214: Chef Graham Dodds is Nuts for Eggs"

6 Comments »

Friday Fun: Cell Phone Camera Food Porn Video

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2012 11:31am | filed under Bring it!, Delusional behavior, Food is art. Art is Food., Food Porn, Hot Links!, I Went to College for This?, Nutjobs, Procrastination is part of the creative process | 1 Comment »

George just sent me this video. It’s hysterical.

1 Comment »

Urban Taco Debuts its New Brunch Menu Starting March 31

posted by Carol Shih | March 30th, 2012 11:14am | filed under Brunch, Tacos | 1 Comment »

Chilaquiles- crispy tortillas garnished with choice of homemade salsa, scrambled eggs, queso fresco, Mexican crema, red onions & cilantro (photo by Micah Nunley)

Customers had been bugging Markus Pineyro, owner of Urban Taco, about creating a brunch menu for a long time, but it wasn’t until he visited his family in Mexico that the idea started formulating in the back of his mind.

“A lot of things we do at Urban Taco are very personal,” said Pineyro, whose brunch cuisine (a mix of modern and traditional) draws inspiration from his trip down south.

Continue reading "Urban Taco Debuts its New Brunch Menu Starting March 31"

1 Comment »

Somebody Help This Poor Boy: Philly Cheesesteak in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2012 11:12am | filed under Cheese, Sandwiches, Somebody Help | 18 Comments »

Oh, boy. This boy is asking the impossible. Perhaps you can talk him off the ledge. He’s got a hankering for a REAL Philly Cheesesteak sandwich.

Do you know anywhere in Dallas that makes a good Philly cheesesteak? Gandolfo’s uses cream cheese, so I couldn’t even bring myself to try it, and the people who suggest Texadelphia have no idea what a Philly cheesesteak is supposed to be. Thanks!

A real Philly cheesesteak? The last two I ate in Philly (Max’s and Gino’s) were made with Cheese Whiz.

18 Comments »

“Roll Up and Chow Down” Food Truck Field Day

posted by Carol Shih | March 30th, 2012 10:00am | filed under Events, Food Trucks | 3 Comments »

Kacey Ferguson, Jeanne's daughter, standing in front of the gardens (photo by Becca)

Normally, we don’t post up every food truck event that’s happening (too many to keep track of), but this one’s a sweet one. D Magazine intern Becca Brooks went to Stonewall Jackson and had a grand time hanging out at the school.

Stonewall Jackson Elementary is unlike any school I’ve ever seen. It’s the regional school for the deaf. There’s a Koi pond outside a classroom entrance and a bustling chicken coop between buildings. Oh yeah, there’s also a student-grown garden out back.

Actually, “Stonewall Garden” is a weekly science lab where the kids learn about the life cycle of plants, insects, and how to grow produce. My elementary alma mater has nothing on this place.

Tomorrow afternoon, ten of your favorite food trucks will be in the school parking lot to benefit this unique curriculum.

Jump for the details. Continue reading "“Roll Up and Chow Down” Food Truck Field Day"

3 Comments »

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas

posted by Andrew Chalk | March 30th, 2012 9:34am | filed under Andrew Chalk, pork, Steakhouses, Wine & Spirits, Wine Pairing |

Last week Nicki Pruss of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was in Dallas. She presented a powerful, but eclectic assortment, of her wines at the restaurant with the best wine list in Dallas, Pappas Bros Steakhouse. Luckily, I was an invited guest at the dinner which showcased her wines.

Pruss has a big responsibility. As winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, she has the weight of a massive reputation on her shoulders. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was one of the California wines included in the 1976 Judgment of Paris: the first time the major grape categories of France and California wines competed against each other in a blind tasting by French experts. The shocking ending: California won! The event was so significant Hollywood produced a movie, Bottle Shock,  that contained more drama than facts of the actual event.

Jump. Continue reading "Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas"

Food Feedback Friday

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 30th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Food Feedback Friday | 13 Comments »

Dishers, where did you dine and what did you eat this week? Here is what you reported last week.

13 Comments »

Hipsters, Brace Yourself: Wal-Mart is Definitely Moving into Lower Greenville

posted by Carol Shih | March 29th, 2012 2:15pm | filed under Breaking News | 6 Comments »

The face of world domination (photo from libertyguys.com)

The DMN reports that the Walmart empire is taking over the former Whole Foods and Blockbuster space, replacing it with a Neighborhood Market store that’ll be open to the public in September. Wal-Mart promises to bring 90 new jobs to the area and support community projects, but it’ll also be really, really close to the new Trader Joe’s.

Looks like there’ll be some grocery wars waging in Lower Greenville later this year…

6 Comments »

Wine-ing and Dining at The Grape Winemaker Dinner

posted by Carol Shih | March 29th, 2012 10:51am | filed under Wine & Spirits, Wine Pairing |

Mike Richmond and Eric Swindle (left); Bouchaine Estate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Bouche d'Or Late Harvest (right)

Mike Richmond, an Oak Cliff native, speaks romantically about wine. He’s the general manager of Bouchaine Vineyards, a winery tucked into the hills of southern Napa Valley near San Francisco. While the sun set over Greenville Avenue on Tuesday evening, Mike was kind enough to share his love for wine at The Grape, where Brian Luscher’s cuisine and Bouchaine Vineyard’s wines sang harmoniously together for the Winemaker Dinner I was invited to.

Jump for some mouth-watering courses. Continue reading "Wine-ing and Dining at The Grape Winemaker Dinner"

Restaurant Review: Private Social in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 29th, 2012 10:00am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Reviews | 15 Comments »

(from left) Chef Derry opts not to work the room, and pan-seared scallops. (Photography by Kevin Marple)

Dallas can’t claim many celebrities as its own. With few exceptions (Hi, Don Henley!), if they make it big, they leave us. That’s why Troy Aikman can’t get through a meal at the Highland Park Village Mi Cocina without a guy coming up to his table to shake his hand. We’re starved for celebrities. Which also explains why we make so much fuss over our famous chefs. Louboutin-heeled ladies fawn like groupies when in the presence of Kent Rathbun, Dean Fearing, or Stephan Pyles.

Television has elevated at least four of our chefs to national fame. Bravo’s Top Chef has featured three from North Texas: Tre Wilcox (then of Abacus), Tiffany Derry (then of Go Fish Ocean Club), and Casey Thompson (then of Shinsei). Kooky restaurateur and caterer Lisa Garza (then of Suze) mesmerized and polarized fans when she competed on The Next Food Network Star. These days, it’s easier to get in touch with Brad Pitt than Lisa Garza.

None of the aforementioned chefs won the big prize. All four returned to the Dallas area and, eventually, starred in new restaurants backed by investors. After her appearance on Top Chef, Thompson left her post at Shinsei and co-founded Brownstone in Fort Worth. After losing in the finals, Garza operated an upscale catering company for several years and has opened Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar on Henderson Avenue. After Tre Wilcox packed up his knives, he juggled consulting and private gigs before he landed center stage at Marquee Grill in Highland Park Village. And Tiffany Derry, who couldn’t sell a piece of halibut at the now-defunct Go Fish while she competed on Top Chef, is now ruling the kitchen at Private Social.

Jump for the rest.

15 Comments »

Grant Morgan is No Longer Chef at Bailey’s Prime Plus

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 29th, 2012 9:06am | filed under As the Restaurant Turns | 2 Comments »

A couple of weeks ago, Andrew Chalk told me Grant Morgan had left his post at Bailey’s Prime Plus. I emailed Morgan and never heard back from him. Turns out he has been traveling out of the country. Chalk also reports former Bob’s GM, Ken Kuczwaj in now GM at Bailey’s Park Lane location along with some of the servers at Bob’s. His job is to put butts in empty seats. Chalk predicts Michael Ehlert, the chef owner Ed Bailey hired to get The Chesterfield up and running, will become the executive chef of a new high-end modern French restaurant backed by Bailey  later this year. (Isn’t his lease at HPV Patrizio up this year?) Meanwhile, there’s a job opening for an executive chef at Bailey’s Prime Plus.

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Thursday Fun: What is the Perfect Name for a Dallas Beer?

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 29th, 2012 8:57am | filed under Brews News, Making Up Is Hard To Do | 4 Comments »

Last night, a beer-making man asked me for my opinion. He wanted me to listen to some of the names he is workshopping for a Dallas-brewed beer. I told him I get paid for my opinions. (In truth, all of his ideas were moronic and demanding payment for my golden ideas was an easy way out of stating the obvious.) After we hung up, I thought of you. All of you who are so devilish and clever. He should consider himself lucky I’m tossing his question out there for all of you to answer. Do it. I swear if he uses any of them, I will get paid. For you, of course. Go.

4 Comments »

Dean Fearing Does New York: Hanging With Jean-Georges Vongerichten

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 28th, 2012 4:57pm | filed under Awards, Celebrity Chefs | 4 Comments »

Badovinus and Fearing lunched with Jean-Georges at Jean-Georges on Central Park West. (Photo from Badovinus)

Dallas chef Dean Fearing is in New York where he will be honored as a “Pioneer of American Cuisine” by The Culinary Institute of America. Fearing is standing in tall grass: tomorrow’s gala dinner will also honor Larry Forgione, Wolfgang Puck, Paul Prudhomme, and Alice Waters. Each honoree was asked to invite a protégée to prepare one of the courses for the dinner. Fearing picked Mansion alumn Nick “Neighborhood Services” Badovinus. On Thursday, Badovinus and his NHS on Lovers chef, Jeff Bekavac, will prepare slow-cooked (48 hours!) brisket tacos (Luna’s corn tortillas!) with New Mexico red chile barbecue sauce and Bosque County blue cheese cole slaw.

After the gala, Fearing heads to Tokyo to create a temporary version of Fearing’s inside the The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo.

4 Comments »

What To Drink Now: Spring Sparklers and Cocktails

posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 28th, 2012 2:54pm | filed under cocktails, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

Though we never really had a winter, spring is definitely in the air with baby birds hatching, trees budding, tulips and iris’ filling gardens throughout the city, and menus getting lighter, fresher and greener.  To pair with these lightened up menus look no further than at the fresh herbs or the fruit aisle at your local market for inspiration, or simply pop open an always delicious bottle of bubbly, both will do the trick to get you in the springtime mood.  Here are a few ideas, some selections were sent for editorial consideration.

Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, Cremant, Sparkling Wine….whichever you prefer, a bubble is always the perfect aperitif or accompaniment to any menu, enjoyed from morning to night, especially when you find a low alcohol one that allows easy consumption from morning into the night.
I was recently invited and traveled to Spain with Segura Viudas for a full scale immersion into the world of making Cava (more on this to come) and found the crisp, dry Brut Cava to be an ideal accompaniment to anything from grilled spring onions, baby artichokes and white asparagus, to fresh green pea soup, to a simple snack of olives, almonds and lots of shaved Iberico ham. Continue reading "What To Drink Now: Spring Sparklers and Cocktails"

1 Comment »

Where to Take Your Mother-in-Law for Easter Brunch in Dallas

posted by Carol Shih | March 28th, 2012 1:56pm | filed under Brunch, Easter, Holidays | 5 Comments »

Easter brunch bunnies not for consumption (provided by flikr.com)

My favorite memory of Easter is not actually mine. It’s David Sedaris’. Way back when Sedaris was in France, he enrolled in an university to study French. The instructor once asked the class, “And what does one do on Easter? Would anyone like to tell us?”

This is when Sedaris attempted to explain to a class full of international students about the Easter bunny, while his peers, clearly mind-boggled by the idea that an entire holiday could be devoted to a scary rabbit, sat waiting for his answer. “Well, sure,” Sedaris said in broken French, “he come in the night when one sleep on a bed. With a hand, he have the basket, like for a bread.”

Creepy, eh?

Sorry, that has nothing to do with the following selection of restaurants where you can go for Easter brunch. Read the rest of the transcript on This American Life while you scroll through this handy list. I’ll also keep updating, so check back until April 8.

Jump like the Easter rabbit.

Continue reading "Where to Take Your Mother-in-Law for Easter Brunch in Dallas"

5 Comments »

Somebody Help This Poor Restaurant: American Express iPhone Coupon

posted by Nancy Nichols | March 28th, 2012 11:26am | filed under Buzz Killer!, restaurant business news | 15 Comments »

A frustrated restaurateur, who chooses to remain anonymous, asks fellow indie restaurants the following question:

We had a guest present an iPhone coupon from FourSquare at our restaurant yesterday. The deal is “spend $5, get $5 off.” The problem is we never signed up for couponing or advertising or ANYTHING with this company. The guest was very upset when he left. He kept showing everyone the coupon on his phone. He took the $5 out of the waiters tip – and told the waiter he was doing it because he was so pissed off about the iPhone coupon. We took the $5 out of petty cash and made the waiter all good. I’ve since learned the deal is a “Support Small Businesses” program agreement between American Express and Foursquare. American Express will give you $5 off your Amex statement when you log in on Foursquare at these places. Fortunately, we’re on that list. Unfortunately, nobody every informed us of the promotion so we could prepare our employees. Any other restaurants out there having problems with this? Other customers? Thanks.

15 Comments »

Top Caterer George Brown Featured at Connemara’s “Hops for Habitat” Fundraiser on April 7

posted by Carol Shih | March 28th, 2012 9:18am | filed under AgriBusiness |

Hello, George Brown (photo provided by Connemara)

See George hop. Hear George talk. Most importantly, watch George cook.

George W. Brown of the now-defunct GEORGE catering is participating in the Connemara Conservancy Foundation’s “Hops for Habitat” fundraiser series on April 7 at Montgomery Farm.

The first event on April 7 from 7 – 10 PM is designed to “raise money to support the Connemara mission of working with landowners and communities to protect and conserve critical natural landscapes remaining throughout North Texas. Food will be provided by a variety of local farmers and producers throughout the series.”

“This series is designed to bring the community together to celebrate the natural originality of North Texas,” said Connemara executive director Sandra Greenway. “From local brewmasters and chefs such as George, to fun and funky places to party, Hops For Habitat is great way to experience some of the best things North Texas has to offer.”

Tickets are $50 each and limited to 100 attendees. To buy one, go to connemaraconservancy.org.

Chef John Tesar Announces Private Underground Dinners

posted by Carol Shih | March 27th, 2012 1:11pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Events | 7 Comments »

This is not how he prepares dinner... usually. (photo by Maxine Helfman)

If you’re a fan of the great Chef John Tesar, here’s your opportunity to see him up close and personal. There will be a limited series of Private Underground Dinners with the chef at secret dining locations around Dallas.

“It will be an opportunity for me to experiment with new ideas, some of which could appear on the menu when we open Spoon. These Private Underground Dinners will be over the top, and will support the local community at the same time,” said Chef Tesar.

Read more after the jump. Continue reading "Chef John Tesar Announces Private Underground Dinners"

7 Comments »

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