Articles for May 25th, 2012

Copper River KING Salmon Arrive in Dallas Today

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 25th, 2012 4:19pm | filed under AgriBusiness, restaurant business news, seafood, SideDish Bump!, SideDish Readers Are Smart People, Silly Reasons to Celebrate | 2 Comments »

Jon Alexis picks up king salmon at DFW with DPD Canine unit as backup.

Many feel Copper River salmon is best wild salmon in the world. Others think it’s a fine fish with a fabulous marketing department.  Seafood snobs refer to it as Stupid River Salmon because they feel it is over-hyped and over-priced. Three years ago, SideDish conducted a blind tasting of salmon. Jammin With Wild Salmon took place at TJs Market. Twelve SideDish readers compared Atlantic farm-raised salmon, ocean-caught wild troll king salmon, and Copper River salmon. You can read the reults here.

The good news for Copper River salmon groupies is that some CRS did arrive in Dallas earlier this week, BUT nobody obtained king salmons because nobody caught any. Makes sense, right? I mean they are called wild for a reason. They show up when they show up.  Rick Oruch of Sea Breeze Market expected a shipment of kings yesterday but there were none available. However, I guess the kings showed up yesterday at the Copper River. Jon Alexis from TJs Market is at the airport picking up his order as I type. Brace yourself, the king runs around $45 a pound. Who cares! It’s Memorial Day Weekend! Omega-3s for all!

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What To Drink Now: Wines With a Cause

posted by Hayley Hamilton | May 25th, 2012 3:35pm | filed under Wine & Spirits |

Auction Napa Valley, one of the largest charity events in the country, is put on annually by the Napa Valley Vintners Association in collaboration with their 400+ Napa Valley winery members.  In their 32nd year, and after donating over $100 million to health, youth and affordable housing non-profit programs, the auction continues to show guests both from the valley and throughout the world why Napa is so special.  I was a guest of the Napa Valley Vintners Association to the auction last year and I encourage anyone who can attend to make your plans.  If you aren’t able to attend, you can still be a part of the fun by checking out the incredible online e-auction which starts Sunday. It includes 150 items donated from member wineries and the list is impressive:  large format bottles, trips, wine experiences, and more.

The start of the auction got me thinking about how many wineries really give back to their community and to various charities they believe in.  I have personally partnered with dozens of wineries who have given donations to charitable dinners hosted through Dallas Uncorked, and have attended dozens more where different wineries have stepped up to help because they believe in the cause.  I have been compiling a list of some of my favorites that do a great job of either giving back via charitable organizations, or through foundations or charities they have started.

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Happy Friday! Get a Free Spicy Chicken Sandwich at Cafe Brazil. Offer Lasts Until 3 P.M.

posted by Carol Shih | May 25th, 2012 11:40am | filed under chickens, Free Stuff!, freebies, Sandwiches |

Spicy chicken sandwich from Cafe Brazil's website

Bradford Pearson over at Oak Cliff People just alerted me to a good deal that ends before 3 p.m. today. If you follow these simple steps from Cafe Brazil’s website, you can earn yourself a free spicy chicken sandwich.

  1. Must purchase a drink – any drink
  2. You must print off this blog post and present it to your server or show it on your smartphone/iPad/laptop/etc.
  3. Not valid on to-go orders
  4. Offer valid while supplies last



This offer only applies to the Bishop Arts location, and make sure you print off the blog post that I linked in the instructions (so, obviously not this SideDish one). Have fun eating, then tell me how it compares to Chick-fil-A’s spicy chicken sandwich, will ya?

Tomato Pie in Preston Forest Shopping Center

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 25th, 2012 10:00am | filed under pizza | 5 Comments »

There must be close to 30 restaurants now in the Preston Forest Shopping Center. A Disher with a cell phone and an urge to try a St. Louis-style pizza from Tomato Pie in the former Wolfe Camera store in southwest quadrant sends a pic and a quick review.

I’ve had matzo with more flavor than their crust. But the toppings were generous. Their house dressing is a kind of honey-mustard-ish (hubby says no) sweet/sour type. Mediocre at best.

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Food Feedback Friday

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 25th, 2012 9:23am | filed under Food Feedback Friday | 4 Comments »


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

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Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse Offers Power Couple Menu for $99

posted by Andrew Chalk | May 25th, 2012 9:14am | filed under Andrew Chalk, Steakhouses, Wine Pairing | 3 Comments »

Tonight is the first night of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse new “Power Couple” menu. For $99, two people can dine on a three-course menu of some of Del Frisco’s most popular dishes, including prime steak and crab meat. I sampled execuchef David Holben’s menu this week at an event for the media at the North Dallas location.  The promotion, which runs through Labor Day at all Del Frisco’s locations, is a tasty bargain. Be sure and ask for Wine Director Jennifer Jaco. She recently left her post at Bailey’s Prime Plus and now curates the cellar at Del Frisco’s.

Jump for the choices and photos.

Continue reading "Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse Offers Power Couple Menu for $99"

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Spend Memorial Day with Maker’s Mark

posted by Loren Means | May 25th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Sponsored Post

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It’s almost that time to bring out the sunscreen and fire up the grill as the official kick-off to start summer approaches. What better time of year to enjoy something quintessentially American, like Maker’s Mark, than the last weekend in May?

Whether grilling this Memorial Day or just taking some time to sit on the porch and enjoy the warm weather, Maker’s Mark has just the thing to delight and refresh. Made in small batches from red winter wheat instead of rye, its smooth taste allows bourbon enthusiasts to enjoy neat, as a marinade, or in a delicious cocktail!

For something different this Memorial Day, try the Bourbon Marinated Hangar Steak made with Maker’s Mark.

Bourbon Marinated Hangar Steak

1/2 cup Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
6 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon garlic
1 tablespoon shallots
1 pound hangar steak

  1. To make the marinade, combine ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Pour the marinade into a shallow dish and set aside to cool.
  2. Add the beef to the cooled marinade, stir to evenly coat and refrigerate overnight.
  3. Dry the beef with paper towels. Heat a large pan/skillet over high heat. Sear the beef 3 minutes on each side for medium rare, remove from the pan and rest meat. Cook down excess marinade, slice and serve.