Articles for June 28th, 2012

The Scoop on Chef Brian Olenjack

posted by Loren Means | June 28th, 2012 2:53pm | filed under Sponsored Post

Chef Brian Olenjack

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Although born in Chicago, Chef Brian Olenjack is a fun-loving, friendly Texan at heart. He puts tender loving care into every menu item while putting BIG smiles on his customers’ faces. With Brian’s culinary leadership, Olenjack’s Grille has become a valued, admired restaurant in Arlington and North Texas. Brian can either be found guiding his kitchen crew on a busy Friday night, teaching his popular cooking classes, or volunteering his time with local non-profits such as the Boys & Girls Club or The Levitt Pavilion.

Mixed Beverage Tax Update: I Went to the TRA Tax Seminar So You Wouldn’t Have To

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 28th, 2012 12:29pm | filed under Amy Severson, restaurant business news | 5 Comments »

Sevy’s co-owner Amy Severson refers to herself as a numbers-chewing-pit bull-with lipstick. She is a brilliant accountant and she stays on top of all the legislation that affects the Texas restaurant business. On Monday, Amy attended a tax seminar hosted by the Texas Restaurant Association during the recent 2012 Southwest Foodservice Expo. Below you will find her report on some important state tax issues facing the restaurant and hospitality industry in the upcoming legislative session. If you don’t like reading about taxes, she urges you to move along, but if you own or plan to own a restaurant, bar, or hotel, you might want to read this. Agree, disagree, or shed some light, please..

First, I’d like to point out that nothing written here should be construed as tax advice. You should discuss these matters with a good CPA who is familiar with the peculiarities of your business and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. There are too many people out there who give out tax advice without being certified, trained tax professionals. The sad thing is that many people take free advice and, without knowing better, end up taking illegal tax deductions.

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‘Burbalicious: What I Ate in Roanoke

posted by Carol Shih | June 28th, 2012 12:01pm | filed under 'Burbalicious, Pie, Worth the calories | 7 Comments »

Key lime pie with a graham cracker crust (photos by Carol Shih)

To gear you guys up for July’s Best Suburbs issue, I’m traveling to ten different ‘burbs in the DFW area for a semi-weird cross-city food tour. I’ll be documenting all my finds in these ‘Burbalicious posts that’ll be peppered throughout June and July. If you feel like your suburb deserves a shot at some SideDish love, email me and I’ll ask my Magic 8 ball if I should go.

Out in Roanoke (population of 6,320 and home to the famous hotel where Bonnie and Clyde once stayed), I found myself some pie. Melt-in-your-mouth pie.

Most people who visit Roanoke dillydally on Oak Street where all the restaurants congregate along a single strip. And though this little town prides itself on being a “Unique Dining Capital in Texas,” chain restaurants like Babe’s Chicken Dinner House and Twisted Root Burger draw in large crowds of high schoolers glued to their iPhones.

Sorry, that was completely off topic. Let’s go back to pies. Nothing in life is more important than the pies from Oak Street Pie and Candy Co. at this moment.

Continue reading "‘Burbalicious: What I Ate in Roanoke"

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New Sign Shipped to Dallas: Guess the Restaurant

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 28th, 2012 11:47am | filed under As the Restaurant Turns, Booze News, Contests, Cult Cuisine, fish, mob scenes, Nostalgia, Restaurant News, Restaurant Trivia, SideDish Readers Are Smart People, Slow News Day, Whiskey is the new vodka. | 36 Comments »

Check out this vintage sign that was shipped to Dallas. It’s currently getting hooked up inside a local restaurant. Guess the name of the place and you will win a Godiva Chocolate black-almond-truffle-scented candle.

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Farm to Market Report: Weekend of June 30-July 1

posted by Erin Ahlfinger | June 28th, 2012 10:16am | filed under Farm to Market Report, Farmers Markets, Go local, July 4th, Uncategorized |

St. Michael’s Farmers Market: New this week! Look out, Park Cities and Preston Hollow residents. You already have the fabulous Celebration Market, and beginning Saturday, a new stop for local produce and artisan foods (decisions, decisions).  St. Michael’s will look to specialize in sustainable, natural and organically grown produce from smaller farms like Rae Lili Farm in Cooper, Texas. They’ll have some of the more obscure produce such as Swiss chard and mini-cabbages. They’ll also have fresh eggs. EMA baking company will be there with some awesome homemade biscotti under the brand name Martin’s Biscotti. They’re one of my favorite vendors from the White Rock Local Market, which is only open twice a month. Now you can get their amazing curry coconut biscotti on a weekly basis.

8011 Douglas Ave.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Celebration Farmers Market: The pork plan didn’t pan out for last weekend but Holleman Farms is (really) going to debut their Red Wattle pork this weekend. Red Wattle are native to Texas and are one of the leanest species of hog.  I know, I know. You’re doubtful after last week’s disappointment, but Fourth of July is Wednesday and they’ve promised us ribs, roasts, chops and bacon at the very least. The Celebration Farmers Market pork forecast also calls for a 50 percent chance of sausage. Joy Farm will have two kinds of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, and as well as indigo rose tomatoes.

4515 W. Lovers Ln.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Jump for more locally grown goodness.

Continue reading "Farm to Market Report: Weekend of June 30-July 1"

Look What I Made: Flour Tortillas Recipe

posted by Travis Awalt | June 28th, 2012 9:30am | filed under Look What I Made, Recipes, Tex-Mex | 2 Comments »

Homemade flour tortillas (photos by Travis Awalt)

This recipe will turn you into a snob — a tortilla snob anyway. You have been warned.

Jump like a hot tortilla.

Continue reading "Look What I Made: Flour Tortillas Recipe"

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Hey Bartender: Rocco Milano Makes an Amaretto Stone Sour

posted by Andrew Chalk | June 28th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Andrew Chalk, cocktails | 9 Comments »
Mixologist Rocco Milano at Private Social demonstrates how to make an Amaretto Stone Sour. Rocco is one of 10 mixologists representing Dallas at Tales of The Cocktail in New Orleans next month.

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