Articles for August 10th, 2012

Top Chef Star Carla Hall in Dallas for a Celebrity Chef Dinner at Private Social

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 10th, 2012 4:43pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Food On TV |

Carla Hall in the kitchen at Private Social. (Photo by Nyemale Macedo)

Intrepid intern Lesley Mann Lynch files this report:

When I showed up 15 minutes early (on time for anyone who has a Southern grandmother) for my meeting with Carla Hall, she was in Top Chef All-Star Tiffany Derry’s Private Social kitchen rolling out dough for tonight’s peach and blueberry pot pie, the last course in the celebrity chef dinner they are co-hosting. Once the dough was safely resting in the fridge, Carla and I sat down at the bar on the Social side of Private Social with Carla’s drink order: “water on the rocks, please.” Turns out that she is a hoot (Southern speak for a hilarious person) off-camera just as she is on Top Chef and The Chew.

Jump for more Southernisms with Carla Hall. Continue reading "Top Chef Star Carla Hall in Dallas for a Celebrity Chef Dinner at Private Social"

Nasty Feud in Lakewood: Area Homeowners and Landlord are Holding Matt’s Rancho Martinez Hostage

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 10th, 2012 3:10pm | filed under As the Restaurant Turns, Breaking News, Buzz Killer!, Food Crime, Food Fight!, Hipness Factor: East Dallas v Oak Cliff, I Hate it When That Happens, Openings/Closings, restaurant business news, Restaurant News | 38 Comments »

Brian Marsters, Director of Operations for Matt’s Rancho Martinez, has saved 5,000 emails from customers asking when the new Lakewood location of this popular Tex-Mex restaurant will open. “I would like those 5,000 supporter to contact (Dallas City Councilmember) Angela Hunt and ask her the same question.” Marsters and co-owner Estella Martinez are befuddled by their situation. “We can’t open because we are caught in the crossfire of a feud between our landlord (Stonelake Investments), several area homeowners associations, and the City of Dallas.”

The saga started when Matt’s lease expired in February and the landlord chose to replace Matt’s with a Mi Cocina, which is already up and running. Matt’s relocated to the building vacated by Consignment Solutions at 1904 Skillman Ave. The opening has been delayed by a series of the usual suspects such as myriad permits, grease traps, and parking, but last Wednesday the plan for the restaurant and Stonelake Investments development projects clashed when Stonelake applied for a permit to close off a block of La Vista between Skillman and Live Oak and created a pedestrian mall.

Stay with me, now.

Continue reading "Nasty Feud in Lakewood: Area Homeowners and Landlord are Holding Matt’s Rancho Martinez Hostage"

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FireWheel Brewing Company in Rowlett Readies to Start Tours

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 10th, 2012 10:49am | filed under 'Burbalicious, beer, Brews News, Bring it!, Drinking, GoTexan |

The Brewer: Brad Perkinson wants to sell you a beer!

After Brad Perkinson was laid off from his corporate job, he did what any young, responsible man with degrees in Business and Finance would do, he decided to make beer. His FireWheel Brewing Company in Rowlett is already delivering brews to some of the top brew spots in town: The Common Table, Ginger Man, and Flying Saucer. Starting Saturday, August 25, Perkinson and company, which includes two dogs, will open the brewing for tastings and tours. For only $10 you’ll get a pint glass and three tastings of limited batches. The doors are open from 11AM to 3PM. I’d suggest you get there early and get a taste of their fine Texas Style Pale Ale.

Max’s Wine Dive in Dallas Hires Wine Guy Paul Pinnell

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 10th, 2012 10:21am | filed under Champagne is the new Chardonnay, grand opening, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 6 Comments »

Photo of Paul Pinnell from Max's Facebook page.

Houston-based Max’s Wine Dive is getting ready to open in the old Border’s building on McKinney Avenue in mid-September. The Houston-based mini-chain has restaurants in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. It sounds like a good idea for the times: good wine and low prices paired with easy-to-eat-and-pay-for food. There Their slogan is fried chicken and Champagne which works for me. Last night I was shocked to find Paul Pinnell’s mugshot on Max’s Facebook page. They’ve hired him to be their General Manager. Pinnell was last seen locking the doors to his tony spot Dali Wine Bar in One Arts Plaza. He disappeared from Dallas and moved to New Orleans where he worked at The Rib Room. I’ve sent an email to catch up with the talented and dapper wine buff who once ruled the roost at Nana. Welcome back, Paul. Now pop open the Champagne and that restaurant.

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‘Burbalicious: What I Ate in Garland

posted by Carol Shih | August 10th, 2012 10:00am | filed under 'Burbalicious, sci-fi food, Ssexy food, That is Just Wrong, UpsideDown Restaurants | 5 Comments »

The glorious outside of Furr's Fresh Buffet (photos by Carol Shih)

In conjunction with July’s Best Suburbs issue, I’m traveling to 10 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 (and August). 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. Last week, I went to Mansfield.

It’s already August and I’m way past my deadline for Suburb #10. Well, here it is, in all it’s shining glory. I end these ‘Burbalicious posts by going to Garland, eating at the one and only Furr’s Fresh Buffet, and conducting a non-scientific study of buffet eaters.

Don’t judge and jump if you dare to continue.

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

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Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas This Weekend, August 10-12

posted by Carol Shih | August 10th, 2012 9:30am | filed under Cheese, classes, Events, Texas Sommelier Conference, Texas Wine, Things To Do, Wine & Spirits, youthful spontaneous restaurants |

Rich Rogers at Scardello. The man of your cheesy dreams. (photo by Joshua Martin)

It’s Friday and you’ve started to rely on my posts to get you through the weekend. This is good. This is very good. Lucky for you, I’ve picked out the best ways you can waste your time actually doing something.

Friday

Late  Night at Scardello is exactly where you want to be tonight. If you love cheese (and, c’mon, who doesn’t?), drop by Scardello after hours to drink bubbly and builds build-your-own cheese plate. Live jazz starts at 8 p.m.

You guys are probably well aware  KRLD Restaurant Week presented by Central Market is next week, but did you know that there’s a “Preview” this weekend from August 10 through 12?  These restaurants will offer their same three-course prix fixe menus for $35 a person (with a portion of each meal still going back to charity).  To get a preview of Restaurant Week, make a reservation at one of these 48 eateries right here.

Jump for more.

Continue reading "Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas This Weekend, August 10-12"

Food Feedback Friday

posted by Nancy Nichols | August 10th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Food Feedback Friday | 7 Comments »

Dishers, happy hot summer Friday! Where did you dine and what did you eat this week? Here is what you reported last week.

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