2012 October 12 | SideDish

Articles for October 12th, 2012

Pho Is For Lovers to Open Second Location in North Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | October 12th, 2012 3:35pm | filed under Openings/Closings, Restaurant News, What The Pho? | 3 Comments »

The sign went up today in a small strip mall in the 14800 block of Preston Road just south of Beltline Road.

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Where to Find All the One-Handed Foods at the State Fair of Texas (With Printable PDF)

posted by Carol Shih | October 12th, 2012 2:40pm | filed under Ssexy food, State Fair, State Fair of Texas |

Caramel apple at the State Fair of Texas (photo by Desiree Espada)

You’re probably wondering why one-handed foods at the State Fair are worth the search. Easy. Allow me to explain.

Continue reading "Where to Find All the One-Handed Foods at the State Fair of Texas (With Printable PDF)"

My Five Cents: Social Media, Chef Matt McCallister, and FT-33

posted by Nancy Nichols | October 12th, 2012 1:03pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Openings/Closings, restaurant business news, Restaurant News, Trending | 35 Comments »

Matt McCallister readies for his close-up. (Photography by Kevin Marple)

I read Facebook and pay attention to Twitter. Because of this, I know Rick Bayless, the famous chef behind Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, XOCO and other successful Chicago food businesses, is happy it’s fall and his “calamundins [sic] are turning orange and just about ready to pick.”

Facebook has allowed me to follow Matt McCallister on his journey to open FT-33. Along the way, I have gotten to “know” his wife, Iris, and daughter, Ella, and many of their close “real” friends. I am familiar with how Iris likes her coffee and how many miles Matt runs. McCallister’s restaurant, FT-33, is opening tomorrow. If you read food blogs, Facebook, and Twitter you already know this. But I have to ask: Outside of this relatively small circle, how many Dallas and Fort Worth diners are speed dialing for reservations?

Let me be clear: There is no disrespect for Chef McCallister hidden behind my words. I find it fascinating that he has gained much of his fame—some would say hype–through social media. When you look at his bio, it doesn’t appear he’s done as much “gutter time” as other local talents. I’m not saying the man isn’t talented, I’m just saying he is the first Dallas chef to open his first restaurant and potentially benefit from the power of local food blogs and social media.

Stay with me here.

Continue reading "My Five Cents: Social Media, Chef Matt McCallister, and FT-33"

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Sneak Peek: The Greek – Pita, Meze, Wine’s Classic Interior Look

posted by Carol Shih | October 12th, 2012 12:31pm | filed under Ethnic Food, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News | 3 Comments »

A room with a view (photo by Melisa Oporto)

Costa Arabatzis and his Chef de cuisine, Richard Silva, are still tweaking the menu for The Greek, but One Arts Plaza is finally seeing the arrival of fresh faces starting on October 15. Come Monday, The Greek will open in the old Commissary space, where John Tesar once ruled the burger kitchen. The Commissary, to be honest, used to feel cluttered and claustrophobic. Tables were spaced six inches apart with barely enough room for waiters to maneuver between them. The burgers were great, but the physical space was not. People like me who enjoy their physical bubbles don’t like it so much when a stranger is almost sitting on top of you, definitely close enough to overhear whatever conversation you’re having with your boss. Not. Cool.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I dropped by The Greek to see what Mary and Costa Arabatzis did with the space. The restaurant is open and inviting, and tables are far enough apart for anybody – not just toddlers – to walk through comfortably. Who knows what it’ll look like once customers fill up the chairs, but for now, even empty, The Greek looks like it’ll give customers more elbow room to enjoy dishes like the ESP (a steak with polenta, flamed with Greek brandy, and an egg over easy on top).

Continue reading "Sneak Peek: The Greek – Pita, Meze, Wine’s Classic Interior Look"

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Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas This Weekend, October 12-14

posted by Carol Shih | October 12th, 2012 11:45am | filed under Things To Do | 1 Comment »

Look at those Kobayashi abs. (syracuse.com)

Did you know that bottled water doesn’t contain fluoride, whereas tap water does? I just learned this from my dentist today. Also, snacking is apparently not good for my teeth. This news is depressing. I tend to snack all the time. Right now, for instance, I’m resisting an urge to munch on cereal.

Tear drop. Anyways, here are the events for your weekend fun:

Friday

In four hours, I’m going to watch Takeru Kobayashi gorge on hot dogs at the State Fair’s Chevrolet Main Stage (4 p.m.). I don’t know about you, but this is pretty exciting to me. It’s actually how I plan to have a healthy time at the State Fair today: Watch Kobayashi eat a million hot dogs, feel sick, and avoid all fried foods due to stomach churning.

Saturday

Our lovely Raya Ramsey compiled a list of all the places to watch the Texas/O.U. game this weekend. It looks like Draft Picks has the most TV screens, and Urban Taco has some great deals on drinks.

Carrollton is weird. It has a road called Random. (Liz pointed this out to me the other day.) I don’t know if the road-namers were lazy or what, but I guess it doesn’t really matter. An Armenia Fest is taking place in St. Sarkis Church on Random Rd. It’s running from Friday through Sunday at various times. The food will probably be amazing and made by cute church ladies. Cute church ladies are always a plus. Continue reading "Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas This Weekend, October 12-14"

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Buy Lunch at Stephan Pyles Next Week, Support Childhood Nutrition

posted by Tiffany Thomas | October 12th, 2012 11:01am | filed under Foodie People, fundraiser, It's just lunch |

Stephan Pyles (photo by Kevin Hunter Marple)

With a third of America’s children overweight and one in four going hungry, Chef Stephan Pyles of Samar and Stephan Pyles has decided to stand in the gap. From Monday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Oct. 19, Pyles will host a Lunch Break for Kids fundraiser at his restaurant, Stephan Pyles, during lunchtime hours. Organized by the makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings and the American Culinary Federation to support the Chef and Child Foundation, the event will benefit nutrition education programs that equip families with the knowledge to make healthier food choices. All guests have to do is purchase any lunch item to help support the fundraiser.

“Awareness is what we’re creating,” Pyles said. “It is the most important thing because many people just don’t know what to feed their families.”

In its second year, the fundraiser has worked with many chefs across the nation to create awareness.

Continue reading "Buy Lunch at Stephan Pyles Next Week, Support Childhood Nutrition"

Into Shelley’s Belly: The Tuna Sandwich and Lucky Dog at St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin

posted by Matthew Shelley | October 12th, 2012 10:39am | filed under Eat This Now!, Into Shelley's Belly, Sexy food | 4 Comments »

A battered marline, blue and kingly (right); exterior of the Marlin (left) photos by Matthew Shelley

Go for the tuna, stay for the tuna.

I spent the better part of half of last month examining the migration habits of the Adama bird, and have thusly determined that there will be no more crustless jiffy and jellies for this gentleman. The most affably anointed of you will offer more than a soupçon of foggy skepticism any time I discuss food criticism, and yet I battle on.

Naked and thirsty in a hunky alley in Deep Ellum, a sudden tickle came between my toes. I lifted my head from my foggy narcissism and noticed a lively blue brick wall calling to me from yonder.

Though I may be the last to the party, St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin let me into its awe-encompassing arms with a gentle and unencumbered full body squeeze. The beautifully rambunctious interior solidified my joy with a hefty greeting from the man at the bar, who most certainly owned a boat. “Sit where you like…that’s what Rex would tell you,” he said. Rex worked his hands behind the bar, unable to attend my seating needs at the moment, yet still giving a friendly hello and welcome. Musty animal magnetism aside, Rex was gentle and friendly, astute and ever available.

Continue reading "Into Shelley’s Belly: The Tuna Sandwich and Lucky Dog at St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin"

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