Articles for October 26th, 2012

What To Drink Now: Big, Bold Red Wines

posted by Hayley Hamilton | October 26th, 2012 5:37pm | filed under Wine & Spirits | 2 Comments »

Finally, the temperatures have dropped….and hearty red wine is on the menu for dinner tonight paired with a juicy steak, braised lamb or even a cedar planked, smoked salmon. Here are a few favorites I have tried recently that are begging to be enjoyed with the finest autumn flavors and winter delights.  Some selections were sent for editorial consideration.

I love the merriment of celebrating the Beaujolais Nouveau of the season as much as the next guy, and happily raise a glass at the annual Beaujolais Festival every year, but I am so thrilled that the past few years the French American Chamber of Commerce, the team behind this well loved event, has added other wines, first showcasing many of the finest from Texas, and recently adding wine from throughout France and California.  I had a chance to try a few of this years selections last night at the festival kick-off event presented by the French American Chamber of Commerce and Goody-Goody, attending as their guest, and can pleasantly say we are in store for some great wine this year.  A few standouts included a Left-Bank Bordeaux from Chateau Ducluzeau blending 50% Cab with 50% Merlot to create a highly structured, bold wine filled with ripe red fruit, stone, spice and leather.  Though not as hearty as some of the other wines included in this post, they poured a lush and lovely, nicely balanced and youthful Merlot based rose that was gorgeous, Chateau Rol Valentin Rose from Right-Bank Bordeaux.   Continue reading "What To Drink Now: Big, Bold Red Wines"

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A Casting Call for MasterChef is Happening Tomorrow in Dallas. Bring Your A-Game.

posted by Tiffany Thomas | October 26th, 2012 1:15pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, celebrity sightings, game | 5 Comments »

Graham Elliott, Gordon Ramsay, and Joe Bastianich via zap2it.com

Tomorrow, master restaurateur, Joe Bastianich will be holding a casting call to see if anyone in Dallas has what it takes to be a master chef. Co-host of Fox’s hit series, MasterChef, Bastianich has been dubbed the “Simon Cowell of the Food Industry” so aspiring master chefs might want to bring their A-game and some thick skin.

When I spoke with him yesterday he said that he expects great things from Dallas. “Our last winner was from Texas and we, generally, always get great results from Texas,” he said. I was surprised to learn that MasterChef is not about who has the best culinary background or technique. Bastianich expressed that the show is about good food and chefs that love what they do.

With that said, I’m officially calling out all chefs of the DFW area to come out tomorrow from 10 a.m-6 p.m. to Le Cordon Blue at 11830 Webb Chapel Road Dallas, TX 75234. Who knows? You just may walk away with a spot on Season Four of MasterChef to compete for $250,000 and a cookbook deal. Sounds pretty delicious if you ask me.

Tiffany Thomas is a 22-year-old from Shreveport. She graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA. She enjoys writing, cooking, shopping, and eating.

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Food Trucks Are Hitting the Streets in Denton, Keller, and Carrollton. Denton Foodie Truck Festival Tonight!

posted by George Lewis | October 26th, 2012 12:41pm | filed under 'Burbalicious, Food Trucks |

The City of Dallas started allowing “gourmet food trucks” in early to mid 2011 when there were about five on the road.  They were not allowed to operate in the Central Business District.   There were still lots of regulations, but the City, the Arts District, and the CBD worked through the details and, since then, food trucks have been an integral part of the thriving Arts District area.

Now, let’s contrast three of the suburbs: Carrollton, Keller, and Denton.

Over a year ago, in or around May 2011, I heard some rumors that Carrollton would start allowing food trucks in their new DART transit stop.  That turned out to be a stretch.  They were actually considering allowing smaller food carts.  I poked around and found  a city council video (skip to 15 minutes), where one council member says:  “Carrollton is not Chicago or Detroit.  We are more progressive. This is 2011, we go to Chipotle, places like that.”  The ordinance to allow food carts in the transit zone did finally pass 5-2.  Carrollton does  allow gourmet food trucks, but few go there unless it is for a private event.

Let’s look at Keller.  They allow food trucks.  So-Cal Tacos frequents the area often.  But in July 2012, they shot down a proposed Keller Food Truck park by a vote of 4-3 because they felt it was competitive with nearby brick-and-mortar restaurants.  According to So-Cal’s Scott Wooley, two of the no votes have expressed interest in seeing another opportunity at bringing a food park to Keller.

Now, let’s dissect Denton.  In March 2012, Denton Councilman Kevin Roden posted a possible ordinance change to allow gourmet food trucks in Denton.  Before there were onerous regulations, so hot food trucks were basically only visible on the college campus.  Now, a few months later, Denton has changed the ordinance and will host their first Food Truck Festival,  “Denton Foodie Truck Festival: Friday Night Bites” tonight from 5pm to 10pm in the downtown Denton transit center.  Participating food trucks include: The Butcher’s Son, Crazy Fish, Cup Cakin’ Machine, Gandolfo’s NY Deli, The Pickled Carrot, Rock N’ Roll Tacos, Rockstar, Shitake Swerve, Three Lions, and Bombay Chopstix.

Go. Denton. Go.

Sneak Peek: Stampede 66 by Stephan Pyles

posted by Margaux Anbouba | October 26th, 2012 10:49am | filed under Openings/Closings, Restaurant News, Special Report | 3 Comments »

Stephan Pyles (left); Dark chocolate truffle dipped in bacon then wrapped in cotton candy (right) photos by Margaux Anbouba

For the last week, the garage attached to my apartment has smelled like barbeque sauce. While this fact seems irrelevant, I knew it meant something exciting was about to happen since my apartment just happens to be right above Stampede 66, Stephan Pyles’ new restaurant. I’ve been a loyal fan of Pyles’ last restaurant, Samar, since its opening in 2010, so I had high expectations for this one. Last night I stopped by for Stampede 66 for the soft opening. The crowd two-stepped to Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys Band, which perfectly complemented the cattle-branding videos that played on the  tv screens and Texas-themed fare (think fried catfish bites, brisket, chili and much more).

Get more details after the jump.

Continue reading "Sneak Peek: Stampede 66 by Stephan Pyles"

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Ruthie’s Cheesesteak Wants You to Vote Often

posted by George Lewis | October 26th, 2012 9:30am | filed under Cheap trick for comments, Food Trucks, pork, Sandwiches |

Who needs CNN, Reuter’s, WSJ, Gallup, entry polls, and exit polls?  We pretty much know who is going to get all of Texas’ electoral votes so we might as well have some fun with it.  Ruthie’s Cheesesteak food truck is conducting their own informal poll.  You vote by your purchase of The Obamarama or The Romninator.  Get the results on Ruthie’s Facebook page.  I’d like to say that this is one of the silliest things that I’ve seen in this election until I found this.

 

Food Feedback Friday

posted by Nancy Nichols | October 26th, 2012 9:00am | filed under Food Feedback Friday | 6 Comments »

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

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