Articles for December 18th, 2012

2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrate With Gifts That Give Back

posted by Carol Shih | December 18th, 2012 2:07pm | filed under 12 Days of Food Gifts, Go local, Health Food | 2 Comments »

Every year on SideDish, we like to devote our energy to supporting small local food businesses here in DFW. For twelve days, we’ll be highlighting jams, jellies, pies, classes, wines, coffees, teas, and basically any food product made locally on Dallas (or close to it) soil. Today is Gifts That Give Back Day. If you’ve got a product that you want included, send me an email with your information and a picture. This list will often be updated, so don’t fret about deadlines. We’re here to serve you guys.

Granola From Impact Foods

Ben Hurt and Blaine Iler of Impact Foods are doing a little extra something this holiday. It’s pretty incredible. “This year, give the gift of making an impact with our friends at Impact Foods. The local granola company feeds a child for every bag they sell – but this year they are doubling the impact you can make. During the month of December, Impact Foods will be feeding two children for every bag sold. Impact granola can be purchased at Whole Foods, Eatzi’s, Urban Acres, Oak Lawn Coffee as well as online at Artizone and Abe’s Market.”

If you haven’t read these boys’ story and journey, read Iris’ interview with them here.

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Trader Joe’s to Open Between Cole and Knox Someday in the Faraway Future

posted by Carol Shih | December 18th, 2012 11:48am | filed under Good Deeds, Good Service, Groceries | 9 Comments »

Steve Brown from the DMN reports that the 2-acre property on Cole between Knox and Armstrong will be redeveloped by Lincoln Property Co. and property owner Sarofim Realty Advisors. Trader Joe’s, he says, will be the lead retail tenant in this future mixed-use development.

The first Trader Joe’s in Dallas (Lower Greenville) is supposed to open during the first quarter of next year. The second at Walnut Hill is “coming soon” (according to the website), and now this Cole/Knox location will be the third store for Dallas residents.

I’m so okay with this. TJ’s, keep moving into Dallas, please. I love your turkey meatballs. L-O-V-E.

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Happy Holiday Story: The Tale of Café Momentum in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | December 18th, 2012 10:39am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Charity events, Good Deeds |

Houser quit his day job to work with the kids.(Photography by Elizabeth Lavin)

In the December issue of D Magazine, Carol presents the tale of two chefs, Chad Houser and Janice Provost, and how they joined forces to create Café Momentum. 

The Dallas County Youth Village, a sort of halfway house for boys age 10 to 17 who have a history of committing nonviolent crimes, sits on 53 acres of rural southern Dallas. Two chefs, Chad Houser and Janice Provost, got the idea to teach these young men skills they could use to land jobs in the restaurant business. Their program is called Cafe Momentum, which is also an itinerant pop-up restaurant staffed by the Youth Villagers.

The 15th Cafe Momentum dinner took place on October 7, the same day a cold front caught Dallas by surprise. By 6:15 pm that Saturday, bundled guests started settling down into the industrial metal chairs scattered inside Acme F&B. Eight boys from the Youth Village worked the room like they’d been doing it all their lives. The boys, dressed in professional chef coats, smiled as they carefully placed romaine salads with hearts of palm in front of each person. They said their “yes, ma’am”s and “yes, sir”s. People were impressed. For having spent only $100 on an elegant four-course meal, guests witnessed firsthand how their money went toward transforming the lives of youths who came from challenging backgrounds.

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Where to Book Your Reservations For New Year’s Eve and Day Dining in Dallas

posted by Carol Shih | December 18th, 2012 10:23am | filed under Holidays, Lists, New Year's Eve | 1 Comment »

photo from Butler’s Pantry

I know. I’m also hyperventilating, too. Pretty soon it’ll be Christmas, then New Year’s, then back to work on the second. Time is flying way too fast. This means you’ve got to start making your reservations pronto before you get put on a waiting list. Rub your hands and start calling. Here’s a list of places doing special New Year’s Eve and Day dinners. If you’re still behind on Christmas,  you can check out the list of establishments open on December 24 and 25 right here.

Asador
Bistro 31
Blue Mesa Grill
Bolsa
Bonnell’s
Boulevardier
Cafe des Artistes
Cafe Izmir
Cafe Pacific
Canary by Gorji
Cedars Social
Central 214
Chamberlain’s Fish Market
Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House
Dallas Chop House
Dallas Fish Market
Del Frisco
DISH
Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa
Driftwood
Fearing’s
Fedora
Five Sixty
The Front Room: A Park Cities Diner
The Gin Mill
The Grape
Holy Grail Pub
Hotel St. Germain

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