Articles for December 21st, 2012

Finally! A Ramen Shop in Dallas! Joey and Chi Le Will Debut Tanoshi Ramen in 2013

posted by Carol Shih | December 21st, 2012 11:29am | filed under Openings/Closings, ramen, Restaurant News | 6 Comments »

David Chang eating ramen. What I’d like to be doing for the rest of my life. (via adweek.com)

After Eater Dallas posted this photo of a TABC application for Tanoshi Ramen, my mouth started to water. All my ramen dreams are coming true, after all.

Joey and Chi Le, the cute hubby-and-wife team behind Wicked Po’ Boys, have eaten their way around the world (notably Vietnam, Japan, and New York). They know their noodles. Now the Les have bravely decided to open a ramen shop in Deep Ellum, where the old Baker’s Ribs used to be. Tanoshi Ramen should be open by late February/early March 2013.

“Tanoshi” means “enjoyable” in Japanese. So, enjoyable ramen is exactly what these guys are after. Chi says, “I wanted it to mean something along the lines of pure joy.”

The menu will feature ramen, of course, and Vietnamese-inspired small plates. The Les are incorporating a lot of what they grew up eating at home into Tanoshi Ramen. “I know it’s a little bit of a mix,” says Chi,  ”but I think it’ll touch everybody.” Bánh xèo (Vietnamese crepes) and pork belly buns will be on the small plates menu. As for vegetarian options, Chi and Joey have already put a lot of consideration into making Tanoshi enjoyable for their meatless guests. The pork belly buns will have a vegan option, and the soup-based ramens will have a veggie option as well. No vegan/vegetarian will be left behind.

It’s a lot of pressure for Chi and Joey to bring good ramen to Dallas, but I’m rooting for them. Dallas needs Asian street food – the kind you find on a random dirt road in the middle of nowhere, Taiwan. But maybe I’m hoping for too much, too fast. We’ll see how Tanoshi Ramen turns out.

6 Comments »

Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas This Weekend, December 21-23

posted by Carol Shih | December 21st, 2012 10:47am | filed under Things To Do |

Friday

Since today is the end of the world, why not end it with a bang? Hopocalypse (from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.) is Goodfriend’s way of saying, “Hey, let’s finish off a beer and then say goodbye to life as we know it.” I’m down with that.

Del Frisco’s Grille on 3232 McKinney has a Naughty and Nice Holiday Party from 6 to 11 p.m. There will be custom cocktails and bites, a live auction that’ll benefit the Bryan House, a photo booth, prizes, and even a visit from Santa. If you go, don’t forget to wear your holiday attire.

Saturday

Sundown at the Granada is hosting its 6th annual Kinki Kristmas party from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. DJ Elizabeth Farrell will be spinning tunes, and you can enjoy an open bar. Tickets are $60. Buy them here.

Since The Grape is already certain that the Mayans are wrong, it’s having a Looks Like We Made It Wine Dinner at 7 p.m. Pretty nifty.

Sunday

Jimmy’s is never open on Sundays, but this Sunday, it is! This is your last chance to buy your  meats and presents for Christmas. Get excited. Jimmy’s will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Restaurant 101: How to Deal With Demanding Customers

posted by Nancy Nichols | December 21st, 2012 10:14am | filed under Best Gay Hangout Restaurant Evah!, Bring it!, Dishbag, Holidays, Keep Dallas Douchey!, Procrastination is part of the creative process, Restaurant 101, Skinny bitches, Slow News Day | 13 Comments »

Imaginary Wobbly Girl. In Prada.

Imagine you are the owner of a restaurant. Feel the hot sweats? Yeah, it’s a scary business. There are many pleasures such as pleasing customers with great food and service. But there are many potholes. Some of which you don’t see coming until you hit them head on. Utensils get swiped, servers get stiffed, and people complain. But lately I’ve heard a couple stories from restaurateurs that have actually stunned me. Some people have a lot of nerve. Here is one scenario.

A large table of office mates celebrating their annual holiday feast. Lots of food and drink flowing. Gal gets up to use the restroom. Wobbles on high heels towards the door. An employee happens to be in said restroom when Wobbly Gal slips. Said employee catches Wobbly Gal in mid fall. In the process, Wobbly Gal’s hand gets scratched. Wobbly Gal goes back to table. All is well.

Forty eight hours later, the Not-So-Wobbly Gal returns to the restaurant. She asks for the manager and demands $350 to pay for the jeans that were ruined when Wobbly Gal tried to get the blood out by using bleach. Oh, and she wants money for her shirt too. She has no receipts for anything. She looks like she could “throw a wobbly” at any moment.

You may think this answer is easy. Just say no. But restaurateurs are people pleasers and they don’t want to do anything to hurt the oh-so-important “word of mouth” publicity their business depends on. Many restaurants fork over the dough.

So how would you solve this problem?

13 Comments »

Food Feedback Friday

posted by Nancy Nichols | December 21st, 2012 9:38am | filed under Food Feedback Friday | 4 Comments »

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

4 Comments »

Where to Dine on Christmas and New Year’s in Dallas

posted by Carol Shih | December 21st, 2012 9:30am | filed under Christmas, Holidays, Lists, New Year's Eve |

Still need a place to dine on Christmas or New Year’s? Allow me to cheat the whole point of this post by telling you a little secret: Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas Day. If you don’t mind eating Chinese food on baby Jesus’ birthday (which I do every year), go for it. Skip the reservations. Skip the fancy food. Just show up and stab things with your chopsticks. That’s how we Asian folks do it.

Christmas Eve and Day

For a list of all the places open and taking reservations, go here.

Don’t know what you’re making for Christmas Eve? Travis Awalt has recipe for cassoulet.

For a list of Christmas dinner recipes, take a look at Lesley’s pdf.

New Year’s Eve and Day

I’ve got a list of 60+ restaurants anticipating your phone call. Here it is.

Into Shelley’s Belly: Ascension Coffee in the Design District

posted by Matthew Shelley | December 21st, 2012 9:00am | filed under Coffee, Into Shelley's Belly | 3 Comments »

Whoa, cappucino (left); croissant (right) photos by Matthew Shelley

I will try and be brief, but the caffeine pulsing through my veins is beckoning a shake, a jump, and a long winded recounting of my morning at Ascension Coffee, this new and beautiful coffee laboratory/bar in the Design District. I was greeted happily by the shop’s coffee sommelier, Mike Mettendorf, and the passion and joy exuding from this hospitable gentleman is contagious. He loves what he does, and he says that Ascension Coffee caters predominantly to the luxurious coffee drinkers, while still leaving no short straw for any convenience drinker.

Continue reading "Into Shelley’s Belly: Ascension Coffee in the Design District"

3 Comments »