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Articles about Bad critters

Pink Slime, I’m Going to Miss You

Looks like frozen yogurt! How can it be all bad. (photo courtesy of Elevation Burger.)

Poor Pink Slime. The frappéed beef scraps and connective tissues doused in ammonia used in food production has been called to the front of the class for being gross in a room full of politically correct food experts. What took you people so long to get all worked up about Pink Slime? Did you miss The Omnivore’s Dilemna? Fast Food Nation? Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle?

What’s next? Nasty Nitrates? According to the Food Chemical Codex,  sodium nitrite, used to cure meat and prolong the shelf life of food, contains residual heavy metals, arsenic, and lead. Will you think about that the next time you bite into a Yu Dog at the Ballpark?

What is my point? I think Pink Slime got a raw deal. Anyone who pays attention to what they eat already knows about this crap. But somebody came up with a catchy name to grab the headlines and—BOOM—Pink Slime is public enemy number one.

My inbox is full of messages from burger joints now touting they are “Pink-Slime-free.” (Good news for marketing folks.) Locally, Elevation Burger has declared its 28 restaurants as “Pink Slime Free Zones.” Goody for them. They were smart enough to start by serving 100% USDA-certified organic and 100% grass-fed beef. Just be prepared to put your money where the pink slime was. (Check out City of Ate’s breakdown on the economics of  a slime-free market.)

Carry on do-gooders. There are important battles to fight for healthy food. Just don’t get all high and mighty. Some of us still like to enjoy food in foreign countries that are lucky to have beef scraps to cook.

Michael Costa Starts a Spin on His Eviction From The Office Grill

As I was writing the post about Michael Costa getting evicted from The Office Grill, Teresa Gubbins at PegasusNews received a press release from Costa. The Spin Doctor begins with: “In case you didn’t get the memo…” Oh my…jump.

UPDATE: I received a voice mail from Richard Chamberlain. “Michael Costa worked for us briefly 16 years ago,” he said. “In his release he insinuates he is associated with us and that is not the case.”

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Tim Rogers Likes Sushi Sake in Richardson

My editor and sometimes friend, Tim Rogers, talks like he’s a really tough guy. He so tough he doesn’t sit at his desk, he has his computer table elevated and he stands all day. Like I said, he’s tough. But I’ll let you in on a secret: Tim likes to cook fancy food. And he brings the leftovers in and eats them for lunch. Yesterday he told me he took his wife and another couple to Sushi Sake in Richardson. He raved about the sushi and the service. He doesn’t think there is a better sushi restaurant in Dallas. I told him I’d ask you guys what the best sushi spot is in Dallas. Tim wants to go there.

Former Ritz Carlton Pastry Chef Morgan Wilson Indicted on Federal Child Porn Charges

Yow. Zah. Bill Conrad of Star Local News, a content partner at Pegasus News, reports Morgan Wilson, the former head pastry chef at Dallas’ Ritz Carlton was indicted for transferring child porn across state lines. Wilson also appeared on the first season of Top Chef Just Desserts.

The original SideDish post is here.

Here’s a link to “Get to Know Morgan Wilson” video.

Dan Koller Has a Few Things to Say About Rafa’s Cafe Mexicano

Don't Mess With Texan: Dan "The Captain" Koller.

Dan Koller is one of my favorite people. Why? Because he scares me. He looks like a cuddly Teddy bear, but underneath that nice-guy veneer lies the heart (maybe) of a cold-blooded managing editor. Last night “The Captain,” as I call him, took his family to Rafa’s Cafe Mexicano on Lovers Lane. He files this report over on Park Cities People.

Last night, my family and I visited Rafa’s for the first time. I know this place is beloved by Park Cities families, as evidenced by the large number of them who were there when we were. But I judge a restaurant by how easy it makes my life as a parent, and Rafa’s failed in that regard.

Read more.

He wants to know where you take your kids to eat.

Hey Dallas, What Would You Ask Anthony Bourdain?

My question: What is behind that bone? (Photo by Melanie Dunea from the book, My Last Supper)

Anthony Bourdain will be at The Majestic tonight. Tickets are still available. I understand there will be a Q&A segment in the show. Can’t go? Send me your questions. I’ll try to get them answered.

Oh, and Tony. Tonight is the sixth game of the World Series. Our Texas Rangers could be champions before your show is over. You’ve will have hard core Rangers fans in the audience with DVRs recording the game. Please do not give game updates. That goes for you fans in the audience. If I see one of you on your cell phone getting game results, I WILL CUT YOU.

Top Chef Just Desserts Finalist, Morgan Wilson, Indicted for Child Pornography

D Magazine intern Jessica Melton was surfing the internet and came up with this doozie of a newsy story.

I was reading through Pegasus News when I ran across this incredible story: Morgan Wilson, who made it to the finals last year on Top Chef Just Desserts, has been indicted for possession of child pornography.

He is charged with not one, not two, but THREE second-degree felony charges of possession with intent to promote child pornography. His arrest was last December. Terms of his release included the monitoring of his internet activity and a $10,000 bond.

Wilson is still listed as the executive pastry chef at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, but is scheduled to appear in front of a Collin County judge on October 27.  Nancy texted Dean Fearing, execuchef of Fearing’s at the Ritz, and he texted back “No comment!!!!”

On Top Chef, Wilson seemed like such a suave, collected, although short-tempered, guy. As a regular follower of all-things-food related on TV, I watched Wilson and was proud that he was representing Plano on national TV. Now it feels weird to think that when I was watching the show, he’d already been arrested for having images of child pornography on his computer.

I may never be able to eat another cannoli again.


Restaurants Beware: New Order Scam is Making the Rounds

Last year,  hundreds of restaurants in the U.S. were ripped off by a caller who placed a large catering order to be picked up by a delivery service. The caller instructed the restaurant to add a $500 to the credit card bill and give it to the delivery service. I know it sound ludicrous that anyone would fall for this, but obviously some folks did. 

This morning comes word that a new scam is making the rounds. This time, it’s switched to an email:

How are you doing today? This Mr. John Morgan speaking, I will like to place an order to go, can i speak with the owner about the order? My Mom birthday is coming up on the 20th of October and i will like to place an order for 150 grill chicken sandwich with salad individual pack for the 150 guest, It will be pick up by 3pm on the given date, So can i know the price per person and the total cost for the order plus tax. Can i have your full restaurant address and your name so i can forward to the carrier that will be coming for the pick up of the order once the food is ready by 3pm on the given date and i want you to promise me and assure me you going to prepaire (sic) the food nice and delicious.

If you get this email and fall for it, I have no sympathy for you. If you get one, let me know.

Restaurant 101: What to do if Your Employer Doesn’t Provide Paycheck Stubs

Yesterday, I posted the news that Michael Costa of The Office Grill filed for bankruptcy. In the comments section, one of Costa’s former employees asked a great question.

Anybody have some suggestions for the former employees when it comes tax time? We never received check stubs or info on the taxes taken out of them, that is when we did get them and they didn’t bounce.

I contacted Gregory P. Williams, a CPA with Restaurant CFO Partners in Plano. He has a lot of answers. They are below. I’ve also included his contact information if you have more questions.

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Raging Bull: The Office Grill Co-Owner Michael Costa Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

The Office Grill’s Michael Costa, Texas Bear and Bull, LLC,  filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 26, 2011, six days before he was to appear at hearing to determine if he’d breached his lease agreement. The next day, the Texas Comptroller revoked The Office Grill’s sales tax permit for lack of payment. Legally, The Office Grill can’t operate as a restaurant, yet, as of ten minutes ago, they were open for business.

On September 30, the landlord, 18020 N. Dallas Parkway, LTD filed a motion to convert the Chapter 11 filing to a Chapter 7. Chapter 11 means creditors are held off until reorganization or refinancing is obtained. Chapter 7 means there is no hope for reorganization and assets are to be distributed to creditors. A meeting of the creditors is scheduled for November 7.

The chef left right after Costa was arrested by the TABC on September 20 and Costa’s liquor license is suspended. He’s operating without a sales tax license, liquor license, and a chef? I’ll say this, the guy doesn’t go down easy.

Here is a pdf of the motion filed by 1820N. Dallas Parkway, LTD

History of Dallas Food: Prohibition in Dallas, Part 1

Inspired by the first two episodes of Ken Burn’s Prohibition on KERA, Amy Severson and I did a little digging into some of the details of what was going on in Dallas before, during, and after prohibition. The third, and final, episode is tonight at 9PM. It’s been a fascinating documentary. Today, we scratch the surface of prohibition in Dallas.

Dripping Dry Dallas. That was the name earned by our city after the repeal of prohibition in 1933.

If you’ve watched the first two episodes of Ken Burn’s historical presentation, Prohibition, our country’s brief love affair with forced sobriety, you already know the national temperance movement came about as a reaction to the despair brought on families affected by alcoholism.

Jump.

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Michael Costa, Owner of The Office Grill in Dallas, Arrested

Michael Costa's mug shot. September 7, 2011.

I have been chronicling the career of Michael Costa for a couple of years. Costa has been a restaurant consultant in Dallas since the early ‘90s. In spring of 2009, I wrote several posts about his misbehavior and his penchant for writing hot checks at Las Colinas Prime . In October of 2010, I reported that Costa had resurfaced as a principal partner at The Office Grill. Soon after The Office opened, I received phone calls and emails from disgruntled workers who claimed Costa was writing bad checks and not paying vendors. I spoke with Costa and wrote a story his shady operations in the May issue of D Magazine.

This morning, I learned Costa was arrested last night for an outstanding warrant. So far, the only details I have received from James Yarbrough at the Dallas County Sheriff’s office are that Costa was picked up last night for “a bond forfeiture for theft of $1,500<20k.” According to another source, Costa spent the night at Decker Detention Center in jail and was released this morning. I am waiting for the full police report.

History of Dallas Food: The Golden Pheasant

In 1992, Renie Steves, a food and wine writer in Fort Worth, wrote a book called Dallas is Cooking. In the forward, Caroline Rose Hunt reminisces about the Golden Pheasant. “The steaks served at the Golden Pheasant located on Commerce between the Adolphus and Neiman Marcus were the best in town. A stuffed Chinese golden pheasant looked down on the diners, many who came fro out of the city to engage in the booming oil business.”

This week, Amy Severson and I continue our History of Dallas Food series on SideDish with a look at The Golden Pheasant, a French restaurant known for their sizzling steak platters. If you would like to take a look back at some of our earlier reports, here are the links: La Tunisia, Ida Chitwood. and Eltee O. Dave.

The Golden Pheasant Restaurant was a Dallas institution for over 45 years. If its story were a play, it would be a tragedy filled with mobsters, mysterious murders, and fires. The opulent restaurant opened in 1915 and operated under four different owners in four locations until it burned to the ground in 1964 and left four firemen dead. The last location was in the grassy lot which now sits next to the valet stand at the Magnolia Hotel. The fountain behind the hotel is a silent memorial of what was, even to this day, the worst loss in the history of the Dallas Fire Department.

Jump for the whole story.

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Two Things That Have Already Ruined My Day

1. Ann Hathaway is going to play Ruth Reichl in Garlic and Sapphires. I would have picked Tina Fey

2. Groupon for tickets to see Stevie Nicks. I feel old.

Let’s Discuss: Is Yelp Deleting Customer Comments to Sell Ads?

I know very little about Yelp. I see it when I am searching for restaurants but I have never stop to read the reviews. Anywhoo, several people  emailed me this week with complaints and concerns about Yelp. One loyal Disher sends this post found on Cavilli Pizza’s Facebook page. (Cavilli, that will be $15 for the link.)

Fans, just wanted to let you know that YELP has been removing our 5 star reviews for our McKinney location, we have talked to them and they have told us we can’t do anything about it. YELP has been unfair and removed 24 reviews all of which were 4 and 5 stars. But they keep calling us to advertise, and told us it would get better if we advertised. It’s all about making money, what a shame they used to be a great site.

Ouch! Maybe their cyber technicians can detect comments left by the same person. I don’t know. However, this morning comes a note from another just-as-loyal Disher.

I think you’d better take a seat and get ready for this rumble. Oh, and if you know Jack Perkins of Maple & Motor, you might want to text him a link. Okay? Let’s go.

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Toddlers and Toques: Should Fine Dining Restaurants in Dallas Ban Children?

Tall toques and toddlers: good or bad idea?

Lots of chinwagging taking place in the webosphere. Fine dining restaurants, such as this place in Pennsylvania, are banning children under six years of age. I tend to dine early and have witnessed children who squeal and squirm while their parents sip wine and attempt to enjoy a fine meal. I believe it is a good practice to take children into fine dining restaurant. It’s important to learn manners at an early age. The only time it chaps my sass is when the parents don’t reprimand their misbehaving offspring or take charge of the situation. Take this recent example from a loyal Disher.

Jump for the shrilling report.

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Anthony Bourdain to Appear at Majestic Theatre in Dallas

You asked for him, you’ll have Tony for one night only, Thursday, October 27th at 8:00pm at The Majestic Theatre. According to his handlers “Bourdain will spend the evening sharing candid and often hilarious insights about his life’s work and travels, including an open question and answer session with the audience.” I’ve invited John Tesar to be my date. Anybody in for a group session!

Details below. (more…)

Something’s Going on With Michael Costa at The Office Grill in Dallas

Michael Costa, outside of The Office Grill, talks with a Smith Security agent.I got a tip this morning from a loyal Disher. He/she spotted chains on the front door of The Office Grill in North Dallas. I called the restaurant at noon and got voicemail. (They are usually open for lunch.) Sarah Reiss happened to be nearby and I asked her to go over and check on the situation. She pulled up to find owner Michael Costa standing with two Smith Security employees. Sarah snapped a picture and walked over to ask them what was going on. After identifying herself as an employee of D Magazine, she asked Costa what was happening.“Nothing,” he said. “We are open. I‘m not going to comment.”

When a worker carrying what appeared to be his chef knives tried to enter the building, Costa had a conversation with him and the worker got back in his car and took off.

They may be open, but The Office Grill (Lucky 7 Private Club) has been on the TABC delinquent payments lists published on May 3, May 18, June 3, and June 18. Carolyn Beck, of the TABC in Austin, confirmed that Lucky 7 is on the list because they owe Goody Goody Liquors $7,700 and have since March. If you are on the list, you are not allowed to buy liquor from wholesalers. She also said that the TABC has not suspended Lucky 7’s permit.

Being on this list does not always indicate the restaurant has hit hard times. Sometimes many restaurants make an accounting oversight or the payment gets delayed in the mail. Either way, if you miss the strict deadline you go on the list. Four straight? That’s a problem.

Two Contestants From Dallas Compete on Gordon Ramsay’s MasterChef

Another day, another TV reality show with a contestant from Dallas. This season’s MasterChef, on Monday and Tuesday nights on Fox, features two local heroes: Jennie Kelley, a singer with Polyphonic Spree, and  travel writer Ben Starr. Intrepid intern, Harrison Smith, is all over the show like hot on fries. Each week he will file his take on the show. Go:

Is Gordon Ramsay a raging lunatic? I’m not sure—this is reality TV, after all, so who can really say who the nice guy is or who the mean-tempered award-winner is in real life. Maybe all the cursing and screaming he’s done in eight seasons of Hell’s Kitchen and now two seasons of MasterChef is just an act put on by a kind Scottish soul who loves to cook.

Or maybe he’s just an…

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Woman Raped and Beaten Near Capitol Pub on Henderson

Several days ago, I received an email warning women to be careful when leaving the bars and restaurants clustered on Henderson near Capitol Pub, J-Blacks, and Neighborhood Services Tavern. The email says:

Please be careful around J-Blacks and Capitol Pub. A friend of a co-worker’s was brutally beaten and raped while walking to her car last night from J Blacks. She was with the group watching the game and left the bar around 2AM. She was apparently parked on the street behind Capitol (near that park/school). No one knows exactly yet how and when it happened, but she was found early this morning on the street near Capitol naked and severely beaten.

I’ve located the PoliceReport that verifies this incident took place in the 2300 block of N. Garrett Ave. which is southeast of the Neighborhood Services, J-Black, and Capitol Pub area on Henderson, not near the park and elementary school.