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Cobb Switch BBQ Announces Launch of Catering Division

Dotty Griffith Ranches Up!

Just when you think the going is tough, the toughest open a catering company. As a recovering caterer, I identify with the “need to cater.” It makes people happy. It makes you happy to make people happy. Catering is an affliction, an addiction that should not be exposed to rookies or people without strong resolve.

Which brings me to the veterans behind Cobb Switch BBQ in Carrollton: Blair Black, Janet and Phil Cobb, and switch hitter, former DMN critic, Dotty Griffith. These people have schlepped a few meals to various locations. So, without further ado, the envelope with the press release please:

Jump. (Oh, and Kirk get out your red pencil!) (more…)

How to Have a Happy New Year’s Meal in Dallas, if You Celebrate According to the Jewish Calendar

Nancy has officially dubbed me the Rabbi of SideDish and thus assigned me to write about all things of the Yiddish/Jewish variety, so, if you have no interest in the following: Gefilte fish, chopped liver or tzimmes (a wonderful stewed mixture of fruits and vegetables that should never ever meet), feel free to skip to the next post, however.

If though, you are a working Jewish mom or just a Jewish Princess who is worried about what to do for the upcoming High Holidays, listen, take a load off. We’ve just been handed the T.J.’s Market catering menu for the High Holidays and all we’ve got to say is “Oy Vey, that Caren Alexis is going to be one tired Yiddisha Momma.”

Just listen to what they will do if you want them to make home-made Gefilte Fish (which, for some reason, I never caught on any of my many fishing expeditions): They will grind fresh fish (Pike, Lake Trout, Snapper, Buffalo, Carp, Tillapia, Haddock, Cod or Salmon). They will chop you some liver. They will give you the horseradish (red for you wimps, the pure white stuff for the strong-sinused among you). They’ve got glazed chicken breasts and brisket (and I’m assuming we’re not talking about any of that lean stuff with the barbecue sauce all over it; we’re talking tender, soft, with a bissel of fat and some oniony-soup broth gravy). They’ve got Nova Lox. The menu also has some baked brie stuffed with fruit and nuts. I’m not sure how that got on there, but it’s there nonetheless.

So, if you are planning for the High Holidays or just want to ring in the Jewish New Year (Happy 5770 everybody!) the right way, check out the menu here. Call the Alexis clan. And wish them a L’Shanna Tovah (which, in the language of my people, is the wish for a happy, healthy New Year).

Somebody Help This Poor Man: Pretzels in Dallas

He has a friend in need:

My friend is looking for large soft pretzels. Salted. Hope someone knows of a good place. Looking to get them for a party at the end of September.

Go my resourceful Dishers. Bend over backwards to help. (Wonder if Empire Bakery would make them? Thanks to Green Grapics for the photo.)

Dallas Food & Wine Events & News

Chipotle. Free food giveaway during tax free weekend. If you buy a burrito, order of tacos, salad, or bowl on Tuesday, August 18th or Wednesday, August 19th you’ll receive a free entrée during tax free weekend on August 21st-August 23rd.

Sacred Cellars is offering another “Steal of the Week.” 2005 Flora Springs “Trilogy” Napa Valley. 95 points – Wine Enthusiast. 93 points – Robert Parker/Wine Advocate.
$34.99 per bottle + sales tax (where applicable) and $7 shipping, or free local pickup available.

La Duni Latin Kitchen and Coffee Studio at NorthPark Center. Co-hosting with Bacardi Rums to present a hands-on Mojito Class on Thursday, August 27 from 6:30-7:30pm (registration begins at 6pm).  Learn the three methods of classic Mojitos cocktails, one shaken, one muddled, and one fired while enjoying light bites from the award-winning la Duni kitchen. Cost is $17 in advance and $22 in advance. [Ed note. I have no idea what that means.]  Reservations are required. 214-987-2260.  Capacity is limited. La Duni Latin Kitchen & Coffee Studio is located on Level One beneath AMC NorthPark 15 Theaters facing the beautiful Center Park, 8687 N. Central Expressway Suite 1516 in Dallas, TX.

Café Lago. From owner Gabriela Kovacic: “Ron Jones, a product of the White Rock area and passionate musician will be performing Thursday the 20th. He will be joined by Darwin Martin on the keyboard these fellows are pros! Their smooth and eloquent execution of some classic pieces along with his amazingly accurate version of Pink Floyd will have you calmly enjoying the evening, sipping on Sangria and amazed at his talent. The benefit to being at Cafe Lago when Ron performs is that you never know who else will drop by – could be a drummer, percussionist, trumpet player, or maybe a soft subtle jazz singer! Also, Kerri Arista, the Cafe Lago Sweetheart as we call her, is currently on a challenge to write 50 songs in 90 days. Her craft at songwriting has evolved beautifully and her sweet renditions of her many songs give Cafe Lago diners a warm environment.  She sings Friday Nights 14th & 28th. Come this Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. and taste more than 17 sparkling wines from all over the world.  See which sparkler is as good as Champagne but at a fraction of the price.”

FUQUA Wines. Summer Wine Series, Cont. Sparklers 2. This will be a blind tasting.  Besides all of the sparklers, we will also taste our FUQUA wines as well.  This tasting is limited to 16 people and costs $18 per person.  Buy your ticket and make your reservations at here.

Cake Ball Company. “The Cake Ball Company offers an array of delicious hand-held confections inspired from Robin Ankeny’s mother’s family recipe. After starting a family, Ankeny began using the recipe to make the miniature, coated desserts for gatherings with family and friends. Soon her cake balls were in such high demand that the next obvious step was to make cake balls available to everyone and open The Cake Ball Company in Dallas with the help of Deb Corley and Charlotte Lyon. Each cake ball is approximately 1.25 inches round and made over a two-day process that involves baking and blending the cake balls with creamy icing before dipping them into a beautiful confectionery coating.”

They are having a birthday and are selling a special Birthday Cake flavor for $1.00 each on August 20. Deets here.

Big Fatty’s Flaming Foods In Valley View: Are You Ready For Your Close-up?

I parked on W. Lovers next to this car last night. I’m placing an order today. Cranberry Cayenne Hot Biscotti and Mistress Karlita’s Spanking Rub will be mine. Anyone?

Billy Joel to Participate in America’s First Divorce Expo and Reception

I interrupt this food blog to bring you some breaking news from the you-can’t-make-this-stuff-up department. Sometimes the mass of press releases that land in my inbox just give me tired head. This is one I thought you would like to see. I mean, seriously? Billy Joel is now headlining divorce support groups? Anyone with a private jet want to take me up tomorrow? Money quote: “Divorce Parties are a multi-million dollar business today.”
(Who can find the giant typo? Go, Kirk.) (more…)

Rene Peeters Emerges: He Will Reopen Watel’s and Two New Businesses on Lower Greenville.

When Watel’s, the charming cozy French bistro in the Allen Street Cottage closed on April 12th, many insiders felt owner Rene Peeters was getting out of the business. He has spent the last few months holding special occasion meals at different locations around town. Today, he outlines his new grand plan. “I have signed leases in the Lower Greenville area,” says Peeters, “Within the next few months I will open three venues.”

First, he’s opening a café and market with casual dining at moderate prices. “The recipes will be a reflection of my world upbringing and travels,” said Peeters. “Some dishes will be authentic; some will be  creative. The size of the portions will be suitable for mezze-tapas-sushi bar-style dining. The menu will change daily.”  The market side will be small and feature food and nonfood items from around the world. There will be pastries, breads, prepared dishes, and deli dishes all made on premises plus canned, jarred, and dry goods. Other items include “trinkets and practical items” from around the world. Peeters describes them as “fair-market-minimal-or-no-middlemen-eco-friendly-green-hipfit-help-poor-tribes” items.

The café and market will be called World Piece.

Next door, Peeters will open an antique store and art gallery that will double as an events space.  “I hope to call it “A Few of my Favorite Things,” says Peeters. “I hope I don’t get sued by Rodgers or Hammerstein estates.”

His third business, on Lewis Street near Greenville, will be the reopening of Watel’s, a white tablecloth dining room also available for private parties and events.

Dallas, We Have A Real Pastrami Sandwich: Roaster’s New York Deli & Bagels

Hanging TVs and hanging salami hang with the locals at Roaster's.

Yesterday I hit Roaster’s (old Ed’s Deli space at LBJ & Preston) around 1:00p.pm. and the place was jumping. There was still a wait for tables but since we were the only deuce, we were seated quickly. The staff was flying around the room at dizzying speed thrusting jars of home made pickles and metal bowls of cole slaw on the table while they rearranged the condiments and slapped down the plastic (with pictures!) menu. Customers: kids a go-go, old Jewish ladies, young families, middle-aged foodies. I felt like I was dining on a Carnival cruise docked in Nassau.

Delicious cole slaw and pickles are free.

Anywhoo, I just wanted to tell you about the pastrami sandwich because it is worth the trip: hot and hand-sliced pastrami it’s packed and piled high. Mine was on toasted rye with melted Swiss and extra Russian dressing. I scooped the cole claw, which was light and slightly sweet, on top. I ate half and thought I would burst. Some serious foodies feel that the pastries and breakfast platters are super expensive but the sandwich ($11.95) was enough for two.

Looks like they’ve shortened their name from Roaster’s  ‘N Toasters to  Roaster’s. I don’t care what they call it– when my mouth was full of pastrami I could have closed my eyes and imagined myself sitting at Carnegie Deli in New York. (Then again, I was highly caffeinated.) Evan Grant will review the lox, bagels, and corned beef later. UPDATE: FYI, they are only open for breakfast and lunch.

The pastrami is way better than my photography.

Great Deli News: Zinsky’s Delicatessen & Catering to Open in Preston Royal

All hail! Jim Baron and Mark Brezinski, the brawn and the brawn behind Zinsky’s, a New York style deli set to open in the old Jason’s Deli space in Preston Royal in early summer. Jim and his wife (the brains) Liz, operate six locations of Blue Mesa Grill and Mark has been in the biz in Dallas for over 20 years including a stint at Brinker International Restaurants, being a co-founding partner of Pei Wei Asian Diner, and currently operating Bengal Coast restaurant at the Centrum.

“We need a good classic New York style deli in our neighborhood,” said Jim, who is a good friend and Preston Hollow neighbor of Mark’s.  The duo rounded up a team of similar minded community leader to form a partnership, many of which also grew up in the area.

The menu at Zinsky’s will pay homage to the traditions that both Mark and Jim grew up with. Think: great hand carved pastrami and corned beef, rye bread, great sour pickles, homemade tuna fish, and matzoh ball soup. I’m thinking, I’m thinking already. Get busy, boys. Your public awaits.

Somebody Help This Poor Girl: Shower Food

It’s more of a catering question to be specific.
I’m looking for a caterer for an upcoming party that goes beyond shower food.  I need food that women AND men would enjoy while having a nice drink.  Thanks SideDishers!

Mmm, I’m a little perplexed by this request. So does this mean that men don’t like to eat greasy cheeseburgers? I’m off task. Shower her with ideas, I’m fresh out and behind schedule.

Tastefully Yours and the Little Blue House in Grapevine

Long ago, sometime last year, I predicted that Grapevine would become the new Deep Ellum. Didn’t happen. However, that doesn’t mean that Grapevine hasn’t continued to bloom as a culinary destination. The Bob’s Steak & Chophouse in Grapevine is the highest grossing location of the burgeoning chain, Fireside Pies is churning, and Ziziki’s will open soon. In the midst of all the glam spots, sits The Little Blue House and Tastefully Yours Catering, run by Chef Andrew Huszar and his wife Lisa. If you are looking for a cozy place to host a wedding or reception, check it out.