Articles about Chef’s tasting

John Tesar Closes The Table at One Arts Plaza in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | July 7th, 2011 12:45pm | filed under Buzz Killer!, Celebrity Chefs, Chef's tasting, Closings, Cult Cuisine, Hippie revolutions, hold on to your effin hat, Long table dinners, Openings/Closings, Overprivileged chimps, pop-up restaurant, Restaurant News, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 13 Comments »

John Tesar has decided to close The Table, the 12-seat tasting room inside The Commissary.The Table will close on August 1 but is scheduled to reopen around September 15 with a new concept. The press release says Tesar will retool The Table menu and  “spend the necessary time focusing on The Commissary and getting the service and other restaurant issues up to the standards that he has was known for at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.” I hope so. According to two of my friends who dined at last Sunday’s the lobster bake, the service “was the worst I’ve ever had.” And that person has had a lot of bad service. Go, John. Fix it and they will come.

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Screen Door—A Summer Menu Tasting in Pictures

posted by Sarah Reiss | June 29th, 2011 2:06pm | filed under Beverages, Brunch, Chef's tasting, dessert, Diets are stupid | 3 Comments »

Officially my favorite new small plate for summer: crispy cheese-grit fritters & green tomato mostarda at Screen Door in One Arts Plaza. (Photo by Sarah Reiss)

Last evening, Chef David McMillan invited us down to One Arts Plaza to taste some of Screen Door‘s new summer dishes and cocktails. What follows is a visual journey through that tasting.

jump for a visual journey through Screen Door’s new menu items… Continue reading "Screen Door—A Summer Menu Tasting in Pictures"

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White Rock Lake Celebrates 100 Years With Chefs’ Picnic

posted by Sarah Reiss | June 28th, 2011 9:00am | filed under BBQ, Brooklynne Peters, Chef's tasting, dessert, Events, picnics | 4 Comments »

Picnic faves from chefs Brian Luscher (The Grape), Justin Fourton (Pecan Lodge), Randall Copeland (Restaurant AVA), Janice Provost (Parigi), Jeff Harris (RedFork), and Marc Cassel (Peavy Road). (Photo by Brooklynne Peters)

On Sunday, new SideDish contributor Brooklynne Peters attended the Chef’s’ Picnic on White Rock Lake. Read on for her report in words and pictures…

On Sunday afternoon, food lovers and chef groupies flocked to the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake for the Chefs’ Picnic on the Lake in honor of the park’s 100th birthday. The centennial event drew local chefs Brian Luscher (The Grape), Justin Fourton (Pecan Lodge), Randall Copeland (Restaurant AVA), Janice Provost (Parigi), Jeff Harris (RedFork) and Marc Cassel (Park, Peavy Road—coming soon). Proceeds from the day benefited The American Red Cross.

jump for more pics and menu highlights… Continue reading "White Rock Lake Celebrates 100 Years With Chefs’ Picnic"

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Share Our Strength’s Taste Of The Nation is This Sunday in Dallas

posted by Andrew Chalk | June 9th, 2011 9:51am | filed under Andrew Chalk, Celebrity Chefs, Chef's tasting, Events, Wine & Spirits |

Tickets are still available to Sunday’s Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation at Stephan Pyles.  Full details of the participating chefs below. Continue reading "Share Our Strength’s Taste Of The Nation is This Sunday in Dallas"

CityArts Festival’s Culinary Showcase Starts Tonight at 6:30 at Fair Park

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 27th, 2011 2:08pm | filed under Breaking News, Chef's tasting, Festivals |

This year’s Culinary Showcase opens at 6:30 tonight at Fair Park with the following schedule of events. The festivities continue throughout the weekend, so map out some time to sample spirits, cheeses, and Ninny’s Salad with chef David F. Holben of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House, chef/owner Janice Provost of Parigi, executive chef Jim Severson of Sevy’s Grill, executive chef Blythe Beck of Central 214, chef Richard Chamberlain of Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House, executive chef David McMillan of Screen Door, Paula Lambert, founder of Mozzarella Company, chef Aaron Staudenmaier of Abacus, and chef/owner Brian C. Luscher of The Grape. The event is FREE, but you must be 21 and show ID to get into the Culinary Showcase.

jump for the full weekend schedule of events… Continue reading "CityArts Festival’s Culinary Showcase Starts Tonight at 6:30 at Fair Park"

Chefs’ Picnic on the Lake Recalls the White Rock Lake of Yore

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 20th, 2011 9:31am | filed under Chef's tasting, Chefs, Diets are stupid, Events |

Mark your calendars for June 26 when White Rock Lake”s Art Deco Bath House will bustle with the Chefs’ Picnic at the Lake celebrating 100 years of White Rock Lake and Dallas’ chapter of the American Red Cross. From noon to 3 pm, during the grand finale Comerica White Rock Centennial Celebration weekend, Dallas’ top chefs, will served a picnic lunch from the original Bath House concession stand, along with beer, wine and refreshments.

The Grape’s Brian C. Luscher along with Janice Provost, Parigi; Marc Cassel, Peavy Road (coming soon); Graham Dodds, Bolsa; Jeff Harris, RedFork; Nathan Tate and Randall Copeland, Restaurant Ava; Diane and Justin Fourton, Pecan Lodge; and Hollie Dorethy, Personal Chef, prepare an extraordinary seated picnic luncheon with their unique spin on the traditional al fresco-fare.

More for more. Continue reading "Chefs’ Picnic on the Lake Recalls the White Rock Lake of Yore"

Starting Tonight, You Can Taste The Classics at Bijoux

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 17th, 2011 9:14am | filed under Chef's tasting, menus | 1 Comment »

Tonight (May 17 to 20) and again on June 17 & 18, Bijoux will be presenting their “Classics” menu featuring Bijoux and Chef Scott Gottlich’s time-honored favorites. In a five-course meal that pays homage to fond memories of sumptuous celebrations, Chef Gottlich plan to serve traditional dishes like oysters Rockefeller, beef Wellington or stuffed lobster with wine pairings by sommelier Gina Gottlich. $68 per person/$95 with wine pairings. (Guests choose one dish within each course. Reservations are required.)

Jump for the good stuff. Continue reading "Starting Tonight, You Can Taste The Classics at Bijoux"

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Olé! Pasaporte España Kicks Off At Central Market Despite Torrents

posted by Sarah Reiss | May 12th, 2011 10:14am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Cheese, Chef's tasting, Chefs, classes, Cooking, Cooking Classes, Delis, Ethnic Food, Events, Foodie People, Groceries |

Central Market kicked off Pasaporte Espana with a food & wine class in the Cooking School (left) and a prepared-foods case stocked with national favorites. (Photos by Sarah Reiss)

Central Market’s Pasaporte España—a total store takeover with Spanish seafood, wine, pastries, oils, canned seafood (a Spanish specialty), and so much more—kicked off last night in the Greenville Ave. location. For the ribbon cutting (which was supposed to be held in the tent in the parking lot but was moved to the entry vestibule due to rain), top brass filled the store with costumed team members, flamenco guitarists, flamenco dancers from the 2011 Dallas Flamenco Festival, Spanish wine producers, cultural liaisons, and more. jump for the pictures and a video of saucy flamenco dancers … Continue reading "Olé! Pasaporte España Kicks Off At Central Market Despite Torrents"

John Tesar and Moet & Chandon Pair For a Palatable Treat

posted by Hayley Hamilton | May 9th, 2011 3:49pm | filed under Chef's tasting, Wine & Spirits | 2 Comments »

Moet & Chandon Imperial NV Brut

There has been a lot of talk about John Tesar these days, it could be because he is truly talented.  At a small media pairing dinner at The Comissary, with Moet & Chandon Oenologist Marc Brevot for the release of the 2002 Grand Vintage Moet & Chandon Champagne last week, guests had an opportunity to taste how wine and food can be paired to perfection.

With the help of Sommelier DLynn Proctor, Tesar started the pairing with the Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne, the everyday bubbly of Moet which is crisp, dry and fruit forward with citrus and green apple flavors.  This was paired with two preparations of oysters, a fried and raw.  The raw dish was a tribute to a classic way to enjoy Champagne, with simply shucked oysters in a consomme of their juice and topped with caviar.  Delicate and refined, a great way to prepare the palate for the meal to come.

Continue reading "John Tesar and Moet & Chandon Pair For a Palatable Treat"

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Photo Essay: First Service at John Tesar’s The Table in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 4th, 2011 9:39am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Chef's tasting, Cult Cuisine, food pairings, Foodie People, freebies, Long table dinners, Openings/Closings, Restaurant News, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 8 Comments »

The Table has its own super-secret entrance. Photo by Desiree Espada.

Monday night our photographer Desiree Espada dropped by John Tesar’s inaugural dinner at The Table, the 12 8-seat tasting room next to The Commissary. The table was lined with friends including Jennifer and David Uygur (Lucia), Chef Bruno Davaillon (Mansion execuchef), Michael Flynn (Mansion sommelier), Tim Byres (Smoke), Teiichi “Teach” Sakurai (Tei-An), and The “Ubiquitous” Brad. Sarah Reiss from our staff was also invited. Here are the pictures Desiree managed to capture.

Continue reading "Photo Essay: First Service at John Tesar’s The Table in Dallas"

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John Tesar Previews The Table in Dallas

posted by Nancy Nichols | May 3rd, 2011 9:46am | filed under Burgers, Celebrity Chefs, Celebrity Diners, Chef's tasting, Cult Cuisine, Foodie People, Nutjobs, Openings/Closings, Overprivileged chimps, party, Restaurant News, Shamless self promotion, Skinny bitches, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 14 Comments »

Faux cuttle fish pasta with Iberico pork and lemon fondue at The Table in Dallas.

Chef John Tesar is on fire. The guy has been working non-stop since last winter. First, he kick-started the menu at The Cedars Social, where he still oversees the kitchen. Then he signed a lease on the Dali Wine Bar space and divided it into two restaurants: The Commissary and The Table.

Early returns from The Commissary are blissful. Colleagues have stopped by my cubicle and uttered “OMG” “To Die For” and “How can it be so good and so cheap?” “It blew my hair back!” Saaa-weet! The menu is centered on gourmet burgers and fine wine. It’s a burger joint with a sommelier (Scott Barber).  The other portion of the space, The Table is a 12-seat tasting room where Tesar will perform the higher end dishes that brought him to the Big Show. Teasar calls it “deconstructed fine dining.” He is resurrecting canapés!

Anywhoo, last night Tesar threw a private party at The Table. The guest list included Jennifer and David Uygur (Lucia), Chef Bruno Davaillon (Mansion execuchef), Michael Flynn (Mansion sommelier), Tim Byres (Smoke), Teiichi “Teach” Sakurai (Tei-An), and The “Ubiquitous” Brad. Who was that skinny little bitch sitting next to Byres? Our own Sarah Reiss. “The food was incredible,” Reiss said. “Tesar overwhelmed us (in a good way ) with 13 courses; he wanted to try everything out on his friends. I just sat back and listened to all the great industry talk and insider raves.” The 13-course, seafood-centric marathon, that was anticipated to last 150 minutes, lasted over 4 hours. Reiss gives the best dish award to the faux cuttle fish pasta with Iberico pork and lemon fondue.

Reiss said the talk at the table revolved around the current dining culture in Dallas and how chefs are trying new things on the menu (pig’s ear and tripe), and the fact that restaurateurs are more willing to take chances. “This generation is going to forever define the dining in this city,” said Tesar.

Wonderfully pompous or prophetic? Or both? The Commissary opens for lunch today. Go. Eat. Report.

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Ten Days for $10 at Mignon

posted by Sarah Reiss | April 5th, 2011 9:07am | filed under Chef's tasting, Diets are stupid, party |

Starting April 18, Mignon will celebrate its 10 year anniversary of bringing Franco-American deliciousness to Dallas by hosting 10 days of appreciation. For 10 days, Mignon will serve ten different specialties for only $10. From April 18 through April 27 guests can enjoy a tasty treat every day—including selections such as steak tartar, a half bottle of wine, oyster benedict during the weekend brunch, and dessert for two—each for only $10 (see below).

  • Monday, April 18 – Escargot appetizer
  • Tuesday, April 19 – Steak Salad
  • Wednesday, April 20 – Happy Hour for Two (any two drinks at $5.00 each)
  • Thursday, April 21 – Triple Threat Thursday (5-7 p.m.)
  • Friday, April 22 – Half bottle of wine
  • Saturday, April 23 – 3 Mimosas for $10.00 (weekend brunch)
  • Sunday, April 24 – Oyster Benedict (weekend brunch)
  • Monday, April 25 – Steak Tartar
  • Tuesday, April 26 – Dessert for 2
  • Wednesday, April 27 – Burger and domestic beer
  • Thursday, April 28 – Appreciation party

    On the final Thursday (April 28) Mignon will throw a free customer appreciation party filled with French touches and specialty dishes prepared by Chef James Sleeth.

    So, let’s recap:
    Ten Days for Ten Dollars Countdown – Select items $10
    Mignon’s Ten Year Appreciation Party – Free

    If it were me, I’d call for a reservation now.

    Chefs Duke It Out As Dining Out in Dallas Returns

    posted by Sarah Reiss | April 5th, 2011 8:52am | filed under Chef's tasting, Contests, fundraiser |

    Dallas finest are sharpening their knives, firing up their burners, and readying their forks for Dining Out In Dallas’ Battle of the Chefs Challenge, led by James Johnson of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse and presented by the Texas Neurofibromatosis (NF) Foundation. On April 6, during the organization’s 18th annual event (which, incidentally, has raised more than $1,000,000 in the past 15 years) some of Dallas’ best chefs will go head to head in feats of culinary derring-do. Bring your checkbook for the silent and live auctions—up for bid: tickets to live tapings of American Idol, the Ellen Degeneres Show, and Live! With Regis and Kelly; and a package trip for four to Napa Valley.

    Tickets to each event are $75 and can be purchased at www.diningoutindallas.com.

    What I’m Drinking Now: Washington State Wine

    posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 30th, 2011 4:53pm | filed under Chef's tasting, food pairings, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

    Washington State wine makers and representatives have been in town this week hosting a few wine dinners around the city, with lucky attendees tasting and learning why wine from Washington State is so impressive. 

    Monday night Kate Derby Raymond of Spring Valley Vineyards, granddaughter of vineyard owners Dean and Shari Corkrum Derby and great-great-granddaughter of founder Uriah Corkrum of Spring Valley in Walla Walla, teamed with the folks at Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille for a lavish 5-course dinner featuring both the red wines of Spring Valley Vineyards and the white wines of their sister winery, Chateau St. Michelle.  Continue reading "What I’m Drinking Now: Washington State Wine"

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    Upcoming Wine Events That Should Be on Your Calendar

    posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 25th, 2011 5:12pm | filed under Chef's tasting, Chefs, Wine & Spirits |

    There are so many great opportunities to taste in the next few weeks throughout the city, and one that has been delayed until October. 

    Opportunities to taste start Sunday at Ocean Prime when you can sample half price bottles in their dining room.  Chose from over 200 selections.  Continue reading "Upcoming Wine Events That Should Be on Your Calendar"

    Father and Son Celebrate Sardinia at Ferrari’s Italian Villa

    posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 23rd, 2011 3:26pm | filed under Chef's tasting, Chefs, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

    Last night Francesco Secchi and his oldest son, Stefano, teamed for a joyous dinner celebrating the flavors of Francesco’s homeland, Sardinia.  The timing of this dinner was perfect, as Stefano is still working on his fundraising for his soon to be made film about his father and uncle Dino, their life in Sardinia and beyond.  This was also the first of a series of dinners that the Seccis will be doing at their Ferrari’s Italian Villa  Grapevine and Addison locations.

    Continue reading "Father and Son Celebrate Sardinia at Ferrari’s Italian Villa"

    1 Comment »

    Dragonfly Gets a Facelift

    posted by Krista Nightengale | March 21st, 2011 12:18pm | filed under Chef's tasting, Diets are stupid | 3 Comments »

    Last Friday, I was invited to take a look at Hotel Zaza’s Dragonfly’s relaunch. Gone is the dark decor and in its place is Fornasetti wallpaper, light hues, and clean lines. Also gone is chef Grant Morgan and in his place is chef Dan Landsberg (most recently of Tillman’s Roadhouse). Only on the job for about six weeks, Chef Landsberg explained that he wanted to create dishes that were a nod to the past but were very contemporary.

    An entrée sampler with Bay of Fundy Salmon, Roasted Pork Tenderloin, and Comida.

    We sampled deviled eggs with Tobiko caviar, Hoison barbecue baby-back ribs, Wasabi potato wontons (a play on potato skins), and brisket bacon sliders, which had cheddar and bacon mixed directly into the meat. My guest could not stop raving about the sliders. He vowed that he’d return and just order a couple plates of those. The Wasabi potato wontons were fun and packed quite a spicy kick (a trend we’d see a few times throughout the dinner). And while I love deviled eggs, I realized that I should only order them when I’m in the mood.

    Continue reading "Dragonfly Gets a Facelift"

    3 Comments »

    Upcoming Opportunities to Sip Great Wine with Tasty Pairings

    posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 14th, 2011 12:38pm | filed under Chef's tasting, Chefs, Events, food pairings, menus, Savor dallas, Wine & Spirits |

    With the 7th annual Savor Dallas celebration this weekend there are lot of opportunities to taste great wine around town, with the largest being the International Grand Tasting for Savor Dallas Saturday night at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel where hundreds of wine makers, spirit producers and brew masters will join some of the best chefs in the city for a walk around tasting. 

    Continue reading "Upcoming Opportunities to Sip Great Wine with Tasty Pairings"

    “Playing” With Matt McAllister Will Send You Into a Delightful Food Coma

    posted by Hayley Hamilton | March 4th, 2011 12:05pm | filed under Bacon, Celebrity Chefs, Chef's tasting, Events, Silly Reasons to Celebrate | 2 Comments »

    Chef Matt and team playing in Salum kitchen.

    Last night Chef Matt McCallister took over part of the kitchen at his buddy, Abraham Salum’s, restaurant Salum to create a decadent, inspired and incredibly playful dinner for 12 lucky diners.  Chef Abraham had originally intended to cook beside Chef Matt, but his ever buzzing Komali next door kept him busy most of the night, just popping in here and there to grab a bite of the delicacies created in the 10-course tasting menu (plus a fantastic amuse to wake up the palate).  The dinner, though playful, was a nod to creativity in cooking and embracing modern techniques, with an immersion circulator and and some sort of molecular gastronomy used in almost every dish.  Continue reading "“Playing” With Matt McAllister Will Send You Into a Delightful Food Coma"

    2 Comments »

    Côtes du Coeur Announces Chefs for This Year’s Event

    posted by Andrew Chalk | February 22nd, 2011 8:46am | filed under Andrew Chalk, Celebrity Chefs, Chef's tasting, Wine & Spirits | 1 Comment »

    Every year the Côtes du Coeur International Fine Wine Auction and Celebrity Chef Dinner is a major fund raising event for the American Heart Association’s fight against heart disease – the single largest killer of people, male and female, in America. Last year, the Association raised over $2M from the event. This year, the event’s 20th anniversary, is scheduled for April 9th at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. In preparation for the big night, the Association held its chef announcement party last weekend. It is an indication of the advance excitement of the event. Originally planned to be held at Chamberlain’s’ Fish Market Grill, the event wash moved to The Addison Conference Centre in order to accommodate all of the attendees.

    Jump for the details and the lineup of chefs for this year’s soiree. Continue reading "Côtes du Coeur Announces Chefs for This Year’s Event"

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