Articles about Festivals
Treats in the Heat: DFW Food Truck Festival at Sigel’s Fine Wine on Greenville
Three Men And A Truck food truck surrounded by hot, hungry men, women, and children. (photography by Victor Jiang)
The first of what will probably be many more DFW Food Truck Festivals took place Saturday outside Sigel’s Fine Wine and Great Spirits on Greenville Avenue. I’m not sure if the next one will take place in August. At 7PM, it was about 108 degrees. There were also, by my best guesstimate, approximately 2,000 people waiting and eating. Parking was reasonably well-organized with security marshaling people through the Sigel’s parking lot. Most people either took DART or parked in the retail lots across the street. Many of the customers headed indoors where Sigel’s offered craft beer and wine tastings. The entire event was orchestrated by Jasper Russo, Sigel’s wine marketing director.
The savage heat and long lines didn't keep folks from waiting to sample Dallas' new food truck scene.
I arrived early, about 5pm, so I could watch the orchestration of the setup. Three trucks of the participating nine trucks were already there. The rest pulled in by 5:30pm. Each of the trucks appeared to have added extra staff, but they all could have used more. The workers piled out and set up umbrellas, canopies, ice, and generators. I could tell they were nervous. For some, their performance at this festival could define their image and bottom line. At the end of the night, many of the trucks, if not all, probably saw more customers in this one day than the total number of people they have served since being licensed. Most of the owner/operators have giddily reported record sales.
Saturday night’s festival featured nine trucks: Gandolfo’s NY Deli, Jack’s Chowhound, Nammi Cruisin’ Vietnamese Fusion, Ruthie’s Rolling Cafe, 3 Men and a Taco, Enticed Shaved Ice, The Bomb Fried Pies, Trailercakes, and Mr. Cool Ice Cream.
Jump for two new first takes and pictures. Continue reading "Treats in the Heat: DFW Food Truck Festival at Sigel’s Fine Wine on Greenville"
8 Comments »A Must-Eat Guide to Sigel’s DFW Food Truck Festival
This Saturday, August 27, from 6pm to 9pm, Sigel’s will host a food truck festival at their Greenville Avenue location (just north of Lover’s Lane). It’s shaping up to be a hot event. Attending vendors include Gandolfo’s NY Deli, Jack’s Chowhound, Nammi Vietnamese, Ruthie’s Rolling Cafe, 3 Men and a Taco, Enticed Shaved Ice, The Bomb Fried Pies, Trailercakes, and Mr. Cool Ice Cream. Sigel’s will have a craft beer and wine tasting in the store at the same time. An important note: You can’t go into the store, buy a 6-pack, and consume it onsite.
I’ve put together a guide to help you decide how to plan your taste tour. For this event, I’d recommend going with a 4-player team and share. While most trucks accept credit cards, I recommend bringing cash–lots of $1s and $5s. Parking will be tough, so carpool or take DART. There is a station 1 1/2 blocks away.
Jump for a groovy how-to-sample-without-bloating guide.
Continue reading "A Must-Eat Guide to Sigel’s DFW Food Truck Festival"
16 Comments »Where Does One Celebrate Bastille Day in Dallas?
Tomorrow is Bastille Day. We have a lot of French folks in Dallas who like to celebrate their independence from the monarchy with their “let them eat cake” mentality. My apologies for not combining a list of restaurants and bars that are featuring special Bastille Day festivities. Instead, I open the comments section up to anybody who has a suggestion.
4 Comments »CityArts Festival’s Culinary Showcase Starts Tonight at 6:30 at Fair Park
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"
Food Porn From Taste Addison 2011
Our staff photographer Elizabeth “Spider Monkey” Lavin attended Taste Addison 2011 on Saturday night. She files food porn: Continue reading "Food Porn From Taste Addison 2011"
2 Comments »Rain Dampens Friday Night at Taste Addison
Storm Troopers: Maddie Rembecki, Chandler Morgan and Drew Lucas enjoy complimentary panchos (a hot commodity) from 96.3 KSCS radio station. photo by Desiree Espada.
Intrepid photography intern Desiree Espada didn’t let a little, okay a lot, of rain stop her from her assignment to cover opening night at Taste Addison. After a downpour, vendors encouraged hungry customers to hang in their food tents. The wine and margaritas flowed and when the skies cleared, a rainbow flooded the sky. Desiree files this photographic report.
Continue reading "Rain Dampens Friday Night at Taste Addison"
Miguel Torres Talks At Central Market’s Pasaporte Espana in Dallas
Late last week I attended was a pairing of Spanish food and wine at Central Market’s Pasaporte Espana. One of the stars of the show was Miguel Torres of Torres Wines. The winery founded by the Torres family in 1870 is one of the most respected and influential wine makers in Spain. After class, I was fortunate to catch a few words with him.
More Brews News: Oak Cliff Brew Riot Homebrew Festival, May 22
Perhaps I have a soft-spot in my heart for Oak Cliff’s Brew Riot Homebrew Festival because it was the first Dallas beer event I attended after moving here to town last May. Or perhaps it’s because Brew Riot is such a grass-roots, neighborhood kind of event. Either way, I get thirsty just thinking about it.
The third annual event is set for next Sunday, May 22 from 4 to 8 pm, and will draw hundreds of homebrew lovers to the Bishop Arts district to sample some amazing homebrews.This year, organizers are adding the Backyard Burger Throwdown. Bring your own grill and 10 lbs. of meat and see if you’ve got what it takes to be named the Bishop Arts Backyard Burger Champ.
Last year, Blockhead Brewing Company won the People’s Choice Award, and St Canterbury Home Brew Club walked away with two prizes: Best Dark Ale and Best Pale Ale. This year’s homebrew judges will include for-real microbrewers as well as our own Todd Johnson.
jump for the categories… Continue reading "More Brews News: Oak Cliff Brew Riot Homebrew Festival, May 22"
2 Comments »Dallas Wine and Food Festival Taste of the World
Pyramid Restaurant Thai Spiced Shrimp
Last night the annual Dallas Wine and Food Festival wrapped up with an impressive tasting of hundreds of wines paired with dozens of food offerings from some of the best restaurants in the city.
A thirsty crowd filled Union Station tasting their way through the Cakebread Chardonnay, Treana Red, Doctor’s Vineyard Syrah from Wrath, Deep Sea Pinot Noir and Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon, to name a very few with proceeds benefiting The Dallas Farmers Market.
Stand outs bite wise went to a Hawaiian style Salmon Avocado Ceviche from Classic Residence by Hyatt, a Chilled Cucumber Feta soup from Margaux’s, Thai Spiced Shrimp with Thai Mango Slaw from Pyramid Restaurant, Shrimp and Grits from Olenjack’s Grille and handmade Cavatelli pasta from Restaurant Ava.
Follow the jump for pictures from the evening and a Cheers to Executive Director Nikki Miller on another outstanding festival!
Continue reading "Dallas Wine and Food Festival Taste of the World"
Rising Stars Chefs Awards Dinner Celebrates the Best Up and Coming Chefs in Dallas
Pan Seared Halibut with Glazed Vegetables, Sweet & Sour Tomatoes and Lemon Caper Butter Sauce from First Place White Wine Winner Paul Peddle
Last night the 14th annual Rising Stars Chefs’ Awards Dinner celebrated exceptional food and flavors created by some of the cities best up and coming chefs. The second event in the five day Dallas Wine and Food Festival, this event has become one of the most anticipated for lovers of great food and supporters of our local chefs.
With Executive Director Nikki Miller at the helm, a tasting event was held in early April where various chefs presented their creations to the Dallas Wine and Food Festival judging panel, and last night at the Nasher Sculpture Center the winners were honored, with lucky attendees enjoying the tasty winning dishes with wine pairings from Napa Valley Artesa Chardonnay and incredible Pinot Noir from Domaine Serene in Willamette Valley. A special treat this year, a reception cocktail of Makers Mark and lemonade. All the food was decadent with one common theme…butter. Follow the jump for pictures of the festivities.
1 Comment »Final Report: Buffalo Gap Food & Wine Summit 2011
Last night’s dine around dinner and wine tasting took place on the grounds of Perini Ranch. Chefs and wineries cooked and poured for over three hours. I was a bad reporter. I didn’t take notes or shoot many pictures because I wanted to just experience the evening. However, I ended up with a few videos and pictures that paint a picture of some of my fondest memories. (Earlier reports here and here.)
I was most impressed by chef Marco J. Martinez of Matt’s Rancho Martinez. Marco is the youngest son of the late, great Matt Martinez, Jr. Marco created a “Southern plus prairie plus Texan” dish which consisted of a thick waffle covered with smoked rabbit and jalapeno cole slaw. I’d give second place to Chef Tim Byres of Smoke. He served melt-in-your-mouth ribs with a sassy chimichurri sauce and blue cheese spiked grits. As always, Jacques Pepin floated around the crowd chatting and sampling the food by Texas chefs. He is perhaps the kindest man in the business.
Go below for video and pictures. And make plans to attend next year (April 20-22). It’s an intimate event and the proceeds go to supporting graduate fellowships to students studying vititculture and/or enology at Texas Tech.
On with the show. Watch Jacques Pepin drink red wine. Katherine Clapner spin sugar. Greg Bruni make my favorite new wine!
Continue reading "Final Report: Buffalo Gap Food & Wine Summit 2011"
2 Comments »Special Report: Buffalo Gap Food & Wine Summit 2011
Veuve Clicquot Champagne reception at Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit.
Last night was the fancy kick-off Champagne reception followed by a 5-course seated dinner in a luxurious tent behind Perini Ranch Steakhouse. The 50-mph winds died down just as the first bottle of Veuve Clicqout popped and the crowd of close to 200 walked the grounds of Lisa and Tom Perini’s ranch. This is the 7th annual Food & Wine Summit at Buffalo Gap organized by the late Fess Parker of Fess Parker Winery & Vineyards, Dr. Richard Becker of Becker Vineyards, and Lisa and Tom Perini of Perini Ranch Steakhouse.
Special guests included Jacques Pepin and his daughter Claudine. In their honor Dallas chef Stephan Pyles created an “Inspirations from France” menu (pictures below) and each dish was paired with wines from Texas, France, or California (or all three!). The evening was emceed by Master Sommelier and Glazer’s guru Guy Stout and Tiffany Collins of the Texas Beef Council. The highlight of the evening was a surprise appearance by the Hardin Simmons Cowboy band (video below). The red dust floor went flying as diners stood up to dance. Even Jacques and Claudine took a little waltz across the Texas dirt.
I’m a hardened veteran when it comes to food and wine events, but last evening’s dinner was not only unique, it made me proud to be a Texan. We make some fabulous wine. And food.
Go below for the show. Continue reading "Special Report: Buffalo Gap Food & Wine Summit 2011"
7 Comments »Special Report: Tour of Stephan Pyles’ Kitchen at Buffalo Gap
Here’s a quick behind-the-scenes tour of Stephan Pyles’ kitchen at Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit. It’s in a horse trailer behind the tent.
1 Comment »Good News for Hungry Film Festival Participants
Bring your Dallas International Film Festival ticket stub or pass to any of the Mockingbird Station restaurants (convenient if your screening of choice happens to be at the Angelika) for discounted food and non-alcoholic drinks. Here’s the official word:
1 Comment »The Dallas International Film Festival is partnering with Mockingbird Station to give festival goers 15% off their meal at any Mockingbird Station restaurant, which includes Café Express, Margarita Ranch, Reikyu Sushi, Rockfish, Trinity Hall Irish Pub & Restaurant, Urban Taco and Vapiano. The discount applies to food and non-alcoholic beverages, and can’t be combined with any other special/offer.
Savor Dallas International Grand Tasting Was All About The Food
And wine…and spirits…but mainly the evening showcased a stunning assortment of flavors created by 60+ of the best chefs in the city. Though there was a bit of a line to get into the venue, once in guests comfortably strolled throughout the two large ball rooms at The Sheraton Dallas downtown sipping, tasting and enjoying everything Savor Dallas had to offer.
This year included an impressive selection of silent auction items, including a signed magnum and jeroboam of Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon, a signed jeroboam of King Estate Pinot Noir, a signed magnum of The Doctor from Krupp Brothers, and a great selection of Caribbean vacations from Elite Island Resorts, all with proceeds going to The North Texas Food Bank. D Magazine had a fun booth as well, where guests could get their pictures taken and made into a cover shot for D. Continue reading "Savor Dallas International Grand Tasting Was All About The Food"
Tim Love, Samir Dhurandhar, and Dean Fearing Make a Texas-Size Splash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Alas, we’re not in South Beach right now tweeting our Giada sightings, analyzing food labels with Jamie Oliver, and locking step with Anthony Bourdain, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep track of what’s going on with our favorite hometown chefs at the country’s most notorious, sand-in-your-sandals food fest.
jump for festival deets… Continue reading "Tim Love, Samir Dhurandhar, and Dean Fearing Make a Texas-Size Splash at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival"
1 Comment »Hey, You! Only Three Days to Go Until Valentine’s Day. Don’t Screw It Up.
(photo courtesy of Flickr user lifelikeapps)
Don’t say we didn’t try to help you. If you can’t find a place to take the wife/girlfriend/partner/imaginary paramour now, I’m afraid there nothing more we can do for you.
jump for the final list of Valentine’s day menus and specials… Continue reading "Hey, You! Only Three Days to Go Until Valentine’s Day. Don’t Screw It Up."
4 Comments »Happy Chinese New Year: Where to Feast in Dallas?
How bad can The Year of the Rabbit be? photo courtesy of Crow Museum.
It’s time to tuck a plum blossom in your hair and feast on the delightful foods of China. Today is the beginning of the Chinese New Year and 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit (tranquility!). No more nasty tigers or stinky rats, just cute little bunnies. You can take your bunnies to the Crow Museum of Asian Art on Saturday where they will feature lion dances, lantern making, yoga inspired by the animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and a rabbit petting zoo in honor of the Year of the Rabbit. I’ve got plans to feast at Yao Fuzi in Plano. Have any of you decided where you will celebrate? Give it up.
Somebody Help This Poor Girl Out: Where to Eat at The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
A new transplant to Dallas writes with a question:
My husband and I are new to town and would love to check out the Fort Worth Stock Show/Rodeo this weekend. However, we’re not really keen on having to eat generic stadium food or vendor hot dogs. Does anyone have any suggestions or dining secrets that would be in keeping with the rodeo spirit but wouldn’t require us driving all over Fort Worth?
24 Comments »Next Chefs for Farmers Dinner Scheduled for March 13
Great work is being done (and created for happy tasters) by the outstanding local chefs who participate in the Chefs for Farmers events, as we have noted previously (in Dallas October 19 and Ft. WorthDecember 5). The organization, started by Chef Matt McCallister (formerly with Stephan Pyles) and his dynamic wife Iris, is designed to raise awareness for using local ingredients from local farmers in the area will give a portion of the proceeds of their next dinner to The Family Place, one of the areas most important centers helping families with the goal to end domestic violence.
This time dinner recognizes one of Dallas’ classic spots - Highland Park Cafeteria, with Dallas chefs creating two dishes, served via the cafeteria line, using farm fresh, local ingredients. While in queue guests will be able to visit with the participating chefs about their dishes while listening to the DJ sounds of Jennifer Miller and Paul Perendes.
The group of chefs participating in the dinner is yet to be released but we do know Chef McCallister will be back in town to participate. The $85 tickets don’t seem to be available yet, but they will be available here shortly. This looks like it will be a great night of food and friendships for a great cause. If you can’t make it out to the dinner, keep the goals of Chefs for Farmers in mind. Regional farmers like Tom Spicer, JT Lemley and the Tassione’s are producing amazing crops from our local Texas soil. The Friends of the Dallas Farmers Market page has a handful of them that participated in their roundtable ealier this year with their locations.
2 Comments »Subscribe
SideDish is a food-related discussion among editors at D Magazine about the Dallas-Fort Worth dining scene -- everything from good meals to bad service, kitchen gossip to restaurant news, chefs' secrets to culinary trends. Bon appetit.
- FrontBurner Blog
- SideDish Food Blog
- FrontRow Arts Blog
- D Home Blog
- ShopTalk Fashion & Beauty Blog
- BridalBuzz Weddings Blog
- Park Cities People Blog
- Preston Hollow People Blog
- Oak Cliff People Blog
- Party Pics
- DAILY
- Al Dia
- Daily Commercial Record
- D Home Blog
- Dallas Morning News
- Denton Record Chronicle
- Diario la Estrella
- The Herald Democrat (Sherman)
- McKinney Courier Gazette
- Pegasus News
- Quick
- Star-Telegram (Fort Worth)
- ALMOST DAILY
- Allen American
- Carrollton Leader
- Celina Record
- Colony Courier Leader
- Coppell Gazette
- Frisco Enterprise
- Flower Mound Leader
- Garland Morning News
- Hood County News
- Lewisville Leader
- Little Elm Journal
- Mesquite Morning News
- The Mesquite News
- Plano Star Courier
- Richardson Morning News
- Rowlett Lakeshore Times
- Southlake Times
- Waxahachie Daily Light
- WEEKLY
- Cedar Creek Pilot
- Cedar Hill Today
- Dallas Business Journal
- Dallas Examiner
- Dallas Observer
- Dallas Post Tribune
- Dallas Voice
- DeSoto Today
- Duncanville Today
- Ellis County Press
- El Heraldo News
- Fort Worth Weekly
- Fort Worth Business Press
- Oak Cliff People
- Park Cities People
- Preston Hollow People
- The Sports Page Weekly
- Texas Lawyer
- Wylie News
- MONTHLY
- Advocate Magazines
- Avid Golfer
- CliffDweller
- Cowboys and Indians Magazine
- Cross Timbers Gazette
- Dallas CEO
- Dallas Child
- Key Magazine
- PaperCity
- Texas Technology Magazine
- Texas Monthly
- BI-MONTHLY
- D Home
- SEMI-YEARLY
- D Weddings
- COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS
- SMU Daily Campus
- TCU Daily Skiff
- North Texas Daily
- UTA Shorthorn
- TELEVISION
- Dallas Community Television
- The CW Channel 33
- KDFW FOX Channel 4
- KERA PBS Channel 13
- KTVT CBS Channel 11
- KTXA TXA Channel 21
- KXAS NBC Channel 5
- TXCN.com
- WFAA ABC Channel 8
- RADIO
- KERA 90.1 FM
- KLIF 570 AM
- WBAP 820 AM
- KXEB 910 AM
- Texas Talk Radio 990 AM
- KRLD 1080 AM
- The Ticket 1310 AM
Home |
Masthead |
News from D |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Subscribe |
Advertise |
Privacy Policy |
Customer Service |
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index