D

The City of Dallas (Almost) Eats More Salad Than Any Other City in America

Warning: eating salad in Dallas “could” cause a local dining revolution. Could.

Dole Fresh Vegetables, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, the world’s largest producer of fruits and vegetables, has released an astonishingly vague press release that claims: “Dole Research Ranks Dallas Among the Top U.S. Markets in Per-capita Salad Consumption, Growth Potential and/or In-kitchen Salad Experimentation and Creativity.” WTF does this mean?

“This means that local residents eat more salad per person than their counterparts in other U.S. cities, have the potential to eat more salad and/or are more likely to try new salad blends, experiment.”

And how they reached their conclusion?

“The exhaustive, 18-month research effort, part of the company’s relaunch of its reinvented DOLE Salads line, surveyed the in-store buying habits and in-home consumption trends of prepackaged salad consumers throughout the United States and Canada.”

Hmm Russell Evans, senior brand manager for Dole Fresh Vegetables, I bet you say that to all of the cities on your list.

“Despite the fact that it is the home of barbecue, Dallas is among the most sophisticated salad markets in the country and home to an increasing number of salad lovers,” said Evans. “Our research found that salad consumers here are much more likely to use salad as a meal or as the basis for creative new lunch and dinner entrees.  From a salad standpoint, Dallas is a trendsetter.”

If you are a lettuce-loving trendsetter or just a plain old salad eater, take cover. You can expect “a comprehensive multimedia campaign featuring a new Dole Salad Guide spokesperson.  Dole will be specifically targeting salad consumers in Dallas.”

Since we are on the subject of salad, I have been searching for a good chopped salad.

Dining Trends for 2010: A Sarcastic Look at a Silly Report. “Zing” is in and WTF is Mood Food.

Each year, Joseph Baum & Michael Whiteman Co., a big-time restaurant consulting group in New York, releases their lists of foreseeable trends. It’s a fancy report that is meant to read like a technical survey, but, to me, it’s basically a round-up of what is going on now and a “prediction” that current big-city trends will spread. In short: it’s a lot of bull about pigs ears.
You can read the full report here. Below is a cheater’s sheet.

NEW PRIORITIES FOR BEATEN-UP CONSUMERS: “Too many restaurant and hotel execs are grappling with pre-recession consumer issues, while people today are expressing entirely new – and more complex — sets of concerns.” Yes, according to these guys, we (consumers) are “personal, emotional and ethical.” That throws me out of the equation, but for you this is very important. Are you familiar with your “hot buttons?” (Beat, beat.) “Hot buttons include: economic survival, reassurance, intimacy & friendship, feeding my knowledge, feeding my emotions, artisan, hand-made, neighborhood, local, authentic, real.” Cold, hard bitches need not apply to 2010. Look for this: “hotels and restaurants should be luring these hunkered down consumers from their psychological storm cellars (Cymbalta?) by replicating the “campfire experience” – building emotional ties and connecting to communities. OH GOODY, more S’MORES!

PUTTING FOCUS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE MENU: Have you ever read about the psychology of menu writing? I’ll bet you didn’t know that the left side of the menu is reserved for “emotional resonance.” In case you don’t watch In Treatment, that translates into creative snacky things, small plates, food sized for one, two, or for a crowd. Sharing is the key because we need comfort and safety for intimacy and friendship. (Hmm, I usually feel safer when I get the whole cake.)

Jump for more joy! (more…)

Il Frateli v City of Coppell

From the copy and paste press release department:

Huge Fine for Holding a Sign? Coppell Official’s Harassment Causes Layoffs.

i Fratelli Pizza feels “chilling effect” through unprovoked vendetta

COPPELL, TX   Did a Coppell City official lean on a code enforcement officer to fine the manager of a locally owned i Fratelli Pizza $2,000.00 because there was a lone employee holding a sign in front of the store? (more…)

The State of Food Journalism and Print Media: Hold on to Your Effin Hat

Technically I am on vacation this week, but I cannot relax. The demise of Gourmet coupled with Robb Walsh’s recent reveal that he will no longer remain anonymous makes me sad and nervous. Sure, they are two separate issues, but combined they illustrate that the business of writing about food and reviewing restaurants is changing. Fast.

This morning, Russ Parsons of the Los Angeles Times has an interesting story: Apres Gourmet: Food magazines find their niches. Parsons interviews Robert Boynton, director of the literary reportage program at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University. Boynton says:

“I think of Gourmet closing as part of the bigger story of the demise of the general interest magazine. It was the closest thing the food world had to a Life or Saturday Evening Post. But in publishing today, it has become easier and more profitable to disaggregate or divide up readership into small groups.”

Jump from the ledge with me, please.

(more…)

New Federal Trade Commission Guidelines and Food Writers

The Federal Trade Commission recently updated its “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” If you are a blogger, freelance writer, advertising copy writer, or professional writer you need to read the document, especially if you accept complimentary products such as food, wine, or free dinners. The revised rules require you to disclose how you received the products you review or endorse. Scott, over at Dallasfood.org has a brilliant analysis of the document.

Let me give you an example what happens here at D headquarters on a regular basis. Let’s say a box of cupcakes, a package of chocolate, or bag of food samples arrives with a note from the store owner or publicist. Everyone in the office goes bonkers and whatever is delivered disappears in about 2 seconds. If we don’t post anything on SideDish, I generally receive a “follow-up” note like this:

Hi Nancy, I just wanted to follow up on the “Insert Name” “Insert Item” that we sent last week from “Insert Company” and get your thoughts/feedback on the new flavors. We think it would make an interesting post on SideDish or an article for your magazine. We’d love to hear what you thought of them and see if they might be a fit for an upcoming story or mention. “Insert Company” will be expanding and owner “Insert Name” is hoping to open more locations soon.  We appreciate any comments you have!

If someone on the SideDish staff decides to write about the product, they now have to mention the fact that the food was not paid for by D Magazine. If we don’t, we violate the Federal Trade Commission Act and could receive a fine.

At the risk of calling in the food police, I will say that we have always run a tight ship around here. We’ve always paid for food we review and I do not attend media dinners or accept complimentary dinners. We have sent a copy of the FTC guidelines to our attorney to make sure we comply with all of the rules.

But here is one rub—I’ve already heard that some bloggers and indie food writers are finding ways to get around the rules by posting one small disclaimer somewhere on their webpage and not in the copy of the item. So readers beware. Ask questions. It’s a jungle out there.

Let’s Tell Restaurant Stories: Spill it Servers

Have you waited tables? If so, chances are you have enough juicy tales to fill a book. Here is one of my most memorable tables.

I was working at La Cave Wine Bar on Henderson and a man called ahead to reserve a table in the back of the room near the cellar. He said he was going to have a flower arrangement sent to the restaurant and he would like it placed on a table along with a champagne bucket filled with ice and a chilled bottle of Dom Perignon. He pre-selected a cheese and pate plate. “I don’t want my wife to have to think,” he said. “No problem sir,” I said. (Whoops.)

That evening the couple showed up on time. They were dressed to the nines. I can still see her silver sequined dress. She’d had her hair done by Mr. Larry across the street. She moved through the room and perfumed the air with the strong scent of Opium. The dapper gentleman pulled out her chair. They sat side-by-side. They held hands across the table. I moved in to open the Champagne. It was then that I noticed the 4X6 note cards on his lap. Pop! went the cork. She sliced a bite of aged Mimolette.

Jump with me. (more…)

Report from TABC: Las Colinas Prime is Closed and Criminal Charges Have Been Filed

Las Colinas Prime is now closed.

Last week when I talked with the TABC about Twisted Vine, I asked Agent Holloway if he knew anything about the ongoing investigation of Las Colinas Prime. He transferred me to Agent Joe Garcia. If you read Costa’s transcript you will remember Agent Garcia. Here is an quick recap and updated status.

In July I reported Republic Restaurant in Las Colinas had changed their name to Las Colinas Prime. In the comments section, readers reported some shady activities going on at LCP. I finally tracked down Michael Costa, the man responsible for running LCP for owner Bill McCrorey, and printed the entire transcript of our conversation.  Costa denied he was arrested by the TABC. When I contacted the TABC, they said otherwise. I sent the transcripts and all of the SideDish posts to the TABC.

Las Colinas Prime is now closed but the investigation into Costa and McCrorey is still open. There is a hearing scheduled for mid-October. The original investigation has spun off in a couple of other directions (health code violations for one) and the whole deal is getting very complicated. Agent Garcia confirmed that criminal charges have been filed against Michael Costa and Bill McCrorey for “possession of an un-invoiced alcoholic beverage.” (Section 28.06 of the law states punishment is “not less than 30 days and not more than 2 years.”) Whether or not they do jail time depends on the judge. Costa was also charged with “evading arrest with the use of a vehicle” which is a “state jail felony.” Agent Garcia says Costa could “go to pen for six months to two years.”

UPDATE: I forgot to copy and paste the rest of the story. According to a police report on filed on September 22, Bill McCrorey’s wife “threatened complainant with death and fired a gun at complainant [Bill]… Threatened to kill complainant and used a firearm and shot at complainant. Complainant was in fear for his life.” (thanks to alert Disher, JW)

Former Dallas Restaurant Critics: Mary Brown Malouf

Mary Brown Malouf at my high school graduation.

I’ve been at my post here at D Magazine for 13 years. Sometime I wonder how many calories I have eaten; other times I wonder how many of those calories were actually worth ingesting. Restaurant reviewers eat more low-to-medium quality food than spectacular meals.

Anywhoo, in the post below, I mentioned Michael Hiller. He used to be a critic at the DMN. Over the years, I’ve seen lots of “critics” come and go. Anyone remember Betty Cook? Suzanne Hough (R.I.P)? Dave Faries? (Oh, he’s still here.) Or Mary Brown Malouf?

Mary was a real biyatch when she wrote dining reviews for the Dallas Observer. When she came to work at D in the late 90s, we became good friends. But Mary ditched D and Dallas and she’s now the Food and Travel editor at Salt Lake City Magazine. I just looked on their site and found a classic Mary Brown Malouf rant.  Gosh, I’m all nostalgic. Call me, Bill.

How about you? Who do you miss? Who do you love? Who do you hate?

Is the City of Dallas Health Department Shutting Down Local Farmers Markets?

I’ve been hearing rumors for weeks that city officials were making the rounds and visiting the small farmers markets that have cropped up in spots such as Celebration, Bolsa, and North Haven Gardens. Now comes official word from Ed Lowe of Celebration. They have shut him down and he’s going to the Dallas City Council.

The City of Dallas Health Department has decided that the Celebration Farmers Market is in violation of certain codes. Celebration was told on 2 previous occasions that we could operate a Farmers Market in our parking lot under our existing permits. We strongly believe that all food handling practices and food products at the Farmers Market were perfectly safe. We have complied strictly with all Health Department codes for 38 years and take our responsibility to public health VERY SERIOUSLY.

We appreciate the warm welcome and support that you’ve provided our Saturday Farmers Market. We believe that what we along with our wonderful vendors are offering is a safe, fun and convenient setting for you to purchase healthy, delicious, local produce and other products.

We are going to approach the Dallas City Council to explore how the code can be modified to allow the Celebration Farmers Markets and others like us to provide a valuable service to the citizens of Dallas while protecting the public health.

I have contacted Ed and asked him for instructions on how you can sign the petition he plans to take to the Dallas City Council. Stay tuned. (OMG, I can hear Amy Severson already.)

Report From TABC: Twisted Vine is Closed and Charges are About to be Filed

In mid-July a reader wanted to know if anyone in Dishland had experienced problems with Twisted Vine, a wine tasting shop on Greenville and Walnut Hill.  Comments and complaints about Twisted Vine started pouring in. Eventually I contacted the TABC to see if they were looking into the situation. They confirmed there was an investigation underway.

Last week, I spoke with Jeff Gladden, a Lieutenant in the Enforcement Division at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. He said, thanks to SideDish, they have a growing list of victims to interview and Twisted Vine is now closed. A few minutes ago, I got an update on the situation from agent Robert Holloway. He reports that there are one or two more interviews to conduct in the investigation before they take the paperwork to the District Attorney. If you would like to speak with agent Holloway, send me an e-mail.

Howard Schultz is Headed to Starbucks in Highland Park Village

An over-caffeinated Disher just called from her iPhone to report that all of the baristas and employees of Starbucks in HPV are readying for their close up with Starbuck’s chairman and CEO, Howard Schultz. “Oh my god,” she exclaimed. “The place is buzzing. They have the back area roped off and tables are set with manila folders and food samples.” So, there you have it. CEO groupies, you have been informed.

UPDATE: Apparently Mr. Schultz is escorting his board of directors, including Bill Bradley (Go, early 70s’ Knicks!), around Dallas.

What is For Lunch Today?

Some people think my dog Lulu is hot.

I am starving, oddly, for a hot dog. There used to be a great place called Poochie’s on Lovers and Greenville. Then there was Big D Dog. Why are there no hot dog shops in Dallas? I want one right now. It would make us a world-class city for sure. (Couldn’t help it…)

Plattershooting: Dallas Restaurant News, Notes, and Pokin’ Fun

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt will open in Highland Park Village this Saturday, August 29th. Menchie’s “fro-yo” is a self-serve concept. I’ve heard unconfirmed reports that Menchie’s will offer “Teresa’s Topping,” a special mix of nuts, nibs, and blueberries. (KIDDING) Do expect “special promotions, coupons, and freebies on Saturday. 214-252-0003.

The XVIII Annual Caesar Salad Competition is around the corner: Sunday, August 30, 2009, 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 North Olive Street to be more precise. “This is your opportunity for an evening of sensational salads, wonderful wine, tantalizing bites, and a chance to vote for the best Caesar salad.”  Members: $65.00. Non-Members: $75.00. Tables of 10: $600.00. Deets here.

Sambuca Restaurant, “known for live music, eclectic cuisine and a rockin’ atmosphere,” will open its newest location Thursday, September 3, 2009 at the Shops at Legacy.

Bailey’s Prime Plus is “pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Rowberry as General Manager of their new 12,000 sq. ft. restaurant in the exciting new Park Lane development at North Central Expressway and Park Lane. Rowberry joins Bailey’s Prime Plus after nearly four years as General Manager of Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House in Addison, Texas.”

Vin Classic Wines will present a complimentary wine tasting on both Friday and  Saturday  (September 4th and  5th) from Noon until 7:00 p.m. The featured wines are: Steele Pinot Blanc 2006 Santa Barbara County Selene Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Carneros Steele Cabernet Franc 2007 Lake County Snowden “The Ranch” Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa Valley. (5717 Legacy Drive #120. Plano. 469-467-4520)

“In celebration of the Dallas Cowboys upcoming season, RA Sushi Bar Restaurant has come up with the “Cowboys Roll,” which will be available from September 13 through the entire football season.  Guests can also receive $2 off the roll if they present a same-day game day ticket stub.”

According to Eatsblog reporter, Kim Pearce, her Sig-O “likes his Bings to ping with crispness.”

The Twisted Vine in Dallas: Complaints Continue

I am still getting complaints from dissatisfied customers of The Twisted Vine so this morning I stopped by to see if I could catch someone on the premises. The place was locked up and there were no cars in the parking lot.

There was a broken window to the left of the front door.

The side door glass had been smashed in right above the door lever—it looked like someone had attempted to break in. Inside, there were a couple of tables in various states of disarray—one was completely set; another looked like someone had left and the table was never bussed. I didn’t see one bottle of wine anywhere.

Side door.

Front window.

Bonathon Responds To Challenge By Fake Bonathon

Did you miss the high drama from last Friday? Josh Storie, an intern at Levenson & Brinker PR, challenged our intern, Bonathon, to a duel.  This is all still sooo Facebook. Bonathon fires back:

To the fake Bonathan or as henceforth shall be known as: Fonathan,

You’re clever, I’ll give you that. Quick with your words and clearly eager to prove your mettle as you found it within yourself to actually challenge the original. But let it be known, no one challenges me and gets away with it. Unless you are bigger than me, which in that case, by all means “no I was not looking at your girl funny.” That said, I am Steve Perry, and you are that guy from the Philippines. You might sound like me, and carry the same swagger but I was here first and I rocked harder than Nic Cage on Alcatraz. AMERICA. (more…)

Twisted Vine In Dallas: The Saga Continues

Something really wolfishy is going on over at Twisted Vine. I just received another report from a reader.

I wanted to let you know about our very recent experience with Twisted Vine.  We had purchased a tasting along with another couple at a fundraiser last summer. Our tasting was for 40 people and was scheduled for tonight. After the recent information we read on Side Dish we were obviously concerned. We drove by the Twisted Vine on Monday, and only became more concerned when there were just some bare rooms with tables and chairs, and no wine to be seen. However, when we contacted them, they told us they were not open during the day and assured us that everything was on track for tonight [last Saturday].

We just got a call from the Twisted Vine to tell us that they were cancelling the tasting due to electrical problems-which sounds very much like other Side Dish readers have heard recently. I just thought I would pass this along so others out there could know to stay away from this place.

Texas Monthly Is Wrong: Barry Popik Knows The Hamburger Was Not Invented In Texas

The August issue of TexMo with the Best 50 Burgers in Texas cover story is out. And Barry Popik of Austin is hoppin’ mad. Not because Pat Sharpe thinks The Grape has the best burger in Texas, but because Blackie Sherrod wannabe Gary Cartwright claims the hamburger was invented in Texas.

Barry is a lawyer and lives in Austin and is a contributor-consultant to the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of American Regional English, Historical Dictionary of American Slang, and the Yale Dictionary of Quotations. Since 1990 he has also been a regular contributor to Gerald Cohen’s Comments on Etymology. He is recognized as an expert on the origins of the terms Big Apple, Windy City, hot dog, and many other food terms, and he is an editor of the Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink. He posts commentary on Americanisms to the American Dialect Society email list, ADS-L, where he has over 7,000 archived posts since 1996. The dude knows what he is talking about, Cartwright.

Barry sent me an e-mail this morning at 1:38 a.m. It  reads:

It’s not true. Any simple Google for “Fletcher Davis” would have found my work. Anybody would have asked me. I have two young children now, but I work for free.

[Cartwright wrote:] “The documentary evidence supporting this claim is strong: An article filed from the World’s Fair by a reporter for the New York Tribune described a sandwich called a hamburger, made by an unknown vendor.”

Has he [Cartwritght] seen the actual article? Has any of us found the 1904 New York Tribune citation? Why is it missing in the ProQuest digitization of the New York Tribune? Why is it missing in the Chronicling America digitization of the New York Tribune? Even if shown to exist, the 1904 newspaper article wouldn’t prove anything. There is no other documentary evidence from any historical newspaper. Zero. Zip. Nada. STRONG EVIDENCE?

As I discovered several years ago, there is a citation for “hamburgers” in the 1883 New York (NY) Sun. Hamburger sandwiches were served in the 1890s in Chicago, in Los Angeles, in Dallas, and even in Montana and Hawaii.There is no reason whatsoever to conclude that everyone got the idea from tiny Athens, Texas.

[Cartwright wrote:] “There it was dubbed ‘hamburger,’ a term apparently coined in derision by St. Louis citizens of Teutonic extraction who viewed as barbaric the culinary practice, native to Hamburg, Germany, of devouring large handfuls of ground beef, sometimes raw.”

Yep, the name “hamburger” was coined in St. Louis in 1904. This is beyond incompetent.

The Texas Monthly has fact-checkers and access to Google searches, no?

I’m sure Mr. Cartwright wrote this piece just to get Barry all ticked off so that a wild fire of talk about his article would spread across the blogosphere. Facts be damned, it’s all about links and hits. Dishers, we might as well strike the first match.

Trouble With Twisted Vine In Dallas, Ctd.

Last week we reported a Disher’s experience with Twisted Vine. A comment just popped up in the old post:

I too got my certificate for a free wine tasting for me and my closest 30 friends at a charity auction. When we all showed up the doors were locked and there was know one there. The business card was posted in the window so we called and Jo told us we were down as a cancellation and that they had been trying to contact me all week…(none of which is true)and I was charged $250. I see now that I should have done more research before giving anyone my credit card number. STAY FAR AWAY FROM TWISTED VINE!!!!DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR CC #

I just called and the lady who answered the phone told me they are still open but they are “not open during the day.” Curious.

The Saga of Las Colinas Prime: Unpaid Workers And Bills, TABC Raids And Harassment, Ctd.

The plot at Las Colinas Prime continues to thicken.

Two weeks ago I reported on the situation going on at Las Colinas Prime. After several calls and e-mails from disgruntled employees, I interviewed Michael Costa, the man responsible for operating the restaurant. I printed the complete transcript of the interview.

Since then, several more people have come forward in the comments section.

From JS on July 7:
“I worked for them for less than a week when it was still called Republic. It was I and another waiter and we only had 6 tables in those couple of days. I never met or ever heard of [owner] Bill [McCrorey]. I was told by Brian Luisi that Costa owned it and Brian was the manager. I did see the expensive scotch and vodka bottles be filled with cheap versions. I was NEVER paid and I’m not the only one. I let it go because it was more of a joke than anything else. Brian gave me **** for quitting but I had the most uneasy feeling while working there. And there concept of having a bar in the fine dining room and crappy 90’s dance music in the other should say something.”

From David on July 15th
“Well the restaurant is still open and running. They are doing well, so I guess the hot shot attourney (sic) above didn’t get them shut down and everything said must have been a lie. …Its sad disgruntled people resort to childish slander. This should be about the restaurant, the food, drinks and the service. As far as the sign company, what kind of idiot puts a sign up without being paid first! If they really owed the money for the sign, the just go get it. Yet the sign is still up.

After reading Costa’s interview on SideDish, former co-manager Scott Adams called me. He was hoppin’ mad and wanted to go on the record. Here are excerpts from his side of the story. (more…)