The Grape Guy, Chef Brian Luscher, Throws a Shindig

Yow. Zah. Get a load of The Grape’s chef/owner Brian “Grape Guy” Luscher’s new outfit. I mean times are tough, but this poor guy is now standing on the street corner waving people into his restaurant. NOT REALLY. However, Brian and his wife Courtney are throwing a “Come As You Are” wine dinner at The Grape on Sunday, December 7.  Chef Brian will create a 3-course menu to highlight the selected wines presented by Beat Katoun from the Kobrand Portfolio of Wine. If you haven’t been to a Beat Katoun lecture, I suggest you sign up now–he’s a peach of a guy and he knows his stuff. Details below. But remember, they said “Come as You Are” which could be interpreted in a lot of different ways.

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Kenichi Chef Hung is Feeling Low

Apparently, (groovy music warning) Kenichi Dallas sent me a press release several weeks ago to announce a special sake fest to benefit The Family Place. I either ignored it or I don’t  remember–who knows. Anywhoo, Chef Hung asks me to ask you to come to this special sake tasting at Kenichi.

Join us Nov 19th at Kenichi Dallas for a tasting of eight premium genuine Japanese sakés: two junmai, two ginjo, two daiginjo, a nigori, and a fun sparkling. Kenichi’s saké sommelier has selected these from the restaurant’s extensive list, perhaps the largest in the nation, to form a fun, completely approachable, taste-at-your-pace event. Participants will receive a tasting booklet describing the brews sampled and and will be guided by the only saké service team in Texas certified by the Japan Saké Brewers Association’s Saké Educational Council. Whew.

As a child, I wanted to be a sake sommelier but it turned out to be yet another one of those youthful wishes, hopes, and dreams that slipped from my mental grasp. However, I did go to a sake tasting last year and it was a learning experience: do not mix red wine with mass quantities of sake. Details for the sake tasting below. Now go. (more…)

The Pope of Pizza (Kinda) Blesses Campania Pizza in Southlake

Neither men to the left are Father Guido “Finda da Popes in da Pizza” Sarducci, the funny chain-smoking priest on SNL. But both of these guys consider pizza to be a food of the gods. This note from pizza-pro, Jay Jerrier, at Campania Pizza in Southlake:

Just a quick note to let you know that Campania Pizza in Southlake became the 284th restaurant worldwide to be certified by the Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana.  We are the 26th in the US and the second in Texas (along with our great friends at Cavalli Pizza in Irving).  So what’s the big deal…aside from it being about an 8 month process - it means that our preparation methods, ingredients, and finished product comply with the VERY strict guidelines set by the Neapolitans for making true Neapolitan pizza. Basicall y- a very simple dough (flour, water, salt, and yeast), topped with crushed Italian tomatoes, fresh fior di latte or mozzarella di bufala, and a bit of basil.  Cooked for about 2 minutes in an 800-900 degree wood-fired oven…no gas, no electricity, no coal, no infrared.Attached is a picture of me with Peppe Miele - president of the American delegation of VPN. Please come in and see us as I’d love to make you all a pizza…we’re having wine dinners the next 2 nights in Southlake!

Now, there is a guy who is excited about going to work. Hey Jay, we have wine LUNCHES around here. Next week is Chianti Classico Wednesday. Want to find a pizza to pair with that?

Quick Hit: Neighborhood Services

Last night I attended the kick-off party for the 2009 Kim Dawson Attitude Award Fashion Show and Luncheon at Allie-Coosh in Snider Plaza. All the great gals from Attitudes and Attire were there along with the marketing staff of (my favorite) sister pub, D Beauty. After a healthy dose of Girl Power, I was starving. Guess what restaurant is on the way to Casa Nichols? Neighborhood Services. So I popped in for a quick bite.

Three words: fried little asparagus.

That’s all I’m gonna say. Except, I’ve finally figured out how to link the menus. (I think,) Here goes:

The Bar (pdf)

The Menu (pdf)

The Wine List (pdf)

Fried little asparagus. OMG. Whoops.

Can Somebody Help This Poor Girl

A self-confessed restaurant snobs asks Dish Nation for help:

I am a total restaurant snob - which means I don’t leave the 635 loop - EVER!!! Now that I am working near the Galleria - I need help with nice, client-friendly restaurants in the area.

Before I whip out a sarcastic remark about going to our website and finding a restaurant by neighborhoood, I thought I’d let you nicer folks guide her. Go.

Somebody Help Me: Pici Pasta

Pardon my current obsession with all-things-Italian, but I must go on with my search for the best. I just got off the phone with Paul DiCarlo at Jimmy’s, the go-to store for Italian food and wine products. I told him I had just returned from Italy and before I could finish my sentence he blurted out, “No, we don’t carry pici pasta.” I said, “Well, that was going to be my second question but how did you know I was going to ask that?” He said, very matter of factly, “Oh, everyone who comes back from Italy calls and asks for pici.”

Okay, I know that basically all pasta is flour and water and sometimes eggs, but what is so special about pici? It’s firm and round with a slightly chewy texture served with simple sauces. See that picture to the left, that’s pici pasta fresh from the stove, served in a touch of the water it was cooked in and covered with a layer of freshly grated pecorino cheese and black pepper. That’s it. And to quote Paul, it was culinary greatness. Any restaurant out there making pici? Tell me. Quick.

Hector’s Blythe Beck Loves Her Gays

At least, so says Gay List Daily of the Hector’s on Henderson bawdy, fun-loving chef in a cheeky Q&A. Blythe is also shopping around her own TV show called “The Naughty Kitchen.” Check out a preview here.

Pyramid Room Names New Sommelier

Once upon a time, many moons ago, the Pyramid Room was the fine dining restaurant in Dallas. They had a sommelier whose name escapes me, but I do remember that he wore gaucho pants and climbed up huge ladders to fetch wine. He was quite a show. I’m sure someone out there will come up with his name–I’m looking at you Wild Bill. Anywhoo, today, Riaan Nel, the food & veverage director of The Fairmont Dallas announced the appointment of Hunter Hammett as sommelier of the Pyramid Restaurant. Some of you may remember Hunter from his stints at Fearings’ and The Mansion. I haven’t been down to the newly done Pyramid but I hope by the time I get there, Hunter will be wearing leather gaucho pants. Oh, and bring back the ice swans with the palate cleanser. (BTW, Hunter are you old enough to drink?)

Mico Rodriguez is Out at M Crowd

That is what Typer Timmy is saying on FrontBurner.

Thanksgiving Day Dining Options

This post will be the official spot on SideDish for Thanksgiving Day dining. I will post releases from restaurants, caterers, and anyone else offering specials. Okay, check back often and make reservations. (Restaurants, feel free to post your info in comments.)

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Casey Thompson is Alive and Well in San Francisco

At least that is what Ms. Amy Severson tells me. Amy sends the photo along with this report:

We’re up here to prepare the Cattle Baron’s Dinner that was auctioned in 2007. We came up a day early with Lisa and Richard Chamberlain, and are spending one night here before heading up to Napa. We immediately headed down to the Market in the Ferry building and met Casey Thompson, who looked absolutely fabulous. We had appies and wine on the patio of the Water Bar, watching the sailboats and relaxing. Blonder, slimmer, taller very much a “California Girl”, she’s living on Treasure Island but working with Fischer Winery in Napa doing on-site dinner parties paired with their wines. She’s not slowing down, traveling to points north and south to taste different parts of the coast (she said Portland is a city she enjoys visiting), and considers this just an amazing learning opportunity - too good to leave to come back to Dallas (for now).   

Blonder, slimmer, taller? Huh? That hardly seems fair. Next thing you know Casey will have a sassy little British accent and be engaged to Hugh Jackman. Then I would really have to hate her. Amy, keep us posted on the gala dinner. We want insidery details, please.

Bob’s in Grapevine Hosts Celebrity Dinner

I got a call last night (during Dexter!) from a party-goer attending a dinner at Bob’s Steak & Chop House in Grapevine. Here is what I remember: it was a lively soiree, a pre-charity-golf-tourney dinner attended by local golf pro and D Magazine contributor, David Feherty, George Lopez, Samuel L. Jackson, and Andy Garcia. Feherty and Lopez–”The Mick and The Spic”–have formed the Lopez-Feherty Foundation and each year they play an “anti-pro-am” at the Vaquero Club to raise money for “the prevention of teen pregnancy, gang violence, and stupid names for Mexican fast food.” Anywhoo, I can’t find an updated link to the event but it sounds like an invitation-only game for “rich people” and good lord willin’ and the clouds don’t part, they will play golf today. Tonight? Perhaps the guys will get foot massages.

J.R. Hearts Nobu

This just in:

Just wanted to let you know that Larry Hagman (who played JR Ewing) was at Nobu at Rosewood Crescent last night.  The stars of the show Dallas are in town for their reunion.

Neighborhood Services: The Menu

Murmur. Somehow I have managed to delete this post and I can’t get it up. Still working on it.

News From Nikki: Birds & Trees & Pie, Oh My

Our favorite Spice Girl, Nikki from Northaven Gardens, sends this link to fun. BTW, Nikki Spice, I have a question: My aunt gave me some turk’s cap seeds from her garden in Waxahachie.  When is the best time to plant them?  And when can I plant sage? I am on a sage kick. Fried sage leaves slathered with anchovy paste for breakfast. Crazy stuff.

Restaurant Webcams? Who Wants To Watch One?

Yesterday I had a little spare time and I filled it by watching this. Anywhoo, it got me to thinking: why don’t restaurants have webcams so we can watch people eat–or check out who is there–while we pass some time between meetings. After a quick Internet search, I found only one–Rooster in Krakow. It looks like the Hooter’s of Poland. (You have to double click on the black and white image to see it. Somebody find me another one and I’ll post it.) Shannon Shelmire Wynne, this is an idea you need to explore.

Pancakes, I Want Pancakes

I have three magazines on my desk with big stacks of pancakes on the cover. I have been staring at them for months and have resisted the temptation to go face down in a plate. However, last weekend I had a friend in from LA and he was jonsing bigtime for pancakes. He made me take him to IHOP–not a smart move. Stacey loves Buzzbrews for her fix. Where do you get yours? Do you like them thick or thin? I like thin.

Can You Dine on a Dollar a Day?

As soon as I published the post below, I received an e-mail from a loyal reader who is also licensed nutritionist. She sends this inspiring link. Looks like a lot of work, but it’s an interesting read.

Time for Scallops

I am kind of obsessed with scallops. When prepared correctly, they’re like a little bit of heaven on earth. When done incorrectly (a certain spot on Lovers that shall remain nameless gave me butchered-scallop nightmares), disastrous.

Anyhow, just got word that Chef John Tesar at the Mansion is offering Nantucket scallops shucked to order. They’ve got a new dish coming out today—the release describes it as casserole of Nantucket Bay scallops with garden herbs, applewood smoked bacon, and fall vegetables.

If you try it, let us know what you think (I’d like my Dallas scallop experiences to be pre-approved after that Lovers Lane trauma).

Can Somebody Help This Poor Girl

A self-confessed “simple gal living in downtown Dallas” needs honeymoon help. No, not that kind silly people. However, it will be her first time for Mesa Grill. Hear her out:

I’m going to NYC for my honeymoon next month.  We’re staying in Manhattan and we’re going to live it up.  Last night my parents gave us a gift certificate to Mesa Grill.  I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself.  So here’s where I could use some advice.  #1 - What should one wear to a nice dinner to Mesa Grill?  #2 - What’s the best night to go?  We’ll arrive in NYC on Monday, December 15 (mostly a travel day), and will depart the morning of Monday, December 22.  Our schedule is pretty open except for Blue Man Group tickets on Wednesday the 17^th (and we’re doing the poncho seats, so probably not the best thing to combine with a  nice dinner).

First of all, you are asking the wrong person what to wear–I mean does anybody really care anymore as long as you pay the bill. It’s your honeymoon, get all gussied up. Second of all, you may not have a choice on the date. If it’s people watching you want, go on a Saturday. Lordy, next thing you know she’s gonna ask me what to do on her wedding night.

Are You Going to the Hoedown?

The good folks over at Dallas Farmers Market Friends know how to party. And you can join them on on November 6^th for their 14^th annual Hoedown at the Food and Fiber Building in Fair Park from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  It’s a night of celebrating all things local and Texan. The evening is co-hosted by the Texas Department of Agriculture’s program, GO TEXAN. Texas farmers will donate ingredients for local chefs and Texas vintners will be sampling their finest varietal wines. Classical guitarist Stacy Arnold will be providing Texas-style entertainment.  Statewide artisans and vendors will also be offering their specialties to round out the evening celebrating all things Texas. For tickets, click here or call or call 972-943-4622. All proceeds from the evening will go directly to Dallas Farmers Market Friends.

Celebrity Chef Dinner at Stephan Pyles

Each year the Wine & Food Foundation of Texas presents the Stephan Pyles Celebrity Chef Dinner to fund culinary scholarships and provide support for education and research in the culinary and viticulture arts. Click here to sign up for the bash that will take place on Sunday, November 9^th at Stephan Pyles Restaurant. There will be a five-course dinner and a live auction. Here’s the lineup for this year’s all-star team from Mr. BA:

Host Chef Stephan Pyles of Dallas, Executive Chef/Owner Jonathan Eismann from the much-lauded Pacific Time restaurant in the hot Design District of Miami, Florida, Executive Chef Jason Ferraro of Seventeen Seventeen at the Dallas Museum of Art, jW Foster from Pyramid Restaurant & Bar at The Fairmont Dallas, and Chef Pedreaux Cuellar, Chef de Cuisine at COCO Chocolate Lounge & Bistro in San Antonio. Also joining the team is the 2008 Stephan Pyles Scholarship winner, Amol Thanky from Texas Culinary Academy in Austin.

The price is $175.00 per person (tax and gratuity included).  Reservations can be made by calling the Foundation at 512-327-7555.

Report From Italy

Prego Dishers, I returned last night from Italy where I attended the week-long Ecco la Cocina cooking course and culinary tour in Tuscany. Our trusty group of eight ate and drank our way through the Chianti region. Highlights of the trip included visits to wine cellars large and small and castles big and tall. Along the way we picked saffron from fields around San Gimignano, dined at fabulous restaurants in Siena, and drank Brunellos in Montalcino. I ate my weight in burrata.

And we cooked: our hands-on lessons took place in ancient mill that has been somewhat converted into a romantic kitchen where Italian-American chef, Gina Stipo, taught us how to prepare the regional and seasonal dishes of Tuscany. We spent the last three days in Rome where we discovered some amazing taste sensations. As soon as my brain catches up to my body, I will spill all of the cannellini beans. Until then, enjoy some food porn after the jump. (more…)

Dining Critic Bill Addison is Leaving the DMN

Prego, Dishers. I am in Rome preparing for an early morning flight home. I am sitting in a shoe store on the Via Condotti trying on boots. As I slipped into some yummy purple “the new black” leather knee-high boots, my Mare, that’s Blackberry in Italian, went beep. A note popped on to my screen and read: “Bill Addison is leaving the DMN and going to Atlanta. The paper is conducting a national search.” Maybe you already know this but typing this entry just saved me from buying a pair of $700 purple boots in a horrid economic crisis. Ding dang, I’m going to miss ‘ol Freckle Face but I know he loves Atlanta. Ciao, Bill. Next girl up, as we say in the biz.

Mr. Addison’s Favorite FW Things

Bill Addison over at the DMN (perhaps you’ve heard of him?) penned a list of his top-10 favorite places to dine in Fort Worth, and I found the list to be a little surprising. (I can’t think of a place I’d rather eat than Curly’s—for a frozen custard concrete with mixed berries—at this very moment. But that’s just me.) What say you, Dishers? Any FW faves he failed to mention?