Articles about Good Service
The Funny Emails We Get at D Magazine Headquarters
Blah, blah, blah. I’ve already talked about Matthew Shelley once today, so I’m pretty sure I’ve hit my quota, but this email is too good not to share. You guys already (or should already) know that Matt writes the “Into Shelley’s Belly” column once a week. He’s also our I.T. tech guy. This morning, some of us at D were getting spam. Tim shares Matt’s email to the whole company on Frontburner. Amusing, right?
Giveaway: Two Tickets to Central Market’s Cooking Class with Matt and Ted Lee on Tuesday, May 14
The Lee Bros. (from countryliving.com)
Everyone keeps telling me how cute and adorable the Lee brothers really are, so part of me wants to keep these two free tickets to Central Market’s cooking class for myself. Matt and Ted Lee, the hosts of The Cooking Channel’s Unique Eats, are also the authors of their new cookbook, The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen. Did I mention that you get a free copy of the cookbook along with the two tickets? Yeah, let me stress that again: two tickets to see the Lee brothers + a free cookbook. Happy Friday, y’all.
The class is on Tuesday, May 14, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Central Market on Lovers Lane. I’m thinking these tickets might be a great surprise for a mom (or anyone, really) who loves to cook. Whatdyathink? I’m closing this contest off at 5 p.m. today. People who are interested in this $160 value should fill out the form below.
The winner, who I’ll email at 5, will get two tickets put on will call at Central Market.
Jump for it NOW. Continue reading "Giveaway: Two Tickets to Central Market’s Cooking Class with Matt and Ted Lee on Tuesday, May 14"
3 Comments »Artizone, the Online Grocery Store, is Giving SideDish Readers $25 Off
Isn’t this pretty? Artizone could deliver this to your door (via Artizone)
There’s nothing I love more than grocery shopping, but online grocery shopping… now that’s a game changer.
Artizone, the Dallas-based online gourmet store featuring local products and goodies, is doing something special for SideDish readers only. Now through May 15 at 11:59 p.m., any new register to Artizone.com receives $25 in their Artizone wallet to spend. And whether or not you’re already registered, everyone gets 10% off at check-out as long as you enter this promo code: SideDish. This is valid one time per shopper, no minimum, and delivery is not included. If your order is over $120, delivery is free, though.
I don’t know about you, but this sounds to me like a pretty darn good deal. And Mother’s Day is coming up, isn’t it? Perfect timing.
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If You Want to Help Victims of the Boston Marathon Bombing, Here’s Something You Can Do
I know a bunch of you probably feel helpless in light of the Boston Marathon event. That photo of 8-year-old Martin Richards holding his poster for peace is pretty heartbreaking, isn’t it? That’s why this blood drive tomorrow is awesomesauce. Go donate blood to victims and get free breakfast as a bonus! You can be helpful!
FREE BREAKFAST FOR BLOOD DRIVE DONORS
Medical City Plans Blood Drive in Support of Boston MarathonWHAT: The Original Pancake House is teaming up with Medical City, Carter BloodCare and RunOn! to show support for Boston Marathon victims. Donors will receive a free breakfast from The Original Pancake House and have the opportunity to make or sign cards to send to marathon victims, as well as first-responders and doctors who helped and treated victims and survivors. RunOn! will hand out coupons in honor of runners injured in the Boston Marathon.
WHEN: Thursday, April 18
7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.WHERE: Medical City Children’s Hospital
First Floor Atrium
7777 Forest Lane
Dallas, TX 75230
Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas This Weekend, April 12-14
Happy Friday evening from over here in Taiwan. I just had some of the best pineapple cakes in the world. Friday Fun Fact Time: Taiwanese pineapple cakes (they resemble Fig Newtons, sort of) actually contain very little pineapple. The paste is mostly made from winter melon. Cool, huh?
If you’re in the mood for some Taiwanese baked goods, Desir Bakery in Plano has the best pineapple cakes in Dallas that I’ve tried thus far.
Friday, April 12
Maybe this billionaire kook who’s rebuilding the Titanic isn’t doing the smartest thing in the world, but let me direct you to other ways of commemorating the day of infamy. Hotel St. Germain is offering two Titanic dinners on April 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. in honor of the Titanic’s 101st anniversary. “Guests will enjoy an historic menu, White Star cocktails, and hor d’oeuvres served in a courtyard where dinner guests will each draw a numbered ticket which will correspond to a specific Titanic survivor. $95 per person.” Kind of morbid, but whatever floats your boat. (To make reservations, call 214.871.2516.)
Meddlesome Moth’s April Ale Week is about to come to an end, much to everyone’s sadness. But you can still catch some of its goodness at the rare cellar releases at 5, 6, 11, and midnight.
Continue reading "Bits & Bites: Things to Do and Chew in Dallas This Weekend, April 12-14"
Plano Farmers Market Debuts on April 20 at Fairview Farms
Heyyyy, suburb area north of Dallas. You’re getting kinda cool these days. New restaurants are opening, and you already have the Coppell Farmers Market, which – let’s be honest – is one of the best farmers markets in DFW. (I could be biased.) Anyways, now that Plano is opening its own farmers market, I’m easily becoming a mega fan of yours.
I think we owe it to Kari Gates, the Collin County Farmers Market chairman, who organized this whole shebang. According to Pegasus News, Gates worked diligently to get Plano’s city council members on board with her plan “that would allow the market to operate while protecting the health of our customers.” Thanks to Gates, small businesses and farmers will get a chance to show the Collin County world what they have to offer. Fairview Farms at 3314 N. Central Expressway, which is one of the original markets in North Texas, will be the site of 40 different vendors on grand opening day.
“The focus of the market is on Texas-grown produce and meats together with locally made products centered around a family and community center where folks can learn about green and healthy living,” Gates said (in the press release). “We’re also looking for sponsorships from corporate partners and local businesses to help make this endeavor successful’” she added.
The CCFM plans to have pony rides, face painting, musical entertainment, and a bounce house on market days. Fun for the whole family.
4 Comments »Into Shelley’s Belly: The Lot in East Dallas
Covered Patio seating (left) house ground cashew sandwich (right) photos by Matthew Shelley
You may recall back in 1989 the muscly, taut action/drama, Roadhouse. It caused the nation to swoon and wrestled in a new era of gritty/bar brawling/martial arts/tai chi/poignant sprawling epics that flooded theaters the following years. It was an exciting time to breathe and an even more exciting time to be a Hulk Hogan-loving 6-year-old, fresh out kindergarten in Missouri. My interest in Marxist/Morrison philosophy has swayed to some exponential degree, but my love and Swayze-induced hot sweats have endured and even strengthened. While the new Lakewood restaurant, The Lot, doesn’t possess the threat of a rib stabbing or a powerful roundhouse boot kick from a brutally apt martial arts henchman, it does appeal to our American Roadhouse desires and hopefully beckons to the late Mr. Swayze’s iconic “Dalton” and his passion for a friendly, lively and safe roadhouse gathering.
The Lot, which opened this Monday, has covered a great deal of space with its robust remodeling of the old Backyard Beach Bar. Its countrified barn house appeal is friendly and welcoming. There are two playgrounds (one for kids and one for adults), an outdoor stage, and an outdoor bar that will serve burgers, Hoffman hots, tacos and beers. Plenty of communal picnic tables are there for you to rest your bum while you indulge in the sights, sounds and tastes that surround you. I normally avoid the kid zoos that call themselves restaurants, but this place was surprisingly tempered thanks to the playground and the well-designed acoustics of the interior. The bar area is separated from the main dining hall by glass garage doors, which helps maintain its adult-necessary privacy.
Continue reading "Into Shelley’s Belly: The Lot in East Dallas"
Goodfriend Owners Gear Up to Open The Blind Butcher on Lower Greenville Sometime in 2013
Matt Tobin, Josh Yingling, and Oliver SItrin (lying on the table). Photo by Carol Shih
Everyone is moving to Lower Greenville these days. It’s because they all want to be in close proximity to Trader Joe’s turkey meatballs when the grocery store finally opens. I don’t blame ‘em. Mudsmith just got there, Carnival Barker’s first storefront is heading there, yadda yadda yadda. It’s going to be one hell of a party on Greenville Avenue, come summer.
Since they figured the tenants in Lower Greenville are pretty cool, the owners of Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House decided join in the fun. Matt Tobin, Josh Yingling, and their partner-in-crime, Ryan Chaney (who couldn’t make it to our interview), decided to hire Oliver Sitrin (formerly from Village Marquee) to be the executive chef of their new restaurant, The Blind Butcher. It’s going to be at 1919 Greenville Ave, and it’s opening someday in the near future. (The press release says late spring.) The Goodfriend boys have known Oliver for awhile, but now they all get to be one big, happy family together. I’ll shut up now and let you hear the rest of the story for yourselves.
Matt Tobin: At first we were like, “Too bad Oliver’s not available.”
Oliver Sitrin: I came to Marquee because he (Tre Wilcox) brought me there. That’s my boy. Him leaving? I was going to leave also. I actually left one or two days before he did.
Interview with Lark on the Park Chefs, Melody Bishop and Dennis Kelley
Shannon Wynne is busy, busy, busy these days. The restaurateur says that one of his current projects, baby Lark, should be open the first week of March. Pretty soon the good visitors of Klyde Warren Park will have a new place to eat right across the street. And Wynne has picked the best-looking couple, Melody Bishop and Dennis Kelley, to be his executive chefs. These two lovebirds moved to Dallas from Los Angeles, where they both met each other as sous chefs working at the Tavern. Now they’ve got a baby named Oscar and a whole restaurant to help open. I met with them at KWP, and we dove straight into their love story.
Carol: Was it love at first sight?
Melody: Drinking lots of martinis.
Carol: Wait, what?!?
Melody: You know, being a sous at Tavern was rough; we were just always on the same schedule, so we would always go and have martinis after work and go and talk about the day.
Carol: Is there a rule against dating in the kitchen?
Melody: A little bit, even though it happens a lot. We kept it under wraps… and then I got pregnant.
Dennis: Then it couldn’t be kept under wraps anymore!
Carol: How did Shannon Wynne lure you to Dallas?
Melody: He’s actually a family friend of mine. I’ve been talking to him throughout the years about his different projects. When we talked about the Lark – you know, now we have a 1.5-year-old, and it’s nice that he can be with his cousins.
Continue reading "Interview with Lark on the Park Chefs, Melody Bishop and Dennis Kelley"
Into Shelley’s Belly: Hofmann Hots in Trinity Groves Just Opened Today
Hofmann Hots exterior (left); Himalayan dog (right) photos by Matthew Shelley
I rolled my smokes up into my sleeve, polished up with some nice pomade (Dapper Dan’s to be exact), and hustled my way over to the media event for Hofmann Hots on Wednesday night. I love any chance I get to cross the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, and this night was just swell with good vibrations. I stormed in with jazz hands flaring and mouth watering for some juicy hot dogs. The first thing I noticed was the commanding presence of the mastermind behind this new joint, Phil Romano. He hugged me with his eyes, so I thought it appropriate to ask him for a picture. Success. We discussed contemporary metal music, swan migration in South America, and swapped a few recipes for our favorite soufflé. While none of that actually happened, Mr. Romano was warm and welcoming and seemed wildly enthusiastic about Hoffman Hots, in spite of all this lawsuit craziness that’s going down.
Continue reading "Into Shelley’s Belly: Hofmann Hots in Trinity Groves Just Opened Today"
Interpretive Dances By the Human Sushi
For some head-scratching reason or another, Norwegian’s Godfisk, a company supported by the Norwegian Seafood Council, got the bright idea to make people dance like sushi in this series of commercials. I don’t know what this is, but I like it. SideDishers, enjoy this little piece of hump day entertainment, courtesy of Norway. [via Laughingsquid]
Continue reading "Interpretive Dances By the Human Sushi"
1 Comment »Trader Joe’s to Open Between Cole and Knox Someday in the Faraway Future
Steve Brown from the DMN reports that the 2-acre property on Cole between Knox and Armstrong will be redeveloped by Lincoln Property Co. and property owner Sarofim Realty Advisors. Trader Joe’s, he says, will be the lead retail tenant in this future mixed-use development.
The first Trader Joe’s in Dallas (Lower Greenville) is supposed to open during the first quarter of next year. The second at Walnut Hill is “coming soon” (according to the website), and now this Cole/Knox location will be the third store for Dallas residents.
I’m so okay with this. TJ’s, keep moving into Dallas, please. I love your turkey meatballs. L-O-V-E.
9 Comments »Donate a Coat to “Heat the Homeless,” Receive a Free Cup of Coffee at Bolsa Mercado
Not every 10-year-old girl wants to help homeless people. In fact, most of them just want their own iPhone. Ashton Bryson is different, though. Two years ago, she started worrying about homeless people getting too cold in the winter, so she began collecting coats and blankets for Heat the Homeless.
Now the Rosemont Elementary School fifth-grader has the help of local restaurant businesses. You can drop off coats, blankets, gloves, sweaters, socks, etc. at Smoke, Chicken Scratch/Foundry, and Bolsa Mercado up until November 30, which is tomorrow. (Sorry, I only heard about this yesterday.) Get a free cuppa coffee at Bolsa Mercado if you drop it off there.
According to The Scoop blog, “The Press Box Grill in Dallas,1623 Main St., and Grapevine, 451 E. Northwest Highway, will collect for Heat the Homeless from Dec. 1 through Dec. 15.”
The donated items will go to The Bridge, a homeless recovery center in Dallas.
Go Ahead and Ask: Anthony Bourdain Might Answer Your Question
Anthony Bourdain, John Tesar, and The Brad (photo by Elizabeth Lavin)
Mr. Bourdain, as you all know, will be in town on November 9 to shower us with his witty presence. His good friend Eric Ripert will also be joining him inside Bass Hall in Fort Worth to work the crowd.
Lucky for all you SideDish readers, the nice people of the Travel Channel have scheduled a conference call for me and Uncle Nancy tomorrow. We haven’t even begun brainstorming what questions to throw at the Bourdain man. Oops. I blame it on the deadlines.
We definitely can’t do this by ourselves. 50 heads are better than two, right? Let’s make this a team effort. Write whatever burning question you’ve been meaning to ask Anthony down in the comments below. We’re going to pick the best ones to ask him midday tomorrow, and then we’ll post the answers in another post.
GO TEAM.
13 Comments »Mesa’s Chef Raul Reyes Shows Off His Recycling Skills on CNN
We love Mesa, and so, apparently, does CNN. Reporter Ed Lavandera visited our 2011′s Best New Restaurant and discovered what Nancy calls a “DIY dream,” as a result of owner/chef Raul Reyes’ “relentless dumpster diving.” From Nancy’s November 2011 review of Mesa comes this full description:
The interior is as stunning as the food. Colorful cactus blooms poke from shallow holes carved into a brick wall. A row of old wooden pallets has been sanded, stained, and backlit with rope lights. They hang on the main wall lined with banquettes. The community table was built with wood Reyes salvaged from the fence that once surrounded the restaurant’s dumpster. The railing at the entrance and the wall hangings were created from scraps of metal rescued from trash bins at Wooten Metal. Several customers have tried to buy the large mirror Reyes framed with acid-washed tin. The dining room is so personal that you can’t help but feel like you are eating in someone’s home.
Ed Lavandera sounds incredulous as he interviews Reyes, who was feeling some financial pressure only last June.
Ed: Raul, everything in the restaurant, you found dumpster diving and trash bins? Most of everything in here is other peoples’ trash?Raul: Yes. Mmhm.Ed: So these are just crate pallets that were just thrown.. thrown away?Raul: Yes.
According to CNN, Reyes is expanding his business and still scrounging for more recycled materials. It’s good to hear that Mesa isn’t in trouble anymore.
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Teiichi Sakurai Will Open a Fresh Fish Market at Sylvan | Thirty
Teiichi Sakurai (photo by Kevin Hunter Marple)
Nancy’s about to quit SideDish. She just wrote me an email that’s too funny not to post. “HOLY S@#$. HOLY S@#$ Save me a space I’m coming to work at S30 HOLY S@#$.”
It’s true. I’m fixin’ to move to West Dallas too. Teiichi “Teach” Sakurai is not only about to celebrate the four-year anniversary of Tei-An in One Arts Plaza, he also just signed on as the sixth and newest tenant at Sylvan | Thirty, the mixed-use development scheduled to open in Spring 2013. Teiichi’s yet-to-be-named fresh fish market will be in the corner building at the intersection of Sylvan and Fort Worth Avenues, and customers can directly walk from there to the other building that houses Cox Farms Market and Matador Meat & Wine.
Teiichi’s fish market is joining Cox Farms Market, Matador Meat & Wine, Pearl Cup Coffee, Sync Yoga & Wellness and a culinary incubator (overseen by Sharon Hage) at Sylvan | Thirty, which is set to become the culinary hotspot of 2013.
Wait, before all that happens, Teiichi still needs to come up with a name! SideDishers, y’all are good at this! Let’s help a brother out. What should Teiichi call his new fish market?
Chad Houser Leaves Parigi to Become Executive Director of Cafe Momentum
Janice Provost and Chad Houser (photo by Elizabeth Lavin)
Word comes straight from Chad Houser’s mouth that he’ll be saying sayonara to Parigi, his home-away-from-home for the last five years, in order to be the executive director and chef of Cafe Momentum at the end of August. He’ll be making this announcement to the public at the pop-up dinner tonight with guest chef Graham Dodds. We feel bad for Janice Provost losing her partner-buddy, but this means that Cafe Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant concept aimed to transform the lives of at-risk youth, is moving in the right direction, and we can’t wait to see where it’s headed. Even though the movement is still a baby and celebrated its one year anniversary just a month ago, Houser, Cafe Momentum’s co-founder, has plans to find a permanent location and to expand the program even further in order to include more boys from the Dallas County Youth Village since what Cafe Momentum’s doing is already working so well.
In a blog post announcing his Parigi departure, Houser says:
“Cafe Momentum reminds me why I fell in love with cooking in the first place. It’s familial. It nurtures souls and bodies. Regardless of their background, when these young men come into Cafe Momentum, they speak the same language: food. I’m very grateful to Janice for being such a supportive partner and friend, and to the Cafe Momentum board for believing in me.”
Provost says she isn’t looking for a new Parigi partner, but she’s looking for help in the kitchen. And even though this is the end of the Parigi dream team, she’ll continue working with Houser on their vision for Cafe Momentum, so this ain’t a real goodbye, it’s just where love goes…
Bolsa Mercado Hosts Guest Chefs to Benefit Café Momentum
Charles Plummer (left); tomatoes (right) photos by Desiree Espada
Today marks the start of Bolsa Mercado‘s new program to host weekly guest chefs who’ll be cooking three-course to-go dinners (as part of the “Dinner for Two” program) in Bolsa Mercado’s kitchen. These guest chefs will be incorporating vegetables from the Dallas Youth Village‘s garden in their menus, and a portion of the dinner sales will go towards Café Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant concept started by Chad Houser and Janice Provost of Parigi that teaches the boys of the Youth Village everything about the restaurant business from washing dishes to waiting tables.
On Monday, Desiree and I took a tour of the Dallas Youth Village’s garden, which is headed by the affable Charles Plummer. For the past year and a half, the former chef now directs the organic gardening and heads the culinary program at the center where teenage boys who’ve committed nonviolent offenses work with Plummer to tend the crops on the one-acre plot of land.
Jump for photos of the garden.
Continue reading "Bolsa Mercado Hosts Guest Chefs to Benefit Café Momentum"
Random Notes: New Technology Creates Luxury At Hôtel Plaza Athénée In Paris
I get a lot of press releases. Many of them are misdirected messages about skin care products, fashion tips with subject lines like: Gear Up For National Bike Month. The letters of the delete button on my keyboard reads “d…te.” My ring finger was headed for “d…te” until the words in the subject line—luxury, Athénée, Paris—leaked through my tired brain. For perspective: the least expensive, off-season room at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée is around $1,400 bucks a night. With that, I copy and paste one of the new technologies they have added to their amenities. I want this so bad.
Serene Sleep – Guests can now bid troubled sleep and jetlag symptoms farewell with the NightCove Sleep Solution, available in the property’s Art Deco Suites and at the Dior Institut Spa. Developed by the Sleep Clinic at Hotel-Dieu hospital in Paris, this device is a unique bedside lamp that helps improve the quality of sleep by bathing guests in selected light wavelengths and sound frequencies that are specially adapted for the physiological needs of sleep. Click on “Sleep/Anti-jetlag/Nap” to stimulate melatonin with a red glow and the hush of waves, then greet the day with a “Wakening” of soft music and blue light similar to early daylight.
Sigh. “d…te.”
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This Little Piggy Went Downtown
Oh yeah, it's for real.
We’re suckers for any press release that contains the following sentences:
It seems a couple well-intentioned entrepreneurs have teamed up with J&D’s Foods to create a little something they’re calling baconlube—the world’s first bacon-flavored, water-based, American-made, personal lubricant.
Billing itself as the “gold standard of meat-flavored massage oils” (natch) baconlube, they say, is like the McRib of sex: it’s delicious, makes men crazy, is here for a limited time, and is in short supply.
If you’re thinking “stocking stuffer!” (let’s stay on track here), we’re right behind you. But the boys only made 3,000 bottles of this pork-flavored nectar. It hit the interwebs yesterday at www.baconlube.com. How much, you ask, for a product that promises such a satisfying holiday season? Only $11.99.
you know you want more. jump for it… Continue reading "This Little Piggy Went Downtown"
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