Articles about Christmas
We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and Have a Happy New Year
We’d sing the whole song for you, but I don’t think you’d want to hear us warble. Instead, we’ll just demand that you bring us some figgy pudding. Thanks in advance.
P.S. Posting will be slow on SideDish until January 2. Nancy and I are lollygagging elsewhere. But don’t worry, we won’t leave you entirely. We’ve got some fun posts scheduled.
Where to Dine on Christmas and New Year’s in Dallas
Still need a place to dine on Christmas or New Year’s? Allow me to cheat the whole point of this post by telling you a little secret: Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas Day. If you don’t mind eating Chinese food on baby Jesus’ birthday (which I do every year), go for it. Skip the reservations. Skip the fancy food. Just show up and stab things with your chopsticks. That’s how we Asian folks do it.
Christmas Eve and Day
For a list of all the places open and taking reservations, go here.
Don’t know what you’re making for Christmas Eve? Travis Awalt has recipe for cassoulet.
For a list of Christmas dinner recipes, take a look at Lesley’s pdf.
New Year’s Eve and Day
I’ve got a list of 60+ restaurants anticipating your phone call. Here it is.
What To Drink Now: Christmas Chardonnay
We drink a lot of Chardonnay in my house. Like many wine drinkers that have helped make this the number one selling white in America, it is an easy go to for us on many nights, pairing well with our typical dinners of salad, fish, chicken or hot buttered popcorn at a movie (the ideal pairing,) and being a very vineyard friendly grape, can adapt nicely to many styles of wine making. My sweetie and I have different tastes in Chardonnay, he liking a more buttery, oak aged Chardonnay and me liking something steely and unoaked, allowing us to constantly seek wines that may please both our palates without too much oak or the wine being too mineral rich, or either of us making a happy compromise to enjoy the others favorite style. Here are a few we have found that will pair nicely with anything from roasted chicken, broiled fish or pork tenderloin this holiday, just in time to be served at your festive gatherings. Some selections were sent for editorial consideration.
If you are looking for a wine that defines the versatility and approachability of California Chardonnay open a bottle of Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay, filled with layers of fresh citrus, stone fruit and honeysuckle with just the right amount of sweet cream balanced with a touch of herbal, mineral notes to keep this wine rich and balanced without being overly complex.
Winderlea in Willamette Valley is best known for producing stellar Pinot, but they also successfully farm delicious Chardonnay on their Dundee Hills estate, as well as fruit from the Chehalem Mountains and McMinnville AVAs. Golden apple, citrus and herbal notes fill the wine that is aged for 10 months in both partially new French oak and stainless steel, with the goal to keep the wine fresh and satisfying, capturing the personality of the valley. Continue reading "What To Drink Now: Christmas Chardonnay"
Look What I Made: Cassoulet
Cassoulet ready for the oven and ready to eat (photos by Travis Awalt)
So last week, Lesley Mann Lynch wrote an amazing post about hosting a Christmas dinner, and it looked so good I’m just not even gonna go there. Instead, I’m tackling Christmas Eve dinner.
I like the idea of cassoulet for Christmas Eve for a couple of reasons. First, it has a French name, so even though it’s basically beans and meat, people will be like, “This sounds fancy, I should write this person into my will!” And second, you can feed a lot of people out of basically one large dish. People are impressed, well fed, and there’s not a ton to clean up. High-five handshakes all around.
Continue reading "Look What I Made: Cassoulet"
3 Comments »2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrate With Juice Cleanses in DFW (Includes Giveaway)
Every year on SideDish, we like to devote our energy to supporting small local food businesses here in DFW. For twelve days, we’ve been highlighting jams, jellies, pies, classes, wines, coffees, teas, and basically any food product made locally on Dallas (or close to it) soil. Today is Juice Cleanse Day. For more gift ideas, take a look through our last eleven days at the bottom of this post.
Roots Juices
Back in October, ShopTalk editor Raya Ramsey did a 5-day cleanse with Roots Juices, the company that packages fruits and vegetables into neat containers for a healthy, nutritious experience. Well, she loved it. Raya is currently sitting right next to me and and raving about the almond milk, which she says is creamy and nutty tasting.
Roots has several kinds of kits: the Detox & Cleanse (very popular), Hangover Recovery, Cocktail Mixers, and The 6 Pack. Any of these would be perfect for that health-conscious friend or relative who’s always wanted to do a juice cleanse, but never knew how to go about doing it. And since Brent Rodgers, the man behind Roots Juices, is feeling very generous this holiday season and knows exactly what you need, he’s offering a free Hangover Recovery kit to one very lucky SideDish reader. Here’s how to win: The third person to tweet out a link to this post (please include @DSideDish) will earn this $30-value prize. Got that? So easy, right? Look, here’s all the stuff you could win:
Continue reading "2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrate With Juice Cleanses in DFW (Includes Giveaway)"
3 Comments »2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrate With Meats Made in DFW
Every year on SideDish, we like to devote our energy to supporting small local food businesses here in DFW. For twelve days, we’ll be highlighting jams, jellies, pies, classes, wines, coffees, teas, and basically any food product made locally on Dallas (or close to it) soil. Today is Meat Day. If you’ve got a product that you want included, send me an email with your information and a picture. This list will often be updated, so don’t fret about deadlines. We’re here to serve you guys.
Kuby’s Sausage House
The last day to order your hams from Kuby’s is this Wednesday, Dec. 19! Call 214-363-2231 before they run out.
Ham types: Honey-sliced, smoked, and Swedish (This one is raw. You have to cook it yourself.)
Ham sizes: Half ham (6-8 lbs), Whole ham (14-16 lbs)
Ham prices: $6.49/lb Continue reading "2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrate With Meats Made in DFW"
Where to Dine on Christmas Eve and Day in Dallas 2012
Santa cookies (photo by Carol Shih)
If you don’t feel like lifting a finger this holiday season, check out the list of places you can eat on Christmas Eve and Day. It’s beautiful. And updated.
Lesley, our Happy Hostess, also has recipes over here for those of you who like to make Christmas dinner from scratch.
Look What I Made: Pumpkin Tamales
Pumpkin tamales (photos by Travis Awalt)
Tamales seem to me a rather odd Christmas tradition, if only because I would happily eat one (or more) on any other day, any time of the year. The same can’t be said for the palatability of some of the other trappings of Christmastime. It goes beyond palatability, even – there’s a safety concern here. If you hand somebody egg nog in April, you might get punched in the face. If you jam out to Mannheim Steamroller in July*, you’ll likely be institutionalized – and for good reason.
But tamales are good all the time, and Christmas is as good an excuse as any to indulge. This recipe is about as uncomplicated (and probably gringo-y) as tamale making gets, so if you’re an experienced tamale maker…. well, why are you reading a recipe for tamales? You should really spend your time more wisely. But for the novice, this is a good place to start. These also freeze well, so if you don’t have anything to do a couple of weeks before Christmas (hint, hint)…
Continue reading "Look What I Made: Pumpkin Tamales"
1 Comment »The Happy Hostess Plans a Christmas Dinner Party (Includes Recipes in a PDF)
As I described in an earlier post, my Thanksgiving menu is set indefinitely in my eyes. Christmas, on the other hand, is not. The first word that comes to mind is celebration, then slightly fancy. It’s difficult to make a potluck of 20 sides appear elegant, so I always leave that for Thanksgiving. As I set out to plan this year’s Christmas dinner, I planned around some of the first things that pop up when I think of a celebratory dinner: champagne, multiple courses, and a special dessert. Game on.
Green beans with walnut sauce, mustard-coated rack of lamb, and celeriac and potato mash
Continue reading "The Happy Hostess Plans a Christmas Dinner Party (Includes Recipes in a PDF)"
3 Comments »Christmas Eve and Day Dinner: Where To Book Those Reservations in Dallas
Christmas cookies (photo by Carol Shih)
This year, all I want for Christmas is a billionaire husband. Somebody make that happen.
If you’re looking forward to the holidays as much as I am (which is a lot, by the way), the both of us are probably working our squirrel tails off to get everything squared away before so we can turn into couch potatoes. Couch potatoes do not cook. Couch potatoes do not move a finger in the kitchen. Here’s a list of places to wine and dine on Christmas Eve and Day for all you fellow potato people. I’ll keep updating the list, so check back often.
Where to Eat
Canary by Gorji
Central 214
Cook Hall
CRU
Dish
Ferre Ristorante e Bar
Grand Lux Cafe
The Grape
Highland Park Cafeteria
Hotel ZaZa
Intercontinental Dallas
Mesa Veracruz Coastal Cuisine
Princi Italia
The Pyramid
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
The Second Floor
Ser
Sevy’s Grill
Spoon
Steel Restaurant
Toulouse
Village Marquee Grill
Warwick Melrose
Where to Pre-Order
Bread Winners
Highland Park Cafeteria*
The Pyramid*
Continue reading "Christmas Eve and Day Dinner: Where To Book Those Reservations in Dallas"
10 Comments »What To Drink and Buy Now: Gifts for the Wine, Food, and Spirits Lover
Looking for a few unique gifts for the person on your list who has everything? Consider one of these beautiful ideas that will please even the most finicky friends.
Earlier this year famed photographer Annie Leibovitz lent her talents to The Macallan’s Masters of Photography Series to create unique, limited production single cask whiskies now being released by The Macallan. There are four photographs capturing Scottish actor Kevin McKidd sips The Macallan, probably thoughtfully remembering his time as a young man when he worked at the distillery. 1000 bottles will be sold through December, costing about $2500 a bottle, a beautiful gift for the scotch lover and collector in your life. Continue reading "What To Drink and Buy Now: Gifts for the Wine, Food, and Spirits Lover"
What To Drink and Buy Now: Gifts That Give Back
Isn’t it great when you can give a gift that will both delight the recipient and give back to some great causes? Here are a few ideas that are sure to do just that, some of which were sent for editorial consideration.
Fonseca Bin 27 Limited Edition Artisit Series for Waterkeeper Alliance. Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Ruby Port was first created over a century ago and is today known as a leader in utilizing sustainable practices throughout the process of making their port. Their partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization dedicated to preserving clean waterways, and cleaning them up, for safe waters to drink, fish and swim in. This year’s artist series label features Portuguese graphic artist Sebastião Rodrigues (1929-1997) who focused on traditional graphic depictions in his work. The image is of a fisherman on the Douro River, a key port of trade for port for centuries. The bottle is available through December. Fonseca will donate $15,000 to Waterkeeper Alliance to help maintain clean waterways throughout the world. Continue reading "What To Drink and Buy Now: Gifts That Give Back"
2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrate With Cheese Made in DFW
Every year on SideDish, we like to devote our energy to supporting small local food businesses that make DFW a better place to live. For the next consecutive twelve days, we’ll be highlighting jams, jellies, pies, classes, wines, coffees, teas, and basically any food product made locally on Dallas (or close to it) soil. Today is Cheese Day. If you’ve got a product that you want included, send me an email with your information and a picture. This list will often be updated, so don’t fret about deadlines. We’re here to serve you guys.
Photo by Katy Gurley
Mozzarella Company
2944 Elm St., Dallas
Owner Paula Lambert writes: “We have a wonderful variety of cheese selections and baskets that are perfect for the cheese lover on your list. All our cheeses are handmade here in Dallas in Deep Ellum. They are local and they are delicious. Our award-winning cheeses have been part of “tasteful” holiday celebrations for 30 years! We even have a special cheese that we only make at this time of year called “Christmas Cheese.”
Continue reading "2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Celebrate With Cheese Made in DFW"
New Year’s Eve and Day Dining in Dallas
Look for a place to celebrate the end of 2011? Or perhaps you’re more optimistic and plan to ring in 2012. Either way, we’ve got an alphabetical list to help you plan your merry way. They’re all down below. See you there.
Ed. Note 12.28.11: Check out our updated list.
Continue reading "New Year’s Eve and Day Dining in Dallas"
Yes, Reservations: A Guide to Holiday Dining in Dallas and Fort Worth
My family dined out for Thanksgiving, and we were all very grateful to succumb to a tryptophan-induced coma without having to bother with a sink full of dishes. Restaurants: an truly amazing invention. Some of them will be open to feed you and yours for Christmas. Jump for the list. Continue reading "Yes, Reservations: A Guide to Holiday Dining in Dallas and Fort Worth"
“Honey, You Get the Pie.” Buying Holiday Pie in Dallas
Every year, I get the same command: “Honey, you get the pie.” Last year, I failed miserably. I asked you where to go. Here is what you suggested. I got an early start on 2011 by tasting my way through your list of suggestions.I set out on my pie trek, using your suggestions as a guide post. I found my pie nirvana at Little Aprons Bakery. Read more about my gluttonous adventures through Little Aprons, Central Market, Normas, and more.
Little Aprons' cherry pie
SideDish contributor Daniel Walker also helped. He wrote about apple pie: “The Place at Perry’s brown-bag apple pie is quite possibly the greatest pie to have ever graced my lips.” More recently, Daniel told us about Scrumbscious Pie in Mesquite where he found fresh baked pies and “pie shakes.”
Yesterday, I got the command. The pie is my job. I’m wavering on which route to go. Am I missing something? Please help me–and potentially yourself–by tossing in your thoughts.
5 Comments »Dallas Food Gift Guide: Celebrate the Holidays With Food Made in DFW
This holiday season I would like to devote some time and energy to supporting local small food businesses. This post is dedicated to spotlighting those who make food-related items one can purchase for gifts or serve at a gathering. If you make jelly, jam, chocolate, aprons, coffee cake, ham, table linen, turkey, casserole, wine opener, olive oil, brownie or any other groovy food item, send me an email with your information and a picture if you have one. Only products made in the DFW area or close by. The list will be updated daily.
Jump for for the joy of the season. Continue reading "Dallas Food Gift Guide: Celebrate the Holidays With Food Made in DFW"
17 Comments »Somebody Help This Poor Girl: Recipe for “Real Texas” Pecan Pie
She’s not from Texas and wants to impress her husband’s family.
Hi! I need some advice on what makes a pecan pie a real Texas pie. I’m from Newark and I married a Dallas boy. This is my first Christmas cooking for his family. They are fifth generation Texans. Feeling the pressure. Also do you say pecaaan with a long a or pecown?
Good lord, woman. You sure ask a lot of questions for a gal from New Jersey. Hit her, I mean it, y’all.
9 Comments »My Go-To Holiday Pot-Luck Party Recipe: The Astro-Weenie Christmas Tree
My Astro-Weenie Christmas Tree contribution to D Magazine's holiday party.Circa 2008.
Three years ago, I introduced you to Charles Phoenix, the “Ambassador of Americana.” More importantly, I introduced you to his “recipe” for the Astro-Weenie Christmas Tree. (I made several for the D Magazine holiday party in 2008. Co-workers still stalk me for my secret herbal ingredient.)
Well, thanks to SideDish, Phoenix’s career and has catapulted over hosting grade school field trips and roller skating parties to doing national TV spots with Martha Stewart and commenting on NPR. (Rawlins in drag?) I think it’s time to bring back the Astro-Weenie recipe. Remember, as they say in England, you can always make one suitable for vegetarians. Mind your head.
16 Dallas Holiday Cocktails You Must Try Now
Autumn Leaves at Victor Tangos (photography by Matthew Shelley)
I spent the last week researching bars serving up holiday cocktails in Big D. Then photographer Matthew Shelley and I made our way around town to give them a look and a taste. Here’s our toast to our new favorite holiday-inspired cocktails. Cheers.
Continue reading "16 Dallas Holiday Cocktails You Must Try Now"
13 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