As you bid farewell to 2012 and raise a glass to the excitement and unknown adventures sure to come in lucky 2013, do so with a tasty bubbly that will elevate your celebration on New Years or any day throughout the year. If you are still looking for the ideal bottle to celebrate with on Monday, consider one of these sparklers from around the world. Though not all are from Champagne, they are all made in the traditional method….a key component to look for in any bottle of bubbly. A few selections were sent for editorial consideration.
Domaine Chandon celebrates 40 years of making sparkling and still wine in Napa Valley in 2013. Help them celebrate their anniversary year with a bottle of their Reserve Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine. Made from predominantly Chardonnay grapes grown on their Mount Veeder estate, sometimes with a touch of Pinot Noir added, and aged at least 3 years on the lees (with the yeasts) giving the wine layers of rich, creamy flavors with texture and character. Toasted brioche and hazelnuts mingle with crisp golden apple, pear and a touch of honeysuckle for a luscious and lovely sparkler. Continue reading "What To Drink Now: Bubbles for the New Year"
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.
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.
I’ve got a list of 60+ restaurants anticipating your phone call. Here it is.
I know. I’m also hyperventilating, too. Pretty soon it’ll be Christmas, then New Year’s, then back to work on the second. Time is flying way too fast. This means you’ve got to start making your reservations pronto before you get put on a waiting list. Rub your hands and start calling. Here’s a list of places doing special New Year’s Eve and Day dinners. If you’re still behind on Christmas, you can check out the list of establishments open on December 24 and 25 right here.
Asador
Bistro 31
Blue Mesa Grill
Bolsa
Bonnell’s
Boulevardier
Cafe des Artistes
Cafe Izmir
Cafe Pacific
Canary by Gorji
Cedars Social
Central 214
Chamberlain’s Fish Market
Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House
Dallas Chop House
Dallas Fish Market
Del Frisco
DISH
Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa
Driftwood
Fearing’s
Fedora
Five Sixty
The Front Room: A Park Cities Diner
The Gin Mill
The Grape
Holy Grail Pub
Hotel St. Germain
Continue reading "Where to Book Your Reservations For New Year’s Eve and Day Dining in Dallas"
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The go to drink on Saturday night will be bubbly, as it is the drink of celebrations, to toast special occasions and, for many like me, an ideal option for starting and ending any night. If you are looking for a few great bottles to ring in 2012 in style consider one of these ranging in both price range and flavor profiles, and on sale in pretty much every wine shop, liquor store and specialty shop in town. Some selections were sent for editorial consideration. Cheers to a great New Year!
Laurent-Perrier Brut Millésimé 2002 – A vintage bubbly from the heart of Champagne, only made in exceptional years when the grapes show they are substantial enough to stand on their own in a vintage Champagne, instead of blending with several vintages to create the most widely seen NV (non-vintage). 2002 was the best in Champagne since 1996, another year for great vintage bubbles. Crisp and elegant, quite reflective of the Laurent-Perrier house style. 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, creating an initially fruit forward Champagne that opens to a well-rounded, citrus fruit and toasted brioche palate. Continue reading "What To Drink Now: New Year’s Eve Bubbly"
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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"
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 »This link will take you to the DFW International Community Alliance website. There you will find a list of international holiday celebrations taking place in the area. Choose a unique event or two and expand your horizons this season. Experience Venezuelan Christmas Carols or sample food at the Indonesian Christmas Celebration. Not Jewish? Take your family to see A Chanukah Musical Story. You can drive around and look at Christmas lights any time.
Okay @DSideDish TwEATers, are you lining up for the parade. Tweet details of food and drink, or any other details, to @DSideDish and we will retweet. Have fun.
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It’s New Year’s Eve! Here are a couple of sparkling wine recommendations. Mumm Napa, the California branch of the G.H. Mumm Champagne house, has three good options. As a general observation, Mumm’s winemaking objective seems to be to exploit the abundant fruit in California grape harvests when they develop their house style. This is in contrast with the cool climate harvests typical of Champagne, France’s northernmost major wine making region which produce a less fruity wine.
Prices below are approximate. The tasting notes are mine and prices below are approximate.
Continue reading "This New Year’s Eve: Mumm’s The Word"
2 Comments »Just got my weekly mailer from Central Market and all wine is on sale this week for 20% off 6-12 bottles, 25% off 13 bottles or more! (mixed or the same.) I love wine sales.
If you shop their prepared chef’s case and spend $15 or more it is 25% off also. We used some of their truffle/mushroom paste in our mushroom/truffle risotto on Christmas Eve…amazing. If your New Years is going completely decadent, live lobsters are on sale too for $9.99 a pound.
The latest version of our New Year’s Eve list. Book while there’s still time.
(As always, restaurants are welcome to post their menu in the comments section.)
jump here for the New Year’s Eve menus… Continue reading "Let’s Get This New Year’s Party Started"
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The latest version of our New Year’s Eve list. Book while there’s still time.
(As always, restaurants are welcome to post their menu in the comments section.)
jump here for the New Year’s Eve menus… Continue reading "Where To Party (and Dine) in Dallas On New Year’s Eve"
3 Comments »The holiday period (including New Year’s Eve!) is traditionally a time for celebrating with sparkling wine. While the first sparkling wine that comes to mind may be Champagne there are plenty of other types of sparkling wine. Some are produced by the same methods as Champagne but others are not and are worthy and less expensive. Below I have put together some alternatives to Champagne from a batch of bottles that have been sent to D Headquarters for review. I’ve included approximate prices. The opinions are mine. Go.
Continue reading "Sparkling Tipples for The Holidays in Dallas"
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The latest version of our New Year’s Eve list. Book while there’s still time.
(As always, restaurants are welcome to post their menu in the comments section.)
jump here for the New Year’s Eve menus… Continue reading "Your New Year’s Eve Plans—The Update"
2 Comments »OK, sure, they’re everywhere. But ubiquity doesn’t disqualify La Madeleine from easing my burden this holiday season. The chain’s patisserie (French bakery) is turning out a broad enough variety of Viennoisere (Viennese yummies) and assorted hostess/office/family-worthy gifts to solve every potential holiday dilemma I tend to encounter.
jump to find out how… Continue reading "La Madeleine May Be Ubiquitous, But Come Dec. 23 That Might Make The Chain My Best Friend"
Not familiar with Black Sheep? No worries. Just roll with our “You Can Go With This; Or You Can Go With That” theme and make it a New Year’s Eve to forget (which is a good thing).
(As always, restaurants are welcome to post their menu in the comments section.)
jump here for the New Year’s Eve menus… Continue reading "I Think We’ll Get With This, ‘Cause This Is Where It’s At (On New Year’s Eve)."
New Year’s Eve can be a real bummer if you don’t have a gang and a plan. While we may not be able to provide the gang, we can at least provide the plan. Check it out below:
Continue reading "What’s That You Say? You Need New Year’s Eve Plans, Too?"
For the 12 days leading up to Christmas (December 13 to 24), the Uptown location of Urban Taco will be showcasing a different, rib-sticking tamale recipe each and every day. Keep your shopping energy high with pollo con mole on the 13th, rajas con queso on the 15th, and barbacoa con chorizo on the 20th. (Is it our imaginations, or do the recipes seem to get heartier the closer we get to zero hour on the 24th?)
Our suggestion: grab them by the dozen ($25), freeze, then defrost for Christmas brunch or that New Year’s Day hangover. Yes, definitely for that New Year’s Day hangover.
jump for the line-up… Continue reading "Forget the 12 Days of Christmas; Urban Taco Gives Us 12 Days of Tamales"