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Articles about Valentines Day

Alan “Patric” McClure is a Full-Time Chocolate Maker and Part-Time Model

Alan "Patric" McClure stands in front of his demo table at Central Market's Chocolate Festival (photos by William Neal)

Alan “Patric” McClure, owner of Patric Chocolate, is the kind of guy who blushes when you tell him, “My editor sent me here because you’re famous.”

We’re standing in the middle of Central Market’s busiest intersection – a place where people and grocery carts collide – and it takes him a couple minutes to recover from my forward introduction. When McClure gathers his thoughts, he launches into his insane foodie-ism and then does something completely unexpected: he starts modeling with his chocolate. Tyra would be proud.

Jump for some funny photos.

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posted by Carol Shih | February 14th, 2012 12:20pm | filed under Chocolate, Holidays, Sexy food, Snacks, Valentines Day | 7 Comments »

Happy Valentine’s Day: Off-Site Kitchen in Dallas is Open for Business

Slow-cooked pork covered with caramelized onions and peppers.

Nick Badovinus and chef Dan Riley have been hunkered down for over a year developing the menu and creating all kinds of delicious roasted meats for Off-Site Kitchen. Today he is finally opening the doors!

Now, hold your horses. The dining room is tiny. Off-Site Kitchen is basically a take-out restaurant with a few stools inside and some picnic tables outside. Here are some pictures of what you can expect. The food, inspired by “what line cooks eat,” is basically simple sandwiches and breakfast burritos made from quality roasted meats. Roll the Badovinus quote of the year:

“It’s light industrial food,” he said. “It’s the kind of food you want to eat before you go solder something.”

Off-Site Kitchen will be open for lunch only from 10:30AM until 3PM for the next two weeks. Then the breakfast menu will kick in and they will begin serving at 7AM and will remain open until 7PM. “After we hit our stride, we’ll start rolling out the meat-by-the-pound program,” Badovinus said. “I’m so excited. This place is a real man cave.”

The original date for OSK’s opening was February 14, 2011. After Badovinus missed his mark, he decided to workshop the place and open on Valentine’s Day this year. “You see how many financial sacrifices I made to pay for my original vision,” Badovinus said. “I mean I’ve got a wheelbarrow of pork rinds down here. Who doesn’t love that?”

Badovinus was only half-joking about the Valentine’s Day opening. He and chef Dan Riley have used the Off-Site Kitchen space to tweak the menus of Badovinus’ other restaurants (Neighborhood Services, Neighborhood Services Tavern, and Neighborhood Services Bar & Grill). They also use the huge kitchen as a commissary for the other restaurants. The receive, portion, and distribute all of the meat and seafood at Off-Site Kitchen.

SOLDER, EAT, REPORT. No call-in orders. Plan to show up and wait.

[Also, Neighborhood Services Bar & Grill in Preston Royal will open for lunch in two weeks.]

The menu and photos are below.

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posted by Nancy Nichols | February 14th, 2012 11:28am | filed under Bring it!, Burgers, Celebrity Diners, Cult Cuisine, Hole in the wall, Meat, Merguez Sausage Hunt, Openings, Restaurant News, Sandwiches, Scoops, Second coming, Silly Reasons to Celebrate, Take-out, Valentines Day, chickens, lunch, mob scenes, pork, youthful spontaneous restaurants | 1 Comment »

The Emporium Pop-Up Pie Shop Opens Saturday in Oak Cliff

Megan Wilkes and Mary Gauntt have a wish. They want to make Dallas a pie-friendly city. They have been testing pies, selling pies online, and creating a business plan for a real pie store called The Emporium. To get the feel for how their pies and plans will work, they to pop-up up this weekend in a century-old cottage at 314 N. Bishop. On Saturday (9AM-2PM) and Sunday (2PM-7PM), they will be selling pies: Drunken Nut (bourbon pecan with shortbread crust), Smooth Operator (French silk chocolate in a crispy pretzel crust), and a secret-ingredient Mardi Gras concoction. You can buy a whole pie or a slice and pair it with Cultivar Coffee.

Go. Eat. Report. You can find them across from Hunkys Hamburgers on Bishop Ave. at 8th St.)

Wanna see some pie porn?

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posted by Nancy Nichols | February 14th, 2012 9:30am | filed under Food Invasion, Local/Slow Food, Pie, Valentines Day, hostess gifts, oak cliff, pop-up restaurant |

Book Your Valentine’s Day Dinner In Dallas

Good luck to you, dear sir or madam, if you haven’t already made your Valentine’s Day reservation. Life might really suck tomorrow. Luckily, I’ve updated this fabulous list of 65+ restaurants for procrastinators like yourself who are the future leaders of tomorrow. Check out this complete listing with phone numbers, addresses, and menus all included.

Click here for the list that will save your relationship.

posted by Carol Shih | February 13th, 2012 11:38am | filed under Hot Links!, Procrastination is part of the creative process, Valentines Day, dessert | 2 Comments »

Eat This Now: Tamale Tart at Stephan Pyles in Dallas

Imagine for one second that you happened to forget that it was Valentine’s Day next week.  Maybe you were busy at work, maybe you were simply swamped with World of Warcraft, who cares.  You forgot and now your wife  is giving you the what for. I know how you feel, I’ve been there before.  There’s a reason the arms of my micro-fiber couch have sleepy-drool stains on them.

Fear not compadres, there is a foolproof way to get yourself out of the dog house and back on that lovely pedestal.

Step 1: Flowers (they are all suckers for dead plants).

Step 2: Learn the value of a good-ole, tear jerkin’ apology.

Step 3: Surprise her with a night out at Stephan Pyles.

You wife will be putty in your hands.

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posted by Daniel Walker | February 10th, 2012 10:00am | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Chef groupies, Eat This Now!, Spicy foods, Valentines Day, appetizers, seafood | 2 Comments »

What To Drink Now: Valentine’s Bubbly On A Budget

Though the taste of great Champagne dances on the palate like you were drinking stars from the sky, illuminating the tiny bubbles mimicking diamonds in a glass – the reality is that such a luxury is hard to afford every day, even special days like Valentine’s.  I am a big believer in opening up a special bottle on a random Tuesday, but not every special bottle has to cost you an arm and a leg.  A bottle is special because you think it is, so here are some special bottles of bubbly that are all under $25.  A few selections were sent for editorial consideration.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva is one of the best bang for your buck bubbles from the famed Ferrer family in Spain.  Costing just around $10 a bottle, and often less, this bone dry artisanal Cava from Spain’s Penedès region blends the traditional Cava grapes of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo together in the classic méthode champenoise technique, which is then aged up to 3 years in the bottle.  A bubbly to start or end a meal with filled with wild flowers, tropical fruit and citrus with balanced, bright acidity. (more…)

posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 8th, 2012 2:25pm | filed under Valentines Day, Wine & Spirits |

Book Your Valentine’s Day Dinner In Dallas

More V Day menus for your viewing pleasure.

Jump here for the full listing.

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posted by Carol Shih | February 7th, 2012 10:11am | filed under Procrastination is part of the creative process, Valentines Day, menus | 14 Comments »

What To Drink, and Give, Now: Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the mind turns to finding the perfect way to say I love you. Though jewelry is always sure to please; unique, personal gifts that speak directly to your sweetie mean everything, especially when that gift comes in a bottle. Here are a few ideas, some sent for editorial consideration.

Crushpad clients create their wine blend

Give him or her the ultimate gift: their own barrel of wine.  Crushpad allows you to do this. Housed in a state of the art facility in Sonoma, CA, Crushpad brings the excitement of making wine to the everyday guy or gal. If your sweetie (or you) has ever wanted to have the hands on experience of making wine from vine to bottle (i.e. finding the grapes, working a harvest, fermentation, choosing your barrels, designing a label, creating your blend and bottling your own wine) now you can. The best part? You chose your level of involvement. With a highly respected team on site at Crushpad, novice winemakers have the chance to learn the ins and outs of the business from experts, or take advantage of Crushpad’s knowledge and enjoy a more hands off approach while still enjoying the end result: a barrel all their own comprising of 25 cases of wine.  With vineyards ranging from the Central Coast of California to Sonoma and Napa to some of the finest in Bordeaux the land and varietal opportunities are divine, giving participants the chance to make their own Bordeaux blend from Margaux, Russian River Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa’s Stagecoach Vineyard.  Everything is included in barrel. The price ranges from $6,000 to about $12,000 each depending on the varietal and vineyard.  If your wine is good enough, they will help you with a plan on how to sell it publicly.
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posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 6th, 2012 2:20pm | filed under Valentines Day, Wine & Spirits |

Faye Blackmon’s Culinary Class

Faye Blackmon gets a hug from Shara (photography by Micah Nunley)

Fudgenugget. I was born in the wrong school district. If I had taken Faye Blackmon’s culinary class back when I was in high school, I bet I’d be on Top Chef right now basking in the glory of Paul’s shiny knives. But I digress. Wednesday morning, I dragged along photo intern Micah Nunley to Duncanville High School, where we watched legendary Faye Blackmon teach a batch of seniors real life skills inside the kitchen.

In May, Blackmon, 69, is retiring from Duncanville HS after teaching for 37 years.

Jump for beautiful photos of kids and food. (more…)

posted by Carol Shih | February 3rd, 2012 1:53pm | filed under Baking, Chocolate, Good Deeds, Slow News Day, Valentines Day, cookies | 4 Comments »

We Love Chocolate

As you’ve probably figured out from this month’s cover, we love chocolate. And we love our local chocolatiers. From shoes of chocolate to hand-painted pieces, it’s all beautiful and delicious. Before diving into the world of chocolate, I gave a call to DallasChocolate.org founder Sander Wolf. I asked him about the state of chocolate in Dallas, and he told me that “it’s emerging. We’re not San Francisco or New York, but there’s a lot of people doing a lot of good stuff.” One great thing about chocolatiers in Dallas is that everybody has his/her own specialty. “When they get together, there’s virtually no overlap,” Wolf says. “Even if you gave them all the same ingredients, they would turn out completely different.”

To see the result of their work, check out these gorgeous photos by Manny Rodriguez.

And, if you’d like to find out where you can taste some of this chocolate, jump. I’ve included information from DallasChocolate.org about what our favorite chocolatiers are up to this month.

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posted by Krista Nightengale | February 2nd, 2012 3:16pm | filed under Chocolate, Diets are stupid, Valentines Day, dessert |

Chocolate Festival at Central Market, Feb 8-14

Katrina Markoff of Vosges Haut-Chocolat, the woman who sells bacon chocolate candy bars for $33 a box and probably makes a darn good living from it, is holding two truffle classes (making bacon truffles?? maybe??) in Central Market for a pre-Chocolate Festival event on February 4. The real Chocolate Festival kicks off on February 8 when Central Market hosts some of the hottest chocolatiers at their Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano locations to show what these superstars can do with mighty fine cocoa beans.

At least now I know what I want for V Day: bacon freakin’ chocolate candy. Whoever mails me a box, wins.

Jump for dates, times, and locations. (more…)

posted by Carol Shih | January 27th, 2012 11:43am | filed under Bacon, Bars, Chocolate, Valentines Day, classes, dessert | 1 Comment »

Tweet Where You Eat: TwEAT Your Mav’s Celebration!

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.

posted by Nancy Nichols | June 16th, 2011 9:56am | filed under Christmas, Cinco de Mayo, Easter, GO MAVS!, Hanukkah, Holidays, Mother's Day, New Year's Eve, Overprivileged chimps, Restaurant News, Thanksgiving, Twitter, Valentines Day, mob scenes, party, pop-up restaurant | 1 Comment »

Salad Dressing Scandal: Houston’s in Addison Denies Customer an Extra Serving

What is going on around here? First a restaurant won’t split a large bill for a table of eleven, now comes word that Houston’s in Addison won’t put dressing on the side. This note from a long-time Houston’s customer just popped up in my inbox:

Me: “I’d like my dressing on the side.”
Server:  “We don’t do sides of dressing anymore, we make the dressing with the salad.”
Me: “Oh.”

[Salad is served]

Server: “How’s your salad?”
Me:  “Kind of bland, can I get some more dressing?”
Server:  “I’m sorry they [kitchen] only make the dressing when they make the salad.”
Me:  “But it’s a $14 salad.”

REALLY? On Valentine’s Day? MAKE SOME MORE.

posted by Nancy Nichols | February 15th, 2011 1:32pm | filed under Food Crime, Murmur, Procrastination is part of the creative process, Restaurant News, Skinny bitches, Slow News Day, Valentines Day | 18 Comments »

A New Twist On Romance, Stay Home and Toast On Valentine’s Day

Though this day of romance calls for beautiful dinners out at some of our favorite spots in town, but if you are like me and prefer a quiet dinner at home with your sweetie, or watching The Bachelor  with 5 of your friends,  take some tips from a few Food Network favorites. 

Chopped host, Ted Allen,  teamed with Robert Mondavi Private Selection to create a few ideas to help you get in touch with your sweetie using your 5 senses.   Make pizza for your Valentine, though not the most elaborate it is supper easy.  Head over to Jimmy’s and pick up some pizza dough and impress your date with your pie tossing abilities.  Chocolate is a must on Valentine’s - make the house smell decadent with gooey, warm brownies that pair nicely with Mondavi’s Private Selection Meritage, a Bordeaux style blend with black cherry, licorice and chocolate.  Make sure the atmosphere is elegant and inviting with candlelight, pictures of you and your sweetie, serve the wine out of a decanter or other beautiful container.   Besides the tasty pizza, serve other bites to put you in the mood for love – oysters are a given, but figs and prosciutto are perfect bites to feed your mate.  And of course, set the overall tone with great music, Chet Baker, Dianna Krall, Michael Buble or Marc Chon, all great for setting the mood.  (more…)

posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 14th, 2011 12:20pm | filed under Celebrity Chefs, Valentines Day, Wine & Spirits, cocktails | 3 Comments »

Family Valentine’s Day Fun at Spoons

I love downtown McKinney. Great restaurants, fun shopping that isn’t a bunch of antique shops and quilting rooms, and a vibrant artsy vibe. It’s also family friendly especially at the popular Spoons Cafe. For Valentine’s Day, they’re hosting their annual cupcake decorating and Valentine buffet family feast. Chow down on meatloaf, chicken fried steak, fried okra, mac n’ cheese, and more. And I did mention that you get to decorate your own cupcake, right? Sounds like more fun than dining by candlelight.

posted by Todd Johnson | February 11th, 2011 1:52pm | filed under Holidays, Valentines Day, cupcakes |

Hey, You! Only Three Days to Go Until Valentine’s Day. Don’t Screw It Up.

(photo courtesy of Flickr user lifelikeapps)

Don’t say we didn’t try to help you. If you can’t find a place to take the wife/girlfriend/partner/imaginary paramour now, I’m afraid there nothing more we can do for you.

jump for the final list of Valentine’s day menus and specials… (more…)

posted by Sarah Reiss | February 11th, 2011 9:00am | filed under Festivals, Holidays, Valentines Day, menus | 4 Comments »

If You Don’t Need to See Your Date, Try Dining In The Dark on Valentine’s

This weekend a dining concept that has launched in other cities throughout the country comes to Dallas.  For 4 days only, starting Friday night, guests will have an opportunity to really experience a meal, and their date, without the use of one of our key senses, vision.  Smell, sound, touch and taste will be at the forefront of the four course meal designed to ignite romance without the use of sight.  The experience will occur at The aloft Hotel downtown, more information available here, and below.

Upon arriving at the Dining in the Dark venue, guests are welcomed in a lighted lounge area where they can order their drinks and preview the menu.  Once they have ordered, guests are guided into the darkened dining room for an experience of taste, smell, touch and sound they will never forget.

Diners will enjoy a meal in a literally pitch-black dining room where they are guided and served by blind or visually impaired individuals that have been specially trained to serve meals in the dark, casually and comfortably offering guidance and reassurance for sighted guests. 

posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 9th, 2011 12:16pm | filed under Valentines Day | 1 Comment »

What I’m Drinking Now: Stars

Cointreau Pearls in a glass of bubbly

Dom Perignon exclaimed after his first sips of Champagne that he was drinking stars, and in honor of Valentine’s Day, now is the time to do the same.  But it doesn’t have to set you back quite as much as a bottle of Dom will these days will.  Here are a few ideas to help with your celebration.  Some selections were sent for editorial consideration.

Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut Rose, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from Schramsberg’s Carneros, Anderson Valley, Sonoma County and Marin County vineyards.  The bubbly is lively and fresh with strawberry, raspberry and spiced ginger flavors with a toasty finish. 

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posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 9th, 2011 12:05pm | filed under Valentines Day, Wine & Spirits, cocktails | 5 Comments »

What I’m Drinking Now: Valentine’s Cocktails

Hearts of POM

Though bubbly may be the signature drink for lovers on Valentine’s Day, there are some romantic, fun and flirty cocktails that are sure to put your Valentine in the mood for love. 
Here are a few ideas sure to please any palate and add a bit of kick to your romantic n:

Hearts of Pom
2 oz Riazul Premium Silver tequila
1 oz pomegranate juice
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 pomegranate (optional)
Mix together ice, Riazul silver, pomegranate juice, Cointreau and lime juice into a cocktail shaker.  Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds.

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posted by Hayley Hamilton | February 7th, 2011 4:30pm | filed under Valentines Day, Wine & Spirits, cocktails | 1 Comment »

Valentine’s Day Plans Made Easy

(photo courtesy of Flickr user lifelikeapps)

While you may not be alone in having not made V-Day reservations yet, you will be alone on the day (all alone) if you mess up this part of the romancing process. Local chefs have done the work for you by preparing canoodle-worthy menus; all you have to do is pick up the phone and reserve two spots.

jump for the full list of this year’s menus… (more…)

posted by Sarah Reiss | February 3rd, 2011 2:26pm | filed under Events, Valentines Day | 6 Comments »

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