Loren Means files the following report on 1888, a dirty martini mix made in Dallas.

As a long-time lover of dirty martinis, Dallasite Kenneth Hamburger II found too many of them were unpredictable. While some hit the mark, others tasted more like ocean water. Sometimes they would vary drastically in the same evening even though they were ordered from and mixed by the same bartender. After Hamburger was laid off by Lamborghini in 2008, he decided to come up with a cure for the inconsistent dirty martini. His inspiration? Hah, it sounds so easy. Now.

Jump for it.

In the spring of 2009, after being inspired by a friend and an episode of Unwrapped with Marc Summers, Hamburger thought, “If you can squeeze a grape and squeeze an orange, why not an olive?”  He went into overdrive researching products that were currently available, and found that bottled brine and other mixers consisting only of water, salt, and lactic acid dominated the market. Bottled olive juice did not exist.

In the following months he became an expert on olives. With the help of a local company, he used a fruit press to create his first batch of fresh whole-pressed olive juice using Spanish olives. He immediately bottled the juice and distributed it to neighbors and friends for feedback. After many rave reviews, the product found its way into the hands of the bar manager at The Stoneleigh Hotel, 1888’s first client. (1888 is the year the word “martini” was first published in the American bartender’s manual.)

Hamburger cashed in all of his savings and sold all his stocks to bring his concept to reality. Today, as 1888 celebrates its second birthday, the still one-of-a-kind product (locally produced and bottled) is widely available at restaurants such as Nick and Sam’s, The Mansion on Turtle Creek, and Private Social. You can also pick up a bottle at Central Market, Specs, Centennial, Pogo, etc. If you prefer to shop online, you can order 1888 through local company, Artizone, or on Amazon.

When asked if he prefers his martinis shaken or stirred, Hamburger replies, “Always shaken.”

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

Wanna see some pie porn?

Three bottles of Pinot Evil (@$9.99 each) in a box for under $20. Pairs perfectly with kale and barbecue. Not necessarily on the same menu.

In April 2011, Centennial Fine Wine and Spirits acquired 32 retail locations of Majestic Liquor Stores, Inc. This includes the  “Fat Dog Beverages” in East Texas and “Doc’s Liquors” in West Texas. Today comes word from Tony Miller Director of Marketing at Centennial:

“I wanted to let our most loyal customers know first that we have closed several of our store locations in the Metroplex.This was a difficult decision, but it will allow us to strategically grow and ultimately serve you better.  We hope you will find another location near you and continue shopping with us!”

Dear Tony, you can close the store at Highland Park Village but if you touch Fat Dog Beverages (home of Pinot Evil box wine) in East Texas, I will cut you.

Stores closed below:

Centennial

6006 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Fort Worth, TX 76116

Centennial

4651 Bryant Irvin Rd.

Fort Worth, TX 76132

Centennial

1 Highland Park Village

Dallas, TX 75205

Centennial

10222 North Stemmons Freeway

Dallas, TX 75220

Majestic

2401 Parker Rd.

Hebron, TX 75010

Apple Jacks

5625 East I-20

Fort Worth, TX 76119

Big Daddy’s

7620 Blue Mound Rd., Ste 144

Fort Worth, TX 76131

Deep Ellum Brewery has just released their first (only?) production of “Love Runs Deep” Cherry Chocolate Double Brown Stout (deets below). Think you’ll find it at Tom Thumb? Nope. Bolsa Mercado bought the entire batch. Each 22-ounce bottle is individually numbered and made with red tart and dark sweet cherries and Organic/Fair Trade cocoa nibs. Expect to find all 300 of them on the shelves of Bolsa Mercado during their next Open House on February 11.

If you can’t wait until the 11^th to get a food fix from The ‘Cado, head over on February 8. If you are lucky, you may be able to look past talented chef chefs Jeff Harris and Matt Balke and spot the rare, elusive chef Sharon Hage in the kitchen. She will be creating a “Take Home Dinner For Two.” Who knows, by then Bolsa Mercado may have Alan McClure creating Fudgesicles or Grant Achatz doing dishes. Could happen. Pigs fly in Oak Cliff.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE DOUBLE BROWN STOUT -

8% ABV 27 IBUs

Our logical offering for a passionate time of year.

Who says Brewers can’t pluck your heartstrings? We’ll play right to your heart (and

palette and belly) by taking our already smooth and rich Double Brown Stout and taking

out to a night on the town. By adding real Red Tart and Dark Sweet Cherries at the

beginning of fermentation and **(Organic/Fair Trade) cocoa nibs at the end of

conditioning, once a year we treat our Double Brown Stout lavishly. Don’t be a selfish

lover, share with this someone special.

Style: Cherry Chocolate Baltic Porter

Hops: US Goldings, Mt. Hood, US Northern Brewer, Summit

Malts: Pale Ale, Munich light, Brown, Munich Dark, Oats, Crystal Rye, Extra Dark

Crystal, Dehusked Chocolate

Yeast: California Lager

Other: Blackstrap Molasses, Red Tart & Dark Sweet Cherry Puree’, Cocoa Nibs

Packages: 50L, 1/6th bbl

Hippie donuts will be served in a groovy setting.Photography by Desiree Espada.

SideDish photographer Desiree Espada roams the roads with her camera looking for good things to eat and shoot. Check out her photo essay of Bolsa Mercado. Then feast your eyes on what to expect when the Jerry Garcia of donut making, James St. Peter, opens Hypnotic Donuts on Sunday, January 29.

Glory be to the donut.

Interior seating. Kate Nelson of Piecurious makes curious donuts. Photography by Desiree Espada.

James St. Peter rings up a sale. Photography by Desiree Espada.

The Zoo Ropa with iced animal cookies. Photography by Desiree Espada.

Jenni's evil Elvis: peanut butter with banana and bacon. Photography by Desiree Espada.

Greek yogurt parfait and The Hypnotic. Photography by Desiree Espada.

The Canadian Health Care. Photography by Desiree Espada.

The Biscuit Board. Photography by Desiree Espada.

Biscuit with peanut butter and jelly. Photography by Desiree Espada.

Fried chicken biscuit and gravy. Photography by Desiree Espada.

Hypnotic Donuts: Inside out. Photography by Desiree Espada.

Team Hypnotic: Rachel Villarreal, Kate Nelson,and James Baker. Photography by Desiree Espada.

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.

Slow Food Dallas and North Haven Gardens. This very cool partnership will present a   series of classes for novices and experienced gardeners. Mark you calendars. Here’s the linky dink.

Urban Acres. Holiday Market 2011. Need creative gift ideas?  Or just want something fun to do with friends and family this weekend? Please join us this Saturday, December 10th for a Holiday Artisan Marketplace at Urban Acres! We’ve invited our favorite local craft and food artisans to share their goods in our fun, community-based setting. Each artist will showcase handcrafted artwork or artisanal foods that we just know our Urban Acres friends will appreciate! Check out the vendors here!

Smoke Camp at Lockhart Smokehouse. Smoke like a pro after “Smoke Camp.”  The pitmasters at Lockhart Smokehouse will share some trade secrets such as: choosing the right meat, dry rub vs. wet rub practices, smoking techniques, proper trimming and carving, plus the art of “Burnt Ends.” Class includes dinner, cold beer, and a t-shirt. “Smoke Camp” will be held Tuesday, January 17 from 6:30-8-30pm.  Cost $75.  Space is limited, so call us to make your reservation early. 214-944-5521.

White Rock Market. The 3^rd Annual Holiday Market takes place on Saturday, December 10 from 9AM to 3PM at Green Spot Market in East Dallas. (702 N. Buckner Blvd. 2140797-4989) Music, local food and handicraft vendors galore. It’s free. Venodors listed below.

Nosh. Black Winter Truffles from Perigord are now at NOSH. Fresh Capelini or Risotto with shaved Black Winter Truffles $25!

Details.Sigel’s-Addison

Saturday, December 10th     (11am-3pm)

Brazos Valley Cheese is dedicated to crafting all-natural, high quality, healthy cheese using raw milk, vegetable rennet, and no artificial flavors, preservatives or coloring. The milk comes from grass-fed cows that graze freely on three local Brazos River Valley Jersey/Brown Swiss dairies that do not use growth hormones or antibiotics. The high butterfat content of this milk makes rich, yellow, creamy cheeses. Every one of the cheeses is made with raw cow’s milk and all the hard cheeses are aged in underground cheese caves for at least two months. Theirsmoked cheeses get their flavor from being smoked over pecan shells in a restored 1860’s smokehouse.

Marc will explain the process that goes into handcrafting these exquisite cheeses as well as discussing using the cheeses in holiday menus. All of the Brazos Valley cheeses will be on sale after the tasting. For more information about this free tasting, or to place an order, please contact Teresa McGee at 972/387-9873 or store05@sigels.com.

White Rock Local Market Third Annual Holiday Market

Dec. 10 9 a.m.-3 p.m. At Green Spot Market in East Dallas

White Rock Local Market presents its third annual Holiday Market Dec. 10 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Spot Market and Fuels, 702 N. Buckner Blvd. Food and arts and crafts vendors will be available for all your holiday shopping. Fish Fry Bingo, a hillbilly jug band, will perform from noon -2 p.m.  The event is free. See http://www.whiterocklocalmarket.com for more information or call 214-797-4989. This is the final market of the 2011 Season. The 2012 Season will start in March. For a complete list of vendors go here: http://www.whiterocklocalmarket.com/vendors.html

White Rock Local Market is a non-profit, independent farmers market, a public space offering a venue for local farmers, ranchers and artisans to bring what they grow or make and sell directly to the East Dallas neighborhood.  The mission is to strengthen the community by creating a meeting place for residents to buy fresh, local and healthy foods, and quality arts and crafts.  WRLM happens twice a month (from March through December) – the second and fourth Saturday – at The Green Spot Market and Fuels, 702 N. Buckner Blvd. The second Saturday includes all vendors – food and crafts.  The fourth Saturday is just for farmers, growers and artisan foods. See http://www.whiterocklocalmarket.com for more information.

Farmers and Other Food Vendors for Dec. 10

Brennan Vineyards Sophisticated Wines with Texas Roots

Bon Aire Community Gardens
Uncertified organic produce, herbs and flowers

Chef Milton
Chili-honey roasted nuts

Eagle Mountain Farmhouse Cheese
Gouda and trappist style cheese

Empire Baking Company Artisan breads

Finley Farms
Seasonal produce

Good Earth Organics
Certified Organic produce

Grapevine Grains Fresh made granola, fresh rolled oats, swiss style muesli, and stone ground flours

Homestead Land and Cattle Company Grass fed beef, chicken and lamb

In a Pickle Handmade pickles

J&S Produce
Seasonal produce and mushrooms

JuHa Ranch Grassfed beef, lamb, pork, chicken and eggs

Kitchen Pride Mushrooms Portobello, oyster, shitake mushrooms

Lucido Pasta and Preserves
Handmade pasta and preserves

Magnolia Seafood
Gulfcoast seafood

Rosy Ridge Farm
Baked goods

Sachse Heritage Farms
Seasonal produce

South Texas Beef Jerky
Beef Jerky

Stephanie’s Premium Bakery Decorated cookies

Texas Honey Bee Guild
Zip Code Honey®

Texas Olive Ranch Olive oils from Texas grown olives

Texas Worm Ranch Worms, worm casting, compost tea

The Tamale Company Lard-free tamales

Village Baking Company Artisan breads and pastries

Wackym’s Kitchen Freshly baked cookies

Artists & Other Non-Food Vendors for Dec. 10

Abundantly Aromatic Handmade soaps and candles

Allie Kat Designs Jewelry and hair accessories

Aliona K Jewelry Metal glass and mixed media jewelry

Arrow Sarah Wooden box purses and jewelry

Bailey Bear and Company
Handmade baby burb clothes

Bella Rose Jewelry
Silver, copper and bronze jewelry

Bound Essential Oils
Body products made with essential oils

Capricho’s Studio Jewelry

Chickeeboom Handcrafted silver jewelry

Dowdy Studios T-shirt wagon

D.P.C.
Handmade women’s clothing

F is for Frank
Cast pewter jewelry and accessories

Freckled Chicken Handmade girl’s skirts, pillows and backpacks

Gotta Have-Its!
Hand knitted baby and adult hats

Handwoven by Tauntie
Hand knitted baby and adult hats

The Green Piano Handmade pillows and home accessories

Groovi Babi
Tie-dye potato-stamped onesies

David Anthony Harman
Photographs

Patti Haskins Handmade stuffed animals

Hip Hazel Hoops Hula Hoops

Kuchera Designs Custom furniture

La Alicia Recycled paper products

Metah Designs
Jewelry

Neke Designs Jewelry

Thomas O’Kelley
Adirondack chairs and furniture

Old Bike Guys
Vintage bicycles

One Fish Two Fish Vases and ceramics

Pig Dog Glass
Fused Glass Jewelry

Purple Ranch Lavender Farm Lavender body products, candles and tea bags

Red Ranger Ray Guns Recycled ray guns

Regal Cottage Eco-friendly toys and gifts

Shed Print Studio Original prints on recycled paper and fabric

Shirt Girls T-shirts, onesies and totebags

Sophy Sam Photographs

St. Barnibus Episcopal Church
Jewelry

Sunstone
Jewelry

Toomasooba T-shirts and prints

Trained Eye Studios Wood and metal furniture

Two Clay Hands Ceramics

Vintage Dreamz Accessories made from vintage jewelry

Vintage Loving Mama
Aprons and handcrafted items

Virtuous Designs
Handmade aprons and sock monkeys

Waggin’ Tail Treats Homemade dog treats

Wipe-n-Wear
Handmade aprons and accessories

Yum Scents Handmade soaps and body products

Lisa Garza juggles relationships to get Sissy's Fried Chicken open.

Although La Garza is all about sisterhood (“I am Sissy,” Garza says. “Sissy is southern slang for “sister” and I am developing every aspect.”) there will be no sissy in the kitchen. La G has plucked Jeffery Hobbs and named him “leader of the kitchen.”

Oh, it’s a tangled tale—an episode of As the Restaurant Turns. Here’s the synopsis: Lisa was married to Chef Gilbert Garza. Together they operated Suze Restaurant, the cozy spot on Midway and NW Highway. At some point, Jeffery Hobbs joined the happy couple to work on the kitchen team as chef and partner. Hobbs and Gilbert ran a great restaurant. Lisa concentrated on catering. Lisa was picked as a contestant on Next Food Network Star. The experience was devastating, as most former TV reality participants will admit is generally the case. The Garzas divorced and Lisa retreated for a couple of years. She emerged as a fancy caterer. Found a new guy. Got re-married and is now pregnant with new restaurant.

After eight years at Suze, Hobbs splits to partner with burgeoning bully restaurateur, Jack “Maple & Motor” Perkins. They’re consulting on taco joints. Then La G calls Hobbs and asks him to be the “leader of her kitchen.” According to La G, Gilbert has given his blessing to the deal. See, there can be happy endings. Or beginnings. Stay tuned.

Wondering how to send a sweet gift – without going to the store?  Know a college student hungry for snacks before finals or have a homesick Texan who needs a pick-me-up?  Looking for unique ideas for holiday gift giving?  Get ready to ship delicious treats from Central Market – just by shopping on the web!

Oh My God!

Central Market just launched its first eCommerce website to serve customers who think deliciously.  The online store features Central Market gift boxes.

With more than 20 to choose from, there’s something for every foodie out there.  Snacks and Spreads, Tastes of Texas or Central Market Own Brand favorites. For new moms or beauty product lovers, there are bath and baby themed boxes available, too.

The boxes are designed in such a way that gift wrap is a thing of the past.  The colorful, decorative lid is designed with playful messages and slides open to reveal a trove of hand-packed treats nestled safely in ‘sizzle and confetti’ packing.

“We worked with our buyers, who travel the US and the globe to find the best tasting products, to thoughtfully select the items to build our gift boxes,” said Sarah Dyer, Floral & Gift Baskets BDM for Central Market, who worked to select the offerings in each box. “They’re special. No one else can offer our exclusive Native Texan salsas, for example.  Our boxes are really loaded with great products, and very competitively priced, too.”

“Shoppers can shop in their pajamas just a few days before a birthday or holiday because they can drop a box in their online shopping cart and pay online any hour on any day of the week. This is our first store that’s ‘open’ 24 hours, 7 days a week,” explains David Lusk, Central Market’s Chief Merchant.

Each of the boxes can be shipped anywhere in the United States.

Want to browse the goodies now for sale online?  Visit shop.centralmarket.com or head to www.centralmarket.com and click Shop Online to get started.   Every purchase is guaranteed to be signed, sealed and delicious!

ABOUT CENTRAL

Let's feast on pumpkin!

Oh, how I love anything made with pumpkin. Yesterday, I bought a dozen pumpkin bagels at Einstein’s. Starting today, I’m searching for anything made with pumpkin–desserts, soup, pancakes, bread, pasta—anything. If you see it or make it, let us know below.

UPPITY DATE: This link from a adult beverage wholesaler.

Francisco at the French Room.

The 2011 KRLD Restaurant Week has come to an end but we have one last bit of business. Francisco at The French Room is our server of the week. Thanks to Laurie for submitting Francisco at The French Room’s picture and a small description of his service.

He was entertaining in a theatrical way, making the meal more memorable. When he poured some Champagne for my friend, he also topped off mine with a little flourish. When we asked to make some substitutions, Francisco was gracious about it, and all the orders came out correct. We felt taken care of by him and his assistant (not sure what that man’s title is). The only negative was that he was a wee bit condescending after we tried to give him the 4th course certificate. He scoffed, and said a little haughtily, “not here.”

Well, really Laurie. You should have ordered another bottle of Champagne. Life is short.

Part of the Total Catch.(photo by Jon Alexis.)

Jon Alexis, know on every blog in the United States of America as jonfromtjs, handles the marketing for TJ’s Seafood Market, the successful fish market in Preston Forest. He is a conscientious student of seafood. Recently he learned about Total Catch Market, a project (and blog) run by PJ Stoops and Billy Tellez of Louisiana Foods. Their niche is selling by-catch fish, the innocent fishes caught by fishermen actually fishing for a higher profile fish. JonfromTJs was so moved when he heard about these guys, he jumped in his car and drove to Houston.  He sends a brief story about his experience along with cell phone pictures. I am going to run it below. Grammar police be warned: the copy is unedited only because I am low on time at the moment. Take it away jonfromtjs:

Fact – Global demand for seafood is increasing exponentially.

Fact – To meet this demand, we are overfishing our oceans.

Fact – When targeting a species, fishermen throw back any other species they weren’t intending to catch.

Fact – The majority of these fish die when thrown back into the water.

Conclusion – why are we not better utilizing Gulf BY-CATCH?

PJ Stoops and Billy Tellez came to this conclusion a while ago. Now every weekend in Houston, they set up a pop-up market to sell absurdly-fresh Gulf by catch. By catch is any fish caught by the fisherman besides what species they are intending to catch.

Most of these fish are delicious – some are even considered delicacies in other waters.

I traveled to Houston last weekend to learn more about Gulf by catch and some unique species of fish.

After spending some time with Billy Friday afternoon (PJ has gotten tons of media recognition lately for his seemingly infinite seafood knowledge, but Billy deserves a lot of credit as well), I had dinner at Reef restaurant.  Chef Bryan Caswell is another proponent of using everything the Gulf has to offer. Kinilaw Ceviche with Blue Crab, Orange, Coco-Lime Broth was light and fresh.   Roasted Grouper with Corn Pudding, Salsa Cruda, Grilled Peach had a Southern warmth…Houston meets Charleston.

My favorite dish was Grilled Cobia, Broccolini, Orange Mustard, Jalapeno Relish. Cobia is a farm-raised fish that we don’t see too often in Dallas.  Buttery flavor of Mahi Mahi with the firm texture of Swordfish – you can cube it like you can beef.  If you like Ivory Salmon, you’ll love Cobia.

Saturday morning at 8:30am, I arrived at the Total Catch market and in-the-know Houstonians were already lined up for the 9am start time.

The selection is different every week depending on what the fishermen caught. The catch is posted the Friday prior on their blog. Last week’s catch included mangrove snapper, barrelfish, beardfish, triggerfish, blackfin tuna, rock hind, almaco jack, longtail bass, scorpionfish, and more.

So what does this fish taste like?

Barrelfish is very similar to Grouper and a great fish for any recipe requiring a mild-medium flavored flaky white fish.

Beardfish is extremely rare – PJ and Billy had only seen it a handful of times in their years working the Gulf. Beardfish is a sweet whitefish with a very small flake – it almost tastes like crabmeat as it breaks apart in your mouth.

Triggerfish is sweet and firm. Similar to Pompano. My favorite fish of the catch.

Utilizing these fish is not just a marketing gimmick or a “green” ploy.  Sustainability aside- these are delicious, healthy fish we are throwing back most likely to die!

Houston and Austin are already seeing these fish and others available in their cities. TJ’s will be carrying a selection of Gulf By Catch on the weekends and chefs and restaurateurs around the city have already expressed interest.