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Jimmy’s Wine Store in Dallas: Open This Sunday

Paul DiCarlo of Jimmy’s says he had received enough holiday items to warrant opening the foodie temple this Sunday. The shelves are stocked with torrone, tre Marie panetone, pan-forte, dais panetone, Sicilian cannoli shells, and stuff and such and beyond. And wine. Two great Italian (duh) wines on closeout: Placido Chianti Classico Riserva ‘04 DOCG (was $17.99 now $7.99) and Placido Rosso di Montalcin0 ‘05 (was $18.99 now $8.99). Back in the meat department, Prime tenderloin is $15.99 a pound (uncut and sold “as is”). Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 4901 Bryan at Fitzhugh. 214-823-6180.

Restaurant Review: Park Restaurant on Henderson Avenue in Dallas

Marc’s famous mussels by Kevin Hunter Marple.

Are you crazy about chef Marc Cassel’s mussels? Do you love Spam on your pizza? Is bocce a cheese, a font, or a game? Extra, extra, read all about it.

Best German Restaurant in America: Bavarian Grill in Plano

That is what the press release from Inga Bowyer, president of Germandeli.com in Colleyville says. Let’s get the details.

Over 400 German restaurants, located throughout the United States participated in this first year of the search for the “Best German Restaurant in America.” Bavarian Grill, located in Plano, Texas, garnered almost one third of all the validated votes cast during the two-month online voting period. They also received the majority of positive judging forms from “undercover judges,” and the restaurant scored well with teams of expert judges who dined incognito at the highest scoring German restaurants. Health Department inspections were also reviewed to confirm a consistent “A” rating for the restaurant.

The goal of the annual competition, according to Inga Bowyer, president of GermanDeli.com, is to recognize German restaurants that serve up a truly ethnic experience. According to Bowyer, Bavarian Grill’s classic German entrees like schnitzel, sauerbraten, bratwurst, and roasted ham hock are complimented by a selection of over 50 different imported German beers.

Das ist alle! Lassen Sie uns essen!

UPDATE: We will be celebrating this Wednesday, October 14 at 7 pm with a victory party where we’ll be presented a plaque by Inga Bowyer, President of GermanDeli.com.  We’d love for you, and any Side Dish readers, to join us for the celebration!

Hot Dogs in Dallas: Double Dip Frozen Custard in Frisco

Bad picture of a bad Spicy Dog.

On September 3rd, I asked you guys an innocent question: What’s for lunch? I was jonsing for a hot dog. You all chimed in with suggestions and I headed out to try a few. First stop was Dog Stop. Then came Eddie’s Deli, Zinsky’s Delicatessen, and Wild About Harry’s. I ate two dogs in each place and even after eight, I was still happy to look for more.

Yesterday I drove to Main Street in old Frisco to try the dogs at Double Dip Frozen Custard. The sign our front claims: “Double Dip Famous Dogs. Large, Lean All-Beef Hot Dogs on a Wheat Bun!” The list of selections is rated by the number of napkins it takes to eat each dog. You’ll need two for the Spicy Dog with green chili relish and honey dill mustard. It takes at least three to handle the Chili Dog made with “Texas-style chili.” Four napkins will get you through their Super Dog “piled high with green chili relish, Texas-style chili, and chopped onions.”

What they desperately need on the menu are barf bags. (more…)

Is there a Decent Gai in Dallas?

Nancy is away and so like a fat little gnome, I’m seizing her keyboard, making stupid puns and trying to quench my own food cravings.

About a year ago, I started to read the book, the United States of Arugula, the first sentence of which included a reference to author David Kamp having a “rapturous food memory” of some “Cantonese lobster dish unveiled from beneath a dome in some dimly lit place with a name like Jade Pagoda.”

I never made it all the way through the book, but the sentence stays with me to this day. It has conjured a craving that I can’t seem to quence in Dallas. Mainly it is this: I want to revisit the ’70s and relive a “rapturous food memory,” by having a waiter in some dimly lit place with a name like Won Ton, Lotus Garden or Lai Lai (actual names of Chinese restaurants from my youth in Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale) unveil a plate of Wor Su Gai.

Or, as you may know it: Almond Fried Chicken.

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SideDish TableTalk: Three Jews, Zinsky’s Deli in Dallas, Six Opinions

We hope to start an occasional feature here on SideDish in which one of us adventurous eaters endeavors to discuss a restaurant experience with either some dinner companions or a couple of Dishers who might have expertise in the area.

For the first installment of SideDish TableTalk, I knew just where to go to round up a couple of fellow Chosen People to talk about Zinsky’s Delicatessen. What follows is the transcript of that conversation (or, if you prefer, complaint fest). We all seem to like Zinsky’s very much, but that doesn’t stop myself, “The Pastrami Kid,” and “Harry” from finding something to kvetch about. Below we discuss important Deli issues such as the one-handed sandwich, kasha knishes, and bagels. You don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate this, but it helps.

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Shannon Wynne Will Open New Restaurant In Dallas: The Moth

Veteran Dallas restaurateur Shannon Wynne has signed a lease on the “old Ann Sachs tile space” in the Design District (High Line & Oak Lawn) and will open a restaurant/bar called The Moth. Veteran is a nice way to describe Mr. Wynne, in reality he is a crafty, no-bs geezer. Ask him a question and he gives you a straight answer.

Here is a transcript of our phone conversation. (more…)

SideDish Supper Club At Nonna Is Sold Out. Second Dinner Added

Yow. Zah. You think Dallas is hungry for Tuscan food or what? The SideDish Supper Club at Nonna we announced yesterday sold out within hours. We have added a second dinner with the same menu on September 17th at 6:00 p.m. Hurry, Nonna just called and the phone is ringing off the hook. 214-521-1800. Operators standing by.

Update: SideDish Supper Club

The menu has been approved and the wine pairings (two levels) are almost done. Hopefully, we’ll get it together in time to release full details early next week. I will tell you this: you will never find a meal like this in Dallas ever again unless something drastic happens and one category of our dining scene does a complete about-face.

If you want to be the first to know, add your e-mail address to the list under the SideDish Supper Club icon to the right. (No need to repeat if you’ve already done so.) The details will go to that list first. The restaurant is small and it will sell out fast. The evening, September 17th, will be peachy.

Live Music Friday Nights At Cafe Lago

Anyone eaten here lately? Cafe Lago is a restaurant I don’t hear much about, but I like it when a neighborhood place hangs in there. Anyway, this Friday, July 24, local saxophonist Ron Jones and keyboardist Darwin Martin will be entertaining patrons from 7-9:30 pm; next Friday, enjoy the stylings of local singer/songwriter/guitarist Kerri Arista. The girl loves fish tacos, so they’ll be on the menu on the 31st for sure.