The Avner Samuel; The Bailey. En fuego.

Whirling dervish chef Avner Samuel and his sidekick chef Jon Stevens are ready to open Snack, their “street-food-inspired-low price-points-small-plates-daily-chalkboard-special restaurant on Henderson in the space formerly known as Horne & Dekker. (Whew!) There will be three bar areas: one with cocktails, wine and beer; the second is a raw bar, but also includes a charcuterie element and hot small plates; the third, features a large wood-burning oven for made-to-order flatbreads and distinct hot dishes. (Whew!) Listen up:

From the age-old market-squares and bazaars to today’s street food vendors, SNACK is the creation of a street-to-table inspired menu. The menu includes dinner items such as short rib tacos with pineapple habanero and cilantro crema ($8), pork shumai dumplings ($9), chicken shawarmas with cucumber tahini and pickled onion ($8), and smoked oysters escabeche served with wood oven toasted bread ($7).  The brunch menu features items from a pan-fried egg sandwich with Serrano ham and avocado ($13), to a charcuterie flatbread with pan-fried egg, arugula and herbs ($14); and “street tacos” a la carte with a small assortment of sweeter entrees, like coconut griddle cakes ($11), to choose from.

Bizarre is right! Let’s see, Samuel-Stevens now oversee two locations of Nosh Euro Bistro, Snack, the transition of Bailey’s Prime Plus from steak joint to a chef-driven kitchen, and the addition of the lavish Aurora Room to BPP.  My guess is Samuel and Stevens already have their paws on the menu at The Chesterfield. What? You hear there will be more Nosh Euro Bistros if this relationship lasts? Oh, glorious Dallas dining. Are you coming back to life or going crazy?

UPDATE: Snack will have it’s own valet parking.

Jump if you need more to make you happy.

SEASONS 52 TO OPEN AT NORTHPARK CENTER DALLAS

DALLAS, TX (May 1, 2012) – Seasons 52, the highly-acclaimed fresh grill and wine bar restaurant, has selected NorthPark Center for its first location in Dallas.  The new Seasons 52 restaurant at NorthPark Center is expected to open this fall and will bring approximately 100 new jobs to the Dallas area.

“NorthPark Center is renowned throughout the country and is an ideal setting for Seasons 52,” said Stephen Judge, President of Seasons 52. “It is a signature shopping destination which attracts millions of Texans and visitors to the city.  The energy from the owners and other tenants make it a perfect location for us. We are very excited to introduce Seasons 52 to the Dallas area.”

Seasons 52 is known for its seasonally inspired menu and fresh approach to dining – notable menu selections include: Steak and Cremini Mushroom Flatbread, Cedar Plank Salmon, Caramelized Sea Scallops and Maui Tuna Crunch Salad.  Menus change four times a year with weekly specials that truly capture the flavors of the season.  Nothing on the menu is more than 475 calories, from its signature flatbreads and appetizers, to all entrees and its popular mini indulgence desserts.

In addition, the award-winning wine list created by Master Sommelier George Miliotes features a diverse international selection of 100 wines, including over 52 choices offered by the glass, as well as organic wines and an ever-changing list of “Drink Them Before They’re Famous.”

“Seasons 52 is a wonderful addition to NorthPark Center as we continue establishing the highest standard in the United States for innovative retail and progressive restaurant offerings. Seasons 52 represents the important trend towards living a healthy and balanced lifestyle, which is something we applaud,” said Nancy A. Nasher, who owns, manages, operates and leases NorthPark Center along with her husband, David J. Haemisegger.

The Seasons 52 at NorthPark Center will be located between Neiman Marcus and Dillard’s, with entrances from both inside the mall and street side, and will offer complimentary valet parking.

Seasons 52 at NorthPark Center will feature a warm, welcoming ambiance with rich mahogany accents and a custom built wine cellar with seating in the casually sophisticated dining room, in the piano bar featuring live music nightly and on the patio.  Additionally, the restaurant will offer three private dining rooms for larger groups and events.  Seasons 52 provides the perfect setting for business lunches, romantic dinners, socializing with friends and any private group celebration or corporate event.

Gordo’s UPDATE: According to an email from George Bakhshmandi loyal customers:  “Our move to the wrong side of Preston Center at the wrong time of the economy was not a wise choice. Therefore, Gordo’s was victimized by the 2008 economic disaster.” He also hints they will be back.

Hello all, it is with great sadness that we announce the closing of our Franchise location in Rockwall . Thank you to all our wonderful customers in that area. We are currently looking for a new location in the area that would be a better fit. Sorry and thanks again.

Rosebriar Holdings owns the building where 24 Hour Fitness was located in Preston Center, and we have seen the on line article stating that “Spoon” restaurant would be opening in the building this summer. We were in discussions with John Tesar, his financial partner, and their brokers, and we have decided not to lease space to the new concept in our building. We wanted you to have this information before any further discussions or any additional articles were printed or published. We don’t have any further comments.

I’ve emailed Tesar for comment but I have not heard back. According to his Facebook page, he is in the Bahamas.

UPPITY DATE: I just received an email from John Tesar:

I am in Bahamas cooking on a private island phone and texts are spotty. I just found out that we had a problem and it’s not really a problem. Rosebriar pulled the rug out it seems for more money from someone else. I had a lease in its final phase they sent it to us for final review. I have hired a designer and an architect you saw the plans. I have no idea. My partner is livid and I am in shock. Spoon will happen, just not in that location as it seems this morning.

My Last Supper at Nana: Grilled duck with beets. Photography by Kevin Marple.

This news breaks my heart. Nana Restaurant at the Hilton Anatole, led by the talented and innovative chef Anthony Bombaci, will close on June 9. The restaurant will undergo reconstructive surgery and emerge as an upscale steak house in late September.

Here are some of the details I’ve beat out the bushes. The new name has not been selected. (We can certainly help with that. Leave your suggestion below.) The interior, designed by a California firm, will be “contemporary with an LA-inspired design.” (The skyline view will remain Dallas’!) The menu will be “all about steaks and one-of-a-kind sides and desserts.” The executive chef of the steakhouse hasn’t been confirmed, but that person will work under Anthony Bombaci who has been promoted. I don’t know his position at this point.

Oh, Nana. You have been such a blessing to this city. We loved you when Doug Brown was the chef and Jason Foss was the pastry chef. We loved you during the fancy days when David McMillan sent entrees out of Versace and Rosenthal china and general manager and wine expert Paul Pinnell roamed the room. We love you for bringing Anthony Bombaci to Dallas. This news makes me appreciate my last meal at Nana even more.

Make a final visit and pay homage to Nana. You have a little over three months to get your Bombaci fix. Make a reservation now: 214-761-7470. And name the new restaurant below!

They are planning a big Fat Tuesday event on February 21 to close out the Live Oak location. Starts at 5PM. Details below.

The Festivities will include:

•Live Music featuring Hashbrown, Cheryl Arena, Miss Marcie and many more.

•A full Buffet with almost everything we serve on the menu offered for only $25 which includes tax, drink, beads, live music and much more(cheap!!) Kids 10 and under only $12

•We don’t have a beer and wine liscence so it will be FREE!!  Yes we will have kegs of good beer and wine, please drink responsibly.

•We will have live boiled crawfish on the buffet but since its early in the season it will be limited, please get here early.

•Most of this will take place outside, we will have some shelter, heaters, and tables but please dress warmly if weather will be cold. we are limited on our tent size and of course inside is limited seating so look at it as an old fashioned keg party but with great food.

Dearest Matt’s Family & Friends,

As we move into the next chapter of the Matt’s Family Business Saga, I am, both saddened and excited. Change, for me, is trying to say good-bye to what I’ve known and loved for 20+ years. Matt Jr., my late husband, our family and I came to your neighborhood and became deeply rooted here. Lakewood and the surrounding areas, have been so gracious and have made us welcome from the very beginning. We have been part of your family and you, a member of ours. Together, we have experienced and shared moments of joy, countless special occasions and shed a tear or two. We take with us treasured memories and warm, on-going relationships.

The time has come, all too quickly, to embrace the future and opportunities yet to come. Lakewood will continue to be Matt’s home, just down the street at 1904 Skillman. Unfortunately, though we had hoped to transition without down time, it just didn’t happen.

Jump for the good news.

The “New and Improved” Matt’s in Lakewood, should be ready to welcome you back in 2-3 months. We have 3 Matt’s locations, Garland, Allen and Cedar Hill ready to serve you. You are sure to see familiar faces there, as we integrate our staff, temporarily.

Our last business day will be Saturday, February 11. I invite you to come in and share the last two weeks at this location, with us. The experience of transition is proving to be an emotional one, for us all.

I want to thank you, on behalf of the Martinez family, the staff that has served you, our purveyors and all those that have made being at this location, such a blessed and rewarding time. We appreciate the faithful patronage and support for all these many, wonderful years. With the Lord’s help, we will soon resume where we left off. God bless you all.

Gratefully,

Estella B Martinez

Teresa “Gubbshoe” Gubbins and Mike “Whole In One” Hiller tied in a race to be the first to report the closing of Horne & Dekker. Gubbshoe coaxed a quote from owner Flynn Dekker. However, Hiller has some bitchin’ discounts on laundry detergent you can download from escapehatchdallas.com.

Leslie “LaLa” Brenner ran the inside track and clearly beat the field on this announcement: Michael Sindoni, formerly of AGAINN restaurant in Washington DC, has taken the reigns as The Joule hotel’s Executive Chef and will be responsible for overseeing all food & beverage for the hotel including private banquets, room service, and the new Charlie Palmer food hall which is part of the hotel’s 2012 expansion. The restaurant will close for a short while and emerge as Charlie Palmer Steak which will be overseen by executive sous chef Joel Harrington. “LaLa” also admits she has a mild eating disorder when it comes to bread crumbs: “I am a sucker for bread crumbs,” she writes. “And they seem to be very much in the air these days. Or in the kitchen, anyway.”  And I thought it was ragweed! (SideThought: Who thought the name AGAINN was a good idea?) Moving on.

EaterDallas needs a boost to their self esteem. This morning they use today’s warm weather forecast as a clever lead into the riveting announcement of Eater Hottest Chef Competition. Then they bash themselves over the head for doing so: “…while we’ve never been great at weather metaphors we are about to get real good at giving you some eye candy. Who is the hottest?” I think the metaphor worked beautifully. After all, it is as hot as Dean Fearing outside at this very moment and the forecast says late afternoon temperatures will be as cool as Matt McCallister. Good work, Merritt!

The 8^th Annual Savor Dallas is almost here! March 30-31 to be exact. Cue the press release quote from Jim “Red” White:  “We are excited to see Savor Dallas grow from its downtown Dallas base to include new events in Bishop Arts and Las Colinas.” says Jim White, Savor Dallas co-founder along with his wife Vicki Briley-White. “We’ve added a cool concert at the Kessler Theater, and created some great cooking and tasting opportunities that will benefit local food and wine groups like Les Dames d’Escoffier.” The White’s and company have lined up some big names in the business and have 400 premium wines to pour. It’s all here. Or call 888-728-6747.

No More -- Roti Canai at Blue Ginger Garden

Blue Ginger Garden, the authentic Malaysian restaurant in Plano, is to close its doors after Sunday night’s dinner service. It was Esther & Hai Say’s first foray into the restaurant business when they started 15 months ago but, in the end, they decided the life was not for them. Esther will go back to her embroidery business (her work adorns the windows of the restaurant) and Hai is likely to rejoin the engineering profession. In its place, and under a new name, will go a vegetarian Indian restaurant. I don’t have the name of the owner but he will serve Indian food and use the kitchen for his catering business.

The closure of Blue Ginger Garden leaves Dallas with one less type of cuisine to brag about. Some Malaysian dishes are available at Secret Recipe and Lion City and, while both are well worth a visit, Malaysian food is not their specialty and they don’t have the range of food, especially Nyonya specialties found at Blue Ginger.

UPITTY DATE: Mark this day down. Tim was WRONG!