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Roaster’s In Dallas Almost Closes, Opens Again With New Partner

Several Dishers reported that Roaster’s, the deli in the former Ed’s Deli spot on Preston and LBJ, closed on Sunday. I just caught up with Roaster’s head honcho Tevy Kaplan and he explained that the restaurant was “bleeding cash” and that his original investors pulled out. However, thanks to his landlord, the Weitzman Group, the doors to Roaster’s are open for business. (Great potato salad.)

Pinkberry Dallas Opens With Chocolate Yogurt and Champagne

Pinkberry owner Adam Saxton smiles pretty and eats yogurt.

Last night was the grand opening party of Pinkberry Dallas, the frozen yogurt store that started the tart frozen yogurt craze in 2005. Back then, you couldn’t open up an In Touch without seeing a photo of Leo DiCaprio or Lindsay Lohan chowing down on the stuff, and rumor had it that lines were so long you had to wait an hour for a taste of the Swirly Goodness (not our term: that’s what Pinkberry press release calls it). We didn’t see any celebs last night (does Lucy Wrubel count?), but there was a searchlight, and there was a line out the door for the yogurt, so there. Our location, at Preston and Royal next to Barnes and Noble and the Merge clothing store, is the first in the U.S. outside of New York and California. The party was also the debut of Chocolate Pinkberry, and for now, we’re the only city that has it (woot!). It was explained to me that the chocolate comes from Mexico and is very expensive, because it’s tough to find chocolate that would mix with their yogurt and taste good. I thought the chocolate flavor was fine, but I like Pinkberry (and others like it) because of the tang, and chocolate doesn’t have it. I’m sticking with the original. Jump for photos and more info.

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Have You Been to Smoke in Oak Cliff?

Yow. Zah. Talked about mixed reviews. Almost everywhere I go I hear folks gabbing about Smoke. Here are some excerpts from reader e-mails: “The best Key lime pie!” “Oh my god that big fat rib is incredible!” “Worst meal I ever ate!” “What is up with the service?” “The BBQ is dreadful!” Somebody tell me what is going on over there.

Ocean Prime To Open Thursday on Cedar Springs in Dallas

Guess what, gang? Here comes Ocean Prime, a swanky seafood and steaks restaurant with a gorgeous outdoor patio with a fireplace, a cocktail lounge and piano bar, and private dining rooms. OP is an import. The concept comes from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants which is based in Columbus Ohio. The company operates 17 restaurants with under seven different concepts. Yes it’s a chain, but I’ve heard from several folks they do a good job. We’ll see won’t we. Ocean Prime (2101 Cedar Springs across from the Rosewood Crescent Hotel) will open Thursday. Wonder if they’ll have crème brulee.

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.

Rumormonger Eric Celeste Says The Tipperary Inn in Dallas is Making a Comeback

He sends this rumor report of a rumor.

Jack’s Porch Restaurant Opens in Southlake With a Lawsuit

A couple of months ago, a Disher in Colleyville asked me if I knew where Jack’s Porch was opening in her area. I did what most reputable reporters do, I Googled. I did find job listings for a Jack’s Porch but no address. Then I forgot about it. This morning a Disher with a head for the law and a bod for Law & Order sends word that Jack of Jack’s Porch is Jack Layman, the former manager of Rockfish in Southlake, and he has been slapped with a lawsuit for violating his employment contract. Layman quit his job at Rockfish and opened Jack’s Porch across the street with a Rockfish-rip-off menu. Rockfish is claiming Layman has violated his employment contract which prohibits him from working at another restaurant within 10 miles.

Dish Will Bring Fresh and Delicious Simple Cuisine To Dallas

That’s what the PR peeps promise. Dish, an “alfresco dining and premier nightlife destination” will open in the Illume on November 5th. You will recognize some of the folks behind the scenes: Tim McEneny (obar, LIFT, Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa, and partner and concept chef Doug Brown, from Beyond the Box)and Shawn Horne (Five Sixty, Star Canyon, Aquaknox, The Green Room, Abacus, Ferre, and Kitchen 1924). Executive chef Brian Sommers (Jaspers and Rick’s Chophouse) headlines the kitchen. Jump for more. (more…)

Norma’s Café Opens in North Dallas

Oak Cliff’s Norma’s Café will open a new location in North Dallas at 17721 Dallas Parkway (@Trinity Mills). The Grand Opening party is Thursday, October 22 starts at 4:00 p.m. The celebration will include a pie eating contest, raffle for 100 people to win free chicken fried steak for a year, and a ribbon cutting at 5:00 pm. by State Representative Joe Driver.  At 6:00 p.m. players from the football teams at Texas Christian Academy and Prestonwood Christian Academy will compete to see who can eat the most pies in 5 minutes.  Each participating school will receive $500, donated by Norma’s Café Owner Ed Murph, the winning school will receive bragging rights and a special surprise. Jump for more. (more…)

Stone Elephant Opens on Abrams in East Dallas

Michael Kobelt (Rawlings @ The Ballpark in Arlington and Charlie Palmer @ The Joule) and Timm Zbylut (former GM at Lee Harvey’s) have teamed up to open the Stone Elephant across from Jakes at Skillman and Abrams. Right now they are serving a limited bar and grill menu and will be expanding the list to include home-style features and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. They have big screen TVs, a stage for bands, karaoke, pool tables and video games. Details to follow.

Lazare in West Village is Now Lemmon Bar in West Village

Or maybe Lemon Bar. We’re not too sure. Anyone? Thanks, JB.

Rock N Taco to Open in Uptown in Dallas

A loyal Disher was driving down McKinney Ave. and noticed a new sign in the old Rocco’s Pizza place. Sign says “Coming Soon Rock N Taco.” Anyone?

UPDATE: “It is set to open by New Year’s Eve. We will be open 7 days a week, and late nights Thurs-Sat. It is going to be a sexy, yet fun atmosphere. We will have a margarita bar as well as dining. I will send you the menu as soon as it is finished. Can’t wait.”

Mini-Review: Texas de Brazil Express in Dallas

Bacon-wrapped organic chicken sandwich on ciabatta.

I just dropped into the newish Texas de Brazil Express in Preston Center and picked up a couple of sandwiches. It’s a create-your-own sandwich, salad, or rice bowl concept. I guess you could call it a mini-churrascaria: There are skewers of beef, chicken, lamb, pork, Brazilian sausage, and picanha (sirloin) sizzling over an open flame in the middle of the self-service line.

If you love Texas de Brazil, you’ll love the mini-TdB. It’s certainly a cheaper way to enjoy the familiar meats. It took me forever to make up my mind, but dozens of regulars moved past me and recited their orders like robots.

Jump for my love. (more…)

Samar by Stephan Pyles Opens Tonight: Preview Dinner Report

“In the restaurant reviewing system, poor dining offenses are considered especially heinous. In Dallas, Texas, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad, known as the SideDish Victims Unit. These are their stories.”

Last night, Detective Andrew Chalk busted into a preview dinner at Samar by Stephan Pyles. He files this report:

Samar by Stephan Pyles opens tonight. This is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated new restaurants of the year. Yesterday, the restaurant held a preview to finalize the kitchen and service procedures and we were there. It is quite an experience.

Jumping now… (more…)

Mini-Review: Maple & Motor Burgers and Beer in Dallas

Fried baloney sandwich.

Move over Wingfield’s, there is a new contender for Best Burger in Dallas. Maple & Motor Burgers and Beer is open for business and they make a great burger. I just popped in to the new joint on Maple across from Elliot’s Hardware and bought a fried baloney sandwich and a cheeseburger. I had to give the baloney sandwich to a co-worker because, after one bite, I was afraid I would eat the whole thing. The sandwich consists of a thick slice of star-cut baloney fried on the griddle and nestled between layers of mayonnaise, tomatoes, and lettuce, which is called  Cincinnati-style. You can also order it Cowboy style—cup-fried and filled with chili, cheese, and chopped onion. Could be the best new hangover cure.

I didn’t just stumble into this place. Last week I received an e-mail from owner Jack Perkins who alerted me to the opening along with a note saying that the “four families of Mexican Food” on Maple Avenue–Ojeda’s, Avila’s, Rosita’s, Herrera’s—have taken Jack under their wing and treated his crew like family.

A great new cheeseburger in town.

But back to the burger. It’s a half a pound of freshly ground grilled beef on a perfectly toasted bun–crisp not soggy–and covered with a thick slice of melted cheese. The fries were crisp and passed the “no bend” test. And it’s cheap: the cheeseburger and baloney sandwich are both only $4.50 each and fries are $1.75. Jack was there along with his lovely self-described “wing woman” and they could not have been nicer. I overheard Jack talking to his cooks. He was instructing them on how to cook the burgers. “Make it perfect before you make it fast,” he said. “I don’t want any food critics coming in here and complaining that it isn’t perfect.”

Jean-Michel Sakouh Moves His New Restaurant From Downtown to Knox Henderson

Not happening.

Jean-Michel Sakouh made a big deal about his new Jean-Michel’s restaurant in Mercantile Place downtown. According to Christopher “Achatz”  Wynn, Jean-Michel has changed his mind. He scooped up the coveted, albeit ill-fated, Il Sole/Ari’s Wine Bar space on Travis.

Sneak Peek of John Tesar’s Modern Steak and Seafood

For those of you who’ve been missing the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek’s former chef John Tesar, his new restaurant in the Woodlands is open. The Brad has a sneak peek over here. He calls the space “sexy” and the food “seductive.” He’s seems definitely, um, excited. Also worth noting: Tesar has his own line of condiments now, with a little cartoon Tesar on each bottle. Brad mentions a wasabi mustard, and it looks like there’s also a ketchup, and a chipotle BBQ sauce.

Samar by Stephan Pyles: Picture Slideshow

More pictures here from the camera of Jerry McClure.

Samar by Stephan Pyles in Dallas: VIP Grand Opening Party

Samar’s creators paid huge attention to design. The following video is a tour of the restaurant with Stephan Pyles. (Pardon the sound; the place was packed.)

We sent Andrew Chalk to cover the semi-soft opening of Samar by Stephan Pyles. Here is his report. You want chandeliers? Stephan Pyles bought some chandeliers for Samar. Go Andrew:

Samar by Stephan Pyles held its invite-only preview party on Saturday and, judging by the turnout, reservations to this new eatery are going to be hard to get. (The official opening day is still TBD but planned for “early October.”)

Saturday, close to 1,000 of Stephan’s closest friends piled into the restaurant, the patio, and a specially rented spillover area. Despite the crowd, the staff coped with the rush like a well-oiled machine. Even the periodic guest-dropping-a-glass-in-a-crowded-bar problem was immediately met with a staffer who cordoned off the area while another cleaned it clean up. The kitchen and wait staff dispatched appetizers with that frictionless regularity which makes you wonder if the servers aren’t on roller skates.

The centerpiece of any restaurant is the food. Pyles installed Vijay Sadhu, formerly of Bukhara Grille and Clay Pit, as head chef because he wanted Indian cuisine to be one of the inspirations at Samar.The other influences on the menu come from Spain and the area loosely defined as the Eastern Mediterranean (mainly Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey). Here is chef Sadhu describing some of the appetizers.

Chef Sadhu showed the crowd his ambitious stuff—all of the food was prepared perfectly. As he showed at his earlier positions, Vijay Sadhu is an expert and combining flavors and bringing them out in his dishes. Here is a short list of what was served: Red Lentiles Kofte (Turkish), Kebbeh with Golden beets tzatziki sauce, Chicken kebab stuffed with spiced gound lamb served with Spice tomato jam and crispy okra, Saffron Paneer tikka with spiced vermicelli and cumin scented asparagus, Chocolate Samosa with rose jam, and Papadam cones stuffed with Mung sprouts

Guests were offered either a specially created martini that apparently involved pomegranate juice (and had a fruity approachability that made it deceptively easy to imbibe) or one of a number of respectable wines.This food, by the way, is wine-friendly.

Outside, the patio was put to good use. Belly dancers entertained the crowd that, coincidentally, became progressively less and less reserved.

Hookah pipes were available to complete one’s sense transportation from the corner of Ross and Olive to some exotic country.

Does Dallas Need Another $16 Burger?

Smoke's $16 burger

Full disclosure: I’m a Cliffdweller and love/hate that the 75225 crowd have discovered how cool life south of the Trinity can be. (Overheard one night at Bolsa: “Oh my gawd! Look at that taco hut across the street, y’all. Have you ever seen so many in your life?” So many what? You figure it out.) That said, I was stoked that the Bolsa owners and chef/co-owner Tim Byres took over Cliff Cafe — a decent hotel restaurant at The Belmont — and reimagined it as a frou frou smokehouse. So, far I’ve been loving the meats (sweet paprika and fennel seed sausage = savory goodness) and breakfast (my new favorite home for biscuits and gravy) at Smoke. But the EB&D Loaded Up and Truckin’ burger is almost as ridiculous as its name: Burgundy beef (so far, so good) topped with bacon, a farm egg fritter, sharp cheddar, onion, tomato, and lettuce all on a griddled honey bun. Two bites into it, my hands were dripping with meat juices and egg yolk, my jaw hurt, and I admitted defeat. It was simply too much of everything. Dissecting the burger, I appreciated the well seasoned beef patty cooked a perfect medium as well as the lightly fried poached egg. But bacon on a burger needs to be crisp. This was thick cut and, alas, flabby. For $16, it was an orgy of competing tastes and textures my mouth couldn’t appreciate. Nor do I appreciate this burger trend of piling everything between two buns, charging almost $20 for it, and declaring it “gourmet.” No. Gourmet is a burger where I can actually taste and savor the beef. So far, I really like Smoke. But this burger bugged me. Am I alone on this issue, SideDishers?

Ocean Prime, Modern American Supper Club, Set to Open in Dallas

Do you think Dallas has enough “fresh seafood, prime steaks and handcrafted cocktails” concepts? Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, the Columbus, Ohio-based company that operates 17 restaurants under seven different concepts doesn’t. In November, they will “bring Dallas a sophisticated new dining experience as [SEVERE GROOVY MUSIC ALERT] Ocean Prime, the Modern American Supper Club will make its debut on the corner of Cedar Springs Drive and Pearl Street cross from the Rosewood Crescent Hotel.”

Ocean Prime general manager Brandon Davis, do you have something to say? “We are thrilled to enter the Dallas market and know Ocean Prime will thrive in its Uptown location,” Ocean Prime general manager Brandon Davis said. “Back in the day, a supper club was the place to be. The vibe was hip, the food was amazing and everyone had the time of their lives. At Ocean Prime, we’ve revived and redefined this electric, sexy and sophisticated dining tradition.”

Jump for the whole story. (more…)

Very Short Non-Review Of Opening of Smoke Restaurant

As Zac mentioned on Frontburner,  we both attended the opening of Smoke, the new restaurant at the Belmont Hotel, on Friday night. I arrived around 9 pm, and the place was incredibly packed. As soon as we arrived, we said hello to chef Tim Byres, who was looking cute in a cowboy hat, and to Stephan Pyles, who was there supporting him. Then they ran off to do their thing and we ran off to try and find some food.

Alas, there wasn’t any left. So, there’s not too much to say here, because that’s what you guys want to know about. When we got there we saw pigs being roasted in front of the restaurant, but by the time we got inside (we went up to BarBelmont for a drink when we got there because we heard it was less packed), all the food was gone. I was definitely bummed about that. The interior of the restaurant was designed by Mike Thompson, and it is very chic–especially in comparison to other barbeque restaurants.  Like Zac mentioned, I also liked the back door entrance to the bar, which makes it feel like a speakeasy.

There were around 1 million people there, so surely, a Disher can help with a food description. Please?

SideDish CheeseHeads: Let’s Celebrate Local Cheeses at Celebration in Dallas

Art by Bob Dob.

Join me on Wednesday, September 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at Celebration Restaurant to celebrate our victorious local cheese makers. Last month, Latte Da, Lucky Layla, and the Mozzarella Company won national awards at the 25th Annual American Cheese Society Competition in Austin. All three cheese makers will be there passing out samples of their cheese and we’ll be pairing the selections with Texas wines. Free! Come early and stay late.  If you would like to stay for dinner (on your own dime), contact Lincoln at 214-351-5681 and mention that you are a SideDish CheeseHead. [Don't forget, you can buy local cheese, honey, and other products at Celebration's Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.-Noon.]

If you plan to attend, leave a “yes” or “yes plus 1″ below so we can plan to have enough cheese. And wine. And call Lincoln.

Good News For Healthy Diners: UFood Grill and Urban Taco in Dallas

From the copy and paste good news press release department:

Gina Puente-Brancato, Chief Executive Officer of Puente-Brancato Enterprises, announced today that her company will open UFood Grill and Urban Taco restaurants in Dallas County’s Parkland Memorial Hospital. Currently PBE owns and operates UFood Grill and Urban Taco locations, and 20 other businesses, in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

UFood Grill, which serves no fried food, is a natural for hospitals looking to provide diners with a quick-service restaurant offering “better-for-you” versions of traditional favorites, such as chicken wraps, whole grain rice bowls and specialty salads. Urban Taco, a modern Mexican taqueria, has been enhanced to serve authentic Mexican favorites with more nutritional balance.

Using all fresh ingredients, the menu includes items such as salads, urban tacos, and Mexico City tortas. PBE is hiring more than 100 positions for the two restaurants before their December 1st, 2009 openings. PBE is continually searching for “difference makers” who enjoy a smaller, fast-paced organization that recognizes individual contributions and fresh, new ideas. The company is hiring everything from cooks to cashiers, food preps, administrative, utility and management personnel. Interested applicants should call 972-574-6227 or email jobs@pbedfw.com.

Dallas Restaurant News: Bits and Bites

From the copy and paste press release department:

Molto Formaggio. “MF has sourced an exciting new line of handcrafted cheeses from Switzerland and Bavaria that will be new to area consumers. Among the finds that will be introduced this week at both Molto Formaggio shops are Forsterkase, Scharfe Maxx, Heublumen, Bavarian Limburger (organic), and Challerhocker. Molto Formaggio is pleased to announce that they will be receiving shipments for both Thanksgiving and Christmas of the world famous Vacherin Mont d’Or cheese.  These one pound pieces are only produced 3 months out of the year and are truly the most luscious and wonderful cheeses made in the world.  Customers must preorder these cheeses for delivery in November or December as they will surely be sold out due to the limited quantities available.”  HP 214-526-0700. Preston Forest 214-361-9191.

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen. “Introducing Heart-Healthy Lunch Items and $10 Menu Choices. Chef Kent Rathbun has created heart-healthy menu items including, Grilled Chicken Breast with Portobello Mushrooms, Ricotta, Rosemary Olive Oil and Mache Salad; Salmon Burger; Heirloom Tomato Dallas Mozzarella Salad with Avocado Green Goddess Dressing; Tassione Farm Field Green Salad with Roasted Lemon-Sherry Vinaigrette; Grilled Chicken Breast with California Avocado, Paula’s Cottage Cheese and Avocado Yogurt; and Shrimp, Crab and Lobster “Coleslaw” with Cilantro-Lime Dressing. All heart-healthy menu items are designated by a red heart. In conjunction with these items on our everyday menu, Chef Rathbun will offer a Heart Healhty Blue Plate Special for lunch and dinner until September 5. Starting September 14, on each Monday our Blue Plate Special will be Heart Healthy. Come join us and feel good again! Chef Rathbun has also added new $10 menu items on our lunch menu. Enjoy Carr Valley Mammoth Cheddar Grilled Cheese, Chef’s Choice Taco Plate of the Day, Salmon Burger and Grilled Flatbread and Hummus with Feta Cheese.”

The Pyramid Restaurant. On Friday, September 25th, the Pyramid Restaurant will host a Spaten Beer Pairing Dinner. Executive Chef jW Foster will pair his exciting “modern American” cuisine with the legendary German beers from Spaten. Details and menu below.

Chisholm Trail Longhorn Beef. “Dallas-based longhorn co-op Chisholm Trail Longhorn Beef, which is owned and maintained by several Dallas residents that also own other Dallas-based business. Mike Crawford, not only owns Red Peak Ranch, he owns and operates a marketing firm here in Dallas. The Texas longhorn co-op has just joined the Texas Department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN program. Chisholm Trail Longhorn Beef is currently being served at Local in Deep Ellum and at Opa! Grill on Preston. Full release below.

Chick-fil-A.  “Free Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich to all customers wearing any sports-related apparel on Labor Day to celebrate the second-annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff football game!This year’s Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game will feature University of Alabama against Virginia Tech at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.” (more…)