D

Dimples in West Village in Dallas is Open

Some folks around here are nutso for cupcakes. I am not one but our grammarian and copy editor, Allison Hatfield, loves them. She loves them so much she got up early today to get a taste of Dimples. (That sounds gross.) Hear her purr.

The West Village finally gets its cupcakes due, and I was first in line this morning at the opening of Dimples. I got my free wedding cake cuppie (free to the first 50 customers) and purchased six more. They were still trying to get the show on the road — or the cupcakes in the case, as it were. The register wasn’t even plugged in yet. The owner reported a brutal commute from Frisco this morning, and I nearly volunteered to run the place I love it so much. I got them to package up the red velvet, chocolate mousse, and the chocolate cream cheese, but am most looking forward to trying the strawberry, which they didn’t have today.

Cuppie? Is that like sammie? Oh, no could “yummy” be far behind? Grrr.

Another Yogurt District? My Cherry Frozen Yogurt to Open in Carrollton

We all know too much about the yogurt district in Uptown, but I think I may have stumbled on another emerging in Carrollton. I just stopped into Super H-Mart for weekend supplies and spied My Cherry frozen yogurt shop going in right behind Cobb Switch BBQ. That could be bad news for the folks doing a great job across the parking lot at Yogurtland. Anywhoo, things were hopping at H-Mart—there was a kookie guy dressed up in funny clothes dancing around a table chopping up fresh Korean candy. Also found a bargain on bones–.99 cents a pound.

EatZi’s Market & Bakery In Dallas Opens Friday

It’s official:

The opening of the new eatZi’s Market & Bakery inside The Pavilion on Lovers Lane has been officially confirmed for this Friday, March 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with Philip J. Romano, his partners, Jerry Meyer and Stuart Fitts, and Leo Corrigan, Jr. will take place at 10:00 am as they open the doors for customers to enjoy the great taste of eatZi’s in a brand new space. Starting Saturday, March 6, the new location will be open during regular business hours from 7 am to 10 pm, daily.

Burguesa Burger Is Open Downtown

This just in from the Burguesa peeps: the tunnel location is officially open at 1201 Elm St., in Renaissance Tower. Apparently it all came together pretty quickly. The space was still Crystal Grill as of Saturday, but by 6 am Monday, it was Burguesa.

Lower Greenville Ave. Fire Takes Terrilli’s, Hurricane Grill, Mick’s Bar, and Greenville Avenue Bar and Grill

A four-alarm fire broke out at 5:45 a.m. in Terrilli’s Restaurant on Greenville Avenue and spread through shared attic space to destroy Hurricane Grill, Mick’s Bar, and Greenville Avenue Bar and Grill. DMN has the details. Greenville Avenue is closed. One firefighter was injured.

Wow. That’s a lot of Dallas dining history lost forever. This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration will be a emotional event.

UPDATE: More on Barking Dogs.

New Whole Foods Store on Park Lane in Dallas Will Have a Wine Bar and a Concierge Service

Un petit oiseau just told me that the new Whole Foods at Park Lane & Central in Dallas, set to open on March 15, will have an intimate wine bar. (Un petit oiseau also says it will be named “Wine Bar.”) Cute, n’est pas il? They will offer flights of selected wines and wines by the glass. See something you love in their wine department? Buy it and they’ll uncork it at Wine Bar. If you insist on doing your own shopping, they’ll pour it in a portable cup and you can sip and shop. Or–and this is my favorite part–hand your grocery list off to the concierge service and sit at the bar and nibble on antipasti plates while they shop for you.

Foodie Fun Fact: The new 62,000-square-foot Whole Foods store is the same size of Hamtramck, Michigan, home to 33 different nationalities. Hamtramck was originally a “Pole Town” and Polish food and festivals are still very popular.

New Eatzi’s Location on Lovers: Opening Date Changed

The opening date for the new eatZi’s Market & Bakery inside The Pavilion on Lovers Lane, originally scheduled to open tomorrow,  has been pushed back at least two weeks. Carry on.

Where To Eat in Dallas Right Now: Naga Thai Kitchen & Bar in Victory Park

Papaya salad

On Tuesday night, Laura Kostelny and I attended the media dinner for Naga Thai Kitchen & Bar in Victory Park. According to co-owner Jeffrey Yarbrough, he had Nancy to thank for spilling the beans about the restaurant’s opening; people showed up when the staff wasn’t quite ready to serve, but no one was turned away. So much for a soft opening, right?

But things are rocking and rolling these days at Naga, where Yarbrough and partners Tom Chawana (founder of Nandina), Lam Promwanrat (partner in Jasmine), and Kitti Lirtpanaruk (New York restaurateur with 20+ Thai restaurants) are serving some old favorites from the gone-but-definitely-not-forgotten Liberty, such as Annie Wong’s coconut chicken soup and spicy noodles. (more…)

Dan Koller Goes Guerrilla: Marc”Park” Cassel’s Meal at 48 Hours @ Sylvan Thirty

Marc Cassel cooks for charity.

Dan Koller, the managing editor of People “Who Need People” Newspapers, took his lovely and talented wife, Jessica, to dine at the first supper at 48 Nights @ Slyvan Thirty, the guerrilla restaurant on Sylvan  operated by the Smoke/Bolsa dudes, Chris Jeffers, Chris Zielke, and Tim Byres. The restaurateurs have teamed up with the Mass Care Task Force (American Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter, North Texas Food Bank, The Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Area Command, and Volunteer Center of North Texas). Chefs participating in the project will rotate and all of the proceeds for these dinners will go to these charities.

Anywhoo, Dan is writing a full report on the OC phenom for Friday’s edition of Oak Cliff People, but today he has a brief recap of his experience here. First chef up was/is Marc Cassel from Park. (There is a second Cassel dinner tonight.)  I  looked over the menu and I have three (dumb) questions. One of the items is braised Kobe beef cheeks, stroganoff risotto & Tom’s microgreens.

I am assume “Kobe” cows have two cheeks. Are they big cheeks that are divided into smaller servings? I would assume Kobe beef cheeks are very expensive. Were these cheeks donated to the cause? If everyone at the dinner (30) got two cheeks, does this mean it took 30 Kobe cows to fill the order for last night’s dinner? Or were the cheeks cut up and tossed in the stroganoff? I am curious. I love cheeks—veal and haddock are my favs. Just curious. Anyone?

La Carreta Argentina to Open Next to Beckley Brew House

There has been a lot of chatter on local blogs about the return of Don Panza, an Argentinean restaurant with a loyal foodie following. This morning Andrew Chalk sends a picture and an update:

Don Panza was, until recently, one of very few Argentinean restaurants in the area. They had great empanadas and chimichurri pizzas. There have been reports of an imminent reopening for months. Now a colleague has pictures! This appears to be the place– next door  to Beckley Brew House and close to Spiral Diner in The OC. It may not be called Don Panza–La Carreta Argentina was mentioned by Teresa Gubbins on Pegasus News  but there are building supplies out the front and a temporary banner so work appears to be underway.

Soap Opera Update: Avila’s Mexican Restaurant on Maple in Dallas

What Dallas Tex-Mex restaurant is on the verge of collapse?

Yow. Zah. Looks like the pendulum of justice has swung to the other side of the Avila family. Last week when I spoke with Ricky/Ricardo Avila and his fiancée, Michelle, Ricky told me his 88-year old mother was suffering from the onset of dementia. He claimed that he and Michelle were the primary care takers of Mrs. Avila, the founder of the Avila’s Mexican Restaurant on Maple Avenue. “It’s sad that other members of my family do not even visit her,” he said. Ricky/Ricardo explained that he owned the restaurant business and his mother owned the building. “She’s just not sure what is going on most of the time,” he said.

The whole Avila family appeared before Judge Ken Molberg on Tuesday, February 9. “It took him ten minutes to realize I owned the business,” said Ricky. As I reported from the restaurant, Ricky/Ricardo and Peter Tarantino were running the restaurant.

Yesterday morning, I received an e-mail from blogger Texaskatey reporting  there was a sign on the door saying the restaurant was closed along with a link to the restaurant’s website announcing Avila’s was moving to another location. Apparently, the previous night, Ricky/Ricardo Avila and company gutted the interior of the restaurant.

A little later, an e-mail from Patricia Avila Guajardo, who I can only assume is one of Ricky/Ricardo’s sisters, hit my inbox. The note, printed below the jump was addressed to Kim Pierce of the DMN and cc’d to me. She claims Avila’s Mexican Restaurant on Maple will “begin operating as soon as possible.”

I agree with Patricia on one point—this whole soap opera is “out of control.” From where I sit, it looks like everyone is guilty. Why Ricky/Ricardo and company did not wait for scheduled legal proceedings to take place is astonishing. Late yesterday, DMN’s Karen Robinson-Jacobs reported the judge ordered Ricky/Ricardo to “‘restore all property and tangible things taken or removed from’ the restaurant within 24 hours of Thursday’s order.” Hmm. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Wilonsky has the legal documents online.

Jump for Patricia’s side of the story. (more…)

More From Matthew Antonovich: As the TIE Restaurant Turns

I sent Matthew Antonovich an e-mail yesterday to ask him to clarify the location of his soon to open TIE restaurant, He’d mentioned Highlands Ranch. I also asked if one his chefs, Chanipun Suyamo Corcoran, is related to Ron Corcoran, Antonovich’s former partner at Sipango. Antonovich replies:

I meant Highland Park. Chanipun Suyamo Corcoran is the wife of C Francis Corcoran.  C Francis Corcoran is the brother of Ron Corcoran. Ron Corcoran was the founder and president of Travis St. Restaurants, Sipango. Ron is not associated with TIE Restaurant. C Francis Corcoran is a partner and Vice President for real estate development and security.

So the restaurant will be six miles from Highland Park.

Update on Matthew Antonovich Restaurant in “Dallas’ Most Exciting Neighborhood”

Hey kids in the peanut gallery! Matthew Antonovich wants to hear you sing!

Chef Matthew “Sipango,etc.” Antonovich is planning to open a ginormous “first Thai steakhouse in America” in a yet undisclosed location. More details here. The concept sounds bizarre/overly ambitious, but chef Matthew won me over with this money quote: “God bless the recession I have found great deals on equipment, designers and food service experts hungry to put Dallas back on the map of best restaurants in America.”

Anywhoo, last night at 10:24, Antonovich left a comment on an old post with an update. He says:

I am happy to say I am continuing with final lease negotiations with a fantastic landlord and developer of Dallas’s most exciting neighborhood. I have plans to open my 12,000 square foot restaurant that will house a first of its kind “Prime” Thai Steak House, Live Entertainment “Sipango Style”, a casual dining room with under $15 small plate courses, A Sushi Bar, Asian Noodle Bar, Indian Dine up Counter, location to be disclosed soon. Hint 6 minutes from Highlands Ranch. I am so happy that people are interested. My partners love the free press so any comments are welcome, especially from the peanut gallery.

A 12,000-square-foot global confusion restaurant six miles from this Highlands Ranch? I’m not sure. This would mean that “Dallas’ most exciting neighborhood” is in Denton County.  But I’d bet you knuckleheads in the peanut gallery know Highlands Ranch. Enlighten me.

Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville: The Case of the Missing Post

Bundles from Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville.

Long story short: Yesterday I wrote a post about Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville. A co-worker brought me some samples and people in the office seemed to like them. A bundle is a yeast roll filled with sweet and savory fillings such as spinach and feta, chicken curry, chocolate hazelnut, and cinnamon. (Here is the menu.) Anywhoo, after I posted the news I asked the co-worker how she came across Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville. She admitted that her father owned the store.  I took the post down. Several of you sharpshooters out there noticed the edit and asked me why I removed the post.

I decided to give them a try. Last night I took the leftover bundles home and heated them in a real oven—all we have here is a microwave and I couldn’t imagine radiation plus yeast would equal gourmet. I sampled the chicken curry and broccoli and sun dried tomato. I love yeast rolls—I grew up eating them for lunch every day in the cafeteria of Arthur Kramer Elementary School—and these little bundles are good yeast rolls. However, the fillings are skimpy—there isn’t a good proportion of roll to meat or chocolate and after two you are full and feel like you will burst if you drink a glass of water. The product is an appealing idea—this morning I tried the cinnamon roll with my coffee—but I get that these little bundles are better when they fresh from the oven. The Bundles Gourmet in Lewisville is the first store. You can visit  and buy a bundle or a Bundles Gourmet. They are trademarked and ready to roll out.

Popolos in Dallas to Close: Teresa Gubbins Knows an Employee

Gumshoes are not for sissies.

Veteran reporter, Teresa Gubbins over at PegNews, says that Popolos will close on Saturday. Gubbins’ long experience in food journalism pays off once again. Way to go, Ace. Now I’m curious. Why would a landlord raise the rent on an established restaurant and risk losing a paying customer? Did said landlord get a better offer? Was Popolos paying their rent? If Popolos can’t pay the rent in Preston Royal, how can a 26-seat fried chicken restaurant that opened a week ago across the street make money? Details on my experience at The Chicken Coop are in the works.

Matthew Antonovich Plans His “Back With a Little Bangkok” Comeback

Michael Hiller has an update on chef Matthew “Sipango” Antonovich’s new venture, Tie Restaurant and Social Club. Short story: Matt is going to open a 12,000-square-foot space in a “perfect location” that “can support a 5 million dollar restaurant with local support that can be busy 7 nights a week.” The overall concept is a bit confusing. Part of the complex will be “the first Thai Steakhouse in America.” According to Antonovich’s Twitter page, “TIE Restaurant will have live entertainment, Indian Dinner Seating, Vietnamese and Hong Kong Street Food Menu under 15 dollars.”  The rambling post on escapehatchdallas.com goes on to say, “God bless the recession I have found great deals on equipment, designers and food service experts hungry to put Dallas back on the map of best restaurants in America.”

I know one thing—this guy can cook. I am curious to know where he found $5 million dollars in this economy. Want to know more about Mr. Antonovich? He’s not shy.

Two questions. Are there Thai Steakhouses in Thailand? Was Dallas ever on the map of best restaurants in America? Just curious.

UPDATE: Whoopsie. Doodle. Doodle. Folks, please stay in your seats with your seat belts fastened until the caption has turned off the seat belt sign.

Ding.

Chow Thai Pacific Rim Changing Into Chow

An observant Disher reports that Chow Thai Pacific Rim at Parker and the Tollway has been “gutted and will be turned in to a new restaurant called  “Chow,” according to the sign in the window.” It will serve Asian street food.

Eatzi’s on Lovers Lane in Dallas Set to Open on February 26

Eatzi’s chef Jay Valley.

The new 4,700-square-foot location of Eatzi’s in The Pavilion on Lovers Lane is scheduled to open on Friday, February 26. To keep you busy until then, here are some Eatzi’s fun facts:

84-number of food items in the Chef’s Case
1,400-number of loaves of bread used each day
1,200—number of bottles of wine in the store
80- varieties of cheese
6-number of times Tony Romo was sacked by Minnesota
490- number of chocolate oblivion shots sold every week
40-number of chefs on staff

Jay Valley is the execuchef at the new Eatzi’s. Jay has worked at Crescent Court Hotel and was the catering chef at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek before he became the execuchef at Eatzi’s in Uptown. Recently he was promoted to president and COO of Eatzi’s. He plays golf.

Hanging Out in Preston Royal in Dallas: The Chicken Coop and Gazebo Burgers

Last night I sorta dined around Preston Royal Shopping Center, home of my crack house, Pinkberry. I explored all four quadrants of the center. I popped in Nothing But Bundt Cakes a chain dedicated to, well, nothing but variations of bundt cakes. It is a very cheery spot and I only tasted the chocolate chocolate chip drizzled with cream cheese frosting. Then I stopped into Gazebo Burgers and ordered one of their ginormous grilled chicken sandwiches with grilled onions and honey mustard.  I noticed that, across the parking lot from Gazebo Burgers,  a new spot, The Chicken Coop, is about to open next to Sushi Star. The logo looks franchise-y but a quick Google search didn’t turn up a link. (Go, Kirk.)  I parked in front of Neuhaus Café and noticed they had a nice dinner crowd. Of course, Pinkberry was mobbed. Fourteen dollars and forty three cents later, I was bound for home. BTW, those chicken sandwiches at Gazebo are delicious. They are almost as good as the ones at Stan’s Blue Note.

Which Wich Opens Its 100th Store (and Burguesa May Be Coming to Downtown)

photo: Kevin Hunter Marple

Tonight I went by the Monkey Bar at Mi Cocina in Highland Park Village to celebrate a milestone for Dallas entrepreneur and concept king Jeff Sinelli. His company, Which Wich, just opened its 100th store in Edinburgh, Texas. The popular sandwich chain is now in 18 states–and still expanding. You may also know that Sinelli is the man behind Burguesa Burger, and rumor has it that he’s putting in a Burguesa in the downtown tunnels. Oh, goody! More La Monumental burgers for me! Looks like I’ll have to put that try-not-to-be-a-piglet resolution on hold. IJS.

Official Opening Announcement: Naga Thai Kitchen and Bar in Victory Park in Dallas

From the copy and paste press release department. Annie Wong rides again.

Three Thais and a White Guy

Jeffrey Yarbrough joins Tom Chawana, Lam Promwanrat and Kitti Lirtpanaruk to open new Thai concept in Victory Park (more…)

Bliss Raw Café Readies to Open Second Location in Preston Center in Dallas

Saw the sign up yesterday for a second location of Bliss Raw Café and Elixir Bar in the Northwestern strip of Preston Center by Bank of America. Looking for a job? They’re hiring. 214-368 -8585.

How Did I Miss This? Matt Antonovich to Open a Restaurant in Dallas?

Yow. Zah. The boomerang has come back. Or will be coming back according to Mike “Scalp ‘Em” Hiller over on Escapehatch.com. On December 16, Hiller reported Mathew Antonovich, the chef behind III Forks, Sipango, and Antonovich’s Tuscan Grill in Far-North-maybe-Plano Dallas is returning to our city to open a spot called Tie Restaurant and Tie Bar. Hmm. Very interesting.

I can still taste a steak cooked at the gaudy-but-good Antonovich’s which was open for a nanosecond. The dude can cook. But he split town in the middle of the night to avoid creditors a few years ago and, according to one of my super-secret sources, reconciled his bad behavior with the Big Guy Upstairs.

Amywhoo, unsubstantiated vicious gossip aside, Hiller reports that Tie Restaurant will feature “Melting Pot Cooking.” “Fusion is not the right word,” reports Hiller. Apparently the menu will feature “a blend of cultures and cuisines that includes Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern.” No deets on the location. However, Ellis Island, birthplace of  “Wretched Refuse Cuisine,” is not a possibility. Matt, give me a call. 214-939-3636.

I Love Pinkberry. Two More Locations Set to Open in Dallas.

There. I said it. I love Pinkberry. I didn’t want to like it. In fact, I didn’t tell any of my friends I was sneaking over to Preston Royal every night for a LARGE cup of chocolate swirly goodness. (Sorry, their words not mine.) I didn’t think I had a problem until one night I got out of my pajamas and drove over before they closed. I bought three cups (almost $17!) to keep in my freezer.

How could I face Teresa, my counselor at Jenny Craig, with this news? (Oh, no! I just gave away a super secret about myself!) My 5’5” frame couldn’t take so much excess swirly goodness 7 nights a week, I had to stop. So I did. Cold (beat, beat, beat) turkey.

I am ten days swirly goodness sober.  So, I hesitate to tell you that Pinkberry will be serving swirly goodness in West Village by February 12.

Hey, Adam Saxton, Director of Development and Pinkberry Brand Manager at Saxton Pierce Restaurant Corporation, what are you doing?  “Watching the Pinkberry brand earn fans locally has been a very exciting experience for our corporation.  Few brands gain the instant following that Pinkberry does, and we are excited to bring Pinkberry to an additional part of Dallas so more people locally can experience the one-of-a-kind product, dedication to customer service, and the inspiring environment that go along with a Pinkberry store.”  He added “this second location is just the beginning of Pinkberry in North Texas.  We look forward to announcing additional location in the coming weeks.”

(Chant with me: Northwest Highway and Midway.)

Dallas Chop House is Now Open

Yes, I know everybody else has already reported that Dallas Chop House, the newest spot by Mike (Dallas Fish Market, Go-Fish, Fish Express) Hoque, has opened on Main Street in downtown. (Back off, Wilonsky) However, I have a small news update. The pdf from their PR machine reads: Dallas Chop House. We are now open. 1717 Main Street. 214-736-7300. Hours: Monday-Thursday 4:00 pm to 10:00pm. Friday-Saturday 4:00pm to 11:00 pm. Happy Hour Every Day All Day.

Full disclosure: I am in a crabby mood today and little things are making me crazy. SO, I ask you, dear reader, what does that last sentence mean to you? Are they open all day for happy hour? Or is happy hour every hour they are open? Is there an all day happy hour experience on Sunday? How many calories are in a martini? I’m just asking. Next.