The world is going pig-crazy.

On Friday, I heard that Jack in the Box was offering a very limited number of bacon milkshakes as a secret menu item. Did anyone get a chance to try one? I almost dropped everything to go search for one, but then I remembered my sanity. Now I’m lying deep in the trenches of regret.

If you spot the word YUM in a post after today, you will win a prize. Carry on.

My Sigel's cart from 2009

Attention fellow wine-os and The Brad. Sigel’s Elite (the store at 3209 N. Fitzhugh) is having a ginormus sale. Why? “As a result of the fluid nature of restaurant wine lists and by-the-glass programs, we are from time to time left with wines that have been ordered for restaurants, but not picked up.” Love it. Fluid nature of restaurant wine lists. That’s good. I went to one of these sales a few years ago and scored some $100 wines marked down to $20!. Anywhoo, the fluid nature of the restaurant business is our gain, again. Jump for the list. No phone or email orders.

sale wines limited to stock on hand and subject to prior sale. In event of pricing error, store price prevails

Jump for more holiday wine specials.I also received a list of some holiday take home wine specials that Veritas is offering for the upcoming holidays. And they are big.  The first list starts with big California reds and include a 96 point 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet from Buccella on sale for $120 and a 2006 Howell Mountain O’Shaghnessey Cabernet for $70. I love this wine, having had it one night at Veritas on recommendation.  Veritas’ knowledgeable gang usually leads a guest in the right direction if you describe what you like. This one is a keeper.  Parker gives the O’Shaghnessey 94 points.  Be sure to ask for the special email prices on your purchase.

The Grape  has set up shop next door to their Greenville Avenue spot, into the space formerly occupied by Stoney’s, for special wine tastings and events, at least for the holiday season.

Check it out on Tuesday when Courtney Luscher, GM and Sommelier for The Grape, teams with Steve Mansir of Republic Beverage, as they host a “Get Your Grape On” event from 6pm-7:30pm pairing four hand selected wines with The Grape’s classic cheese and charcuterie plate.  Reservations required.  Call 214-828-1981 for more information.  Stick around for mushroom soup and get a discount on your dinner bill.

Also, Chef Rathbun has partnered with Dallas photographer Pat Haverfield for the 2011 NTFB calendar featuring recipes and photographs for each month featuring Chef Rathbun’s new line of sauces, Kent Rathbun Elements.  On Tuesday the 16th from 6pm-8pm Central Market  Dallas will host Chef Rathbun for a cooking demonstration and calendar signing with 100% of the proceeds of the calendar sales going to NTFB.  Chef Rathbun will also be at the Plano Central Market on Saturday, December 4th at 10am signing calendars and demonstrating recipes featured in the calendar.  80 meals will be created from each calendar sale.

If you aren’t able to make it out to see the Chef you can still help NTFB, text 85944 on your cell and you can make an easy donation of $10 to the food bank.

Looks to me like the store opens at 5:30 am. I’m not saying you should camp out, just that you should plan according to your level of personal commitment.

Stock-up tip: CM is also offering a great Brewtopia discount: 25% off $25 or more on beer and, I believe, beer-related items like homebrewing kits.

For every 12 bottles of O’Shaughnessy Howell Mountain Cab you purchase, you get a free magnum.

I will do the bottles at $67 each plus you get a free magnum.

But what can you possibly give this year to assure her that the more than $200,000 she spent on raising you (not counting the money you continued to mooch once you headed off to college), was somehow worth it? Well, look no further than the following commercial announcement:

D Home, which for 10 years has been a great shining beacon among the nation’s “shelter” magazines, is marking its anniversary with an opportunity to give an annual subscription for the special price of $12. That’s six issues (plus the 2010 Design Book) for 60% off the cover price. Heck, buy one for your wife and your grandmother and your sister and crazy aunt Gladys while you’re at it.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. Print out this Dallas Christian Choir flyer and 20 percent of your purchase at Menchie’s in Highland Park Village will benefit the group which will be performing next to the fro-yo shop from 1:00 to to 3:00 p.m on Saturday. 214-252-0003.

Red Mango. Red Mango Frozen Yogurt will celebrate the grand opening of five stores in the Dallas area on Saturday, December 12, by treating customers to a FREE small original frozen yogurt with one topping from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Locations are in NorthPark Center, McKinney Avenue in Uptown, iLume on Cedar Springs, Inwood Village, and Watters Creek in Allen.

Yogen Früz. Opened it’s third area location at the Fire Wheel Town Center in Garland. The store, located at 470 Coneflower Dr.

Taste Tripping. On Saturday, Dec 12, MADI Geometric Art Center in Uptown is hosting a Taste Tripping Party. If you haven’t eaten the “miracle fruit” and taken a foodie trip, this is a great time to try—they are offering a $5 discount to SideDish readers. Just use the coupon code Z36NV when you make reservations HERE! Food, art, and science all at the same time!

Dali Wine Bar.  Presents: Jewels of the Vine, An Evening of Fine Wine & Fabulous Jewels! Monday, December 7, from 5:00pm-10:00pm. $15 for a flight of five wines. All the details below the jump.

John Tesar Update. Former Mansion chef John Tesar gets big nods from Houston writer Allison Cook. One here; another there.

Wolfgang Puck Catering. Introduces “Tuesday Treats.” Tempting and tasty dishes delivered right to your door. Surprise & delight friends, clients and colleagues with “Tuesday Treats” by Wolfgang Puck Catering.  For four consecutive Tuesdays in December, Wolfgang Puck Catering will deliver delicious dishes right to your doorstep.  On December 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd, Dallas’ premier catering company will offer this program for $78 per person (excluding tax; service charges may apply) for a minimum of 25 people, and will include a choice of breakfast, lunch buffet, snack items, or holiday sweets. Deets below.

Scardello. Scardello artisan cheese says goodbye to 2009 with December in-store events. They are all listed below.

Dali Wine Bar Details
WHAT:     Dali, Dallas’ nationally acclaimed wine bar and Arts District culinary             jewel, will host a special event on Monday, December 7th                     showcasing a one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry show and highlighted                 with a wine tasting featuring stellar holiday retail selections priced                 at $20 per bottle or below.  Dali transcends other wine retailers and             most eateries with “below market gem wine pricing capabilities”.

Stunning gemstone creations by Elle Schuster and elegant, unique             jewelry by Dorey Design will be on display for purchase.  In                 addition, Dali Wine Director Mark Luft will be offering a                     casual wine tasting of the hottest new “jewels of the vine” for                 holiday consumption. Wine gift baskets will be available as well.

WHEN:

WHERE:    Dali Wine Bar & Restaurant
One Arts Plaza
1722 Routh St.
Dallas, TX 75201

COST:        $15 for a flight of five wines

CONTACT:    For more information contact Paul Pinnell at 214.281.9958
paulpinnell@sbcglobal.net

Wolfgang Puck Catering Details

TREAT MENUS
Kickoff Morning Buffet
Salad & Sandwich Lunch Buffet
Salty & Sweet Afternoon Snacks
Sweet Holiday Treats
Thanks to Wolfgang Puck Catering, Tuesdays will be the new favorite day of the week!

WHEN:        Tuesdays in December
December 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd

WHERE:     Wolfgang Puck Catering
Union Station
400 S Houston Street
Dallas, TX 75202

For more information or to order, please contact:
Kevin Brant
Kevin.Brant@WolfgangPuck.com
214.741.PUCK (7825)

CONTACT:
Strauss Marketing- Bailey Pete PR
Christi Christopher
214-356-8306
christi@baileypetepr.com

SCARDELLO ARTISAN CHEESE SAYS GOODBYE TO 2009 WITH DECEMBER IN-STORE EVENTS
WHAT/ Cheesemonger’s Birthday Surprise!
WHEN: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 7 p.m.
When it’s your birthday, you get what you want. So join Owner Rich Rogers as he tastes his way
through his favorite cheeses, paired with his favorite wines. It’s a night of dealers choice –
cheesemonger style!
Cheese 101
Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 7 p.m.
Join us as we nibble our way through the different cheese types. Experience comparative tastings of
cheese and out-of-the-ordinary items that will help you focus on the distinct flavors of each cheese
type. Owner Rich Rogers will cover the basics, including how cheese is made and answer questions
about pairing fundamentals. Of course, there will be soothing libations provided in the relaxing
atmosphere of the shop!
Cheese and Wine of the Northwest
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
The Northwest has a bounty of great cheese and fantastic wine. Get a feel for the terroir of
Washington and Oregon as we taste loads of cheeses paired with wines from this beautiful and
verdant part of the country.
Unwind – Scardello Happy Hour
Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Unwind. What better way to end a long day? Now from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays, all wine
by the glass is $6 and comes with a bowl of nibbles – nuts, dried fruit or olives. Whether you are
relaxing with friends or going through the day’s ins and outs with co-workers, Unwind gets you in
the right frame of mind. Of course, if you need to bring work with you, we now offer free Wi-Fi!
-MoreScardello
Artisan Cheese November Events

Wine Tasting Saturday
Every Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Join owner Rich Rogers for a weekly wine tasting. Of course, the wines will be paired with cheese
and reservations are not needed. As always…it’s FREE! If you can’t make it this Saturday, we will be
at it again the next week. Check the web site for each week’s specific wines.
New Holiday Hours
Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
During November and December, we will be open an hour earlier on Saturdays. Stop by early to
satisfy your cheese cravings!
WHERE: Scardello Artisan Cheese
3511 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75219
RESERVATIONS Classes are $25 per person, unless otherwise noted.
REQUIRED: Please call 214.219.1300 for reservations.
ABOUT Scardello Artisan Cheese offers traditionally made, handcrafted and artisan foods,
SCARDELLO with approximately 140 cut-to-order seasonal cheeses, including European imports,
ARTISAN American artisan cheese and a large selection of native Texas cheeses. Scardello is
CHEESE: located at 3511 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219 and is open Monday through
Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday
from 1 to 6 p.m. For additional information, please call 214.219.1300 or visit
www.scardellocheese.com.

You love D Magazine, don’t you? So why not share the love? As a thank you for being a Facebook friend and Twitter follower—and, I suppose, for reading this blog—we’re offering a special deal on a D Magazine subscription: $10, the lowest price ever! (I have no way of disputing this claim. IJS.) To get this super-hot deal, sign up here. But hurry, because this deal won’t last forever.

Be nice, it is Thanksgiving. I’m picking up my pumpkin whoopie pies today!

August 15th at La Cave, their second “Cave Dweller” tasting from 11am-1pm. This complimentary tasting will feature New World summer style options, including wine from Chile, California, South Africa and more.  RSVP required by August 13.  214-747-9463.

Next week is busy at Veritas.  August 18th Veritas Wine Room , winner of the “Best of Big D Lawyers That Pour,” partners with Dallas Uncorked a French wine tasting fr0m Rhone, Loire, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and more.  Tickets through dallasuncorked.org.  August 19th they also welcome local crooner Ricki Derek.  What can be better than a beautiful bubble, or sensuous Cab enjoyed while listening to the soothing sounds of a well loved Dallas favorite.

Stephan Pyles continues with their fantastic summer patio happy hour, with the addition of an $8 Passion Chile Margarita, voted one of the top 10 cocktails in Dallas. This is in addition to specially priced Champagne and wine, and paired with complimentary flat breads.

There is a new online outlet for wine in Dallas, and they will deliver to your door with in 24 hours.  Vintage Wine is a new online outpost that ha a good selection and boasts temperature controlled delivery in “Dallas, TX” for a minimum $50 order of at least 3 wines (otherwise they will ship via Fed Ex.)  They also have a “knowledgeablestaff” that can help you with selections; not sure who the staff is though.  Love the option and support local ideas.  They are running a few specials as well, including Conundrum for $19.00 a bottle.

In addition to Sigel’s incredible wine sale, stop by the Fitzhugh location on August 19th from 6-8 for a Gin tasting of up to 20 different special and unique gins.  RSVP to Dimitrios,214-635-3162 for details on obtaining your Gin passport.