Guess the Name of This Restaurant

Kent Rathbun Is My Fashion Consultant

I’m not sure what I bought that landed me on the list of people who receive this catalog at home, but when I start showing up to work in karate pajamas, you’ll know why.

UPDATE: Thanks, Timmy. Here is a link to the new ChefWear catalog which includes many other Dallas chefs. See how many you recognize

Formal Statement From The Chesterfield: Party On! Bailey and Campbell Kiss and Make Up

This just in from the heavyweight champions of the Battle for The Chesterfield:

Statement from Ed Bailey:

“It is unfortunate how things have unfolded at The Chesterfield and I’m disappointed to say the least.  I have continued to be very supportive of this bar and its success.  Unfortunately an internal issue that we were working hard to handle privately became a public spectacle, which both parties deeply regret.  Eddie and I have resolved our differences and look forward to putting this behind us,” said Ed Bailey. “The Chesterfield is back to business as usual with Eddie at its helm.”

Statement from Eddie Campbell:

“Sometimes emotions can get in the way of better judgment.  Ed has been a great mentor to me and he is a great guy. We had professional differences and I’m sorry how things transpired.  I’m passionate about The Chesterfield, as it is a life long dream of mine, and I’d like to apologize to everyone involved.  Ed and I have worked things out and I am glad to be back behind the bar.  I’m humbled by the support I’ve received from the community and look forward to making cocktails for the people of Dallas,” said Eddie Campbell.

Update: Trouble Brewing at The Chesterfield

Well, it looks like everyone involved in the battle for power at The Chesterfield has lawyered up and are not returning phone calls. This just in from Ed Bailey’s management company.

“We are working hard to resolve an internal issue with management that is a private matter,” said Gary Van Gundy, President, Edward C. Bailey Enterprises. “Eddie Campbell’s status as minority owner in The Chesterfield has not changed.  We are open for business as usual.”

Dave Little Goes Taco Hunting

Dave Little is a local standup comic. He’s working on a new concept called Little at Large, short videos of him taking a mic into this or that business and finding out what makes it tick. In this installment, he talks tacos.

2012 James Beard Foundation Awards Nominees Announced

The final nominees for the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards have been released. Congratulations to Bruno Davaillon at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek for his Best Chef in Southwest nomination. (Also to Paul Qui of Uchiko in Austin in same division.) Congrats also to Alison Cook of the Houston Chronicle nomination for the Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award. Hmm. Full release with all nominations below. Winners announced on May 4, 2012.

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The Birth of Incubator Concepts in Dallas: Trinity Groves v Sylvan| Thirty

Artist Renderings: Sylvan| Thirty and Trinity Groves.

In early December, we reported the announcement of the Sylvan| Thirty Culinary Incubator concept. In short, the still unnamed space is designed to help start-up food entrepreneurs launch their own businesses. Local chef and Earth Mother, Sharon Hage, is the director of the center which is slated to open in the early spring of 2013.

A few days ago, I received a press release: “Dallas to be Home to Nation’s First Restaurant Incubator.” The one-and-a-half page announcement outlined the grandiose plans behind Trinity Groves, a 13-acre development also dedicated to helping local wannabe restaurateurs get up and running. I filed an story on Trinity Groves yesterday.

I think it’s interesting Dallas will soon be home to two incubator programs. Especially since they are both located in west of the Trinity River. I decided to compare the two programs.

Jump for the full report.

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Michael Martensen Hosts New Pop-Up Bar in Deep Ellum: Hid In 2612

Michael Martensen is at it again. After a successful run in Oak Cliff with his pop-up emporium Bar 828, he has created Hid In 2612 on Commerce Street. (That would be 2612 Commerce.) The small, 1,400 square-foot cocktail lounge is next door to Cane Rosso. “We got our liquor license today at 1:00PM,” Martensen said. “We open tomorrow night at 8PM.” They will be open Friday and Saturday this weekend and Tuesday through Saturday of next week. Eight nights. Period.

The groovy space has already been decorated by King Zulu Bong Design group and once again features furniture from Again and Again. Martensen is teaming up with fellow mixmaster Brian McCullough who worked at Smoke and was also involved in Bar 828. McCullough is working on getting Standard Pour on McKinney open. Details are still sketchy. A Deep Ellum Arts project TBA will be the beneficiary of proceeds. Times, etc to follow. Food–pizzas and flatbreads–will be provided by Jay Jerrier’s Cane Rosso.

UPPITY DATE: “The same crew that brought you the hit pop-up cocktail lounge BAR828 is at it again. Operating under the name Hid In 2612, mixologists Michael Martensen and Brian McCullough will bring in a host of guest bartenders from the best establishments around town for only four nights. The official kick off is 8 o’clock p.m. Friday, February 3. The additional dates are Saturday, February 4, Thursday, February 9, and Friday, February 10. There will be private parties in between these dates. The space, located at 2612 Commerce Street in Deep Ellum, is adjacent to Il Cane Rosso and will be part of their expansion once Hid In 2612 closes its doors. Decor and design of the space are by the talented team of KingZuluBong, with accessories offered by Again & Again. The chosen mix of furnishings will offer an experience unlike any other in Dallas! Hid In 2612 is a cash only establishment. The hours will be from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Food will be available from Il Cane Rosso, as well as surrounding restaurants.
A portion of the proceeds from Hid In 2612 will be donated to the Deep Ellum Community Association. Find out more about DECA at deepellumtexas.com.”