Author Archives: Susie O

Dallas #BoozeNews: March 20, 2015

BOOK IT
Booker’s® Bourbon released an inaugural batch of its limited-edition collection celebrating founding distiller Booker Noe’s legacy as the father of small batch bourbon.  It’s bottled straight from the barrel, so it will only be available in limited quantities in 2015.
The download: 128.7 proof, aged 7 years 2 months & 16 days, has vanilla notes

The Virgin Tart Shake from Hopdoddy

The Virgin Tart Shake from Hopdoddy

LIKE A VIRGIN
Hopdoddy’s newest shake special is the Virgin Tart Shake made with Vanilla Ice Cream, Local Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Biscotti Batter, Whipped Cream.
Offered: through March 29
Price: $6

LEGEND … wait for it … DARY
Stop into Hard Rock Cafe Dallas to try out their newest burger offering, the Legendary™ Burger, a half-pound Certified Angus Beer® patty, brushed with Rebel IPA barbecue glaze and topped with picadillo meat, Monterey jack cheese, baby arugula, a tomato slice drizzled with balsamic glaze and crispy onions. It’s  the first of their line of burger and beer pairings, so try it with a Samuel Adams Rebel IPA.
Offered: March 23 – April 30

Eureka!’s Creole Benedict (photo credit: Kevin Marple)

Eureka!’s Creole Benedict (photo credit: Kevin Marple)

Eureka! is now offering brunch!  Check it out weekends from 11am-3pm and enjoy bloody Marys and Mimosas for $5, their extensive craft beer offerings, and deliciousness like Bananas Foster Crunchy French Toast and Creole Benedict!

HAPPY AS A CLAM CRAB
Get some beach time under your belt at C’Viche on Lower Greenville with their new happy hour.  Enjoy the following specials Monday-Friday from 3-7pm:
– $4 house cocktails (Pisco Sour, Margarita, Mojito, Caipirinha), featuring creative tequila, artisan rum, pisco and cachaca cocktails using fresh ingredients and house-made bitters
– $4 Mexican and local draft beer
– $6 house wine and sangria
– Complimentary chips and salsa

Dallas #BoozeNews: March 13, 2015

You better have your green ready … because this weekend is St. Patrick’s Day!  Check out some great recipes and local events to celebrate.

SPORK THIS
Apparently North Dallas has a new restaurant called Spork that they boast as “a chef-driven roadside eatery”.  I’m not even sure how to feel about the name … but I’m super curious to know what John Tesar thinks about it!  Visit this fast-casual establishment for burgers, salads, sandwiches, cocktails, and desserts.

TO THE MUSIC FACTORY!
The new music-centric lifestyle center in Las Colinas has announced two of the restaurants that will open once it’s complete–Gloria’s Latin Cuisine and Kabuki Japanese Restaurant.

THAI PIE
Fast-casual pizza spot Pie Five will now offer a Thai-inspired pizza.  It’ll have a “sweet chili sauce, sliced grilled chicken and a mix of fresh veggies, topped off with crushed red peppers, carrot sticks and cilantro.”

2015-03-12_11-09-35FORK & CORK, UNCORKED
Addison’s foodie festival, Fork & Cork, has announced the dates for this year’s event–March 15 & 16.  This year, they’ll have tastings from Chef Tim Byres, Eddie “Lucky” Campbell, Chef John Tesar, Chef Richard Chamberlain, and more.  See what they’ll have to offer this year and buy your tickets on their website.

NEW BUDA
Buda Juice will open at Mockingbird Station later this month!  Stop in for their nutritious juices and soups served in their 100% recyclable glass bottles.

Oyster Pairings at Ocean Prime

Oysters are delicious. Well handled, well shucked, fresh oysters are delicious. (Obvi.) While we’re a bit landlocked here in Dallas, there are some places that have fresh oysters and a decent shucker. Ocean Prime is one of them, and is upping their oyster game with some new offerings. And shuck me* … they’ve thought up some amazing pairings.

Not only are they offering $1 St. James Virginia oysters for $1 until 7pm daily, but they’re also featuring other oyster options (which vary by season and availability) and are pairing them with their four sauces–cucumber, champagne, and red wine mignonettes and a green apple granita. (Yes, they made a flaky, frozen granita to pair with their oysters! It’s amazing how the sweetness balances out the salinity of the oysters.)

Their fresh oysters on a half shell are irresistible, to be sure, but they’ve also come up with four baked and broiled oyster options in flavors like Bacon & Blue, Rockefeller (huh-um), their traditional parmesan, and BBQ. While they’re a tiny bit harder to eat, they’re delicious and worth the awkwardness that comes with trying to tackle a huge oyster with a tiny fork. ($7 for two, $13 for four, or a sampler of two of each for $24)

Ask Heather or one of the other knowledgable members of the Ocean Prime staff what they recommend pairing with each oyster, because they have really done an incredible job choosing pairings that cut the saltiness of some and really bring out the flavors of the baked/broiled options. We enjoyed a glass of crisp chardonnay with our basic oysters, and anything from a Goose Island India Pale Ale to a Whiskey Clover with our baked/broiled oysters.

Suggested Pairings:
Rockefeller – Saint Arnold Amber
Bacon & Blue – Astoria Prosecco
BBQ – Whiskey Clover cocktail
Parmesan – Goose Island IPA

Needless to say … I had a shell of a time** trying all of these delicious oysters! If anything, it makes me want to throw on my apron and make some oysters myself. Although, from past stories I have heard, it takes great skill to be able to create oysters that are simply out of this world. No wonder so many people turn to online food shops similar to Oysters XO to see how they can learn more about how to shuck oysters as a professional would. What a great experience that would be! And if it meant getting some tasty oysters at the end of it, then even better, right?

From my own personal experience, you should definitely make the time to visit the great restaurant that is Ocean Prime. Trust me, it is worth it. So, get your butt in there and enjoy some of these options … because a dozen St. James oysters for just $12 mean you can afford a few happy hour drinks (and an Uber home).


*I had to make at least one shellfish pun.
** … or two.

Women in Whiskey

Jim Beam. Booker Noe. Evan Williams. Henry McKenna. John Jameson. Hiram Walker. The list goes on. The whisk(e)y industry is seemingly dominated by men, and I was given another chance to appreciate that at the “Women in Whisk(e)y” event at Sissy’s. We heard from the following:

  • Victoria MacRae-Samuels, Vice President of Operations at Maker’s Mark Bourbon
  • Vicky Stevens, Global Brand Ambassador for Laphroaig Scotch Whisky
  • Tish Harcus, Brand Ambassador for Canadian Club Whisky
  • Stella Lacken, Brand Ambassador for Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

With the smell of Sissy’s delicious fried chicken hanging in the air, the women shared their paths to their current positions with their respective brands along with how their love of whiskey was forged. I was happy to share with Victoria after that my mother was actually the person who turned me on to whiskey (she’s a huge Maker’s fan) … she even gave me Whiskey Women for Christmas, which they all recommended we read.

WIN FOR DALLAS: Tish from Canadian Club even let us know the women in Dallas are ahead of the WORLD when it comes to their love of whiskey.  (Way to go, ladies.)

To get us through the late lunch, Sissy’s served us some goodies. Along with some of Sissy’s delicious bites, we were treated to tastings of Maker’s 46, Laphroaig, Canadian Club Sherry Cask, and Kilbeggan and cocktails made with each.

To continue the day of awesomeness, I was lucky enough to stop by the Maker’s Mark happy hour at Bolsa that they put on for their local ambassadors. (P.S. If you’re not an ambassador, sign up now.)  While there, I had another chance to chat with Victoria from Maker’s Mark and she deemed to snap a picture for me to send to my mom. (HI, MOM!)

The day of awesomeness ended with dinner at Smoke, where we were treated a traditional Scottish song to start the night.  (Don’t you love his kilt?)  Each delicious and well seasoned course of BBQ was accompanied by tastings of the four whiskeys and cocktails that showed off how they lend themselves to mixing, and we were treated to another round of addresses from the whiskey women.

Dallas #BoozeNews

HEAD ON TO IRELAND WITH BENNIGAN’S
Check out Bennigan’s St. Paddy’s Day promotion where you can check out Irish toasts and even submit your own.  Even better?  They’re giving one lucky person a chance to win a trip for two to have a whale of a time in Ireland.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TX!
Texas Land and Cattle is celebrating Texas Independence Day with a special food & drink menu with options like Texas Stuffed Quail, Bison Burger, and Pecos Pecan Trout.  Drinks include a Border Gimlet and additional Texas beers.
Availability: March 2-31

THE SPICEMAN GO-ETH
Dallas became a little drearier this week after the news of Tom Spicer’s passing was released on Monday.  To learn about this amazing man and how he made Dallas a better (and healthier) place, click the image below.

HOP TO IT
Y’all know I love alcohol … and food … so when food is made with wine, I like it that much more.  Enter: Hopdoddy‘s Coq Au Vin Burger, a Chicken patty, field mushrooms, bacon, Swiss cheese, red wine reduction, tomato, dressed radicchio salad, and black pepper aioli on an egg bun.
Cost: $12
Availability: through March 8

PEEP SHOW
This just blew my mind and I couldn’t not share it … Peeps flavored-milk.  Chocolate, marshmallow, and Easter egg nog.  We can’t get it, which is sad, but at least you know about it.

FRY SNAPS
Mention @snuffersburgers in any pictures from a Snuffer’s location in March and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Snuffer’s gift card!  All this talk of Snuffer’s makes me really want some Cheddar Fries.  Details here.

START THE MADNESS
Plucker’s wants you to lose this March Madness.  (Seriously.)  They want diners to pick out the schools that will be the big losers this year and fill out a bracket on their website in their March Badness promotion.  Prizes include:
  • 2nd Round: Free Pluckers for a Year
  • 3rd Round: 1,000 Wings
  • 4th Round: $500 Gift Card to Pluckers

OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS:

TORCHY’S TACOS | they will open a location in Plano this April at 1855 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600.

TRULUCK’S | The new two-story building in Uptown is now open!

(AMSTER)DAM SHAME | Amsterdam Bar closed – Owner Mike Scheel had to give up his license in order to pursue his dream of making cider.  More on that later.

Dallas #BoozeNews: February 23, 2015

BOWLED OVER
Stop in and try some of the new menu items from Bowl & Barrel!  Enjoy dishes like Jumbo Crab Cakes, Green Chili Grilled Cheese, and new cocktails (pictured in image featured above)! Read more about the new items in Rico’s recap!

'Til Morning Cocktail

’Til Morning Cocktail from The Library

CHECK THIS OUT
New year, new cocktail and wine lists at The Library!  The cocktail list will feature classics along with new creations, and the wine list will have domestics and international selections. “Highlights include: ‘Til Morning, blending Woodford Reserve Bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, egg white and a Laphroaig Rinse and Warwick International, featuring Japanese whiskey, fresh ginger, honey syrup, Cointreau, lemon juice.”

BOOK IT
Bad boy Dallas chef, John Tesar, will be releasing a book this spring, Knife: Modern Steak and All American Meats, written with Josh Ozersky.  The book will feature “full-color photography by Dallas photographer Kevin Marple throughout, KNIFE will be a celebration of American steak; an exploration into modern, self-sustaining Texas ranching; and a trip inside the mind of one of the most distinctive and acclaimed meat chefs in the world.”

WOOD IS GOOD
Woodford Reserve will release their Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, a 100% rye this week!  Rico spent some time with the brand ambassador at their event in Dallas and said it’s some good s**t.  Check out the full experience here.

GET FLIGHTY
Malai Kitchen will now serve beer flights featuring their three house brews.  Flight will be “$8 and include a 5 ounce pour of Bia Hoi (light Vietnamese lager), Thai-P-A (medium bodied and brewed with Thai herbs), and the Thai 1 On seasonal rotator (this month’s rotator is a Belgian Tripel).”

EUREKA!

If you have been in the vicinity of West Village as of late, you’ve noticed the new monstrosity of a building that went up in the space formerly occupied by the Hank Haney driving range.  While I’m sure we all miss the green space and blue sky that good ole’ Hank afforded us, I’m kind of wild about some of the businesses in the new building … namely Public School 214 and Eureka.

Eureka was the first of the two to open a couple months back and I was invited in with a guest to experience, as they call it, an
“enlightening burger experience, accompanied by fresh ingredients, artisan recipes, craft beer, classic cocktails and rock n’ roll.”

The Truffle Cheese Fries and our first round of drinks were the first to hit our table … and we loved every second of all of them.  I enjoyed an Old Fashioned and my (super fun and awesome) +1 enjoyed a Greyhound.  The bar offers a decent selection of high-end liquors, but doesn’t ignore the usuals and their cocktail list affords the classics while getting a little crazy with some more creative options.

Truffle Cheese Fries (creamy Havarti truffle sauce, green onions)

Truffle Cheese Fries (creamy Havarti truffle sauce, green onions)

Golden Ale Mussels (jalapeño bacon stock, crispy pancetta, golden ale beer and petit herbs)

Golden Ale Mussels (jalapeño bacon stock, crispy pancetta, golden ale beer and petit herbs)

The Golden Ale Mussels aren’t to be missed.  Of the appetizers we tried, this was by far our favorite thanks to the jalapeño bacon stock.  Just make sure you ask for extra bread!

Bone Marrow Burger (bone marrow porcini butter, charbroiled onion, mustard aioli, oven-roasted tomato)

Bone Marrow Burger (bone marrow porcini butter, charbroiled onion, mustard aioli, oven-roasted tomato)

The Bone Marrow Burger was a suggestion from our waiter.  It was a LOT of flavor and was incredibly rich. I couldn’t even get close to finishing it … though I’m not sure if it was because of its decadence or because of the mound of onion rings, fries (sweet and original), Beef Ragu Grits (stone-ground grits, shaved horseradish, fine herbs), and about five other things.  (Ugh … they should have told us to wear stretchy pants.)

Panko Crusted Onion Rings

Panko Crusted Onion Rings

Their menu is LARGE and offers anything from burgers to pizzas to a taco bar. (Seriously.)  I’d say that they should focus on fewer things, but they seem to have an understanding of this game as this is their 14th location with a 15th on the way.

The vibe is decidedly Uptown … as is the crowd.  What is one to expect in the area, though?  Parking is a bit of a nightmare and I couldn’t figure it out myself and accidentally set off a fire alarm in the parking garage.  (Oops.)

Stop in to see what Eureka has to offer … just make sure to order those Truffle Cheese Fries.  (It’d be rude not to.)


EUREKA
http://www.eurekarestaurantgroup.com

Dallas #BoozeNews: February 18, 2015

Sunday is NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY and the Oscars.  Just sayin’.

TI ESREVER DNA TI PILF NWOD GNIHT YM TUP I
SĒR Steak + Spirits is going to get all Missy Elliott on happy hour and  … well … reverse it.  They’ll offer 15% off cocktails and beer along with $7-9 select wines by the glass and specialty shared plates and sweets every Thursday through Sunday, 10pm to close.

Honey Can Hi ContrastCIDER LOVERS, REJOICE
Austin Eastciders has released a  new hard cider, Texas Honey, that you can find in stores this week, and its Small Batch No. 2 will be out next week!  The Small Batch No. 2 is made with BLACK apples.  I’m not sure how I feel about that yet … but I know I’m intrigued.

MAKE ME BLUSH
The newest offering from the house of Francis Ford Coppola is the 2013 Sofia Red, a Rhône blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes all grown in California’s Paso Robles appellation, the Sofia Red is the first red wine to join the Sofia family of wines, which originated with the introduction of the Sofia Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine sixteen years ago.

NEW OPENINGS

TACO TIME
Addison and the Dallas Farmer’s Market will get La Ventana Taqueria outposts this year!  The Dallas Farmer’s Market in the Market can expect its taco shop to open early summer, complete with indoor seating and a patio.  The Addison location will feature a 2,344 square foot restaurant and bar, 945 of it will be patio!

S’NUFF SAID
Legendary burger and Cheddar Fry hot spot, Snuffer’s Burgers, will open two new restaurants in 2015–Addison (4180 Beltline Road) and Red Oak (132 E Ovilla Road)!

CHIN CHIN, KIN KIN
Kin Kin Urban Thai will open February 27 at 2801 West 7th Street in Fort Worth!  The coolest part? “February 27 – March 1, guests can enjoy all food at 50 percent off of normal menu pricing simply by checking in on their social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram.”

IN VINO VERITAS
Vivo 53 is now open in Downtown Fort Worth!  Stop in for Italian-style artisans pizzas, handmade pastas, and a pizza-flinging show.

Pizze (Sunny side up egg, bacon, Yukon gold potato & Bermuda onions)

Pizze (Sunny side up egg, bacon, Yukon gold potato & Bermuda onions)