Author Archives: Susie O

Whisler’s (Austin, TX)

Written by Jaime Cawyer

Being from Austin, I was over the moon to have the chance to check out one of their newer bars, Whisler’s. Located in ever-growing East Austin, Whisler’s feels like it’s been there forever. The small indoor bar is perfect for small talk with your more than qualified bartender and the outdoor patio would be ideal for you and your group to sip all night. Whisler’s specializes in cocktails that are creations of their very own staff and I was lucky enough to have GM, Cesar Aguilar, concoct some of their latest drinks for me.

Aguilar truly believes that he and his staff are never done learning and innovating when it comes to their cocktails. They create the menu by having the bartenders create their own cocktails and submit them to be on the seasonal menu. I had the pleasure of trying the fall menu of winners.

The first drink I tried was the simple and light Eastside Queen (vodka, lemon, and cranberry-rosemary syrup). If you like vodka (and I do!) then this is the perfect cocktail. Needless to say, this was something I would order a couple of in an evening.

Next I tried the Pink Lady (gin, apple brandy, lemon, honey, grenadine, and egg white), which tasted like I was drinking a cloud…a delicious, gin-filled cloud. This drink is sweet and creamy- definitely a hit with me. I probably would have claimed this one to be my favorite … until I found the next drink.

My last drink was the I Yam What I Yam (butter-rum, meletti amaro, sweet potato shrub, and bitters topped with a roasted marshmallow). Yes … yes, you did read that right: Thanksgiving goodness … in your mouth in an easy-to-consume liquid form. (Stretchy pants not required.) This was, by all means, my favorite cocktail of the night. Sweet potato shrub is not something I had ever tried (or really had ever heard of) and I was apprehensive. I wasn’t sure it would translate into a cocktail. Foolish! It adds just the right amount of savory to counter the butter-rum and when you take a sip, while smelling the just-roasted marshmallow … well it’s just heaven.

The last thing we’ll mention is Whisler’s Oaxacan-style mezcalería, Mezcalería Tobalá. It’s a smaller bar upstairs carries a plethora of mezcals in half-pours to taste or full-pours.

Whisler’s is open everyday from 4pm-2am and is currently still serving their fall cocktail menu. Be sure to stay tuned for all of their future sure-to-amaze seasonal cocktail lists and be sure to ask who created your drink!

WHISLERS
whislersatx.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
1816 East 6^th Street, Austin, TX 78702
512-480-0781

#DallasBoozeNews: December 14, 2014

EUREKA!
Opened December 8 in West Village, Eureka! offers “food elevated”, 40+ craft beers on tap, 35+ small-batch whiskeys, live music, a daily happy hour, a killer patio, and occasional events.
Menus: FOOD | DRINK
Daily “Hoppy” Hour: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close

KNIFE
Their Pudding on the Nog cocktail (recipe below) will be available at Knife’s bar through the holidays!

Pudding on the Nog (Created by Charlie Moore, Knife, Dallas, TX)
1 ½ parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
½ part amaro
1 part simple syrup
1 part heavy cream
2 parts whole milk
2 bar spoons sugar-free, low-fat vanilla pudding mix

Add all ingredients into a shaker tin and shake without ice until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly and pour into a rocks glass; freshly grate nutmeg and cinnamon stick over the top, and enjoy!

HOPDODDY
If you can’t beat the freeze, join it! The Frozen Banana shake features our honey roasted bananas, rich chocolate sauce and a chocolate dipped banana chip! One sip will remind you that sunnier days are ahead after the winter freezes. This classic summer treat in shake form is the perfect way to celebrate December.
AVAILABLE: Monday, December 8 through Sunday, December 21
COST: $6

A RENAISSANCE
The new event space at the Renaissance Dallas is NOW OPEN and offers 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space. And the space is sexy as hell and the food is out of the world. (After all … Asador is in charge of their banquet catering!)

CROWNING GLORY
Crown is releasing its first single barrel whisky exclusively in Texas!
COST: 750 mL, $55

For the first time in its 75-year history, legendary Canadian Whisky brand Crown Royal will offer only Texas consumers the opportunity to savor the root of Crown Royal’s signature smoothness, the unique Coffey Rye whisky, bottled straight from the barrel.

An exceptionally smooth blend balanced by creamy and fruity notes of banana and rich oak undertones from maturing in new American wood resulting in a long lasting and expansive finish. The aromas are rich and robust on the nose with slight hints of vanilla and fruit.

AT SECOND BLUSH
Founders Brewing Co. will re-release Blushing Monk, a decadent Belgian raspberry ale, in March 2015 to mark the twelfth installment in the brewery’s popular Backstage Series.

Blushing Monk (9.2% ABV) will be sold in 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $16.99 per bottle.

#OPINIONSWELCOME
Laphroaig Scotch put together a hilarious video that set drinker reviews to holiday songs. Kind of hilarious.

Laphroaig® Scot’s Cider

1 part Laphroaig® 10-Year-Old Scotch Whisky
½ part DeKuyper® Mixologist Series Ginger Liqueur
3 parts Hot Apple Cider

Build in a pre-heated coffee mug.

Garnish with a lemon wedge studded with cloves and a dash of fresh ground cinnamon.

2014 Festive Finds Gift Guide

SNAIL MAIL COCKTAIL
CHEERS by Southern Fried Paper & SusieDrinksDallas, a collaboration I’ve been working on with Southern Fried Paper, is now available for purchase! With boozy cards, prints, coasters, swizzle sticks, and more, you can send a friend a note telling him he’s your cup of ~~tea~~ whiskey!

I mean … if you like me at all you’ll check out what we’ve done. No pressure.

Price: $3.50 – $20
Purchase: At the Southern Fried Paper retail section of 2524 Converse Street or online starting December 15.

BUZZED AND WIRED

Nespresso’s new Vertuoline brewing system is sleek, slim, and pretty damn sexy looking. Oh, and it brews a damn good cup of espresso. It was one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” this year … and, well … if it’s good enough for Oprah, it’s good enough for me.

If you need ideas for cocktails to get you buzzed and wired, check out some of my Buzzed Boozing recipes here!

Price: $299 for the VertuoLine system
Purchase: Online or at the NorthPark Center boutique

I obviously need something to put my yummy espresso in … duh. I chose Nespresso’s Pixie Espresso cups in black (Ristretto), but they come in a bunch of colors, including rose gold! (I won’t judge your color choice.) I also just realized that it looks like a pod upside-down.

Price: $35
Purchase: Online or at the NorthPark Center boutique

CHEWABLE COCKTAILS
Anyone can make an Old Fashioned in a glass, but how many of you can say that you can make it as a rich, chewy caramel? Shotwell has a cute 4-flavor caramel sampler that includes each of their four featured flavors, including Old Fashioned and Craft Beer & Pretzel that is perfect for boozy gifting!

Price: $19.75
Purchase: Shotwell Candy Co.

DON’T BE A TOOL … JUST GIVE A TOOL
My whole apartment is black, white, and gold, and that makes finding bar tools a bitch to find. Luckily West Elm’s Deco Barware Collection is a set of gold-finish bar tools to help me round out my bar cart (which coincidentally was also purchased at West Elm).

Price: $79
Purchase: at West Elm or online

BOOZY JAM
With flavors like “Drunken Monkey Jam” and “You’re My Boy Blue-berry Bourbon Jam”, you can’t go too far wrong with this 4-flavor boozy jam sample pack. Because toast deserves better than boring jelly.

Price: $15 for the 4 flavor sampler, $10 per full-size jar
Purchase: The Jam Stand

WEAR YOUR COCKTAIL ON YOUR SLEEVE
A local t-shirt company started by two Frisco teachers is making a splash with their soft, wearable tees. Tumbleweed TexStyles lets you show your Texas pride … and your drink order!

BONUS: I’m giving away one WINE t-shirt (pictured right) this holiday season! To enter to win the shirt, you can either post this gift guide on Twitter and tag #FestiveFinds and @drinkdallas -OR- post your favorite gift on this guide to Instagram and tag #FestiveFinds and @susiedrinksdallas

Price: starting at $9.50 (and get 20% off any apparel, gear, and glassware with the code SUSIE)
Purchase: Tumbleweed TexStyles

LOBALL A HIGHBALL
While cold balls can be a problem, these are a solution. The LoBall Whiskey Sphere is a stainless steel ball is filled with a cooling liquid that has a lower freezing point than water, so it stays cooler for longer.

Bonus: you can have it engraved with any text you’d like or even a custom image for just $10.

Price: $24.99 – $34.99
Purchase: sipdark.com

IN-FLIGHT BUZZ
Complete with a spoon/muddler hybrid, bitters, cane sugar packets, a coaster, and recipes, this Carry-On Cocktail Kit is a tin that helps make the crying baby and the dry, recirculated air a little less awful. Plus, getting drunk at 10,000 feet is easier.

Price: $24
Purchase: Food52.com

AN ICE CREAM DREAM
This is all you need to know: alcohol + ice cream. Brilliant, right? BuzzBars offers sorbet and ice cream bars in flavors like Blitzed Berry (strawberry ice cream & rum), The Drunken Cookie (Cookies ’n Cream ice cream & whiskey), and the Larry King Heart Bar (berry sorbet & merlot wine). You can order their BuzzPacks now (12-bar cases)! Order ASAP because they’ll go out December 15-24.

Price: $100/BuzzPack (includes gift wrap & overnight shipping)
Purchase: At Spec’s or at buzzbaricecream.com.

PAST HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES:

2013
2012
2011

For more gift ideas, you can click here.

#DallasBoozeNews: December 5, 2014

HAPPY REPEAL DAY!

CHEERS! DEBUTS | I’m proud to announce CHEERS, my collaboration with Southern Fried Paper! Our line of boozy cards, prints, stir sticks, and more is available for purchase at Studio 2524! Stay tuned for online sales next week.

print-1

BRUNCH BUNCH | Proof + Pantry will start serving Sunday brunch! More details here.

THIS APP DELIVERS (BOOZE) | Minibar, an app that allows users to order booze and have it delivered within an hour. Seriously.
Download here!

HAPPIER HOURS

Starting December 9, Clark Food & Wine on Lower Greenville will begin offering happy hour from 4-7pm Monday – Friday. Even better? They’ll offer select cocktails for just $4 during happy hour on Tuesdays!
SER is now offering reverse happy hour Thursday – Sunday, 10pm to close! Enjoy drink specials ($6-8) and shared plates and sweet ($7-9).

LEMON LOVE | Deep Eddy Vodka released its newest flavor, lemon! Look for it starting in January 2015!

WIN THE ULTIMATE BEACH LOVER’S PRIZE FROM BLUE CHAIR BAY RUM | Blue Chair Bay Rum will be doing a holiday giveaway, the “12 Days of Christmas”, where fans can enter for the opportunity to win daily prizes. Prizes include Blue Chair Bay swag, Kenny Chesney items and the ultimate beach lover’s prize. The giveaway is on Facebook and runs until December 12. Feel free to share the news with your readers and enter yourself, if you’re interested.

Buzzed Boozing

SPIKED PUMPKIN LATTE (recipe by Kimberly Sneed)

10 oz strong coffee, brewed (I recommend Nespresso’s Hazelino or Vanizio)
2 oz International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer
1½ oz whipped cream vodka

Brew the coffee. Add creamer and 1½ ounces of whipped cream vodka. Top with whipped cream.

BAILEY’S ESPRESSO MARTINI
2 oz Baileys® Original Irish Cream
¼ oz Smirnoff® No. 21 Vodka
1 shot of espresso, chilled (I recommend Nespresso’s Voltesso)
3 coffee beans

Combine Baileys, vodka, espresso, and ice into shaker. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.

THE BLIND ABBOT
1½ oz Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey
1 oz chilled freshly brewed coffee (I recommend Nespresso’s Odacio or Vanizio)
¾ oz Galliano Ristretto
½ oz Cinnamon Syrup
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Whipped cream and ground cinnamon (for serving)

Combine whiskey, coffee, liqueur, cinnamon syrup, and bitters in a cocktail shaker; fill shaker with ice. Shake until outside of shaker is frosty, about 30 seconds. Strain into an Irish coffee glass and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

BAILEY’S JAVA DROP SHOT
1 oz Baileys® Original Irish Cream
½ oz Coffee Liqueur
Chocolate covered espresso beans
Whipped Cream

Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into shot glass. Top with whipped cream and espresso beans.

VINTAGE COFFEE COCKTAIL
14.9 oz Guinness
1 tablespoon malt extract (optional)
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
½ cup heavy cream
4 oz hot espresso
1½ oz Paddy Old Irish Whiskey
1 teaspoon mild-flavored (light) molasses
Ground nutmeg

Combine Guinness and malt extract, if using, in a small saucepan; scrape in vanilla seeds and add pod. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, swirling occasionally, until reduced by one-third, about 12 minutes; remove vanilla bean and let cool.
Whisk cream and 1 ½ oz. Guinness reduction in a small bowl until slightly thickened.
Stir espresso, whiskey, and molasses in an Irish coffee glass until molasses is dissolved. Top with Guinness whipped cream and nutmeg.

WAKE THE DEAD SHOT
1 oz Patron XO Cafe coffee liqueur
1 oz Patron Silver Tequila
½ oz espresso (I recommend Nespresso’s Diavolitto)

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a shot glass.

Sparkle & Dine

Sparkle & Dine is a local company created to help those of us who don’t have all week to prepare for get-togethers … and do for a decent price at that! Started by Stacia Marlow, a former L.A. costume designer, she calls it “instant style in a box” inspired by current trends and staple designers.

The kits are meant for parties of four, and you can order extra settings if you’re expecting more guests. Most kits arrive with a runner, centerpiece, napkins, chargers, and place card holders.

The kits range from holiday themed to all occasion, so take a break this holiday and let Sparkle and Dine take care of the table! I was sent the Kate Spade Inspired Glam Table Style kit. The kit actually inspired me to have a little dinner party of my own and my guests were raving about the setup.

The only snafu I ran into was that we put flowers in the place card holders that covered the names. We figured out that putting the cards in vertically would have been the perfect fix.

Other options for the holidays are elegant yet modern. (I’m kind of dying for the Ralph Lauren-inspired tartan set.)

If you want a little inspiration, make sure to check out their Pinterest account!

SPARKLE & DINE
sparkleanddine.com | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

SusieDrinksDallas Visits Ivy Kitchen

Ivy Kitchen is a new restaurant that serves sushi, steaks, and one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten. We had the pleasure of speaking with Brit Milam who came to Ivy Kitchen from Cured in San Antonio and has left his mark on the restaurant. He spoke about Ivy Kitchen’s local vs. global attitude, which means they refuse to sacrifice quality to call something local.

Their drinks are top notch (the Bootstrap Manhattan is not to be missed) and their wine list, curated by Raven Wine, is one of the most brilliantly simple lists I’ve seen in Dallas. They offer some of my favorite local liquor brands, including TX Whiskey and Cinco Vodka! Their Sake Margarita is a sort of surf and turf of the cocktail world and The Ivy is their best seller.

Ivy Kitchen offers an abridged menu available in the Look & Dine theater of LOOK Cinema, which shares one wall with them. Don’t worry … they won’t serve anything in there that’s too pungent out of courtesy of the other moviegoers!

Alcohol offerings: Full bar, full wine list, local and import beers (some local drafts)

Brunch: Saturday and Sunday

TVs: in the bar

Kitchen hours: 11am-10pm

Bar hours: an hour after the restaurant (especially Thursday-Saturday)

Gluten-free options: yes

Not to miss:

Edemame is coated in the crazy good spice
Crab cake is possibly the most amazing thing I’ve ever eaten. The Cole slaw has macadamia nuts in it and is badass. Like … legit.
Their Burger patty is made with equal parts short rib, brisket, and beef … and it’s one of the best burgers that I’ve ever had.

Video courtesy of Rico, write-up by Susie.

IVY KITCHEN

5411 Belt Line Rd, Addison

(214) 306-7444

www.theivykitchen.com
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Thanksgiving Dinners

PREORDERS

CHICKEN SCRATCH | A La Carte: 12 lb. Smoked Turkey ($85), 12-15 lb. Smoked Ham ($100), 1 qt. Mushroom & Marjoram Gravy ($20), 1 qt. Fresh Cranberry & Orange Relish ($15), ½ pan Stewed Collard Green w/ Honey & Guajillo Chile (Feeds 12+, $20), ½ pan Sage Cornbread & Andouille Sausage Stuffing (Feeds 12+, $20), 1 Dozen Buttermilk Biscuits. | The Entire Feast (Includes Everything Above, $250)
Cost: a la carte or $250 for the whole shebang
Orders due by: November 22
Pickup: November 27, 8am-noon
Order: 214-749-1112 or fill out an order form while dining at Chicken Scratch or SMOKE

CLAY PIGEON
Cost: ?
Orders due by: November 14, noon
Pickup: November 26 by 8pm

ELLERBE FINE FOODS
Cost: ?
Orders due by: November 21
Pickup: November 26 and until noon on November 27

FM SMOKEHOUSE | preorder giant Franconia beer can turkeys ($59) and fixin’s
Cost: $15-59
Orders due by: November 21
Pickup: November 26, 11am – 6pm (can also request pickup up at Holy Grail Pub in Plano)
Order: 972-752-6633

THE GRAPE | turkey dinner offers choice of sides. Glazed hams also available ($85)
Cost: full meals: $180-330, sides: $12-14, ham: $85, pies: $25
Orders due by: November 22
Pickup: November 26, 2-5pm
Order: 214-828-1981

STAMPEDE 66 | Hickory Smoked Turkey and/or Barbecued Beef Brisket, Blue Corn-Chorizo Stuffing and Giblet Gravy and Barbecue Sauce. Side dishes that accompany each meal include Green Beans with Tomatillo Butter, Spicy Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Mojo and Chipotle Pull-Apart Rolls. For an additional $38 Stampede 66 will offer guests their selection of two different pies, Apple-Cream Cheese or Pumpkin-Pecan Pie with Whiskey Sauce.
Cost: $260 (feeds 4-6 adults)
Orders due by: November 21, 5pm
Order: 214-550-6966

URBAN RIO | take out orders, including Shea’s signature tamale pie casserole
Cost: $
Orders due by: November 24 (orders must be made at least 48 hours in advance or pickup)
Pickup: November 26 (delivery available for an additional fee)
Order: 972-422-4466

THANKSGIVING DAY MEALS
(Thursday, November 27)

EDEN | buffet
Cost: $40 (adults), $17 (children)
Time: 11:30am – 9:30pm
Location: 4416 West Lovers Lane, Dallas

FEARING’S | 3-course set menu
Cost: $100 (adults), $30 (children 12 and under)
Time: 11:15am – 3pm, 5-8pm
Location: 4416 West Lovers Lane, Dallas

HOLY GRAIL PUB | 4-courses and optional beer pairings
Cost: $35, +$15 for beer pairings
Time: noon – 7pm
Location: 8420 Preston Road, Plano
Reservations: 972-377-6633

HP CAFETERIA | choice of turkey or ham and sides
Cost: $13.99
Time: 10:30am – 3pm
Location: 1200 North Buckner Boulevard, #300, Dallas

III FORKS | four-course set menu
Cost: $45.95 (adults), $16.95 (children)
Time: 11am – 8pmReservations: 972-267-1776
Location: 17776 Dallas Parkway, Addison

LANDMARK RESTAURANT AT THE WARWICK MELROSE | buffet
Cost: $60 (adults), $24 (children 5-12), free (children 5 and under)
Time: 11am – 3pm
Reservations: 214-224-3152
Location: 3015 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas

THE ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE (Grapevine location) | turkey and ham special from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A portion of sales will be donated to support the Grapevine Relief And Community Exchange (GRACE), which provides emergency assistance, community clinic care, and transitional housing to homeless and low-income families. More info.
Cost: $14.99/adult and $12.99/children with a portion of sales donated to GRACE
Reservations: 214-393-4141
Time: 7:30am – 1:30pm
Location: 1505 William D. Tate Ave, Grapevine, TX 76051

PYRAMID RESTAURANT AT THE FAIRMONT | brunch and Thanksgiving options
Cost: $130/four people
Reservations: 214-720-5249
Times: 11am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2pm
Location: 1717 North Akard Street, Dallas

SMOKE | feast on your choice of Pit Roasted Prime Rib Roast with Cider Vinegar (Garlic & Mint Jus), SMOKE’s House Ham with Dublin Dr. Pepper Red Eye Gravy, or Hickory Smoked Farm Turkey with Mushroom & Marjoram Gravy, and enjoy a spread of all of your favorite fixings, family-style! Full menu.

TEXAS SPICE AT THE OMNI DOWNTOWN | brunch and Thanksgiving options
Cost: $55 (adults), $19 (children 5-12)
Time: 10am – 1:45pm (brunch), 6-10pm (dinner)
Location: 555 South Lamar, Dallas (in the Omni Hotel)

PAST HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES:

HAPPY REPEAL DAY!

PREORDERS

THANKSGIVING DAY MEALS (Thursday, November 27)

THANKSGIVING DAY MEALS
(Thursday, November 27)