Author Archives: Susie O

Stephan Pyles is a Dallas, nay, Texas culinary legend.  I was quite excited when San Salvaje invited me in to try some of their offerings … like … beyond excited.  Pyles has been a bastion of Southwestern cuisine and is branching out to a new cuisine … Peruvian.  Nestled in the former Samar space on Ross Avenue, San Salvaje opened May 13 with bar, restaurant, and outdoor seating.  The decor threw me a bit at first — it’s a bit of a juxtaposition of crosses and skulls (after some research, he apparently did it on purpose as his travels showed people leave church, do something sinful, and head right back into church).  Overall, expect bright colors and little touches just about everywhere in the open plan (the kitchen opens right up to the restaurant).

The entire staff was as considerate as they could possibly be.  (The valet walked me from my car to the restaurant and opened the door … that’s serious service.)  Out waiter, Tony, was very knowledgeable and helped us along the menu.  Our entire meal was determined by Chef Pyles himself and Molly Hagler, the bar manager.  (I have to admit … since I hate making decisions, that was the way to best enjoy a new restaurant!)

We started with a Peruvian Welcome Drink (Pisco Porton, Chica Morada, passion fruit foam) which was as flavorful as it was colorful.  The foam made it really delightful and extremely unique and the tartness struck just the right balance.  Round 1 of food was the Three Cheese Arepa (a small corn dough filled with cheese and served with salsa verde), the Causa Limeña Classico (no words — the best I can do is a Peruvian deviled egg on steroids topped with shrimp and a little quail egg hidden inside), and the Sweet Corn Humita (a lobster and avocado corn tamale-type delight).  I could have left a happy woman after the first course.  I am no foodie, but I know that food was day-yam good.

Drinks flowed and food just somehow appeared on the table.  If I wrote that much about each course, you’d check out like … a paragraph ago. (TL;DR below).

DRINKS:

  • Pisco Margarita (Pisco Portón, lime, simple syrup, lemon juice) – I posted a picture of this almost-too-pretty-to-drink cocktail on Instagram in real time and said that this margarita gets me as close to me liking a margarita as it’s going to get.  The rim is festooned (this verb is deserved here) with lime and lemon zest, and it enhances the flavor if you don’t drink it from the straw.
  • Saoco (rum, coconut water, hibiscus reduction) – this drink could be the best summer drink like … ever.  Order one of these out on their patio this summer.  My notes say, “It has coconut water … so that means it’s healthy, right?”
  • Rabo-de-Gajo (Cachaça, vermouth, sugar, angostura) – the Old Fashioned lover in me died for this drink.  Other than a cool name, it was the perfectly sippable drink for those of us who like a stout drink.  (Oh, and they use Luxardo cherries in it.)
  • Rum flight – we shared a few sippable rums to accompany dessert.  Ask Molly for recommendations as she knows the options inside and out.

FOOD:

  • Quinoa Salad – this was a delight and the slight crunch from the dried cherries were the perfect touch.
  • Yellow Fin Tuna Ceviche – the tuna pairs incredibly well with Kaffir lime and virgin coconut water.  This dish is served in a coconut and best enjoyed with a bit of each component … including the coconut meat.
  • Sea Scallops Tiradito – while this dish was extraordinary, it was my least favorite of the dishes we had.  It was very mild and perhaps a good starting point for those who aren’t ready to dive head-first into ceviche.
  • Pork Belly Tacu Tacu – weird word, delicious dish (it’s typically a Peruvian rice and bean fried cake).  The pork belly was perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the fig compote that accompanied it.
  • Wild Mushroom-Huitlacoche Emanada – get this … and don’t skimp on the guava sauce dip!
  • Fried Squid Taco – effff me these were incredible.  The tempura had to have been some magical mix of spices and it was perfectly fried … just perfectly fried.  Excuse me while I lose myself in a trance thinking about these tacos.
  • Fried Whole Red Snapper – served completely whole, this is more than just amazing presentation.  The flavor is mild and the fish tasted like it was caught an hour before and was easily forkable.  (That’s a word … right?)  The pickled lightly fried green beans were slightly sweet and were only somewhat addictive.
    Ask your waiter to carve it tableside for you.
  • Heirloom Bean Feijoada – I couldn’t pronounce this work for all the rice in China.  This was a large dish and the flavor was powerful, but wasn’t my favorite of the night.
  • Lucuma Suspiro – I can’t exactly describe the creamy goodness that was served to us, but I’ll say this: yummmmm.  It was topped with Maracuya meringue and served with a uniquely shaped funnel cake-type swirly thing (all of those are technical culinary terms).

DESSERT:

  • Alfajore Torte with Dolce de Leche – I’m not a huge torte fan, so this wasn’t my favorite.  While I’d be a good sport and share it with a buddy, I wouldn’t order it myself.
  • Picarones with Guanabana Ice cream – again … sounds silly, but this is serious dessertage.  The donut-type pastries are tossed with cinnamon and sugar with a slight hint of anise.  Don’t miss the ice cream.  Just don’t.
San Salvaje - Picarones with Guanabana Ice cream

San Salvaje – Picarones with Guanabana Ice cream

Something amazing about this meal was that we ate (and drank) a LOT and I left upbeat and satisfied, yet not too weighed-down … a testament to the brilliance behind the stove and bar at this new restaurant.

TL;DR: This place is a revelation.  The food and drink are unique and unexpected.  Try it out for a splurge dinner or enjoy their tapas and drinks to unwind from a tough day.


SAN SALVAJE by Stephan Pyles
sansalvaje.com
2100 Ross Avenue, #100 (Downtown)
(214) 922-9922

 

Kaboom Town 2014: Where To Watch Fireworks in Addison

written by Ben Shae

No holiday is more American than the 4th of July, and nothing says summer like fireworks.  Seriously – fireworks, friends & family, grilled food and cold beers? What’s not to love!?! It should come as no surprise that Addison’s Kaboom Town (on July 3 this year) is near the top of my favorite Addison events of the entire year.

Deciding where to go requires a bit of thought and planning (ahem: parking), especially now that you need tickets to watch the show from Addison Circle Park (which were free to reserve but are no longer unavailable).

Fear not! I can recommend a few places to enjoy Kaboom Town 2014 and induce the summer nostalgia:

BEST VIEW: Addison Point – This 20+ year old bar has what many consider to be the best view of the air and firework show. Not to mention they have 35 beers on draft (most of them are crafts under $5), their famous hamburgers, live band and complimentary valet.

BEST PARTY SPOTS:
McFadden’s –  The celebration at this lively bar starts outdoors at 2pm with food, music and more.  Reserve a wristband online to receive $3 Miller Light, Coors Light, PBR drafts and $5 calls all night.  Other drinks specials include Samuel Adams Tap TakeOver $10 beer flights and $6 pints and packaged tables and drink specials.

Whole Foods – Looking for a family-friendly place to go?  The Red, White, and Brew party will be going strong on the patio from 5pm – 10pm with kegs, grilled burgers and a DJ.

BJ’s Brewhouse – Nothing says summer like ice cold beers, and they’ll have $4 craft beers and $5 mojitos from 3pm to 7pm.

Chuy’s Addison – Chuy’s large patio is ideal for kicking back, enjoying a margarita and watching some fireworks.  The popular Mexican food restaurant will be serving up $3.95 margaritas, $7.95 house Texas martinis and $2.75 domestic beers from 4pm to 7pm.

The Hub – Hair of the dog? The Hub will have drinks specials all day including $2.50 shots (Tuaca, Jäger, Fireball, Goldschlager, & Rumple Minze), $3 wells, $ 3 domestics and $4 mixed drinks.  Parking lot party kicks off at 5pm with BBQ and DJ.

Lion & The Crown – Take a break from the 2014 World Cup and enjoy $1.50 off all Texas beers and Tito’s Vodka at this English-style pub in the heart of Addison Circle.

Social House Addison – Interested more in atmosphere and people than being able to see the  the fireworks? Check out some of Social House’s specials with $3 select house specials, $3 wells, $3 Tito’s and $3 domestics from 4pm to 7pm.

TGI Fridays Addison – Pre-game it at TGI Fridays with $3 mojitos, long islands and margaritas before heading down the street to see the show.  Friday’s will also have a live band out on their patio.

The Addison Airport Air show starts at 7:15pm with the firework display starting at 9:30pm.

For information on road closures, parking information and more, visit the Kaboom Town website.

 

 

Table 13

IMG_1669_Fotor_CollageI’m a huge Frank Sinatra fan.  Like … huge.  While it’s just a coincidence that his drink of choice (three fingers of Jack Daniels, 4 ice cubes, and a splash of water) is one of my favorites, I prefer some of the other classic cocktails that Frank and the rest of the Rat Pack enjoyed … which is exactly what Table 13 in Addison offers.

My girl Oh Hey Dallas was invited out to Table 13 to try out some of their food offerings, and she was nice enough to let me tag along.  I am so glad that I was able to do so, because I’ve found a new date spot.

Table 13 is named after the number of members of the Rat Pack* (including the ladies), and offers some of the trappings of the time, from a crooner at the piano to throwback desserts to some of the best service I’ve experienced in a while.  We started our evening with a cocktail (obviously) and it was a struggle to choose which as they had so many that appealed to me.  I let our waiter choose my first drink (as I enjoy seeing what they decide to serve) and he chose very well.  The Ryes Up was a nice take on an Old Fashioned without being too traditional. I’ll be ordering this baby again.

We dined (but didn’t wine) on some of the most gorgeous deviled eggs I’ve laid eyes on, escargot (yes … snails) with fluffy pastry nestled on top like a little hat, and a buffalo mozzarella and tomato salad that knocked my sandals off. (Fried capers are a revelation.)  These delicious appetizers were accompanied by Bartender Dave’s award-winning Manhattan.  Dave’s Manhattan was anything but the classic recipe and had the perfect touch of cherry flavor (Woodford Reserve, sweet & dry vermouths, Pechauds, Laphroig, cherry juice, and Frangelico).  Don’t try to make this yourself … just visit Dave.

Dinner for me was a 6oz Filet au poivre and a custom drink made by Dave and sides of mushroom bucatini and onion rings.  While many may not have the same appreciation as he and I do for huckleberry, the drink he whipped up can be enjoyed by all.  Not too sweet and pretty damn potent, the huckleberry vodka used is the only think like it in Dallas (that I’ve found at least).

Some highlights:

  • The perfect ambiance for a date night — make sure you dress appropriately and are prepared for it to be a bit loud
  • Potent and flavorful drinks, just like the Rat Pack would have liked
  • Incredibly nightly entertainment that isn’t too loud or disruptive (some nights they bring in acts like Hunter Sullivan, Ricki Derek, and Goga)
  • One of the owners, Mike McRae, is a restaurant pro and a flat out friendly guy that will charm your socks off
  • Impeccable and friendly service from a staff who knows exactly what they’re doing
  • Art of naked ladies allllll around the restaurant
  • A bathroom that smells better than any bathroom I’ve ever smelled (seriously … buy one of the candles they sell at the hostess stand)
  • Martinis are $3 during lunch (11am-4pm weekdays)
  • Plastic drink ornaments that have a great story behind them (Mike told us that he remembers visiting his uncle and they’d go to the country club where he would order drinks that had monkeys on them)
  • A vast and well thought-out wine selection (bottles $30-375, selections from California, Texas, and beyond)
  • Dave behind the bar is not only a sommelier, but also a cicerone


TABLE 13
www.table13addison.com | Table13Addison
4812 Belt Line Rd, Addison
(972) 789-9558

HAPPY HOUR ~ 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
LIQUID LUNCH ~ $3 Martinis 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays

***This delicious meal was on the house.***

JAMBA JUICE’S NEW FRESHLY SQUEEZED JUICE LINE

Written by Enrico DeLeon III
With the big juice craze gaining more and more steam amongst all our super healthy friends, Jamba Juice‘s new line of fresh juices could not have come at a better time!  JJ rolled out the new menu at select locations only* to test them out, and us DFW-ians are lucky enough to have a chance to taste them!
When first hearing about this new line, it made me happy to hear that someone in the smoothie world was finally breaking into a real line of juices (not just one or two or simply just wheat grass shots).Jamba Juice’s expanded juice platform incorporates high-nutrient super foods like kale, beets, cucumbers, apples, oranges and chia seeds. They offer great tasting beverages which increase your fruit and vegetable intake without taking awhole lot out of your pocket.I recommend trying their “Tropical Greens” juice. Although it has all of their Supergreens (organic baby spinach, organic baby kale, and organic red and green chard), the blend of ice, fresh apples, pineapples and chia seeds gives you a great tasting beverage with nature’s sweetness from the fruit complimented by the freshest flavors of the greens. Don’t be scared to try this amazing beverage just because you may not like all the greens… you’ll definitely be surprised! Besides, if it’s good enough for Popeye the Sailor Man, it’s damn sure good enough for you!  (It might even win you a hottie like Olive Oil.)

The following stores in the Dallas area will have fresh-squeezed juice:

  • Southlake – 222 State St, Southlake, TX 76092
  • Sundance Square – 400 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
  • Frankford – 18204 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX  75252
  • Shops at Legacy – 5700 Legacy Dr, Plano, TX 75024
  • Greenville – 5923 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
  • Northwest Highway – 8421 Westchester Dr, Dallas, TX 75225
  • Las Colinas – 6440 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75039
  • Watauga – 8450 Denton Hwy, Watauga, TX 76148
  • Hulen – 4801 Overton Ridge Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76132
  • Spring Creek – 1201 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75074
  • Flower Mound – 3180 FM 407, Highland Village, TX 75077
  • Camp Wisdom – 3040 Camp Wisdom Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
***Rico was given a gift card by Jamba Juice to try out some of their new options.***

Places To Watch The World Cup in Dallas

image

The Londoner (Greenville & Addison) – they are rea-dy.

Glass Boot Biergarten (Henderson)

The Dubliner (Greenville)

Trinity Hall (Mockingbird Station)

Christie’s (Uptown)

Blind Butcher (Lower Greenville)

The Old Monk/Idle Rich/Blackfriar (Henderson/Uptown/Uptown)

British Beverage Company (Uptown)

Pour House (Lower Greenville)

Champps (Las Colinas)

Mucky Duck (Addison) – they’re claiming that they’re “your headquarters for World Cup 2014” … so there’s that.

Sherlock’s (Addison)

Frankie’s (Lewisville)

The Franchise Grill & Bar (Plano)

Cantina Laredo (various locations)
During USA or Mexico games, select drinks are just $5 and Tecate & Heineken are $2

Have an addition? Email me at susiedrinksdallas@gmail.com and I’ll have it included!

LYFT Energy Stir Sticks

written by William Merkel

I drink a lot of energy drinks. (Like … a lot. I may or may not have written this review with a Monster in front of me and a Monster box on my head.) So I was the natural choice to review LYFT Energy Stir Sticks.

The idea behind LYFT is simple. Put powdered caffeine in a stick that can be stirred into any drink imaginable to give it an extra little kick of energy. But this isn’t just your regular “run-of-the-mill” caffeine that can be found in sodas, no sir. This is “clean caffeine”. It has zero calories, and is made from green coffee bean extract with vitamins A and B complex.

Depending on what drink you stir LYFT in to, the taste will vary. Their website gives some examples such as orange juice, water, soda (which already has caffeine save for a few root beers, caffeine free, etc), mixed drinks, or how I personally tried it, on the rocks.

Now, I may have chosen a bit of a strong drink to put it in … I used Mount Gay Barbados Rum and followed the directions on the stick: remove label, stir for 10 seconds. The claim is caffeine equivalent to one tall coffee, but not being a coffee drinker, I cannot attest to that fact. It did, however, give the rum a subtle, slightly sweeter taste which was unexpected. As for an energy boost, I did not feel anything. (Again, I drink multiple energy drinks each day, so I wasn’t surprised.)

Since there were two sticks in the package I decided to have another go. I used the second stick in a bottle of Seven Water and, in this, it did have a noticeably different taste. It was sweater, and a bit cleaner aftertaste. A lot different that my experience with rum, and it did give a little caffeine buzz, but still nothing too drastic.

Personally I think LYFT would be best enjoyed in water or a juice, something other than an alcoholic beverage which would overpower the the amount of caffeine in the stick. I can definitely see myself buying a couple more of these to put in juices or maybe coconut water to mix up my morning routine.

PURE LYFT ENERGY STIR STICKS
www.purelyft.com
Facebook
Instagram: purelyft​
Twitter: purelyft​ | #purelyft  #cleancaffeine

Product Review: Savino

Life’s a bitch sometimes, from work angst to sleep deprivation to general stress.  Which means … sometimes you just need a glass of wine at the end of the day.  (Read: a glass, not a bottle … I’m not an alcoholic. (Promise.))  You get home, pop the cork of your favorite house wine (a couple of my favorites that I try to have on-hand are Ménage à Trois red blend and Francis Coppola Claret), have a glass, and then you’re faced with the conundrum: do I keep drinking and therefore ruin any chances I have of working out in the morning and perpetuate the fat-girl cycle, or do I put a cork in it and have a less-delicious glass tomorrow?

Here’s your solution: Savino.  This handy little lifesaver will keep your wine decently fresh for (as I tasted) about 6 days.  Which means: no more bottle waste guilt keeping you from your morning run.

Savino

Savino is a decanter with a seal and floater with 15 years of research behind it.  The floater remains in the  decanter (even while pouring), and I’m not sure why, but it seems to work … so I won’t ask questions.  They suggest keeping the Savino in the fridge, which, for some, might be a turn off.  (Cold reds aren’t my favorite, but I let it sit for a few minutes before drinking it and it wasn’t too off-putting.)

It comes in glass or plastic, made from high quality Flint Glass and BPA FreeTritan (respectively).  The plastic version even offers a locking lid.  Both hold a standard bottle of wine (750ml), are dishwasher safe, and fit in most refrigerators.  (For you outdoor concert-goers, the plastic one is the perfect solution to keeping bugs out of your wine!)  Oh, and it’s pretty sexy-looking.

Generally, the product is a great solution to wasted wine.  For $29.95 for the plastic “Enthusiast” version, or $59.95 for the glass “Connoisseur” version, it’ll help cut your wine costs … and the cost of buying a new wardrobe to fit your muffin top in.

SAVINO WINE PRESERVATION GLASSWARE
www.savinowine.com
Order online
$29.95 or $59.95 (free shipping)

Rock and Roll

So … we all remember the old Hard Rock Cafe on McKinney Avenue.  Whether it was for a work party or a frat party, we all have a memory (albeit a blurry one) of the glory days.  You can either visit the cracked stars that remain on McKinney’s sidewalk and stare at the empty lot, or you can get your happy ass  to Victory Park to relive some of those memories (without the Sharpie Xs on your hands) at the new location.  The Hard Rock is alive and kicking … and it’s kicking hard.  From a refreshed food menu (28 of their items were modified and 30 new ones added) to creative cocktails, they’ve revamped some things (and not just on the menu).

Lest you think the life of a blogger is easy, I’ll tell you that we were served samples of 4 appetizers, 8 entrees, 3 desserts, and 7 different drinks.  (Yeah … life is tough.  Try finding an outfit that allows for the gluttony.)  We were given some of their revamped offerings, from steaks to salads, and then some old standards like nachos and (ermegerd) spicy hot wings.

Obviously, I was most concerned with the (ahem, 7) drinks we were given.  (Can you believe that?)  They all have interesting names, from the Big Kablue-na to the Air Mexico and the Magical Mystery Tour.  Most names are rock-and-roll colloquialisms, but then there’s the hurricane … oh, the hurricane.  Their flavors are just about as rock-and-roll as the names.  (Let’s just say that they make a rock concert in your mouth.)  Most were quite sweet, and I would have loved more whiskey all up in there, but of the ones we tried, here were my favorites:

– Magical Mystery Tour | this is a delicious gin situation which will be the first I order upon my return

– Twist and Shout | three words: ice cream, alcohol, bacon.  Need I say more?

– Air Mexico | I really don’t like margaritas, but I enjoyed that I was able to pick from six flavors of margaritas, including blueberry, pomegranate, and watermelon, and that they serve it with a little snack of chips and salsa.  (Because I don’t know what it is, but alcohol has something in it that makes me want to eat all the things.)

The cafe offers a full bar, 12 draft beers (including Franconia & St. Arnold), and wines by the glass and bottle.  Drinks are surprisingly well priced with some of the 24oz signature drinks ringing in at just $14.99 (including souvenir cup).  They offer live music on Wednesdays, along with monthly themed drag brunches (you read that right).

HARD ROCK CAFE
www.hardrock.com/cafes/dallas/
t/i: @hardrockdallas | facebook.com/hardrockcafedallas | #thisishardrock
2211 N Houston St. (Victory Park) | (469) 341-7625

Happy Hour Specials: Monday through Friday, 3-7pm

***I was invited in to try some of their refreshed offerings.***