#DrinkingwithSusie: @Natalie_Keinan of The Fashion Hour

I have some really fun friends. I thought the other day that it’s a damn shame that I don’t get to show them off more. Enter: #DrinkingwithSusie! I’ll be hanging out with some of my foodie/fashion/fit friends to bring you fun recipes and introducing you to some Dallas movers and shakers. Stay tuned for more next month!

My first #DrinkingwithSusie victim is Natalie Keinan. I was lucky enough to meet Natalie about a year ago and knew we would be great friends right off the bat because, well … we both love happy hour. Natalie runs the popular fashion and happy hour blog, The Fashion Hour–a lot of fashion and a little booze!

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When we got together to make our cocktail, she had requested the following: no tequila, nothing bitter, and something light and refreshing. Oh, and it had to have champagne in it … and she wanted to use the copper pineapple I’d given her for Christmas. (The pineapple just happens to be a part of a gift set offered by Absolut Elyx, and for every one sold they donate a week of clean water to people in need!)

So, what did I come up with? A lotta bit of Elyx, a little coconut water, and plenty of champagne. (And that’s how life should be.)

3 parts Absolut Elyx
1½ parts sparkling wine (I chose Veuve Clicquot)
3 parts coconut water
1 part fresh lemon juice
1 part honey syrup
Garnish: Coconut shavings

Either shake or stir the Elyx, coconut water, lemon, and syrup with ice until chilled. Fill pineapple with fresh ice and strain contents over ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with coconut shavings. (Bonus: mound shaved ice on top of cubed ice.)

Protip: when pouring the champagne into the pineapple, since it’s opaque, it’s hard to see when the level rises and the sparkling wine can bubble over. To avoid spilling, pour slowly.

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How and when did you decide to start The Fashion Hour?
I created The Fashion Hour in October of 2013 after kicking the idea around for several months and doing a lot of googling. I started it as a creative outlet from my job in corporate America where I would share good deals on clothes I found along with my favorite happy hour spots. It has grown quite a bit since then but both of those topics are still the core of what I write about!

What are you must-have items for Spring?
My must-have items for spring are: a pair of retro sunglasses (I love these clear and tortoise shell Illesteva ones), a straw hat, and turquoise jewelry like this spike bib necklace!

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What clothing trends do you see being hot this spring?
Anything off-the-shoulder, frayed denim, necktie scarf/bandana, overalls, fringe, pom poms … is that too much? I also think we are going to see more people investing in replica pieces. It can be all too easy to assume that your favorite designer pieces are just out of reach. However, nowadays, there are some brilliant replica websites like LuxuryTastic where you can find replica pieces based on all the latest designer items. I was actually introduced to LuxuryTastic by a friend of mine who showed me this Luxurytastic review. Feel free to check it out for yourself. Who knows, you might even find a replica alternative to some of the must-have pieces for this spring.

What’s your go-to spring outfit this year?
I always gravitate towards simple and casual so my go-to spring outfit is a pair of skinny or ripped jeans, basic tee, and this suede moto jacket (I seriously wear it over everything).

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Where is your favorite happy hour in Dallas?
That is HARD. There’s just so many so it’s impossible to choose a favorite, but I am pretty excited about the new House of Blues patio. Who doesn’t love food and drink specials before a show?!

Follow Natalie around Dallas (and some other fabulous destinations) for her style tips, sale scoops, and, from time to time, boozy recipes!

THE FASHION HOUR
thefashionhour.com
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Susie-4040Natalie’s Outfit:
Suede Moto Jacket, Nordstrom
Black Skinny Jeans, Nordstrom
Tank, T.J. Maxx (similar: Nordstrom)
Necklace, BaubleBar
Shoes, Nordstrom Rack

Susie’s Outfit (like it matters …):
Denim Dress (similar: Bloomingdales $78, Asos $47.77, Macy’s $62.99)
Flip Flops, Nordstrom Rack
Bracelet, Cartier

Barware:
Copper pineapple, ReserveBar.com, $98
Copper Japanese Style Jigger, Cocktail Kingdom, $19.95
Copper Barspoon, Cocktail Kingdom, $25.95
Copper Strainer, Absolut Elyx (similar: Cocktail Kingdom, $18.95)
Mixing Glass, Absolut Elyx (similar: Williams-Sonoma, $29.95)
Wooden Muddler, Amazon, $4.09
1oz Glass Bottle with Dropper, Specialty Bottle, $0.84

Photography by Adam Stewart

Dallas #BoozeNews: March 20

Join me at a wine tasting at Whole Foods Uptown on Tuesday, March 29 at 7pm!  We’ll taste Bordeaux wines along with Bordeaux blends from around the world … do you think you can tell the difference?  Tickets are only $10 and space is limited … get yours now!

Help out one of our favorite Dallas barmen! Vote for your favorite ginger bartender, Stephen Halpin of Parliament, in Patron’s “Margarita of the Year” contest DAILY through April 15!  He’s one of 10 finalists for his Smoked Mangonada Margarita!   VOTE NOW!

NEW OPENINGS

It makes sense that it’s the luckiest month of the year … because Dallas’ restaurant scene is getting some seriously awesome new restaurants and bars!

Hypnotic Emporium – an offshoot of Hypnotic Donuts, expect old fashioned candies, a sofa fountain, and homemade ice cream right next door to their original storefront.  NOW OPEN

The Snow Healer – picture courtesy of Quill

Quill Dallas – the newest watering hole in the Design District offers a sexy setting for craft cocktails by James Slater and a (very) limited food menu by John Tesar and Joel Harrington.  The cocktails are all sexy as hell, too.  NOW OPEN

NOLA Brasserie – the newest hotel to open in Downtown Dallas boasts a New Orleans-inspired restaurant with classics like Crawfish Étouffée, Po’Boys and grits and cocktails inspired by the French Quarter and beers from New Orleans and Texas.  NOW OPEN

Rock & Brews – The Colony is rocking a new spot for comfort food and plenty of beer options.  The rock-inspired restaurant comes to us from KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, so you know it’ll be over the top.  Stop by for some Chile Cheese Fries, a Backstage Burger, the “Any Way You Want It” pizza, or one of the other items on their giant menu and enjoy a little live music.  Bring your furry friends because they have a dog-friendly patio, too!  NOW OPEN

Kitchen LTO – The Trinity Groves restaurant is constantly reinventing itself (true to its name) and its newest resident is Nick Amoriello (CIA graduate formerly of Nobu, Driftwood, Central 214, and more).  He’ll bring his “classical French techniques … in a very approachable and comforting style”.  He teamed up with Artist Sarah Reiss and will be in place for the next six months.   NOW OPEN

The Royale, Magnificent Burgers – John Tesar + a Wes Anderson theme + delicious, locally sourced burgers?  Complete with “an elevated poutine program”, seafood, veggie, and bison options, and craft milkshakes … this place sounds quite intriguing.  I’ll be checking out this Plano burger spot next weekend, so stay tuned!  NOW OPEN

Hash House A Go Go's Sage Fried Chicken

Hash House A Go Go’s Sage Fried Chicken

Hash House a Go Go – GUYS, GUYS, GUYS … I’m super stoked for this place to open locally.  I stop by every time I visit Las Vegas (there’s one in The LINQ hotel on The Strip) and never miss their gargantuan Sage Fried Chicken and waffles.  Actually … everything is huge … and delicious.  It’s opening March 25 in Plano’s Preston Park Village (1900 Preston Road).

Dugg Burger Bar – MORE FOR PLANO!  The Lakewood build-your-own burger spot is expanding to Plano.  This brilliant restaurant hollows out your burger’s bun (to make space for all the amazing toppings) and then grills it on its custom made grill so it’s perfectly toasty.  Check it out at 4701 West Park Blvd. # 110!

Meso Maya – Dallas’ favorite fancy Mexican restaurant is opening its third location in the Mockingbird Abrams Shopping Center (4123 Abrams Road) this Spring!  Don’t miss their Avocado Margarita … and their other delicious food.  But mostly the margarita.

Truck Yard – Get ready, Fort Worth … the wildly outlandish bar/trailer park/food truck stop is coming your way!  Look for it in the former Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion lot later this year!

Flix Brewhouse – movies are cool.  Beer is cool.  A movie theater with a brewery in it?  The coolest.  Look forward to this spot in Little Elm at Main Marketplace at Main St. and FM 423 to experience the first-ever cinema and dine-in microbrewery, opening Spring 2017.

NEW OFFERINGS

Uchi’s little sister, Top Knot, will begin serving more … and more … and more.  (And I’m stoked about it.)  Look for late night from 10-12pm DAILY with special items not available otherwise including a poutine option.
Even better? They’ll start serving brunch April 3 on Sundays and April 30 on Saturdays!  Expect items like their Miso-Caramel Cinnamon Pull-apart Nabe and Hot Fried Chicken Benedict along with shareable pastries and their Brunch Punch (Jim Beam® bourbon, ice tea, sugar, lemon, orange and nutmeg)!

Speaking of brunch, new Plano restaurant, Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine, has also started serving Dallas’ favorite meal Sundays from 10am-3pm.

Since it is the first day of spring, it seems like some restaurants are taking the chance to reinvent themselves.  Cite: new cocktail menus!

Proof + Pantry’s award-winning beverage program rolled out new options including winners like the Cobbler (sherry and rosé), Proper Smash (their expertly made whiskey smash), and the Cold Brew (their take on an Irish Coffee that I was able to try last week … oh damn).

Lower Greenville favorite, Remedy’s beverage director, Mate Hartai, is shaking things up with new options like the Stirred Last Word, Red Devil, and the Faugeat Painkiller along with shrub and kombucha sodas.

Faugeat Painkiller | picture courtesy of Remedy

Faugeat Painkiller | picture courtesy of Remedy

LIMITED TIME OFFERINGS

Coal Vines – they’ll be offering a new “pizza of the month” starting in March!  The first option will be the Roasted Chicken & Baby Spinach Pie, a 14” creamy white pizza with chicken and fresh spinach paired with TWO glasses of Malbec or Pinot Grigio.
Cost: $25
Available: through March 31 at their Uptown and Omni Dallas locations

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Green Eggs & Ham Burger: beef patty, prosciutto, fried egg, manchego cheese, salsa verde, onion, tomato and arugula on a fresh-out-of-the-oven egg bun. 

Strawberry Buttermilk Pie Shake: Creamy, house made buttermilk custard is perfectly blended with flaky pie crust crumbles, vanilla ice cream and triple sec marinated strawberries for the ultimate sweet-n-tart treat.

Cilantro Jalapeno Margarita: jalapeno-infused tequila, muddled fresh jalapeno and cilantro, shaken to frenzy with house-made triple sec, fresh squeezed lime juice and a kiss of agave nectar.

Cost: burger ($11), shake ($6), margarita ($8)
Available: through March 31 at both Dallas locations

Hard Rock Cafe – stop in and get lucky with their new GUINNESS® Irish Stout and GUINNESS® & Jameson® Bacon Cheeseburger (complete with whiskey bacon jam) pairing.
Available: through April 10 at all locations

Biergarten – they’re celebrating “Mocktoberfest” in a big way!  With this special, you’ll get one mini burger slider, one mini schnitzel slider, one mini brat and two sides (cole slaw and Joe’s potato salad), PLUS a 16 oz. Oktoberfest beer in a souvenir Paulaner
Cost: $15
Available: through March 31

BOOZE NEWS

I now have another option to satisfy my Irish whiskey cravings.  Celtic punk band, The Pogues, recently launched a new Irish whiskey called … wait for it … The Pogues.  It’s “50% 10-year single malt and 50% 5-to-7-year grain and crafted at West Cork Distillers, one of two remaining 100% independently owned and operated distilleries in Ireland”.  Sláinte!

Alamo Drafthouse and Austin Beerworks teamed up to create a limited release 16oz canned beer for the release of Richard Linklater’s new film “Everybody Wants Some” that will be released in April.  For their first partnership,  this beer will be available in select ADH locations in a specially designed 16oz “tallboy”cans.

You people (over 21 young people, that is): it’s time to clean up your resumé!  World of Beer is looking for Drink It Interns.  These interns will act as “WOB narrators, capturing content from around the country and the world and sharing it back via [their] social media channels, bringing consumers into the world of brew traveling … This job is all about traveling, shooting, editing, writing, and drinking awesome beer (cheers to that!).”  They’ll even have the chance to learn from experts as DRAFT MAGAZINE and … be paid.
Apply before March 26!  Details here: worldofbeer.com/drinkitintern.

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Introducing Tullamore D.O.G. & His St. Patrick’s Day Cocktails

written by Tullamore D.O.G. “O”

Hey, y’all … I’m Susie’s new friend!  My new mom adopted me a couple weeks ago from TLC Rescue where my name was CeeLo (because I have really short arms … I get those from my corgi mom) and Susie changed my name to Tullamore D.O.G., but you can call me Tully.  (She said that she wanted to name me after one of her very favorite things … Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey!)

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The last two and a half weeks have been a big change for me … I went from running around in the country alone stealing pies from windowsills to hanging out in a condo in Dallas with food set right in front of me when I want it.  Oh, and my human takes care of my doodoo.  (One less thing to worry about, you know?)  Life is good.  Now … I’m not saying that everyone should go out and get one of my buddies I was at camp with, but they sure would appreciate it.

Tonight we tried on our St. Patrick’s Day parade outfits … do you like my green paws!?  (The tip of my tail is green, too … you can see it on my mom’s Snapchat–@susieoz–along with a bunch of other cute videos of me being adorable.)  Susie got me some super cool hair spray made just for pets and a bowtie so I could look cool on Greenville!

To make things even MORE fun my first couple weeks at my new home, my birthday is tomorrow, Saint Patrick’s Day!!!  I have a Pup-pie to look forward to, but I wanted to tell y’all about a few of my mom’s favorite Irish whiskey cocktails so you can celebrate along with me!  You’re welcome, human.

I hope you have a great time celebrating … I’ll see you all on Greenville!

TRADITIONAL IRISH COFFEE
1 jigger Tullamore D.E.W. Irish whiskey (or 1.5oz)
1 cup of fresh, high quality hot coffee
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Real whipped cream

Combine Tully and coffee, add sugar, and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.  Top with whipped cream.

MIDORI GREEN EYED GINGER
1 part Midori® Melon Liqueur
2 parts 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey
2 parts Ginger Ale
Lemon Wheel
Lime Wheel

Build in order over ice in a tall glass. Garnish with a lemon & lime half moon wheel on the rim.

CRABBIE’S MOSCOW MULE
3–4 mint leaves
¾ oz lime juice
½ oz simple syrup
1½ oz vodka
Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer

Muddle the mint gently in the bottom of your glass. Add the lime juice, simple syrup and vodka, fill with ice, then top with Crabbie’s.

PICKLE BACK
1 shot Jameson
1 shot pickle juice

You know what to do …

RED-HEADED BLOODY

2 parts 2 GINGERS® Whiskey
4 parts tomato juice
1 part lemon juice (to taste)
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 dash salt
2 dashes black pepper
2 dashes hot sauce
splash of Irish Stout

Combine ingredients in tall glass and stir, pour into second glass full of ice, and garnish with celery stalk and lemon wedge.

THE IRISH ROVER
1 & 1/2 measure of The Pogues Irish Whiskey
3/4 measure of Sweet Red Vermouth
3 dashes of Angostura Bitters

POT OF GOLD
1 ½ parts Frangelico
4 parts easy-drinking lager beer
3 parts ginger beer
½ part lemon juice
Garnish with a lemon wheel

Pour beer into a glass. Add Frangelico and lemon juice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

THE IRISH STOUT (Recipe by Matt Ragan, Victor Tangos)

1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
1/2 oz Varnelli Caffè Moka coffee liqueur
1 oz strong cold brew coffee
3 oz Southern Tier Mokah Imperial stout
1/2 oz vanilla syrup
Dollop of vanilla crème anglaise

Add the whiskey, liqueur and coffee in a shaker tin. Add three ice cubes, and give the tin a quick shake. Strain into a tulip glass, and top with the stout. Finish with the vanilla crème anglaise.

Luck of Laphroaig® Created by Tyson Buhler (New York, NY)
1 1/2 parts Laphroaig® Select
1/4 part Sarsaparilla Syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Orange twist

Combine ingredients in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with orange twist.

Fat Rabbit

Dallas has a lot of restaurants come and go and come back and go again.  Upon Sfuzzi’s more recent exit from McKinney Avenue, Fat Rabbit, a new player took over its space … and brought along a logo with their own version of Harvey sporting a pretentious tux and jaunty spectacles.  Fat Rabbit came to us from a North/South Carolina restauranteur, Peter Lloyd, as his first Texan undertaking.  Apparently, we’ll see more from him as One Dallas is built (the new high-rise that is being constructed in the Hard rock Cafe field on McKinney) as he will be opening a restaurant in it.

The restaurant, complete with a generous patio and upstairs “VIP” bar (called Masque), bills itself as purveyor of American food.  While that sounds a bit “done” for the area, they do it well.  Their food selections are all over the place—just their appetizers offer items from tuna tartar to hummus to hot wings—talk about an identity crisis.  The good part?  They somehow seem to do it all right.

Fat Rabbit is in the heart of Uptown right on McKinney, so you know that they better either do their drinks really well … or really big.  They offer a full beer list with some locals and the usual suspects, wine options by the glass and bottle, champagnes actually from champagne, and, of course, cocktails.  I was honored to have been joined at dinner by Jackie of Pretty Petals (looking adorable, as always), and we had to stay away from fried things (I’m doing the Lent thing and gave it up), but aside from our limitations, we made some great selections if I do say so myself.

Their new cocktail menu launched last week and, thanks to the manager, Trevor’s suggestion, I started with one of their new Irish whiskey cocktails (because, if you have ever read anything I’ve ever written, you know that I’m a huge Irish whiskey nut), the Ron Burgundy (2 Gingers Irish Whiskey, Benedictine, simple syrup, Peychauds & peach bitters).  If I had my druthers, I would have stuck with this drink the whole night as it was perfectly light with enough kick to keep it interesting.  Their bar program keeps it local when possible but not as a rule.  They also play with some different (yet still mainstream) ingredients to make their drinks a bit unique.

Jackie started with the Peach Keen (Deep Eddy Peach vodka, lemon juice, raspberry), which was sweet, so it’s the safer play if you don’t like spirit forward cocktails.  Their Summer Beer (Ketel Citroen, lemon, peach bitters, simply syrup, Revolver Blood & Honey) set the stage perfectly for the amazing patio season we have ahead of us–the peach bitters and the honey notes in the Revolver Blood & Honey both gave it just the slightest sweetness.

And … since apparently one cannot survive on booze alone (unfortunately) … we also dined.  We started with Tuna Tartar (scallions, sesame sweet soy glaze, togarashi served with wonton chips) and they were nice enough to bring me lettuce since the chips were fried.  The tuna came as a generous potion of fresh and tender tuna with just enough of the glaze to keep it interesting.  We followed that up with the Lamb Burger Sliders (lamb patty with pine nuts topped with roasted red peppers and tzatziki sauce) which were quite good, but weren’t our favorite.

We weren’t ready to commit to a whole, single entree each, so we ordered a few things for the table.  Again … we did well.  Their Lobster Mac & Cheese was un-real.  They add just a bit of truffle oil that balances the four cheese nicely without being overpowering.  Our lovely waitress suggested the Breakfast Pizza (candied bacon, tomato, quail eggs, Sriracha aioli), which, if you remember back to Sfuzzi, they had their own version … so it just seemed fitting.  I love that they candied the bacon for this pizza to give it a sweetness to counteract the spiciness of the Sriracha aioli (which I’d suggest getting on the side).  The winner of the night was, without a doubt, the Brussels sprouts.  I mean … hot damn, y’all.  I wanted to plant a hair in them at the very end so they’d have to bring me another order of them.  But that would be immoral … or something.

Fat Rabbit is open for lunch, dinner, and late night (SCORE) along with weekend brunch  (I’m going to get my ass in there soon to try their red velvet pancakes and mimosa bar), and they also hold events from time to time.  Tomorrow (Monday, March 13), they’ll be screening the final episode of “The Bachelor”–who do you think Ben will pick?  And later this month, they’re bringing in the 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey’s brand ambassador, James Dillon, to host a whiskey pairing dinner on March 23–3 course and cocktail for $45?  In … get your ticket to join me!

If the promise of good food and drink don’t pique your interest, maybe one of their weekly specials will.

Monday – $3 pints, 1/2 price dinner menu starting at 6pm
Tuesday – Service Industry Night (1/2 price burgers, sandwiches, & flatbreads starting at 8pm
Wednesday – 1/2 price bottles of wine
Thursday – live music starting at 8pm
Friday – DJ starting at 10pm
Saturday – brunch at 11am-4pm (mimosa & bloody mary bar), DJ starting at 10pm
Sunday – brunch at 11am-4pm (mimosa & bloody mary bar), live music starting at 3pm


FAT RABBIT
fatrabbitdallas.com
Facebook | Instagram
2533 McKinney Ave.
(469) 941-4085

Vetted Well is … well … vetted.

Vet – verb \vet\ the careful and critical examination of quality

Vetted Well, the new bar above the recently-opened Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, may be one of my new favorite places.  Damn good food, a great beer selection (complete with 10 perfectly-paired boilermakers), one of the best rooftop patios in Dallas, themed private karaoke rooms, and a location directly above a quirky movie theater make for a great experience.

While Vetted Well does a lot … well … they have done well in not specializing in anything at the expense of others.  Perfect example: they have a damn good (local) beer selection (cans, bottles, and a bunch of drafts), but also have awesome cocktails and a small (but thoughtful) wine list.  They have some healthy food, but also some food that makes you want to break your Lenten commitment not to eat fried food (oops …).

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My review was actually my second visit … my first visit was with a  couple girlfriends after a movie to catch up a bit.  We enjoyed a shit ton of popcorn (which, if you order in the bottomless popcorn in the theater, you can continue working on finding the bottom upstairs), a Darker & Stormier (a seriously delicious take on the Dark & Stormy–apply brandy, Black Seal rum, ginger, lime, and crushed ice) and The Traveling Man (Eagle Rare 10 Yr. & Karback Weekend Warrior whiskey).  I was so excited to come back, that I nearly died when I saw the email inviting me in for a review.

I was spoiled with a couple boilermakers, a couple cocktails, and alllllllll the food (more on that later because, cocktails).  Their Moscow Mule was the traditional recipe (vodka, lime, ginger beer) and was well mixed, but the copper vessel was badass–because I’m kind of over copper mugs.  Next out was the Kentucky Buck (bourbon, strawberry, lemon, bitters, ginger beer), which was completely refreshing and I cannot wait to sit on their patio and sip one three of these on a warm, spring afternoon.

Let’s get back to those boilermakers.  Ten options, all decidedly Dallas with names like The Grassy Knoll and The Big Tex, make for a good challenge.  I’m four down so far, (… not as accomplished as Kevin, but I’m working on it) and I’m enjoying the progress.  Paired thoughtfully, my favorite so far is The Sears & Roebuck (Gran Classico & 512 Pecan Porter), but I look forward to trying the remaining six to see if it stays on top.  (There was talk about the technique behind drinking a boilermaker.  Do you take the shot of whiskey then sip the beer, sip both at once, or dunk the shot?)

Now … the food.  Everything they make is as homemade as possible from the mustard to the … other delicious stuff, and they also source from local vendors like Empire Bakery.  They’re currently serving lunch from their kitchen with brunch and then dinner to follow, but if you’re up there for dinner now, you can get items from the Alamo Drafthouse kitchen.  They bring it up with a dumbwaiter,  which they claim can hold 200 pounds … and I’m still upset they wouldn’t let me ride in it.  (Read: stay tuned for a staged dumbwaiter incident complete with live Twitter feed.)

We started with the Biscuit Beignets.  They hit the table and I knew my Lenten “no fried food” pledge was in trouble.  I figured that, as my mom says, Sundays are cheat days … and I’d been to church earlier.  So, I dug in.  I’m damn glad I did.  These fluffy, fried nuggets are perfectly light and come with dippable cinnamon sugar, raspberry syrup, vanilla bean crème, and spiced rum caramel.  Hot damn.  Next up was more fried goodness (because why just be a little bad?), Croquettes with smoked gouda, potato, bacon, and green onion, and served with a dill-lish dill ranch.  (Terrible joke … sorry.)  To round out the first “course”, they brought out the Panzanella Salad which, aside from the Brussels sprout I snuck off the plate while taking a picture, was snapped up before I could take a bite.

The heavy hitters of the meal were still to come–the 24-Hour Brined Pork Chop, Chicken Fried Chicken with Local Honey, Carved Turkey on Hippie Bread, and the Cubano sandwich.  All delicious and all recommended.  They mix it up by serving the pork chop with a waffle–take that chicken and waffles!  I’ll be having this one again thanks to the incredibly flavorful chop.  My other favorite was the Cubano (roasted pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, house pickles, and beer mustard served with traditional tostones).

I’m actually upset with myself for not requesting the Vetted Well Burger … this thing is a work of art–a burger with pork beans and pork belly?  That’s some genius shit right there.

Overall, Vetted Well is quite the delight.  The patio is unreal–both the front and back one.  The front patio has a great view of Downtown Dallas and the back patio is complete with locally made furniture and a giant outdoor screen where they’ll show classic movies a couple times a week.  If that’s not enough entertainment, check out one of their four themed private karaoke rooms for rent by the hour to accommodate 6-20 people.  You know I’ll be hitting those rooms hard with some hardcore Hall & Oates.  The karaoke rooms will be open to the public starting Thursday.

I can’t wait for the next rainy weekend when I can commit to spending an entire day bouncing between the theater and Vetted Well to get my hands on their burger.  Who’s with me?

Overall, I think their name is deserved.  I was told that “vetted” is used often in the military as a quality check.  While I’m not military, I feel as though I can still give this place my seal of approval–it has been vetted … and it’s gooooood.


VETTED WELL
vettedwell.com
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
1005 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75215
214-695-7009

SUN-THURS: 11:00am – close
FRI-SAT: 11:00am – 2:00am

First: If you haven’t set foot in the newly open Westin Downtown Dallas yet, you should; it’s gorgeous. Secondly: Whenever you do set foot in the Westin Downtown Dallas, you should definitely pay a visit to Grill & Vine; it’s delicious.

The Westin Downtown Dallas Grill & Vine recently invited the SDD team in to check out the newly open restaurant and bar. I was immediately taken with the sleek, upscale-contemporary decor (If it feels vaguely familiar, here’s a spoiler alert: the Westin’s design team is also credited with the design of The Joule). Most of all, the view of the skyline is killer as seen through sweeping, floor to ceiling picture windows surrounding the dining room. The view alone makes this spot a great choice for a pre-dinner cocktail.

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Speaking of cocktails … Grill & Vine offers a creative collection of a dozen of ’em. I sampled the Elderflower Fitzgerald (Dripping Springs gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, lemon, and angostura bitters-$11)–I found it to be delightfully light and refreshing, and begging for spring to hurry up and get here. Other intriguing cocktail offerings include the Smoke and Honey (Silver Star Texas Honey, Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur, cucumber, lemon, habanero shrub-$12), the Chamomile Mule (Chamomile-infused Absolut, lime, honey, ginger beer, $10), and the Provencal Lemonade (Dripping Springs vodka, Carpano Bianco, basil, lemon, and lavender bitters-$11). 

Grill & Vine’s wine list features in the upwards of 50 well-rounded offerings, nearly all of which are available by the glass. A short but sweet list of local craft beer rotators are available, in addition to the expected line-up of domestics and imports. And, may the gluten-intolerant of you rejoice as they offer several gluten-free beers .

After enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail (or two three … ) at the bar, we moved to a table. With Executive Chef Bill Lundstrom at the helm, Grill & Vine’s culinary program is heavily focused on regional flavors utilizing local ingredients, and a seasonally rotating menu. I was lucky enough to stay for dinner, and everything I sampled was fantastic. The Smoked Beef Brisket Tacos (pickled onions, smashed avocado, brazos valley queso-$15) were a favorite, and the House Mac & Cheese, made with Brazos cheddar and smoked gouda, is not to be missed. Oh, and save room for dessert–the Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with creme anglaise and orange caramel was basically to die for.


Grill and Vine
(972) 555-6689
1201 Main St., Dallas, TX 75202
Reservations | Menu

Happy Hour: Offered daily until 7pm
$2 off wine by the glass, $5 local drafts, and a selection of craft cocktails available for $6

Westin Dallas Downtown
westindallasdowntown.com
(972) 584-6650
1201 Main St., Dallas, TX 75202

Oscar Cocktail: The Gold Man

I am embarrassed to admit that I haven’t seen but one of the 2016 Oscars Best Picture nominees … and I just watched it last night.  Needless to say, I’m going to need something to keep me entertained since I haven’t a clue what is going to be going on.  Enter: alcohol.

So, to prepare for the 88th Academy Awards watching situation, I got a little crazy and ordered some edible gold to make a fancy cocktail instead of taking the time to actually watch the movies.  I’ve included the recipe for the cocktail I will be sipping on tonight below along with some other drink options.

IMGP5566THE GOLD MAN
2oz Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
1/2oz honey syrup
1oz lemon juice
3 orange slices, quartered
garnish: edible gold flakes or an orange slice

Muddle the oranges and honey syrup in a cocktail shaker.  Add ice, lemon juice, and shake  until chilled thoroughly.  Strain into a martini glass.

Too lazy to slice and shake?  Pop into the grocery store for a bottle of PIPER-HEIDSIECK champagne (the only champagne served AT the Oscars ceremony) or one of the Coppola Winery’s Director’s Cut collection wines (seems fitting for FILM awards).  Just make sure you plan your booze pick-up for after noon … because Sundays in Texas are ruled by TABC.  The Man sucks.)

Too lazy to cook, too?  (Seriously? Do something with your life. jk)  Plano residents can call LASH Delivery and order one of their two Oscar-themed food packages–the Foreign Film Package (Bruschetta from Campisi’s and Caramel Flan from El Norte Mexican Grill) or the Red Carpet Package (a Hummus Trio  from Zoe’s Kitchen and Summer Rolls from Mango Thai Cuisine). Each package is $20 (+$7 delivery fee) and can be ordered through 9pm on 2/28.

Basil Hayden’s Golden Spice
1 part Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
Sparkling Apple Juice

Add Basil Hayden’s Bourbon to a champagne flute.  Fill the remainder of the glass with sparkling apple juice.  Garnish with a sliced apple.

CELEBRITY COLADA
½ crushed pineapple
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup vodka
2 cups cold Coco Joy Water
2 limes

Combine pineapple, ice, vodka and Coco Joy Water in a blender and pulse until smooth.  Garnish with limes.

GREY GOOSE LE FIZZ
35ml GREY GOOSE vodka
25ml ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur
20ml fresh lime juice
70ml chilled soda

Pour all ingredients except soda water into a cocktail shaker. Shake briefly over ice and double strain into a chilled flute. Top with soda water. Garnish with a stirrer.

GOLD BAR PUNCH
1 bottle VSOP Cognac
1 bottle Powell & Mahoney Lemon Sour mixer
½ bottle Powell & Mahoney Ginger mixer
1 cup fresh pineapple juice
1 cup cold water

Mix together VSOP Cognac, P&M Lemon Sour mixer, P&M Ginger mixer, pineapple juice, and water. Chill for several hours before serving. When ready to serve, pour into a large punch bowl over the gold bar ice block. Top with 1 bottle chilled Champagne and stir. Add orange slice. To make the gold bar ice, fill a loaf baking pan with boiling water (this will ensure clear ice).  Add edible gold flakes to the pan and stir.  Place in freezer overnight.  Prior to serving, run the outside of the pan under hot water to release the ice block. Serves 10.

In other news, there are some ridiculous facts about the Oscars from WalletHub:

  • 25 Years Old: Jennifer Lawrence is the youngest person ever to earn four acting nominations
  • $3,500: Average cost of preparing a Hollywood actress for the red carpet
  • $220K: Value of the 2016 Oscar Swag Bag
  • 39 Years: Between Sylvester Stallone’s two Oscar nominations for his portrayal of Rocky Balboa
  • 45 Sec: The amount to which acceptance speeches will be cut down this year, thanks to individual shout outs scrolling on the bottom of the screen.

Product Review: Booker’s Bourbon 2016 Batch Collection Bluegrass

Champagne.  Roquefort cheese.  Charente butter.  Bourbon.  Some of the best things in the world … and all things that have strict standards in order to bear the name.  In order to be called “bourbon”, a whiskey must have the following characteristics:

  • It must be made with at least 51% corn.
  • Distillers can only add water to the bourbon to bring it to “proof”.
  • Bourbon can only be aged in NEW, charred, American White Oak barrels for at least 2 years.
  • It has to be distilled to less than 80% alcohol (160 proof)–higher proof makes it moonshine–and it must go into the barrels at less than 62.5% alcohol (125 proof).
  • It must be distilled AND aged in the US.  (Fun fact: 95% of all bourbon is made in Kentucky.)

Now that we have the basics covered, let’s talk about Booker’s Bourbon.  I often receive products to review (obvi), so when I purchase liquor with my own money, it’s big.  One of my recent purchases was Booker’s Bourbon and I’m hooked.

Booker’s is a product of Jim Beam and is always made in small batches and is bottled uncut.  This particular spirit is a serious spirit–balanced, complex, and flavorful.

  • Proof: 121-130 (depending on the year)
  • Nose: caramel, vanilla, oak, and pepper
  • Taste: caramel, vanilla, butterscotch with a long caramel finish
  • Sipping suggestions: With ice or cut with water
  • Price: $50 for 750mLbookers-2016batch1

To my everlasting delight, I got an email from a public relations angel that offered a sample of Booker’s Bourbon 2016 Batch Collection Bluegrass, the first of six Batch Collections that Booker’s will release in 2016 in honor of Booker Noe.  I jumped at the chance to try it out and … damn … it’s good.

The new releases will all be hand selected by Fred Noe, Beam’s 7th Generation Master.  Each batch will feature a name and label bearing founding distiller, Booker Noe’s favorite things.

  • Age: 6 years, 11 months
  • Proof: 127.9
  • Nose: vanilla, toasted nuts with a smooth and well-balanced finish
  • Sipping suggestions: With ice or cut with water
  • Price: $59.99 for 750mL

Pay homage to the legendary bourbon distiller by trying one of Booker’s Bourbons six small batch releases this year.