Product Review: Pickle Juice Chaser

Written by: Anna Tomczyk

Designed with the trendy “pickleback” shot in mind, The Pickle Juice Company has announced their brand new product, The Pickle Juice Chaser. What is the big “dill”, you might ask? (Yeah, I made the pun … whatever.) The chaser provides 10 times the electrolytes, vitamins, and zinc and is ready to easily pour out of a bottle (forget making a mess with old fashioned pickle jars).

The Pickle Juice Company boasts 15+ years in the pickle juice arena, but up until now their primary focus remained in the innumerable health benefits in this powerful beverage. The juice is a big hit for pickle-lovers nationwide and those looking for a 100% natural, healthy thirst quencher. Pickle juice is proven to prevent dehydration and muscle cramping, which has also made it a great choice for athletes of all levels. (Yes, drinking can be considered a sport.)

As a pickle lover myself, I was eager to give The Pickle Juice Chaser a shot … a literal shot, by trying the infamous pickleback shot first. I found the chaser a satisfying balance of savory and salty. To my surprise, it completely took away the harsh sting that can follow a shot of whiskey. The aftertaste was as if I bit into a juicy dill pickle, slightly salty with full pickle flavor.

63034ae01b041240dbc5cd88853c38cbThe Pickleback
1 shot Jameson Irish Whiskey
1 shot Pickle Juice Chaser

Pour each shot into separate shot glasses. Drink the whiskey shot immediately followed by the shot of Pickle Juice Chaser.

If you aren’t into shots but want to try the chaser, The Pickle Juice Chaser works great in cocktails and martinis as well.

The Dirty Pickle Martini
8 oz gin or vodka
½ teaspoon dry vermouth
2 tablespoons Pickle Juice Chaser
2 pickled okra spears for garnish

Add ice halfway up the cocktail shaker. Add gin, vermouth and pickle juice. Shake well and strain into 2 martini glasses. Garnish with a pickled okra spears.


The Pickle Juice Chaser by The Pickle Juice Company
www.picklepower.com
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Available for purchase online or at Kroger, Academy, and HEB.

Checkered Past Urban Winery

A winemaker, farmer, and a designer walk into a bar …

Well, actually, they built the bar.  Namely, Checkered Past Winery, the newly opened urban winery nestled into a basement in South Side on Lamar in the booming Cedars neighborhood.  Partners Scott Relyea (founder and designer), Sandro DiSanto (winemaker), and Carolynne Chancellor (vineyard owner and farmer) came together in 2008 to dream up this Texas-centric “wine pub”, and their plan … succeeded.

Housed in the formerly dimly lit Absinthe Lounge location, the space is nearly unrecognizable–light, galvanized metal, and vespas fill Checkered Past now.  Who knew the space even had windows?

So … let’s talk wine now, y’all.  Checkered Past stocks wines from “their friends”–wines from other wineries around Texas that the staff loves, and from the rest of the world.  (Because it’s Texas vs. the rest of the world, right?)  They have bottles, glasses, and even draft wines available along with local beers.

They don’t stop there.  They’re making their own wine with two currently available and three more promised before the end of 2016.  (Bring it, Sandro.)

IMGP5382

Even better than just having a damn good (local) wine list, the food at Checkered Past is perty good.  Sandro a first-generation American from his Sicilian family, and the menu reflects that.  Simple, but delicious, the items on the menu were carefully crafted using local ingredients when possible, but they won’t compromise quality for the sake of staying local.  Not to be missed: their flatbreads, namely Rudi’s Double Meat (made with meats hand-picked from the best purveyors available and no sauce — novel), the Goat Cheese Pappadew Skewers, the Smoked Salmon & Herb Goat Cheese Bruschetta (I detest smoked salmon and ate one of these … and enjoyed it), and the Kalamata Tapenade (because sometimes the most delicious things are the simplest).

To make me love this place even more … they don’t f**k around with their post-meal goodies.  I’m talking about their pairing of dessert wines with their gluten-free Warm Double Chocolate Cake.  Even if you’re not a fan of dessert wines, let them make some recommendations–my favorite was the Jacquez Maderia from Haak Winery in Galveston.  You may become a believer yet.

Stop by Checkered Past for some good local wine, good eats, and ska music.  I mean, at least stop in to see what the innards of Absinthe Lounge really looked like.


CHECKERED PAST URBAN WINERY
checkeredpastwinery.com
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1409 S Lamar Street, Suite 008 (South Side on Lamar, The Cedars)(214) 242-0411

Free parking can be found on the far west end of Belleview, the street that Checkered Past faces.  You’re welcome.

Side note: the lovely Pizza & Champagne sisters and I will be hosting a “singles night” on 2/12/16 at Checkered Past!  Stay tuned for more details coming soon!  (All are welcome, taken or not!)

***Checkered Past treated me and a couple buddies to an evening of trying out their wines and food.  And I got a neat t-shirt.  I love t-shirts. Check out my Snapchat to see it! (@susieosz)***

Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine

Northern suburbanites, rejoice! Chef Tre Wilcox (of Top Chef fame) and Darcy Dudley of Trendine Restaurant group have brought southern cooking to Plano.

Conveniently located at Central Expressway and West Park Boulevard in the former Allen Wickers Pub location, Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine open their doors for dinner earlier this month. Darcy Dudley described Julia Pearl (named after the family matriarchs, grannies Julia and Pearl) as his life-long dream, finally realized. Darcy wanted to bring classic southern traditions of food, family, and friends to the Plano area. His vision was a menu featuring scratch-cooked southern specialties with modern twists and surprises. To help accomplish this, in addition to Culinary Director Tre Wilcox, Chef Jermaine Brown (formerly of Abacus; Brennan’s of Houston) was brought on board as Executive Chef. I like to think Grannies Julia and Pearl would be proud as a pair of peacocks.

Julia Pearl’s menu is small but thoughtfully constructed, featuring a variety of expected southern fare, with the occasional vaguely Cajun twist. Shareable starters include Julia and Pearl’s Chicken Wings (served three ways: BBQ sauce, Hot Sauce, & Lemon Pepper) ($11), Deviled Eggs ($6), crowned with crispy chicken skin (yes, you read that right), and a crowd-pleasing Black-Eye Pea Hummus ($7), served on crostini. My personal favorite was the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake ($10), served atop a delicate lemon mustard sauce, dotted with parsley oil. The crab was tender and moist, and the sauce provided a perfectly tangy compliment. Julia Pearl boasts a house-made Gumbo ($9), prepared with shrimp, crab, and andouille sausage, served with fried okra. The gumbo, which I found to be brothier than average, received high marks from my fellow diners. I am not a Native Texan, and not a gumbo aficionado  but I have noticed you Texans take your gumbo very seriously…and therefore, color me impressed. 

Julia Pearl’s featured entrees include Cornmeal Crusted Catfish, served with whipped potatoes, green beans, and a caper lemon butter sauce ($15), Marinated Jumbo Texas Shrimp with Spicy Cheese Grits, served with broccoli saluted and a smoked red pepper sauce ($20), and a Grilled Bone-In Pork Chop  served with bacon cheddar grits, collard greens, and a ham hock maple glaze ($18). My preferred dish of the evening was Julia Pearl’s Southern Fried Chicken, served with a homemade biscuit (whole cut-up bird $21/ half bird $11). The breading was thin and crispy, with a notable lack of grease, and the chicken was moist and meaty.

Julia Pearl’s cozy bar area features a cocktail menu with eight southern-inspired cocktails. To name a few: the mild-mannered Pearl’s Old Fashioned- Jacob’s Ghost (Jim Beam) White Bourbon, Bitters, Orange; the sweet and fruity  Jazzy Belle- Strawberry, Pineapple, & Tito’s; and my personal favorite, the particularly potent Julia’s Berry Mint Julep- Blackberry, Old Smoky Moonshine, and Fresh Mint (all cocktails $10). Julia Pearl features seven local drafts on tap, in addition to a carefully appointed wine list.

Reservations are encouraged; stretchy pants strongly suggested.


Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine
www.juliapearlsoutherncuisine.com
Facebook | Twitter: @jpsouthernfood | Instagram: @jpsouthernfood
(972) 422-1519
2301 N. Central Expressway, Ste 195, Plano, TX 75070
Reservations

***A huge thank you to Julia Pearl for having me in to enjoy a delightful media sneak peak, and a subsequent food coma.***

Product Review: Willa Vodka

Low-cal vodka? Don’t mind if I do. Willa vodka is touted as a “natural, healthier, lighter premium craft vodka”, and it being low in calories means it’s lower in alcohol content than other vodkas (70 proof compared to the industry standard 80 proof).

01_willa_bottleEven better that the lower calorie count? Willa is all about advertising to women. (Even though it was created by two men!) “Independent spirits for independent women” is their tag line that scrolls across the top of their website … but don’t let that fool you, guys. (You won’t lose your man card for buying this.) Anyone who is looking for a more health-conscious vodka, this is the one. I let some guy friends visiting my boyfriend try it … and let’s just say it wasn’t just me who liked the taste.

It was awarded the silver medal for best “Small Batch Craft Vodka” at the New York International Spirits Competition in 2012. In 2013, Willa brought home the gold medal for both taste and bottle design at the SIP Awards.

This non GMO vodka has a smooth taste and a great price. It’s made with 100% organic Italian wheat and the water used for distilling is from the Nantucket Aquifer. The nose has a bit of citrus and just a slight bit of charcoal. The taste was smooth (thanks to the lower proof) and had the same citrus notes, but was incredibly clean.

The Willa brand is in the process of expanding. They have started a Fundable page looking for investors to help expand into flavored vodka, gin, and rum. I look forward to what is to come for this new brand.

Lemon Drop

Lemon Drop


WILLA VODKA
willavodka.com
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~$29 for 750mL

Here are a couple of the recipes that Willa suggests:

Lemon Drop
2 parts Willa Vodka
1/2 part fresh lemon juice
1/4 part stevia simple syrup

Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist.

Cos-lo-politan

Cos-lo-politan

Cos-lo-politan
3 parts Willa Vodka
1 part cranberry juice
3/4 part fresh lime juice
1/4 part fresh orange juice
1 barspoon of light simple syrup

Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a an orange twist.
  

***Willa gave our team a bottle to try out.***

Product Review: Collingwood Canadian Whisky

Right before Christmas, I received a small sample bottle of Collingwood Canadian Whisky to review. As one who generally defaults to Crown, if I even dip a toe into the great White North, the bar was high(though Susie chastises me regularly for my lack of imagination).  Once I read that Collingwood boasts a “toasted Maplewood finish”, apprehension set in. I’m not sure if they are doing this in Texas, but Rhode Island bars are heavily pushing the flavored whiskies these days, to the point where my post-work happy hour spot proudly serves a Triple Crown (maple, apple, original) and there are way more maple-flavored options in the dark section of the liquor store than God and Booker Noe intended.

Despite the initial cringe at my sweet, syrupy trigger word, the end result is good. For Collingwood “maplewood finish” is more a process to mellow the harshness of the drink then a sweetener, and it works. I meant to just take a sip neat and then make a cocktail or two, but, since the bottle was small and the taste was smooth, I simply put the whole thing over the ice and enjoyed as we opened presents. (What?)

There’s definitely the same sweetness found in Crown and Canadian Club (think vanilla/toffee), but it wasn’t too overpowering.

The full retail size comes in an old school aftershave-looking bottle (newly revamped), reminiscent of your dad getting ready for dates with Mom 30 years ago (which will drive you to drink if you think about it too long.) I’m not ready to convert for life, but this is definitely a nice whisky to have on-hand for winter that won’t make you feel stuck in the flavored whisky/bourbon apocalypse that is slowly coming to absorb us all. (Oh, the shame.)

If you’re less of a purist and you want to create cocktails with this sweet elixir, here are some suggested recipes.  They recommend using Collingwood in “classic, lighter cocktails”.

TOM COLLINGWOOD™

TOM COLLINGWOOD™

TOM COLLINGWOOD
2oz Collingwood Whisky
0.75oz simple syrup
1oz lemon juice
3oz soda water

Mix Collingwood, simple syrup and lemon juice in a highball glass with ice. Top with soda water and serve.

COLLINGWOOD CANADIAN MULE
1oz Collingwood Whisky
3oz ginger beer
splash lime juice
garnish: lime wedge

Mix all ingredients over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Collingwood is available in most stores across Texas and you can locate the bottle closest to you at collingwoodwhisky.com. The suggested price is around $27.

COLLINGWOOD WHISKY
collingwoodwhisky.com
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Dallas #BoozeNews: January 14, 2016

I’ll be heading to the San Antonio Cocktail Conference this evening, so stay tuned to my Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat (@SusieOz) to see what I’m learning, drinking, and doing!  (And I always appreciate words of encouragement.  It takes a lot of work to drink San Antonio.)

NEW OPENINGS

Vicini, Frisco’s newest eatery from duo Brian McCullough (part owner of Standard Pour) and Robert Hall (former GM of Abacus and part of the Hall family … who make wine) will open January 26 by the Cowboys development.  There’s even going to be a pasta room, y’all.  Expect classic and “progressive” American-Italian dishes from a soon-to-be-named chef and the same quality craft cocktails as TSP.  I’ll be making the drive north for this one!

Goodfriend Package opened its doors in East Dallas on Wednesday!  The purveyors of delicious burgers and some of best fries in Dallas (I mean … a pile of heaven) who also happen to own one of my favorites, The Blind Butcher, will offer 600+ craft beers, sandwiches featuring meats from TBB, and more for breakfast and lunch.

Another win for our friends up north … on January 22, Plano will see a new concept Julia Pearl which will “meld classic Southern cuisine with modern culinary techniques” with Tre Wilcox as the restaurant’s Culinary Director.  I’m looking forward to the Deviled Eggs topped with crispy chicken skin, pomegranate-red pepper glazed pork belly … because, yum.

DSC_0049

Fried Chicken from Julia Pearl

Mudhen Meat & Greens, the much anticipated  new concept from the minds behind Meddlesome Moth and LARK on the Park has officially opened in the Dallas Farmer’s Market!  Visit for heathy food “that just tastes good, feels food, and won’t kill you.”  Sounds promising.  It opened a bit behind schedule, but better late than never!

Firebird Restaurant Group is at it again.  They’ll break ground on a development with three of their restaurants at I-30 & Highway 34 TODAY, January 14.  A brand new Snuffer’s, El Fenix, and Taqueria La Ventana will open their doors next summer.

Not really an announcement … but, while Filament, a new restaurant Downtown, opened in early December, they’ve recently gotten my attention.  After witnessing a particularly tempting photo series from lunch yesterday from various media outlets (most notably @TheDallasDiva), I know I need to make it in … soon.

OTHER COOL THINGS …

Get local and delicious at the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival March 31-April 3, 2016! Tickets are now available for seminars, meals, tastings, events, and more!

YSC_PACKSHOT_US LR

Have you jumped on the Japanese whisky train yet? They’re doing some delicious things over there.  Suntory Whisky Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 was recently named “World Whisky of the Year” in Jim Murray’s 2015 Whisky Bible.  While it’s been around since 1924, the the 48% ABV spirit has recently been getting the attention it truly deserves.

Sundown at Granada is debuting 15 new seasonal menu items that were crafted to pair well with select cocktail, beer, and wine options.  Check out the Big Tex Flatbread (made with Shiner brisket … I mean) New Orleans BBQ Shrimp & Grits, and the Vegan Dulce De Leche Ice Cream and Salted Coconut Caramel Swirl.  The new menu items are now available.

PeachAustin vodka producer, Deep Eddy, recently released its newest flavor, Deep Eddy Peach.  Like their other products, it’s small batch, made with real fruit juice, and gluten-free.  So yeah … there ya go … you have another option if you’re into that sort of sweet vodka thing.

LIMITED TIME OFFERINGS

Hopdoddy‘s monthly burger special is the Ranch Hand Dan Burger (chicken patty, buttermilk ranch, bacon, field mushrooms, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, tomato, red leaf lettuce on an egg bun)!
Available: through January 24
Cost: $9

RanchHandDan_HD

Midnight Madness at Ida Claire’s

Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day, and like a good appreciator of all-things food, I don’t relegate my breakfast enjoyment to the morning hours.  After a good night out, I can’t think of anything more enticing than ending it with some breakfast favorites: pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon and whatever else you can throw at me. Gone are the days of waiting in the drive-through lane for what seems to be an eternity for a  dismal chicken biscuit and hello to “Midnight Brunch”.

Ida Claire’s is the new southern-inspired entry to Addison’s already buzzing restaurant scene. This eatery is the newest venture from the team that has graced us with Mexican Sugar, Whiskey Cake and other local DFW favorites. This place really helps to fill a void in Addison for non-chain, creative restaurants. Plus, their assortment of cocktails are a step up from most of their competitors.

I was excited to attend the appropriately scheduled preview (started at 11 pm) of “Midnight Brunch”, back in the end of September. (I know, I know … time for me to get back on the #SDDContributor wagon.)

Ida Claire’s has a charm all of its own: Think eccentric Southern great aunt meets 60s flower child.  Whoever put the décor together for this place deserve a pat on the back–the place overflows with southern, vintage character and has just the right amount of quirkiness. Wood tables, birdcages hanging from the ceiling, and bright patterns form a welcoming and eclectic environment. And just because, there is a  a kick-ass Airstream trailer on the patio decked out in various psychedelic prints. (In fact, the trailer can be reserved for private parties.)

Airstream Trailer

The menu offers a wide variety of Southern-influenced dishes that tend to be on the heavier, lesssss healthy side, but that’s what I am looking for late at night.  As the night went on, the plates kept coming and we kept eating …

Food highlights:

  • Sweet Potato Chip Duck Confit. Freshly fried sweet potato chips smothered in duck fat gravy, goat cheese fondue and topped with a sunny side-up duck egg. Trust me, this one was as good as it sounds.
  • Crawfish Corn Fritters served with a smoked mustard remoulade. These were crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside, just the way a proper fritter should be.
  • Brisket Egg Burger. Ida Claire’s spin on a classic burger topped with B&B pickles, pimento cheese, black pepper aioli. This burger was huge and is definitely big enough to share, if you’re feeling generous.
  • And of course, the quintessential Southern breakfast food – Chicken and Waffles. Ida Claire’s version was jazzed up with chicory maple syrup and hot sauce butter. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Crawfish Corn Fritters

Crawfish Corn Fritters

The drink menu is no less thought out than the food menu. Naturally, a good Southern restaurant wouldn’t be caught dead without Juleps and I opted first for the Tobacco Peach Julep. Here, Tennessee whiskey, mint, tobacco syrup and peach bitters mixed for a true taste of all things Southern. Maybe a tad bit heavy on the ice, but good overall. From there, I went for the Vieux Carre (rye, brandy, Benedictine, sweet Vermouth, angostura and Peychaud’s bitters); it wasn’t a drink for the weak of heart.  Throwing caution to the wind (no not Gone With the Wind), my wife opted to go with the Airmail, a refreshing and potent drink crafted from gold rum, lime, honey and sparkling rosé, which apparently now rivals the classic Moscow Mule as her current favorite cocktail.  Her nightcap, a Scarlet Letter  (Bonnie’s  bathtub gin, hibiscus tea, honey, grapefruit, lemon and seltzer), was as you would expect from the ingredients: sweet, sugary and fruity, but all in a good way.

I have been fortunate to attend a number of events (thanks to Susie) and this one is certainly one of the more memorable ones.  From the delicious food and drinks to the overall ambiance of the place, Ida Claire has a lot to offer.  I will definitely be heading back sometime soon.  While our food and drinks were on the house this time, the prices looked reasonable considering the quantity you get and the quality of the items.

Hats off to Ida Claire for providing Uber credit for transportation to and fro! Southern hospitality at its finest.

Midnight Brunch: 11 pm – 2 am Friday – Sunday


IDA CLAIRE
www.ida-claire.com
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5001 Belt Line Road, Dallas, TX 75254
(214) 377-8227

 

Dallas #BoozeNews: January 6, 2015

It’s the first #BoozeNews of 2016, y’all!

NEW OFFERINGS & UPDATES

Ladies of the north … get ready.  Mexican Sugar is launching its Ladies Night!  Starting tomorrow, January 7 and every Thursday after, get 1/2 price sangria and wine from 4pm-close!

Dallas’ new favorite sushi spot, Uchi, announced its new Chef de Cuisine, Jeramie Robinson.  Louisiana-born Jeramie has been at the Mansion on Turtle Creek and has been with the Uchi family since 2012 with a short stint at Shinsei.

Newly opened BITE by Eddy T on Oak Lawn will now, in addition to its delicious full menu, offer a two-course prix-fixe menu.  He will create new rotating options that will change weekly!

One of DFW’s upscale bowling dens, Bowlmor Lanes, is relaunching on January 23 after making major renovations complete with new amenities, an enhanced VIP section, a large event space, and 42-lanes of bowling!  Stop by, bowl some frames, grab some serious* food and drink some beers!   *Really … this food doesn’t mess around–think 5lb burgers, pizza cupcakes, and signature cocktails!

LIMITED TIME OFFERINGS

The King … has arrived.  Stop by Velvet Taco to celebrate Elvis’ birthday with the Velvet Elvis 2.0, a flour tortilla, housemade peanut butter and blackberry jam, local honey, fried banana, Nutella, peppered bacon, peanuts, and chiffonade mint.
Available: January 8-17
Cost: $4

In honor of National Soup Month, Plano’s Pinstack will offer Black-Eyed Pea and Pepper Soup!  We could all use a little luck when bowling … right?
Available: January 4-10
Cost: cup, $5; bowl, $7

Breakfast for lunch?  You betcha.  Breakfast for dinner?  Oh hell yes.  Dugg Burger Bar is going to make all your breakfast-for-dinner dreams come true with a week of breakfast toppings for your dug-out burger! Coffee bacon (hell yes) on Friday to blackberry jam on Tuesday and waffles on Thursday, you can’t go wrong here.
Available: daily, January 9-15

Start your year right and get your good luck on at Greenville Avenue Pizza Company in January with their Hoppin’ John pizza with black eyed peas, sausage, bacon, rice, mozzarella cheese, and spices.
Available: January 1-31
Cost: small, $17; large, $23

Hop to Hopdoddy for their current specials– the Good Karma burger (curried red lentil patty, vegetable korma, white onion, tomato, red leaf lettuce, curried mustard, egg bun) and the Mango Lassi Shake (handmade ice cream, yogurt, mint & mango puree, whipped cream)!
Available: burger, through January 10; shake, through January 17
Cost: burger, $10; shake, $6