Pat's & Mike's Dallas Burgers

“Bartend” at Pat’s & Mike’s and Help Raise Money for Charity

Think you can bartend? Interested in raising money for charity? Well … you can raise money for a charity of YOUR choosing by simply having drinks with friends. Yup, you have the chance to drink for a good cause … Habitat for Humanity, Wounded Warrior and Scottish Rite are just a few of the organizations who have already benefitted.

Some background…

The guys who were now serving up burgers, fries and one hell of a margarita, long before many others in Dallas, Pat and Mike Snuffer (yes, of Snuffer’s*), opened a burger joint with their cousin, Steve Cole, in North Dallas in November 2014. Now, if you have ever met these guys, then you already know how genuinely nice and caring they are, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that they have a way to give back to the community that also helps spread the word about their new place, Pat’s and Mike’s. (Hold tight … I’ll have a full review on the new eatery for you shortly.)

So here is how it works…

Every Tuesday night from 4 pm to 7 pm, Pat’s and Mike’s welcomes a “Guest Bartender(s)” to mix it up and support a charity of their choosing. Many people choose to raise money regularly for a charity of their choosing, and websites such as Chipotle Fundraising and many more offer assistance in raising money by using online payments and fresh ideas in order to maximise donations. Pat and Mike use a similar method in setting up regular events in order to maximise donations. For obvious legal and liability reasons (not to mention cost), “Guest Bartenders” won’t be pulling a Tom Cruise in “Cocktail” and mix up drinks and serving up shots. “Guest Bartenders” will help pour some beers and assist in the bar area in other ways – meaning no special experience behind a bar or in a restaurant required.

You raise money by inviting friends, family, coworkers … heck, anyone you know to come have a drink while you “bartend”. Hopefully, your stellar service will encourage tips from your group and 100% of the tips “Guest Bartenders” earn go directly to the charity they selected. Seriously, take a look at what a few “Guest Bartenders” have easily raised for their charities over 3 hours on a Tuesday.

  • Habitat for Humanity – $1,600
  • Scottish Rite Hospital – $2,000
  • Wounded Warrior – $1,000
  • LPC Charity – $2,000

Whether you are looking for a new way to help raise funds for an charitable organization or just want your drinking to benefit one, check out Pat’s & Mike’s “Guest Bartenders” on Tuesdays. Give them a call to book your Tuesday and have some fun!

PAT & MIKE‘S
www.patsandmikes.com
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18101 Preston Road, Suite 240C, Dallas, TX 75252
(469) 941-4489

*The original Snuffer’s is no longer owned by them … just FYI!

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar

There’s a new kid on the block in Addison:  Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar. With restaurants constantly popping up in the neighborhood, it’s got to be challenging to find ways to stand out; and yet, Lazy Dog manages to do just that.

As the name suggests, Lazy Dog is, of course, pet-friendly. This alone makes this spot a welcomed addition to Addison, as the area is surprisingly devoid of dog-friendly patios. Yes, Lazy Dog allows pooches on their patio, yes, they have a selection of doggy menu items available, and yes, your pet will be served a complimentary bowl of water while you dine. That said, please do not mistake Lazy Dog for a “dog restaurant that happens to serve food”. On the contrary, Lazy Dog is first and foremost focused on creative scratch cooking with fresh ingredients, tasty beverages, and a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy all of the above.

The restaurant is warm and inviting and CEO & Found Chris Simms based Lazy Dog’s rustic decor on his beloved family ski vacation spot, Jackson Hole. A sprawling bar area divides the main dining room and the large covered patio, and a glassed in exhibition kitchen spans the length of the restaurant.

Chris Simms interviewed a veritable cavalcade of chefs to run his kitchen before he found “the one,” who turned out to be Gabriel Caliendo,  formerly of the Ritz Carlton. Chef Gabe and Chris have curated a menu of dishes they have dubbed “cravable classics,” largely consisting of comfort foods prepared with “approachable innovations”. Many of the recipes have deep personal meaning, right down to his grandmother’s turkey meatball recipe.

I was excited to have the opportunity to sample a variety of menu items at Lazy Dog earlier this month, and by the end of our meal, I was feeling a little lazy myself. Everything we sampled was delicious, from start to finish.

We started out with a St. Ruby cocktail, prepared with Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka, St. Germain, and fresh grapefruit juice, and it was every bit as sweet and refreshing as it sounds. I also sampled a cocktail from Lazy Dog’s “Clean Cocktail” menu, which offers five libations prepared with under 150 calories each, made with no artificial ingredients and no added sugar. The Clean Coconut Mojito is prepared with Malibu coconut rum, 100% pure coconut water, fresh mint, lime, and sparkling water. It tasted like vacation in a glass; delicious. Overall, I was the most impressed by Lazy Dog’s housemade Sangria Sampler, which features White Peach, Raspberry Moscato, and Pomegranate Red sangrias. Each of the three was bursting with intense flavor without being too sweet, and it was impossible to pick a favorite. (BONUS: the sangria sampler is served in an adorable little caddy with metal dog tag labels. I mean…how cute is that?)

 

I got to sample an imposing number of dishes from Lazy Dog’s menu, and every single dish I tried was just as Chef Gabe and Chris intended for it to be: craveable.  We started out with:

  • the interesting and flavorful Hummus Trio, a trio of walnut-pesto, sundried tomato and traditional hummus served with garlic flatbread, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes
  • Grandma’s famous Sicilian Turkey Meatballs, prepared with pine nuts, golden raisins, and housemade marinara
  • Hatch Chile Bacon Mac ‘n’ Cheese, topped with a green onion crumble and served in a cast iron skillet
  • the particularly addictive Togarashi Edamame, wok-seared with zesty citrus and Japanese spices. The edamame were the crowd favorite

Entree offerings we sampled included: Maggie’s Snake River Salad, (a beautiful salad prepared with hickory smoked bacon, Laura Chenel goat cheese, dried cranberries, tomatoes, and candied walnuts), Hawaiian Sticky Ribs served with slaw and umami fries- both the ribs and especially the fries were crowd favorites, Chimichurri Mahi Mahi (pan roasted on a bed of black beans, stacked with sauteed veggies and a chimichurri sauce), the Black & Bleu Pizza (topped with blackened chicken breast, smoked bacon, mozzarella, caramelized onions, bleu cheese, and tomatoes, perched atop a perfectly garlicky, buttery crust). The pizza alone warrants a return trip for me!

I will tell you that you will definitely want to save room for dessert at Lazy Dog, after trying their signature Butter Cake, which was topped with strawberry compote and vanilla ice cream, and tasted every bit as rich and decadent as it sounds. Also delicious was the seasonal Pumpkin Cheesecake, made with a moist graham cracker crust, and drizzled with housemade caramel, chocolate sauce, and a cinnamon sugar walnut crumble.

Needless to say, by the time I rolled out of here, I was feeling a bit like a Lazy Dog myself. 

Lazy Dog’s Happy Hour features a variety of specials on beer, wine, and cocktails, plus a broad selection of small plates, all ranging from $3-$7 (bar and patio only). 

Monday through Friday, from 3-6pm
Sunday-Thursday 9pm-close


Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
www.lazydogrestaurants.com
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5100 Belt Line Rd Suite 500 (Village on the Parkway), Addison TX 75254
(469) 754-1300

Sun10am-midnight
Mon11am-midnight
Tue11am-midnight
Wed11am-midnight
Thr11am-midnight
Fri11am-midnight
Sat10am-midnight

Dallas #BoozeNews: September 28, 2015

NEW OPENINGS

Five Creeks Tavern opened on September 1 in Highland Park Village! The casual pizza shop will feature a full bar (including “cask” wines, draft beer, cocktails, and fun options like frozen bellinis available on TWO patios!

The Harwood District is doing it again … they’re opening another badass concept, Happiest Hour, which will feature 12,000+ square feet of bar goodness complete with a rooftop patio, outdoor games, and a great view of the skyline.  Stay tuned for more updates about the new joint!

Happiest Hour Inspiration

The people behind One Arts Plaza eatery Proof + Pantry are trying to make lightning stike (again) with their new restaurant, Madrina in Highland Park Village.  The new concept will feature Mexican cuisine with a French twist from executive chef Julio Peraza.

One of Dallas’ most famous chefs, Kent Rathbun, will open an offshoot of his newest BBQ concept, Hickory, in DFW Airport.  Look for it in Terminal B in late 2016.

NEW OFFERINGS

Free things are good.  Cheese Fries are good.  FREE Cheese Fries are the best thing ever.  Kenny’s Burger Joint in Plano is now offering a plate of Cheese Fries to patrons on Sundays!

Get brunched up at Greenville Avenue Pizza Company!  So, saturdays and Sundays 11am-3pm, you can get down on the same pizza that ended the night before.  They’ll offer some brunch-friendly options like the Meat & Potato Calzone (scrambled egg, potatoes, sausage, bacon, cheddar, mozzarella), Sweet Calzone (strawberry drizzle, ricotta, blueberries, raspberries), and Veggie Calzone (fried egg, mozzarella, potatoes, red onion, spinach, mushrooms).  Oh … and $3.50 9oz mimosas.

Paul Martin’s American Grill is also rolling out its brunch.  They’ll offer a fixed price menu for $22 from 11am-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays!

Speaking of brunch, Bread Winners will now offer 5 different $5 mimosas on MONDAYS from 7am-4pm at all four locations!  I mean … that’s the right way to start a week, right?

OTHER FUN

The Travel Channel’s “Booze Traveler” is back on … which means I know what I’m doing on Monday nights!  (I actually have this on right now … loving Jack’s Grecian experience!)

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Palio’s Grapevine

I love visiting Grapevine … it’s perfectly quaint with a little something for everyone.  I began the night by dropping by Messina Hof to refill my growler with some cabernet sauvignon before heading down the road to Palio’s for dinner. (Palio’s is an order at the counter or take out restaurant. If my visit was the norm, it seems they do a large amount of their business in take out orders.)

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Palio’s is a chain that can be found all around DFW, but each restaurant is independently owned. They make their dough from scratch daily and use all natural ingredients. They offer authentic Italian pastas, salads, calzones and side dishes.

To keep things fresh, each month they do a few specials like Wives Appreciation Night, National Dog Day, and National cheese Pizza Day–each special offers some sort of free pizza. Luckily, I made it there on National Cheese Pizza Day, which included a free cheese pizza if you spent a certain amount of money! (And the only thing better than pizza is free pizza. ?)

I went for the pizza of the month, which was a meat and cheese stromboli and it was served with a side of marinara and a garlic butter sauce. I would highly recommend the garlic butter because … duh, butter makes everything better.

The dessert display looked reeeeeeally good, but I was stuffed and just couldn’t. (Could I?) Palio’s graciously gave me a cannoli to take home, which was AMAZING.

In the summer, Palio’s has a great patio that is a perfect place to watch the fireworks over Lake Grapevine. Sounds like the perfect night to me. I mean … pizza, wine, fireworks … yeah.

PALIO’S GRAPEVINE
1000 Texan Trail, Suite 100, Grapevine, Texas
817-328-0777
www.paliosgrapevine.com

Hours – Mon-Sun: 11am-10pm

*I was treated to dinner compliments of Palio’s Grapevine.

Pope It (Olivia Pope … that is.)

So it’s a big week … the Pope is in the US AND Olivia Pope is about to be back on the air.  I mean … both are a big deal to me.  To prepare for the victorious return of “Scandal” to Prime Time TV, I decided to celebrate as she would–with popcorn and red wine.  (The wardrobe comprised entirely of shades of grey was already present.  My life.)

I came across some pairings suggested by Noble Vines wines and went to work.  I tried out the Noble Vines Cabernet Sauvignon with sea salt popcorn and the parmesan, oregano, and balsamic popcorn* with NV Merlot.  The pairings were delightful and the wine made my “Scandal” refresh

Here are some of their other pairing suggestions:

  • Butter Popcorn and Red Blend.  (Just ask Olivia why this works.)
  • Buffalo Bleu Popcorn and Chardonnay
  • Coconut Curry Popcorn and Pinot Noir
  • Queso Fresco, Cayenne, Cilantro and Lime Popcorn and Sauvignon Blanc

So, as it were, you can think of me tomorrow while making these amazing popcorn remixes tomorrow around 7:50pm.  Let’s get our “Scandal” on, gladiators.


NOBLE VINES WINE
www.noblevines.com
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I found Noble Wines locally at Goody Goody.


*Parmesan, Oregano and Balsamic Popcorn
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup popcorn kernels
1 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
2 teaspoons oregano
Aged balsamic vinegar

Heat oil in a large wide pot over high heat, and popcorn, cover, and shake often. When popping slows to a few seconds between pops, remove from heat. Mist popcorn evenly with aged balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with parmesan and oregano while tossing. Tip: use a small spray bottle to mist the popcorn evenly without drenching it with balsamic vinegar.

Bordeaux Wines in Dallas, TX

Wine is an absolutely incredible thing.  For me, wine has been present on some the most memorable nights of my life and I’ve always been intrigued by the uncanny ability for wine to take me back to past experiences.  Since studying abroad in Paris during college, French wines have been one of those memory-joggers–from picking up a bottle to drink to drink with a baguette in the bois between classes with friends to the bottle I shared one evening with my dad on a road trip through the French countryside.

When talking about French wines, it’s impossible not to bring up Bordeaux.  The Bordeaux region of France is a well-known wine-producing region famous for its reds and has been producing some of the best wines in the world for many years thanks to its rich soil and moderate temperatures.  Here are some quick facts about the region:

  • 89% of the wines produced in Bordeaux are reds.
  • The region is the largest wine-producing region in France covering 460 square miles and producing up to 700 million bottles of wine per year!
  • While “Bordeaux” is the general name for wines from this region, there are actually 54 appellations* that are produced there.
  • There are three main regions of the Bordeaux region–the Right Bank, Entre-Deux-Mers (between the oceans), and the Left Bank.
  • The “Bordeaux Blend” is the typical mix of grapes in the region’s wines–70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot.

I had the pleasure of spending the evening with some of Dallas’ most talented sommeliers* to try some Bordeaux wines and explore the incredibly diverse options that come from the region.  Paired with some cheese et autres choses, we had a pretty incredible evening tasting around the region–five wines from five regions.

The wines we tasted that evening included the following, and are in order of preference:

TOP TASTING: Château Beau-Séjour Bécot – 2008 Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 
14% ABV
Purchased at Goody Goody for $53 (value: ~$55)

The group’s favorite wine of the evening by a landslide, its dark berry and rhubarb notes made this an incredibly complex wine that would pair nearly perfectly with lamb.  While some of the wines from Bordeaux can cost you a pretty penny, we decided to splurge on one from Saint Émilion as wines from this region age very nicely.
“In my humble opinion, Saint Émilion is one of the most underrated regions in Bordeaux because they don’t have a clear classification system” – Roxanna C. from Raven Wine Management Systems

#2: Château Cantenac Brown – 2012 Margaux Grand Cru Classé 
13.5% ABV
Purchased at Total Wine for $52 (value: ~$48)

We tasted this bottle last as we expected it to be the “biggest” of the wines.  Let’s just say that it really was “plus grand” than expected and was incredibly mouth filling.  With notes like honeysuckle, caramel, and vanilla bean and a violet nose, it was almost like dessert in a glass.  The acidity was about medium plus and the finish was incredibly long … the caramel flavors lingered until the end.

This wine was my personal favorite of the evening.

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#3: Château Le Crock – 2008 Saint-Estèphe Grand Vin de Bordeaux 
49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot
13% ABV
Purchased at Spec’s for $24 (value: ~$26)

We saved this bottle for our fourth taste..  The fruity flavor had hints of dark fruits, coffee, caramel, and dark cocoa balanced with a little “barnyard” grit.  This wine paired perfectly with the Roomano cow’s milk cheese from The Netherlands on the table.  (Pick some up at Molto Formaggio in Highland Park Village.)

#4: Jean-Louis Trocard Chateau La Croix Bellevue – 2005 Pomerol
50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon
13.5% ABV
Purchased at Spec’s for $23.99 (value: ~$17)

This Pomerol wine was another big one with a very aggressive flavor.  The flavor had fruits that changed on the tongue and an almost “barnyard” bite.  You could definitely tell that it was an older wine, but it was even bigger than expected for a 10-year wine.  This bottle wasn’t our favorite of the evening thanks to the gritty flavor.

WHITE TASTING (NOT RANKED): Clarendelle – 2011 Bordeaux (inspired by Haut-Brion)
76% Semillion Blanc, 24% Sauvignon Blanc
Dry White Wine
12.5% ABV
Purchased at Goody Goody for $18.99 (value: ~$22)

While 89% of the wines produced in Bordeaux are reds, we wanted to include a white option and we’re damn glad we did.  This while was delightful and we all would admittedly not only drink this again, but purchase it again as it was the least complex and most “approachable” of the five we tasted.

The story behind this white’s inspiration (Haut-Brion) is a sketchy legend.  Apparently the O’Brions, an Irish family and one of the original Grand Cru producing vineyards, settled in the Bordeaux region and decided to change their name to Haut-Brion so the name would be more respected in the region.

Visit Bordeaux.com to learn about more wines from the region, take a workshop or two, and even plan a trip!

*”An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown; other types of food often have appellations as well.” – Wikipedia

My Fit Foods “Pays Fit Forward”

I love being a contributor for Susie Drinks Dallas … it affords me some amazing opportunities to try the most incredible variety (and quantity … ) of  some of the most delightful food and drink D/FW has to offer … and on a pretty frequent basis. In addition to an untold number of delicious things I eat and drink on my own time, outside of the realm of the blogosphere. I think what I’m trying to say is, I end up indulging perhaps a tiny bit more than I ideally should (especially since I am getting married in three weeks and training for a marathon, but that’s neither here nor there). So, when I received an invitation to attend an evening of healthy food and fitness in support of My Fit Foods’ “Pay Fit Forward” campaign, I decided that was probably something I needed to take advantage of.

Bless you, My Fit Foods.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, My Fit Foods is a healthy kitchen concept with 9 stores in the Dallas area. They offer a variety of pre-made meals made with fresh, healthy ingredients, with options that are designed to fit any diet or lifestyle. They offer a number of meal plans, featuring a multitude of choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

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In honor of North Texas Giving Day, My Fit Foods is “Paying Fit Forward” on Fridays during the month of September. When you purchase a meal on PayFitForward Fridays, you will receive an additional meal for free, which you can elect to give to a friend, or donate to a local food bank. So, while you’re doing something good for yourself, you can share your healthy choice with a friend- or, with a stranger- for free!

In the spirit of sharing healthy habits with a buddy, My Fit Foods hosted a fun partners circuit workout at the store, led by Lea Genders of Running With Ollie. After we worked up a sweat (and an appetite) we were treated to a tasty and healthy meal of our choice from the My Fit Foods kitchen. I chose the “Beef it Up” meal, which consisted of a natural beef tenderloin, accompanied by cauliflower mash and fresh green beans. It was seriously hard to believe this meal, which was plenty filling, contained only 270 calories.

Be sure to PayFitForward on 9/25; if you haven’t checked out My Fit Foods yet, this is a great opportunity for you and a friend to give it a try!

MY FIT FOODS
www.myfitfoods.com
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Various locations

The Cedars Social

With the announcement that The Cedars Social is under new ownership, I wanted to duck in to see what changes were happening at the craft cocktail den in The Cedars.  I was a fan of TCS when I worked in The Cedars but hadn’t heard too much about them recently.  Turns out, new owners Jeffrey Yarbrough and Chad Boyle seem to be keeping the essence of TCS intact–the decor is still as eclectic as ever, the food classic with a bit of a twist, and the cocktails … well, strong.

We started with a couple of their options from the seasonal cocktail menu–they offer seasonal options along with classics from both the pre-Prohibition era and some from the Prohibition era.  Their cocktails are made with high quality, fresh ingredients and some of the best liquor options around by incredibly skilled bartenders.  (I was glad to hear that the new owners were still partnering with original partner and bar manager, Michael Martensen.  He does good things.)  Our seasonal choices were the Berry Gin-erous (Seagrams, Blueberry mint syrup, lemon juice and ginger beer) and the Juliet & Romeo (Plymouth Gin, Lime Juice, Muddled Cucumbers, & Cane syrup, with Angostura bitters, and a mint leaf topped with rose water).

After getting warmed up with some drinks (as one does at brunch), we ordered their fresh fruit, truffle fries (duh), and deviled eggs.  I was bummed that they don’t offer their truffle grilled cheese anymore, but I figured the fries were a good substitute.  The Truffle Fries had a nice truffle essence without it being overpowering and they were perfectly crispy.  The Deviled Eggs were a good start to the meal thanks to their light filling.  While fruit is good for you and all (and TCS’ was quite delicious) … save it for home.

Our second round of drinks got a bit more adventurous.  I went for the I Do What I Want (that’s the real name of the cocktail) featuring Ketel One, aged balsamic, honey syrup, muddled strawberry, lemon juice, and egg white.  It was nicely mixed and the balsamic really gave it a punch and a bit of extra complexity.

As for the food, we ordered the Housemade Turkey Hash (herbs de Provence, scrambled eggs, and hollandaise sauce) and the Omelette Florentine (prosciutto, spinach, mushrooms, and goat cheese).  Both were accompainied by potatoes, and both were pretty damn good.  (I’d suggest getting the hollandaise on the side of the hash … I’m a big fan of self sauce-regulation.)

While I usually choose to spend my brunch calories on drinks, we were encouraged to get into some dessert action.  Once we heard that their cheesecakes are from Val’s Cheesecakes, we couldn’t not. And ice cream goes in a different stomach.  So yeah.

Since we were delightfully boozed up and stuffed, we decided that Sunday just wasn’t going to be a thing … at least not a productive one.  (Their drinks are pretty hefty, so try not to plan too much after a brunch at TCS other than a nap or more drinking.)  So we packed up our leftovers (of which there were plenty) and did our best to roll ourselves to the car.

Needless to say, after the reminder of the good things TCS does, I’ll be back before too long to hit them up for some of their dinner options–hello, Akashi Short Ribs, Kobe Meatballs, and Truffle Mac & Cheese.


THE CEDARS SOCIAL
www.thecedarssocial.com
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1326 S Lamar St, Dallas, TX 75215
(214) 928-7700

Open daily, 4-10pm
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday, 11am-3pm