This recipe is ah-mazing; it won me a prize at a cut-throat recipe exchange! It takes no less than 5 hours so plan ahead!
(Recipe originally from Jelly Shot Test Kitchen)
Chambord layer:
– 1 packet of Knox unflavored gelatin
– 1 packet of Grape Jello
– 1 cup of hot water (not boiling)
– 6 oz. of Chambord (or blackberry liqueur)
Lemon layer:
– 4 packets of Knox unflavored gelatin
– 1/2 cup of sugar
– 1 cup of hot water (not boiling)
– 1 cup of gin (or vodka)
– 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice (the recipe calls for 2/3 cup but it was quite sour so I’d recommend less)
PREPARE GIN: Add lemon juice (and some lemon rind) to gin and let sit for two hours or more at room temperature.
FLOAT: In hot water, dissolve the Jello and Knox gelatin and stir for 5-7 minutes. Let sit for another 5 minutes after dissolved. Add Chambord and stir. Pour into a LIGHTLY greased loaf pan (spray with oil and wipe out so only a THIN layer remains). Let sit in fridge for at least two hours (or until solidified).
LEMON LAYER: In hot water, dissolve Knox gelatin until dissolved (SLOWLY sprinkle the gelatin in while stirring). Add sugar and stir until completely dissolved. Strain the infused gin into the gelatin mixture (removing lemon rind) and stir.
Pour lemon mixture over solidified float layer over a spoon to avoid a divot in the float layer. Return to fridge for at least 2-1/2 more hours (or until completely solidified).
TO SERVE: Run a knife around edges of pan and overturn on cutting board. Either cut into squares (pictured above) or use cookie cutters. If preferred, top with a blackberry and/or candied lemon wedge.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrWfxdYW7mg?feature=oembed&w=250&h=187]
Second Floor Bistro Holiday Cocktails
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Martini
– 1 oz. CÎROC Coconut Vodka
– 1 oz. Stoli Vanil Vodka
– 1/2 oz. Creme de Menthe
– 1/2 oz. clear Creme de Cacao
– 1/2 oz. Frangelico
– 1/2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
Shake over ice and serve in a peppermint candy-rimmed Martini glass. Garnish with a chocolate straw.
Elderflower Peach Sparkler
– 2 parts St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
– 1 part CÎROC Peach Vodka
– top with a rosé sparkling wine
Shake St. Germin and CÎROC Peach Vodka over ice and top off with rosé sparkling wine. Serve in a champagne glass. Garnish with a dehydrated candied orange peel.
Skinny Segundo
– 1/2 oz. Pomegranate puree
– 1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
– 1 oz. Lillet
– 1/2 oz. Herradura tequila
– splash of Herradura agave nectar
– top with Spanish cava
Shake over ice and serve in a short glass. Garnish with a lemongrass stalk.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
NYE Parties and Such
CHECK OUT WHAT OPENTABLE.COM HAS TO OFFER!
CHEF DAT and BRANDT WOOD | The Mason Bar, 7:30 p.m.
Five-course dinner at a bar that is not yet open tot he public
Price: $125/person, $250/couple (includes champagne)
Reservations (required for attendance): [email protected]
THE COMMISSARY | open from 8-11 p.m.
Reservation-only seatings of a four-course chefs tasting menu
Price: $75/person ($125 with wine pairings)
For Reservations/Tickets: Call (214) 643-6557
THE COMMON TABLE | seatings at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Five-course meal
Price: $55/person
Reservations: (214) 880-7414
CRU | early seating 5-8 p.m., gala seating 8:30-10 p.m.
Party hats, noise makers, music, champagne toast
Price: $45 (early seating), $60 (gala seating)
Reservations: 214-526-9463 (West Village), 972-312-9463 (The Shops at Legacy), 972-908-2532 (Watters Creek)
DISH | seatings 5 p.m.
Craft cocktails, DJ Jose G., champagne toast, party favors, balloon drop
Price: $50 for premium open bar, food to be ordered, bottle service available
Reservations: 214-522-3474 or visit www.dish-dallas.com
FIVE SIXTY | two seatings
Five-course meal, glass of champagne
Price: $175/person, $225 with wine pairings (+ tax and gratuity), +$50 NYE in The Tower
Reservations: (214) 741-5560
HORNE AND DEKKER
Four-course meal and a glass of champagne
Price: $65/person
KOMALI | last seatings at 11 p.m.
Three-course meal (a la carte will be available upon request), champagne toast
Price: $65/person (+ tax and gratuity)
Reservations: (214) 252-0200
LA DUNI | seatings 6-10:30 p.m.
Four-course meal (a la carte will be available upon request), champagne toast
Price: $49.94/person (+ tax and gratuity)
Reservations (REQUIRED): (214) 520-7300 (McKinney Ave) or (214) 520-6888 (Oak Lawn)
potential 50% cancellation fee after 12/26
PRIVATE|SOCIAL | seatings 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Six-course dinner, live music
Price: $125/person or $175 with wine or cocktail pairings (+ tax and gratuity)
Reservations: (214) 754-4744
RA SUSHI | 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
DJ, drink specials
Price: n/a
Reservations: Facebook Event
SAINT ANN | seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
DJ (8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.), view of Victory Park fireworks, party favors, valet parking
Price: $50/person for 5:30 seating, $70/person for 7:30 seating
Reservations: www.saintannedallas.com
SALUM | last seatings at 11 p.m.
Three-course meal (a la carte will be available upon request), champagne toast
Price: $75/person (+ tax and gratuity)
Reservations: (214) 252-9604
VERITAS WINE ROOM | 7-10 p.m.
Reservations: email [email protected] (limited spaces available)
GHOST BAR NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY | Ghostbar (W Hotel), 9 p.m.
DJ Enferno & DJ Dre, champagne toast
Price: $75 G.A., $50/person + $300 for bottle service (6 people total)
Reservations(bottle service): [email protected]
Tickets: fla.vor.us
6TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY | The Starlight Room, 9:30 p.m.
DJ, full open bar, champagne toast, snack buffet, midnight breakfast, party favors
Price: GA $79.99-105, VIP Bottle $150
Reservations/Tickets: dallasnye.eventsbot.com
BIG D NYE AT THE AAC(put on by the Winstar Casino) | American Airlines Center/AT&T Plaza, 6 p.m.
Fireworks at midnight, music by Sleeperstar.
Price: FREE
For More Information: bigdnye.com
BILLY BOB’S TEXAS (Fort Worth)
Live music from Chris Young. Champagne and party favors included for $35.
Price: $25-35
Tickets:(817) 624-7117 or Ticketmaster
BLACKFRIAR
DJ, party favors, champagne toast
Price: $5 (cover)
*DALLAS FINEST – NEW YEARS EVE 2011 AND BEYOND | Corinth Park, 9:30 p.m.
Open bar, DJ
Price: $30+
Tickets: dallasfinest-emcnye12.eventbrite.com
The DFW Soirèe Countdown 2012 | Omni Hotel (Dallas), 9 p.m.
Live music, DJ, hors d’oeuvres, casino game, red carpet photos, silent auction, champagne toast (benefitting the American Heart Association)
Price: $105 and up, $1500/table of 10
Reservations: tickets
EMERALD CITY BANDS NYE BASH | Embassy Suites-Frisco Convention Center (Frisco), 9:30 p.m. – 4 a.m.
FASHIONABLY UNCORKED NYE 2012 | Fashion Industry Gallery, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m.
GIN MILL NYE | The Gin Mill, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m.
Premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres and food stations, champagne toast, coat check, parking
Price: $125
Tickets: dallas.beforelastcall.com
GLASS NYE | Glass, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
DJ Pete Mash and DJ Nameless, champagne toast, cash bar, Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse buffet
Price: $50+ (please see details here)
Tickets: dallas.beforelastcall.com
HOUSE OF BLUES NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR | House of Blues, 9 p.m.
Music from the Polyphonic Spree and Centro-Matic
Price: stars at $15 (G.A.), $30+ (reserved seating)
Tickets: houseofblues.com
JONATHAN TYLER & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS NEW YEAR’S EVEN BASH | Granada Theater, 8 p.m.
Price: $16 G.A., $70 reserved seating
Tickets: granadatheater.com (Flavorpill has a chance to win tickets)
MAXIM NYE 2012 | Zouk Nightclub, 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
NEW YEAR’S PARTY AT GAYLORD TEXAN | Gaylord Texan
Music from Le Freak
Reservations: 817-778-2000
J. BLACK’S NEW YEAR’S EVE 2012 | J. Black’s, 6 p.m.
DJ, VIP entry, champagne toast, one entree
Price: $48.14+/person, table options from $575/6 guests
Tickets: jblacksdallasnye.com
NYE in THE TOWER | Reunion (Five Sixty) Tower, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Light hors d’oeuvres by Five Sixty, champagne toast, DJ Jen Miller and DJ Paul Predes, open bar, complimentary valet, bottle service (for additional fee) – fireworks can be seen from The Tower
Price: $150+
Reservations/Tickets: (214) 741-5560
ONE WORLD NYE | Purgatory Night Club, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
DJs, 20 bars, hosted by Crissy Henderson (“Playboy”)
Price: $25+/person
Tickets: www.oneworldnye.com (GROUPON)
OPUS LOUNGE NYE 2012 | Opus Lounge, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
DJs, party favors, champagne toast, balloon drop
Price: $20 G.A., $40+ VIP
Tickets: clubzone.com
Party With Professor D | Hotel Intercontinental, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Live music, light hors d’oeuvres, two drink coupons, champagne toast, and balloon drop at midnight.
Price: $65
Reservations: 972-386-6000
Extras: Hotel Stay Package at $330 per couple (includes guest room, 2 p.m. late check out, chilled champagne, and two tickets to the party)
PM NIGHTLIFE LOUNGE NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION | PM (Joule Hotel), 10:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
DJ
Price: $106.49 (tables available – email [email protected])
Tickets: pmnye2012.eventbrite.com
ROCK THE ‘12 WITH THE EMERALD CITY BAND | Embassy Suites/Frisco Convention Center
Proceeds to go Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Price: $65+/person (up to $425/couple)
TAKE FLIGHT 2012 | Aloft Hotel (Dallas), 9 p.m.
Music by Blau, KapSlap & 3LAU, DJ, champagne toast, water, coat check
Price: $45+/person
Tickets: takeflight2012.com
*18+
When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.
Henny Youngman
Def Frisco’s Grille
We’ve all heard of Del Frisco’s Steak House and now we have the luck to have the new offshoot, Del Frisco Grille, in business in Uptown Dallas. The reputation of the DFG owners proceeds the new restaurant, and DFG exceeds the high expectations that come with the name. The first DF Grille opened in Rockafeller Center up in the Big Apple and we’re lucky enough to have gotten the second.
The staff is helpful, friendly, and ready to get you whatever you may need. What you’ll need: drinks, delicious food, drinks, Nutella bread pudding, drinks … oh yeah, and more of their delicious food. Our table had the cheesesteak eggrolls, wedge salad, grilled cheese and tomato soup, and the lamb burger. The cheesesteak eggrolls were very good but a bit heavy (which was expected) and the lamb burger was possibly the best thing I’ve taken a bite out of in the last month due to the Tzatziki sauce.
After our meal, Sabrina, the delightful general manager, wouldn’t allow us to leave until we took a bite of their to-die-for Nutella bread pudding (sounds awful, eh?). I did my best to exercise a bit of self-control, but all was lost with the first bite. I thanked my lucky stars for that girl for making me try it!
DFG offers a full bar complete with specialty cocktails, (only one) champagne, about five or so whites and reds including some Del Frisco’s “Reserve” bottles, and shots (yup, shots). I was tempted to try the Honey Badger (again, yup, the honey badger) which was Tuaca, fresh sweet & sour, and pineapple juice.
Needless to say, like the restaurant, DFG prides itself on the creativity of its drinks and the freshness of their ingredients. Their drinks have dashes of Tabasco or balsamic vinegar and sometimes even a jalapeno tossed in just for kicks. I tried the Kilt-lifter comprised of Hendrick’s, St-Germain, Tabasco, and lemon. I’ll just say of it that it was an experience – not too strong but it sure was delicious.
Now, have you ever had a skinny drink that was actually good? Yeah, me neither (though if anyone has suggestions I’d be glad to hear them) until I tried the Skinny Cosmo at DFG — everyone in the group (including the guys) enjoyed it. I’ve gone on a nutty diet and I can’t have many drinks, so their potent-yet-delicious skinny drinks are just what I need.
The decor of DFG is modern with a retro twist and plenty of art adorns the walls. The second floor patio is absolutely awesome and they have some cutting-edge pillar heaters to keep you from catching a chill. With bars both upstairs and downstairs, you won’t have trouble getting a drink (well, you might have a little less than some but only because so many people love DFG already). Also, go into your visit with a dose of patience as the valets do a great job with the limited space they have.
All in all, DFG is off to a great start. Head in for delicious handcrafted drinks, steaks, and seafood. They’ll make absolutely sure you enjoy your time there!
Del Frisco’s Grille
www.delfriscosgrille.com | @dfgrille
3232 McKinney Ave (at Hall St.)
(972)807-6152
Fall Drinks with SusieDrinksDallas
Thanks again to Roni for having me do the segment!
Pumpkin Spice Martini
– 2 parts vanilla vodka
– 2 parts Bailey’s
– 1 part Pumpkin Smash (or other pumpkin liqueur)
– Splash of milk (if desired)
– Cinnamon/Nutmeg
– Pumpkin Pie Whipped Lightning
Honey Gin Cocktail
– 1 splash of honey syrup (1 part honey to 1 part water – boil water and dissolve honey)
– Fresh lemon juice
– 1 jigger of gin
– Top with champagne
Cool Weather Punch
– 1 part rum
– 1 part ginger ale
– 1 part apple cider (non-alcoholic)
– Dash of cinnamon
A Good Friend to Have
Again, I traveled outside of my bubble. And again, I was glad I did. I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz about Goodfriend, the new beer and burger house over on Peavy and Garland Road one of the Vickery Park owners and a former Vick bartender, Matt and Josh, respectively. I’ll start by saying this, don’t wait to go until after reading this — get off your ass and go NOW.
My boyfriend and I prepared for our adventure with a full tank of gas, water bottles, and granola bars stocked … you know, just in case. The drive there wasn’t bad at all. Take Mockingbird east and just keep onnnnnnnnn going until you see white lights strung across a huge patio on your left that will beam you in. Parking was an issue, but I found a spot that my car hardly fit in, but fit nonetheless. (I didn’t take the time to figure out where alternate parking was – sorry).
Give yourself plenty of time for this dinner because you’re probably going to wait. So many make the trip for the delicious food and drink at Goodfriend that we were told that there was an hour wait. We ordered a drink and found a seat without a grumble because the place smelled so good that we didn’t want to risk being kicked out for being bratty patrons. The staff was so friendly that that probably wouldn’t be an issue even if we were rude.
Time to set the scene: a giant horseshoe-shaped bar is the center of the restaurant with bar seating on the left and restaurant seating on the right and stained glass above the bar. The decor is a hodge-podge of rustic engineering-type paraphernalia with an industrial touch including a giant table with a HUUUUGE fan inside. Sports fans: there are big TVs in the bar seating area and behind the bar and for commercials breaks you can enjoy the two dart boards in the corner.
The drinks were delicious. The cocktail menu is whiskey heavy with their list of whiskey cocktails dubbed the Magnificent Seven — and they are (magnificent, that is). I started with a Manhattan, the likes of which would have given my Manhattan-loving uncle a run for his money. After drinking the Manhattan, I felt like I could box a kangaroo – true story. The drinks were strong and I look forward to making a second trip to try some of the other M7s like John the Baptist, Bobby Burns, and the Goodfriend itself.
The offerings at GF include an American craft beer menu which will feature standard craft beers, seasonal beers, and special release brews. Get bored with beers easily? They post their “rotator” beers on a huge piece of paper inside the bar (and on Facebook) that are switched out quite often. In addition to their beers they have a fully (and I mean FULLY) stocked bar.
The food was ah-mazing. We made our way to our hard-earned table and when Matt handed us our menus, deciding which burger to order was one of the more difficult decisions I’ve faced in a month (I live a charmed life). They offer grass fed burgers and some more exotic options as well as a veggie burger (if you must). I landed on the Lolita lamb burger, the Boy had a turkey burger, and of course we got cheese fries to share. The burgers were delectable and I finished every bite of mine along with a good portion of the cheese fries (the ranch is mind blowing). The stomach ache was well worth it!
Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House
facebook | @goodfriendbgbh
1154 Peavy Rd., Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 324-3335