by Andrew Chalk
Finally, cocktail buzz hub Och8, the Dallas outpost of Eric DiSteffano’s Coyote Café empire, held its first wine tasting. I was an invited guest to taste the wines of locally owned California winery Oak Cliff Cellars. Owner Jim Richardson was in attendance to guide us through the wines and Och8 execuchef Joel Harloff took us through the food. These two are a good double-act, and so are their respective products. Neither overwhelmed the other, a fact attested to in the hearty applause at the end from the full-house audience.
In the belief that a picture is worth a thousand words, here are about 8,000 words. It seems that in all the rush I forgot to take a picture of the chef, but I think his food speaks for him.
Langoustines, Cucumber, Radish & Vanilla with Papaya-Honey Puree
Potato-Cotija Cheese Soup, Cilantro-Basil Pesto, Caramelized Onion
Crispy Bibb Lettuce, Avocado, Blue Cheese & Warm Chorizo-Paprika Vinaigrette
Braised Beef Cheeks with Grilled Shishitos, Chili-Tomato Orzo “Risotto”, Veal Demi-Glace
Caramelized Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Cajeta, Canela Cream
Jim and Maria Richardson, owners of Oak Cliff Cellars
