Category Archives: David Donalson

by | November 8, 2011 · 9:34 am

Dallas Farmers Market Friends Hoedown Lowdown

by David Donalson

As I walked into the Food and Fiber Pavilion at Fair Park, my wife looks at me and says “I remember this from last year. Hope this year is just as good.” Last year highlights were Randall Copeland’s AVA and now Left Bank, Matt McCallister (with editor Steven Doyle acting as a sous chef) who was then with Stephen Pyles, and Balcones True Blue corn whiskey from Waco. This year had a lot to live up to.

How can you pass up Mr. Lemley’s tomatoes and other produce? All I know is this guy can grow groceries! We need a moment to savor this food porn.

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Filed under Dallas Farmers Market, David Donalson, Events, Local Produce, Party!

by | November 7, 2011 · 9:27 am

McCallister Does Cafe Momentum

by David Donalson               photos by Robert Bostick

Sunday night was the sixth installment of Cafe Momentum, a Dallas-based restaurant and culinary training program working in conjunction with the Youth Village Resources of Dallas (YVRD) to train students in all aspects of working in a restaurant. These students would be our waiters, platers, dish-washers and other such jobs that are crucial for a restaurant, giving them valuable experience that can help them get a job in the industry. In fact, several of the students present now have jobs due to their experience of working with such chefs so kudos to all who are supporting the program.

Our chef for Sunday night is a very busy man, Chef Matt McCallister, who was gracious enough to mentor these students just hours before the official opening of Campo Modern in Oak Cliff. I am sure it has been a hectic few weeks for Chef McCallister but I was glad he made time to cook for all 120 people at Hibiscus on Henderson.    Continue reading →

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Filed under Cafe Momentum, chefs, David Donalson, henderson

by | November 3, 2011 · 12:26 pm

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: Do La Mancha

by David Donalson

I have been in this industry long enough to see regions die (I am talking to you Australia, hope to see you again soon) and regions suddenly spike in popularity. At Tex-Som, there was a focus on wines from South Africa and from Greece because these might be the next big areas to hit the market but I had to agree with Doug Frost, MS that the next area to hit it big is the area that is already booming, Spain.

Since the EU has allowed La Mancha to irrigate their lands, there has been a rapid interest growing in this arid climate. Known best for making the neutral-tasting Airen for Spanish brandy, this area is primed to explode on the world market as the next great buy at your local retail shops.            Continue reading →

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Filed under Dallas, David Donalson, Events, Wine

by | October 27, 2011 · 12:45 pm

Antinori Dinner at Ruth’s Chris

by David Donalson

Recently, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse has been partnering up with some heavy-hitting international wineries and I had the pleasure of being present in Dallas when the Antinori wines came rolling into town. Antinori is one of the biggest names in Italian wine, having one of the original Super-Tuscans (Tignanello, which we would be tasting later) as well as some domestic wines. Antica is actually owned by the Antinori family and stands for Antinori California.

We braved the construction nightmare near the DFW airport and made it just in time for a truly packed house and a great meal. (Literally, the entire dining room was allocated for the dinner, something like 70 people though I did not get an official count).   Continue reading →

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Filed under Crave, Dallas, David Donalson, Wine

by | October 19, 2011 · 2:16 pm

Perrier-Jouet Dinner at Nosh

by David Donalson

When should you drink champagne? Some people will say at special occasions while some people like me will say as soon as you can get a bottle. So after receiving an invitation to drink GH Mumm and Perrier-Jouet while eating at Dallas hot spot Nosh Euro Bistro, I could not resist.

While waiting for the rest of the dining party to arrive, we were greeted by Agnes Laplanche-Jones, Brand Development Manager, and a glass of GH Mumm Cordon Rouge. Agnes was here to walk the party through the tasting of the wines. I always love hearing the stories behind the wines and the people involved in their creation, like how the top wine from Perrier-Jouet got its name.   Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Crave, David Donalson, Nosh Euro Bistro, Wine

by | October 17, 2011 · 8:01 am

BubblyQ at the Ritz-Carlton

by David Donalson        photos by Steven Doyle

BubblyQ is a walk-around tasting and silent auction put on by Young Texans Against Cancer, a non-profit organization focused on raising funds for North Texas cancer research, a very noble cause we fully support and endorse. Held on the patio area in the Ritz-Carlton surrounded by Fearing’s  restaurant, it was an enjoyable evening of dining, sipping and hob-nobbing with beautiful Dallasites.  

We had several favorites with the food, led off by recently-resigned Scott Romano of Charlie Palmer and his rendition of rabbit agnolotti in parmesan broth with root vegetables. It was full of flavor, hearty and earthy and went well with Cotes du Rhone Village being poured at the bar.    Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Crave, David Donalson, Drink Dallas, Events, fun with food, fundraiser, Nightlife, Uptown, Wine