An Evening with Ichika

Snapper

by Joey Stewart

This is one of those meals that’s really more of an experience than just dinner. It follows a traditional Japanese kaiseki flow, so everything comes out in a thoughtful progression—starting light, building into a few more composed and cooked courses, then easing into a simple rice finish and a clean, not-too-sweet dessert.

Nothing is over-explained on the menu, which is kind of the point—you’re trusting the chef and just going along for the ride. The pacing, the presentation, the way each course leads into the next—it all feels very intentional without being fussy. Sitting at the counter watching it happen right in front of you just adds to it. It’s quiet, focused, and really well done.

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At LOCAL, the Plate Tells the Story—But the Building Still Speaks

In a neighborhood known for reinvention, LOCAL has taken a different approach: it has stayed. Not static, but steady rooted in both its food and its setting inside the historic Boyd Hotel, a structure that predates nearly everything around it.

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Hogs for the Cause Launches “Trail of Barbecue”

Hogs for the Cause, the nonprofit supporting families of children with cancer through community and barbecue culture, is expanding nationwide with the launch of the Trail of Barbecue. The initiative partners with restaurants to raise funds through simple efforts like rounding up at checkout, hosting events, or donating proceeds from menu items.

Since 2009, Hogs for the Cause has grown from helping one family to distributing more than $14 million to hospitals and charities, along with over $3 million in direct grants to more than 2,300 families. Its flagship New Orleans festival draws over 30,000 attendees each year and fuels much of that impact.

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Easter Sunset Dining and Seasonal Flavors at CATCH Dallas

As Dallas finally welcomes the long-awaited warmth of spring, Easter at CATCH Dallas offers one of the season’s first truly golden-hour patio evenings. On Sunday, April 5, the restaurant invites guests to celebrate in signature style, where sunset views, sparkling cocktails, and elevated seafood create a festive atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends and family.

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The Best Char-Grilled Oysters in New Orleans + DIY Recipe

Few things embody the essence of New Orleans’ culinary sophistication like the char-grilled oyster. This dish, an elevated iteration of the humble oyster, is not merely food but an experience—one that blends the briny sweetness of fresh Gulf oysters with the deep, smoky allure of an open flame. The ideal char-grilled oyster is an exquisite union of textures: tender and plump within, slightly crispy and golden on the outside, infused with a rich medley of butter, garlic, herbs, and spices. It is an indulgence that lingers on the palate, a perfect marriage of earth, sea, and fire.

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Discover Hotel Vin in Grapevine: Upcoming Events

Discover Hotel Vin Grapevine, where style, wine, and experiences come together in a boutique setting. Located in the heart of Grapevine, Texas, the hotel blends sophisticated design with thoughtfully curated events, creating a destination that feels alive whether you’re staying overnight or just stopping by. From rooftop bars with sweeping city views to family-friendly celebrations and seasonal pop-ups, every corner of Hotel Vin invites guests to slow down, linger, and savor the moment.

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UniMarket Dallas: A Latin American Market

Empanadas

photos by Joey Stewart

You walk into UniMarket and it feels effortless. Coffee is brewing, something warm is coming off the kitchen, and people are chatting like they’ve already claimed their spots. It’s not exactly a restaurant, not quite a market. You order something, settle in, and before you know it, the place starts to make sense—and suddenly, you don’t want to leave.

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Kuby’s Sausage House is a Dallas Institution with German Roots

Located in Snider Plaza, Kuby’s Sausage House is a living echo of the old world, built on the shoulders of precision, tradition, and comfort. Founded by Karl Kuby in 1961, after emigrating from Kassel, Germany, the restaurant and meat market still run under family leadership today. Karl-Heinz Kuby, his son, maintains the ethos with quiet rigor. At Kuby’s, nothing is ornamental. The charm isn’t curated—it’s inherited.

The interior, dressed in warm woods and hushed tones, has resisted the temptation of reinvention. There are hand-painted murals, a deli case with serious gravity, and waitstaff who know your usual order before you sit down. It’s a cross-generational meeting point where German immigrants, Highland Park regulars, and curious first-timers convene for something deeply elemental: food that honors its roots.

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