Monthly Archives: June 2011

by Steven Doyle | June 24, 2011 · 1:30 pm

One Beer Island: Summer

by Jeff Fryman

The crazy, fake bunch of hoodlums that held me captive for a week, forcing me to slam Oskar Blues GUBNA like I was in Cancun for Spring Break are back and they want me to pick a beer for the hot Texas summer.

Being born and reared in Texas, trust me when I tell you, it can get pretty hot. Sometimes, I feel like I am literally cooking in my own sweat; I am the primary ingredient in a veritable Jeff au jus. They don’t call it the panhandle simply because it looks kind of like a pan-handle. Ok, maybe they do, but you get my point: it’s freaking hot. And how do you beat the heat? With a beer that loves hot weather just as much as us, Texans (I am saying that last part with a good ol’ Texas draw).

If stranded on an island for a week with only one beer to drink, this week I would pick: Brasserie Dupont’s Saison Dupont Vieille Provision. Continue reading →

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Filed under beer, Cicerone, Crave, Jeff Fryman, Party!, Uptown

by Steven Doyle | June 24, 2011 · 12:17 pm

“Lucky” Campbell New Bar Director of Bailey’s

By Steven Doyle

As most know by now one of craveDFW’s friends “Lucky” Campbell has resigned at Bolsa and Saturday night will be his final stand behind that bar that has elevated him to star status in Dallas-Fort Worth. We also have known for quite some time that Campbell will be joining forces with Cedars Social co-owner and bar wizard Michael Martensen to create a new speakeasy style bar in the coming months located at 1404 Main Street in downtown Dallas. The location for the new bar has legend surrounding the fact it might have been owned by Oswald assassin Jack Ruby.

Today we can reveal that Eddie “Lucky” Campbell has been hired as Bar Program Director for Edward C. Bailey Enterprises, owners of Bailey’s Prime Plus and Patrizio‘s. Martensen has also been retained as creative consultant. Continue reading →

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Filed under Cocktails, Crave, Nightlife, Party!, Prohibition, restaurant news, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | June 24, 2011 · 11:32 am

Ian Tate Named New Chef at Nova

by Steven Doyle

Several months ago craveDFW revealed that Kelly Hightower was leaving Nova in Oak Cliff and that was partially true. Hightower still has a stake in the Kessler X+ restaurant. Also, today we spoke to the newly appointed executive chef, Ian Tate formerly of Brownstone in Fort Worth and Kent Rathbun’s Blue Plate in North Dallas.

Tate stated that he was planning on getting to know the area residents and clientele a bit before making any changes to the menu, but offered that it works pretty well as it stands. He showed admiration for Hightower’s menu and said the pizzas worked especially well. Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Food, Local Produce, Oak Cliff, restaurant news, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | June 24, 2011 · 9:49 am

craveDFW Event This Weekend at Milestone!

by Crave Staff

Steven Doyle and Melissa Brenner, of craveDFW are hosting an all vegan charity event to raise funds and awareness for Hope for the Silent Voices. This event will take place Sunday, June 26, 2011 at Milestone Culinary Arts Center, 4531 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75205. VIP reception begins at 6:30 and the general events runs from 7:30-10:00. Tickets are $30 or $45 for VIP and available at the door. Continue reading →

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Filed under beer, Bryan Coonrod, chefs, Cocktails, Crave, Events, Local Produce, Melissa Brenner, Music, Party!, Spirits, Steven Doyle, Vegan Girl, Wine

by Steven Doyle | June 24, 2011 · 8:34 am

The School Food Bicycle Tour

Story by Sara Salo

Is it possible for one girl and her bicycle to positively impact America’s school cafeterias?

I intend to find out. My name is Sara Salo, creator of The School Food Tour, a self-supported bicycle tour across America dedicated to raising public awareness about the need for more wholesome school meals. Over the duration of this 6,000-mile adventure I will engage a diverse group of communities and students in conversations about healthy eating and encourage advocacy for change. Continue reading →

Nightlife News Quickies

by Bryan Coonrod

Interesting week in the DFW nightlife scene as popular uptown spot Aura has been sold to a new group, owner Avi Adri has posted on Facebook to be sure and keep your eyes open for his next venture an invites everyone out next weekend for the ” Last Dance” at Aura. Continue reading →

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Filed under Bryan Coonrod, Crave, Crave Girl, Downtown, Music, Night Clubs, Nightlife, Spirits, Uptown, Wine

by Steven Doyle | June 23, 2011 · 1:02 pm

Harp On At Kessler

by Crave Staff

West Texas is best known for oil and cowboys, not harps. Imagine if West Texas was like 12th Century England, where a minstrel would travel the countryside playing the harp for local kings. Well, in the most unlikely places in the world; Odessa, Texas, the story of the harp continues with some of the best up and coming harpist or “minstrelsʼ around. The Odessa High School Harp Ensemble is one of the biggest public school harp programs in the nation. Continue reading →

Abacus Hosts Niman Ranch

by Steven Doyle

photos by

José Ralat Maldonado

Last evening I was the invited guest to attend the Niman Ranch dinner at Kent Rathbun’s Abacus. You may have seen some of Niman’s proteins listed on better menus everywhere, but you will rarely, if ever find them at any supermarket.

There is a good reason why the meats are so scare. The quality is excuisite and very much high in demand.

Niman Ranch works with the largest network of sustainable U.S. family farmers and ranchers – 676 and growing. Many of these ranchers are Amish. All their animals are raised outdoors or in deeply bedded pens. Raising protocols were developed with the help of animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin, and are the strictest in the industry.

Niman Ranch offers a complete line of fresh beef, pork, lamb, poultry, cage-free eggs and a variety of smoked and cured meats. Niman Ranch is leading the industry in sustainable and humane agricultural practices.

With all that love being told by Niman rep and rancher Paul Willie we were treated to a fantastic version of many of their products by none other than Kent Rathbun himself. Continue reading →