Monthly Archives: August 2011

by Steven Doyle | August 23, 2011 · 1:07 pm

Yarbrough Recalls Clearview Days

by Jeffrey Yarbrough

Yesterday we posted a story about the Club Clearview reunion that was held this past weekend at Lee Harvey’s, and we received plenty of emails with stories about the event and past recollections. Jeffrey Yarbrough was also kind enough to send his regards and his view of the night. Jeffrey was one of the Clearview owners, and now owns BigInk, a PR firm in Dallas.

This was not your ordinary class reunion. Clearview staff from 1985 – 2007 came out full throttle. Original staffers like Todd Eckardt who started as a door guy and ended up CFO was there. Clay Austin the grandfather of Deep Ellum graffiti who was the creative director closed down the bar with us after painting a black light mural on the back fence and 3 dancers. Jeff Swaney, the founder, came in from Bend OR, other staffers flew from Portland, Las Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York and in Texas as far as El Paso over 250 in all attended. Continue reading →

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Filed under Arts, beer, Crave, Deep Ellum, Jeffrey Yarbrough, Music, Night Clubs

by Steven Doyle | August 23, 2011 · 11:48 am

Wachu Tacobot Willis? Velvet Taco

by Danielle Leahy photos by Jacque Manaugh

Look at these pictures. Just look at them. They say a picture is worth a thousands words but in the case of Velvet Taco only 6 are needed: Best.Gourmet.Tacos.In.Dallas.Period.

Velvet Taco has only been open a few short weeks in Dallas, located in the old Church’s Chicken on Henderson and 75 but is already making major waves in Dallas’ emerging Gourmet Taco scene. With over 20 different tacos on the menu broken down in to 6 categories (chicken, veggie, pork, beef, fish, and egg) and an emphasis on fresh, local produce these tacos are have been hand crafted from the tortilla up. In fact, all of the tortillas at Velvet Taco are hand made in house. Continue reading →

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Filed under Danielle Leahy, Food Porn Alert, henderson, Jacque Manaugh, Local Produce, Mexican Food, Restaurant Opening, therapy

by Steven Doyle | August 23, 2011 · 11:22 am

Baboush for Carnivores

by Steven Lindsey photos by Rod Orta

A couple weeks ago, Vegan Girl got my taste buds a-tingling with her review of Baboush, the new Moroccan & Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in West Village. Everything sounded so fresh and delicious that I had to try it for myself, but also venture into territory that might make Vegan Girl hate me—the meaty side of the menu.

First of all, the tiny space accomplishes exactly what owners Sam and Yaser intended: to create a bit of what they call “Arabian Nights” romance in the heart of Dallas. Face away from the windows and all the shirtless frat boys heading out for their evening run and look toward the bar, and it truly does feel like you’re in a different world. Stunning fabrics adorn the walls, ornate tufted stools surround the center tables, and gorgeous lanterns hang from overhead.

The soundtrack of Moroccan and Eastern Mediterranean tunes is a nice touch, especially when a cover of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” wafts softly from the speakers with an unexpected sitar accompaniment. Very nice indeed. Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Cocktails, Food Porn Alert, McKinney Avenue, Rod Orta, Steven Lindsey, Uptown

by Steven Doyle | August 23, 2011 · 10:46 am

Restaurant Week: Trulucks

by David Donalson

Restaurant Week has a special place in my heart. For many of us, this is our opportunity to experience some of the finer establishments in DFW and support great causes in both the North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope Home. It was through Restaurant Week that I discovered Pappa Bros. Steak House and Chamberlain’s Fish Market Grill, places I had wanted to go to but did not ever get around to going to. This year, my wife and I decided to focus on places we have not been to yet but thought might be worth a visit, hence a quick drive over to Southlake to try out Trulucks.

Walking in, you are immediately greeted with dark wood and white tablecloths. On the left was the wine cellar, a clear glass room with wine stacked high, and on the center and right were the main tables for the restaurant. We were quickly seated along a window overlooking the Southlake Town Center and with a clear view of the other guests, some of whom were more cozy than I would have preferred (seriously, making out between courses is for 16 year olds, not 30 somethings!). We asked for the Restaurant Week menu with wine pairings and away we go. Continue reading →

People’s Choice Award: Best Restaurant

by Steven Doyle

We appreciate everyone’s love and attention this summer, and we feel the awards have gone over very well. We have the plaques ready to pass out and have given away dozens of gift cards from a whole host of restaurants in DFW to the people that make this work, specifically you. There is one more week after this award, and we appreciate you sticking with us through the voting process. Continue reading →

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Filed under Bacon, BBQ, beer, Breakfast, Brunch, Burgers, Ceviche, Cheese, chefs, Chicken Fried Steak, Crave Girl, Food Trucks, Hatch Chiles, Hot Dogs, Peoples Choice, pizza, Steven Doyle, tamales, tapas, Wine

by Steven Doyle | August 22, 2011 · 2:45 pm

Company Cafe to Open Across From Katy Trail Ice House

by Steven Doyle

We spoke to Stephen White today, owner of Company Café, the relatively new restaurant on lower Greenville Avenue that brings to its clientele fresh, gluten free food with an organic twist, and he confirmed what we had heard about his new location which has broken ground across from the Katy Trail Ice House at 3136 Routh Street in Uptown Dallas. Continue reading →

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Filed under beer, Cocktails, restaurant news, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | August 22, 2011 · 1:35 pm

Chef Under Fire Results

by Steven Doyle

The Milestone was hopping once again last night as a large group gathered to witness an Iron Chef-type challenge at the 2011 Chefs Under Fire Competition was underway. Gene and Julie Gates of the KVIL Gene & Julie Show hosted the night along with special guests Chef John Tesar and Sommelier Scott Barber of The Commissary who were on hand for a cooking and wine pairing demonstration.

Chef Kevin Martinez of Tokyo Cafe was named the DFW Regional Winner, and was closely followed by Chef Juan Rodriguez of Reata Restaurant as runner-up. Chef Martinez’s winning dish was a Seared Tilefish with Fresh Peach & Tomato Salsa on a Corn & Okra-Yuzu Succotash Topped with Crispy Shallots, using secret ingredient Golden Tilefish, provided by Seafood Supply Company, and all three secret ingredient produce items: Okra, Sweet Corn, & Peach. Continue reading →

Club Clearview Reunites for a Night

by Steven Doyle

What started as renegade parties in Deep Ellum warehouses with cohorts in crime Jeff Swaney, Steve Clohessy, Jeffrey Yarbrough and Mark Cuban who would set up under the lights fueled by generators and selling beer for the price of admission, soon became a legitimate enterprise that led to the opening of Club Clearview in an abandoned curtain warehouse.

The multi-venue club quickly became the heart of Deep Ellum’s music scene in the 80’s and 90’s, hosting national acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ministry, as well as birthing locals such as Vanilla Ice and the Dixie Chicks.

The musical Mecca comprised of Club Clearview, Art Bar, Blind Lemon, The Red Room, and Open the Roof Deck. There revelers could enjoy their own form of party, traveling between the venues with their sole connective tissue, a room filled of nearly nude neon clad dancers in cages. Continue reading →

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Filed under Arts, beer, Cocktails, Deep Ellum, Night Clubs, Nightlife, nipple clamps, Party!, Steven Doyle