Monthly Archives: January 2013

by | January 18, 2013 · 2:12 pm

The Hunt For A Bowl Of Red: Jack’s Southern Comfort Food

DSC05088by Steven Doyle

There was a time when Dallas was ripe with bowls of chili. I’m not talking the bean-ridden nonsense infiltrated by our neighbors to the north. I refer to the perfect bowl of red that has somehow escaped our dining landscape.

Back in the 1880’s the San Antonio chili queens dominated the Plaza, hawking their home-made chili that was often made with just meat, tomatoes and chiles, served with a side of beans and tortillas. The queens would offer chili to the soldiers and just about anyone that happened by as they kept the pots waed over a mesquite fire. In 1937 with a concern for public health, the chili queens were banned from the Plaza, and some of them took to brick and mortar restaurants. Consider these dames the early pioneers of the modern day food truck.    Continue reading →

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by | January 18, 2013 · 1:37 pm

FM Smoke House Opening Soon

ribsby Jennifer Thomas

The owners of the very popular gastropub Holy Grail in Plano are opening their first barbeque restaurant in Iriving and plan to call the restaurant FM Smoke House. The restaurant will be located at 660 Walnut Ridge Road; at the former Bennigan’s location on Highway114 and MacArthur Blvd.

FM Smoke House is a full service restaurant serving rural Texas comfort food. The menu is inspired by local eateries located along Texas’ rural farm-to-market highways that crisscross the state and lead to major cities. FM Smoke House will feature many smoked dishes such as bacon-injected brisket, beer can chicken, beef short ribs, beef tenderloin and house made hot dogs. Continue reading →

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by | January 18, 2013 · 11:43 am

Review: Nazca Kitchen Sings With A Full Symphony Of Flavor

DSC05057by Steven Doyle

When we broke the story that Nazca Kitchen was moving into the shopping center on Walnut Hill just behind Red, Hot and Blues (and coincidently owned by the same folks) we had no idea what to expect. South American cuisine can mean so much, especially with its European influences. This allows for a broad and interesting menu. The beautiful interior was designed by  Hatsumi Kuzuu who also designed FT33.

The menu strikes bold flavors using interesting chiles as well as colorful grains and sauces. The restaurant is open all day, starting with a delightful breakfast menu that is all about healthy, just as you might enjoy in Brazil. Enjoy the Acai Bowl which is laden with the super fruit, bananas, granola and drizzled with passion fruit.    Continue reading →

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by | January 18, 2013 · 10:08 am

Chef Lorenzo Polegri To Recreate James Beard House Dinner In Dallas

cheflorenzoby Steven Doyle

On January 26, 2013 chef Lorenzo Polegri has been invited to prepare a thoughtful and interesting Umbrian feast at the James Beard House, then one week later will recreate that very same menu here in Dallas. Chef Polegri is an Italian instructor for the Culinary Institute of America, the Culinary Art Institute in Dallas and Johns & Wales University. In addition to other career highlights, he has been a guest chef at The White House and is the most celebrated European Chef at the James Beard House.   Continue reading →

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by | January 17, 2013 · 12:11 pm

Brunching At Blue Plate

rathbunby Steven Doyle

Kent Rathbun never does anything half way, it is truly one of those ‘go big or go home’ moments when dining at any of the chef’s restaurants. This certainly holds true to Rathbun’s Blue Plate located in Dallas restaurant epicenter Preston Center located near Northwest Highway on Preston.

Just over a year ago Rathbun promoted Jennifer Newbold to command the kitchen at Blue Plate and she has been knocking out home runs each night. Each night during the week Newbold is plating up special dishes that has the neighborhood in a frenzy. Monday night’s enjoy BBQ which is actually a Rathbun family favorite that dates back to his childhood. The BBQ at Rathbun’s some of the city’s finest.       Continue reading →

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by | January 17, 2013 · 11:13 am

Tre Cooking Concepts And Life After Marquee

Tre02by Steven Doyle

The food lords of Dallas were taken aback recently when Tre Wilcox resigned his post two years after he opened the kitchen at Marquee in Highland Park Village. Wlicox comes to us with an amazing pedigree named as the James Beard Foundation’s “Rising Star Chef” for two consecutive years, and appearing on Top Chef Season 3 and the All Star Season 8. On any given night Wilcox could be found working the line in his own kitchen at Marquee rather than playing up his celebrity status.

Wilcox claimed he wanted to spend more time with his family and offer cooking classes in his home, and the man has been doing just that.  Continue reading →

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by | January 16, 2013 · 3:05 pm

Mextopia On Greenville Ave Closed

ricardo by Steven Doyle

Ricardo Avila is calling it quits at his wonderful restaurant on lowest Greenville Avenue. The man has endured plenty from the city with construction and other nuisances abound. Businesses around him folded all Summer long while Ricardo kept the home fires burning. Continue reading →

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by | January 16, 2013 · 1:39 pm

Big Texas Beer Fest April 6 – Win A Pair Of Tickets!

beerby Steven Doyle

Chad and Nellie Montgomery are very well known in North Texas as a few of the foremost authorities on beer. The couple are also behind the Big Texas Beer Fest that they will be hosting the April 6, 2013. Last year was the first run for the event and it was an incredible success, selling out in record time, leaving many thirsty beer nerds at the gate wanting a few sips of the finest beers found in Texas and across the country.

There have been major improvements this year and the Montgomery’s have been actively working the 2013 event the day after the 2012 version ended.  Food trucks were used last year to feed the hungry masses and they have been increased from 3 to 10 confirmed trucks. There has also been a major increase of Texas brewers represented. This makes sense as the number of breweries has skyrocketed in 2012. This brings the total of unique beers from 350 to 400 plus with over 100 breweries in total. Continue reading →

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