Monthly Archives: December 2013

by | December 24, 2013 · 9:43 am

How Does Texas Wine Fare In Texas Restaurants? A Study From Dallas

wine4by Andrew Chalk

Texas has nearly 300 wineries – but only on paper. Only about half that number are actually producing. Some wines come with Hill Country poets on the front label, “For Sale In Texas Only” on the back label, and California jug wine inside the bottle. Some wines with “Go Texan” on the front label come all the way from California as well. Some wineries have tiny back labels that look like they were printed on Aunt Mable’s ink jet printer and declare the origin of the grapes in tiny type. The front label says nothing about origin. This apparent violation of Federal labeling law is defended with the statement that the tiny ink jet label on the back is in fact the front label!

Amazingly, there are some Texas wineries that think these kind of tricks and sharp practices are perfectly OK. With this kind of ethos, can a quality restaurant stock and serve Texas wine?   Continue reading →

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by | December 23, 2013 · 12:17 pm

In The Sack Will Deliver This January

988624_689805044367533_582001680_nby Steven Doyle

Look for a new spot to open at 1700 Cedar Springs, in the same building as Stampede 66, in January. In The Sack will deliver fine spirits, wine and beer, along with chef driven meal replacements. In The Sack is owned by Devin Cox, a long time restaurateur, and the chef will be Dean Liesenfelt. Most recently Liesenfelt was the cooking school manager at Central Market, and has worked with Dean Fearing at The Mansion, Stephen Pyles at Baby Routh and with Kent Rathbun at The Melrose Hotel.

In The Sack will deliver within a two mile radius, which covers the downtown area. There is not a website or Facebook link to the restaurant available, but we were promised more information very soon.

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by | December 23, 2013 · 12:00 pm

SPCA Pets of the Week: Bogart and Prissy

Bogartby Jennifer Thomas

Meet Bogart, an adorable 3-year-old Labrador Retriever mix. Bogart was transferred to the SPCA of Texas October 22, and he can’t wait to find his loving forever family. With his ear-to-ear smile and tail that won’t quit, Bogart will always be happy to see you and he promises to cheer you up, even your worst days. Bogart is a big, silly kid at heart with lots of energy to spare; he just loves to run around and chase toys outside. Did you know that you can bring your current, vaccinated pets to the shelter to meet potential pets like Bogart?

This sweet guy is already neutered, micro-chipped, Heartworm tested (he is negative) and has received his age-appropriate vaccinations. So what do you say? Come in and meet this precious boy today! #123250      Continue reading →

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by | December 23, 2013 · 11:27 am

First Look: Amberjax in Trinity Groves

DSC09383by Steven Doyle

Tis the season to open a restaurant in Trinity Groves. If you have not checked out the growing number of restaurants that have recently opened in Trinity Groves, you are missing out on a new treasure in Dallas. The most recent to join that list of openings is Amberjax. Located on the northside of the main building, Amberjax is both a seafood market and restaurant combined into one. Amberjax is owned and operated by Larry Williams and Karen Simmons-Williams. Larry was formerly running the kitchen at Rex’s Seafood Market, and jumped ship to open his own restaurant. Originally he planned to stake claim directly across the street from Rex’s, but that plan was scrubbed and he partnered with Phil Romano and Trinity Groves. 

The restaurant opened this past Saturday to a large reception. The room is long and airy with a genteel southern feel. The interior is bright and inviting, and not overly pretentious much like Larry himself. Amberjax is no doubt occupies the largest space in Trinity Groves so far (sans 3015 the cheffy entertainment venue across the parking lot), and also has the largest and most interesting kitchen which is decked out with every appliance known to chefs.    Continue reading →

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by | December 23, 2013 · 9:08 am

Pat’s Sold To Firebird Restaurant Group *Updated*

cheesefries1by Steven Doyle

On December 10, 2013 I reported that Pat Snuffer, along with his son, Patrick Snuffer and long time partner Steve Cole were being sued to block the opening of their new restaurant Pat’s Burger and Cheddar Fries on Greenville Avenue. This was after Snuffer relinquished his namesake restaurants through bankruptcy court to Firebird Restaurant Group.

On December 9 the court issued a temporary restraining order to block further construction on the Greenville Avenue restaurant and was asked to return to court and a hearing was set for last Thursday, December 19. Friday my inbox was deluged with information that Snuffer sold the new business and building to Firebird.   Continue reading →

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by | December 22, 2013 · 9:59 pm

Downton Abbey Makes a Wine With No Class

by Andrew Chalk

It is ironic that a series whose attraction is it’s exploitation of the ‘cleavages within the English class system’ should produce a wine that is so existentially flat-chested. This the first time that I can remember a film or TV series co-branding with a wine rather than, say, ‘Downton Abbey Happy Meal’ at McDonald’s, or the like. Unfortunately, the monetarily incentivised producers have chosen a simple uninteresting industrial level red wine, the 2012 Downton Abbey ‘Claret’ Bordeaux as their go-to-market proposition. The white equivalent, 2012 Downton Abbey Blanc, Bordeaux is even worse, except that you can chill it to conceal its flaws.

The red smells of green pepper. The positive there is that it does, at least, contain Cabernet Sauvignon, one of Bordeaux’s signature varietals. The coop, or other industrial producer, that made it, just did not let the grapes get ripe. Quelle domage. Failed winemaking 101. In the mouth, the message is linear, one-dimensional, simplicity. Insipid fruit, and a short finish.     Continue reading →

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by | December 19, 2013 · 2:21 pm

Photo of the Week: Truck Yard’s Soup Du Jour

truck yard

Truck Yard wins for doing it right.

 

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by | December 19, 2013 · 1:45 pm

Work Bar and Grill Works For Me

DSC09357by Steven Doyle

BBQ is always a source of consternation. Opinions on the perfect rack of ribs or slice of Texas brisket will always weigh heavy for those that love the smoked meats. There is certainly room for everyone in the BBQ field or we would not see the sad chains that dot the dining landscape. That said, I found a wonderful example of brisket last night in Deep Ellum at Work, which has been in business for the past six months. There I met up with managing partner, Shea Comer and pitmaster Doug Pickering.

For Comer, this is his first restaurant. He previously held posts at various restaurants and taverns, usually behind the bar. Like most in the business, Comer had a hankering for a restaurant of his very own. This is where it gets interesting. Comer met up with his new partners who were just looking to own a bar when he suggested a they do both food and booze. Work was born.    Continue reading →

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