Monthly Archives: February 2014

by Steven Doyle | February 28, 2014 · 1:03 pm

Scotch & Malt Whisky Tasting & Festival 2014 Highlights

nikka_yoichi_15yo_small_box by James Davidson

This year at the Scotch & Malt Whisky Tasting & Festival, I focused on sampling the special additions and the single malts I haven’t run across in the wild. Below are some of my reactions to the Scotches and single malts available.

One of the first single malts on my goal list was the Nikka Yoichi 15 year. Japanese whiskies are known for subtle flavors with slight complexities. Sadly, the peat flavor overpowers the fruit notes to early in the drink to really say it’s balanced. It wasn’t awful, but there are many other 15 year old whiskies that are better.

While we are talking about 15 year old whiskies, let’s mull over the Linkwood 15 year I sampled. The bottle wasn’t impressive to look at but the golden spirit wasn’t to bad. Sweetness gave way to a smokey flavors that were not peaty. As far as finishes goes, this one was long. Smokey notes sat on the back of my tongue well after swallowing. Depending on your inclination, this may be a good thing. Overall, the Linkwood 15 year is a good whisky. Continue reading →

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Tagged as 2014, Dallas, Scotch and Malt Whisky Tasting and Festival

by Steven Doyle | February 28, 2014 · 11:19 am

TGI Fridays Crowns Their World’s Best Bartender

by Steven Doyle

TGI Fridays has crowned Andy Hool of Canton, Mich. the World’s Greatest Bartender at the 23rd annual World Bartender Championship last night at the House of Blues in Dallas. Andy’s mixology, precision and speed, coupled with his personality behind the bar, wowed a panel of industry expert judges and helped him secure the coveted title of World’s Greatest Bartender.

To make it to the final showdown, 12 finalists had to prove they were the best of the best on the local, regional and divisional level by ousting over 8,000 bartenders from over 900 TGI Fridays restaurants in more than 60 countries around the world. In the final competition, each bartender exhibited product, ingredient and recipe expertise through a series of rigorous tests followed by a freestyle performance, where a panel of judges assessed each finalist’s ability to make innovative drinks while displaying both an engaging style of service and flawless mixology techniques. Think Tom Cruise in Cocktail. Continue reading →

Bourbon County and Atrial Rubicite

Atrial Rubicite Label by Brian Wall

I recently had a birthday and with that special day came an opportunity to sample a couple of very serious beers from the cellar. As these are very limited and difficult to locate sometimes, it seemed like the perfect time to drag them out for a tasting. While cellaring has long been reserved for wine enthusiasts, beer lovers have come into their own by doing the same. The biggest concern for cellaring a beer is if it will survive the time.

The best rule of thumb is to cellar in a cool, dark area and plan on only cellaring a beer with an ABV over 10%. Anything less may lose flavor and runs the risk of being a little more “boozy” than you’d prefer. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Atrial Rubicite, beer, Bourbon County

by Steven Doyle | February 27, 2014 · 9:28 am

Pancakes and Booze Art Show April 25

by Steven Doyle

What happens when you mix art, booze and pancakes together? The famous art road show Pancakes and Booze of course. This LA art show has taken to the road and visited many cities and tonight Dallas has its turn. Continue reading →

AF+B Hits Its Stride In Fort Worth

by Andrew Chalk

A really stupid TV show asks three people, qualified only by their ignorance, to visit the same restaurant and score it out of five. On last weekend’s edition, two diners took marks off one of the nominated restaurants because “they had run out of one of the dishes”. Duh! I can prevent that ever happening again. I will serve plastic food straight from the walk in. “Freezer To Table” as quick as a microwave oven can warm it. What a concept.

Those dumbbells are going to hate AF+B, the newly opened Consilient Hospitality restaurant in Fort Worth’s flourishing West 7th district. They source much of their food from local farmers and ranchers who, as a footnote to the menu intones, “produce in small quantities. As a result, certain items may not be available from time to time”. As careful planning, not luck, would have it, there are a bounty of other interesting choices on the menu. Continue reading →

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Tagged as AF+B, Chef, Fort Worth, Jeff Harris, Restarant, Things to do in Fort Worth

by Steven Doyle | February 26, 2014 · 3:00 pm

Angry Dog Answers Claim Of Abusive Service To Homeless Man In Deep Ellum

homeless by Steven Doyle

This past Monday Luis Padilla and his wife Brittny decided to dine at Angry Dog in Deep Ellum. Luis is enrolled as a first year student at Baylor College of Dentistry and the couple live very near the Deep Ellum burger restaurant located on Commerce. As the couple walked to the front door they were approached by a chronically homeless man named Clint who make makes his home near the Deep Ellum restaurant. He panhandles a bit and seemingly sticks to himself. This day he asked the Padilla’s to feed him. Struck with compassion, the couple invite Clint into the restaurant to join them for a warm meal. Luis had heard about the award winning burgers at Angry Dog and was excited to sample them for himself. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Angry Dog, Austin Street Center, Deep Ellum, Homeless, Random Acts of Kindness DFW, SoupMobile, Stewpot, Tango Tab

by Steven Doyle | February 26, 2014 · 10:27 am

Celebrate Fat Tuesday With King Cake Vodka

Image: by Steven Doyle

Has vodka finally jumped the shark? Maybe not if you are a fan of the Mardi Gras dessert, the King Cake. You remember the garishly bright cake with its neon striations and a tiny plastic baby tucked away for good measure. Now Pinnacle Vodka is offering a seasonal flavor, the King Cake Vodka.

The special sweet hooch is only available in three states, Louisiana, Texas and Missouri. The special holiday blend from Pinnacle has hints of cinnamon cake, creamy vanilla frosting, and sugar flavors. Sounds terrific, right?

If the saints get you motivated to march into your home bar to create a Fat Tuesday cocktail we have a few recipes below. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Dallas, Fat Tuesday, King Cake Vodka, Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Recipe

by Steven Doyle | February 26, 2014 · 9:09 am

Rabbit Hole Launches 10/6 An English IPA This Friday

rabbit by Steven Doyle

Rabbit Hole Brewing Company based out of Justin, Texas announced they will soon launch a new beer, an English IPA. It’s full of hops, but the hops are English. What’s the difference? Well, instead of the super piney, citrusy, bitter hops of the West Coast, you experience the earthier English hops that will carry a hint of black currant and the bready malt background. And you’ll be able to drink several of them without blowing your palate away. Continue reading →