Author Archives: Steven Doyle

by | January 28, 2013 · 3:14 pm

ZestFest Blazes New Trails In Fiery Eating Madness

zestfest1by Jeanine Stevens

Each year I typically spend months working up to a few million Scoville units’ worth of packing heat.  Then the big survival test comes at ZestFest, the largest gathering of spicy foods and spicy foods aficionados of the year.  Aisle after aisle of hotness purveyors offered samples at the 10th annual expo, held this past weekend at the expansive Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas.  The choices were enough to satisfy any and all burning food desires.  Jolokia pepper salsas: check.  Habanero ketchups: check.  Atomic wing sauces: check.    Continue reading →

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by | January 28, 2013 · 2:26 pm

Observer’s Artopia Brought Fashion, Art And Music To Dallas Contemporary Museum

DSC05277by Erica Guajardo

As a past intern and a volunteer at the Dallas Contemporary Museum, it is always interesting to see what the current exhibitions will be used as a way to enhance events!  On Saturday, January 26, Artopia presented by Dallas Observer brought together some of the best culture, fashion, art, music, and food venues that Dallas has to offer.  One reason that the Dallas Contemporary Museum is a great place to host this event this year is because it recently just opened their new exhibition Dzine + Los Americanos.    Continue reading →

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by | January 28, 2013 · 1:54 pm

Grace Owners To Open Little Red Wasp

blaine-stanifordby Steven Doyle

Adam and Caroline Grace Jones will be adding a new restaurant to their repertoire. We just heard that the owners of the beautiful downtown Fort Worth restaurant designed by Caroline will be opening a new concept called Little Red Wasp.

No news on a location or what the restaurant will feature, but we did hear that Grace executive chef Blaine Staniford will be behind the menu which officially makes him a corporate chef.  More news as we hear.

 

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by | January 28, 2013 · 1:34 pm

Harloff Hired As ExecuChef At Ocho *Updated*

06_08_Harloff_Joelby Steven Doyle

It was just a few weeks ago that craveDFW announced that Joel Harloff was taking leave of Second Floor in the Dallas Westin Galleria. The press release delivered was a bit mysterious on the chef’s departure, but today I learned that Harloff has accepted the executive chef position at Ocho Kitchen and Cocktails.     Continue reading →

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by | January 28, 2013 · 1:02 pm

Tesar: Clean And Balanced

AZDSC00943by Melissa Robert    photos by Joey Stewart

Even on a Tuesday night, Spoon Bar and Kitchen is packed with patrons enjoying one of the most anticipated restaurants to open in Dallas last year. The sustainable seafood eatery in Preston Center has the perfect location to compliment the intimate dining experience you’ll feel once you are seated. The lights are dim, the pale aqua tones of the interior are calming and the bar is surprisingly large for the space. Ipads are distributed to assist diners in navigating the wine list but the staff is great at providing suggestions to anyone that is on the fence.

The dining room seats about 60 and I’m quite sure I had the best seat in the house, the bar top facing the kitchen. The Spoon kitchen operates seamlessly. John Tesar, Executive Chef, is nothing short of a conductor leading his orchestra to a symphony of plated perfection. The menu reminds me of being in a candy store as a child; there are enticing items I’ve never had before and I want to try everything.          Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Crave, Joey Stewart, Melissa Robert, Seafood

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by | January 25, 2013 · 3:42 pm

3rd Annual Artopia Jan 26 At The Dallas Contemporary

artopiaby Steven Doyle

Dallas Observer is excited to host the 3rd Annual Artopia on Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 8PM-11PM at Dallas Contemporary (161 Glass St). Artopia is a celebration of Dallas Culture & Art that incorporates food, drink, art, music and fashion into one evening. This one-night fete celebrates the exciting, vibrant Cultural scene in Dallas.  Continue reading →

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by | January 25, 2013 · 1:11 pm

Sunset Lounge In Full On Tiki Swing

DSC05217by Steven Doyle

The Sunset Lounge is now humming along at peak performance. We stopped in for a few cocktails during the grand opening Wednesday evening where everything was $3 making for a rather light bar tab even with a few food items thrown in for good measure. Sad you missed that deal? Fret not my fellow bar hound, everything is $3 during happy hour each day, so enjoy that if you will.

The cocktails are magnificent. Many are throw backs to your father’s generation where they sipped large and in charge cocktails that were stuffed with giant rasps of fruit and cute umbrellas. I love a good retro drink, and the zombie is well worth the order. Cautionary tale: you are only allowed two of these babies and they are deceivingly delicious and full of 151 proof rum.      Continue reading →

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Filed under Bar Food, Bar Opening, Bartenders, Steven Doyle

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by | January 25, 2013 · 12:29 pm

Standard Pour Is Not Just For Incredible Cocktails

DSC04852by Steven Doyle

Standard Pour has fast become one of the best cocktail bars in the city of Dallas. Under the guidance of barman and general manager  Brian McCullough the McKinney Avenue hotspot attracts locals and industry people nightly. They are looking for well-crafted cocktails without the fuss that can be displayed at other bars. The steady hand of the bar staff is quite evident as they concoct every drink imaginable in split seconds, enabling the staff to move through lines of thirsty guests in a matter of minutes.

Pretty much everyone who reports on cocktails in Dallas agrees that Standard Pour is the standard pour, but there is more awaiting past that bright patina of libations. That is where the able bodied Chef  Peja Krstic steps up to the mound offering his version of genius bar fare.  Continue reading →

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