Author Archives: Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | December 11, 2012 · 9:24 am

Meso Maya Will Have You Saying, “Masa Por Favor”

DSCF0304 by Melissa Robert

Mexican food can mean something different to everyone here in North Texas. Don’t worry, I’m far too fearful of the comments that would ensue if I spent anytime discussing the differences between “Mexican food” and Tex-Mex, so we’ll save that for another day. It seems that we all have a different way to judge the quality of Mexican food. I’d like to say I am able to tell pretty quickly how I’ll get along with a new spot by their salsa, while others claim it’s the house margarita or even the enchiladas that set the tone. If you score a table at Meso Maya in the near future get ready to taste Mexican food differently, the Southern Mexican cuisine is a welcomed addition to the McKinney Avenue landscape. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Melissa Robert, Mexican Food, Restaurant Opening

Tagged as Chef, Dallas, La Ventana, McKinney Avenue, Meso Maya, Mexican Food, Nico Sanchez

by Steven Doyle | December 10, 2012 · 5:09 pm

Win This: New Year’s Eve Bash At InterContinental Hotel

emerald

Today the InterContinental Dallas announced that it is teaming up with Emerald City to “Rock the ‘13” by hosting the biggest New Year’s Eve bash in town. With a variety of packages for customizing the perfect evening, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a sit-down dinner or a high-energy party to drink Champagne, dance and toast to the New Year. Continue reading →

24 Comments

Filed under New Years Eve

Tagged as Addison, Dallas, Emerald City Band, InterContinental Hotel, New Year's Eve, Party

by Steven Doyle | December 10, 2012 · 4:35 pm

Dallas And Fort Worth Locations Open For Dude, Sweet Chocolate

by Steven Doyle

Dude, Sweet Chocolate owner Katherine Clapner wants you to have a sweet holiday season and has opened two new shops to assist you with your gifts and to satisfy your primal need for chocolate. The smallest version is at 8304 Preston Center Plaza in Dallas sandwiched between Taco Diner and R+D Kitchen, the other is in Fort Worth at 2925 Crockett. Both of these shops geographically enhance Dude, Sweet’s proliferation of Clapner’s special design on chocolate. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Chocolate

Tagged as Bishop Arts District, Chocolate, Dallas, Dude Sweet Chocolate, Fort Worth, Katherine Clapner, Preston Center

by Steven Doyle | December 10, 2012 · 2:51 pm

Q&A With Bowl and Barrel’s Owner Kyle Noonan

by Steven Doyle

Bowl and Barrel opened wide this past week and has already enjoyed a bit of success. The new restaurant implements a small bowling alley to combine the owners love for food and recreation. This fantastic concept is tucked away in a massive space to the rear of The Shops at Park Lane in North Dallas. Conceived and operated by Josh Sepkowitz and Kyle Noonan, both SMU grads, they decided to leave their steady 9 to 5’s to venture into the world of restaurant management.

The team has already experienced some success with many corporate holiday parties booked, the future for Bowl and Barrel seems bright. The pair have also taken duties at the newly re-opened Sunset Lounge on ross Avenue in Dallas as operating managers. Look for a few new concepts that they have rolling around in their heads, but for now enjoy the 15 world class lanes and the restaurant chef-imagined by Sharon Hage.

For more a more in-depth look at Bowl and Barrel jump further for this week’s Q&A where we sat with Kyle Noonan over a few pretty special hot dogs and cold beer. Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under fun with food, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle

Tagged as Bowl and Barrel, Bowling, Dallas, Josh Sepkowitz, Kyle Noonan, Restaurant, Sharon Hage, Shops and Park Lane

by Steven Doyle | December 10, 2012 · 12:37 pm

Max’s Wine Dive Brunch For A Quick Hangover Cure

by Steven Doyle

A visit to Max’s Wine Dive will often net you a chance to embrace the inner oenophile, but they also have their bad boy side which serves up some interesting, if not bawdy, menu items. There is certainly that late night rendezvous with fried chicken and Dom Perignon by the glass that gives Max’s a bit of the bad boy impression. But this makes perfect sense; bubbles are meant to make you smile.

Max’s has no pretention of staying classy as evidenced by their over-the-top brunch menu, and we set out to tackle a few of the more interesting items. Continue reading →

74 Comments

Filed under Brunch, Crave, Steven Doyle, Uptown, West Village

Tagged as Brunch, Dallas, MAX's Wine Dive, McKinney Avenue, Trolley, Uptown

by Steven Doyle | December 7, 2012 · 11:04 am

Dosas And Toys This Weekend In Deep Ellum

by Steven Doyle

Last night the Dosa food truck made its debut at the Sprouts on Henderson. I tried the Paper Masala that was filled with potato, and it was the best thing I put in my mouth in a very long time. The very large portioned crepe is crispy and wafer thin, much thinner than the other dosas found on the menu.

The plate comes with a cup of dal soup, or sambar, and also two chutneys. One of the chutneys is a bit spicy, the other is cooler with a hint of coconut. This dosa and its sides are 100% vegan and 100% tasty. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Food Truck, Toys for Tots

Tagged as Dallas, Deep Ellum, Dosa, Food Truck, Texas, Toys for Tots

by Steven Doyle | December 7, 2012 · 10:18 am

Elbow Room To Re-Open Mid January

by Steven Doyle

Back in September I reported that the Elbow Room had shuttered. Today I am told that the Elbow Room will re-open with new owners and most likely look and feel exactly the same. Many of the same bartenders and waitresses will join the team. In the past weeks I have run into a few of the alumni working at various bars across Dallas and they loved and miss the venue. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Bar Opening, beer

Tagged as Bar, Bartender, Dallas, Elbow Room

by Steven Doyle | December 6, 2012 · 3:44 pm

Gin Mill Celebrates the Repeal of Prohibition with a Winter Beer Dinner

gin mill by Melissa Robert

With over 100 chairs filled with anxious patrons, The Gin Mill threw quite a dinner to help locals revel in their food and beer loving ways. The true guests of honor would have to be Franconia and Stone; breweries that is. I was lucky enough to be directed to one of the last parking spots by none other than owner, Peter Kenny. When we got a chance to chat inside, he was excited to be commemorating the one year mark for The Gin Mill, located on Henderson Avenue. Kenny, who also owns Capitol Pub and The Dubliner, has added reason to celebrate given the successful run of 5 and 18 years respectively. Continue reading →