Category Archives: Cocktails

by Steven Doyle | January 6, 2012 · 1:58 pm

Where to Watch the Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas

by Steven Doyle

The Cotton Bowl Classic is a legendary game in these parts starting in 1937 when the TCU Horned Frogs stomped the Golden Eagle’s of Marquette 16-6. This was the beginning of a sweet Texas tradition. Today the latest chapter in the Classic is being played in the beautiful confines in Arlington at Cowboy’s Stadium. Gone are the cold and windy seats on the concrete.

If you haven’t scored a ticket for the game tonight between the K State Wildcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks we have a few suggestions where you might want to watch the game. Check out our list and suggest a few of your own. Continue reading →

We Crave Social 121

by Katie Minchew

Expecting great things, I arrived to meet some friends at Social 121 with a growl in my stomach. Executive Chef Jason Skinner did not disappoint and I was immediately impressed by the cool, loft-like atmosphere. Social 121 is the kind of place with music that commands you to walk and tap your foot to its upbeat rhythm, yet soothes you with the blue water-themed ambiance. Colorful paintings by Chad Chadwick line the pink brick walls, and a ceiling-high wine cellar poses as a unique centerpiece to the massive dining area. Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Cocktails, Crave, Katie Minchew, Local Produce, Nightlife, Plano, Wine

by Steven Doyle | January 3, 2012 · 1:37 pm

A Peek at Nick and Sam’s Grill New Menu

by Steven Doyle

Nick and Sam’s is one of our very favorite steakhouses in Dallas. In the city of big beef chef Samir Dhurandhar has a magical touch of quality and adherence to old world doting service. This is the land of where modern pharaohs dine.

On a different spectral plane resides Nick and Sam’s Grill, the steakhouse’s cute sister just up the road on Fairmount in its beautiful Uptown digs. This is the affordable concept by Phil Romano and Joseph Palladino. Romano is of course Fuddruckers, Eatzi’s, Macaroni Grill, and a few other popular dining spots.

The Grill is meant for an every day dining experience with all entrees well under $20. The menu was written by corporate executive chef Samir Dhurandhar. This is the same Samir that dotes and proffers caviar by the spoonful at the steakhouse. Continue reading →

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Filed under Bacon, chefs, Cocktails, Crave, Dallas, restaurant news, Steven Doyle, Uptown, Wine

Tagged as baby back ribs, garlic mash potato

by Steven Doyle | December 28, 2011 · 1:48 pm

Four Lounge Celebrates With New Cocktail Menu

by Steven Doyle

We have been keeping a close eye on the work of Keith LaBonte, owner of Four Lounge located at State and Allen in Uptown. The barman has been making crazy good drinks at the tiny lounge and recently announced a new cocktail menu.

We featured LaBonte on craveDFW a few months ago and the man does a superb job, especially at the molecular cocktail thing which can be so fun to watch. Continue reading →

Lunches at Private Social Are Serene

by Steven Doyle

I stopped in to have lunch with a few friends at Private Social, the beautiful restaurant on McKinney in Uptown run by chef-owner Tiffany Derry. She is going three months into her grand opening and exudes excitement, and for good reason. The restaurant is successful and she has met with rave reviews (Dallas Morning News gave it the four star treatment).

I have been to the restaurant many times since the opening, once for a press luncheon, a few dinners on my own, and often make this a stop when out cocktailing for an evening. Bar manager Rocco always has a few concoctions to share, and it is good to pop in for a light bite and a sip or two of whatever he dreams up that night. Now is a fantastic time while he is making his house-made egg nog for the holidays. Continue reading →

2011 Dallas NYE Suggestions

by Crave Staff

Holiday time is here when we think about ribbons and packages, good friends and wine. Well, more about wine than anything else. Best make your plans for New Year’s Eve as soon as possible and we have a few suggestions. The list appears in the order we received the information. When making your plans you might also wish to check out proper transportation or lodging.

We started with dining options and ended with clubs and parties. If we missed your party or dinner, let us know and we will include you on the big list. Continue reading →

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Filed under beer, Bubbles, chefs, Cocktails, Crave, Dallas, Deep Ellum, henderson, Holiday Fun, Holiday Plans, Nightlife, restaurant news, Spirits, Uptown, Wine

by Steven Doyle | December 19, 2011 · 1:33 pm

We Crave Princi Italia

By Steven Doyle

There have been a few new Italian restaurants hit Dallas in the past few months, and they have changed the culinary landscape for the better. One is the very recent Zio Cecio, which is run by restaurant veteran Francesco Farris which we took a look at some weeks back. Then we have the new addition to the Preston Royal intersection in the old Popolos digs with another restaurant veteran Patrick Colombo at the helm with Princi Italia.

The space at Princi has been slivered a bit, and the Colombo 86’d the banquet room which was turned into an AT&T store. The large bar that was in the middle of Popolos was taken out leaving the wood oven in front of the kitchen. A new bar was placed by the front door giving the room a more open feel. Continue reading →

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Filed under Bubbles, chefs, Cocktails, Dallas, Italian, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | December 19, 2011 · 11:03 am

First Look: Oak

by Steven Doyle

All the beautiful pieces are in place. Oak has this pretty fantastic location on Oak Lawn in the Design District across from the Meddlesome Moth and was designed by Royce Ring and Alex Urrunaga of Plan B who did the recent Bolsa Mercado, the Candle Room, Whiskey Cake and Cedars Social. Add in the owners who are these amazing hospitality specialists, Tommy DeAlano and Richard Ellman. Then hire on chef Jason Maddy as your exec chef who was formerly at the Mansion. You would have a huge pot of success just waiting to happen. This is what the restaurant Oak is all about.

We had an opportunity to stop in Oak for a quick preview this past weekend and chatted with DeAlano, who enjoys nothing more than to speak about the new restaurant. Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Cocktails, Dallas, Design District, Nightlife, restaurant news, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle