Category Archives: Cocktails

by Steven Doyle | May 24, 2012 · 10:52 am

Meet Central 214’s Lead Bartender Amber West

by Steven Doyle

As we have reported in the past, changes have occurred at Central 214 with the addition of Graham Dodds in the kitchen bringing his own remarkable spin on the farm to table cooking. Along with his wonderful menu (and we take a look at the latest incarnation of this menu early next week) Dodds also recruited a special bartender, Amber West.

West comes from an incredible culinary family. You may recognize her brother Adam West most recently at ZaZa’s Dragonfly in Dallas, and since promoted as the executive chef at Monarch in Houston. Both siblings in the West family appreciate farm fresh ingredients and seek them out with enthusiasm. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Amber West, Bartender, Central 214, Cocktails

by Steven Doyle | May 24, 2012 · 8:42 am

Prepare For Margarita Meltdown Tonight With $5 Ritas

by Steven Doyle

We have been touting this weekend’s Margarita Meltdown (Sunday, May 27th, 3pm) with vigor for a few reasons. Besides the fact we are sponsors of the event, we also happen to enjoy a fantastic margarita.

You can prepare for this event tonight by stopping in one of the many participating bars or restaurants. The list of participants is growing with lightening fast momentum. If you are a bartender in Dallas, Texas and can’t make a decent margarita perhaps it is time to select another industry. Thankfully we have some very special entries in this competition where you are the judge. Continue reading →

Drink Of The Week: Bolsa Makes A Duck Laden Cocktail

by Steven Doyle

Each week the maniacal people behind the bar at Oak Cliff’s Bolsa ask their Facebook buddies to suggest an ingredient for their cocktail challenge they hold on Wednesdays. This is a fun process where they first mention a liquor and the fans get to participate by suggesting fun but sometimes crazy ingredients. The chosen five cocktails are sold through out the evening for a mere $5.

Before I continue with this story, I should reveal that I was a guest bartender during the Lucky Campbell and Jason Kosmas era which was just over a year ago. This was before Kosmas was named beverage director at Marquee, and Lucky gained ownership of his own lounge, Chesterfield. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Bolsa, Cocktail Challenge, Dallas, Kyle Hilla, Oak Cliff

by Steven Doyle | May 10, 2012 · 11:38 am

CampO Meets Cedars Social Dinner

by Steven Doyle

Last night some of the staff from Cedars Social did an all-out takeover of the kitchen at CampO Modern Country Bistro. No, this wasn’t coup d’état attempt, we still spotted the new chef Michael Ehlert at the restaurant. This was instead an open invitation from the owners Miguel Vicéns and John Paul Valverde in attempt to bring the two restaurants together.

“I don’t really view us as competition, instead more like communities with so much to offer,” said Valverde at the beginning of the dinner. Whatever the reasoning, it is a brilliant idea to bring in guest chefs and give them a chance to try some things they may not normally do in their own kitchen. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Campo Modern Country Bistro, Dallas, Kyle McClelland, Michael Ehlert, Oak Cliff, Restaurant, The Cedars Social

by Steven Doyle | May 8, 2012 · 12:54 pm

Chefs For Farmers 2012: Success

by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick

As the day began the warm sun was breaking through the clouds greeting each visitor to Lee Park for the 2012 Chefs for Farmers “Mixin It Up On The BLVD” event held this past Sunday. I stood with Iris McCallister as bartender phenom Eddie “Lucky” Campbell took the stage to toast the growing crowd at 11:30am. The official toast would be much later in the day, but this one was to thank the many, many farmers, chefs and volunteers that made the event possible. Iris grinned and you could see she was visibly excited and pointed up to the sky where a wispy vertical rainbow had appeared. This was going to be a fantastic day. Continue reading →

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Tagged as 2012, Chefs for Farmers, Lee Park

by Steven Doyle | May 5, 2012 · 1:20 pm

Sissy’s Hosts Jockeys & Juleps Party Today

by Steven Doyle

Don your best race-day attire and head to Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar on Saturday, May 5th for the first annual Jockeys & Juleps party.

Celebrate the South’s great race with Sissy’s Mint Julep, Kentucky Punch, Presbyterian Bourbon Press and Alabama Sunset for just $5. The Red Carpet Special and Kentucky Derby will play on the big screens behind the bar and in the Scotch Room. Plus, a special prize will be given to the best Derby outfit in the house.

Doors open early at 4 p.m. and drink specials will run until 7 p.m. Stay for dinner and sample some of the best fried chicken offered in Dallas.

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Tagged as Dallas, Kentucky Derby, Sissy’s Southern Kitchen & Bar

by Steven Doyle | May 5, 2012 · 1:04 pm

Pop-Up Angel’s Envy Mint Julep Competition At The Dram

by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick

The bartenders at The Dram were surprised when they showed up for a last minute staff meeting only to find Trina Nishimura waiting for them with a box of crazy ingredients. You know Trina from Cedars Social where she bartends and makes some pretty fantastic cocktails. Now Trina is the Dallas representative for the smooth and boozy Angel’s Envy, a divine small batch Kentucky whiskey. Angel’s Envy uses the unique process of finishing their bourbon in port wine barrels. Designed by Lincoln Henderson, the former Brown Forman master distiller and creator of Woodford Reserve, Angel’s Envy is the culmination of over 40 years experience in the distilling industry.

As the four bartenders wandered into their office they found unusual ingredients. “We have caper berries, cocoa nibs, and all sorts of sodas and syrups,” said Trina yesterday afternoon. Continue reading →