Category Archives: First Look

by Steven Doyle | March 14, 2012 · 1:47 pm

First Look: Sapporo Ramen and Sushi

by Steven Doyle

Just over one month ago Sapporo Ramen and Sushi open in the Chinatown Center in Richardson. This same shopping center is host to many Asian restaurants, from Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese. There is even an Asian Grocery on board.

The Sapporo sushi chef is none other than super-star chef Sean Kang who also runs his culinary kitchen studio at Oak Lawn and Inwood. There he caters high end fetes and most recently a Kardashian. Don’t let that deter you from his amazing cuisine. Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Crave, First Look, Restaurant Opening, Richardson, Steven Doyle, Sushi

by Steven Doyle | March 12, 2012 · 12:09 pm

First Look: Alligator Cafe

by Steven Doyle

We visited the newly opened Alligator Café located in the Casa Linda shopping center this weekend to check out the new digs and to tear into a few po boys and etouffee. It would seem that most of East Dallas had the same idea. There was an hour wait at 7pm, but the crowd waited patiently knowing they would soon be rewarding with steaming bowls of Cajun and Creole goodness. Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, Crave, East Dallas, First Look, New Orleans, restaurant news, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | March 9, 2012 · 9:49 am

First Look: Mad Tavern

by Steven Doyle

Mad Tavern opened a few short weeks ago in the former Sam’s Burger House location at 18101 Preston Road, the same shopping center where Cadot and Chaat Café are located. The new gastro-pub is operated by Sanjeeva Balachandra and Chance Harper formerly of Sherlock’s.

The pub has hit and miss items on the menu such as Gougers which are fried Gruyere cheese puffs (miss) and fish and chips made with Murphy’s Stout (hit). The menu also sports a shepherd’s pie and scotch eggs which were admirable. Mad Tavern makes much of their fare in house including a quite tasty corned beef for their Reuben. The fries are hand cut and are some of the best around. Continue reading →

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Filed under beer, Brunch, Burgers, Cocktails, Crave, Dallas, First Look, North Dallas, restaurant news, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | March 8, 2012 · 10:18 am

Lighter Fare For Marquee Grill Lunch Menu In Dallas

by Steven Doyle

You can always tell the change of seasons, not by the weather conditions, but instead by the many menu updates at the better restaurants. Chefs will adjust their menus to reflect the availability of ingredients and this is always a time to celebrate. Like the season itself, chef Tre Wilcox sprung into action to breath new life into the luncheon menu at his restaurant, Marquee Grill.

Now absent are some of the fried victuals that could be found on Wilcox’ menu just a short few weeks ago. You will spot lighter fare, with sauté’s and seafood being the focus. Continue reading →

First Look: Chop House Burger

by Steven Doyle

I would recognize that bun anywhere. The soft but toasty brioche smacks of the flavorful Empire Bakery as any decent chef-driven burger should. I did a late night drop in to take a bite out of the new Chop House Burger which just opened but a few days ago. I was downtown most of yesterday afternoon, but a drive-by made me skittish with the hoards of people pouring out of the new burger joint. Continue reading →

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Filed under Bacon, Beef, beer, Burgers, Cheese, chefs, Dallas, Downtown, First Look, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | February 23, 2012 · 3:46 pm

First Look: Sissy’s Southern Kitchen and Bar

by Steven Doyle

We were invited to a media luncheon to get a first look at the soon-to-be-open Sissy’s Southern Kitchen and bar located at 2929 Henderson. This is the Lisa Garza concept that she has been working on with exec chef Jeffrey Hobbes. You might recall both of the chefs from Suze restaurant that is still being operated by Gilbert Garza off northwest Highway and Midway.

Lisa Garza grew up in Memphis and spent summers on grandparents Iowa farm and recalls gardening and canning at an early age. In 2008 Garza was featured on The Next Food Network Star program and since opened her own catering and design company. Continue reading →

First Look: Off-Site Kitchen

by Steven Doyle

Nick Badovinus has a terrific sense of humor, and it’s on display now at his newly opened Off-Site Kitchen located at Irving Blvd and Wycliff. The restaurant looks as if it has been in operation for years and his menu is dotted with plays on our childhood that will beckon a return visit.

You will understand when you hear about some of the fun items on the menu such as the Crunchy Sloppy Taco which Badovinus said is his sleeper dish that made its way to the menu quite by accident. In the final days prior to opening they were editing the menu and they decided to merge a large crunchy taco with a Sloppy Joe. It works just fine for me, and makes a bad ass side item to accompany your burger. Continue reading →

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Filed under beer, Burgers, chefs, First Look, fun with food, restaurant news, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | February 2, 2012 · 8:03 am

First Look: Union Bear Opens Today

by Steven Doyle

Yesterday we checked out the Union Bear which swings open its doors today in the West Village on McKinney Avenue in Uptown Dallas. We spoke with both owner Matt Spiller and chef John Kleifgen on our visit and sat down to try some of the food being offered up to their eager patrons.

When walking into Union Bear you will notice that like all of the Spiller operations it fits beautifully with the existing neighborhood architecture. They were not trying to recreate a previous motif like you might find at Eno’s or Oddfellows. Continue reading →

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Filed under Arts, Bacon, beer, Burgers, chefs, Cocktails, Crave, Dallas, First Look, Local Produce, restaurant news, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle