Category Archives: North Dallas

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 | November 11, 2011 · 9:55 am

A Chat with Kenny Bowers

by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick

We hooked up with Kenny Bowers, owner of Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill in Addison, Kenny’s Burger Joint in Frisco and for the past year Kenny’s Italian Kitchen, also in Addison.

Bowers is an engaging person who is excited about what he does for a living. He lives for food and restaurants, and it is with this passion that has carried him successfully through out his tenure in ownership. Bowers also walks the edge a bit, but that goes along with the personality that can work the outrageous hours that he does and still maintain control over each of his locations.

We enjoyed our conversation with chef Bowers and hope you do as well. This month marks the one-year anniversary for the Italian Kitchen and the six year anniversary for the Wood Fired Grill. Continue reading →

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Filed under Addison, Burgers, chefs, Cocktails, Food Challenge, fun with food, North Dallas, restaurant news, Steven Doyle, Wine

by Steven Doyle | November 9, 2011 · 12:46 pm

Soup Dumplings are on at Royal China

by Steven Doyle

In search for a bit of comfort food as the temperatures start drifting southward, I was reminded that one of my absolute favorite treats are the delightful mouthful bites called xaio long bao, or lovingly referred to in the West as a soup dumpling. Pros will simply say XLB. However you order them, first timers to the dumpling always shout as they take their first nibble.

XLB’s are traditionally made with pork and a gelatin made up of stock that when steamed inside the tiny bun release their full juiciness. Continue reading →

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Filed under Dumplings, fun with food, Noodles, North Dallas, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | September 26, 2011 · 7:45 am

55th Annual Greek Festival Celebrated

by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick

Crowds soared through the 55^th annual Greek Festival held each year at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Hillcrest this past weekend. The order of the weekend was food, dancing, cooking demonstrations, a large variety of entertainment and a Hellenic celebration that has swelled to legendary festival status. Continue reading →

Chef Chris Ward Class Benefits GALT

by Crave Staff

We just receieed word there are a few seats available for this amazing cooking class to be held at The Mercury by chef Chris Ward

Celebrated Executive Chef Chris Ward celebrates the “Dog Days of Summer” Saturday, September 10 (2-5pm) with a magical afternoon of food, fun and a silent auction at The Mercury benefiting The Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (GALT).

Cost is $65 for per person. VIP seats (only 7 available) get a front row seat at Chef Ward’s cooking bar are available for $125. Ticket price includes 1 drink ticket (additional beverages at cash bar), cooking demonstration and tastings with Chris Ward, souvenir recipe book of demonstrated recipes, and a doggy bag of special canine treats for your pampered pooch. Continue reading →

Dual First Looks: Dough and Mesa Maya Part 2

by Steven Doyle

We always look forward to an up-tick on the average Mexican cuisine in Dallas as often we can be complacent with what should be one of our finer cuisines. Meso Maya fits that bill nicely.

Part two of our dual restaurant first-look party finds us at Mesa Maya that opened in unison yesterday with Dough in the Preston Forest Shopping Center where the former CHIC From Barcelona was located. We were just off the heels of a stint at the newly opened and fresh-faced Dough when we recalled the another opening set for the same day. We moseyed on over for a look see. Continue reading →

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Filed under Cocktails, Crave, Food Photos, Mexican Food, North Dallas, Steven Doyle