Category Archives: Rob Banes

by Steven Doyle | July 27, 2012 · 10:50 am

Quest for the Ultimate Burger: Beck’s Prime

by Rob Banes

This week’s burger quest took our group to the recently opened Beck’s Prime. The location at the northwest corner of Preston and Forest is the 13th location of Beck’s Prime to open and the first in the Dallas area. The restaurant is a fast casual restaurant with a menu featuring mesquite grilled burgers, sandwiches, grilled meat plates, salads and steaks.

The Dallas location has taken over a former Jack in the Box and they did a good job of adding a patio as well making the inside warm and inviting with the open dining room and hardwood flooring. Continue reading →

Quest For Burgers: Goodfriend Beer Garden and Burger House

by Rob Banes

This week’s burger quest took us to east Dallas to visit Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House which is next door to Good 2 Go Taco on Peavy Road. Goodfriend is a neighborhood bar that features a great line up of burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs and appetizers to pair with drinks from their full service bar. After we parked, we noticed a large crowd seated on the large outdoor patio enjoying drinks and watching the beginning of Game 5 of the World Series. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under beer, Burgers, Crave, fun with food, Rob Banes, Sports Bar

by Steven Doyle | September 1, 2011 · 9:08 am

Quest For Ultimate Burger: Second Floor Bistro

by Rob Banes

Last week’s burger quest took our group to the Westin Galleria Hotel to try the burger offering at The Second Floor Bistro-Bar whose kitchen is headed up by Chef J. Chastain and overseen by Scott Gottlich owner of both Second Floor and Bijoux. At lunch Second Floor features a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrées such as hand rolled fettuccini, risotto and house made gnocchi.

As intriguing as those dishes sounded, we were there were burgers and a few moments after sitting, our server took our drink and lunch orders. I ordered the Second Floor Blue Burger cooked medium which featured blue cheese, pancetta and grilled onions for $14.50. The regular cheeseburger comes with white cheddar, gruyere Swiss or jack cheese. About 10-15 minutes later my burger was placed before me. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Bacon, beer, Burgers, Rob Banes

by Steven Doyle | August 15, 2011 · 7:00 am

The Quest for the Ultimate Burger: Coffee House Cafe

by Rob Banes

Last week’s burger quest took our group to Jeff Rockow’s new gig – Coffee House Cafe at Frankford and Preston in North Dallas. Chef Rockow was formally the head chef at Rex’s Seafood Market and is now working at Coffee House. The restaurant is open from 6-4 M-F and 8-4 on weekends and specializes in typical diner food done in Rockow’s style.

When we entered the restaurant, we were pleasantly greeted by the hostess and seated at our table. A few moments later our server came to our table and took our drink orders. After bringing my ice tea, I ordered a 8 ounce Akuashi burger cooked medium with bacon, cheddar, grilled onions and mayonnaise. It seemed pricey at over $14 but I was curious to see what Chef Rockow could serve after being a regular at Rex’s Seafood Market. About fifteen minutes later, the following burger was brought to the table. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Bacon, Burgers, Food, Rob Banes

by Steven Doyle | August 9, 2011 · 9:53 am

The Quest for the Ultimate Burger: Stratos

by Rob Banes

Last week’s burger rave took our intrepid group to Nick Rizo’s restaurant Stratos which specializes in Greek food. Greek specialties include gyros, soulvaki, moussaka and spanakopita. When we entered the restaurant, we were greeted by a friendly hostess and seated at a marble topped table near the main bar. Our server took our drink orders and I ordered Max’s Greek Burger cooked medium rare which featured sauteed red onions and feta cheese and cost $9.99 on the menu. Continue reading →

Clos Pegase Wine Dinner at Second Floor

by David Donalson photos by Jackee Donalson

As my wife and I were going up the escalator in the Westin Hotel to enjoy our first experience at the 2^nd Floor, I knew this was going to be good. Clos Pegase brought the wine and J Chastain and Scott Gottlich brought the food and I brought my appetite. If you have not been in the Second Floor, it is a beautifully modern bar with an 8 page scotch menu, including tasting flights! For that reason alone Second Floor earns a return visit, especially on a guys night out. But I did not come here for scotch, I came for wine. Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under chefs, Crave, David Donalson, Events, fun with food, Rob Banes, Wine