Tag Archives: Central 214

by | October 1, 2013 · 11:02 am

My Last Meal At Dodd’s Central 214

grahamby Steven Doyle

Nothing rings change of seasons than Graham Dodds and his ever revolving menu. His menus are my personal equinox as seasons change, and I know I will always be tasting something amazingly fresh and new. Fortunately Dodds isn’t the only one in town doing this, but his menus grab with such flair and hospitality. What he has been doing at Central 214 is superbly special.

This is what was upsetting about the news that Dodds is leaving the Hotel Palomar restaurant and making a switch just a few miles down the road for Consilient’s shining star, Hibiscus, where he will work in tandem as co-chef alongside Jason Ferraro. Dodds will be cooking with the same attitude that he was born with. Perhaps this is only upsetting because I am not one for change, unless we are talking seasonal menus.    Continue reading →

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by | September 19, 2013 · 11:49 am

Dodds Leaving Central 214

by Steven Doyle     photo by Robert Bostick

I got a call this morning from Graham Dodds who wanted to share that he is leaving Central 214 to work for Tristan Simon at Hibiscus. Consider the post temporary as the two discuss a restaurant for Dodds to operate. Dodds has shared some ideas and menus with Simon, but for now he is considered co-chef of Hibiscus with Jason Ferraro.

Plenty going on for the Consilient Group. We will keep you updated.

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by | July 12, 2013 · 3:32 pm

Soft Shell Crabs, Red Wattle Pig and Long Beans Await You At Central 214

DSC08723by Steven Doyle

Last week our beloved wine guru, Andrew Chalk, checked out the new summer menu at Central 214. The rest of the staff was so taken by the menu and the glowing review Andrew had for the restaurant and Chef Graham Dodds that we went in for a looksee ourselves. We were not prepared for what the chef had in store. Some of these are specials, and others can be found on the current menu. What is amazing is the fact that Dodds always keeps it fresh. Let’s just call this Central 214 Week at CraveDFW and move forward with the feast we enjoyed.  Continue reading →

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by | July 11, 2013 · 11:33 am

Central 214’s Amber West Has A New Cocktail Menu Q&A

DSC08705by Steven Doyle

One of our most favorite cocktailiers in Dallas can be found behind the stick at Central 214 in the Palomar Hotel. Amber West draws much of her inspiration from what is growing around her. Be it in a few solitary pots she has hidden across the hotel campus, or those found in her secret garden at home. What is fresh, what is now, is what the young bartender finds most exciting.

After reading Andrew Chalk’s write up on a recent dinner he experienced at the hotel restaurant, we set out to have a taste of our own. Graham Dodds is up to his usual shenanigans in the kitchen, and we have even more to report about his new menu, but we also had a chance to usher Ms. West away from her confines to the Palomar patio for a brief visit.  Continue reading →

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by | July 9, 2013 · 2:01 pm

Central 214 Summer Menu

IMG_1665Daily Special: Squash Carpaccio with a Chanterelle Conserva and Squash Blossom Fritters

by Andrew Chalk

Central 214, the aspirational New American farm-to-table restaurant at the Hotel Palomar, has just introduced execuchef Graham Dodds’ summer menu. The changes are far-reaching, introducing salads that glorify the vegetables and fruit of summer, beef ribs that put those expensive (if you count queuing time) central Texas barbecue places to shame, and juicy brined Berkshire pork chop that has rich flavors that shows off the restaurant’s careful sourcing policy.

I have said in the past that the local sourcing policy as Central 214 stopped at the edge of the plate. I described the wine list as a hit parade of the bottom 40 from California and of national corporate dominance. Scratch that. The list has undergone a total cellardectomy and now features at least six Texas wines (more details below) and a 360⁰ vision about origin. Add to that a comprehensive cocktail list by mixologist Amber West and Central 214 continues its march to the forefront of Dallas restaurants.          Continue reading →

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by | May 2, 2013 · 2:29 pm

This Week On craveRADIO: April 28

28_2013_04_Crave_Radio_Dodds-3830by Steven Doyle    photos by Robert Bostick

If you did not tune into craveRADIO this past weekend, you missed a lot. We just finished our fifth show and the guests are lining up to join the fun. Last Sunday we featured chef Graham Dodds from Central 214 in Dallas, along with his bar manager, Amber West.

Chef Dodds can be a bit shy at times, probably stemming from his conservative British and Scottish roots. But that was soon remedied as Amber West invited us all to taste her cocktails that she had been cask conditioning. The Equestrian is a playful take on the Mint Julep, something she conjured up in anticipation of the Kentucky Derby. You can sample this cocktail for a cause at Central 214 through the end of the week.   Continue reading →

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by | April 3, 2013 · 11:47 am

The Dallas Pisco Porton Tour Continues

DSC06813by Steven Doyle

In the continuing saga in search for the perfect Pisco Porton cocktail in Dallas we came up with another draw this week. As we take down sections of the city by storm our intrepid group set its goggles on the Central Expressway corridor visiting some powerful cocktail dens, including the very new Smyth located just off Knox on Travis.

To catch you up, we have been invited as an emissary of libations by Pisco Porton to sample a variety of cocktails using their spirit. Pisco is made with tradition in Peru using a variety of grapes to develop a spirit as the Spanish settlers did in the 16th century.   Continue reading →

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