Tag Archives: First Look

by cravedfw | September 20, 2012 · 11:20 am

First Look: East Hampton Sandwich Company

by Steven Doyle

Last week we saw one of the first of what will be a busy and exciting restaurant opening season. East Hampton Sandwich Company opened its doors to a busier than normal crowd for a sandwich shop, but this is no ordinary sandwich shop, and certainly do not make ordinary sandwiches. We met with the dynamic Hunter Pond prior to the opening of his restaurant.

Before the opening Pond was a bit demure and obviously excited. Yesterday we went into the restaurant for the first time to taste what the young law grad had to offer, and he seemed to have morphed into this formidable host with a slight swagger and charm about him. He was still excited, and for a very good reason. It was 2pm in Snider Plaza and his restaurant was jumping. Each seat was filled with a happy guest. Continue reading →

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Filed under Dallas, First Look, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle

Tagged as Dallas, East Hampton Sandwich Company, First Look, Hunter Pond, Restaurant, Sandwich, SMU

by cravedfw | September 12, 2012 · 10:36 am

First Look: MAX’s Wine Dive

by Steven Doyle

MAX’s Wine Dive makes its debut today with doors opening promptly at 4pm. This is the legendary restaurant that is known for their Kobe beef hot dog, fried chicken and Dom Perignon by the glass. It’s the bad boy of the neighborhood, inspired by the best dive bars in Texas, but with a wicked twist. We checked out the restaurant last night during one of the preview events, and certainly were not disappointed.

The atmosphere is fairly typical with few exceptions. The restaurant features a large kitchen that is as wide as the bar and very open so you can view the action as your Veal Sweet Bread Pot Pie or Chicken Fried Brussel Sprouts are being concocted by chef Patrick Russell, formerly of Craft Dallas. Both of those dishes are crazy good. What is unexpected are the walls stuffed high and wide with glassware and bottles upon bottles of wine. It is interesting to note that chef Russell served us our last meal at Craft and our first at MAX’s. Continue reading →

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Filed under chefs, First Look, Foie Gras, Food Photos, fun with food, Restaurant Opening, Steven Doyle, Wine

Tagged as Dallas, First Look, Kyle Curd, MAX's Wine Dive, Opening, Patrick Russell, Paul Pinnell, Uptown

by cravedfw | August 28, 2012 · 4:26 pm

First Look: FnG Eats

by Steven Doyle

We spent the better part of the morning checking out a few new restaurants in the DFW area. One of the better finds was in Keller and run by the former chefs of Cool River, Bob Stephenson and Carlos Arevalo. Both chefs have an illustrious background; Stephenson alone has opened nearly 40 restaurants, but this would be his first to actually own.

FnG Eats is in the former City Hall restaurant space in Keller that was run by season two Top Chef contestant Otto Borisch. The space has undergone complete revamp and is now much more comfortable and easily managed by Stephenson, who said that he can see pretty much everything going on in the restaurant from any vantage point. He will be able to sauté a few veggies and seconds later greet guests as they file into the door. And file they will. This restaurant is good. Continue reading →