by Steven Doyle
Las Colinas’ most iconic restaurant, Cool River, recently launched a new menu created by new executive chef Fernando Rodriguez. Chef Fernando created a menu which both pays homage to the restaurant’s past and yet brings a new regional palate to key menu items.
Chef Rodriguez joined the Cool River family in 1998, and has worked virtually every position in the Cool River kitchen. After almost two decades, he takes the reigns as Executive Chef for Cool River. Continue reading
Filed under Crave, Steven Doyle
by Andrew Chalk
Irving is one of the two top destinations in the Dallas area for Indian food (the other being Plano). However, most establishments are content to survive on a combination of a lunchtime steam table and an à la carte evening menu constructed around stereotypical Indian dishes (much as hoards of Italian neighborhood restaurants turn out an endless repertoire of “me-too” red sauce dishes).
As much as I love the bargain that is the Indian lunch buffet and the favorites on the stereotypical Indian menu, my greatest excitement is engendered by the discovery of a restaurant doing something new, even bordering on ambitious. Continue reading
Filed under Andrew Chalk
Hot on the heels of announcing the second location in North Texas on South Lamar and Cadiz south of downtown Dallas, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema DFW, announces today that Las Colinas is the location for the third Alamo Drafthouse in North Texas. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will open in the new Music Factory at Las Colinas located at Hwy 114 and Fuller Drive immediately south of the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
It may have been a bit since you checked out Cool River, the super cool steak house in Las Colinas with an upscale sports theme on the bar half of the building. However long it has been, you may have missed a golden opportunity to relive some excitement. This past weekend Cool River played host to Duckhorn Vineyard’s Ashley O’Leary who brought with her some pretty amazing wines for patrons to sample. To pair courses with the dinner executive chef Rodman Shields and Cool River’s wine director wine director Dave Fiegel collaborated to bring guests a heightened experience.
Duckhorn Vineyards has spent more than 30 years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Bordeaux varietal wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.
It was a truly amazing evening, and guests soon found that Cool River’s Shields is an amazing chef. Check out the dinner and pairings for the evening. Be sure to add yourself to the mailing list for future dinners. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
Last week we checked out The Ranch in Las Colinas and looked in on Bonnie Wilson who just made the switch from Whiskey Cake where she had bar duties. Wilson now manages the Front of the House in addition to the bar where she is creating a slew of new cocktails. The restaurant, which is a huge homage to Texas dining, has historically sold more beer and wine, but now is venturing off into to craft cocktails. A welcome addition, to be sure. Wilson has the talent to carry the bar, along with her very capable staff.
But the Ranch is not just about libations. With chef Grant Morgan at the helm there is plenty being cooked up in the kitchen. Morgan has a fantastic background as chef and has worked in some fine kitchens, including ZaZa’s Dragonfly. He is a soft spoken and affable guy who enjoys his work, and it shows on each plate.
The Ranch is owned by the same restaurant group behind Whiskey Cake, and numerous other restaurants including Velvet Taco and Twin Peaks, all of which share the talent of corporate chef John Franke. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
One of my favorite chefs in Dallas is Rodman Shields at Cool River Café. The chef has a fantastic time in the kitchen, and every time he does something that he knows I will get all giddy about, he gives me a shout out. He had me once with his dedicated duck fat fryer that made the most ethereal frites I have ever sampled. Earlier this week he called to tell me about this new burger he has on the menu. He knows I like a good burger, I suppose.
How right he is. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
