Tag Archives: Oysters

by cravedfw | February 27, 2015 · 9:34 am

Seafood Shack For Lent

by Steven Doyle

I am not Catholic or Lutheran so I do not fully grasp the whole Lent concept. I know from an outsider’s point of view that there is some fasting and penance going on, so that would pretty much leave me out of that whole business. There is also something called Joyous Saturday, but aren’t all Saturdays joyous? Mine certainly are.

Then we have all these pre-Lenten activities which is an opportunity for excess. This makes the whole season seem much more appetizing for those of us on the outside of things. Mardi Gras could create converts, to be sure.

Catholics over the age of 14 are required to abstain from meat and from food made with meat. With that, this is the busiest time of year for our local fishmongers. Continue reading →

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Filed under Crave, Seafood, Steven Doyle

Tagged as Catfish, Dallas, Lent, Oysters, Restaurant, seafood, Seafood Shack

by cravedfw | February 17, 2015 · 8:09 am

The Combahee River Raccoon Oysters

by Eric Spigner

Combahee Plantation is located on the banks of the Combahee River which is considered to be the jewel of the ACE Basin (Ashepoo, Edisto, and Combahee (ACE) Rivers). The property was originally part of a royal land grant from the King of England to Daniel Heyward (1720-1777) patriarch of the Heyward family of rice planters. It was known throughout Antebellum times as Hamburg.

One of Heyward’s sons, Thomas, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The original house on the plantation was burned during the Civil War and the present house was built in 1871-1872. An 1830 frame cottage was moved from elsewhere on the plantation and stands adjacent to the main house. During the Antebellum Era there was a tribe of Natives called Yamasee Tribe which are now extinct but some African Americans carry the lineage of the Yamasee Tribe due to intermarriage and relations. Continue reading →

Taqueria Cristina Surprises The Hell Out Of Me

by Steven Doyle

I had to stop in Taqueria Cristina this week if for no other reason than to sample their black bean dip served with the complimentary chips and salsa. The chips are forgettable, but they are more than redeemed once you sample the very spicy and very smoky salsa; but oh that black bean dip. It is not thick or chunky, but instead smooth and velvety with a huge power punch of flavor. Continue reading →

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Filed under beer, fun with food, Gorditas, Steven Doyle, Tacos

Tagged as Dallas, Gorditas, Oysters, Tacos, Taqueria Cristina

by cravedfw | October 27, 2014 · 1:23 pm

Chefs for Farmers Rocked the Oyster Last Night

by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick

The hottest ticket in town last night was definitely the Chefs for Farmers Oyster Bash which took place at the Dallas Farmers Market in Shed One among plenty of farmers, and a smattering of chefs. A few hot restaurants like Knife, TJ’s Seafood Market, The Grape, Stock and Barrel and Gemma represented as wine flowed and revelers danced and paraded through the big Shed as they enjoyed grilled oysters, oyster stew, a clam bake and even seafood stew loaded with plenty of seafaring critters prepared by host Matt McCallister.

Iris McCallister is definitely one of the city’s most gifted event coordinators, and certainly prepared a wonderful evening. The idea actually sprang from the thoughtful mind of Michael Martensen, co-owner of both Driftwood and Proof and Pantry, each known for the oyster prowess. Continue reading →

Chefs For Farmers Shucking Good Time Event Oct 26

Dallas’ own down home and dirty CHEFS FOR FARMERS present the 1st annual Oyster Bash on Sunday October 26 from 2pm – 6pm at the newly revamped Dallas Farmer’s Market. Festivities include cooked and live oysters from Texas as well as East and West Coasts shucked on site by the biggest foodie chef hotshots, cocktails, wine, an oyster slurp-off, tarot card reader, spins from DJ Souljah and surprises to come.

Jon Alexis (TJ’s Seafood Market), Matt McCallister (FT 33) Kyle McClelland (Proof and Pantry), Stephen Rogers (Gemma), Jon Stevens (Stock & Barrel), John Tesar (Knife) and special guest Randy Rucker (Briar and Bramble, Houston) serve up oyster-centric dishes and sides during the mix and mingle event. Continue reading →

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Filed under Steven Doyle

Tagged as Chefs for Farmers, Dallas, Oysters

by cravedfw | July 2, 2014 · 2:01 pm

Dollar Oysters and Absinthe at Driftwood

by Steven Doyle

What is the best oyster deal in town? There are some really good prices this season at a variety of restaurants, but so far the dollar blue points at Driftwood beats them all. The deal is only available at the new bar, and not valid on weekends, but for a dollar this is something truly wonderful to holler about.

While you are at the bar, check out Michael Martensen’s new set up with his absinthe drip stations. Oh, you recall absinthe, the mysterious liquor that was banned for so long in this country for its evil and suspicoius hallucinogenic prowess. Absinthe is an anise-flavored spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of wormwood. Continue reading →

An Appellated Gulf Oyster?

IMG_20140204_184159.640x480 A Whitehead Reef Oyster

by Andrew Chalk

Eaten a gulf oyster recently? Where, in the thousands of square miles that constitute the Gulf of Mexico, did it come from? You probably were not told. The person who sold it to you probably did not know. I never considered it mattered before.

It turns out it does. Where in the gulf an oyster grew up affects its size and taste. If we know where oysters come from, we can choose between them based on quality, or size, or flavor profile. If we choose oysters from particular locations then oystermen will know what types to harvest. Continue reading →