Tag Archives: Uptown

by Steven Doyle | October 16, 2013 · 9:40 am

Matching Wine and Food: The Case of Thai and Vietnamese Cuisine

by Andrew Chalk

I received an email from Malai Thai-Vietnamese Kitchen last week. They explained that they had revamped their wine list to make it more friendly to the Thai-Vietnamese recipes on the menu at their popular Uptown restaurant. Would I like to come and check it out?

I did not need to be asked twice. It is so good to see an Asian restaurant make a conscious effort to match their wine list with their food. So many just let their wine distributor load them up with overpriced jug wines and ‘restaurant only’ mediocrities. That makes me prefer to dine at the Asian restaurants that simply kick the whole issue into the long grass and say BYOB! Now, one of the most creative Asian restaurants in Dallas takes the issue really seriously. Hopefully, it will be the start of a trend. Continue reading →

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Tagged as ChiangMai, Dallas, Gevrey-Chambertin, Malai Thai-Vietnamese Kitchen, Thai cuisine, Uptown, West Village

by Steven Doyle | October 15, 2013 · 10:47 am

Max’s Goes Mad For Fall

by Andrew Chalk

Max’s Wine Dive in Uptown has firmly established itself for both lunch and dinner. Chef Patrick Russell confirmed what my eyes had led me to suspect – the fried chicken is the single most popular menu item. However, maybe to prove that there is a lot more to Max’s than chicken, they hosted a media dinner last week and Crave was there.

First, some background. ‘Dive’ is too denigratory a word. Max’s is very comfortable. The ‘dive’ term just refers to its casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere. One exception: two of the women at the communal (to the extent that members of the media can commune with each other) table said that they want the U.S. Navy approved grey ship paint to end at the door of the women’s room. Upscale the interior a bit. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Champagne, Chef PatrickRussell, Dallas, Food Photographs, MAX's Wine Dive, Menu, Uptown

by Steven Doyle | October 11, 2013 · 12:40 pm

New Area Restaurant and Bar Openings

by Steven Doyle

There are a few new restaurant and bar openings that sprung up this week. We have a few details, but will be checking these out alongside you all this weekend.

Shell Shack opened for business yesterday in Uptown, just in time for TX/OU weekend. This is a marvelous casual seafood restaurant that serves crab, shrimp, crawfish all seasoned with various degrees of heat. This is in the space formerly occupied by the ill-fated The Stand. The menu at Shell Shack says if you order your crabs Uptown Style they will shell the meat for you, with each pound netting 6 to 8 ounces. Continue reading →

The Rustic Opens October 16

Free Range Concepts partners, Josh Sepkowitz and Kyle Noonan announce their newest project – The Rustic – will open Wednesday, October 16th for dinner service (lunch hours planned for later in the month). Located in Uptown at the prime corner lot of Lemmon Avenue and North Central Expressway in the West Village area, The Rustic promises to be a vibrant Texas-inspired addition to Dallas’ restaurant/bar scene with great food and drink.

Sepkowitz and Noonan, the team behind Bowl & Barrel, Mutts and the new television series Local Fare, have partnered with Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Pat Green and local businessman Brian Manion to open a full service restaurant and bar that will showcase kitchen and bar menus with roots reaching deep into the Texas soil. Beef, poultry and game from local ranchers and produce from local farmers are an important foundation of the menu. Local purveyors include the likes of Barking Cat Farms (Heath, TX), Comeback Creek (Pittsburgh, TX), Vital Farms (Austin, TX), Wagyu Excelente (Dallas,TX), Broken Arrow Ranch (Ingram, TX), Caprino Royale (Waco, TX), Eagle Mountain Cheese (Granbury, TX), Veldhuizen Cheese (Dublin, TX), Spiceman’s FM 1410 (Dallas, TX) and more. The bar will feature all the best Texas has to offer including 40 beers on draft, cocktails and a notable wine list. Continue reading →

Belly and Trumpet Has A New Menu That You Will Want To Savor

by Steven Doyle

To call Belly and Trumpet’s chef Zenner precisianistic might be an understatement, but his over-the-top eye for detail doesn’t end in the pass through at the tiny Uptown restaurant, it carries strong with the entire staff. There is a sense of understanding each dish, from the plating to exact ingredients with the entire staff. This pragmatic joie de vivre gives pleasure as the guests peruse the menu free of angst, or order envy. There simply are no wrong choices on the menu. You are free to roam the small sampling of dishes without fear, knowing each item is the correct choice. This is the same strong detail that runs rampant with all three of the restaurants owned by Tiffanee and Richard Ellman. Near perfection is never an accident. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Belly and Trumpet, Dallas, Restaurant, Uptown, What to do in Dallas

by Steven Doyle | September 4, 2013 · 10:27 am

Dee Lincoln Steak and Burger Bar Opens September 12

by Jennifer Thomas

Dee Lincoln announces Dee Lincoln Steak & Burger Bar will open for dinner on Thursday, September 12th in Uptown, at 2626 Howell Street. Lunch will begin shortly thereafter on Monday, September 16th. Lincoln promises an approachable menu with updated steakhouse fare and inventive burger recipes in a comfortable and relaxed setting.

Executive Chef Juliard Ishizuka’s menu includes core starters with a creative approach, 8-10 unique burgers, three cuts of steaks, daily blackboard features of a butchers cut and fresh catch of the day, 100 wines under $100 (which will include a small selection of the best available in Texas), local beer and a craft cocktail program showcasing Texas spirits. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Chef, Dallas, Dee Lincoln, Dee Lincoln Steak & Burger Bar, Uptown

by Steven Doyle | August 22, 2013 · 1:06 pm

A Trip To Baboush Is A Moroccan Adventure

by Steven Doyle

A name you may not be familiar with in the Dallas restaurant world is Yaser Khalaf, but chances are you have dined at one of his Dallas restaurants. Currently he owns several including Baboush, Ketchup Burger Bar, and Farnatchi, plus he is opening yet another in Trinity Groves called Souk. We spoke to Yaser yesterday and he mentioned yet another new restaurant that will be walking distance to Baboush that will be a Middle Eastern Bakery and Restaurant. He also formerly owned Medina and LA Gourmet Pizza. A work horse.

Mr. Khalaf is sort of an enigma with an infectious laugh. He runs restaurants, and also designs and builds. He has a keen eye for beauty and that is vibrantly displayed at Baboush where we spent the evening chatting about food and happiness. Early in the evening he pointed at one of the bar stools and said it was made in Pennsylvania with local wood, but the leather and design was made in the Middle East. That is what his restaurants are all about. A bit of Yaser Khalaf’s culture which is this mélange of countries and spice. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Baboush, Dallas, Farnatchi, Food, Ketchup Burger Bar, Middle East, Souk, Trinity Groves, Uptown, Yase Khalaf