By now you’ve probably been so bombarded by holiday shopping ads that whenever someone strikes up a conversation you begin hearing Jingle Bells. For those Last Minute Lonnie’s such as myself, you may not have gotten all of your holiday purchases out of the way just yet. But even if you have, check out a few of these local treats for gift giving ideas. If all else fails, you can keep it for yourself. Happy holidays, from you to you. Dallas Caramel Company Upon sampling caramel from Dallas Caramel Company for the first time I witnessed a man close his eyes and dance in place with excitement. With…
Ultimate Cocktail Experience Recap 2016
The Ultimate Cocktail Experience 2016 Sipping, whipping and grooving. Those are my most dominating memories from the Ultimate Cocktail Experience. Held at Klyde Warren Park, the fifth annual drinking event raises money for Triggers Toys, programs that help children around the country. This year’s competitive drinking event took people on a trip around the world via booze. They included Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. Bar concepts for each continent were memorable, taking the word theme to another level. I started with a Happy Ending in Asia, also known as a shot of Fernet topped with whipped cream to sipping a spot of tea in Europe. Take a…
The Ivy Divey Brunch Buffet at Ivy Tavern
Ivy Tavern 3.5 Stars The best Saturday nights carry over into Sunday mornings. In case you were wondering, a good indication of a Saturday evening well spent are flashbacks of going toe to toe with Mr. Daniels and JB, then finishing up with some fancy footwork. Preferably to The Macarena. After such wonderfully foolish behavior, you’ll likely awaken feeling quite famished and possibly a tad bit embarrassed. Well, at least one of those can be cured with a fork. The ultimate dive bar, Ivy Tavern is currently offering the perfect hangover solution with their new Ivy divey brunch buffet. First, remember, that this is a dive bar. So, don’t…
The Return to Foodie Wonderland Part 2
ast Sunday, I got my religion handed to me in the form of fried chicken wings, brisket, beets, a whole lot of different booze and other incredible foods during this year’s Chefs For Farmers Main Event, or what I prefer calling it, Foodie Wonderland. My first stop was one I’d regrettably missed last year called The Biscuit Bar. Here Jeffrey Hobbs and Jake Depew of Slow Bone concocted something life changing called Randall’s Biscuits, fried chicken, and Jason’s Double Secret Probation Gravy. Oh, and it was served with a slice of thick cut peppered bacon, plus you had your choice of dressing those soft baby biscuits with jalapeño jelly, fresh…
The Return to Foodie Wonderland Part 1
twirled my fork in the pesto pasta, slipped the tainted green noodles into my mouth and chewed. Satisfying, sure. But, I knew that it had happened again. After attending Chefs For Farmers for another year I’d become a food prude. You may have already read how incredible Chefs For Farmers was this year, well, allow me to reiterate this fact again. This year, I had the delicious opportunity to experience both the Street Food Night Market on Saturday evening, and The Main Event held on Sunday. Held outdoors in the Design District, upon entering, my whole body turned into a taste bud. I began light, yet robust with New Orleans…
BrewFest 2016 Recap
BrewFest 2016 If you don’t end up with a cracked cell phone screen, or fading memories of fun random incidents then you did it wrong. Held at the Dallas Farmers Market again this year, BrewFest 2016 was a brewsky blast. Some of the best breweries in the state and across the country came out to provide samples of the sudsy stuff. This year, the beer wasn’t the only star of the party, BuzzBallz, Tequila Honor, Jameson Irish Whiskey and Dallas based On the Rocks Premium Cocktails also came out to share in the drunken glory. Here’s a look back at this year’s beer loving event. At least, from what I can…
Avocado and Tequila Make it Official
Usually, I prefer for my avocado and tequila to keep a respectable distance. They may go to the same party, but they have different friends. One kicks it hardcore with tortilla chips, while the other is best buds with shot glasses, and limes. So, when I heard that there was an avocado margarita being served at Cantina Laredo I immediately thought a line was crossed? What were these two doing canoodling together? Happily this is a love affair that works. Recently launched at all Cantina Laredo’s, I decided to test out this new concoction at the 32-year-old Addison location. The margarita is made with 1800 Añejo Tequila with Midori Melon…
Don’t Knock Next Door
Next Door Skimming through your standard bar menu “fried” is known to make a few appearances. It typically shares the spotlight with wings, cheese, burgers, and on extra special occasions, calamari. While I’ve always had an affinity for the usual suspects, it’s nice to see a new cast member every now and again. Enter, Next Door. Located on one of the busiest streets in Uptown, Mc Kinney Ave, it may take a few minutes to find Next Door. It’s not a sign that gives it away, but a large gold door knocker perched near the roof. Upon entrance into the two story lounge, you’ll notice it’s just one of many…
Park & Palate Returns for Year Two
After a successful first year, the piquant Park & Palate is back for another course. Set to be held on October 21 and 22, this year’s premier fundraising event for Klyde Warren Park will feature over 30 of the region’s most well-known and respected chefs. The culinary extravaganza kicked things off during the Park & Palate Preview on Monday, August 1st at Klyde Warren’s main restaurant, Savor Gastropub. Several star studded chefs were in attendance including Nilton Borges, Jr, Jason Dady, John Tesar, Dean Fearing and Kent Rathbun. During the preview chefs and media tasted and voted on their favorite dessert using wine corks given out upon entering. It may…
Baileys Almande is Light and Lovely
Baileys Liqueur and I have had a thing going on for many, many years. Oatmeal and Buttery Nipple shots have become a part of me. So you can understand my mixed feelings of concern and intrigue when I first heard about the new Baileys Almande. The new gluten free, dairy free liqueur is made with almond milk and real vanilla. Lighter than original Baileys, the flavor is classically creamy with a nutty finish. I sampled the Almande frapped up in a blender with ice, on the rocks and paired with a dash of coconut water. My favorite was the frape. Crisp, cold and lovely. The best part about Baileys Almande is,…