By 7:30 PM last Saturday evening, I was actually already full. The luscious venison roll ups from YO Ranch Steakhouse which marries bacon, venison, jalapeno, smoked mozzarella, that’s been grilled and brushed with molasses Dijon was one of the culprits. The next suspect would have to be Five Sixty by Wolfgang Pucks’ tuna tartare. Literally dressed for the occasion, sitting ever so patiently in the crispiest, lightly sweetened miso cone that you ever wanted to see. I took two, but wanted 30. Then there was more venison that needed my attention. This time in the form of a hearty chili, topped with aged white cheddar and chives from The…
Next Stop, the Foundation Room
Foundation Room- 5 Stars Showtime is an hour from now. Your favorite band is set to perform this evening at the House of Blues and you and honey are all spruced up and ready to party. With time to spare, you’ve decided to wet your whistles. But special evenings aren’t made for just any type of boozy beverage. This is a night that deserves classier concoctions. Enter the new and improved Foundation Room. Each and every part of the décor weaves touches of global influence. From the Artist and Buddha rooms, to colorful pillows placed on cozy outdoor seating. It’s definitely a place you wouldn’t mind going before the…
Local Brews Local Grooves Brings the Grub and the Suds
Anytime a mac n’cheese station, beer, and good local music is involved, you know you need to be there. This past Saturday, plenty of people brought their dancing shoes and appetites for beer and grub, during Local Brews Local Grooves. Held annually at House of Blues, the event was packed with room to room fun. Guests had the opportunity to sample a number of tasty suds from local breweries such as favorites like Peticolas, Revolver, and Deep Ellum Brewing Co. In total, beer lovers could try 15 Texas breweries. Of course, beer goes down even better with a little something tasty to soak it up. Peppery jalapeno and cheddar sausage,…
Welcome to Foodie Wonderland: Culinary Village 2015
Like a castle of all things exquisitely edible the Chefs for Farmers main event Culinary Village was a splash of taste from start to finish. Although the village was originally scheduled to be held outside at Lee Park near Turtle Creek, Texas weather decided otherwise, as a monsoon basically took over the city during that weekend. Impressively, within a short period of time, the organizers for the Culinary Village turned Gilley’s from an event venue to a multi room food and booze haven unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. There was no shortage of tongue tingling items during the Culinary Village. Etched in fall flavors, the rustic taste of autumn…
First Annual Tacolandia Recap 2015
Anytime a person even considers eating tacos in Texas I think everyone in the state breaks out into collective hunger pangs and cravings. So, it should come as no surprise that the first annual Tacolandia event hosted by the Dallas Observer was packed to the shell with taco lovers. Held at City Hall Plaza, taco addicted people came out by the dozens to enjoy the all you can eat extravaganza. Some vendors stuck to the classic street taco with corn tortillas filled with barbacoa or pork, pairing it with fresh onions, cilantro, and salsa. El Come Taco kicked the classic up a bit, adding fresh pineapple to their flavorful pork…
BrewFest 2015 Recap
What happens when you bring great beer, karaoke, games and extra hype music together? Likely an all-around buzzed up drunken good time and plenty of smiling faces. For the fifth year in a row, BrewFest did not disappoint. They kept the good times going and plenty of suds flowing as event goers made their way through tons of beers under The Shed in Dallas Farmer’s Market. This year, there were plenty of winners. My top favorites go to most of the local breweries like the extra strong, Sit Down or I’ll Sit You Down from Peticolas Brewing. Community left me in anticipation mode for the upcoming State Fair of Texas…
The Chicken of Brick and Bones
Brick and Bones Rated 4.5 Stars It’s 1:45 in the morning. You’ve just finished up some intense butt bouncing, shoulder shaking and side stepping. At this point your smooth moves have seen the best of the evening and your stomach is beginning to do a jig of its own. But this belly boogie is fried chicken specific. Good news for your tummy it has a new home. In case you’ve missed it in the past 2 to 3 years, Deep Ellum has really began to come back to life. New blood, booze and businesses now line several of its most active streets including Main, and Elm. Elm seems to have…
Making Meals In the Sack
In The Sack Rated 4 Stars TXMB It’s been a long day. Maybe the longest ever, and all you really want to do is kick back some booze, chow down on something tasty and run an unending marathon of newly released shows on Netflix. But, the liquor store is far away and usually crowded. So, begrudgingly you decide to pick up a quick bite at the closest fast food joint, quickly forgoing any dreams of good wine and good grub. Good news, your days of choosing between getting yourself a bottle of bueno vino or going home and slumming it in your sweats have officially ended. Gourmet food, meets booze,…
Venturing to Vagabond
Vagabond-Rated 3.75 Stars txMB Climaxing at the corner of famished and crazy I decided to treat myself to a wee bit of happiness hour. The evenings escape came in the form of the almost one year old eatery Vagabond. Located on lower Greenville, I’d seen this place before with its beautiful dancing flames outside that always illicit romantic feelings. Beyond that, the name is pretty cool. Inside, there were only a few souls, so I grabbed a seat at the bar. The bar is good sized, filled with plenty of different elixirs and an awesome man behind the booze named Mr. Salomon. More about his concoctions later. The menu isn’t large,…
Third Annual Dallas Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festival Recap
ooze, booze and more booze was the name of the game during the Third Annual Dallas Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festival. It all began at 5:30 PM when two lovely ladies dressed in super cute red flapper styled dresses opened a pair of double doors and asking, “Are you ready to have an amazing time?” Inside, my ears were greeted by the very cool and elusive sounds of Cassie Holt and the Lost Souls. After checking my coat, I picked up one of the cute commemorative glasses filled with gaming money, and a drinking card. I’d been salivating over the idea of whiskey all day long, but first…