Not everyone gets a kick out of celebrating a holiday made extra famous by sappy cards, teddy bears and chocolates. But, make those chocolates liquor filled and replace that teddy bear with a homemade wagyu steak dinner paired with something potent to sip, well, Valentine’s Day becomes a day truly worth rejoicing in. This year consider skipping the crowds, valet parking, and price fixed menus for an evening in with a few of these local scrumptious options. Texas Craft Wagyu If you’re going to pay for a steak, then let it be one that’s aged at least 30 days, marvelously marbled and just as buttery as butter. Texas Craft…
Six Local Treats for Last Minute Holiday Gifts
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…
So This is What Sustainability Tastes Like
The day that tomato skins are made into storage bins is finally here thanks to Ford Motors. This past Wednesday the popular car company hosted a unique happy hour, with menu items highlighting many of the sustainable materials used throughout their lineup of vehicles. Hosted at the organic Mudhen Meat and Greens, it only made sense that Chef Suki Otsuki be tapped to craft the special menu. Items featured during the mixer were made with soy beans, coconut, wheat, tomatoes and dandelion greens, all of which help in creating different parts Ford vehicles. For example, dandelion greens are currently being researched as a more sustainable resource for rubber that could…
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,…
The Wine Down with Red Mare Wines
Jim Striegel is a man who loves his wine. But not just any wine. He’s the kind of man that’s straight to the point about his reds, and doesn’t hold any punches about his whites. It’s what you would expect from a man that’s been in the wine making business since he was a child. In 1974 his love of wine led him to work with Stags Leap Winery located in Napa Valley, CA. Today he continues to bottle that love of great wine as part owner of Red Mare Wines with his business partner, winemaker Anne Vawter. I first had the opportunity to try Red Mare Wine during this…
All the Juice Behind Vim+Vigor
Vim+Vigor- Rated 5 Stars TXMB n intensely satisfying game of table shuffleboard happened that night. Along with four friendly glassfuls of various concoctions. One sake bomb, one large sake, 2 glorious vodka and sodas with lime and to top off the evening, chilled shots of Patron. The night was about birthday celebration and the joys of slapping 27 in the face and giggling about it. The next morning 27 explained that it doesn’t take those slaps so nicely. A few nice sprinkles of sweet sleep happened, then I drank a few big chugs of coffee and hopped in Old Blue to meet the ladies of Vim+Vigor. After a quick tour…
The Summer Calls for Mamamango
Mamamango-Rated 5 stars TxmB The most important person in Texas you will ever meet is the pool keeper. Yes, this is a made up term, but it applies, bear with me. If you are indeed a person that lives in Texas, you are aware of the heat, yes? And if you are a person that lives in Texas who does not have a pool you become 900% more aware of the situation. Smart people without pools know, you have to be cordial and wonderful to at least five people with pools, hence the term pool keeper. Five is a good number because it gives you options. Upon trying to charm…
Be Mine Red Velvet Valentine-Rush Patisserie-The Velvety Finale
Rush Patisserie-Rated 4 stars TXMB [dropcap coloI[/dropcap]t all started as a joke and ended with teeny spoons tied around cutesy thick glass jars. One joke spawned an order of 1500 that ended up shipping across the United States. And just like that the cupcake that never was went from chuckles to cash. The Un-Cupcake is the sweet wit of Samantha Rush, owner of Rush Patisserie, Pastry Boutique and Cake Salon. A French style Bakery, Rush has plenty of exquisite desserts, including macaroons, tarts, wedding cakes and of course the Un-Cupcake. It comes in several flavors, but most Dallas folks are coming in for the red velvet. If you ask Samantha,…
Be Mine Red Velvet Valentine-Peticolas-Part 3
Peticolas-Rated 4.5 Stars txMB Let me preface this by saying, while the focus of “Be Mine Red Velvet Valentine” is all things red velvet, this beer actually has nothing to do with Red Velvet. However, this very fine brewski made the cut. “Smooth as velvet and hits you like a hammer.” Don’t you wish that was your real life tagline? Unfortunately friends, it’s already taken. Velvet Hammer is a 9% Imperial Red Ale produced by the fun folks at Peticolas Brewing Company. The most popular brewski of their bunch of beers, this brew strikes a blow. For the beerologists out there you should know Velvet Hammer has 85 IBUs making it a…
Be Mine Red Velvet Valentine-Patti’s Place-Part 2
Patti’s Place- Rated 5 stars txMB There is a merriment that happens while enjoying the company of a fine cup of Joe. Like the best sort of relationships, it keeps you guessing, and engaged. A great pal, never dull, and undefined by a singular sip. There are layers to its personality. And if you are truly good chums you know what it takes to bring out the very best in Joe, be it a little cream and sugar or absolutely nothing. Patti Snell is a coffee matchmaker. Tell her what you’re looking for in a blend and you’ll know what a coffee soul mate really is. Maybe you will find…