Dear Mot Hai Ba: You better bring it. There is a massive hole in Dallas’ dining scene that you could exploit, and I know if you do this city will be all the better for it. The announcement of your coming existence in a Culture Map blog post was a…
Russell Hayward pours a measure of preheated water into a small, bulb-shaped boiling flask and carefully sets it over a halogen heating element. At the flick of a switch, the element glows amber, dimly illuminating the glass from below like a watery Edison bulb. As the water approaches a boil,…
If you’ve spent any time at the coffee counter at Ascension, you’ve likely noticed the large glass contraption that sits just behind the register. It looks a little like a science experiment, with an upper reservoir that holds chilled water, a middle section that holds coffee beans, a cascading spiral…
Earlier this year, I wrote about a makeshift drink served at Ascension that makes use of Guinness and espresso. The combination results in a caffeinated beer drink that puts Red Bull and vodka to shame. Still it’s not on the menu, and it never got a name. Russell Hayward, who…
According to Eater a suspended coffee trend is going viral on social media. The practice allows any customer at a Starbucks to buy a “suspended” coffee drink to leave at the counter. Those less fortunate can then come in and if there’s a drink available it’s theirs. Whether or not…
News broke earlier today that Randall Copeland, chef at the celebrated suburban restaurant Ava, died this morning at the age of 39. Culture Map is reporting the chef died in his sleep and the cause of death is still unknown. Copeland worked alongside Graham Dodds at Bolsa when it first…
I’m quite certain that an expat straight from England would scoff at this entire blog post, but it needs to be said. Ten Bells has a damn fine full breakfast on its weekend brunch menu. Let’s clear up a few things quickly for the sake of discussion. Yes, the tomatoes…
Two weeks ago we told you about a guerrilla gardener and his request that we all go out and plant some shit. This week it only seems proper that we point out an event at the Garden Cafe that can help you get started. See also: – The City of…
Remember my old buddy Finn? She rode down to Texas with me from D.C. after I let her know I wanted to take a job with the Observer. I feel like kind of a jerk — I haven’t really given her all the doggy bags I promised her that would…
Last week news came out that Brady Williams, the sous chef at FT-33, would be leaving the restaurant. Williams was replaced by Bradford Hodgkins, who previously worked with chef/owner Matt McCallister at Stephen Pyles. I talked to Williams over email about his departure and he told me it was strictly…
I stopped into the see the Spiceman the other day to pick up a dime bag. No, not that kind — I assure you Mr. Spicer is a law-abiding, upstanding citizen. He just packages mushrooms meant for recreational consumption in a vaguely illicit manner. If you’re new to the Spiceman’s…
I know it’s been pretty chilly and gray out there, but I can assure you, the lettuce and asparagus and spring onions are all celebrating the coming season. If you don’t have plans to visit a farmers market, you should make them. Don’t shut down your computer yet though. We’ve…
Well, I finally made it to Babe’s. What kind of food critic lives in Dallas for nearly two years and doesn’t check out the chicken fried steak blessed by Sam Sifton himself? I didn’t stop by the Roanoke location like the former New York Times food critic recommended, but I…
Yesterday, City Council voted unanimously to move forward with the Dallas Farmers Market privatization, news that was undoubtedly cheered by many stakeholders with interest in the development and marketing project. Blair Black is one of those stakeholders. He represents the Dallas Farmers Market Trust, the group charged with managing vendors…
I love baseball but building a stadium miles outside of a city center is just stupid. Except for a special occasion, I can’t be bothered to drive all that way to buy an expensive ticket, eat a bad hot dog, drink overpriced beer, and then figure out how to get…
I was about halfway through a basket of fish and chips at 20 Feet, the new casual seafood joint in East Dallas, when I started looking for my fork. I haven’t eaten fish and chips with my fingers since I learned how to properly command utensils. Yet the second the…
Surely you’ve heard of 20 Feet. The East Dallas seafood joint has been making waves since Marc Cassel and his wife, Susan Fries, announced they’d be opening a casual spot next to Goodfriend last year. See Also: – 20 Feet’s Midas Touch – Ramen Slowly Taking Over Dallas and the…
If you’re a real food-nerd — and I’m talking a Michael Pollan-readin’, Farm Inc.-watchin’, vegetable lovin’, pro-farmer food nerd — then you’ve likely heard about Joel Salatin. The sustainable agriculture guru, known for his advocacy for back-to-roots farming, got a lot of attention when he popularized progressive methods to sustainably…
Earlier this week, the Texas Senate approved a family of bills dear to the heart of Texas craft brewers. The legislation lets brewpubs sell a limited amount of beer through distributors, while craft breweries will get to sell their products to consumers on-site. See also: – Public Hearing Set for…
City Hall will meet tomorrow to decide on a number of factors governing the privatization of the Dallas Farmers Market. Items for consideration include rezoning and expansion of the area surrounding the market, and the sale of public land for private development. The decisions up for vote during tomorrow’s meeting…
It’s already started. Joel Malone is well on his way to open up a cidery right in the heart of the Bishop Arts District. His brewing operations and storefront, which he expects to open in May, will be right next to Cretia’s on Bishop Street behind Lockhart Smokehouse. Malone tells…
Balcones Distillery, the folks responsible for the Texas single malt whiskey we tasted back in January, just made news with the Ultimate Beverage Challenge. The Waco-based distillery’s product just won the American whiskey category in a recent spirit evaluation held by the organization, which tastes and scores spirits. See also:…
