Category Archives: Booze News

Howdy, Smithworks Vodka!

I recently had the privilege of welcoming Smithworks Vodka into the Lone Star State with an amazing Blake Shelton concert at the famous Billy Bob’s Texas!

Smithworks Vodka was launched in early 2016 and I’m happy to say that Smithworks has recently expanded its distribution to Texas. Over the next few months, Smithworks will be available in twenty- four states.

Smithworks is an American-made vodka that is made with corn from Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma and water from Lake Fort Smith. Smithworks is distilled three times and charcoal filtered for a smooth taste and clean finish. It’s finished and bottled with pride in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and named after the dedicated team there and their hardworking values are symbolized through the tractor icon. They say, “Born and bred in the traditions and values of America’s Heartland, Smithworks embodies the values of the place in which it comes from – local pride, simplicity and hard work.”

Blake Shelton is part of the Smithworks family. He said that he had been waiting to partner with the right brand and he found his home with Smithworks; Shelton said he shares the same values and mission as Smithworks (Vodka. His favorite way to drink Smithworks is with diet lemon-lime soda garnished with a lime. Simple enough.)

Shelton is quoted as saying, “I grew up in Ada, Oklahoma and was raised on the values of hard work, humility and an appreciation for the simple things that make up a good life. As part of the Smithworks family, I’ve been involved in the development of the brand and I’m excited for everyone to finally taste what we’ve been crafting. At its core, Smithworks celebrates that moments in life are better spent with good people and great drinks.”

For the rich mouthfeel and smooth (lack of) flavor, we were surprised by the low price tag—just under $20. A great price for this smooth, clean vodka.

SMITHWORKS VODKA
smithworksvodka.com
~$19.99 / 750mL

We’re eagerly awaiting distribution in the great state of Texas … a note from Smithworks: For now, you can find Smithworks Vodka in AR, CO, IA, KS, LA, MI, MO, NE, OH, OK, TN, IL, NC, and PA. If it’s in your neck of the woods, ask your favorite local spot about us—it’s usually the personal touch that gets it done.

Banner image courtesy of Smithworks.

Take a Tiki Peeky at Pilikia

Guys … I’m so f**king excited for Pilikia, Dallas’s first-in-a-long-time full-time tiki bar, to open this Thursday … and for so many reasons.

First, I’ll clarify the intro. Pilikia will be the “first in a long time” as we had an awesome tiki bar here in Dallas, Trader Vic’s, in what is now The Highland Hotel, that closed in 2010. RIP. Also, it will be a “full-time” tiki bar because our friends at Rapscallion are currently spoiling us every week with their mind-numbing (in a good way) Tiki Tuesday drinks thanks to bar badass Ravinder Singh.

Thanks to the dudes behind The Tipsy Alchemist, brand new ILL Minster Pub, and Deep Ellum club Truth & Alibi and their partner in the deal, Patrick Tetrick (owner of Three Sheets), we’ll be getting another outrageous concept that will have the Uptown crowd flocking. (Ok … I’m going to be flocking, too, as is my mom, your boss, and just about everyone else in town that remembers Trader Vic’s or gives any sort of a shit about tiki bars.) The team has created some winning concepts, and we’re hoping this will be another to add to their list of successes.

So what can we expect? Kitsch, and plenty of it. (Are you excited yet?) The team was inspired mostly by the Beardon brothers’ favorite outrageous London tiki spot, Mahiki (which happens to be where I spent my 21st birthday), but are making a space all their own.

They took over the former Three Sheets space that closed to make way for this Polynesian heaven. Some renovations were made including a wall of golden skulls backlit by LED lights that will eerily change progressively, an additional outdoor bar, and a larger fireplace and a small stage for live music on the patio. The furniture is a mix of loungy bamboo chairs, some really incredible wooden pieces brought over from Bali, and hammock chairs that will rock you to sleep after a sip too many from one of their potent potables. And don’t worry, they’ll still have plenty of TVs out there.

On that note … let’s talk tiki. Their not-too-overwhelming menu (which is unique at a joint like this) will offer 6-7 traditional tiki drinks including the Trader Vic’s Mai Tai and some other goodies like Painkillers, Zombies, and the like. (They have such fun names, no?) Not to be tired, they’ve also come up with some tiki concoctions of their own and will also be serving LARRRRGE format punches in smoking treasure chests and scorpion bowls with a heft price tag of up to $2,000. Not.fucking.kidding.

Not into the tiki thing? They have something for you … a door to walk out of. Kidding. Pilikia will have a full bar and bottle service for the less inclined. And even better, they’ll serve food from a menu that Rodman Shields (Common Table) put together for them. Having a few bites of chicken skewer means you can drink more … right?

: Courtesy of Aaron Wang

So, some other important details and things to look forward to:

The name Pilikia means “trouble” in Hawaiian
Their happy hour is coming soon. When it starts, it’ll be 2-7pm, Tuesday-Friday
At some point, they’ll start opening one Sunday a month to host legit luaus complete with a pig roast
Once it warms up (good joke) in the spring, they’ll be offering live music to make use of the new stage on the patio

Tiki is “so hot right now”, so it’s fitting that Dallas is jumping on the super kitschy bandwagon, and with a drink in-hand. Stop in for their soft opening on Thursday, January 26 starting at 8pm to see what all the fuss is about. Grand opening details are coming soon.

Let’s get into some trouble, shall we?

PILIKIA
PilikiaDallas.com
Facebook | Instagram
3113 Ross Avenue (Downtown/West Dallas)

Open Tuesday – Saturday, 8pm-2am
Closed Sunday and Monday

Dallas #BoozeNews: March 20

Join me at a wine tasting at Whole Foods Uptown on Tuesday, March 29 at 7pm! We’ll taste Bordeaux wines along with Bordeaux blends from around the world … do you think you can tell the difference? Tickets are only $10 and space is limited … get yours now!

Help out one of our favorite Dallas barmen! Vote for your favorite ginger bartender, Stephen Halpin of Parliament, in Patron’s “Margarita of the Year” contest DAILY through April 15! He’s one of 10 finalists for his Smoked Mangonada Margarita! VOTE NOW!

NEW OPENINGS

It makes sense that it’s the luckiest month of the year … because Dallas’ restaurant scene is getting some seriously awesome new restaurants and bars!

Hypnotic Emporium – an offshoot of Hypnotic Donuts, expect old fashioned candies, a sofa fountain, and homemade ice cream right next door to their original storefront. NOW OPEN

The Snow Healer – picture courtesy of Quill

Quill Dallas – the newest watering hole in the Design District offers a sexy setting for craft cocktails by James Slater and a (very) limited food menu by John Tesar and Joel Harrington. The cocktails are all sexy as hell, too. NOW OPEN

NOLA Brasserie – the newest hotel to open in Downtown Dallas boasts a New Orleans-inspired restaurant with classics like Crawfish Étouffée, Po’Boys and grits and cocktails inspired by the French Quarter and beers from New Orleans and Texas. NOW OPEN

Rock & Brews – The Colony is rocking a new spot for comfort food and plenty of beer options. The rock-inspired restaurant comes to us from KISS’ Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, so you know it’ll be over the top. Stop by for some Chile Cheese Fries, a Backstage Burger, the “Any Way You Want It” pizza, or one of the other items on their giant menu and enjoy a little live music. Bring your furry friends because they have a dog-friendly patio, too! NOW OPEN

Kitchen LTO – The Trinity Groves restaurant is constantly reinventing itself (true to its name) and its newest resident is Nick Amoriello (CIA graduate formerly of Nobu, Driftwood, Central 214, and more). He’ll bring his “classical French techniques … in a very approachable and comforting style”. He teamed up with Artist Sarah Reiss and will be in place for the next six months. NOW OPEN

The Royale, Magnificent Burgers – John Tesar + a Wes Anderson theme + delicious, locally sourced burgers? Complete with “an elevated poutine program”, seafood, veggie, and bison options, and craft milkshakes … this place sounds quite intriguing. I’ll be checking out this Plano burger spot next weekend, so stay tuned! NOW OPEN

Hash House A Go Go’s Sage Fried Chicken

Hash House a Go Go – GUYS, GUYS, GUYS … I’m super stoked for this place to open locally. I stop by every time I visit Las Vegas (there’s one in The LINQ hotel on The Strip) and never miss their gargantuan Sage Fried Chicken and waffles. Actually … everything is huge … and delicious. It’s opening March 25 in Plano’s Preston Park Village (1900 Preston Road).

Dugg Burger Bar – MORE FOR PLANO! The Lakewood build-your-own burger spot is expanding to Plano. This brilliant restaurant hollows out your burger’s bun (to make space for all the amazing toppings) and then grills it on its custom made grill so it’s perfectly toasty. Check it out at 4701 West Park Blvd. # 110!

Meso Maya – Dallas’ favorite fancy Mexican restaurant is opening its third location in the Mockingbird Abrams Shopping Center (4123 Abrams Road) this Spring! Don’t miss their Avocado Margarita … and their other delicious food. But mostly the margarita.

Truck Yard – Get ready, Fort Worth … the wildly outlandish bar/trailer park/food truck stop is coming your way! Look for it in the former Crystal Springs Dance Pavilion lot later this year!

Flix Brewhouse – movies are cool. Beer is cool. A movie theater with a brewery in it? The coolest. Look forward to this spot in Little Elm at Main Marketplace at Main St. and FM 423 to experience the first-ever cinema and dine-in microbrewery, opening Spring 2017.

NEW OFFERINGS

Uchi’s little sister, Top Knot, will begin serving more … and more … and more. (And I’m stoked about it.) Look for late night from 10-12pm DAILY with special items not available otherwise including a poutine option.
Even better? They’ll start serving brunch April 3 on Sundays and April 30 on Saturdays! Expect items like their Miso-Caramel Cinnamon Pull-apart Nabe and Hot Fried Chicken Benedict along with shareable pastries and their Brunch Punch (Jim Beam® bourbon, ice tea, sugar, lemon, orange and nutmeg)!

Speaking of brunch, new Plano restaurant, Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine, has also started serving Dallas’ favorite meal Sundays from 10am-3pm.

Since it is the first day of spring, it seems like some restaurants are taking the chance to reinvent themselves. Cite: new cocktail menus!

Proof + Pantry’s award-winning beverage program rolled out new options including winners like the Cobbler (sherry and rosé), Proper Smash (their expertly made whiskey smash), and the Cold Brew (their take on an Irish Coffee that I was able to try last week … oh damn).

Lower Greenville favorite, Remedy’s beverage director, Mate Hartai, is shaking things up with new options like the Stirred Last Word, Red Devil, and the Faugeat Painkiller along with shrub and kombucha sodas.

Faugeat Painkiller | picture courtesy of Remedy

LIMITED TIME OFFERINGS

Coal Vines – they’ll be offering a new “pizza of the month” starting in March! The first option will be the Roasted Chicken & Baby Spinach Pie, a 14” creamy white pizza with chicken and fresh spinach paired with TWO glasses of Malbec or Pinot Grigio.
Cost: $25
Available: through March 31 at their Uptown and Omni Dallas locations

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Green Eggs & Ham Burger: beef patty, prosciutto, fried egg, manchego cheese, salsa verde, onion, tomato and arugula on a fresh-out-of-the-oven egg bun.

Strawberry Buttermilk Pie Shake: Creamy, house made buttermilk custard is perfectly blended with flaky pie crust crumbles, vanilla ice cream and triple sec marinated strawberries for the ultimate sweet-n-tart treat.

Cilantro Jalapeno Margarita: jalapeno-infused tequila, muddled fresh jalapeno and cilantro, shaken to frenzy with house-made triple sec, fresh squeezed lime juice and a kiss of agave nectar.

Cost: burger ($11), shake ($6), margarita ($8)
Available: through March 31 at both Dallas locations

Hard Rock Cafe – stop in and get lucky with their new GUINNESS® Irish Stout and GUINNESS® & Jameson® Bacon Cheeseburger (complete with whiskey bacon jam) pairing.
Available: through April 10 at all locations

Biergarten – they’re celebrating “Mocktoberfest” in a big way! With this special, you’ll get one mini burger slider, one mini schnitzel slider, one mini brat and two sides (cole slaw and Joe’s potato salad), PLUS a 16 oz. Oktoberfest beer in a souvenir Paulaner
Cost: $15
Available: through March 31

BOOZE NEWS

I now have another option to satisfy my Irish whiskey cravings. Celtic punk band, The Pogues, recently launched a new Irish whiskey called … wait for it … The Pogues. It’s “50% 10-year single malt and 50% 5-to-7-year grain and crafted at West Cork Distillers, one of two remaining 100% independently owned and operated distilleries in Ireland”. Sláinte!

Alamo Drafthouse and Austin Beerworks teamed up to create a limited release 16oz canned beer for the release of Richard Linklater’s new film “Everybody Wants Some” that will be released in April. For their first partnership, this beer will be available in select ADH locations in a specially designed 16oz “tallboy”cans.

You people (over 21 young people, that is): it’s time to clean up your resumé! World of Beer is looking for Drink It Interns. These interns will act as “WOB narrators, capturing content from around the country and the world and sharing it back via [their] social media channels, bringing consumers into the world of brew traveling … This job is all about traveling, shooting, editing, writing, and drinking awesome beer (cheers to that!).” They’ll even have the chance to learn from experts as DRAFT MAGAZINE and … be paid.
Apply before March 26! Details here: worldofbeer.com/drinkitintern.