Author Archives: Ben

Houilhan’s Celebrates with a Culinary Comeback

Popular Addison happy hour destination Houlihan’s just celebrated its 43rd birthday. As part of its ongoing birthday celebration, Houlihan’s is dishing up (pun intended) a special “Culinary Comeback” menu that features some of their most popular items from menus past through the end of May.

Grapefruit Jalapeno Cocktail

I braved the torrential downpours of late to check out the “Culinary Comeback” menu with my wife. Maybe it was the lingering effects of Cinco De Mayo, but I ended up ordering a very Mexican-inspired dinner–a Grapefruit Jalapeño cocktail and the Achiote Grilled Shrimp Tacos (both features of the limited time menu). The Grapefruit Jalapeño cocktail is an interestingly spicy yet refreshing drink, with Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka, lime, soda water and fresh jalapeños. The jalapeños may not be not suitable for those who for usually shy away from spice, but it did have a nice bite without being overpowering. As for my shrimp tacos, the chipotle-achiote marinade gave a surprisingly deep, smoky flavor to the dish and the chipotle mayo and sweet chipotle dressing added a nice sweet/savory touch. These tacos are by no means your traditional, bland fish tacos.

Achiote Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Opting for a “girly” drink (though Susie would argue that that’s an insult to some), my wife decided on the Strawberry Basil Lemonade. The summery mix of fresh strawberries, basil, fresh lemonade and Bombay Sapphire gin was the perfect thing to start summer (err spring?) off with a bang. The basil was a welcome change … it’s more unique than throwing mint in it and it gave it a really nice fragrance. Frankly, I was tempted to order one myself, but thought the pink drink looked better in her hands than in would in mine. Paired with Houlihan’s ever so popular wild mushroom and arugula flatbread (a mix of crimini, shiitake and oyster mushrooms with a roasted garlic white sauce, a blend of cheeses and truffle vinaigrette), my wife’s combo was an excellent light and satisfying choice.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade | Picture borrowed from Houlihan’s

It’s clear that Houlihan’s has a lot to celebrate … and I love how they actually listen to their customers. (Case in point: the comeback menu.) Add in food and drinks features like Certified Angus beef, organic salad greens, gluten-free and vegetarian options, and the always noteworthy happy hour menu and I will gladly celebrate with Houhilan’s.

Their Culinary Comeback menu will be available through the end of May. Check out the menu. Happy 43rd birthday Houlihan’s!

Houlihan’s (Addison location; there are 3 in the DFW area)
www.houlihans.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
5225 Belt Line Road, Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 386-0689

Happy Hour: 3pm-7pm & 9pm-11pm (“Happy Apps” until close)

$3 domestic drafts & long island ice tea by the glass
$4 wells cocktails & craft beers
$5 traditional or fresh agave margaritas, mojitos, mango ginger or mandarin martini and long island iced tea pitchers
$1 off glass of wine
13 appetizers for $3.95

Cook Hall Beer Dinner featuring Deschutes Brewery

Earlier this year, I attended Cook Hall’s Beer vs. Whiskey Dinner, which was an experience to remember. (Though that’s tougher to do than you’d think … I refer you to the title.) So when I was invited to March’s beer dinner featuring Deschutes Brewery, I couldn’t resist. March’s beer dinner featuring Deschutes Brewery, teamed with dishes from local chef Nicholas Jimenez, was a match made in heaven.

Much like the craft brew scene is growing here in Texas, in Oregon craft beer is growing exponentially. In fact, Oregon is home to the most breweries per capita in the U.S. and Oregonians spending more money on craft beer than any other state.

Chef Nicholas Jimenez used his ingenuity to evoke the wild, adventurous spirit of Oregon in our meal. Our first course was a roasted fennel and sun choke soup garnished with crispy artichoke chips and topped with an orange oil. The flavorful and hearty soup was paired with Deschutes’ River Ale Golden Ale, and it was a great way to shake off the chill of early spring evening. To offset the heavier soup, this ale was crisp, light, and slightly hoppy with hints of fruit.

Deschutes River Ale GoldenAle

For our second course, Chef Jimenez created a beet-horseradish cured salmon gravlax served with a watercress salad, pickled radish and coriander. Colorful and a bit wild, everything in this dish came together to work really well. The beer of choice with this dish was the Fresh Squeezed IPA which has earned both national and international prizes … and for good reason. This IPA has a strong, crisp citrus smell with hints of malt which were perfectly paired with the dish. I can easily see smooth brew being a summer crowd pleaser.

Beet & Horseradish Cured Salmon Gravlax

The third course, and my personal favorite, was an espresso crusted lamb loin. The lamb was tender and juicy and cooked to absolute perfection. The espresso was an interesting (read: perfect) complement to the meat and was not overpowering as I thought it might have been with a delicate meat like lamb. Served with braised Belgian endive, English peas and a barley risotto, all were nice additions in both taste and texture, but the meat is really what wowed me. To wash it all down, Cook Hall introduced the only dark beer of the evening–Deschutes’ Obsidian Stout. I enjoyed the full bodied stout’s roasted coffee and chocolate notes which were echoed by the hint of espresso in the lamb. Considering how dark and heavy some stouts can be, Obsidian drinks easily and, unlike other stouts, doesn’t fill you up too much.

: Espresso Braised Lamb

: Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to try the dessert. Damn peanut, almond, etc. allergy … so an almond cake dessert was not exactly in the cards for me. Our dessert was served with an eclectic variety including grilled pineapple, ginger ice cream, pineapple sorbet and extra virgin olive oil. My source (a.k.a. my beautiful wife) said it was a nice way to cap off the meal–sweet and refreshing without being too rich.

I did not, however, pass on the Zarabanda Farmhouse Saison, the brainchild of Deschutes and Chef José Andrés, who we can all thank for introducing America to the concept of tapas. (Bless you for bringing tiny dishes into my life, my friend.) This spiced pale ale has a dry, sweet taste with hints of lemon verbena, sumac and dried lime. Did you get all that? If not, just know this beer packs in a range of flavors, all notable from first sip. It was a great compliment to the tropical flavors of the dessert … so says my wife.

Whether your intrigued by the concept of beer dinners, looking to grab a meal before a Dallas Maverick or Stars game or just needing a drink, Cook Hall has you covered. (BONUS: they validate the W’s parking.)

Check out Cook Hall’s website for updates and information on their monthly beer dinners. (DOUBLE BONUS: Sign up for their newsletter while you’re there and get a free snack.)

Cook Hall Dallas
www.cookhalldallas.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
In the W Dallas Victory | 2440 Victory Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75219
(214)-397-4111

Happy Hour (5pm to 7pm | Monday – Friday): 5 cocktails and 5 small plates each for $5
Check out their menu for more information.

Deschutes Brewery
www.deschutesbrewery.com | YouTube | Pinterest | Tumblr
901 SW Simpson Ave, Bend, OR 97702
(541)-382-9242

*Cook Hall was kind enough to pick up my tab for the evening.*

Product Review: Grapevine Craft Brewery

Yes, my fellow football lovers, it is that time of the year … time for the Super Bowl. While us North Texans are still reeling from the Cowboy’s 5 point loss to Green Bay (it was totally a catch), we still know Super Bowl Sunday is a very valid excuse for a damn good party. (After all, Americans eat more calories during the Super Bowl than any other day of the year!) So, naturally, we’re going to need some quality brews to go along with the game.

I tried three beers from Grapevine Craft Brewery … you know, for the good of the people. This 2-year old brewery was part of the surge of craft beer establishments here in NTX, and, while still new to the scene, GCB has already received some pretty big awards. In 2014, their Sir Williams English Brown Ale took home the gold medal from the Great American Beer Festival. (I know … we were impressed, too.)

The first of Grapevine’s beers that I tried was the Monarch, a classic American wheat beer. This is a light, crisp filtered beer which I daresay could please just about any palate. The clean flavor and easy drinkability would be a good option for those accustomed to drinking the usual domestic beers like Coors Light, Bud and that lot … but a decidedly better option. I could definitely see myself knocking back a few of these on a warm summer night.

Next, I moved on to the Lakefire Rye Pale Ale. This beer had a much more distinctive taste than the Monarch. Here, part of the barley malt is substituted with rye, hence the name. I found that both the rye and hops lent a pretty strong flavor to this beer. This is a well-balanced RPA that I enjoyed, but it may not be a beer for everyone.

I saved my favorite for last – the Sir William’s English Brown Ale. There’s a good reason this brew snagged a gold medal in 2014. Even a novice brew enthusiast would appreciate this beer just as much as a more seasoned drinker. This beer is bold, yet is still balanced, and has a nice, smooth taste. It isn’t too overpowering or heavy, which makes it a great option to accompany a meal, such as my fresh off the grill cheeseburgers, or even to drink by itself.

Let’s not limit our creativity when it comes to using Sir William’s…Sir William’s chocolateyness was a nice addition to my vanilla bean ice cream. (Talk about an adult root beer float!) As GCB says themselves, “The English do it right … but Texans do it better.”

And … coming to a shelf near you is GCB’s Nightwatch Oatmeal Stout. Starting January 26th, Nightwatch, which was previously only on tap, became available in cans. Check out GCB’s website for a list of grocery stores that stock their products.

Cheers!

Grapevine Craft Brewery
www.grapevineontap.com
Twitter | Instagram | Untapped

Yard House Measures Up

If you can’t find something to love at Yard House, you either hate good food, cold craft beers, and carefully mixed cocktails … or you’re wrong. Addison’s newest watering hole, Yard House, is a place where with so many choices that repeat visits are a must.

The drink menu offers up an impressive (and massive) list of American and international craft beers, cocktails, wine and sake. For those counting calories, but needing to indulge in an adult beverage, the drink menu includes a selection of cocktails between each 150-200 calories such as the Citrus Crush, Skinny Margarita, and Juniper Fusion. In addition to an already abundant amount of options, the restaurant mixes it up with a rotating selection of brews for their Chalkboard series.

Ruby Red Cocktail

Given the ample selection of beers, I thought it only proper to go with a tall, cold draft brew, Blood and Honey from Revolver, before going back to more familiar territory with an Upper Manhattan cocktail, featuring a peach puree that added a nice touch to this well balanced drink. My better half opted for two of the house martinis (one at a time of course), the Ruby Red and the Strawberry Fields, both of which she would have liked to order seconds of. But lo, reason prevailed on a Tuesday night and she stopped at one (of each).

Blood & Honey

The food menu (whose length rivals the drink menu’s) has a nice selection of food — animal, vegetable or mineral. From a wide selection of bar snacks to full-blown meals, there is something that can and will satisfy anyone’s booze-fueled whims. Carnitas tacos, spicy Thai chicken pizza, Hawaiian poke stack … the bottom line is that you should go to the Yard House hungry! Take my advice and try the Mac & Chesse – chicken, bacon and wild mushrooms mingle with pasta in a decadent cheese sauce with hints of truffle. If that’s not the perfect food to go with one of Yard House’s craft brews, I don’t know what is.

Picture courtesy of Yard House

The interior of Yard House is just the right mix of modern upscale and contemporary casual. (Think Kona Grill meets BJ’s Brew House.) It’s a great place for a little after-work drink or a fun first date where you may need some distractions. There is an outdoor patio, which would be a great place to relax, drink a beer and watch a game or two. The large, central bar is a great place to pull up a chair and admire the 100s of beer taps all waiting to be pulled.

No one can go to Yard House and not talk about the music. The playlist was the absolute perfect mix of everything from classic rock to modern day hits varying from rock to reggae and everything else in between. It took everything in me not to get up and start dancing, but there may have been some head bobbing going on.

Give Yard House a try-and if you see a bald fellow rockin’ out…it’s not me.

Yard House
www.yardhouse.com | (972) 716 – 4004
5100 Belt Line Road, Dallas, Texas 75254
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Happy Hour:
Monday – Friday: 3 pm to 6 pm,
Sunday – Thursday: 9 pm to 11 pm

$1 off domestic pints and well drinks
$2 off craft & import pints and goblets, domestic half yards, Fresh and Skinny™, beer cocktails and mules, call & premium spirits and wine by the glass
$3 off house martinis
$4 off craft & international half yards

TGIF!

: DOUBLE BERRY MOJITO SHAKER

: OREO MADNESS (this one’s for you, Ruben!)

: AHI TUNA CRISPS

: DOUBLE BERRY MOJITO SHAKER and

: THE BFM – THE BEST FRIDAYSSM MARGARITA

: FRIDAYS SPIKED LEMONADE

I love going to out to eat. It’s an opportunity for my wife and I to relax, talk and eat and drink (obviously). Deciding where to go can, at times, be a point of contention … You see, I’m against fast food (unless it’s Whataburger and I am on the way home from a bar), making reservations assumes we know where we want go prior to us pulling up, and, like most people, we live on a budget. So it may or may not come as a surprise that I value, and, dare say, appreciate the role the big chain restaurants play in the restaurant scene. (To me there is something almost comforting about these places.)

I remember TGI Friday’s from back in the day as more of a restaurant with a sports bar feel than a place I expect to find craft cocktails, artisan appetizers and “hand-crafted” food. I checked out the Addison location down the street for me and realized the Friday’s from my younger days is long gone. (Rest in peace.) They are embracing change, shaking that suburban eatery rap and catering to a younger generation of foodies and more particular cocktail and beer drinkers. The hodge podge of wall decor is gone with cool photos and prints in their place and the waiter’s 37 pieces of flair have been replaced with an impressive level of knowledge on how to make a drink.

We struck gold with (read: devoured) our Ahi Tuni Crisps, a combination one might not expect of blackened Ahi tuna on a tortilla chip with guacamole, jalapeños, Sriracha sauce and Avocado Vinaigrette, topped with a cucumber-wasabi ranch. Followed by an order of Bacon Mac N Cheese Bits. My Friday’s Spike Lemonade (made with Tito’s homemade vodka, lemon and lime juice, agave among other things) washed down the starters I would normally never eat, but couldn’t resist at least trying … and then ended up finishing the plate.

Before night was done we also had gone through a Hendricks Cooler, Best Friday’s Margaritas and a Double Berry Mojito, which made me eager to come back again. It was one of those kind of meals where you end up full before the entrees are even brought out but you can’t help but eat most of it. (Some of our steaks ended up coming home with us to be enjoyed the following day.)

And what is dinner without dessert? Those who know me know I do my best to eat healthy(ish), but I was able to muster the willpower to resist the Oreo Madness. The same can not be said about my wife…

It’s no secret that competition and staying power among restaurants is difficult, especially in a city with a thriving food scene like Dallas. Of note, this TGI Friday’s location happens to be one of the more tenured restaurant establishments in Addison (RIP: Trulucks, Mi Piaci, Sambuca, Bennigans, Mi Piaci, Jake’s, Champps, Duke’s, etc). Having sampled what they’re cookin’ and shakin’ up over there, I’d encourage you to stop in and check out what they have going at their new Addison location!

TGI FRIDAYS
www.tgifridays.com
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Tumblr | YouTube

Current Drinks Specials (daily specials may vary from TGIF to TGIF!)

Monday – $5 Bloody Mary, Mimosa and Calls
Tuesday – $5 Jack Daniels
Wednesday – $3 martinis & half priced bottles of wine
Thursday – $3 drinks

***TGI Friday’s are supporters of the SDD team and provided complimentary gift cards for this meal***

Holy Hefe-Weizen – Chamberlain’s Bavarian Brau Haus

With less than two months to Addison Oktoberfest and our fearless (and never drinkless) leader Susie out of town, I was treated to a preview of Chamberlain’s Brau Haus. A little background first…

Addison’s Oktoberfest has been one of the city’s most popular events since it kicked off in 1987. With a tenure of nearly 3 decades, the festival is widely considered one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations outside Munich and has been recognized by USA Today and Forbes as one of the Top Oktoberfest celebrations in North America. From September 18 – 20 it will be home to all things weizenbier, sauerkraut and sausage.

Despite one’s inclination to think the event is aimed at adults or those interested solely in drinking beer and eating, it’s actually a very family-friendly event with a variety of activities suitable for the little ones, including carnival games, rides and music. There is even a 5K and 1 mile run benefitting Dallas-based Wipe Out Kid’s Cancer (WOKC).

On September 18-20, Chef Richard Chamberlain hosts Chamberlain’s Brau Haus, a full-service restaurant, for the second year in a row. Chamberlain & Co. will deliver a Deutschland dining experience worthy of curing the most serious cases of the travel bug for those yearning to go to Munich … or it may make the bug bite harder. (Either way ….) A brief glance of the menu at the pre-Oktoberfest tasting event and I knew it to be wise to preemptively loosen my tie, unbutton the top button on my dress shirt, and get comfortable. (I still don’t know why they didn’t encourage us to wear sweatpants.)

The Brau Haus menu features a packed 3-course meal with Paulaner beer pairings throughout. I was somehow able to restrain my usual tendency of partaking in a second round of table snacks typically offered at restaurants (no shame), in this case, fresh German pretzels.

Our first course included (get ready): a sampling of smoked rainbow trout with a horseradish cream and pickled onions, Bavarian ham with German mustard and a cucumber, dill and tomato salad. Winner of this course: the trout. It was was cooked as you would expect it to be at restaurant of Chamberlain’s caliber, perfectly. The horseradish cream and pickled onions were spot on and seemed to include nearly all the different aspects of taste – salty, bitter, sweet, etc.

The second course featured Bavarian braised pork with onion potatoes and a paulaner jus along with a trio of German Sausages. As if more was needed to justify my indulgence, house made sauerkraut and bacon filled up the remaining space on my plate. Winner of the second course: the pork. The Chamberlain’s crew served up pork that was so tender the meat seemed to gently and gracefully fall onto the fork as if yearning to be eaten. (How’s that for meat poetry?)

It was a serious internal debate whether there was room for the warm cinnamon apple strudel top with a salted caramel sauce, but don’t worry logic and reason prevailed. (All this coming from a guy who typically eats pretty healthy.)

Tickets for the 6:30pm or 8:30pm dinner on the 18th, 19th or 20th or for Oktoberfest’s other packages need to be purchased by September 4th as quantities are limited. The$49 Brau Haus package gets you:

admission to Oktoberfest (a $10 value)
the 3 course tasting meal with Paulaner beer pairings
a Paulaner Oktoberfest 1 litre beer stein with a bier or wine flight
(the best part) your choice of a $25 gift card to either Chamberlain’s Steak & Chop House or Chamberlain’s Fish Market

Needless to say, Chamberlain’s Brau Haus dining experience should be reason enough to visit Addison’s 2014 Oktoberfest celebration. Add to it the Draught Haus, an authentic Munich-style beer hall with a Texas twist in at the Addison Conference Center, more food and fun and there I’d be interested to know your rationale for not going.

To buy your tickets to Chamberlain’s Brau Haus or for additional event and package information, visit the Oktoberfest 2014 website.

Oktoberfest 2014 | Addison Circle Park | September 18-21
MORE DETAILS HERE …

Chamberlain’s Steak and Chop House
www.chamberlainssteakhouse.com
Facebook | Twitter: @ChamberlainSTK
5330 Beltline Road, Dallas, Texas 75254
(972) 934 – 2467

*Many thanks to Chamberlain’s, Paulaner and the city of Addison for my meal!

Astoria Caffe & Wine Bar

Truth be told, I find wine to be a bit intimidating. I can’t do what sommeliers do. I’m a beer guy. I have no idea how to really even “taste” wine as a professional would, seeking out hints of boysenberry (what does boysenberry even taste like???) or a lingering aftertaste of leather or graphite (whaaa?). I couldn’t tell you if a wine should be older or drunk the same year it’s made, and I have no idea of the “terroirs” associated with different wines. (Wait … since when are dog breeds involved in wine-making???) Nevertheless, the staff at Astoria Caffe & Wine Bar in Addison Circle makes me feel like a pro and helps me get to just the right glass (or three) of vino.

I recently had the chance to visit this corner bar with the wife for a light dinner of wine and cheese (which is totally acceptable). This wine bar is family-owned, completely unpretentious, and boasts a diverse selection of wines and a small, well thought-out menu. It’s the kind of place where you can see yourself being a regular. For those who aren’t big wine drinkers, don’t fret, Astoria stocks a selection of domestic and imported beers, too.

For the casual wine drinker who doesn’t want to an entire bottle (or the indecisive), there are plenty of choices available by the glass. I thought that the prices for both glasses and bottles of wine were quite reasonable. If you’re looking for something in particular or just need help with a recommendation, the staff is eager to help and knowledgeable about the bar’s offerings.

Astoria is intimate and cozy, allowing one to quickly feel right at home. The interior has a dozen or so small tables as well as a dog-friendly front patio surrounded by lush trees. This wine bar attracts an eclectic mix of patrons that range from the mature wine snob to young couples to hipsters. Those looking for a great first date spot in Addison or those simply looking to unwind with a glass of good wine in a relaxed atmosphere can look no further.

Whether you’re an experienced wine buff or an amateur like me, there’s a lot to appreciate at Astoria Caffe!

ASTORIA CAFFE & WINE BAR
astoriacaffe.com | (972) 239-5853
15701 Quorum Drive, Addison, Texas 75001
Facebook | Instagram: @Astoriacaffe_Winebar | Twitter: @Astoriacafewine

Happy Hour: Daily from 3pm to 7pm

Monthly bottle specials
Live-music on select nights

SusieDrinks

Drink well. Travel often.