Category Archives: Booze News

Dallas #BoozeNews: June 25, 2015

Grey Goose is offering you the chance to win a trip to France … seriously.  All you do is record the highlight of your Summer Soirée (5-15 seconds) and post to Instagram or Twitter using #SummerSoiree.  It’s that easy!  (A panel of judges will select the winning video.) RULES

Celebrity Cafe & Bakery is now under new ownership, will be opening additional locations, and is moving its Highland Park Village location to the Shops of Highland Park (4260 Oak Lawn Ave).


NEW OPENINGS

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Lisa Garza | Photo by Elizabeth Lavin

Lisa’s doing it again!  Sissy’s Southern Kitchen creator, Lisa Garza-Selcer, is joining forces with Patton Robertson of Five Sixty to open a new concept in Downtown Dallas (1525 Elm Street), Shelby Hall.  It’ll feature “Mississippi Delta and Lowcountry, and a bourbon-heavy beverage program.  The beverage program will be anchored by signature Jim Beam white and brown bourbon barrel-aged cocktails, and a curated wine and beer list.”  (OMG now all I want is fried chicken.)

The Omni Dallas Hotel is making some moves. Last week they started construction on their two new concepts to join Bob’s, Texas Spice, and The Owner’s Box–Dallas favorite NY-style pizza joint, Coal Vines, and a new German-style beer garden concept, Biergarten.  Both will open August 10 and will offer lunch, dinner, and brunch!

Hey, Uptowners … ready to get your neighborhood back from the congestion from the new Whole Foods development on McKinney?  Good news … the 38,000 square foot Whole Foods Market Uptown will officially open August 12 at 8am!

Del Frisco’s Grille opened its 4th DFW location in Plano at The Shops at Legacy on June 21 to bring Collin County residents their creative comfort food.  Stop in for lunch or dinner or join them on weekends for brunch!

LTO SPECIALS

Hopdoddy Black+Blue Burger

Hopdoddy Black+Blue Burger

Hopdoddy’s newest special is the Black & Blue Burger (Black Angus Beef, Blue Cheese, Black Pepper Aioli, Apple Wood Bacon, Fig and Onion Marmalade, Brioche Bun).  I mean … I can’t eat it because I’m allergic to blue cheese, so who’s gonna tell me how delicious it is?
Cost: $11
Available: through June 28

They’re also getting into brunch in a serious way with their Brunch Burger (Spam Patty, Swiss Cheese, Fried Egg, Avocado, Tomato, Sassy Sauce, Egg Bun).
Cost: $7, $10 with a mini brunch cocktail
Available: at McKinney Ave location only on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am-2pm (until they run out daily)

HD_BrunchBurger


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Dallas #BoozeNews: June 15, 2015

Dallas’ newest alcohol delivery app, Drizly (like grizzly … not drizzle-y) is now in business thanks to a partnership with Goody Goody Liquor!  Joining the likes of MiniBar and Lash, the company boasts its 3,000 beer, wine, and liquor products will be available for the best prices in the city and with delivery times under one hour.

Service areas in its 15th city include Downtown Dallas, West End, Deep Ellum, Oak Lawn, Uptown, Knox/Henderson, Highland Park, University Park, Lower Greenville, Lakewood, Preston Hollow, and Lake Highlands with more areas in the works.

Get free delivery through June 25 on all orders if you use the code HELLODALLAS and, if you’re one of the first 200 users to order, you’ll receive a free Bullzerk t-shirt.


NEW LUNCH OFFERINGS

GAPC Lunch

GAPC Lunch

Lowest Greenville’s favorite drunk pizza join, Greenville Avenue Pizza Company, will serve lunch daily starting at 11am.  They’ll offer their regular menu along with a $10 lunch special (a slice of pepperoni or cheese pizza, a Caesar salad, and a drink).  Just don’t forget their famous pizza crack seasoning!

How about a round of bowling over lunch? Plano entertainment venue, PINSTACK, now offers $10 lunch specials Monday through Friday, 11am to 2pm for the following combos which include a drink.

PICK TWO COMBO: ½ sandwich, mixed greens, soup, Caesar
PIZZA COMBO: 8” pizza with mixed greens or Caesar
BURGER COMBO: PINSTACK signature burger with chips or seasoned fries

Cook Hall Lunch Box Burger

Cook Hall Lunch Box Burger

Cook Hall will now offer lunch specials dubbed “lunch boxes”.  Choose from the following:

Starter: Popcorn Shrimp OR Tomato Basil Soup
Greens: Fresh Kale Salad, Pickled Lemon, Fried Egg & Drizzle, Chopped Salad with Bleu Cheese, OR Mixed Green Salad
Entrée: Cook Hall Burger with Fries, Grilled Chicken on Ciabatta with Fig Jam & Goat Cheese, Rigatoni Pasta with Short Rib Bolognese, OR Crispy Fish Sandwich
Dessert: Butterscotch Pudding with Sea Salt & Caramel, S’Mores with Graham Cracker Ice Cream, OR Season Sorbet


SPECIALS

Hopdoddy Peach Cobbler Shake

Hopdoddy Peach Cobbler Shake

Georgia transplants: Hopdoddy Burger Bar has your number.  Stop in for their current milkshake special, the Peach Cobbler Shake (handmade ice cream, peach cobbler filling, pie crust, macerated peach slice, and whipped cream)!
Cost: ($6)
Available: through June 21
Peach Cobbler Shake Special:


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Dallas #BoozeNews: June 4, 2015

Sunset Lounge is closing … and they’re having a MA-JOR party on June 27.  Check out the invite and details


Billy Goat Shake

Billy Goat Shake

Max’s Wine Dive will debut its summer menu this week featuring some old and new favorites including their famous Lobster Tail (chicken fried and served atop a jalapeño sweet corn waffle with parsley butter).  Check out the new menu.

Baaa-lieve it … Hopdoddy‘s current shake special, the Billy Goat Shake, features goats milk!  Using handmade ice cream, cajeta sauce, goat cheese spread, it’s perfectly blended and topped with spicy Pepita Brittle andWhipped Cream.
     Available: through June 7
     Cost: $6

FORT WORTH #BOOZENEWS:

Fort Worth favorite BITE City Grill offer a Sunday brunch buffet complete with hold and cold dishes, a custom omelet station, and griddle stations!  Grab a plate and load it up 11am-3pm Sundays starting June 7 for $15.95.  (Children 4-10 can dine for 1/2 price and children under 4 are free.)  To up the ante, they’ll offer happy hour specials all day including mimosa and Bloody Mary specials.

GRACE invites diners to experience its dinner for two prixe fixe menu this summer, offering three complete courses and two sides.  The menu will include options like the White Asparagus Soup with Rock Shrimp, Petite Filet & Maine Diver Scallop, and more.
Available: Memorial Day – Labor Day
Reservations: 817-877-3388
Cost: $99 for two plus tax and gratuity

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NORTH DALL AS #BOOZENEWS

Plano entertainment venue Pinstack will now offer “Bowl + Bite Night” Mondays (4pm-close).  They’ll offer bowling guests half price appetizers and draft beers for $3.

Frisco’s newest BBQ joint, Hutchins BBQ, is now open for dinner Fridays and Saturdays from 5-9pm. (Regular hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 11am-3pm.)


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Dallas #BoozeNews: May 27, 2015

JEM Beverage Company (makers of Western Son Vodka, Red River Whiskey, South House Moonshine, and more) has shed its Carrollton roots and moved to Pilot Point, Texas to expand its distillery!  Some of the #SDDContributor team and I stopped by their grand opening party this past Saturday to celebrate.  Check out what we got into and learn more about the distillery.

Dallas institution Snookie’s on Oak Lawn will close its fifth and last-standing location on May 31 as the shopping center it’s in will be demolished.  It will close on the heels of its 26th birthday.  Don’t miss their closing parties Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30!

Paul Martin’s American Grill is opening in North Texas!  The California-based restaurant concept will hire 125 and will have 6,000sf of restaurant and will serve contemporary American food.  Stay tuned for a location and opening date!

Uchi Dallas will open June 1 at 5pm! Check out the beloved Austin sushi transplant at their newest of four locations at 2817 Maple Avenue! Their “signature menu offerings include hot and cool tastings, makimono, yakimono, tempura and, of course, sushi and sashimi.”

K.T. Burger, a new concept from the Katy Trail Ice House in Highland Park Village, is NOW OPEN in the former Marquee Grill/Village Kitchen space.  Expect burgers (duh), salads (boring), and some brats.  Oh … and beer, wine, and some booze.


Chef Vijay Sadhu

Chef Vijay Sadhu

Cook Hall at the W Dallas Victory named Chef Vijay Sadhu as the new chef.  His talents that were honed across the globe and most recently at Samar by Stephan Pyles will take up residence at the upscale eatery in June.

Samson’s Gourmet Hot Dogs has added burgers to their lineup.  The dog shop with 31 topping options will offer regular ole burgers and stuffed ones … stuffed burgers, y’all.  The Magnum sounds pretty amazing –it’s stuffed with roasted jalapeños and smoked chipotle cream cheese and topped with smoked chipotle sauce.


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Grapefruit Jalapeno Cocktail

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 - Houlihan's

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

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

Dallas #BoozeNews: April 20, 2015

MORE BURGERS, PLEASE

TWISTED ROOT BURGER JOINT: They’ve done it … they’ve abandoned the beef (at least just for one menu item).  Stop in and try TRBC’s newest option, the (vegan) Veggie Burger, made with black beans, hummus, quinoa, and more.

KENNY’S BURGER JOINT: Because burgers are not decadent enough – Kenny Bowers has launched a BIGGER option – the Ultimate Cheese Burger.  Kenny’s Ultimate Cheeseburger is a ½ pound bacon cheeseburger sandwiched between two hand-crafted grilled cheese sandwiches.

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MORE MALAI
So I’m excited about the first part of this news … West Village favorite, Malai Kitchen, will open another restaurant in Southlake’s Park Village this fall! Southlake residents will be able to enjoy their Southeast Asian cuisine this fall!

Even better, starting May 1, Malai WV will begin serving a chef’s tasting menu that will change each month that will cost $58/person with optional wine pairings for $30.  The first month’s menu includes Smoked Duck Breast, Vietnamese Scampi Soup, Curried Beef Short Rib and Taro Root and Dark Rum Coconut Milk Custard. 

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS …
CMYKCruzan Rum has released a new product, Cruzan Blueberry Lemonade Rum, just in time for summer debauchery beside the pool. This new option “blends fine Cruzan Rum with the essence of ripe blueberries and vibrant citrus to create a well-rounded spirit bursting with the taste of fresh fruit.”

Cruzan® Blueberry Lemonade Cooler (by mixologist Jesse Card)
2 parts Cruzan® Blueberry Lemonade Rum
3/4 part Fresh Grapefruit Juice
1 small pinch Sea Salt
Club Soda

Combine rum, grapefruit juice and salt over ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Double strain into a glass over ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.

GET ARTSY FARTSY WITH PATRÓN
Art of Patron
Patrón wants to see what you can do with their bottles!  Through July 17, they’re accepting submissions from its drinkers showing what they’ve done to creatively repurpose their bottles for the chance to win up to $10,000.  (Seriously).  You can find out all of the info you need and enter to win at ArtofPatron.com.

CINCO WITH DEAN
Dean’s really done it now.  He worked with Patrón’s distillers to come up with his own añejo tequila!  It’s smooth, slightly sweet, caramel flavors will be available starting May 5 at Fearing’s first-ever Cinco de Mayo party.

As part of its May 5 first-pour celebration, Fearing’s will introduce three new añejo cocktails created by Patron’s lead mixologist, Andres Ismael Moran Gutierrez – a renowned name in the tequila world and bartender for 400 Conejos mezcaleria in Guadalajara. Fearing’s will also use Patrón’s own Silver Tequila in that evening’s Dean’s Margaritas. 

C’MON, GET HAPPY
Front Room Tavern
launched its happy hour (finally) and I’m all about this lineup!  Check out their happy hour menu here featuring local drafts and other beers, wines by the glass, and cocktails like the Elevated Mule (vodka, turbinado, lime, ginger beer, lime bitters) and the SW Strawberry Sour (pisco, strawberries, citrus, jalapeño, soda).
Enjoy the specials M-F, 3-6pm.

Cocktails from Front Room Tavern

WING THINGS
Wingstop has released a new, saucy option, Serrano Pepper Glaze. “This Latin-inspired sauce features a kick of fresh citrus and a roasted serrano pepper heat that lingers. Its saucy tang meets a fiery bang for those wing fans seeking an adventurous flavor experience.”

THE SHED … NEWLY VISITED
Starting June 1, the Dallas Farmers Market will begin Farmers Market Days at The Shed where local artisans will offer their goods Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. More information here.

MORE FROM THE 2ND FLOOR!
The 2nd Floor by Scott Gottlich will release new breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus!  Stay tuned for my take on some of the new items later this month!

New Menu Items from The Second Floor

New Menu Items from The Second Floor

DFW Craft Beer Throwdown at Cambria Plano

Cambria Hotel and Suites has opened a brand spankin’ new Plano property on Parkwood Blvd, just steps from the suburban booze/fine dining/shopping wonderland  we call Shops at Legacy. This is most excellent news for out of town guests, business travelers, bachelorettes, and packs of prowling cougars alike.

In addition to being an ideally located crash pad, the Cambria Hotel & Suites just so happens to be kind of awesome. The 129 room, 4-story hotel features comfortable luxuries (think spacious rooms with over-sized living areas, spa-inspired bathrooms, etc.) coupled with practical and useful features, like a multi-functional media hub for your undoubtedly excessive number of electronic devices. The Cambria Plano offers 2,400 square feet of meeting/conference space if that’s something you need … and, a full service bar and lounge area, if THAT’S something you need, in addition to a contemporary bistro. They also have a really sweet pool area, featuring a notably swanky looking cabana setup (complete with fire pits for the colder months, ThankYouVeryMuch).

Cambria 6 Poolside Cabanas

I was excited to attend the Cambria’s grand opening celebration earlier this month, for a few reasons, really; in addition to checking out this cool new property, I got to experience not only a sampling of the impressive cuisine Cambria Chef DeMaria dreamed up for this event, but also a series of beer pairings offered up by five of DFW’s very own local craft breweries. This wasn’t just any ol’ beer tasting event, though- oh, no. Each of the five breweries in attendance were charged with the task of presenting their finest suds to a panel of judges, led by former Plano Mayor Phil Dyer, in order to determine which of the five offerings would earn a tap behind the Cambria bar. The offerings of the evening, in no particular order, consisted of:

  • Lakewood LagerVienna Style Lager, 4.6% ABV- this has always been one of my go-tos- it’s just so darn drinkable with its light maltiness and balanced bitter hop. I felt this was a contender due to its versatility (but it doesn’t matter what I think, because I’m no former mayor).
  • Community Mosaic IPA, India Pale Ale, 7.5% ABV- If you haven’t tried this beer, it’s about as hoppy as this guy. If you love hoppy, well-balanced beers, you will love this beer. I felt this was a brave offering from Community, seeing as it makes such a bold statement.
  • Peticolas Velvet Hammer, Imperial Red Ale, 9% ABV– this smooth, malty red ale is slightly floral, lightly sweet, and moderately full-bodied. It will also knock you on your ass in a relative hurry. That said, it’s interesting and delicious. Nice choice.
  • Deep Ellum Brewing Company Dallas Blonde, American Blonde Ale, 5.2%- I hear it goes down easy (that’s a joke…remember this?). But, it’s true; this delicate golden session ale is exceptionally drinkable. For that reason, I considered Dallas Blonde to be another favorable horse in this race.
  • Franconia Dunkel Lager, Munich Dunkel Lager, 4.4%- it’s the bier from here, y’all. Brewed following the practice of German Purity Laws, this dunkel is toasty and malty, with a light, chocolatey finish. I have always enjoyed the straight-forward, no-nonsense approach these guys take to their craft. While this may have been the darkest beer offering in the race,  it was no dark horse, in my humble opinion (#jokes).

Deep Ellum and Food Pairing (2)_1

Five fine contenders, vying for one coveted tap behind the Cambria bar. While all five of these local offerings were winners in my book (or more accurately, in my belly…), there could only be one. And there was. The judges made a unanimous decision.

Drumroll please…

Are you ready?

Here it comes:

The Cambria will be serving…

Wait for it…

Community Mosaic IPA

There you have it. Community Mosaic IPA will be available behind the bar at the Cambria, in addition to three other craft handles, and twelve domestic offerings on tap. I did not correctly guess that such a bold offering would win the judge’s affection, but I loved the plot twist. I’m sure it was a difficult decision, but I’m not sure the judges could have gone wrong. To quote former Mayor Dyer, “I believe in beer”.

Because variety is the spice of life, Cambria’s bar and lounge features also an ample selection of liquor and wine. Featured cocktails include the Cambria Margarita $7, and the Blackberry Mojito $9. 

I would be remiss to wrap up this event re-cap without mentioning how delicious the food offerings were. We were able to sample a variety of creative and delicious dishes, ranging from Cambozola Mac n’ Cheese to my personal favorite, a Franconia Dunkel braised sausage, served atop mashed potatoes with pepper-onion tapenade and a mustard gravy. Yes. Featured menu items in Cambria’s contemporary bistro include inventive dishes such as the Pesto Drummies Appetizer served with blue cheese & butter ($10), Sriracha Glazed Salmon, featuring house-made Sriracha, served with green chile grits ($13), and the Flat Iron Steak with garlic spinach and Idaho fries ($19). I also hear tell that Cambria serves up a killer house-made Tres Leches Bread Pudding topped with lime zest ($7). Run and tell that, homeboy.

Cambria 1 Sriracha Salmon

Cambria’s bistro is open for breakfast from 5:00 AM- 10:00 AM. Dinner is served from 5:00 PM- 11:00 PM. The bar and lounge is open nightly from 5:00 PM- Midnight.

Cambria Hotel & Suites Plano – Legacy
7500 Parkwood Blvd., Plano, TX 75024
(972) 473-9010
Online Booking

 

Dallas #BoozeNews: March 20, 2015

BOOK IT
Booker’s® Bourbon released an inaugural batch of its limited-edition collection celebrating founding distiller Booker Noe’s legacy as the father of small batch bourbon.  It’s bottled straight from the barrel, so it will only be available in limited quantities in 2015.
The download: 128.7 proof, aged 7 years 2 months & 16 days, has vanilla notes

The Virgin Tart Shake from Hopdoddy

The Virgin Tart Shake from Hopdoddy

LIKE A VIRGIN
Hopdoddy’s
newest shake special is the Virgin Tart Shake made with Vanilla Ice Cream, Local Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Biscotti Batter, Whipped Cream.
Offered:
through March 29
Price:
$6

LEGEND … wait for it … DARY
Stop into Hard Rock Cafe Dallas to try out their newest burger offering, the Legendary™ Burger, a half-pound Certified Angus Beer® patty, brushed with Rebel IPA barbecue glaze and topped with picadillo meat, Monterey jack cheese, baby arugula, a tomato slice drizzled with balsamic glaze and crispy onions. It’s  the first of their line of burger and beer pairings, so try it with a Samuel Adams Rebel IPA.
Offered: March 23 – April 30

Eureka!’s Creole Benedict (photo credit: Kevin Marple)

Eureka!’s Creole Benedict (photo credit: Kevin Marple)

Eureka! is now offering brunch!  Check it out weekends from 11am-3pm and enjoy bloody Marys and Mimosas for $5, their extensive craft beer offerings, and deliciousness like Bananas Foster Crunchy French Toast and Creole Benedict!

HAPPY AS A CLAM CRAB
Get some beach time under your belt at C’Viche on Lower Greenville with their new happy hour.  Enjoy the following specials Monday-Friday from 3-7pm:
– $4 house cocktails (Pisco Sour, Margarita, Mojito, Caipirinha), featuring creative tequila, artisan rum, pisco and cachaca cocktails using fresh ingredients and house-made bitters
– $4 Mexican and local draft beer
– $6 house wine and sangria
– Complimentary chips and salsa