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I really loved my first Dishcrawl, and I will definitely be attending another!

Have dietary restrictions (past just being a picky little toot)? Let them know in advance and they’ll make adjustments.
How much is it? $45, and you’ll be stuffed by the last stop.
Does it come with booze? Some stops may, but bring cash and run ahead of the group if you choose to drink … the lines at the bars gets long and then you have to chug. (Buamp.)
How long does it last? Expect to be crawling for about three hours.
Is there transportation? Nope … wear comfy shoes because they try to make everything within walking distance.

Check out Dishcrawl Dallas, Dishcrawl Plano, and Dishcrawl Garland.

**I attended this event free of charge.**

Spring and Summer Events and Activities

OUTDOOR MOVIES AT THE ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE
screenings begin around 8:30pm, doors open at 6:30pm | Alamo Drafthouse Richardson parking lot
FREE

July 13 – “Dazed and Confused”
July 20 – “The Lost Boys”
Come to the movie early (4-6:30pm) and give blood to the American Red Cross, and get a free ADH movie pass. Walk-ins are welcome or RSVP at redcrossblood.org & use the SPONSOR CODE: adhdfw
July 25 – Double feature: “Shaun of the Dead” & “Hot Fuzz”
July 27 – “The Goonies”

THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE at the DMA
Every Thursday through July 25, 5-9pm | Dallas Museum of Art
FREE
Live jazz music. Cocktails and dinner. Artful conversations. Activities in the Center for Creative Connections and more.

ROCKWALL CONCERTS BY THE LAKE
Weekly, May 9 – August 8, 5:30-7:30pm | Rockwall Harbor
FREE
Weekly concerts beside the lake and sponsored by the City of Rockwall.

May 9 – Josh Weathers Band – Fort Worth Weekly 2012 Music Awards Winner “Best Blues/Soul” & “Best Male Vocalist”
May 16 – Me & My Monkey – Beatles Tribute
May 23 – SoundHouse – Classic Rock
May 30 – Escape – Journey Tribute
June 6 – Live 80 – 80’s Hits
June 13 – Petty Theft – Tom Petty Tribute
June 20 – Moving Colors – Rhythm and Dance
June 27 – Walkin’ The Line – Johnny Cash Tribute
July 11 – Chinatown – Pop Variety
July 18 – Hanna’s Reef – Texas Beach variety
July 25 – Big Mouth – Rock Variety
Aug 1 – Blaze of Glory – Bon Jovi Tribute
Aug 8 – Hunter Sullivan – Big Band

CONCERTS AT THE ARBORETUM
Twice weekly, April 16 – July 4 and September 5 – October 31 | Dallas Arboretum
$25/person ($10 children 3-12)
Concerts each Tuesday and Thursday (concert lineup) … bring your own blanket, food, and SHORT chair (and plastic bottle of wine)

FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDENS CONCERTS IN THE GARDEN
Various dates, June 7-July 6
$13-50 | Tickets
Summer concerts in the beautiful Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. Get there early, wear sunscreen and take bug spray, and don’t take any glass.
SCHEDULE

GRANADA THEATER & CHEVY MUSIC SHOWCASE
Monthly, April 25 – July 25 | Sundown at the Granada
FREE

Burning Hotels – 4/25
Larry g(EE) – 5/30
Somebody’s Darling – 6/27
Josh Weathers – 7/25

THIRD-ANNUAL MARGARITA MELTDOWN
March 26, 5-10pm | Bishop Arts District
“We’re bringing the best margaritologists together to crown the best margarita in Dallas at the 3rd annual Dallas Margarita Meltdown.”

DESIGN DISTRICT MARKET
May 30, 6-10pm | 300 block of Cole Street
“Live music will be provided by The Venetian Sailors and Catamaran. Food trucks present will include Yellow Belly Food Truck, Pompeii Food Truck, and Eat Jo Dawgs. There are 40+ local vendors setting up shop.”
More info

PATIO SESSIONS
Every Thursday through May 30 | AT&T Performing Arts Center
FREE

“The shows are expertly curated with top local acts like Daniel Hart, Ryan Thomas Becker and many others, performing in front of the huge reflecting pool located on the Center’s lawn. The series invites you to bring the kids, a blanket, a bottle of wine or two and enjoy the agreeable weather even if it only lasts for a few weeks.”

SUNSET MOVIES ON THE PATIO
Weekly, April 7 – May 19 | Central 214 at Hotel Palomar
FREE
“Central 214 is bringing back its popular ‘Sunday Sunset Movie Nights on the Patio’ for the spring. The restaurant will offer a variety of patio food and drink specials, including Amber’s DIFF cocktails for Sundays, April 7 and April 14. Arrive early for the showings starting each Sunday at dusk (around 9 p.m.) The lineup of classic films includes:

April 14 – “Pan’s Labyrinth”
April 21 – “All About Eve”
April 28 – “Slumdog Millionaire”
May 5 – “The Godfather”
May 12 – “My Fair Lady”
May 19 – “Gladiator”

MANY MANY more events to come…

These events have ended:

KENTUCKY DERBY EVENTS | May 3 & 4

CINCO DE MAYO EVENTS | May 5

CELEBRATE UPTOWN | April 24-26
Prices vary | West Village
“…a three day event that celebrates the best of Uptown Dallas and attracts all Uptown enthusiasts including residents, employees and patrons. This year’s shopping, dining and concert events will benefit Katy Trail, McKinney Avenue Trolley, W. B. Travis Vanguard & Academy and Notre Dame School.”

Dine ($45), April 24th, 7pm
Two-course meal for $45 at participating restaurants. Tickets here.
Sip, Shop, Stroll, April 25th, 6-8pm
20% off at participating retailers, live music by Recycled Photographs, gift bag for first 100 shoppers
The Spazmatics Concert ($10-40), April 26th, 5-10pm
6:30PM – John Lefler, 8PM – Spazmatics
Tickets here.

Derby Day Drinks, Events, and Recipes

This year I’ll be muddling juleps at Polo on the Lawn, benefiting Project Transformation Join me for a good cause … I’ll make you your first cocktail.

THE STANDARD POUR | May 4, 2-6pm
$5 juleps, $20 julep pitchers, long stem roses for every woman
$100 for biggest hat

YELP | May 19
The Village Country Club
RSVP: yelp.com Derby Listing
“food, bevies, and entertainment!”

SEERSUCKER AND SUNDRESSES at the MASON BAR | May 4, 11am
$3 Mint Juleps, $2 Miller Lights, $20 Derby Punch Pitchers
“Want to win a Derby hat? RSVP at http://www.themasonbar.com/forms/derby2013 to get $4 U Call Its & $4 Beer ALL NIGHT LONG!”

RECIPES

THE EQUESTRIAN (available at Central 214 through May 4)
$1 will be donated to Project Transformation for each one of these drinks that is purchased.

THE MINT JULEP JOLT

Ingredients

2 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sparkling ICE Lemonade
4 Mint Leaves
2 Sugar Cubes
Crushed Ice

Place the mint leaves at the bottom of a glass and crush (for real authenticity use a julep cup). Pour in the Bourbon and Sparkling ICE Lemonade. Add in the crushed ice and stir. Garnish with mint sprig

WAGERING WHISKEY POP

Ingredients

1 Sugar Cube
4 drops of angostura aromatic bitters
1/2 shot of bourbon whisky
Top it off with VOGA Sparkling

Polish the sugar cube with bitters and drop it into the glass. Pour bourbon whisky into a chilled glass. Top it off with VOGA Sparkling

RACING RASPBERRY TEA

Ingredients

1 bottle of Black Raspberry Sparkling ICE
4 mint tea bags
5-6 limes
Mint sprigs
Honey or agave nectar (optional)

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 4 bags of mint tea. Steep for 10 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator for about 3 hours. Approximately 8 teaspoons of lime juice, also chilled. Mix 1 cup of the chilled mint tea with 1 to 2 teaspoons of the lime juice in a chilled glass. If you would like your tea extra sweet add in some honey, agava nectar, otherwise skip to the next step. Add ¼ cup of chilled Black Raspberry Sparkling ICE to fill the glass. Add crushed ice and stir. Add a lime wedge and mint sprig for garnish

GIDDY UP

Ingredients

3-4 fresh figs, sliced (or 1 cup dried figs)
1-2 fresh gala apples, sliced
1 cup of cherries
2-3 oranges, sliced (not peeled)
1 lemon, sliced
2 bottles VOGA Italia Merlot
3 cups sparkling apple cider
1 cup orange juice
½ cup brandy
½ cup dark spiced rum
4 cinnamon sticks
5 whole cloves

Slice apples and insert whole cloves directly into the fruit. Combine all fruit slices in a glass pitcher and slowly pour in brandy and wine. Cover and chill from 2-24 hours (the longer, the better!). Before serving, add sparkling cider and orange juice. Stir gently and serve over ice.
Makes about 15 servings

DERBY DAIQUIRI

Ingredients

1.25 oz. Rum
1.25 oz. Sparkling ICE Kiwi Strawberry
3 oz. frozen strawberries
1 cup crushed ice

Add Rum, Sparkling ICE Kiwi Strawberry, frozen strawberries, and crushed ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour into glass. Garnish with strawberry

Cinco de Drinko Events and Recipes

EVENTS

CINCO IN THE CITY | May 4 at 2pm through 2am that night
FREE before 6:00PM; $5 after 6:00PM | El Fenix Downtown (parking lot)

Dos Equis, Red Bull, and ILiveInDallas.com are teaming up with the Infinite Agency to host the most epic Cinco De Mayo party you’ll go to this year!

Live Bands: 6:00 pm -10:00 pm.
Food & Drink Tickets: $2.50 for each ticket
The official sponsor is Dos Equis, which there will be plenty of to drink.
Official Twitter Hashtag: #CincoInTheCity

SFUZZI | May 5
$3 Mexican beers, $3 tequila shots
DJ on the patio from 3-7pm.

BOCA CHICA | May 3, 4, & 5

MOCKINGBIRD TAPROOM | May 5

SHERLOCK’S BAKER ST. PUB & GRILL | May 5th, 4 p.m. – close
$10 | 9100 N. Central Expressway
All-you-can-eat crawfish boil, music by DJ Gruve at 4 p.m. and live music by Anybody’s Guess at 9:45 p.m.
The pub will also feature happy hour drink prices all day.

URBAN TACO | May 4
Select margaritas and beers for $5, select tacos for $2, mariachi band/live DJ, random swag, paletas

VELVET TACO | May 4 & 5
$4 signature 16oz margaritas

COCKTAIL RECIPES

The Freshest Margarita
A margarita is the most traditional of all tequila cocktails and you cannot celebrate Cinco de Mayo without one.

Ingredients:

2 parts Milagro Silver Tequila
¾ parts Milagro Agave Nectar
1 part Fresh Lime Juice

Combine all three ingredients in a shaker. Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a thin lime wheel. Salt optional.

Veracruzana
This cocktail is an ode to Mexico’s oldest and largest port, and is also home of the sweet Veracruz pineapple.

Ingredients:

2 parts Milagro Reposado Tequila
¾ parts Milagro Agave Nectar
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
4 Pineapple Chunks
2 Basil Leaves

Muddle pineapple and basil leaves in a Boston shaker glass. Add remaining ingredients and shake vigorously with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with pineapple and basil.

Carpe Dia

This is an inspiration to “sieze the day” with this fruity and fresh cocktail.

Ingredients:

2 parts Milagro Añejo Tequila
¾ parts Milagro Agave Nectar
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
5 Blackberries
2 Sage Leaves

Muddle fruit and herbs in a Boston shaker glass. Add other ingredients and shake vigorously with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice and garnish with blackberry and a sprig of sage.

FORTY-THRITA FOR CINCO DE MAYO
This Cinco de Mayo don’t settle for a typical margarita with sweet and sour mix and a salted rim. Try a Forty-Thrita with a smooth citrus and vanilla hint from Licor 43 that will make your toast to Mexico mas suave.

¾ oz Licor 43
¾ oz Tequila
1 ½ oz fresh lemon juice
¾ oz simple syrup

Shake and strain over ice and garnish with lime wheel.

Drinking with Fido

I was inspired by Lucy, my mom’s lush of a dog (pictured, right), to round up some of the dog-friendly drinking patios in our fair city. Why not take Fido along for the ride?!

Babb Brothers BBQ (Trinity Groves)
Barcadia (upper Henderson)
Barley House (5612 SMU Blvd, Midtown)
Beckley Brewhouse (1111 N Beckley, Bishop Arts)
Bolsa (614 Davis, Bishop Arts)
Bread Winners (3301 McKinney @ Hall, Uptown)
Capital Pub (Henderson @ Capital)
Chino Chinatown (Trinity Groves)
Dish (4123 Cedar Springs)
The Dream Cafe (Uptown in the Quadrangle)
Dubliner (middle Greenville)
Eatzis (3403 Oak Lawn and 5600 W. Lovers)
Elevation Burger(8611 Hillcrest #195)
Eno’s Pizza (407 Bishop, Bishop Arts)
Fernando’s (Midway and NW Hwy)
The Foundry (2303 Pittman)
Frankie’s (McKinney and Hall, Uptown)
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop (6465 E. Mockingbird #380)
Ginger Man (2718 Boll, Uptown)
Gloria’s (Shop Arts & both Lemmon locations)
Goodfriend Beer Garden (1154 Peavy Road)
Grimaldi’s** (West Village)
Hoffman’s Hots (Trinity Groves)
Hunky’s (3930 Cedar Springs)
Il Cane Rosso (2612 Commerce, Deep Ellum)
J. Black’s Feel Good Lounge (2409 Henderson, Knox/Henderson)
Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs (6340 Gaston, Lakewood)
Katy Trail Ice House (3136 Routh, Uptown)
Lee Harvey’s (The Cedars)
LUCK (Trinity Groves)
The Londoner (Thomas and Allen, Uptown)
Mario Sabino’s (5405 Lemmon Ave)
McKinney Avenue Tavern (McKinney and Allen, Uptown)
Mi Cocina (3699 McKinney, West Village)
Mudsmith (Lower Greenville)
Mutt’s Canine Cantina (2889 Cityplace West Blvd.)
NOVA (1417 West Davis St, Bishop Arts)
On The Border (3130 Knox, Knox/Henderson)
Parigi (3311 Oaklawn)
The Pearl Cup** (1900 Henderson B, Knox/Henderson)
Penne Pomodoro
Pooch Patio (Fairmount and Oaklawn)
The Porch — only when screens are open (Henderson, Knox/Henderson)
The Quarter Bar (3301 McKinney @ Hall, Uptown)
Red Dog Right Sports Bar (off 114 by DFW Airport)
Rise No. 1* (5360 W Lovers Lane)
San Francisco Rose
Sfuzzi (2533 McKinney @ Routh, Uptown)
Sherlock’s Baker St. Pub & Grill (Dallas, Addison, and Arlington locations)
St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin (2730 Commerce, Deep Ellum)
State & Allen Lounge (2400 Allen @ State, Uptown)
Sundown at Granada (3520 Greenville Ave)
Taco Diner (3699 McKinney, West Village)
Ten Bells Tavern (232 West 7th Street, Bishop Arts)
Tillman’s Roadhouse* (Bishop Arts)
Times Ten Cellars (Lakewood)
Top Golf** (8787 Park Ln.)
Toulouse* (Knox and Travis, Knox/Henderson)
Uptown Pub (3605 McKinney, West Village)
Urban Dog Coffee (2720 Oaklawn)
Vickery Park (2810 Henderson, Knox/Henderson)
Villa-O (4515 Travis, Knox/Henderson)
Village Burger Bar (3699 McK)inney, West Village)
Vino 100 (2909 McKinney Ste A, Uptown)
Woodlands** (6073 Forrest Ln.)
Y.O. Ranch (702 Ross, West End)

Do you have an addition? Let me know in the comment!

*perhaps stick with smaller breeds or puppies at these places.

**restricted to certain patios

… an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Francis Ford Coppola wears a lot of hats. Most know him thanks to his epic movies (ahem, “The Godfather” series). Those of us who enjoy a glass of wine now and then see him through a different lens (pun completely intended). In the 1975, Francis and Eleanor Coppola purchased the Inglenook winery and pursued a venture as vintners. Luckily … the Coppolas do it well. Refreshingly, Coppola isn’t just the name on the bottles, but has a hand in everything that happens at the winery, and even designs the labels himself.

Being one who appreciates almost all things Coppola, I was so delighted to be invited to a Coppola wine dinner at Ruth’s Chris. Two of my favorite things at once? I’ll just say that they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. (Yeah, I did it)

Upon arriving, I was handed a glass of Sofia Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine. It was perfectly effervescent, slightly fruity, very dry, and the perfect way to start the evening. I’ve had it before in the individual serving size (which comes in a can, accompanied by a straw), but never from the bottle … and I liked it. Apparently Francis promised Sofia that he’d name a wine after her, and a year before her wedding, told Corey Beck (Coppola’s winemaker) that it was his charge to make it happen in time for her wedding. He made it happen, and the Sofia line followed.

Dinner started with a shellfish salad and was accompanied by the 2011 Diamond Chardonnay. I seldom enjoy (or even drink) white wines, but I very much enjoyed this one. It had a nice fruity flavor and a sweet finish. This will definitely make an appearance beside with my summery pork dish I make … is it May yet? (Mouth waters.)

The second course was mushroom risotto (ohhhhh my gosh) and was accompanied by the 2010 Votre Santé Pinot Noir. This.wine.was.amazing. Named with his grandmother in mind who always started meals with a toast of “to your health” in French (à votre santé), the wine is deliciously complex and paired beautifully both with the risotto and the main course. The lightness of the wine was surprising for its complexity.

Third came the lobster … oh so much lobster, Rockefellered, and accompanied by an 8oz filet of buttery soft beef cooked to perfection. Paired with the 2010 Diamond Claret, I couldn’t stop eating and drinking. (My scale hated me this morning, but it was so worth it.) Every bite and sip brought out another facet of the wine’s flavor, which was incredibly rich. The Claret is a red blend that pays homage to the Inglenook vintners … it’s their signature red, and for a reason. Ringing in at just $21, this wine will be a must-have for future filet dinners, and the gold netting on the bottle makes it feel so much more expensive than it is*.

Our last course was a decadent chocolate flourless “sin cake”, and the final wine pairing was the 2010 Director’s Cut from the Alexander Valley (even I know that’s a great region). The bottle is incredibly unique (they had to purchase a special machine from Australia just to affix the label to the bottle!) and the wine it holds is, also. Complex and thick (the way any red wine lover who likes to chew their wine would love), the Director’s Cut is aged in French oak barrels and has a dark, bold color.

In conclusion, the only way the meal could have been any better was if I didn’t have to stop eating and drinking … and I had a cigar.

*Most of the Coppola wines range from $12-21.

**I attended this event free of charge.**

Shellback, Tony, and Me.

I’ve always liked rum in a “I’m beside a body of water and it’s 80°+” kind of way. However, the event I attended last week changed my tune a little.

Shellback kicked of its US tour of its “All Hands on Deck” mixology class in Dallas*. Attendees were welcomed by a rum punch with a sprinkle of freshly-grated nutmeg and mingled while noshing on little bites. After we were decently primed (and our bellies had a base for the deliciousness to come), we made our way into an immaculately laid-out room complete with bar tools, fresh fruit, and (of course) Shellback Rum … a lot of Shellback Rum.

The author of The Modern Mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, walked us through three drinks, the aforementioned rum punch, and a couple other extra tidbits. We learned the proper way to muddle mint to make the Milestone Mojito, just the right mix of citrus and ginger beer for the First Mate, and the real way a daiquiri is made while creating the Deck Hand Daiquiri (recipes below). Tony was a blast to learn from, and you didn’t always know which meaning he was going for — the innocent or the risqué (it made it a bit more interesting).

I tried played with Vine, so my drinks took (way) longer to make, but I hope you enjoy the videos! (Linked above.)

Milestone Mojito

1.5 oz Shellback Spiced Rum
1 oz ginger syrup
1 oz lime juice
12-14 mint leaves
10-12 slices of kumquats or 4 slices of mandarin oranges or nectarines
soda water

Muddle lime juice, ginger syrup, kumquats, and mint in highball glass. Add crushed ice and rum. Stir with bar spoon until glass begins to frost. Top with soda water.

First Mate

1.5 oz Shellback Spiced Rum
1 oz cinnamon simple syrup
2 oz apple juice
1 oz lemon juice
ginger beer

Shake rum, cinnamon syrup, apple juice, and lemon juice together with ice until blended. Strain into chilled Collins glass and top with chilled ginger beer.

Deck Hand Daiquiri

2 oz Shellback Silver Rum
1 oz lime juice
1 oz simple syrup
seasonal fruits and berries

Muddle fresh fruits with simple syrup. Add lime juice and rum. Shake with ice and double strain into chilled glass.

**DISCLAIMER: I was invited to this event and attended free of charge.**

*Other dates include: San Francisco (April 10), Miami (May 2), Chicago (June 25), NY (July 9), and Los Angeles (August 16). Tell your friends … bc this was fun!