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PSST – there’s a new kid in town.  Revolver Brewing is opening in Granbury, TX next Saturday!  See some of their information below.  

Why not make a weekend out of it?  See what the CVB has to offer!
 

FROM REVOLVER:
The grand opening will include tours of the brewery and free beer tastings. The Agave Tamale Company, The Rib Shack, and Geppeto’s Pizza Truck, will have food available for purchase. Fish Fry Bingo will perform and there will be games and other family activities. Admission is free.

Saturday, October 20, 2012 | High Noon to 4 pm.
Ribbon Cutting at 1:30 PM.
5650 Matlock Road; Granbury, TX 76049

ABOUT REVOLVER BREWING
Revolver Brewing is the first craft brewery to be built in Hood County, Texas. The brewery is housed in a 6,000-square-foot new construction building and holds a 30-barrel brew house, fermentation tanks and packaging equipment.

The father and son team of Ron and Rhett Keisler has teamed up with Grant Wood, who returned to Texas after 16 years as brewmaster for the Samuel Adams brand.

Revolver’s beers are available in craft beer loving restaurants and pubs in Granbury and the Metroplex. A full list of locations is available at www.revolverbrewing.com. 

ABOUT THE EVENT
Once in a blue moon, I attend an event that changes my outlook on Dallas.  I feel like I know and “get” my city, and then I find out that I really don’t.  Case in point: I was invited to an event celebrating Giving Through Growing, in which they celebrated a community garden in Dallas, the Woodbridge Giving Garden, sponsored by Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi.  After this event, it occurred to me that there is so much of Dallas that I have yet to discover.  As for my personal life changes, I made a decision to cook with more fresh ingredients and get my butt to the Farmer’s Market more often.  Why go frozen when you can get fresh?

The cooking demonstration was at DUO (Inwood and Lovers) and was hosted by the effervescent Giving Through Growing National Ambassador, Candice Kumai (more about Candice below).  An overview of the program explained that Woodbridge sponsors five gardens throughout the US, and Dallas was home to one.  The Woodbridge team spent the afternoon in the garden, the Live Oak Community Garden, picking produce for our dinner (no kidding), and then spent the evening with bloggers, press, etc. over a fresh and extremely delicious meal and Woodbridge wine.  We were even treated to a cooking demonstration by Candice (picture above).

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi’s program gives a grant of $8,000 to five gardens across the U.S.  The money given to the gardens is meant to facilitate the production of more food, all of which is to be donated to local food banks.  More on Giving Through Growing.

ABOUT THE GARDEN
The Dallas garden employs about 10 families living in Dallas, mainly from Cambodia, Vietnam, and other Asian nations.  The garden’s produce is sold at the Dallas Farmer’s Market, and the garden itself is open to the public — the addresses and contact information are listed below.  The garden produces about 7,000 pounds of produce per year right now, and with the grant from Woodbridge, will produce more than 9.000 pounds a year and will employ more than 30 families.

Live Oak Community Garden
Find them on Facebook
4819 Live Oak (corner of Live Oak and Fitzhugh)
Contact: Don Lambert | 972 231-3565

ABOUT THE AMBASSADOR (and all-time coolest chef)

Now, a bit about one of my new favorite people, Candice Kumai.  Dubbed “The Stilhetto Chef”, she is a “Top Chef” alumnus and author of two cookbooks that bring healthy recipes using fresh food to the “normal person’s kitchen” (my words) … not to mention she’s hilarious and incredibly nice.  

Candice’s recipes aren’t extremely complicated and they don’t require ingredients that you’ll buy once and will sit in your pantry.  Her first cookbook, Pretty Delicious, has gotten a workout in my kitchen since it arrived on my doorstep.  Her newer cookbook, Cook Yourself Sexy, is on its way (it was released October 2, 2012 and it makes a great gift)!  Get your own copy of Cook Yourself Sexy

Something poignant Candice said during the demonstration is, “Food is like men… You have to keep the ones you get something good from.”  Amen, sister.

I was so pleased to hear that the W’s Living Room Bar is featuring a new set of cocktails showcasing pear and other summery flavors.  I was easily pear-suaded to come in and try some of the new options, and made my way into the W with a new friend.  We settled into one of the comfy banquettes next to the small water feature, made friends with our waitress, and began our tasting adventure.

The first drink I tried was the new signature drinks for TLRB, A State of Bliss (Ketel One Citron vodka, cucumber, fresh mint, gimme syrup).  It had a familiar taste to it, and was so incredibly refreshing that I almost wished that we’d decided to sit on the patio … and then I remembered that it was around 102 out.

Next came the Ultimat Summer Blast (Ultimat vodka, fresh kiwi, Asian pear, St. Germain Liqueur, prosecco) was a bit less refreshing, but still is a great summer drink.  I’m not a huge fan of prosecco, so this wasn’t my favorite of the night, but I wouldn’t NOT drink it again.  I really loved the simple garnish — it almost looked like a cupcake with a tiny decoration on top.

Asian “Pear” Suasion (Absolute Pear vodka, Mathilde Pear liqueur, gomme syrup, fresh Asian pear, prosecco) was another cocktail that passed across the table.  The pear puree lent a nice texture to the cocktail and made it a bit interesting.  Since I’ve always been a fan of pear vodka, I enjoyed this little diddy, too. 

To finish the tasting session, I capped the evening off with a few sweet sips of the Nuts About the W (Stoli Vanilla vodka, Godiva White and Godiva Dark liqueurs, Frangelico, walnuts).  Let’s talk about this slice of heaven … if you’re a fan of dessert drinks, this is your new go-to.  It is plenty rich and not too heavy.

In the process of trying all of these great drinks, we opted to try a couple of food options — the mushroom flatbread and the cheese tray.  The flatbread was incredible — I did my best so be a gracious friend and allow my cohort to have the last piece, but unfortunately I wasn’t generous enough to let her have the last piece (sorry, Josie!).  The cheese tray (pictured above), was very simple (no honey or other fanciness), but it came with olives, nuts, and plenty of crackers.  It really hit the spot.

The TLRB’s other new drink features are:

Cucumber Mint Cooler – Belvedere Vodka, fresh cucumber, mint leaves, gomme syrup, sparkling water
Georgia Woodford Peach – Woodford Reserve, peach purée, Orange Bitters, splash of sprite
Hendrick’s Experience – Hendrick’s Gin, St. Germain Liqueur, cucumber, fresh lemon juice
Raspberry Serrano Paloma – Patron Silver Tequila, fresh raspberries, grapefruit juice, Serrano pepper
Strawberry Basil Mojito – Bacardi Rum, fresh strawberries, basil leaves, fresh lime juice, sparkling water
W Peach Martini – Ciroc Peach Vodka, peach purée, topped with Proseco

Things to know:

  • The new drinks are available through September (the State of Bliss is always on the menu)
  • The Living Room bar is open seven days a week
  • The W offers complimentary valet parking if you’re going to TLRB
  • The food is delicious
  • TLRB has live music each Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
  • Thursdays are Havana Nights (a complimentary hand-rolled cigar when you purchase drink flights of premium Scotch or rum, mojitos are $10)

Breadwinners New Cocktails

Breadwinners recently debuted its new cocktail menu … and let me tell you, they’re worth trying.  From the skinny to spicy to sweet, they have something for everyone.

They are featuring what they’ve dubbed “Hangover Elixers”, their traditional mimosa, Bloody Diablo, Tito’s Texas Sunrise, and the peach bellini.  Of the drinks at the event, I have to say that BW’s Bloody Mary was one of my favorites.  It had just the right spice-factor and, of course, was adorned with bacon — which, let’s face it, makes everything better.

They included some new signature drinks in their new menu including an unexpected herby drink, the Basil Berry Cooler with vodka, fresh basil, and blackberries.  It was one of my favorites from the evening and it’s a definite recommendation.  Other new signature cocktails include:

  • Texas Bluebonnet Mojito: Texas rum, fresh mint, berries, lime
  • Prickly Pear Lemonade: vodka, lemonade, prickly pear nectar)
  • Big Easy: Southern Comfort, Chambord, lime
  • Frozen Cherry Limeade: 3 Olives cherry vodka, cherry juice, lime)
  • Ultimate Chocolate: Godiva, Stoli Vanil, Baileys
  • Orange Julius: Pinnacles whipped cream vodka, orange juice
  • Superfruit: Absolut Citron, berries

I really enjoyed the Frozen Cherry Limeade; it wasn’t too sweet and definitely had a nice amount of vodka for a frozen drink.  Remember: drink slowly and press your tongue to the roof of your mouth to avoid brain freeze.

The crowning glory of the new cocktail menu is their skinny options of which all of the cocktails are 125 calories or less.  SAWEEEET.  Breadwinners is now offering skinny versions of the cosmo, margarita, and lemon drop.

Overall, their new options are tasty and pack enough of a punch to merit the $8-10 price tag.  The new drinks are available at all three locations and some will be available at sister bar, Quarter Bar.

Aug. 16, 6 p.m., The Lofts, Condo 711

Join the Station and host Susie Oszustowicz, of Susie Drinks Dallas, for an evening of Art & Wine in the elegant setting of condo 711 at The Lofts.

The event will feature pieces by local artists Michael Cross and David McCullough, a complimentary wine tasting by Times Ten Cellars and excellent gourmet fare courtesy of Café Momentum. Guests will have the opportunity to enter a $5 raffle for a fabulous gift bag with all proceeds going to Café Momentum.

https://www.facebook.com/events/415613348475768/

Revive(d)

If you’re anything like me, the mere mention of “rooftop” anything piques your interest.  I present to you: Revive, a rooftop ”club” with a full bar, waitresses in bikinis à la Vegas, food options, cabanas (complete with private mini-fridges and 42” flat screen TVs), frozen grapes, and a pool.  The “club” by Greg See (of Miami-based Opium Group) and Taylor Nguyen (of The Ronin Group) is located above Glass (a more conventional club) in Uptown and was opened April 15, 2012.

My visit to Revive was quite surprising.  The biggest surprise had to have been that their pool is only 2 feet deep.  No one ventured in while I was there, but that could also have been due to the fact that I was there during a private party and people were in, well, suits.  It seems more of a place to lounge in your Vilebrequin swim trunks and flex your muscles (at least for the dudes) — ladies, just stand there and look pretty with a frozen drink in your hand in your Tory Burch kaftan.

The drinks at Revive were good once they finally got to our table — they are in the process of redesigning their cocktail menu right now, so an update should be soon to follow this review.  If you get tired of waiting for the scantily-clad wait staff, reach into YOUR (I repeat, your) cabana’s fridge which has water, energy drinks, chilled towels, and even sunscreen (make sure you warm it up before slathering it on your party-going pals) — just like at a hotel, they’ll take inventory and charge you at the end.

Definitely try the Cocojito (a frozen coconut mojito) or any of the frozen drinks (currently featured: watermelon margarita, Red Bull and vodka, peach bellini, and the Cocojito).  As for their mixed drinks, I greatly enjoyed the Cucumber Lemonade Chiller; if you order it, make sure you ask that they strain it.  The Transatlantic sounds like a winner, but they were out of Hendricks Gin the night I was there — try it for me when you go!  All frozen drinks and specialty cocktails are offered by the glass, carafe, and pitcher.

The best offering at Revive?  Well of course, it’s the booze-sicles.  Different colors, flavors, and liquors are offered and you should try, well, all of them.  Greg See himself created them and he’s apparently no popsicle-making slouch.

The menu is by no other than Samir Dhurandhar (of Nick & Sam’s and Coal Vines fame) and includes crispy flatbreads (I recommend the buffalo chicken), skewers, sandwiches, bacon-wrapped jalapeno goodness, and more.  To end the meal, ask if your waitress can scam you some frozen fruit — it really hits the spot in the humid Dallas afternoons.

Things to know:

  • Don’t even try to find a parking space, just valet — $6
  • No running or horseplay
  • Entry is $20 and each of the 12 cabanas has a $750 minimum and requires reservations (each seats about 8 people)
  • It’s 21+ … duh
  • No diving
  • Revive is open Thursday/Friday from 4pm and Saturday/Sunday starting at noon
  • Towels and pool toys are provided

Revive Uptown
www.Facebook.com/ReviveUptown
1899 McKinney Ave
(214) 740-1899

Patrizio’s Bellini Fest is here!  They’re serving Bellinis for just $1 at all locations all month long!