Southern Staples

Posted on March 11, 2016 by eatstyledallas

Opening the door for that special someone. Minding your manners. Knowing exactly when to say “Bless your heart”.

These are all things that we consider staples of modern society in the south. Another staple? Owning a lightweight button up and knowing how to perfectly pair it with a spring styled blazer for a classic look. Fear not dear reader, I’ve ventured to the depths of the south to bring a renaissance of sorts when it comes to pulling off the look mentioned above.

Enter Pax & Parker, the brainchild of founders Winston Parker Ley and Alari Ann Paxson. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Pax & Parker is a collection-focused specialty store offering an elevated assortment of ready-to-wear and accessories for men and women. The store is designed to provide the ultimate shopping experience without all the noise and pretenses of a traditional big-box luxury retailer. Expertly curated, their designer labels represent the best in the industry while many are exclusive to Pax & Parker. Purposefully housed in a small-format space, they have the pleasure and capacity to personally connect with each customer to provide a truly gratifying experience. At Pax & Parker, they believe in quality textiles, classic designs, and modern silhouettes.

In working with this bright, young new store, I am bringing the styles and feel that the quintessential gent should strive to curate in his own personal wardrobe. Take for instance this light, off white blazer from Rodd & Gunn. Perfect for when the weather heats up or when the pressure is on during a business meeting or date and you need your jacket to breathe. When paired with this sharp, textured Billy Reid button down, it’s the perfect spring look to impress. I’ve chosen a more casual look with the jeans but a pair of chinos or even cords would work just fine.

Stay tuned for the next part of this series where we will be focusing more on playful prints…

On the Vine

Posted on February 12, 2016 by eatstyledallas

“When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, You can always go downtown. When you’ve got worries,
all the noise and the hurry seems to help, I know, downtown.”

In all the change that the Downtown Dallas neighborhood is experiencing, there has been a lot of positive news about dining and hospitality. Recently, Westin announced a brand new hotel with 326 guest rooms, including a 3,000-square-foot penthouse. If you know the Westin brand, you know it means luxury, comfort and modern touches. The Westin Dallas Downtown is no different. Led by the same design team as ‘The Joule’ down the street, the Westin is truly a beautiful environment with ‘living walls’, huge picture windows and awesome decor.

I was recently invited in to try Grill & Vine, the hotel restaurant. It’s a reinterpretation of the classic bar and grill designed in a tavern style. The casual, yet upscale, menu offers American cuisine and traditional favorites with a modern spin. The menu also focuses on locally sourced items and simple, light and fresh foods to support wellness. I really enjoyed the playful classics from Chef William Lundstrom and great wine and cocktail program.

We sampled a couple of the signature dishes from Chef Lundstrom through the evening. My favorites happened to be the ‘Smoked Beef Brisket Tacos’, a nod to southwestern cuisine with pickled onions, smashed avocados and bravos valley queso. We also tried a pepper seared ahi steak with jicama slaw and black beens as well as a pork chop with apples, pancetta served with a house mac & cheese. The interesting and well thought wine pairings made all the difference and its nice to see a hotel wine program really step up to the palate of Dallas diners preference.

Dessert brought a Banana Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with traditional creme anglaise and orange caramel. It was really well done with notes of citrus and savory. Just the way I like it! So, if you’re downtown and in need of a great meal and maybe a place to rest after … head to Grill & Vine and Westin Dallas Downtown!

Interior Motives: Top Knot Dallas

Posted on January 28, 2016 by eatstyledallas

Feast your eyes on Top Knot. They say we eat with our eyes before our tongues and I’m drooling over the interiors at Dallas’ latest addition to the touted dining scene. Warm rich wood meets pops of color and quirky touches in the Top Knot den. Perched a floor above it’s popular sister restaurant, Uchi, this visual stunner sets the tone with its subtle nods to modern design.

If your lucky enough to score a booth, you’ll be treated to an unparalleled view of a magnificently designed dining room and bar that is sure to be bustling once doors finally open on February 3rd. There are also a selection of other tables. You’ll find everything from high chaired communal tables and large party perfect situations. On a perfect, warm (or at least bearable) day you could find yourself feasting on Chef de Cuisine Angela Hernandez’s soon the be famous Hot Fried Chicken Bun and sipping on a cocktail. This location will be the restaurant groups first foray into liquor based libations and if the space is any indicator, I am sure the playful bartenders will shine. I am told there’s even a nod to Dallas’ M Streets neighborhood with a cocktail named ‘The Armistice’. Sample the ‘Mezcal Mule’ and ‘Birdhouse Bramble’ as well!

While I was just treated to visuals for this first run around, be sure to check back for my full look at what you can expect menu wise when Top Knot opens next week!

Uchi Brings ‘Top Knot’ to Dallas Food Scene

Posted on January 21, 2016 by eatstyledallas

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No hairy situations or Boy Scout trials here. Top Knot from Uchi is finally here and I have all the scoop to share!

The modern American concept upstairs from Uchi, Top Knot, announced today that it will open on Wednesday, February 3. The menu showcases its Asian roots with tastes and influences from southeast Asia, Latin America, and Japan. The menu offers categories including Snacks, Buns, Hand Rolls, Vegetables, Crudos, Meats & Fish, and Desserts with a full bar cocktail menu.

The menu was created by Chef de Cuisine Angela Hernandez with inspiration from Chef Owner Tyson Cole and his signature style of blending delectable new flavors and influences to create original and accessible cuisine. Top Knot’s bar program includes Japanese whiskey, draft beer, sake and wine on tap, and a collection of inventive cocktails.

“Chef Cole created something special at the original Uchi, and we are following that path at Top Knot, with playful interpretations of Asian dishes that meld well with other culinary influences,” notes Chef Hernandez. “At the end of the day, we wanted to create food that is craveable, food that we ourselves would want to eat. Our hope is that these simple and vibrant dishes will make guests want to come back time and time again.”

“I’m excited about this restaurant,” says Chef Cole. “It’s an easy and fun neighborhood spot with a bright, playful atmosphere. The food is delicious. Top Knot is in excellent creative hands with Chef Hernandez.”

The opening dinner and beverage menu will feature:

SNACKS

Yucca Chips – black lime, togarashi, edamame hummus

Crispy Sunchokes – horseradish, crème fraîche, lemon

Chicken Kimchi Karaage – asian pear, jalapeño, mint

Berkshire Pork Ribs – apple kombu, coriander, mint

BUNS

Hot Fried Chicken Bun – pickle, cornichon gastrique, parker house roll

“Tiger Cry” Bao – short rib, cilantro, cucumber, carrot, steamed bun

HAND ROLLS

Crunchy Spicy Tuna – avocado, cucumber, uchiracha

Pickled Shrimp – chicharron, tiger cry, cilantro

Veggie Bánh Mi – pickles, asian pear, jalapeño, daikon, cilantro

Yellowtail – tobiko, avocado, yuzu

VEGETABLES

Farro Bowl – sunflower seed, vegetable crudo, greens

Sweet Gem Caesar – garlic bread crumb, bottarga, reggiano

Fennel and Apple – walnut, treviso, cantalet cheese

Brown Butter Beets – chardonnay, garlic, olive oil

Gai Lan – white ponzu, chili, crunchy garlic

CRUDOS

Hamachi Crudo – cucumber, grape, hazelnut

Branzino Crudo – young thai coconut, yuzu kosho, mint

MEATS & FISH

Miso Brown Sugar Salmon – black garlic dashi, bonito, negi

Crispy Pork Katsu – cabbage, apple, miso mustard

Thai Shellfish “Carta Fata” – tom yum, coconut, thai chili

Diver Scallop – carrot, persimmon, pumpkin seed granola

Miyazaki A5 Striploin – matsutake, radish, maldon sea salt

Whole Fried Fish – nam pla, black lime, green papaya

DESSERTS

Asian Cobbler à la Mode – pear, candied walnuts, puffed rice, golden raisins, miso ice cream, caramel

Beer Ice Cream Sandwich – chocolate chip, Asahi black lager, sesame

Chocolate Marshmallow Ganache – candied ginger, granola corn flakes, marshmallow schmear

Thai Strawberry Shortcake – mochi, crème fraîche, strawberry coulis, thai basil sorbet

Homemade Ice Cream – seasonal flavors

Cocktails

Fox’s Wedding

Shirakabe Gura saké, Hangar 1 Citron Vodka, cranberry, grapefruit

Pegu Club

Hendrick’s gin, Pierre Ferrand orange curaçao, lime, cucumber

Sparkling Shrub

Lunetta prosecco, apple cider, pear, thyme

Birdhouse Bramble

Deep Eddy vodka, raspberry, thyme, Fee Brothers peach bitters

Dark Ernest

Gosling’s rum, orange, lime

Tongue-Cut Sparrow

Espolon tequila, Chambord, vanilla, ginger ale

Mezcal Mule

Montelobos mezcal, Maine Root ginger beer, passion fruit, agave nectar

M Streets Armistice

Bulleit bourbon, green chartreuse, Luxardo cherry, sweet vermouth

Located Uptown on the corner of Maple Avenue and Randall Street at 2817 Maple Avenue and above Uchi, Top Knot will open early 2016 with dinner and a full bar offering, with brunch opening in early spring and lunch to follow soon thereafter.

Long Flights and Bangkok Bites

Posted on December 2, 2015 by eatstyledallas

Well hey there. It’s me. I am jet lagged as ever (we’re talking bed before 7pm and 3am wake up calls) but I made it back from Thailand. A beautiful country it is, filled with gorgeous sights, delicious food and the kindest people. I gained so much from traveling across the world to see the curiously chaotic and seamlessly chic cities I’d heard so much about. Over 13 days of traveling has landed me in a state of trance, yes. But I am here to share some of my fondest (and tastiest) memories from my adventures abroad that I hope you will enjoy!

After landing at nearly 2 am and arriving to our hotel almost an hour later, sleep was the only thing on our brains. So after a nights rest and a few cups of coffee we embarked on our first days of sightseeing. The Peninsula Bangkok is one of the most amazing hotels I have ever stayed in. Between the attention to detail, room design and overall classy feel, it’s like being in a dream. Needless to say, the beds were exceptionally comfy as well! Helps when you’ve traveled 23 hours to get there. Right, back to the fun.

One of the experiences that The Peninsula provides is a traditional Thai cooking class. Our experienced started by visiting the fresh market to select the ingredients via the Peninsula Tuk Tuk (the only way to get around the bustling city). This intriguing three-wheeled taxi is synonymous with Thailand and is a fast and fun way to get around the city. The hotel’s brand new, bespoke Tuk Tuk includes complimentary Wi-Fi, drinking water and cold towels on board for guests. No roughing it here! We zipped through bustling streets and alleys of Bangkok to local markets where we purchased fresh ingredients for our cooking class. There was so much to see and eat! I’d heard so much about Thai street food but sampling was a whole other level of cool. Fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and more. We chose our ingredients and headed back to get cooking…

I am a true lover of Thai cuisine and was thrilled when we found out what dishes we would be preparing for the afternoon. On the menu was an assortment including Som Tam (papaya salad with tomatoes and cashew nuts), Tom Yum Goong (Spicy and sour prawn soup with lemongrass), Phad Thai (Thai rice noodles and prawns, bean sprout and chive) and Khao Nhiew Ma-Muang (Fresh Mango with coconut infused sticky rice). Knowing we picked out all the parts to make the dish made it that much better. Our expert chef guided us through each dish before we sat to enjoy it. I felt immersed in the Thai way with the spice, flavors and cooking methods being explored.

After finishing the cooking class, we enjoyed a traditional Thai lunch prepared by the restaurant’s chef at Thiptara restaurant, literally translated as “heaven on water”. While we savored Thai dishes served in open-air traditional Salas set among lush tropical gardens overlooking the banks of the Chao Phraya River, we knew this was a bite of Bangkok we wouldn’t soon forget.

Prabal Gurung Shows “Grace Under Pressure”

Posted on November 13, 2015 by eatstyledallas

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Fashion Group International of Dallas (FGI of Dallas) recently announced that designer Prabal Gurung will receive the Career Achievement in Fashion Award at the annual Night of Stars Gala, an event held to honor the fashion stars of the fashion industry.

The Nepalese fashion designer began his career in New Delhi, India. While studying at New Delhi’s National Institute of Fashion Technology, he designed with Manish Arora and apprenticed at numerous local production houses.

In 1999, Gurung moved to New York where he interned for Donna Karan while attending Parsons The New School for Design. During his time at Parsons, he earned the Best Designer Award at the annual Parsons/Fashion Institute of Technology design competition. Gurung joined Cynthia Rowley’s design team straight out of Parson’s. He spent two years with the design and production teams before being appointed design director at Bill Blass. Five years later, Gurung left Bill Blass to launch his namesake collection at New York Fashion Week. In 2010, Gurung received the Ecco Domani Fund Award and was the recipient of the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear. The designer’s eponymous line is sold in over twenty countries, is featured in fashion’s top publications and is consistently worn by the world’s most prominent women. The collection is currently showcased at Neiman Marcus, a Dallas fashion staple store.

I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to sit down with Gurung and chat over coffee about inspiration, pop culture and the future of fashion.

On receiving the career achievement in fashion award from FGI Dallas.

PG: “It is exciting, as a designer you don’t plan to receive certain awards or achievements. It is a byproduct of the work that you put into the collection and brand to receive such recognition.”

ESD: You’ve had some unique opportunities throughout your career (Designing for Airlines, First Ladies and celebs). Can you speak to that?

PG: “We are very careful about who we dress. It’s a matter of “Am I inspired by this woman? Would like to sit down and have coffee or lunch with her? Am I creatively motivated, inspired or challenged by what they are doing?” It’s very important for me to have that kind of relationship. All of these women that I’ve had the opportunity to dress I also know they have plethora of choices and racks of clothes to choose from. The fact that they decide to wear one of my designs, it isn’t up to me anymore there are lots of factors. I am truly grateful that they choose my designs over others.

I have been such an advocate for inspiring women, to celebrate them and when it resonates with them, it becomes more than just fabric, needles and sewing.”

We got to talking about some of his fondest memories and Gurung mentioned that Kristen Wiig happens to be a wonderful date. The designer also reminisced on his close relationship with powerhouse women like Michelle Obama, Demi Moore and Amanda Seyfried.

ESD: Motto for staying true to inspiration and brand?

PG: “You know, for me personally before I got into fashion, my motto has always been ‘Grace under pressure’. The world that we live in there is so much information, so many things out there on social media, you might feel that your life is less than. You feel that you need to compete. I’ve always been very clear and confident that my path is going to be mine and not imitate other. Generally speaking, amongst my designer friends we notice comparison. My philosophy is competitive and I push my limits, but there is a need for depth, levity and humor.”

ESD: What does the future of fashion look like? Any words of advice to up and coming young designers?

PG: “Sure. If you’re getting into fashion and design because you want to be famous I don’t think that’s the right goal. Fame is a product of your hard work. I’ve never chased recognition; I wanted to make beautiful products for the right audience. I now have a platform to talk about my passions, my foundation and get to business. Other advice? Be clear on who you are and have a sense of self. Understand why you are doing what your doing and that the glamorous side of things will be 1%, the rest is hard work.”

ESD: One woman you would love to see wearing your collection?

PG: “There isn’t one, there are several.”

ESD: Amy Schumer? Caitlyn Jenner?

PG: “Yes! It’s so funny, I was just about to mention. Amy, Adele. You’re just moved by the pure ferocity of their talent. Even someone like Angelina Jolie or Hillary Clinton, I want to work with women who are impacting the world in some way.”

We wrapped by discussing his love of Dallas, he spoke to the polite nature of the locals and love of dressing up for any occasion.

Prabal Gurung is set to be honored at the FGI Night of Stars Gala this weekend. Proceeds from the event fund FGI of Dallas’ foundation scholarships. This past April, FGI of Dallas presented over $45,000 in cash scholarships and prizes to 16 college students.

First Look: Biergarten by Joseph Palladino

Posted on November 2, 2015 by eatstyledallas

Joseph Palladino is a Dallas known name. The restaurant mogul behind such names as Nick & Sams and Coal Vines has brought some amazing concepts to our city. Now he brings a new concept to the brand spanking ‘can still smell the paint drying’ block of restaurants at the Omni Dallas. Enter, Biergarten, a casual new restaurant and bar by Palladino. I snuck in today at lunch during their quiet soft-opening to get a peek into what you can expect to find and dine on when you try it out!

Biergarten is the kind of place you come in, find draft upon draft of beer, an open kitchen with hand carved meats, German delights and an awesome dining area. You’ll be happy to know, too, that the bar opens onto a 190-person wraparound patio that looks out toward downtown. So you can have your beer and brat with a view. The menu is straightforward. On my visit in I tried the Bratwurst which comes with your choice of sweet peppers, sauerkraut, hot peppers or grilled onions. There are also some different variations like cracked pepper, chicken and sun-dried tomato or sweet/hot Italian sausage. More in the mood for something heartier? The Chicken Schnitzel will suit you fine. You get to pick a pairing of french fries, Joe’s favorite potato salad, Biergarten Cole Slaw or Soup of the day. The chicken was super flavorful and the crust was just right when topped with my preferred spicy mustard. Happy hour is especially great with free bratwursts and 1/2 priced beer from 4:30-6 Monday-Friday.

The Biergarten has real spirit. I was blown away by the amount of detail in the decor and tap-lined bar. I mean, you feel like you’re really in Germany. Special care is taken to the hand carved meats in the open kitchen that end up on sandwiches like Corned Beef, Pastrami, Turkey or Ham Rueben on locally made rye bread. There’s even a burger that pays tribute to Nick & Sams!

So my friends, head to Dallas’ new favorite ‘garten and sample the lot of brews, German fare and take in the ambience. Prost!

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