air

• 1 year, 5 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Judge in Texas brewery lawsuit finds TABC codes to be unconstitutional

  The consumer wins out from this ruling too: 1. Established breweries in Texas can distribute beers in their portfolio that previously hadn't been seen in due to the labeling rules. 2. The ruling improves the competitive landscape for brands not in the Texas market, so we could see breweries expand production and distribute within our state.

  While I'm not foreseeing an immediate big wave of new breweries coming in (they still have to get labels approved and pay the fees), this is all a step in the right direction.

  Judge Sparks is also a pretty witty guy (but not as clever as TG, no way). http://brewednotbattered.wordpress.co...

  
  
• 1 year, 5 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Photos: Sneak peek of Spec's in Dallas, opening Monday

  Lone Star Beverage and Sam's Beer & Wine are both in Carrollton - grouped together because they are both owned by one family.

  S&K and Mr. G's are both in Plano. And yes, Kegs & Barrels is good too.

  Hall's is in a gas station in Coleyville. I would vouch for them as the best store in North Texas. They do charge a little higher, but they can get away with it considering how strong their selection is.

  
  
• 1 year, 5 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Photos: Sneak peek of Spec's in Dallas, opening Monday

  I haven't been to that exact location yet, but I think the beer selection will improve over time. I've had similar experiences as darthyoda in the Houston area locations and I agree their staff is generally well-versed, especially in craft beer in particular.

  To be honest, I don't like any of the beer stores within Dallas city limits since none of them offer the kind of selection I'm looking for. To me, good selection means a strong focus on new/small batch releases, which are covered by my rotation of Lone Star/Sam's, S&K, Mr. G's, or Hall's.

  The Whole Foods on Park Lane is the one exception, but I'm not gonna take the effort of going down there considering they are also usually first to get cleaned out of new releases. I mostly go there for growler fills over anything. All in all, as far as pure quantity (if that's what you consider important in terms of selection), WF and the Bottle Shop on Greenville are the places to go, and both have plenty of knowledgeable staff on hand.

  
  
• 1 year, 6 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Dallas getting on board with beer growlers

  Main rules to know on growlers for both WBC and Whole Foods: has to be made of glass, list the size of the container (usually 32/64 oz) and have the government warning label on it.

  
  
• 1 year, 7 months ago
  air's comment on:

  How the State Fair of Texas' fried food thing got to be so big

  Wow, I didn't realize the fried food at the fair deal was that recent. My first time to the fair was in 2004, which was close to when I'd first moved up here. Back then, I was under the impression that the corn dogs, fried twinkies/oreos/cheesecake were all what the fair was about.

  Either way, I still stand that having a corn dog is essential if you go to the fair.

  
  
• 1 year, 9 months ago
  air's comment on:

  New gastropub Mad Tavern opens in North Dallas in August

  Haha Paul, I actually was in Chicago checked out Publican yesterday. I basically see it as like the Moth and Churchkey's (if you've ever been to DC) step-child. All staff/management are AT LEAST certified cicerones, so you know the place takes beer knowledge real seriously.

  The selection is pretty weak as far as limited batch/rare beer on draft, but they have a stellar botle selection and the food menu is a true gastropub as advertised. Made the Moth look like they serve nothing but typical pub fare by comparison; the step up is that dramatic.

  Overall I'm not really sure if I'm down with the cafeteria/beerfest style concept. The limited low seating and standing only bar makes it not a good place to just have a beer, which is paramount to me.

  
  
• 1 year, 10 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Photos: Screen Door at One Arts Plaza shows summer menu at media dinner

  The mint julep at the Screen Door is one of the best renditions in town. Solid bar for classic cocktails!

  
  
• 1 year, 11 months ago
  air's comment on:

  UPDATEDx3: In-N-Out Burger opens in Dallas with a lot less fanfare than the suburbs

  It'd be great if it's the latter and if the novelty has truly worn off. Dallas proper has an immense number of burger joints that do a better product and we really should support local businesses rather than some over-rated chain.

  
  
• 2 years ago
  air's comment on:

  Maple & Motor to stop serving breakfast at end of May

  Love that people can't be assed to set aside about a 5 minute detour for breakfast, but there are some that'll go through a 2 1/2 ordeal for a burger.

  
  
• 2 years ago
  air's comment on:

  UPDATEDx4: Trader Joe's coming to Dallas -- and Fort Worth

  It'll be good for the area, though I think they're coming into the market a little late. I stopped by the one in Saint Paul to grab some stuff to eat for lunch when I was on a business trip up there. Liked their spicy hummus but the quality and selection of produce/fruits wasn't that big of a step up compared to stores we already have like Sprouts, Newflower Market, etc.

  
  
• 2 years ago
  air's comment on:

  Fort Worth's Rahr Brewery introduces four new beers for drinking in 2011

  Pecker Wrecker is actually a "new old" beer that's come out of retirement. Have not had the pleasure of trying this imperial pils as it was previously only available in small batches either at the brewery itself or in special tapping events in/around Fort Worth.

  The rest sound like good progress for Rahr. Glad to see a Weizenbock in the pipeline. Wishing a Texas brewery would do a Berliner weiss as the style would be perfect in Texas because of the extreme summer heat - AHEM, hint hint.

  
  
• 2 years ago
  air's comment on:

  Photos: Vegan beer dinner at Libertine in Dallas sells out

  Wasn't at this dinner but that Red Chair NWPA is a solid session beer. Good balanced blend of hops and malt. Complex yet really drinkable.

  
  
• 2 years ago
  air's comment on:

  Macho Nacho opens in old Hunky's space on Cedar Springs

  Chip Chip Chipolution!!

  
  
• 2 years, 1 month ago
  air's comment on:

  New product Wednesday: Shiner Ruby Redbird summer seasonal beer

  I also enjoyed this beer since it really showed some willingness for creativity on Spoetzl's part. Oh and Spoetzl is the brewery, and they attach the Shiner brand to all the beers they brew.

  
  
• 2 years, 2 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Top Chef All-Stars Episode 12: Judges are spineless

  Not gonna lie, I was brooding the whole episode, thinking if Dale were there, he could've done badass Filipino dish that would knocked their socks off. Really wish he didn't get sent off last week.

  
  
• 2 years, 3 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Restaurant review and photos: Bambu Thai in Richardson

  TG, you and Steve are such troopers for coming out to dinner right after the vegan tour! I had a blast and I'm sure we'll do something like this once again, perhaps with a little bigger group too.

  I don't recall off the top of my head what the other beers and the sake that were at dinner, but I brought along beers acquired from trips to the west: Lost Abbey Inferno Ale and The Bruery Saison Rue.

  
  
• 2 years, 3 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Restaurant openings spell good times for Dallas scene and economy

  "I thought the Chop House owner was supposed to open a burger place downtown, but haven't heard much on that. "

  Michael, I think this could be what you're talking about, but it's the chef from Dallas Chop House that opened a burger place in Arlington. http://chophouseburgers.com/Home.html

  
  
• 2 years, 4 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Shojimoto in Arlington has good home-style Filipino food

  Steve: you're actually addicted to ginataang pusit. I bet they'll do it one of these days; the dishes rotate all the time.

  And yes they have lumpia.

  
  
• 2 years, 4 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Top Chef All-Stars Episode 5 does dim sum

  I also laughed at the shock and awe on the chefs when gasp customers were yanking food straight off the carts. This is common occurence during dim sum.

  Not gonna lie, I've witnessed my own mother plow through people for pork buns.

  
  
• 2 years, 4 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Top Chef All-Stars Episode 5 does dim sum

  I'll just say it's a not-so-nice slang term, will let ya look it up.

  
  
• 2 years, 4 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Top Chef All-Stars Episode 5 does dim sum

  I actually got a chance to catch up with this season thanks to the marathon yesterday!

  Thoughts on elimination: Jamie should have been out a long time ago, heck she doesn't even look like she wants to be there. Really must be top scallops. I also thought Casey was doomed as soon as she even thought about picking up the chicken feet, regardless of whether or not she did it herself or handed it to someone else.

  "dessert" at a dim sum place: technically there is no specific order dim sum items should be ordered, though most people tend to save the sweeter stuff for last. Examples include pork buns, egg tarts, douhua (tofu/ginger syrup pudding), sticky rice in lotus leaf, mango pudding, jian dui/buchi balls (the sesame ball with red bean paste inside)

  Also 90% sure I heard the word "gwai lo" thrown out there by the diners... quite a polite translation on the show's part for that one.

  
  
• 2 years, 4 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Liquor store report: Hall's Wine & Spirits in Colleyville

  Remember... don't mind the dog. He's big but harmless.

  
  
• 2 years, 7 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Sushi Rock in Plano closed, owners opened Bambu Thai in Richardson

  Great reporting, TG! I know I'll be back for sure to try more items from Bambu.

  
  
• 2 years, 8 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Eating and drinking events in Dallas-Fort Worth, September 24-28

  I'm definitely gonna be at Mckinney's Oktoberfest on saturday night. And Akimatsuri (Japanese Fall Fest) on sunday!

  
  
• 2 years, 8 months ago
  air's comment on:

  Oktoberfest season 2010 hits Dallas-Fort Worth

  I will inevitably end up at the Addison one but McKinney's sounds quite promising. Besides the Franconia brewery supplying the beer, it's also worth mentioning that Bavarian Grill and Patina Green will have food booths at McKinney's. I am definitely going to be there.

  And actually how about Oktoberfest at a church in Garland (!!?), with a homebrew event and everything! http://holytrinitygarland.churchsites...

  
  

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