Texas Food Truck Fest
May 11 & 12, 2012
South lot of Valley View Mall, Dallas TX (635 between Preston and Montfort)
$5.00 for admission wrist band (good for the entire weekend)
Children under 5 are FREE.

If you’re a Food Truck fan you’ll want to check out the Texas Food Truck Fest . This event promises to have the largest gathering of food trucks from all over the state. 15% of the $5 wristband proceeds will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, North Texas Chapter.

There will also be a Dash and Dine 5K or 1 mile fun run Saturday May12 at 8AM. You can get further details here. Participants get an admittance wristband to the Food Truck Festival.

Take a look at the list of trucks and you’ll see a wide variety of trucks you may know and love already but there’s plenty of trucks from other areas represented. The Belgium Waffle Company and Chi’lantro are Austin trucks that sound particularly enticing.

There will even be a molecular gastronomy truck there! Definitely keep an eye out for the Fat Truck and their “MoGa” cuisine. In addition to serving tacos, quesadillas, steamed buns, and bahn mi you can also get dishes like the Dragon breath which is Serrano ham and parm cheese popcorn doused in liquid nitrogen.

No Weekend Happenings today, I feel like I need to catch everyone up on local food news.

Ellerbe’s
From Ellerbe’s Newsletter:

Copper River Salmon is here! We are excited to serve this amazing, seasonal fish, fresh from Alaska. The fish are pulled from the water and flown to our doors in less than 24 hours. We will start serving this spectacular fish on Saturday, July 17, through the rest of the season (while supplies last).

I can’t wait to taste what Ellerbe’s does with the Salmon. Also note that they will be closed Saturday, July 24 – Tuesday, July 27. If you didn’t already know Ellerbe’s is one of the few restaurants in town that focuses on incorporating seasonal and local ingredients in their dishes.

Bistro Louise
Chef Louise Lamensdorf will also be featuring Alaska Copper River Salmon while it’s in season. It will be served pan seared with a saffron sauce and fresh mango and spinach salad. Also in season is fresh Ruby Trout, which will be prepared with pinot noir syrup and grilled Parker County peaches.

Texas Toast Culinary Tours
Did you know there’s a bustling row of restaurants in Roanoke? Explore the tastes of Roanake with Texas Toast Culinary Tours on Tuesday July 20th at 6:30. Gerhardt’s kick off the tour with sampler appetizer platter with potato pancakes, fried pickles, fried pickled beets, bratwurst, Bavarian meatballs and a surprise dish. Then move onto Classic Cafe with a tasting menu that includes applewood-smoked quail, grilled lamb chops with an herb crust and rosemary pomegranate molasses, and pan seared breast of duck with a spiced zinfandel glaze, served with roasted garlic mash potatoes and garden fresh squash casserole. Desert is served at Cowboy Chow and includes brownie s’mores with homemade marshmallows and fried ice cream; baked warm cookies with ice cream on top; and berry crisp. Best of all each course comes with an adult beverage pairing. $85 per person includes tax and tip, $5 goes towards Meals on Wheels in Roanoke.

Ferre
Half-off dinner at Ferre on Thursdays through August 26. All food items (excluding alcohol) on their regular menu are 50% off. To participate in this special you must make a reservation and mention “Summer Sale Thursday”. Also, every Friday and Saturday night Ferre offers a romantic three-course dinner featuring menu favorites for only $30 per person and a complimentary glass of champagne-that is a great deal if you ask me.

Buttons
Buttons has revamped their menu and this includes the lunch menu as well with most items $10 and under. They are also bringing back the lunch burger and the Button’s Brownie. They also have a great happy hour, which I enjoyed recently with some appetizers and cocktails.

Cafe Modern
Get to the Cafe Modern while you can before August 16, they will begin renovations that will keep them closed until the end of September. From Cafe Modern:

Renovation plans include the installation of a stylish cocktail bar and updated sound system, improving the acoustics throughout the restaurant space. The new, sophisticated, upscale bar will bring the addition of a martini and special cocktail menu, extended dinner hours as well as new items on Café Modern’s seasonal menu.

A great reason to visit now is to enjoy their summer menu. Some of the options include the Texas Sampler with Grilled Peaches, Melon, Latte Da Goat Cheese, Texas Olive Oil and Aged Balsamic and the “You Name the Cheese” Cheeseburger with Burgundy Pastures 100% All Natural Grass Fed Beef, Challah Bun, and House-made Fries. Chef Dena Peterson uses seasonal and local produce in her dishes and the Cafe itself is a beautiful spot for lunch.

Brownstone
I haven’t made it back to the Brownstone since the opening party. I look forward to dining there soon, but in the meantime I may have to check out their “Reverse Happy Hour”. Reverse Happy Hour begins at 9 until close and you can get $5 Wines by the glass, $3 Premium draft beer & $6 specialty cocktails – an elegant spot for a nightcap that’s for sure.

Restaurant Week
Last but certainly not least, now is the time to make reservations for Restaurant Week! $35 for a 3 course meal at some of Fort Worth and Dallas’s best restaurants. Restaurant Week doesn’t officially happen until August 16-22 (with some restaurants beginning earlier) but reservations are now being accepted. Pick your favorite participating restaurants and get on the horn if you haven’t already, popular places get all booked up early. Reservations can be made through OpenTable from a list of participating restaurants. Check out the KRLD website for all the other restaurant week details.

Kincaid’s is adding some new menu items to their lineup starting June 28th. New menu items include: Grilled Grilled chicken sandwich, Corn dog, Banana pudding, Ice cream floats, Cherry Coke, Gallon of sweet or unsweetened tea.

Kincaid’s hearty burgers have made them a longtime Fort Worth favorite. They will be featuring a new burger on the the menu which is a “Cowtown-style” burger with grilled onions and jalapenos. Owner Ron Gentry describes the origin of the burger: ” ‘Cowtown-style,’ it’s my wife’s favorite burger preparation. – I think she has good taste.” Mmm, mmm, mmm I’m sure she does-and I can’t wait to try it myself followed up with an ice cream float.

A quick look at what’s going on in the Fort Worth food scene.

Grace

Tonight’s Celebrity Bartenders at Grace feature local artists: Nancy Lamb, Gregory Story, and Pamela Summers. I’m sure in between making drinks Nancy Lamb will be snapping tons of overhead crowd shots with her camera that might later be used in one of her lively paintings of revelers. Join these artists from 5PM – 7PM as they raise money for EASL (Emergency Artist Support League).

Ferre

Ferre introduces new chef inspired dishes that include appetizers, soup and salads. All their pasta dishes will feature seasonal ingredients and their pizzas have undergone a change as well with hand stretched crusts and artisinal ingredients.

They will also be adding new wines to their menu, which means some bottles will be discounted as they make room for more.

Ovation

Sad to report that another Fort Worth restaurant has shut its doors. This time it’s Ovation in the westside of Fort Worth. I’ve heard rumors of troubles at Ovation, but this time it’s official. As always the ever intrepid Teresa Gubbins has the scoop.

Taverna

Taverna in Downtown Fort Worth will donate 10% of all food sales today (Tuesday January 26) to American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Effort and Friends of the Orphans.

Bonnell’s

Make your reservations for the David Arthur Vineyards Wine Dinner February 11th at Bonnell’s. Dinner is $120 per person and reservations can be made at 817-738-5489. From Bonnell’s:

David Long, Owner of David Arthur Vineyards, is hitting the open road to share his passion for life and the wines he creates at David Arthur Vineyards. Driving a 30-foot Tour Meritaggio Bus (see below), he will visit 13 of the southern states including Texas!

Join us in welcoming him back to Fort Worth with a five-course wine dinner prepared by Chef Bonnell!

House Coffee Bar

If your looking for a Starbuck’s substitute check out the House Coffee Bar downtown. It’s affiliated with with City Life Center Church. Food and Fort Worth recently checked it out, I’ll have to pay a visit soon. 915 Florence Street.

I’m working up a list of restaurants with special Valentine’s day menus so be on the lookout for that soon.

If I missed anything please add in the comments section or email me at Josie@eatthisfortworth.com. Chow!

Here’s some tidbits of local restaurant news:

Aventino

I was very sad to read that Aventino’s closed last week. A few weeks ago there was a big rally to get customers in, but I guess it just wasn’t enough. The owners have a young daughter with health problems and we wish them the very best. This was one of my favorite new restaurants of last year with an inventive twist on Italian cuisine, a sleek atmosphere, and tasty cocktails – they will be missed.

The Vault

DFW.com reports that Downtown Fort Worth restaurant The Vault is changing it’s concept. Looks like the Vault is stepping away from Mediterranean fine dining with a casual atmosphere and menu items under $20. They also have a Sunday Brunch with made to order dishes including Smoked Salmon Omelet and Steak and Eggs. The Underground Lounge will host DJ’s and live music.

Cowtown Diner

Cowtown Diner opened last week in Downtown Fort Worth in the spot formerly occupied by La Madeleine at 305 Main Street. From the comments section Cowtown Diner is receiving high praise for it’s decor, service, and reasonably priced food – if that’s the case then Cowtown Diner has achieved a rare trifecta for Fort Worth.

In addition to lunch and dinner service Cowtown Diner also serves breakfast. There can never be too many breakfast spots in Fort Worth and I’m excited to see the twist that Cowtown Diner puts on traditional and Mexican breakfast favorites.

Brownstone

All Top Chef fans will be excited to find out that Top Chef Contestant Chef Casey Thompson plans to open a new restaurant in the West 7th development called Brownstone. Interesting that she chose Fort Worth considering that before competing on Top Chef Casey was formerly at Shinsei in Dallas. According to her website:

We are ready to open a “neighborhood” restaurant as I am sourcing local, artisan and fresh ingredients to to Ft. Worth, Texas. I look forward to working with local farmers to bring techniques and special dishes from some of my travels to the table.

I love to see local and artisan as key parts of a restaurants concept. Looking forward to seeing how this develops. Also wonder if we’ll be seeing Casey making the local Fort Worth scene anytime soon.

Yofe

Yofe Fresh Fruit and Yogurt Cafe had their Grand Opening last week in the new W. 7th development. Yofe adds to the growing number of Yogurt spots in Fort Worth. Go check them out at 817 Currie Street.

Grace

Grace as always hosts their Wine and Women Wednesdays from 5PM – 6:30PM. Today’s W&WW will benefit Red Cross Relief efforts in Haiti. $15.

Fred’s

In the “how did I miss this department?” – Terry Chandler, owner of Fort Worth’s beloved Fred’s, has a blog called what else, Outlaw Chef. I just stumbled onto Terry’s blog that covers happenings at Fred’s, food news and recipes – worthy of adding to your Google Reader.

Artisan Baking Company

One of my favorite places in town, Artisan Baking Company, announced the Hearts for Haiti program to help with relief efforts in Haiti. 100% of sales of their heart sugar cookies will be donated to Red Cross for Haitian relief effort.  Pay them a visit at 4900 White Settlement Road and pick up some other delicious baked goods while you’re at it.

Buttons

If you are planning on seeing The Color Purple at Bass Hall you should know that Buttons Restaurant will be serving dinner next door at Cafe Muse. They will be serving a pre-show dinner Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. Seatings are between 5:30-6:00. Call 817-735-4900 for reservations.

Did I miss something? Let me know at josie@eatthisfortworth.com or post in comments section.

Cat City Grill is the newest restaurant slated to join the ranks of Magnolia Avenue’s Restaurant Row. According to the Cat City Grill website, the restaurant is a collaboration between Lili’s Bistro owner Vance Martin and former Del Frisco’s chef Martin Thompson.  Though there is no opening date announced yet, the menu is posted on the website and has my mouth watering in anticipation.

Starters are coined “Shareables” and  include Gorgonzola Fries, made popular at Lili’s Bistro.  A few exotic items such as Escargot and Plum Brie mix with familiar items such as Nachos and Fried Pickles on the starter menu.  There is a size-able steak section on the menu, the Tips and Spaetzle dish stands out from the usual steak options.

The Sauteed Stuffed Calamari dish listed in the Seafood Section sounds crave-worthy as does the Ahi Tuna Niciose.  Other notable specialties include Stuffed Cornish Game Hen and a King Ranch Poblano.

I’m noticing the lack of a dedicated vegetarian option, but maybe they’ll dream up something before the opening.  The prices fall on the higher end, with the entrees ranging from $18 – $29.  In the meantime peruse the website and check out all the delicious sounding menu details.

Cat City Grill
1208 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Here’s some Fort Worth food and restaurant news and happenings.

Lili’s Bistro
Lili’s has a new summer dinner menu. New small plates include Lili’s Nachos ($10): pita chips topped with Gorgonzola, bacon, tomato, green onions and jalapeno drizzle and served with avocado. The Ultimate Vegetable Stack ($14) also sounds delicious with breaded zucchini and eggplant, tomatoes, portabella, provolone and a poblano pesto with sunflower seeds and topped with a poached quail egg. You can check out all the rest of the additions on their website.

New Large plates include: Petite Fillets ($24) two tenderloin fillets topped with grilled pears and gorgonzola cheese and black pepper gnocchi. Rack of Lamb ($27) oven roasted rack of lamb served with smoked Gouda cream corn. The Lili’s Seafood Pasta ($27) sounds intriguing with a chicken fried lobster topping prawns and scallops in a light white wine sauce with parpadelle pasta.

Lonesome Dove
The Dove will be closed for summer vacay from June 28 – July 5. The Love Shack will still be serving up their signature burgers (read my review here).

Aventino
Aventino hosts Happy Hour Monday through Thursday from 5:00PM – 8:00PM, Friday from 11:00AM – 2:00PM and again from 4:00 – 8:00PM. $3 glass of wine, $5 cocktails and $3 for selected beers. Their cocktails are my favorites especially The Lemongrass Martini. The Sangria, The Hawaiian Lychee Martini, or the Prosecco Mojito are also worth trying. Also a bottle of wine is half price on Monday and Tuesday. Read my review here.

Grace
Wine and Women Wednesdays 5PM – 6:30PM. This Wednesday’s theme is Grace Pinot Camp 2009. Cost is $15 per person. Jenny Kornblum and Caroline GRACE Jones will lead this wine tasting. RSVP to jenny@gracefortworth.com, women only (sorry guys).

Central Market
$5 wine sale. Central Market has marked down several of their wines to $5, to make the deal even better you still get a 10% discount if you purchases 6 bottles. So if you purchase 6 of the specially priced $5 bottles that works out to $27 or $4.50 a bottle. That should keep you stocked up for all your 4th of July festivities. The sale bottles are wines from South America, France, Portugal, California, and France. Casal Garcia Vinho Verde is one of the $5 bottles, this is a nice slightly fizzy and refreshing wine – perfect for summer.

*This just in
Jon Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine cook book is now available on Amazon.  You can read my review on Bonnell’s here, I enjoy Bonnell’s because it is one of the few restaurants in town that utilizes local and regional ingredients.
From Amazon:

An upscale look at the Foods of Texas. In Jon Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, chef Bonnell shares his most requested dishes and his own personal favorites. From appetizers and soups to desserts and drinks, you’ll create an entire menu fit for an elegant special occasion or an intimate dinner party, all compliments of one of Texas’s most respected restaurateurs.

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Here’s some Fort Worth food and restaurant news and happenings.

Grace
Grace is still offering its “Wine Me Dine Me” special that features 4 courses and 4 wines for $49 Monday through Thursday.

Every Tuesday Grace has a “Celebrity Bartender” during Happy Hour from 5PM – 7PM. This Tuesday June 23 features my old friend Rosa Navajar and Mitchell Espinosa from the HIspanic Chamber of Commerce. Come out and enjoy some of Grace’s signature cocktails.

Also on Tuesday June 23 (6:30PM) enjoy the ultimate in indulgence with a “Summer Truffle Dinner”. 4 courses featuring truffles and paired with local wines for $200 per person.

Bistro Louise
If you’re already thinking about plans for the Fourth of July Bistro Louise will be offering a special menu. It’s a New England Clam and Lobster Bake Buffet and boneless pot roasted short ribs and Colorado tenderloin stuffed peppers. $29.95 per person, $18.95 to add a whole poached lobster. The dinner is from 5:30PM – 8:00PM to give you enough time to catch the fireworks.

Also until the end of June Bistro Louise is offering a 2 for 1 special. If you purchase one entree you can receive a second entree free, seating begins at 5:30PM.

Blue Mesa
Blue Mesa is holding a corn festival through the end of July. They will feature dishes made with Texas corn grown by farmers Larry Harvey and Craig Janske. I’m sure corn dishes will pair well with one of their excellent top shelf margaritas.

Ellerbe’s Fine Foods
Ellerbe’s Fine Foods on Magnolia had a soft opening on June 9th and it seems many a foodie has visited since their opening. Kevin Buchanan at FortWorthology posted a nice review. I visited and had a beautiful heirloom tomato salad and delicious lamb. I hope to make another visit soon so I can review it. Ellerbe’s has a fine dining atmosphere and price tag with entrees from $16 – $34. The lunch prices seem reasonably priced at $9 – $24.

Paco and John’s
Paco and John’s started serving dinner recently. I visited and thoroughly enjoyed my meal, it is well worth a try. Read my review here. They also serve lunch and breakfast. Check them out!

Taverna
Taverna in Downtown has half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays with the purchase of an entree.

Zambrano’s
Zambrano’s is holding an Argentine Wine Tasting Tuesday June 30th from 6:30PM – 8:00PM, $20 + tax & tip. You will sample 4 highly rated wines from Argentina, one white and three reds. Seating is limited and reservations are required. This would make for a great date night.

Spiral Diner
Check out their new Blue Plate Special: Fig & Fennel Sandwich, Roasted fennel with grilled red bell peppers, red onions, artichoke hearts and tomatoes served on ciabatta bread with fig preserves and mayo – that sounds a little bit divine.

Spiral Diner will also have a cooking class on Comfort Foods, Supper Style on Monday July 27, from 7PM -9PM. You will learn how to make meatloaf & gravy, mac and cheese, stroganoff, rolls and corn bread – all vegan of course. Call or stop by to register, prepayment is required, $40 per person per class. The classes fill up fast, so reserve soon if you’re interested.

Last note, Spiral Diner will be closed on Sunday June 28th and Sunday July 5th. They will have regular hours on July 4th.

Cowtown Farmers Market
Did you know that the Cowtown Farmers Market is now open on Wednesday mornings from 8AM – Noon? Well now you do. Fort Worth’s original producer only Farmers Market is now open Wednesday mornings in addition to their usual Saturday morning hours. Lucky us!

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Back in January The Food Network filmed at Fort Worth favorite Fred’s Texas Cafe for the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  The much anticipated episode will finally air on June 8th (Monday) at 9PM on The Food Network.  Chef Point Cafe was also recently featured on DDD.

Central Market has all the fixings for putting together a wonderful Mother’s Day.  Grab all the ingredients to serve breakfast in bed.  Don’t forget to pick up some of their incredible coffee, my favorite is “Taste of Austin”.  Or better yet start your mom’s morning off with a zing and serve her a mimosa.  Central Market suggests you pair Riondo Prosecco (on sale for $11.95) with Agrumi Tangerine Italian Soda, mmm sounds good to me!  Top all that off with a stunning floral arrangement from Central Market’s gorgeous floral department.

Also at Central Market you can find the cutely named “Mommy’s Time Out” bottle of Pinot Grigio.  Just about any mom can appreciate a glass of wine and some much needed quiet time.  Pair that with some yummy prepared desert or tart and you’ve got mom set.

If you need a little more help getting something together Central Market offers a cooking class and Mother’s Day Tea to help you out.

From the Central Market Website:
Friday, May 8, 10:00 – 12:30 PM
Back Porch Brunch
- $55
Molly Fowler, The Dining Diva, Houston
Mother’s Day is right around the corner and what better way to tell mom how much you love her than by honoring her with a brunch? On the menu: Rise ‘N Shine Cocktail; Spiced Peach Soup with Macerated Grapes; Creamy Baked Eggs with Ham & Spinach; Rösti Potato Wedges; and Lemon Blueberry Pancakes with Mixed Berry Compote & Devonshire Cream.

This Mother’s Day Tea also sounds like a fabulous event to take your mom to.
Saturday, May 9, 10:00 – 12:30 PM
Mother’s Day Tea
- $60
Christine Ilarraza, CM Cooking School Pastry Chef
Price is 60 per person or 100 for each team. Celebrate with mom as you sample sweet and savory delicacies. On the savory plate: Sweet Onion Tart; Crescenza with Golden Raisin Toast; Quiche Lorraine Crêpes; and Angel Biscuits with Smoked Salmon, Watercress & Dill Mayo. On the sweet side: Bourbon Balls; Peach & Blueberry Soup in Demitasse Cups; Cream Cheese Brownies; and Old-Fashioned Egg Custards. In addition to these wonderful treats, you’ll be introduced to an assortment of delicious teas.

Happy Mother’s Day!