Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

It’s where jalapenos and bacon explode with curry and tofu, and where Wranglers and kimonos are welcome. The award-winning Fuse is Dallas’s Tex-Asian restaurant and downtown staple. Now entering its fourth year, Fuse is spicing up its menu with exciting new dishes created by Executive Chef Robbie Lewis and well known Dallas restaurateur Russell Hayward, while plans are underway for the restaurant’s stylish new makeover.

“We are taking a more casual approach to the modifications. Comfort is key, both for our guests and their pocketbooks. Whether ordering our new lobster entrée or selecting from the ‘Casual’ Dining section, we want to make sure our guests are relaxed, happy and enjoy a level of cuisine that outperforms its price,” explains Russell.

Russell is no stranger to creating successful restaurant concepts. His Tom Tom Asian Grill in West Village was an instant success, as was the infamous Nikita. He was a brand consultant to Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, aiding in the development of such popular eateries as Timpano, Samba Room, Canonita, Mignon and Fishbowl. He has also works with Tokyo Table in Los Angeles, The Watami Group in Tokyo, and has previously consulted Bobby McGee’s, ConAgra Foods, Kraft Foods and Avery Dennison Worldwide, to name a few. Currently, he also owns TABC in Dallas.

Chef Robbie, a one-year veteran of the Tex-Asian concept, enhanced the menu creating new dishes and maintaining favorites. The new “Casual” Dining section includes affordable entrees priced between $13 to $16, such as the Hibachi Chicken Pad Thai and Ancho-Honey Pork served with ”daily mashers” and soy BBQ sauce. New entrée highlights include the Ginger-Sake Salmon with traditional spicy cucumber salad, scallion, and cous cous and Miso Lobster with parmesan risotto, Texas sweet corn and white miso broth.

A diverse array of starters tempts the tastebuds including Spicy Fuse Popcorn, Tex-Asian Chips dusted with nori and salsa roja, Tortilla Fried Avocado and Braised Brisket Potstickers. Sushi and sashimi arrives in classic style or with a contemporary twist, such as the signature Fuse Roll made with Snow Crab, salmon, asparagus and carrot wrapped in cucumber.

Lunch, now available Monday through Friday, offers a tantalizing selection of salads, rice or noodle bowls, sandwiches, entrees and Balanced Plates, a choice of protein served with a California or tuna roll, miso soup, steamed rice and mesclun salad. The Kobe Short Rib Bowl with garlic, broccoli, daikon sprouts, jalapeno, fried egg and hoisin sauce and Tex-Asian Sliders with cilantro aioli, soy caramelized onions and cheddar cheese are not to be missed.

In late October, Fuse will receive a stylish makeover, just in time for the holiday season. Plans are underway to refurbish the outdoor pool patio and upstairs bar. More details coming soon.

Fuse, a Tex-Asian drinking and dining experience, is located downtown at 1512 Commerce Street, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75201. Lunch is available Monday through Friday from 11:30am until 2:30pm. Dinner is available Monday through Thursday from 6pm until 10pm, and Friday and Saturday from 6pm – 11pm. Happy Hour is available Monday through Friday from 4pm until 7pm. Reservations are recommended by calling 214.742.FUSE (3873). For more information, visit www.fusedallas.com.

Dallas-area resident, Michael Wilkes was crowned king off the corny dog eaters when he consumed 12 Fletcher’s Corny Dogs in 10 minutes at the State Fair of Texas over the weekend.

In 2007, Wilkes tied with Brent Ricord, of Keller, for the honor.

This year Ricord managed to stuff down 11 corny dogs — but that was only good enough for second place.

Third place was a three-way tie between dog gobblers John Bradford, Carlos Gomez and Jacob Freeby.

During the past two Presidential elections, Dallas-based 7-Eleven has offered it’s coffee drinking customers a way to let their opinions be known. Choose a red cup, and you’re pro-McCain. Blue and you’re pro-Obama.

The promotional campaign kicks off this Wednesday (1 Oct 08) and runs through Election Day.

Is there any validity to this casual poll? Take a look at the results from the past two elections:

2000 election
Presidential candidate // U.S. voters // 7-Election voters
George W. Bush // 47.9% // 51.2%
Al Gore // 48.4% // 48.9%

2004 election
George W. Bush // 50.7% // 51 %
John Kerry // 48.3% // 49%

Ok boys and girls, The State Fair of Texas is now open! Opening day is always a wonderful time to go….

….the park is clean…
…the carnies still have their voices…
…the grease is fresh…

Fletcher’s Corny Dog’s are the original and located near Big Tex’s boots, the struedel, fried twinkies, lemonade and battered deep fried bacon is all waiting for you.

The Midway’s game booths are stuffed full and the Arts & Crafts building show off amazing crafts handmade by local residents and the Embarcadaro building has the best of Texas produce whether it’s salsa or jams.

And remember, nothing beats people watching at the Fair! Mullet hunting season is now open.

See ya’ll out there.

This weekend, get into the swing of things with Addison Oktoberfest.

With more than 60,000 fans of polka, German food and Paulaner Bier will gather in Addison’s spectacular Addison Circle Park for music, folk dancing, sing-alongs, children’s entertainment and more.

This authentic German festival is one of the largest Oktoberfest festivals outside of the famed Munich celebration.

HOURS:
Saturday: Noon – midnight
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Admission is $5 for ages 4 and up.

With a gorgeous weekend in store, make plans to catch the Plano Balloon Festival.

Saturday, September 20
6:00 AM Gates & Parking Lots Open and Bus Service Begins
6:30 AM Dawn Patrol “Wake up Plano”
7:00 AM Balloon Launch presented by the City of Plano
2:30 PM The Impostles perform on the KLUV Main Stage
3:30 PM Mount Righteous performs on the KLUV Main Stage
4:00 PM KDFW FOX 4 presents “Are you Smarter than Tim Ryan” on the KLUV Main Stage
5:00 PM RE/MAX Parachute Team Exhibition
5:45 PM National Anthem performed by Camille Broker on the KLUV Main Stage
6:00 PM Balloon Launch presented by EDS Credit Union
7:00 PM Beatles Tribute Band “Me & My Monkey” in Concert
on the KLUV Main Stage
8:00 PM “Lite up the Night” with the new 103.7 FM Balloon Glow
9:00 PM Spectacular Fireworks Show presented by Crest Cadillac / Infiniti

Sunday, September 21
6:00 AM Gates & Parking Lots Open and Bus Service Begins
6:30 AM Dawn Patrol “Wake up Plano”
7:00 AM Balloon Launch presented by The Dallas Morning News
8:30 AM The Black Prairie Band performs on the KLUV Main Stage
2:00 PM EDS Jazz Ensemble performs on the KLUV Main Stage
4:00 PM Plano Community Band performs on the KLUV Main Stage
5:00 PM RE/MAX Parachute Team Exhibition
6:00 PM Balloon Launch presented by Allstate Insurance
7:00 PM Festival Closes

The North Texas Food Bank has committed to building and transporting 4,000 family food boxes to the Houston and Beaumont Food Banks for distribution to families as they come back to the area and we need your help. They are now seeking food donations. Items needed are:

1. Fruit Juices
2. Canned Meats
3. Beef Stew
4. Chunk Light Tuna in Water
5. Pork and Beans
6. Canned Soup
7. Canned Vegetables
8. Canned Fruit
9. Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce
10. Dried Beans
11. Dried Rice
* No glass containers please.

You can purchase these items in pre-packaged bags at your neighborhood Kroger, Tom Thumb and Albertsons. Customers can simply leave their bags at the store and they will be donated to the NTFB.

You can also drop off donations at the NTFB located at 4500 S. Cockrell Hill Rd., Dallas, 75236

Call 214-330-1396 if you want to schedule a food or fund drive. Or donate online at ntfb.org.

The North Texas Food Bank is working in a strategic partnership with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Volunteer Center of North Texas to assist with mass evacuation as a result of Hurricane Ike. So far the NTFB has distributed over 80,000 pounds of water and snacks to shelters. Here’s how the organizations are coordinating the response:

• The North Texas Food Bank is currently providing water, juices and snacks and will provide food for meal preparation when needed. Monetary donations are needed too.
• The Salvation Army is providing meals at all mass shelter locations.
• The American Red Cross is managing and overseeing shelter operations.
• The Volunteer Center of North Texas is coordinating volunteer placement for the relief effort.