Articles about Dining
Dispatch From an Intern
Loyal FrontBurnervians will remember my new favorite intern, Bonathan. Remember? The guy who described his financial situation as “comfortable”? Yeah, that’s him.
Anyway, Nancy sent him on an errand, and Bonathan filed a report on it. If you have a few minutes, you should read it:
Nancy Update: If you’d like to respond to Bonathon’s review, we offer all-the-comments-you- can-type here.
Southwest Foodservice Expo: Report From Day One
Yesterday, the Southwest Foodservice Expo opened for a three-day run at the Dallas Convention Center. I spent most of the day wandering the halls with InsideCorner’s Evan Grant. We bumped into this dude. He begged me to put him on the cover of D Magazine. Why? “Because I’m only 25 and already a marketing director,” said Robert E. Drenner, the marketing director of a company that sells giant mixers. Here you go Robert, this is as close as you’re going to get. Details and pictures, including one of Herschel Walker, from yesterday over on SideDish. Comments are complimentary.
What To Do in Dallas for Father’s Day
So you’re a procrastinator, eh? Well, no worries. We’ve got some great suggestions for what to do with dear old Dad this weekend. Take a look.
Nat’l Restaurant Association Honors Brinker
The industry group ran a full-page ad in the New York Times today saluting Norman Brinker. The ad may have run in other national newspapers as well. I don’t remember seeing such a tribute from an industry group for one of its members before. Here is part of what the ad said:
His innovations in casual dining changed the way America eats. His motivational management practices are embedded in leaders across our industry and will live on. He proved that restaurants that build customer loyalty and provide rewarding careers become the cornerstone of their communities.
Knox Chili’s Shuttered For Brinker Fete
Don’t stop by the Chili’s on Knox tonight expecting to grab your usual Oldtimer or Quesadilla Explosion. The whole joint’s been closed to the public since 2 p.m. to accommodate a private party honoring the restaurant’s godfather, the late Norman Brinker. Organized by honchos at Brinker International, where Brinker was chairman emeritus, the bash for Brinker employees and Norman’s friends followed today’s service for the Dallas entrepreneur at the Meyerson and was scheduled to continue until last call.
Dave & Buster’s: Managing Thru The Recession
Two days ago, I linked to an article on P. F. Chang’s secret to holding margins during tough times. Today, Dave & Buster’s is reporting good gains in margins even though business is down. Profit is up 3.7% while same-store sales are down 7.9%.
See Nancy Nichols as a Geisha
It is just now coming to my attention that our own Nancy Nichols dressed up as a geisha for last night’s Supper Club dinner at Kenichi. She says it took an hour and a half with a makeup artist. Even better, the sushi chef mistook her for one of the hired help and rather forcefully adjusted her kimono before she could get out that she was the magazine’s dining critic. Sorry I missed that. More pics on SideDish.
John Tesar Leaves Fishtail by David Burke; Will Open New Restaurant in the Woodlands
Tesar is in Dallas today for Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation. In August he will be cooking at his own restaurant in the Woodlands, Texas.
Don’t Shed a Tear For The Tipp
My take on why The Tipperary Inn closed. Hint: It wasn’t because of the economy.
(Alternate headline: Junk-Kicks I’ve Delivered.)
Chef David Gilbert Leaves Lazare. Owner Russell Hayward Is A Good Dancer.
Join us for another episode of Dancing with Lazare.
“Dewhurst Bill” Will Allow You to BYOB to Any Restaurant: And Dallas Restaurateurs Are Mad
The Dallas Restaurant community is fightin’ mad. We’re having a great discussion on a new liquor law that could ruin their businesses. It is dangerously close to becoming a reality. Somebody call the New York Times.
Starck Club Documentary Screening Will Be Followed By A Party At Dali Wine Bar
If you remember the Starck Club, you’ll want to see this movie and go to this party.
George And Laura Bush Dine At The Mercury In Dallas
They did. And Mr. Bush pretended to be a waiter. Funny guy.
Lee Thompson on Bob Sambol’s Indictment
Nancy got a comment from Bob Sambol on his indictment. Through his attorney, Lee Thompson, the man who lent Sambol the money that he allegedly purloined, has released the following statement:
Mr. Thompson is saddened by the indictment of Bob Sambol. Mr. Thompson and Mr. Sambol were friends for many years. Mr. Sambol traded on this friendship and created the false pretense of a business deal to take $300,000 from Mr. Thompson. Even after the ruse was discovered and Mr. Sambol refused to return the money, Mr. Thompson tried to help his friend. Upon learning of Mr. Sambol’s numerous debts and suspected gambling problems, Mr. Thompson arranged for multiple professionals to assist Mr. Sambol with his financial situation, at no cost to Mr. Sambol. Mr. Sambol refused this help. After more than a year of Mr. Sambol’s excuses and false promises, the District Attorney’s Office chose to refer this case to a Dallas County Grand Jury. Despite Mr. Sambol’s numerous debts and obligations, he continues to cling to an extravagant lifestyle including membership at the exclusive Dallas National Golf Club.
Local Restaurateur Puts 63 McDonald’s Up For Sale
Some people are blessed with good timing, and Dallas restaurateur Ed Bailey seems to be among them. One of the nation’s biggest McDonald’s owners/operators–he’s got 63 stores in Dallas-Fort Worth–Bailey nonetheless took the fast-food giant to court, fighting for his right to open up some “white-tablecloth” restaurants on the side. The parties quietly settled that suit in November–”I’m extremely happy,” Bailey says of the outcome–and now he’s put all 63 DFW McDonald’s on the market, aiming to focus on his Patrizio and Bailey’s Prime Plus Steakhouse concepts.
Matt Martinez, Jr., R.I.P.
Matt Martinez, Jr. passed away at 7:30 Friday evening. Details here.
Matt Martinez, Jr. is in Hospice Care
Mary Wilson at the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association just sent out an e-mail to the members of the association saying that Matt Martinez, Jr., who has brain cancer, is in hospice care. Details.
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