Thursday, November 29, 2012

Jekyll & Hyde Tickets for Only $30!

From the Cut & Paste Via Travelzoo Division:

"American Idol" finalist and Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis stars alongside Grammy Award nominee and R&B singer Deborah Cox in "Jekyll & Hyde." With this exclusive offer, you'll can save $55 on tickets to the musical at AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for Orchestra Terrace and Dress Circle seats are $30, regularly $85, at the following performances:

• Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Get your tickets here.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Nutcracker Ballet Tickets for Only $10!

From the Cut & Paste Via Travelzoo Holiday Division:

Enter a holiday dreamland filled with sugarplums and sweets with Texas Ballet Theater’s performance of “The Nutcracker." With this Local Deal, save up to 50% on tickets to see the holiday classic in Dallas over Thanksgiving weekend or in Fort Worth in December.

The following seating levels are available for all performances Nov. 23-Nov. 25, Friday-Sunday, at Winspear Opera House in Dallas:

• Dress Circle ... $10-$24 (reg. $20-$30)
• Mezzanine ... $17.50-$36 (reg. $25-$40)
• Orchestra Terrace ... $24.50-$40.50 (regularly $35-$45)
• Orchestra ... $31.50-$49.50 (regularly $45-$55)

Note: The lowest priced tickets are available for the Friday, Nov. 23, performance. Dress Circle seats are not available for the Sunday, Nov. 25, performance.

The following seating levels are available for the 7 p.m. performance Sunday, Dec. 9, at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth:

• Parterre seats … $17.50-$20 (reg. $35-$40)
• Orchestra seats … $22.50 (reg. $45)
• Corps Circle seats … $25 (reg. $50)

Hear the sounds of one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous scores and see Texas Ballet Theater's beautiful costumes, sets and choreography.

Click here to get your tickets.

Taylor Swift Presale Password for Cowboys Stadium

I'm not going to lie, I hate myself a little bit for even posting this, but I know there are people out there who like her music, so here's the Taylor Swift presale password. Talk about a concert that we are never, ever, ever, EVER going to.
 
Taylor Swift: The Red Tour
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Cowboys Stadium
Taylor Swift's "The Red Tour" will stop at Cowboys Stadium on May 25, 2013.

Tickets for this event will go on sale to the general public Friday, November 16, 2012 at 10:00am.
But because we love you, YOU have the opportunity to purchase tickets starting on
Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 10:00am.

To purchase tickets, use the corresponding link and password below:

Password: COUNTRY

Purchase Now Red Button

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Save Big on DSO's Aida Tickets!

From the Cut & Paste Via Travelzoo Division:

Dallas Opera opens the 2012-13 season with Verdi's masterpiece "Aida," which the Dallas News calls one of "the grandest of grand operas." Tickets are now 40% off, starting at $11, for Travelzoo subscribers to see this staging of the famous 19th century opera. Use code TZOO to take advantage of this great deal.

You can also save 20% and see additional dates of Aida by using promo code Egypt20 to save 20% on tickets.

See you there!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Diving in Head First to Max's Wine Dive Dallas


I was fortunate enough to score an invite to Max’s Wine Dive Dallas’ friends and family evening Tuesday, and from the looks of the bustling dining room and bar, Max has no shortage of friends or family.
While many soft-opening nights can have an air of chaos, Max’s hostess greeted us warmly and took us to one of their high top tables in the center of the room that gave us quite the view. We could see the kitchen working at a rapid pace to keep turning out delicious fried chicken, mac and cheese, fried brussel sprouts and more; patrons on the patio enjoying a glass of wine while their dogs had a bowl of water on a warm evening; and a restaurant full of happy people enjoying food and wine.
While I was a Max’s virgin, my friend is well-versed in the Max’s menu and recommended a number of menu items and wines that would work well. Who was I to argue? We started out with a glass of bubbly, of course. Max’s wine list is impressive, varied and wallet-friendly. Even better, you can peruse their wall of wine if you want to select something not on the list. Order two glasses, they’ll open the bottle. Buy a bottle while you’re there and one to take home and you’ll even get a discount. The folks at Max’s aren’t dummies and they’ve done their homework to make sure their prices are competitive, even with the discount retailers around town. While you won’t find any two-buck-Chuck here(thank goodness!) you can get a case of wine for only $99. That’s tough to beat, even at the big box stores down the road.
Also, while we’ve all seen enough small plates meant for sharing around town that aren’t shareable at all, Max’s gets it right with small plates that are actually designed to be shared, as well as prices that will let you order several to try out. For small plates, we stuck to the classic dishes found on the left side of the menu when we ordered the Max n’ Cheese and the Pan Borracho. The piquillo peppers were also highly recommended and the sliders looked great as they passed by. Classics can be found at all Max’s locations where the other side is populated with seasonal selections from the local chef.

The mac and the pan borracho arrived at our table piping hot. The creamy mac and cheese had been tossed with a truffle cream sauce that was complemented with gruyere and parmesan cheese. So many critics whine about truffle oil, but the reality is people love it. And really, if you’re looking to make really good mac and cheese into really great mac and cheese, why not just add truffle oil. They did and it’s fantastic. The pan borracho is one of those dishes that will easily make it on to the list of must-orders for every trip to Max’s. Sourdough baguette, prosciutto and thyme are baked in a white wine custard sauce with the aforementioned cheeses and the result is a drunken bread dish that I’m already craving again. Health food this is not, but it’ll be worth the extra run on the Katy Trail you’ll need to do in the morning.
For our entrĂ©e, we headed to the right side of the menu, which features creations from Chef Patrick Russell. The first thing you’ll notice on that side is the fried brussel sprouts. Order them. These are not those gross little cabbage looking things your mother made you eat. These are delightfully crispy magical sprouts that will have you fork sparring for the last one. Word on the street is that these are one of the few non-classics that may be able to jump across the menu and become classics. We also tried the lamb shoulder, which had been perfectly cooked and was literally fork tender as you cut through this normally tougher cut.
I wish I could remember the names of the delightful Pinot Noir and other wines we tried, but wine often has a funny mind-erasing effect. Not to worry, the knowledgeable staff and bartenders can certainly steer you in the right direction. Max’s team has literally scoured the globe to bring new and interesting wines to their customers. From trips to the Northwest to South Africa, I’m still trying to figure out how I can join that team.
For a kitchen’s virgin night, Max’s had no problem converting this virgin to a big fan of Max’s. The Sig-O has already decided we’ve got weekend plans to hit up their brunch, featuring red velvet pancakes, French toast, mimosas, man-mosas and more. See you there.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

RW Report: Abacus is Still Amazing

First off, I have to give the Sig-O credit for getting us some of the best RW reservations in town - Abacus, the French Room and Bijoux. All on prime days. Seriously, the RW list comes out, I make a matrix of restaurants and dates (yes, this is the only time learning about matrices in calculus has ever helped me), I hand it to the Sig-O and magical things happen. Like a Friday night reservation at Abacus or a Saturday night at Bijoux. Reservation day is pretty much like sending my wishlist to Santa.

But on to more important things, like Abacus. The folks at Abacus on Friday night outdid themselves again. The Sig-O, Sibling, the Brit, the pseudo-aunt, and I went to Aacus on Friday night and were reminded of why Abacus is still at the top of the favorite restaurant list. The charming Ryan T. was our server and he made it such a fun evening for all 5 of us.

Ryan was happy to explain that we were better off ordering a bottle of wine rather than the pairings, particularly since none of us were big dessert wine fans. A lovely Meomi Pinot Noir went well with everyone’s dishes and it was thanks to his knowledgable recommendation that we chose it.

Our favorite appetizers were the duck gnocchi and the buffalo potstickers. Since each of us had a 4th course certificate, we each had 2 of the lobster shooters. Yes, we’ve all had them before, but they really are that good. I'm curious how many lobster shooters they make during Restaurant Week because there were a number of them on every table.

For the entrees, the most popular at our table were the shrimp and girts, the Kobe hanger steak and the pork tacos. The winner for that was definitely the steak. The three at our table each ordered it to a different doneness and they all came out perfectly. The sibling insisted the pork tacos were best, but we're pretty sure that was ego defending her dinner choice. Kobe beef really can't be beat and I found myself trying to get an extra bite of it from the Sig-O.

Desserts were a sampling of several, but the standout was the Burundi Coffee Ganache. It was incredibly decadant and the first thing to disappear off the plates. There was also a great lemon cornmeal poundcake that was very good, but the once we tried the chocolate, we pretty much forgot there was anything else on the plate.

Ryan’s service was impeccable. Friendly yet not intrusive. We can’t wait to go back to Abacus and hope Ryan will help us again.

Friday, August 17, 2012

In Case You Didn't Know: Restaurant Week Is Still Going for Two More Weeks

Earlier this week, the Sig-O and I got a chance to hit our first Restaurant Week dinner. Along with the sibling and mom, we headed over to The Mercury for what turned out to be one of the better put together RW dinners we've had in quite some time.

The service was friendly and attentive, yet not intrusive. Since there were four of us, we were able to check out several different choices for each course. Winner winner, chicken dinner was really the chicken "oysters" appetizer which were fried chicken with a pea salad fantastic gravy. The Sig-O was a fan of the truffled sausage. Mom went the healthier route with the salad that featured heirloom apples and tomatoes. While that still looks like a typo to me, it was still a very good salad. The sibing went with the gnocchi appetizer that had a delicious lamb bolognese sauce. With a first course like this, The Mercury was a certainly off to a good start.

The optional 4th course was a four cheese, mushroom and shrimp spring roll. While we appreciated the creativity of the spring roll ingredients, half the table found it a bit too spicy. Not to spoil the rest of the write up, but this really was the only culinary misstep we found at The Mercury.

Entrees arrived shortly and I found an incredible braised oxtail and shortrib in front of me. This was the kind of dish that results in fork duels for those trying to take an extra taste from your plate. To top it all off, there was a soft poached egg on top. Seriously, oxtail, shortrib and egg on one dish. Life is good. Sig-O went for quail that was light and cooked perfectly. Mom opted for the lamb shank, which isn't showing on their menu online, but is certainly worth ordering if you happen to make a reservation. The sibling ordered the trout. Complete with a straberry soup and crabmeat, it elevated trout to a new level.

Desserts were also great from a light and delightful Tres Leches to the Crispy Napolean Wonton to the Apple Cobbler, and, of course, the Chocolate Mousse Cake. The four desserts made their rounds at our table and we each proclaimed our own the best choice. I guess that means they really are all that good or else the family has ego issues. I'll opt for the former in case they're reading.

While other restaurants may cheap out on RW, The Mercury certainly didn't and we'll be back again for sure. It may not be flashiest restaurant on the list, but this neighborhood gem is worth the trip north of Northpark.

Stay tuned as we still have Abacus, The French Room and Chamberlain's all to come!

Friday, August 3, 2012

What You Should Be Drinking: Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa

The Sig-O and I were fortunate enough to be invited to the recent Patron Cocktail lab event at Candleroom. Yes, we were pretty much sold at Patron. But this was not a tequila shot kind of night. We were going to learn to be mixologists.

While I've never been a fan of the lounges that have long lines and require bottle service, Candleroom is a tucked away venue that is perfect for private events. Patron took over for the evening, inviting us in with patron lemon mojitos which were just what was needed as we came in from the still sweltering heat at 7 p.m. Patron took a different, and much appreciated, route with their brand event. While there have been a number of brand ambassador events lately that were large events with 100+ people, Patron opted for a smaller, more intimate and interactive evening.

While the evening certainly included the usual Patron Silver, Reposado and Anejo, the standouts were Patron XO Cafe and Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa, which is exactly what you should be drinking. I wasn't familiar with the Cocoa, but immediately took a liking to it and decided that it would be included as I became a mixologist for the evening. Patron even brought in the "real" mixologists from Tate's, Oak and other local bars known for their unique cocktails. Not only do these guys know how to make a great cocktail, they know how to help you acheive the cocktail of your dreams.

Back to the Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa. I decided we'd make a drink that was what every girl wants to drink after diner but before being convinced to come up for a night cap - a chocolate covered strawberry. They showed us how to muddle the strawberries with a bit of rosemary, simple syrup and a splash of Patron Silver. We then added 2 oz of Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa, shook it with ice and strained it into a martini glass. Garnished it with a strawberry and proceeded to drink it. It. Was. Awesome.

And now Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa is on my liquor shopping list(stop judging me). Thank Patron.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Things I Learned From Scott Gottlich Last Night and Why I Was Online Shopping at Bijoux

Last night the Sig-O and I had the opportunity to go to Bijoux for 4-course dinner and cooking lesson from Scott Gottlich. It was a fabulous Google local offer that we snapped up, as did 50 of our closest new friends. It was fantastic, and I've never been so happy to have the Amazon.com app on my iPhone. No, I wasn't texting or doing constant FB updates, I was shopping, but only for a minute. Why? You ask, was I shopping while the oh-so-cute Scott Gottlich was talking (sidebar: his wife Gina is a lucky girl. He's funny, charming, adorable, oh, and the man can cook!) He taught us about foam. I know, I know, we've all seen foam at fancy restaurants and been in awe. Gottlich demystified it as he explained a simple trip to the store or Amazon could make us look like pros at our next cocktail party. Seriously, all you have to do is buy Soy Lecithin powder (less than $20 on Amazon) and an immersion blender. Then you can foam anything and everything. Seriously, everything. Our end of the table was then coming up with fabulous things we could foam. The winning idea? Bacon. You may think bacon has come and gone, but you're wrong. Bacon will never, ever, not even if hell freezes over, be gone. However, it will be foamed.

Foam is not just some fancy party trick. Gottlich explained how changing the texture changes how we taste different foods. And it does. Watermelon foam was delicious on the tomato and melon salad, and was a completely different taste then just biting into a slice of melon. When they served our corn soup it had been blended to a perfectly smooth consistency, with just a bit of creme fraiche. Again, we noticed different flavors then we would have had it remained thicker and more chowder like. For our entree, we enjoyed a delightful sole with melted broccoli. Melted? Yes, melted. They cook the broccoli in butter, then puree it. See? texture changes, again. The melted broccoli was a far cry from the "trees" mom used to make you eat. We finished dinner with a cheese course, one of my favorites - Humbolt Fog. Creamy and perfect, paired with a ruby port, it was a fantastic way to close out dinner.

Google seems to be offering these chef classes and dinners on a monthly basis, so I encourage you to check them out, as they're a fun way to experience great restaurants around town in a new way. Bijoux is certainly one of my favorites, for their food, their staff and, of course, Mr. Gottlich.

I wonder if the dog will appreciate a little foam on his breakfast.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Jason Aldean Presale Password

Jason Aldean
with DJ Silver, Rachel Farley and Luke Bryan

Saturday, October 27
Gexa Energy Pavilion

Presale starts: Thu, July 19 at 10am
Presale ends: Thu, Jul 19 at 10pm
Use Password: microphone
More InfoLive Nation Presale - Jason AldeanBuy Tickets

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Peter Pan Tickets for Less Than $25!

"Peter Pan," is flying into Dallas' Music Hall at Fair Park this month, starring Cathy Rigby as the boy who never grew up. Tickets to see her in a new production of the childhood favorite are more than 40% off for a limited time, starting at $22.25.

Choose from the following seating levels for 8 p.m. performances July 10-12 and 17-19:

• Rear Orchestra seats … $22.25 (reg. $40)
• First Balcony seats … $29.75 (reg. $55)
• First Orchestra seats … $32.25-37.25 (reg. $60-$70)

Click here for all the details.

Monday, July 9, 2012

7-11 Means Free Slurpees and Cheap Six Flags Rides!

In just 2 days, it will be the infamous 7-11 day, which means you can get one of those dinky little 7.11 ounce 7-11 Slurpees for free. But wait, don't just get your free Slurpee and bail. Buy something, buy anything, hang on to your receipt, and take it out to Six Flags after 7:11 p.m. for $7.11 admission!

Seriously, that basically means for $7.11 and the price of a pack of gum you get a mini-slurpee, a chance to throw up said Slurpee on a Six Flags rollercoaster, and some gum to freshen your post-slurpee-throw-up breath. That's a heck of a deal.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Free Food at Cafe Brazil Today

Café Brazil is celebrating four years at its Bishop Arts District location. Today from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., diners can get a free entrée and dessert with the purchase of a beverage.

The offer is good for dine-in only, and they ask to "please tip your server generously." And, again, it's only at the location at 611 N. Bishop Avenue.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Free Iced Tea Day at La Madeleine

Today, June 20th only, head on over to your local La Madeleine French Country Cafe to snag a FREE Regular Iced Tea or Mango Iced Tea (no coupon needed and no purchase necessary!). Limit one per guest; valid 6/20 only.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Buy One, Get One Free for Wilson Phillips at The Winspear!


WILSON PHILLIPS

WINSPEAR OPERA HOUSE

JUNE 6 | 8:00 PM
One amazing night of chart-topping music spanning from the 60's to today 
as Wilson Phillips reinvent the songs of their parents, The Beach Boys and 
The Mamas & The Papas, and perform their beloved hits! 
Use code AACFRIEND to buy one ticket and get a second one for free.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Free Slurpees Tomorrow at 7-11

Yes, they're the tiny 7.11 ounce Slurpees. But they're free. And they're at all the 7-11's in town. But wait, it starts at 11 a.m., so no morning Slurpee for you. Oh, and they only have a limited number of those silly little cups, so you better get there early. They've got some new flavors out too, so this is a good opportunity to taste those random ones you keep thinking about before you just get the usual half cherry/half coke concoction. And it's free.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Discount Tickets for Green Day's American Idiot at the Winspear Opera House

Sure, this is another one from the Cut & Paste via Travelzoo Division, but this show is worth seeing, so snag your discount tickets ASAP.


The Dallas Morning News says "American Idiot," the rock musical based on Green Day's multi-platinum album, "thrilling and emotionally charged, as moving as anything on Broadway." Tickets to all Dallas performances through May 20 are 50% off for Travelzoo subscribers, starting at $35. 

With this Travelzoo Local Deal, choose from any performance at Winspear Opera House and sit in Dress Circle seats for $35 (regularly $60-$75). The show features hits like "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Holiday" and "21 Guns" and tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia. 




Get the details here.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Def Leppard/Poison Presale Password


No, I'm not going to this, but I'm sure there are a lot of people who would like to relive the 80s for an evening, so here you go:
Def Leppard/Poison            buy presale tickets  
Monday, September 3                                          CODE: ROCK
7:00pm
                                                                Ends tomorrow, May 10 @ 10pm
American Airlines Center

80's rock fans have the chance to end their summer with a bang, as
Def Leppard and Poison roll through Dallas on Labor Day.
The Rock of Ages Tour, also featuring Lita Ford, will stop at American Airlines Center on Monday, September 3rd.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Enrique & JLO Concert Presale Password


ENRIQUE, JLO & WISIN &YANDEL
AUG 25 | 7:30 PM
MORE INFO | BUY TICKETS
Pop and Latin music icons don't get any bigger than this! Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez and Wisin y Yandel will arrive at American Airlines Center on Saturday, August 25th. The tour is presented by State Farm. As a CenterAACcess member you can purchase your tickets before they go on sale to the public. Starting Thursday, May 3 at 10 AM to 10 PM. PASSCODE: SUMMER

Monday, April 30, 2012

Il Cane Rosso is My New Favorite Brunch Spot

I hate it when my favorite restaurants get all crowded. Yes, I love that they are successful and will continue to be around, but the waiting part sucks. Everyone knows about Cane Rosso in Deep Ellum. And for those other people who don't, they will after the Diners, Dive-Ins, and Drives airs this week. We're lucky to have these great places that get their time in the national spotlight, but as a pre-DDD customer, I cringe at the thought of the throngs of people toting their misbehaving children into restaurants I love. But this isn't about how happy I am to be 1/2 of a DINK couple (Dual Income, No Kids), it's about the amazing brunch the Sig-O and I had on Sunday.

Cane Rosso recently decided to change it up and  be open for Sunday brunch, which made me a happy camper. Yes, they had previously done Saturday brunch, but that just wasn't terribly convenient. Yes, I've been known to drink on patios before noon on Saturday, but I don't make it a regular practice because, too often, there's just a bunch of stuff I need to get done on Saturday so we can drink on a patio and become worthless for the rest of the day on Sunday. Fortunately, Cane Rosso is now open on Sunday and has a great patio, which just so happens to be dog-friendly. If the Sig-O would get around to training the demon in fur to stop being such a jacka$$ with other dogs, I'm sure we would have taken him and enjoyed it.

Moving on to brunch. The full menu is available, but the real reason to wake up and head over to Deep Ellum is the brunch menu. I started with a mimosa (duh) and the Sig-O opted for a Michelada, which is basically a bloody mary made with beer instead of vodka. We rationalized that this could actually be a healthier version of a bloody mary when done with light beer. With eight choices on the brunch menu, it's not the number of choices that makes you wonder what to order as much as the number of freaking amazing choices available. Everything sounded good. For real. So we asked our friendly waitress for her thoughts, which turned out to be a great call since she let us know that the hash wasn't going to be with hot sopressata and braised pork, but rather in-house smoked brisket. Sold! 1 million times sold! Seriously, the Sig-O was all over that like white on rice. Me, I was still debating several options, but I'm a believer that a good brunch must have good eggs benedict, so I went with the Cane Rosso Benedict.

After just a few minutes of enjoying the sunshine on the patio with our cocktails, our brunch arrived. The brisket hash was brisket(duh), 2 over easy eggs, fonduta and crostini. The Sig-O went for the first bite and it was like I had been completely replaced. I think I might have even heard proposals of marriage to that brisket hash from that side of the table. I had to try it. Reluctantly, the Sig-O let me take a bite, but only after repeating, "you know the fact that I'm sharing this with you at all means I love you, right?" I was like, "yea, yea, whatever. Less talking, more food sharing." And then I took that bite. OMG! That brisket hash was totally proposal worthy. The flavors came together perfectly. The smokiness of the brisket, the spiciness of the chilies in the gravy, the eggs. Seriously, this is the kind of brunch food that keeps a restaurant at the top of your brunch choices even when the suburbanites and their broods invade your brunch patio.

The Cane Rosso Benedict was not about to play second fiddle to some hash. With the over easy eggs on top of crispy pancetta and fried polenta, topped with Calabrian chile gravy and complemented by delightful oven-roasted breakfast potatoes, this benedict is a force to be reckoned with that most assuredly puts Cane Rosso on my list of best brunches in town. There was even Jimmy's crumbled sausage in that chile gravy. I get pancetta, sausage, eggs, fried polenta, and breakfast potatoes with that amazing gravy all in one dish? This isn't brunch, this is amazing. In case you're not already full from licking your brunch plate clean, they do offer dessert. Sig-O and I just couldn't manage that one for brunch, but I highly recommend the S'mores calzone as I've shared it with coworkers at lunch and we found ourselves fork sparring for the last bits of chocolate and marshmellow goodness.

It's been quite some time since the Sig-O and I found ourselves both saying Wow to a brunch, but Cane Rosso deserves it. And they deserve to be featured on Triple-D. I just hope I can still snag a patio table after it airs.

Go. Preferably tonight. www.ilcanerosso.com/

Things You Should Be Doing: Weeknight 5K's

You always mean to go do a 5K race or fun run, but the problem is that they happen on Saturday mornings. And Saturday mornings are rough because Friday nights are so much fun. The good news is, that worthless excuse of being too tired or needing to sleep in on the weekends is gone with two fabulous weeknight 5K's coming up. So register and mark your calendars for these two great weeknight runs that are right around the corner!

  • The Man Run - Wednesday, May 2 - $20 - 6:30 p.m. at Reverchon Park - Ryan Harms is competing in the One Man Dallas competition and his service project is The Man Run. The Man Run will benefit Back on My Feet, a local nonprofit helping the homeless population of Dallas. Beneficiary: Back on My Feet is committed to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. For more information about Back on My Feet, please visit www.backonmyfeet.org. To register for this awesome run, visit  http://www.themanrundallas.com
  • The 14th Annual Michelob Ultra Katy 5K - Thursday, May 10 - $40 - 7 p.m. at Reverchon Park - The Katy 5K is a great 5K, but more importantly, it's the best post-race party in town. You and 5,000 of your closest friends will run, drink free beer and enjoy free food from 50 of the best restaurants in town. Oh, and all the money benefits the Friends of the Katy Trail. They're the ones responsible for keeping the Katy Trail clean, safe, beautiful and AWESOME. Register at www.KatyTrailDallas.org 

There's no reason for you not to be there. There might be a reason for you to skip work after the Katy 5K.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Brad Paisley and The Band Perry Presale Password



Brad Paisley Tickets
Brad Paisley
with The Band Perry and
Easton Corbin

Saturday, August 18
Gexa Energy Pavilion

Presale starts: Fri, Apr 27 at 10am
Presale ends: Fri, Apr 27 at 10pm
Use Password: melody

Public Onsale: Sat, Apr 28 at 10am
More InfoLive Nation Presale - Brad PaisleyBuy Tickets

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Free Crazy Tacos at Rock & Roll Taco Through May 5


Rabbit, wild hog, shark and "mystery" are among the taco flavors Dos Equis is bringing to Dallas for its Feast of the Brave promotion (the press release hints that the mystery involves iguana). Each taco comes with a "bravery score" and Dallas is facing off against five other cities to see which can get the most points.

James Quiñonez of Rock and Roll Tacos will be the chef behind the unusual offerings. A truck will be in Dallas today through May 5 at various locations (location info under the Feast of the Brave tab here). One free taco per person while supplies last.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Cirque Du Soleil KOOZA Presale & Discount!


Cirque Du Soleil Kooza Tickets
Cirque Du Soleil KOOZA

September 20 - October 7
The Grand Chapiteau at Lot E
500 Memorial Street, Dallas, TX 75202
Purchase your tickets early and get $10 off per ticket!
Presale starts: Now!
Presale ends: Fri, Apr 27 at 10am 
No Password Needed
Public Onsale: Fri, Apr 27 at 10am
Live Nation Presale - Cirque Du Soleil KoozaBuy Tickets

Monday, April 23, 2012

Thursday Night Brewery Tours at Deep Ellum Brewing Company

Not going to lie. I totally just cut & pasted this from D, but it sounds awesome:


Starting this Thursday, Deep Ellum Brewing Company will host Thursday evening tours of the brewery from 5-7PM. They kick off their new program with live music by Whiskey Folk Ramblers. Food, for purchase, is available from Buzzbrews Deep Ellum. $10 at the gate which includes DEBC souvenir glass and DEBC beer. 972-439-2413.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

$99 Spa Deal at the New Omni Hotel Spa

From the Cut & Paste Via Travelzoo Division:
The luxe Mokara Spa & Salon, inside the recently opened Omni Dallas Hotel, boasts some of the best views of the skyline from its fourth-floor perch. With this exclusive Local Deal for $99, regularly $210, Travelzoo subscribers can get pampered with a three-treatment spa package, including access to the infinity pool boasting views of downtown. 

This package includes: 
• Any 50-minute customized massage, such as Swedish, sports or deep tissue (up to $120) 
• An hourlong Texas Pecan manicure and pedicure, which incorporates crushed pecans mixed with massage oil to exfoliate, along with choice of polish 
• A complimentary glass of sparkling wine 
• Complimentary valet parking 
• Access to the heated infinity pool with views of the Dallas skyline 


Get it here and you better act fast.

Perry's Friday Porkchop for Less than $1

Sure, sure, you you can get an enormous roast-size pork chop at lunch for low price of $11.95 every Friday, but THIS Friday only, the price drops to 79 cents for the first 100 people in line at the door; the restaurant opens for lunch at 11 a.m.

The special price is in honor of the year Perry's opened as a butcher shop in Houston - 1979 - and is good at Perry's locations across the state.

The Dallas location is at 2000 McKinney, at Olive, downtown.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Free Shredding Day on Saturday April 14

Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8am – 5pm

Join us for the 2nd annual Shred Day DFW, a free community document shredding event brought to you by Comerica Bank and Iron Mountain. This one-day, DFW-wide event allows consumers or businesses to shred sensitive paper documents securely (four-box limit per vehicle) and free of charge.
Shred Day DFW will be held on Saturday, April 14 at Comerica’s Mockingbird Service Center (1508 West Mockingbird). Help protect yourself from identity theft and fraud by securely shredding personal or business documents you no longer need, and you’ll also be doing your part to help the environment, since all paper collected at Shred Day DFW will be recycled.
New to 2012:
  • One big drop-off location: Comerica's Mockingbird Service Center (1508 West Mockingbird, Dallas)
  • Help support the North Texas Food Bank with a suggested donation of two non-perishable food items
  • Help us shred a world record!
To learn more about Comerica Bank, click here. To learn more about Iron Mountain, click here. To learn more about the North Texas Food Bank, click here.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Jason Mraz Presale Password

Jason Mraz Tickets
Jason Mraz
with Christina Perri

Saturday, August 11
Gexa Energy Pavilion

Presale starts: Thu, Apr 12 at 10am 
Presale ends: Fri, Apr 13 at 10pm 
Use Password: melodyPublic Onsale: Sat, Apr 14 at 10am
More InfoLive Nation Presale - Jason MrazBuy Tickets

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Why The Grape is Still One of My Fave Restaurants in Dallas

The Grape. We all know it. We've all been there. And we all like it. I was reminded on Saturday night just how much I love this restaurant. Often given the label of being a "neighborhood gem," I think this is inaccurate. It's really more of a Dallas institution. Even if it's not on someone's regular restaurant rotation, simply suggesting going to The Grape immediately results in a, "Oh yes, I love that place. Let's go there." That was pretty much what happened this last weekend when the parental units were in town.

Let me start out by saying that the fabulous customer service from The Grape stars before you even show up. Courtney gave me a call to confirm our reservation on Saturday afternoon, which isn't terribly uncommon. But when I asked if it was possible for our party of six to be seated on the patio that evening, she happily told me she had already made sure of it. Yes, it's likely that I've made reservations before and requested to be on the patio, so it's in my profile on their computer, but this attention to detail is really where The Grape excels.

So the six of us show up on Saturday night and are seated at a very nice table on the patio. (Note: having six people show up on time is a little bit like herding cats.) Our server was friendly, starting us off with cocktails and giving us plenty of time to review the menu. The Sig-O opted for am East Side Sour, which was pretty darn good if you're looking for a good whiskey cocktail. Sig-O seems to be gravitating toward those old fashioned cocktails that fancy mixologists all over town are making. Me, I'm still a solid wine and vodka kind of girl. Not together, that would be gross. My younger sibling opted for the Grape's Boursin Martini, which isn't much more exciting than a martini, except that it included house-made boursin stuffed olives. It's a shame there were only two olives, because I think the rest of us would have enjoyed them, but she wasn't feeling like sharing. But she did report they were very, very good. And really, boursin stuffed olives? I'm not sure how that could ever not be good. The parental units and I stuck to wine that evening. The Grape always has an interesting wine list. Courtney has done her homework to put together an approachable list with interesting options that will have you stepping out of your typical comfort zone, yet still leave you enjoying each glass.

Ever onward we went into the meal, starting out with the frittered baby artichokes. Not to be missed, and surrounded by baby arugala and prosciutto, we needed two orders of them to make sure everyone got to enjoy. And of course no trip to The Grape would be complete without a fantastic cheese and charcuterie plate. We asked the waiter to let the chef decide what to put on the plate and we weren't disappointed when we received the creamy housemade boursin, marinate chevre, 4-year cheddar, rabbit mortadella, and spicy sopressata, complete with olives, grapes, crackers and the usual accouterments you'd expect for a well done cheese plate. The house boursin is always good at The Grape. The Sig-O was a fan of the sopressata and I was a fan of the rabbit mortadella. Seriously, how often do you find rabbit on a cheese plate? Dad, you missed out on that one.

After working our way through the appetizers and our first of several bottles of wine, our entrees arrived. Wanting to make sure we saved enough room for dessert, there were a few "share-sies" around the table. The parentals split the Texas Shrimp and Lemon Chili Sausage on polenta, and when I reached across the table to steal a bite, I found quite the version of shrimp and grits. Call it what you may, but when you put shrimp on top of polenta, it still becomes shrimp and grits. Not that I'm complaining, since it's certainly a favorite dish and this one was prepared quite well, even with the surprise of the sausage. The Bro-In-Law, BIL, had the Bistro Steak Frites and was not into sharing. I managed to snag a couple frites and he told me the steak was really good, but still didn't want to share. Note to Fam: we should consider reevaluating BIL status. The Sig-O chose what I originally thought would be a rather uninspired choice with the Coal Miner's Pasta. I was wrong, really wrong. Complete with cream, spinach, bacon and an egg on top, this spaghetti might have been the winning entree for the night. I kept reaching over for "just one more bite" of the creamy, cheesy, bacony goodness. If you know a coal miner, and this is how they cook, you should go to dinner there. And invite me. The sister, belonging to the BIL with now questionable status, and I split the Prime Pork Chop. Billed as the Grilled & Mopped Prime Pork Chop, it came with hominy gratin, slaw and green beans. The chop was tender and juicy. The kitchen was even kind enough to split it in the kitchen and still bring it out with a lovely presentation. Was it a good pork chop? Yes. Did I still end up fork sparring with the Sig-O for more coal miner's pasta. Yes.

But wait, dinner with the Fam isn't over until we've had dessert, so Mom and I perused the list and ordered the Valrhona Chocolate Terrine, Bananas Foster Bread Pudding and the Caramel Popcorn Sundae. Oh, and I think the table may have sampled all the post-dinner drinks The Grape offers. We were already down two bottles of wine by that time, so just take my word for it that the dessert cocktails were also very good. The terrine was a dense dark chocolate mousse with french brandied cherries. Smooth and rich, it was as expected and a definite must for any chocolate lover. The bread pudding was the perfect density and texture, with no need to be drowned in a superfluous sauce. It was popular, but let's be honest, everything played second fiddle to the Caramel Popcorn Sundae. I know, you don't know if that actually sounds good, trust me, it is better than good. It's fan-freaking-tastic. Think buttered popcorn ice cream, sea salt caramel and caramel popcorn tuille. There wasn't a single bite left of that one. People who classify themselves with the "I'm not a dessert person" label even loved this dessert. The flavors and textures married so well, I'd recommend ordering this and taking notes from it rather than some expensive blah, blah, blah pre-marriage counseling.

 If you're looking to make dinner plans, I'd certainly recommend visiting The Grape. With Courtney running the front of the house and Brian crafting amazing food in the back, you really can't go wrong. I know I'll be back soon, I've already told the Sig-O we're going back for a charcuterie plate and the caramel popcorn sundae.

Celebrate Uptown on April 12

Dallas Stars Playoff Tickets Presale Password

Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Playoffs are coming. Want your tickets early? Here you go:
Click Here to Get Your Seats Now!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Things That Sound Like a Disaster: Dallas Casting for MTV Real World 28

I didn't even know this show was still on. Seriously, nothing sounds like a worse idea than a 28th season of a show that should have gone off the air at least 10 years ago. Wait, when was the Vegas one? That one was kind of fun to watch, but it should have been the last one. But, just in case you like the show and, even worse, want to try to be on the show. Here's where they'll be casting in Dallas.

Saturday, April 7, 2012
10:00AM-5:00PM
Red Rock Bar and Grill
18110 Midway Rd. #208
Dallas TX, 75287

http://www.bmpcasting.com/casting/realworld/

Free Cone Day from Ben & Jerry's Tomorrow!

Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day is April 3rd, 2012!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Free Cupcakes at Sprinkles Tonight

Sprinkles is handing out free cupcakes tonight between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. to promote its newly expanded hours.

One per customer. Anything in the case. No purchase necessary.

The fabulous cupcake bakery at Preston Center, at the southeast corner of Preston Road and Northwest Highway.

The store's new hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Drink Local: TexasFest at Sigels Elite

I'm a good Texan, so is the Sig-O, despite technically from Oklahoma. So, we're all in favor of drinking local, which is why we're excited about Sigel's upcoming TexasFest - A Lone Star Celebration of Texas Craft Beer, Spirits & Wine at Sigel's Elite (3209 N. Fitzhugh)


Reserve Your TexasFest Passport
 
Your TexasFest Passport entitles you to taste any 12 of the following:
21 Texas Brews, 19 Texas Spirits & 6 Texas Wines 

Distillery, brewery and winery representatives will be on hand to sample a selection of Texas-made libations and to answer any questions you may have about them. Enjoy special sale prices on all the products. Whether you are a novice trying to broaden your knowledge or a seasoned connoisseur looking to refresh your palate, this spectacular Texas event should not be missed!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Lunch Quick Bite: Green House Food Truck

I wanted Green House to wow me for lunch. It's sunny, it's 70, and the lines weren't that long. The Arts District Food Truck area has actually moved over in front of the Winspear, which is a much better location than the previous parking between the Belo Mansion and a parking lot/construction zone. The scene was pretty much perfect for wowing, but it just didn't quite do it.

I'd heard that Green House was doing short rib sandwiches, and I immediately wanted to check it out. It's officially a beef short rib sandwich with horseradish cream and baby greens. So I wandered over, enjoyed the sunshine and waited in line. Watching the guy taking the orders try to do math in his head and then have to write it down didn't inspire a whole lot of confidence in his charging abilities, so I added up the cost of my sandwich, chips and drink on my own. Except I couldn't. Not because I'm math retarded, thanks. The short rib sandwich was a special and didn't have a price listed. Looking at the fact the other sandwiches were in the $7-$8 range, I figured it would be about the same. So, when I get to the front of the line and order from the math wonderboy, he told me the total was $14.07, I was like what? How much is that sandwich? He tells me it's $9.50. (Add in chips for $1.50 and drink for $2. Really? $2 drink?) Um, ok, not normally what I'd spend on a sandwich, particularly one that doesn't come with chips. Seriously, it's kind of annoying to be expected to pay almost $10 for a sandwich and only get . . . a sandwich. Yes, I know I can go other places, but I didn't. They call my name a few minutes later and I snag my food and a spot to eat. (Dear Dallas Arts District, you could invest in some more picnic tables and nobody would complain)

I open up their environmentally friendly clamshell (points for being green.) and the short rib sandwich was pretty. Big meaty pieces of short rib and I was excited for the first bite. So I took it. It was good. The short rib was tender and clearly cooked well. The horseradish cream could have used a little more horseradish. And the baby greens, well, they were just mixed greens. There's clearly some creative license in the menu creation for most places, so nobody is getting beaten up on that one. The sandwich was good. It really was. But for freaking $9.50 just for a sandwich, I think I should be allowed to expect better than just good.

And yes, I'm whining about the prices. Not because I mind paying for good food, but because their prices are higher than other food trucks. $14 for lunch at a food truck just seems a little high. But I make these sacrifices so you get to know what's going on out there. You're welcome.

Definitely not disappointed to have spent the calories on that sandwich, but a little disappointed that I paid almost $10 for it. Would I give Green House another short, probably. But that's because I'm still enjoying the sugar high from Limonata Pellegrino I got there.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

What to Do to Celebrate Texas Turning 176 Years Young? 99 Cent Pie Slices at Norma's

Just got an update from Normas:  "We apologize for any confusion, but during the Texas Independence Day celebration, only the pecan pie slices will be 99 cents. All other Texas Menu items, including Frito pie, will be regular price."


We've got your Friday lunch plans set up for you since your good old friend Texas is turning 176. Naturally, you’re going to want to celebrate over lunch. Head over to Norma’s. They’re serving up some birthday Texas Frito pie for 99 cents each.


Mar 2, 11:30am-2pm, Norma’s Cafe, 17721 N Dallas Pkwy #130, 972-380-8646

Madonna Presale Password

MADONNAOCT 21 | 8:00 PM
MORE INFO |BUY TICKETS
Presale starts: Fri, Mar 2 at 10am
Presale ends: Fri, Mar 2 at 5pm

Use Password: party
Public Onsale: Mon, Mar 5 at 10am
Madonna is having a huge party at American Airlines Center on Sunday, October 21st and everyone's invited to Madonna's 2012 World Tour.

US residents ordering tickets online to a US performance will receive their choice of a digital or physical copy of Madonna's new MDNA album with every ticket purchased.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Spice & Wine Dinner at Samar Tonight

Looking for a fun weeknight date night? Samar's Spice & Wine Dinner is a great option that will break you out of that same old routine. Check it out:

LMFAO Presale Password!

Buy LMFAO Presale Tickets!

LMFAO Tickets
LMFAO
with Far East Movement, Sidney Samson, Eva Simons and Natalie Kills
Friday, June 15
American Airlines Center

Presale starts: Thu, Mar 1 at 10am
Presale ends: Fri, Mar 2 at 10pm
Use Password: shufflingPublic Onsale: Sat, Mar 3 at 10am
More InfoLive Nation Presale - LMFAOBuy Tickets