The Cowtown Chronicles

So, I’ve been invited to the opening (soft opening, actually) of the new 29º Tavern in Fort Worth. It’s over off Hulen and 30, by Central Market.

I’ve been told that it’s from the same people that brought you Bennigan’s and The Plano Tavern. I have to say that I haven’t been impressed with either of those concepts, and the thought of beer (especially good beer) served that cold makes me well, shiver. Or sad and disgusted. I guess I’ll just be drinking Miller Lite, since “American Light Lagers” are designed to be served that cold.

I’ll be back on Friday or Saturday with my full report!

As some of you may have noticed, it’s been raining off and on for about 3 days now, with at least 1 more day of it predicted. I’m glad it’s happening; the reservoirs needed recharged, and the rivers were looking pretty sad.

I’m also disappointed, since I just got a new dog, and I would have liked to be able to spend some more time with him outside jogging and bonding and whatnot.

You take the good with the bad, I suppose.

Tonight we’re going to a graduation party for Emily D. in Denton. It should be fun, and I finally get to use the Metzler’s gift certificate I got for XMas! BBQ and beer, here I come!

Technorati Tags: Beer, celebrate, north texas, restaurants, school, weather

It has to happen in every resident of Cowtown’s life: You lose your Reata cherry. Well, mine was taken today, and I have to say, it was worth the wait.Our appetizer was the delicious Wild Boar short ribs with peanut sauce. The ribs were a little fatty, but as Jenna reminded us, the fat deposits are just the “flavor packets.” The ribs were braised in some kind of almost Teriyaki sauce, and the peanut sauce was excellent! Not overly peanut-y, but just the right balance.I had a well made Tanqueray Martini (with a twist) before dinner, as well.My main course was the Blackened Buffalo Ribeye, and I got bacon wrapped asparagus and mashed potatoes to go with it. The steak was excellent; perfectly done, but not particularly “blackened,” which was a little weird to me. The mashed potatoes were amazing, easily the best I’ve had since Thanksgiving (thank you Emily!), and my only complaint about the asparagus was that there wasn’t enough bacon. But then, there’s NEVER enough bacon for me.With dinner I had a glass of Rosemount Estate Hill of Gold Shiraz. It was just the way I like my Shiraz, fruit forward… It wasn’t jammy, though. (Sorry Lou!) It went perfectly with the just slightly spicy glaze on the steak. I seriously think it was the first time I’ve hit a wine/food pairing exactly right.And finally, for dessert, the molten chocolate cake, but not in the style of Chili’s (best dessert EVAR!), instead it’s more like the one served at Taverna. It’s an almost flourless cake, so it comes out like a brownie, and it’s filled with molten chocolate ganache that doesn’t quite run all over the place, but definitely gives the impression of eating a severely undercooked cupcake. The fruit provided in accompaniment was frozen. I don’t know if that was intentional, but it was all very good.As an aperitif, I had an Irish Coffee, which seemed as if it were made by the correct recipe, but I’m probably mistaken and it was just coffee with Bailey’s. (Which, when you think about it, sort of does the work for you, since Bailey’s is just whiskey, cream, and sugar.)Definitely 4 stars out of a possible 5. (If I were to rate things that way.) I’ll absolutely go back, just as soon as I have an expense account or win big in a poker tournament.Happy Birthday, Susan! (Thanks for dinner, Kay Kay!)

Technorati Tags: celebrate, fort worth, birthday, reata, restaurants, reviews

I guess I just don’t like “authentic” Mexican food. Benito’s wasn’t BAD, necessarily, but it wasn’t the best Mexican I’ve had. Of course, I haven’t had good restaurant Mexican in a while, I’ve been cooking my own Fajitas and whatnot at home.The beer was definitely cold, and served in 19 oz. schooners, which is always a pleasant surprise. The ambiance was nice, as well, with the biggest plant I’ve ever seen inside a building. The decor is appropriately “Mexican-y.” The nicest touch, in my opinion was the guide to ordering at a Mexican restaurant printed in the front of the menu… It explained a few things that I’d been wondering and helped me make sense of their terms, etc.So, my verdict is: Not GREAT, but not horrible. I might go back and try something different.

Technorati Tags: mexican, restaurants, reviews

I FINALLY went to the famous Fred’s Cafe last weekend. Then I come to find out that it burned AGAIN on Monday or Tuesday of this week.Seriously guys, figure out what the hell you’re doing that’s causing your place to burn and FIX IT!My verdict on Fred’s: Not a bad burger, but for the money, I’d go to Kincaid’s and go buy a 6-pack of Miller Light to take home with my totally awesome burger from Kincaid’s.And I’m sorry, but I can’t take you seriously as a diner if you’re serving Hunt’s ketchup. Yes, I admit it, I’m a ketchup snob. I’d almost rather not have ketchup if I can’t get Heinz. (Honestly, I think Fred’s used run-of-the-mill foodservice ketchup and just put it in the Hunt’s bottles for show. Still not acceptable.)

Technorati Tags: ketchup, restaurants

Finally got a chance to try the new Gingerman in Fort Worth. I met Jenna and the usual crew from her office after work today.I have to say that the decor is REALLY well executed. I think it’ll look great and really homey in about 8 years, after things don’t look quite so new. To give you an idea of how new things were, I noticed that one of the aluminum “pub signs” in the men’s room was copyrighted in 2007. That means it was produced, purchased, and hung in that restroom within the last 12 days.The service was really slow. At least it was before I got there. I didn’t notice, because I ordered my first 3 beers from the bar. By the time I started ordering from the waitress, things had speeded up. Service at the bar was friendly, but not in any way better or whatever than any other bar in the city. (Except for 7th Haven, where the 65-year-old bartender seems like a nice lady, but she’s hard of hearing and S-L-O-W.)Food menu is light and COMPLETELY copied from the Flying Saucer. Yeah, sure, things have different names, but they’re pretty much offering the same stuff, only for more money and less food.This location claims 66 beers on tap, which is all fine and good, but there was nothing new or different than is available, again at the Flying Saucer. (Forgive me, but there’s nothing else in FW to compare it to.)Pints were poured pretty short; it seemed like they were being pretty strict about the “1 inch of head” rule that better beer bars observe, even to the point of making it more than an inch. Now I’m just nit-picking.All in all, not a bad place, and I have to say that I almost ALWAYS love a bar with a better selection of beer than just the offerings from the big 3.But I’d still rather be at the Saucer.

Technorati Tags: bars, Beer, drinking, flying saucer, gingerman, reviews, restaurants

I intend to eat, drink, and shop as locally as possible in the new year. This means that I’m going to drink locally brewed beer, eat at independent, local restaurants and locally started chains, and shop at local stores that produce locally sourced things.I’ve already identified a few compromises: Until I find a wing joint that meets my standards, Buffalo Wild Wings is still allowed. (It’s local(ish) to my home state, at least.) Clothes are obviously going to be difficult, since nearly everything is made in China or Indonesia or whatever, but I think I can get by with American Apparel and the jeans I have. If anyone knows of any good local clothing shops, I’m interested. I guess I’ll finally get to check out The Man Shop in Arlington, but I think it might be a bit high-end for me.We already shop at a Texas grocery store (Central Market), and from now on we’ll do our best to buy produce and other fresh products produced in Texas. As needs dictate, we’ll have to expand the circle, but we’ll do our best.I guess it’s a good thing that I like Rahr, cause I don’t have much of an excuse for drinking anything else.I’ll keep you updated.

Technorati Tags: americana, Beer, celebrate, holiday, new year, resolution, seasonal, social observation

I ate at a Hooters again for the first time in probably 5 years. It wasn’t GREAT, but it wasn’t horrible, either. The beer was cold (as American Light Lagers should be), and the wings weren’t completely objectionable, even though I only had 3 or 4.Riscky’s Barbecue, on the other hand, was most definitely not the best BBQ I’ve had in the area. Don’t even start in on me about Angelo’s or Railhead. Both are overrated, in my opinion. I’m still looking for a good BBQ joint that’s close to home. For your reference, I like Metzler’s in Denton, and Lone Star BBQ in Haltom City.Discuss.

Technorati Tags: bars, Beer, drinking, north texas, restaurants

Because of the supremely retarded blue laws in Texas, breweries are not allowed to tell you where you can buy their beer, just like they can’t sell directly to the public. That makes listing locations for events outside the brewery a tongue in cheek game of “guess the restaurant.”But I’m not a brewery, so I can tell you where they’re going and when to be there!The crawl starts at 5:30 at Los Vaqueros. At 6:30, they’ll be heading to the Stockyards Station for grub. You get your choice of Riscy’s BBQ, Trailboss Burgers, or the Sarsparilla Saloon. Rumor is that one of these places will have Rahr’s new Winter Warmer on tap! After eating your fill and drinking more than your fill, head out at 8:00 to the White Elephant Saloon. At 9:00, they’ll be leaving again to go to Booger Red’s for the final stop, at which there will be prizes, including a 3-hour party for 50 people at the brewery!PLEASE bring a designated driver or money for the bus or a cab. I can’t make it to this one, since I have to work, but you can bet I’ll be at the brewery for the tour on Saturday! Fritz has two kegs of Winter Warmer ready, just for Saturday, and Bubba will be cooking ham and turkey for the folks who come out. Be there at 1:00, or you might miss the beer!

Technorati Tags: Beer, celebrate, drinking

I’ve been told (thanks Robbie) that Up-n-Smoke BBQ in Keller (of all places) has the best wings in the Metroplex. Has anyone else been there? Any experiences?

I’ve tried their BBQ, which wasn’t particularly impressive, but maybe it was a bad night for them. They DO, however, have the best beer selection for probably 10 miles in any direction. It’s nice to be able to find a good beer when you need it.

Keep the tips coming, and I’ll keep trying new places for you!