I love it that chefs can just whip up several delicacies in the blink of an eye.  That’s exactly what Executive Chef Grant Morgan did the other day when our roving iPhone and I stopped by Bailey’s Prime Plus Park Lane location.  One minute it’s “Hi.  How ya doin’?”  The next thing you know, he’s preparing some of the delicious signature items you can get at Bailey’s every night.  See him in action here, and be sure to join Grant at Savor Dallas March 31st.  Grant didn’t reveal what he’ll be serving in the International Grand Tasting, but we suspect he will be true to his restaurant’s namesake:  “Prime Plus”.  Yummy.  Enjoy.

Trusty iPhone in hand, we headed to the beautiful Fairmont Hotel in Dallas so that Chef André Natera could show us around his rooftop herb garden.  He also gave us a taste of the bounty–even flourishing in the winter, though not as lush as the spring and summer.  He’s an interesting guy–into Zen and other great philosophies–who loves to cook and his job as executive chef of the Pyramid Restaurant and Bar and the Fairmont Dallas.  Here are highlights from our visit and Andre reveals what he’ll be serving at Savor Dallas on March 31st.  Bon appétit!

The Skinny:

Wine tasting at The Workroom
422 Singleton Boulevard, Dallas 75212
Just over the Calatrava Bridge–access via Continental Bridge to Singleton
Thursday March 1st, 6 to 8 p.m.  $30 per person.
Hurry.  Only 40 tickets available (total).
Click here for tickets.

And, now the details:

Once again, we are pleased to team up with the Dallas Center for Architecture to bring you a special “Appetite for Architecture” program.  This time featuring a  guided wine tasting on Thursday March 1st, from 6 to 8 pm.   And, what a location!  Soon, one of the most happening Dallas neighborhoods will be the area just on the other side of the new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Oak Cliff.  Phil Romano is planning “Trinity Groves”, a foodie destination that will feature up to 15 restaurants, cool shops and more.  And, this is just the start of what’s going to be one of the hottest entertainment districts anywhere.  Come and see the area the night before all the opening activities for the Calatrava Bridge get underway (March 2-4).

Join us at The Workroom for this special wine tasting and learn more about the impact that urban planners and residents anticipate the bridge will have.  We’ll hear more about the West Dallas plan developed by the City of Dallas and Dallas City Design Studio, and about ventures like the The Workroom, an old warehouse building that has been transformed into an art gallery, floral design studio and gift shop.

Larry White from Branding Iron Development Group-a fine wine importer who has brought dozens of premium wines to Savor Dallas over the past several years-will be on hand to lead us through a guided wine tasting of five different wine varietals, including red, white and sparkling (plus a surprise or too). The evening starts with mixing, mingling, and an aperitif provided by Branding Iron before our program begins. Join us for this great night of architecture and design, food and wine at The Workroom, 422 Singleton Boulevard, Dallas.

Only a few seats still left! So hurry if you want to join us.  This will sell out fast. Go to the Dallas Center for Architecture site for more information and to buy tickets.

See you soon.  Cheers!

Talk about a great way to make the food, wine and fun taste a little bit better during the Savor Dallas weekend (March 30-31) .  This year, all the tasting seminars at the 8th annual festival will benefit area non-profits that devote their time and attention to educating us and those who serve their cause about the joys and benefits of food and wine.  Here’s the rundown for Saturday March 31st at Savor Dallas:

“Wine, Women and Lunch”

at the Milestone Culinary Arts Center in Dallas-11:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Benefiting Les Dames D’Escoffier, Dallas Chapter
Enjoy lunch, great wines, and cooking demonstrations.

“The Art of Pairing Wine with Cheese”

at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek–2 to 3 p.m.
Benefiting American Institute of Wine and Food, DFW Chapter
Mansion beverage director Michael Flynn pairs top wines with a selection of great cheeses from Scardello’s

“Savor Dallas Wine Panel”

at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas–3:30 to 4:40 p.m.
Benefiting the Texas Sommeliers Association Education Fund
Two of the world’s leading wine experts–James Tidwell and Drew Hendricks, both Master Sommeliers lead a delightful tasting and panel headlined by top winemakers attending Savor Dallas

Get details on all these great events here.   We’ve tried to time them, so that you could attend all three.

That’s just a taste of what’s happening during the Savor Dallas weekend. 

Enjoy a great new event on Friday night March 30th:

“Sips and Sounds” at the Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff

It promises to be a fantastic evening of gourmet entertainment from 8 til midnight (right after the Arts District Wine Stroll). Great sips include Stella Artois and Martinis from Ultimat Vodka (more to be announced).  We’re lining up some great bites, too, from Bishop Arts chefs and artisans, and Artizone.com will be on hand with some of its great suppliers for you to sample.    You’ll also get to try the world’s greatest vinaigrette from Garlic Expressions.  (Mom would like that we’re serving a side salad!).  And, talk about great sounds!  Recording artist Carrie Rodriguez from Austin is in concert beginning at 9:30. 

Savor Dallas welcomes Kroger as Presenting Sponsor for 2012!  Soon, you’ll be hearing about numerous complimentary in-store wine and beer tastings featuring many of the “Great Brands of Savor Dallas” at Kroger locations throughout North Texas.  Kroger will be bringing Nolan Ryan Beef, Murray’s Cheeses, and Boar’s Head deli meats to the International Grand Tasting for some delicious sampling.

FIJI Water returns as the official Savor Dallas water in 2012!  Clear, cool, delicious FIJI will be featured at all Savor Dallas events throughout the weekend.  It’s refreshing, and a great palate cleanser!

Get tickets for all events at www.SavorDallasTickets.com.  Find more information about all events at www.SavorDallas.com, or call 888-728-6747.

Big fun.  Big flavor.  Bring your friends to Savor Dallas!  It’s the most delicious food and wine festival in Texas.

World-famous Italian chef and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich recently visited her good friend and renowned cheesemaker Paula Lambert at the Mozzarella Company in Dallas.  As Paula is wont to do, she got Lidia involved in a delightful hands-on session of Mozzarella making.  You’re an eyewitness to the private demonstration as Jim White’s “Have iPhone Will Travel” series takes you front and center.  Buon appetito!

Parigi is one of our favorite Dallas restaurants.  Enjoy the cool setting for lunch, dinner or brunch.  Our “Have iPhone Will Travel” series takes you for a quick taste of the popular dining establishment.  Make sure to get by during the holidays for the real deal!

You’ve had that feeling that you’re really gonna like a place (or a person) the minute you walk in the door, right?  That’s how I felt about Princi Italia.  Patrick Colombo’s new restaurant at Preston Road and Royal Lane is on hallowed ground for many who live in the upscale Dallas neighborhood.  The very popular PoPoLo’s held sway at the intersection for many years.  Well, there’s a new sheriff in town (or whatever the Italian equivalent would be).  And, Patrick’s brought in the big guns with Executive Chef Kevin Ascolese (Mi Piaci, Salve!, Ferre).  Generally speaking, Kevin would rather be on the slopes in Colorado, but Patrick has encouraged him to take more vacations to get his downhill runs in,  and stick around Dallas to run Princi Italia.  I hope he decides to stay for a long time.  Kevin is one of the really good guys in the chef world.  He also has some great ideas, and recipes, to share with us on the culinary plane.  Judging from initial response to the casual, tasty fare at Princi Italia, and the booming business, Kevin might want to look for an indoor ski slope close to Dallas (if those still exist).  He might be too busy to get back to the Rockies frequently.  Our video blog series “Have iPhone Will Travel” brings you a taste of honest Italian cuisine, Colombo/Ascolese style.

Alberto Lombardi has hit a home run with his sleek, chic, Bistro 31 in Highland Park Village.  Everything about this restaurant speaks to the consummate talent of one of the world’s great restaurateurs.  Great food?  Natch.  Especially when you hire Eric Brandt (formerly Mansion on Turtle Creek) as executive chef.  Great service?  Of course, Lombardi is the master.  While you’re at it if you can get Marcus Cascio (former Mansion Restaurant GM) to head up operations and training, you’re on the right track.  Setting?  Sublime and comfortable.  And, there’s more on the way with renovations to the patio and the addition of a hip upstairs lounge on the way.  Take a look at our latest “have iPhone will travel” video for a taste, and then do yourself a favor and visit Bistro 31 right away.  It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner; whenever you’re hungry!

I love the pizza, the vibes, the setting–everything about il Cane Rosso (the red dog in Italian) in Deep Ellum.  Jay Jerrier also loves his pizza enough to drag a pizza oven all over town, and has worked—well, like a dog, over the last few years to get his restaurant open.  Check out the scene and the great pizza Napoli style on this week’s webisode.

Arcodoro & Pomodoro is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Dallas.  Lori and Efesio Farris have brought their family’s great Sardinian tradition to Uptown with their upscale restaurant in the Crescent Court.  See our latest webisode here on a recent lunch visit.  And, thanks to Liza Minnelli for the headline inspiration from her Academy Award winning performance in “The Sterile Cuckoo”.