Hector’s host benefit dinner; Neiman’s goes cocoa for Schmidt
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If you are a chocoholic, you probably don’t need to be convinced that chocolate can be an art form, but if you’re not, seeing Joseph Schmidt’s creations, pictured, should convince you. The master chocolatier will debut his 2006 holiday confection collection at Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Mall on Oct. 20, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Doug Brown, already the executive chef of the South Side-area bistro Amuse and owner of Beyond the Box catering, is expanding the scope of his culinary talents once again. He’s been tapped by Oak Cliff’s retro-chic Belmont Hotel to develop the room service menu, and ultimately open another restaurant in the hotel.
If you thought October was officially National Halloween Candy Month, you’re wrong it’s National Vegetarian Awareness Month. Clay Pit in Addison, which puts a hip spin on traditional Indian dishes, invites vegans and grazers to try out 10 special menu items, like saut?d eggplant, tandoori mixed vegetables and delicious paneer.
“I never drink wine,” Bela Lugosi said in the original “Dracula.”
On Halloween, Kitchen 1924 puts its spin on that idea with a ghoulish three-course dinner available to diners, featuring red meat (of course) and a black bat chocolate truffle brownie, among other specialties. The cost is $45. And on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., the Lakewood eatery will hold a four-course wine dinner featuring not only reds from pinot noir, but white pinot grigio wines. Chuck Weintraub, the resident wine connoisseur, will host. The cost is $75. Call 214-821-1924.
Chef Blythe Beck has added several items to the menu at Hector’s on Henderson, including five sandwiches for lunch service. And on Oct. 15, Hector’s holds its annual Woofus Dinner, a four-course meal celebrating its second anniversary and raising money to restore art at Fair Park. Call 214-821-0432.
The gorgeous Nana at the top of the Anatole will host a Peter Lehmann wine dinner on Oct. 19, featuring wines from the acclaimed Australian producer. The cost is $110. Then on Oct. 20, taste some exquisite white truffles as part of a five-course tasting menu. The cost is $195. Call 214-761-7470.
Stephan Pyles is hosting a wine dinner featuring the wines of Long Vineyards on Oct. 23. The cost is $175 per person, plus tip. Call 214-580-7000.
Philomena Aceto of Phil’s Gourmet Garage continues her fall series of Italian cooking classes. On Oct 19, the theme is “When in Rome,” with stuffed chicken and pancetta, fettucine and prosciutto, and vegetable potpie. On Oct. 22, she conducts a Sunday afternoon class with tapas as Times Ten Cellars. Sign up online at Philomenafood.com.
Deep Ellum has had its ups and downs, but Deep Sushi has weathered most of them. It celebrates its 10 year anniversary with a party on Oct. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will benefit the Deep Ellum Association.
Since opening in 1991, Dallas’ Hotel St. Germain has hosted such luminaries at Ian McKellen, Ann Richards and Prince Albert of Monaco. But while the hotel turns 15 this year, the building that houses it celebrates 100 years at the same time a remarkable longevity for Dallas architecture. On Nov. 18, owner Claire Heymann will commemorate the dual anniversaries with a wine dinner featuring French wines. Reservations are required.
Aurora’s October cooking class will celebrate the white truffle. The Oct. 21 lunch includes truffle shavings and wine pairings for $125.
Call 214-528-9400. Aurora’s chef-owner, Avner Samuel, will open another of his new Urban Bistro concept in Far North Dallas in November.
New York’s Blackfinn Restaurant and Saloon, an Irish-American saloon known for its continental cuisine and hip atmosphere, opens its sixth national location at 4440 Beltline Road in Addison with a grand opening party on Oct. 20.
Marc Morton has left his post as the executive chef at Oceanaire Seafood Room. The new chef is Chad Kelley, a newcomer to Texas. Morton is now with Central Market in Plano.
Arnold Wayne Jones
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, October 13, 2006.