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The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth to Host Clase Azul Tequila Dinner in The Blue Room
FROM THE WIRES... The Blue Room welcomes an intimate evening of elevated dining and Clase Azul tequila pairings as part of The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth’s monthly beverage dinner series FORT WORTH, TX (September 2, 2026) – This September, The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth will continue its monthly wine and beverage dinner series with an intimate evening celebrating Clase Azul Tequila on Wednesday, September 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. Hosted in The Blue Room, the hotel’s intimate priv
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1 day ago4 min read


Texas Wine Jam Named One of USA TODAY's 10Best Wine Festivals in America
FROM THE WIRES... National recognition reinforces Johnson City's place in the growing Texas Hill Country wine ecosystem JOHNSON CITY, Texas — Texas Wine Jam has earned national recognition as one of USA TODAY's 2026 10Best Wine Festivals, cementing its reputation as a premier Texas wine event and elevating Johnson City as a must-visit destination for Texas weekenders. Held annually in the Texas Hill Country, Texas Wine Jam has established a reputation as one of the best win
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2 days ago2 min read


Getting Ready For The Big Easy...
I am planning an update trip to New Orleans in the next month so I'm taking a look at things that are going on in this most culturally distinct region of the country. Today... Crawfish Hushpuppies | Nina Compton, Compere Lapin Chef Nina Compton’s Louisiana/Caribbean twist on classic Southern hushpuppies makes for the perfect one-bite tailgating treat. Recipe Crawfish Hushpuppies Serves 8 to 10 (makes about 3 dozen) Chef Nina Compton For the cilantro aioli 1 cup fresh cilant
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3 days ago2 min read


Èter: I and AI review one of Madrid’s 32 Michelin-starred Restaurants
by Andrew Chalk On a vacation to Madrid this summer I had the opportunity to eat dinner at Èter, a restaurant with one Michelin star situated in the leafy Delicias neighborhood about a mile and a half directly south of The Prado. In a world where Michelin-starred restaurants are architectural statements in a country that has been hegemonic in art for a century, the exterior of Èter has all the impact of a real estate agent’s sub-office in a drowsy suburb. We really did almo
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3 days ago5 min read


Getting Ready For The Big Easy...
The Bower's The Dome Pour I am planning an update trip to New Orleans in the next month so I'm taking a look at things that are going on in this most culturally distinct region of the country. Today... The Bower | The Dome Pour + Crab & Mortadella Dip Recipe The Dome Pour Yield(s): about 12 cocktails Beverage Director Mickey Mullins Big Batch Recipe (serves about 12) 3 cups strawberry-infused tequila 1.5 cups lime juice ¾ cup triple sec Lime Wheels for garnish (3-4 limes)
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4 days ago1 min read


Burger Schmurger Celebrates National Grandparents Day With Special Family Lunch, Granny’s Desserts and On-Site Photography
FROM THE WIRES... Burger Schmurger, the cult-favorite East Dallas burger spot known for its smashburgers, nostalgic neighborhood atmosphere and creative monthly specials, with details on the restaurant's National Grandparents Day celebration on Sunday, Sept. 13. From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Burger Schmurger is inviting families to bring their grandparents in for a special Sunday lunch featuring Granny's Desserts, an on-site photographer and plenty of burgers, shakes and time
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4 days ago1 min read


Getting Ready For The Big Easy...
Chi Chi's Korean Fried Chick Wings I am planning an update trip to New Orleans in the next month so I'm taking a look at things that are going on in this most culturally distinct region of the country. Today... Chi Chi’s | Crispy Korean Fried Chicken Wings Recipe CRISPY KOREAN FRIED CHICKEN WINGS Serves: A batch of 30 wings Chef Adolfo Garcia Jr. Ingredients: Wing marinade 1/2 cup unrefined peanut oil 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup Michu rice wine 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoo
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5 days ago2 min read


Monarch Invites Guests to Taste the List with an Immersive Walk-Around Wine Tasting
FROM THE WIRES... PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Distribution Monarch Invites Guests to Taste the List with an Immersive Walk-Around Wine Tasting The one-afternoon experience will showcase the breadth of Monarch’s 2,500-plus-selection wine program, guided by National Director of Wine Amy Mundwiler, Head Sommelier Andrew Bentz and industry experts DALLAS, TX (Sept. 4, 2026) – Monarch, the modern Italian wood-fired restaurant located on the 49th floor of The National in downto
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5 days ago4 min read


Getting Ready For The Big Easy...
I am planning an update trip to New Orleans in the next month so I'm taking a look at things that are going on in this most culturally distinct region of the country. Today... Charles & Julia | Muffuletta Dip Recipe Muffuletta Dip Ingredients: 2oz hot coppa (small cube) 2oz salami (small cube) 2oz provolone (small cube) 4 oz giardiniera 4 oz olive salad 1 to 2 oz chopped Calabrese chilies 1 oz capers 1/3 cup grated Parmesan 2 T extra virgin olive oil 2 T red wine vinegar 1
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Sep 41 min read


The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth to Host TCU Family Weekend Kickoff with CHAZLYN Boots
Photographer: Carol Persons FROM THE WIRES... A Thursday evening of Western fashion, wellness, shopping and hospitality will bring together CHAZLYN Boots, Canyon Ranch Fort Worth Wellness Club + Spa, PS The Letter, Topped Hats, TX Branding Bar and more ahead of TCU Family Weekend FORT WORTH, TX (August 19, 2026) – This September, The Crescent Hotel Fort Worth will offer an early start to TCU Family Weekend with a Thursday evening gathering designed around fashion, wellness,
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Sep 45 min read


Monarch's New Summer Chef's Tasting Menu
FROM THE WIRES... At Monarch, the culinary team has debuted a new Summer Chef's Tasting Menu, a multi-course experience highlighting peak-season ingredients, premium proteins and the restaurant's signature wood-fired approach to modern Italian cuisine. Priced at $190 per person, the menu showcases dishes including Seared Hiramasa with Osetra Caviar, Hearth Smoked Tomato with Hand-Pulled Mozzarella, Halibut Cheek Ciambotta, Monarch's Signature Doppio Ravioli and Rosewood Wagyu
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Sep 31 min read


Savoring Texas Chardonnay: A Tasting of Nine Wines at Arché Winery
by Andrew Chalk Some of the best Texas wine is being made in the most out-of-the-way parts of the state. From the volcanic soils of the Davis Mountains, to the Jurassic soils of Kiepersol Vineyard and Winery in East Texas, the addition of skilled winemaking lights the fuse that makes for great wine. So it is in far north Texas where more and more wineries, typically family-owned and Texas trained (Grayson College and Texas Tech.feature prominently), are setting up shop. Acro
andychalk
Sep 26 min read


Burger Schmurger Introduces The Big Tex as September's Burger of the Month
Photo: Burger Schmurger FROM THE WIRES... Skip the heat, the lines and the parking — get all the flavor of the State Fair of Texas without ever leaving East Dallas, available throughout September DALLAS, TX (August 24, 2026) – Burger Schmurger, the Dallas smashburger destination known for its cult-favorite burgers and creative monthly specials, is giving Dallasites an excuse to skip the trek to Fair Park this year with the launch of The Big Tex burger, available throughout
andychalk
Sep 13 min read


The New Florão White 2025: A Taste of Portuguese Summer
FROM THE WIRES... Celebrate the vibrant spirit of a Portuguese summer with the newly released Quinta da Fonte Souto Florão White 2025 (SRP $21)! Across Portugal, mid-summer comes alive with long, communal dinners in sun-drenched plazas and bustling cobblestone streets. Neighbors and friends gather under the stars to share incredible food, lively conversation, and exceptional wine long into the night. This new vintage of Florão captures that exact energy of authentic, unhurrie
andychalk
Aug 311 min read


Michelin: Las Vegas Has Sunk to a Culinary Basket-Case.
by Andrew Chalk When the Michelin Guide last inspected Las Vegas restaurants (in 2009) it awarded stars to 17 restaurants, including three stars to Restaurant Joël Robuchon. Last week, for 2026, it announced just four. And no 3-stars. The highest ranking restaurant was Joël Robuchon again, but with only two stars. That is an appalling fall from grace. By way of comparison, Mendoza, Argentina, a city of 126.000 people (less than one fifth the size of Las Vegas) has seven Mich
andychalk
Aug 291 min read


Award-Winning Winery ROCO Opens CASA ROCO in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
FROM THE WIRES... Carlton, Oregon (July 21, 2026) — ROCO, an award-winning Willamette Valley winery producing Champagne method sparkling wines, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, announces the opening of CASA ROCO, a new hospitality destination. Located one hour from Portland, CASA ROCO is open seven days a week, offering wine flights, wines by the glass, and Italian-inspired light bites. ROCO is owned by HERITA USA, a subsidiary of HERITA Marzotto Wine Estates, based in the Venice
andychalk
Aug 282 min read


Dallas Chef Wins Global Award
FROM THE WIRES... Full story here.
andychalk
Aug 271 min read


Buy 2+ Nights at a New Orleans Hotel, Get $100
FROM THE WIRES... Any guest who books 2 or more nights at a New Orleans hotel gets a $100 Visa digital gift card to spend on their trip to the city. If you were given $100 to spend in New Orleans, how would you spend it? Taste-test every po-boy in town? Try a Michelin-starred spot or one of North America’s 50 Best restaurants? Visit as many museums as you can? Well, now’s your time to find out. Book two nights at a New Orleans hotel, and you’ll get a free $100 digital gift c
andychalk
Aug 274 min read


Hutton Hotel Unveils Stunning New Spa and Fitness Facility
The Spa at Hutton Hotel Will Serve as Sanctuary for Rest and Restoration, Blending Elevated Treatments with Music-Inspired Rituals in the Heart of Nashville FROM THE WIRES... NASHVILLE, TN (July 27, 2026) Hutton Hotel, Nashville’s original boutique hotel and an official Tribute Portfolio by Marriott property, announces the launch of The Spa at Hutton Hotel. Now open, the 3,200 square-foot spa and fitness center introduces an elevated approach to self-care inspired by the rhyt
andychalk
Aug 264 min read


Submission Deadline August 31 | 2026 John Staub Awards
FROM THE WIRES... 2026 John Staub Awards Submission Deadline August 31, 2026 The John Staub Awards recognize excellence in the classical and vernacular traditions across Texas. Projects demonstrating thoughtful design, material integrity, and craftsmanship that build upon Staub’s enduring legacy are encouraged to apply. • August 31, 2026 – Submissions Due by 5:00 PM (CT) • September 2026 – Jury Deliberation • October 2026 – Recipients Announced • November 14, 2026 – Awards Di
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Aug 252 min read


Penderyn Distillery Lands Ultra-Rare 25-Year-Old Welsh Whisky as Luxury Aged Spirits Market Accelerates
FROM THE WIRES... Penderyn Distillery has just landed one of its rarest releases to date, with just 420 bottles of its 25-year-old Welsh single malt whisky available worldwide at £1,200 per bottle, as interest in ultra-aged and collectible spirits continues to rise. The release arrives at a time when the economics of rare whisky are becoming increasingly compelling for collectors and investors alike. According to Dataintelo, the global super premium whiskey market was valued
andychalk
Aug 244 min read


Docent Steak To Open This Fall, Bringing a New Dallas Steakhouse to Harwood District
A neighborhood steakhouse rooted in Texas hospitality, exceptional HWD and Kobe Beef FROM THE WIRES... DALLAS (Aug. 10, 2026) – Docent Steak, a new Dallas steakhouse rooted in Texas hospitality, exceptional beef and genuine neighborhood spirit, will officially open this fall at Harwood 14 (2801 N. Harwood St., Suite 100) in the Harwood District. Curated by the team behind Harwood Hospitality Group's celebrated dining destinations such as Happiest Hour, Mercat Bistro, Hôtel Sw
andychalk
Aug 213 min read


Introducing Marlowe: Dallas’ New Design-Driven Evening Destination, Opening in September 2026
Photo Credit Duncan Design Group FROM THE WIRES... Cinematic interiors, elevated cocktails, thoughtfully crafted food, intuitive hospitality and curated sound come together in an intimate new concept designed around the art of a memorable night DALLAS, TX (August 13, 2026) - Marlowe, a new intimate, design-forward cocktail lounge and evening destination, is preparing to make its debut in Uptown Dallas this September, introducing a richly layered hospitality experience wher
andychalk
Aug 206 min read


Forty Five Ten’s Exclusive End-of-Season Designer Sale Returns to Dallas and Fort Worth
Forty Five Ten Fort Worth (Credit Justin Doherty) FROM THE WIRES... The luxury retailer offers up to 70% off coveted designer fashion—just in time to build a standout wardrobe for fall’s social season FORT WORTH, TEXAS (August 17, 2026) – Fall's social calendar is around the corner, and Forty Five Ten is giving North Texas shoppers an opportunity to get dressed for it. The luxury retailer's highly anticipated End-of-Season Designer Sale is now underway at its Dallas and For
andychalk
Aug 195 min read
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