Tre Wilcox new executive chef at Loft 610, plus wine dinners galore

Tre is back! Tre Wilcox takes over Loft 610 in Plano as Executive Chef October 6th. This is great news for restaurant fans in general and Chef Tre fans in particular. The popular finalist on "Top Chef" has really made a name for himself because of the TV show and the fact that he is a talented, unassuming, and friendly chef. He has it all going on and headed for even higher horizons. It is great to have him back in the kitchen so we can all go visit him. We had the chance to appear with him a few days ago during a cooking demonstration he was doing at Macy's in the Galleria for their hunger fighting initiative "Come Together". He's really looking forward to the Loft 610 gig and having the chance to see fans more often. Count on him for real food. He's not into "fussy", as his superb pork loin showed us at Macy's. Also, good news for friends and fans of Savor Dallas: Tre confirms he will be back at the International Grand Tasting on Saturday March 6, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel, wearing his Loft 610 chef whites. Check out the schedule here: www.SavorDallas.com.

Another of our favorite chefs, Sharon Hage at York Street is doing a great wine pairing dinner with Tablas Creek from Paso Robles on Thursday October 8th. She offer 6 wines and 7 courses for $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Call Fana at York Street for reservations, 214-826-0968.

That same night in the very cool Dallas Design District, you'll get a chance to help DIFFA and taste some great food at the "Slocum Street Style" event from 6 until 9 p.m. Get a "Preview of Savor Dallas restaurants" and a signature sample of cuisine from Fedora Restaurant and Lounge, The Grill on the Alley, Go Fish Ocean Club, Hibashi Teppan Grill and Sushi Bar, Jorge's, The Kitchen Table at Sheraton Dallas Hotel, Lavendou, and yummy Paciugo gelato. Tickets available at the Slocum Street event. More details available from our friends at Pegasus News.

Big doings this weekend at Centennial Fine Wine and Spirits. Join us for the Grand Opening festivities at their new Fort Worth store on Saturday from 3 to 5. We will be pouring some delicious wines from Newton, Chandon and Cloudy Bay. Join us and be sure to register for some great prizes to be given away during the tasting. We'll be at Camp Bowie and Bryant Irvin. Look for that handsome hunk of burning love Hummer bedecked in KRLD 1080 artwork. Get details at "The KRLD Dinner Club with Jim White".

Here's a great value for beef lovers (and lamb, chicken, and pork). Rafain continues it's incredible "Dinner for 2" for $60 special. Of course it includes the salad bar and dessert bar, too. You only get this special if you make a reservation and ask for the deal. Rafain Brazilian Steakhouse is located at 10810 N. Dallas Parkway. Call 972-733-1110 or email refain@rafain.com. Enjoy!

Congratulations to two chefs extraordinaire on the grand opening of their new venture Cadot's. Jean Marie-Cadot (formerly Lavendou) and Gaspar Stantic (Gaspar's) are back and knocking it out of the park at their restaurant located at 18111 Preston Road north of Frankford. The two fabulous chefs give French and New American Cuisine a good name. Join them for lunch or dinner Monday through Friday, or dinner Saturday night. Call 972-267-5700 for reservations.

Charlie Palmer at the Joule provides the rundown on their upcoming "Vintage Wine Tastings" series: September 23rd features selections from the Southern Rhone Valley. On September 30th discover the relationship between the "Grower Champagne vs. Negociant". On October 7th enjoy "Sommelier Selections". October 14th features Sangiovese. October 21st offers "Winter Whites". October 28th is all about "Syrah, Sirah, Shiraz". Sounds good. Get more details at Charlie Palmer's website. The restaurant is located in downtown Dallas at 1530 Main Street.


Chef Jon Bonnell has a delicious wine dinner coming up October 1st at his eponymous Fort Worth Restaurant. Get the rundown here:

Bonnell's - Yalumba Wine Dinner Thursday, October 1, 2009

A Word From the Chef...

I am tremendously excited about this wine dinner with the Yalumba Winery. My wife, Melinda, and I first fell in love with the wines from this legendary vineyard on our honeymoon in South Australia in 2001. Our love of Yalumba Wines has shown on our wine list for years; currently our wine list features the widest selection of Yalumba wines in the world!

This special wine dinner will feature a few incredible products from "Down Under" and an eclectic combination of wine, including a very rare opportunity to taste the 2001 "Reserve." I purchased the entire allocation (six cases) of this wine for the state of Texas, so this may be the only opportunity to taste this rare treat. One of the wine makers, Jane Ferrari, is coming all the way from Adelaide to join us on October 1st, so be sure to get reservations early to come and dine with Bonnell's and Australia's oldest family-owned winery.

Cheers!

Chef Jon Bonnell

Bonnell's-Yalumba Wine Dinner October 1, 2009

First Course
Firecracker Texas Shrimp with Sweet Chile Dipping Sauce
Paired with Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2006

Second Course
Smoked Baby Back Ribs with Chipotle Barbecue Sauce, Grilled Watermelon and Southwestern Slaw
Paired with Yalumba "MGS" Red Blend 2005

Third Course
Australian Grass-Fed All-Natural Lamb Chop with Roasted Garlic Potato Croquettes
Paired with Yalumba "The Menzies" Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Fourth Course
Australian Wagyu Beef Top Sirloin with Huitlacoche Grits and Grilled Corn Salsa
Paired with Yalumba "The Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Blend 2001

Dessert
Homemade Mini Ice Cream Sundaes
Paired with Yalumba "Antique Tawny" Museum Reserve Dessert Wine

$120.00 per person
For Reservations Please Call: 817.738.5489

Bonnell's Restaurant
www.bonnellstexas.com
4259 Bryant Irvin Road - Fort Worth, Texas - 817.738.5489

Bon appétit!
Jim