Thanksgiving bounty and blessings shared

It's the time of the season for yummy Thanksgiving treats and a birthday celebration for Dallas Fish Market

One of our top seafood restaurants is celebrating its second anniversary by helping a great cause. Congratulations to Mike Hoque and his team at downtown's Dallas Fish Market who will throw a party on November 16th to help raise money for the Austin Street Shelter. Bon Appétit named Dallas Fish Market one of America's Top 10 Seafood restaurants in 2008. They'd like to give something back to the community for the support they've had. Here's where you come in. Call or email Bea Feagin at the the Austin Street Shelter and arrange to get a ticket to the November 16th event: 214-428-4242, ext. 18, bea.admin@austinstreet.org. Tickets are $45 and proceeds go to Austin Street Shelter's work of providing emergency shelter and services to the homeless. As you might imagine, the Center is currently experiencing heavy demand. Besides a good time and a good feeling, your ticket gets you Chef Randy Morgan's signature hors d'oeuvres, classic cocktails and top wines. The invite says that Chanel and Macy's Galleria will provide gifts for event guests, too. It'll be worth it just to see the smile of gratitude on The Reverend "Bubba" Dailey's face. She's the executive director of the Shelter, and will be on hand to greet guests and celebrate the occasion.

Bistro Louise is taking reservations for Turkey Day. $45 per person plus tax, gratuity and beverages. $16.95 for children 5-11. See the complete menu and make reservations by visiting the website, www.bistrolouise. Louise is also offering a "Thanksgiving Dinner for 8 To Go Menu" and a la carte "Thanksgiving To Go Menu".

Or, how about Thanksgiving at a wine resort? The folks at Messina Hof Winery are welcoming guests to their unique setting in Bryan to enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast and their Texas wine country hospitality. Besides food and wine tasting, they have lots of activities going on year-round at Messina Hof including cooking classes, cool "murder mystery" dinners and movies in the vineyards. Get all the details at Messina Hof's website, or by calling 800-736-9463, ext. 234.

If Italian is to your liking for Thanksgiving, Bugatti Ristorante has a special menu for the 26th. Visit their website for details, www.bugattis.net or phone 214-350-2470.

The hardest working guy in show business, Chef Tre Wilcox now has a new lunch menu (in addition to new dinner menu and wine list) at Plano's Loft 610 Restaurant. And, former Abacus colleague Jermaine Brown signs on as executive sous chef of the restaurant. As long as Tre sent it, I thought you might like to see what's on tap for the lunch-

Starters

Jalapeno Marinated Jumbo Shrimp, with Jack Cheese Grits and Tequila Lime Sauce

Cucumber Yellowtail Roll, with Citrus Sweet Soy, Wasabi Sauce and Pickled Ginger

Mesquite Grilled Baby Lamb Chops, with Balsamic Honey Glaze

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Champagne Sauce and Chive Olive Oil

Crispy Duck Spring Rolls with Pomegranate-Chili Dipping Sauce

Soup, Salads and Sandwiches

Soup of the Day

Caesar Salad

Mixed Field Green Salad with Carrots, Fennel and White Balsamic Vinaigrette (add Grilled Chicken +4)

Red and Yellow Tomato Salad, with Marinated Mozzarella, Basil Pesto and Balsamic Reduction

Asian "Field Green" Salad, with Sweet Chili Lime Dressing and Crispy Wontons

Baby Spinach Salad with Maytag Blue Cheese, Bosc Pear, Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Marinated Chicken Sandwich with Chipotle Sour Cream, Red Onion, Lettuce and Tomato

Spicy Pulled Pork Sub with Butter Pickles and Provolone Cheese

The 610 Burger with Smoked Cheddar, Pepper Bacon and Dijon Mayo

Crispy Southwestern Chicken Sandwich with Pepper-Jack Cheese, and Avocado Pico

Herb Roasted Chicken Pasta with Oven Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan Cream Sauce

Entrées

Grilled Wild King Salmon with Pomegranate Brown Butter and Wild Mushroom Risotto

Crispy Seared Lemon Sole with Bacon Whipped Potatoes, Asparagus and Chardonnay Sauce

Chili Spiced Fish Tacos with Spicy Jasmine Rice and Mango Pico de Gallo

Sides

Grilled Asparagus, Steamed Vegetables, Bacon Whipped Potatoes or Truffle Risotto

Desserts

Lemon Tarragon Italian Custard, with Strawberry Champagne Sauce and Fresh Blueberries

The "Top Chef" Failed Banana Bread Pudding, with Toffee Sauce
Chocolate Brownies, with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce

LOFT 610 Urban Restaurant & Lounge 5760 State Highway 121 Suite 175 Plano TX 75024 (972) 377-2500

Hope you've had a chance to visit the new WineTastic on Lemmon Avenue near Inwood. They are doing an incredible job under the management of Terri Burney who previously owned Grand Tastings on McKinney Avenue. She and her husband Don ran the place. Unfortunately, Don had a heart attack in 2007 and passed away. Terri recently closed Grand Tastings and was very happy that the opportunity came up with WineTastic. It's still a retail store, but they have lots of tastings and special events. 214-559-8910 or dallaswinetastic.com.

Meals are made for wine. Fess Parker once told us he even drinks a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc for breakfast, with his eggs. Cheers, Davy! (Daniel to younger readers).
Be well,
Jim