Chef-driven seafood restaurant bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras to Plano’s The Boardwalk

Laissez le bon temps rouler at Hookline this Fat Tuesday (Feb. 13) with an all-day celebration that brings the fun and revelry of Mardi Gras to Plano. Enjoy an all-day crawfish boil that will make you feel like you are on Bourbon Street in New Orleans! To celebrate this special day, Chef Aaron Nelson has created special Fat Tuesday libations including an authentic New Orleans-style Hurricane, The Sazarac, Dark & Stormy and The Cinco De Bayou, that are just $5 each.  Drink specials also include $3 long necks and $3 draft beers.  The Just Friends Dixie Land Band will perform from 5 to 10 p.m. to bring the party to Plano.  Adorn yourself with complimentary Mardi Gras beads from Hookline and enjoy the celebration!

About:                     Hookline is a full-service/chef-driven restaurant that specializes in “Gulf Coast Low County” cuisine served in a casually stylish and vibrant atmosphere with reasonable prices.  It is a restaurant in the Del Sur Restaurant Group.

Address:                5872 State Hwy., Suite 104 - Plano, Texas 75204 (in Plano’s Granite Park development near State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway)

Phone/Website: http://hooklineplano.com  (214) 297-3475

Hours:                     Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Brunch is served Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The Fat Tuesday celebration is Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

BBQ, Burgers & Brews Sizzle in New Experience 

at Taste of Dallas

Celebrity chef Kent Rathbun makes triumphant return to summertime’s biggest food festival

DALLAS, TX – Perhaps you have heard the sizzle or smelled the BBQ flavor already.  New this year at Taste of Dallas is BBQ, Burgers & Brews, a special gathering of the best flame-grilled meat and craft beer pairings in North Texas.  Presented by Napoleon Gourmet Grills and cultivated by Smoke’s own Tim Byres, this is a special gathering of high-profile chefs, BBQ pit masters, 20 restaurants and more than 20 craft breweries sure to make you proud to call yourself a Texan.  

BBQ, Burgers & Brews welcomes a special guest, as celebrity chef Kent Rathbun – makes his triumphant return to Taste of Dallas. On Sunday, June 11, at noon, Chef Rathbun will conduct a special live cooking experience, where he will showcase his own trick to doing a perfect smoked salmon dish on the grill, and also walk attendees through how to make a summer salad to complement it. Tickets to Chef Rathbun’s chef experience can be found online at http://tasteofdallas.org/bbq.html.

On both Saturday and Sunday, attendees will find chefs and pit masters sharing their secrets on the chef experience stage inside BBQ, Burgers & Brews, including:

• Tim Byres (The James Beard Award-winning chef of Smoke, Chicken Scratch and The Theodore) is hosting an extremely fun and interactive Master Grilling Class, where each lucky group of two people will be paired with a tailgate grill provided by Napoleon Grills and will prepare, season, grill, and then enjoy a very special dish created by Tim Byres for this event. 
• Matt Pittman (Meat Church) is famous for his amazing rubs, seasonings, and tailgating parties. Pittman will show how to prepare items like jalapeno poppers, shrimp brochette, and others that will make you the envy of your friends and neighbors.
• Tiffany Derry (Roots Southern Table) will use both her Southern and Cajun influences to create a smoked redfish dish with shaved squash and crawfish salad.
• Dustin Blackwell (Hutchins BBQ) will help prepare you for the ultimate barbecue challenge, brisket -- choosing the right brisket, trimming, seasoning, wood selection, smoke time, temperature control and more. 
• John Tesar (Knife) will demonstrate his modern alternative take on roasting a whole pig.
• Travis Heim (Heim Barbecue) Heim Barbecue is known for its famous bacon burnt ends. Heim will teach attendees how to make this amazing menu item at home.
• Danyele McPherson (HG Sply Co.) You’ve heard the buzz around Paleo, Whole30 and gluten free eating. Chef Danyele McPherson will teach you how to take simple, clean, ingredients and prepare them with intent as she demonstrates grilled shrimp with cauliflower “grits,” roasted tomatoes, bacon and jalapenos.
• Todd David (CattleAck BBQ) BBQ Pit master Todd David will demonstrate how to change up your brisket game by making the perfect Texas-style pastrami.
• Jesse Griffiths (Dai Due Butcher Shop & Supper Club in Austin, TX) goes “all-in” when it comes to making use of the whole animal. His field-to-table approach to turning Texas wild game into good food will take center stage as he demonstrates how to butcher, prepare and cook a whole feral hog.
• Nick Pencis (Stanley’s Famous Pit Barbecue in Tyler, TX) Owner and pit master Nick Pencis is making a special visit to instruct on how to smoke the perfect beef ribs at home. From how to prep, season, load, and smoke amazing prime beef ribs.
• Oliver Sitrin (Blind Butcher) will show his tips and tricks to fermentation as he demonstrates his housemade sauerkraut & sour pickles.  

Attendees at BBQ, Burgers & Brews at Taste of Dallas will enjoy pairings from craft breweries along with all the fantastic food.  Restaurants in BBQ, Burgers & Brews selling their signature food include: Hutchins BBQ, Luck, Ten 50 BBQ, One90 Smoked Meats, 18^th & Vine, Bone Daddy’s, Liberty Burger, Jakes, Grub Burger Bar, Oddfellows and more. Tickets to chef experiences and a full schedule and list of participating chefs, pit masters, restaurants and breweries can be found online at www.tasteofdallas.org.

Taste of Dallas: Saturday and Sunday in Fair Park is Fun for the Whole Family

BBQ, Burgers & Brews is just one component of a weekend of fun for the whole family in Fair Park June 10-11.

If you love the way well-paired wine and food tend to bring out the best in each other, don’t miss the new Wine Tasting Experience at Taste of Dallas. A dozen different wineries, from Becker Vineyards to Gnarly Head to Corbel, Messina Hof and many more will offer reds, whites and sparkling wines that range from fruity to dry and everything in-between.  Find your new favorite here, where you also have the opportunity to purchase a full glass if you desire. Admission to the Wine Tasting Experience includes admission to Taste of Dallas, plus access to the exclusive wine tasting area inside the Automobile Building from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday or Sunday, where you can enjoy 10 samples of various wines and small plate pairings that complement each vino. Tickets are limited for this experience, and are 21+ with a valid ID only. Tickets are available at www.tasteofdallas.org/attractions.html.

An expanded, over-the-top, indoor Family Fun Zone presented by Direct Energy will leave young ones breathless with excitement over all the activities, entertainment, inflatables and more – can you say “minions”?  In 50,000 sq. ft. of air conditioned space, families will find large inflatables and slides, kid-friendly cooking demos, interactive kids fit activities, an entertainment stage, a toddler area, a Chalk Art Area presented by VersaChalk and even a Springfree Trampoline Fun Spot! And yes, meet two of Gru’s loveable Minions and pose for a memorable photo.  Outside, the Family Fun Zone will have backyard activities including corn hole and bubble machines. 

Restaurants and Food Trucks from across the region offer up tastes of their best dishes for only $2-$5 on Restaurant Island, where over 40 booths will offer food around Fair Park’s beautiful Esplanade.  Don’t miss tasty shopping in the Taste Marketplace, where attendees can sample their way through dozens of local culinary vendors, local artisans, and more. For the tens of thousands of people set to visit Taste of Dallas this year, there is tasting, shopping and playing for everyone with more than 200 sponsors and exhibitors taking part in this family-friendly event.

Because summer is the hungriest season, Taste of Dallas is honored to partner with the North Texas Food Bank to help make a difference for people struggling with hunger in North Texas.  Attendees can help by bringing two cans of tuna or chicken for $5 back off admission – and the great feeling of knowing you are doing something about the issue of hunger.

Foodie Experience: Best Bites of Big D is the Ultimate Tasting

Kicking off Taste of Dallas is a one-night-only tasting experience, Foodie Experience: Best Bites of Big D, at an all-new location with all-inclusive foodie fun.  The Taste of Dallas Foodie Experience will take place Friday evening only, June 9, at Gilley’s Dallas, from 7:30-10:30 p.m.  Attendees will enjoy tastings from more than 40 top restaurants, including Fearing’s, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Uchi, Amberjax Fish Market Grille, Tillman’s Road House, Chino Chinatown, Paul Martin’s American Grill, Parigi, LUCK at Trinity Groves, Top Knot, Kate Weiser Chocolate, Knife, Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck and more. Top chefs will spill their secrets at dedicated chef demonstration areas, and attendees will enjoy pairings of food, wine, craft beers, liquor sampling and more -- all included in the ticket price of $55. 21+ only.

Just the Facts:

WHAT:                     31^st Annual Taste of Dallas benefiting the North Texas Food Bank

WHERE:                  Dallas’ Fair Park (3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210)

PARKING:              Available at Fair Park, or attendees can ride the DART to Fair Park Station

WHEN:                    Saturday and Sunday, June 10-11, 2017

HOURS:                   11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday

TICKETS:                 $15 at the gate.  Kids 10 and under get in FREE (with accompanying guardian), courtesy of Direct Energy. Discount general admission tickets go on sale in May 16th at area Walgreens, Albertsons and Tom Thumb stores. Attendees can get $5 back off admission by bringing two cans of tuna or chicken to the North Texas Food Bank collection points at the Taste of Dallas ticket booths.  Special discounted online only ticket packages that include general admission plus beer sampling, wine sampling BBQ, Burgers & Brews chef experiences can be purchased at http://tasteofdallas.org/tickets.html

MORE INFO:         www.tasteofdallas.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tasteofdallas.org

SOCIAL:                   Facebook: facebook.com/tasteofdallas.org/

                                    Twitter and Instagram: @TasteofDallas 

WHAT:                     Taste of Dallas Foodie Experience: Best Bites of Big D 

WHERE:                  Gilley’s Dallas (1135 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215)

WHEN:                    Friday, June 9, 7:30-10:30 p.m. (please note: one night only!)

WHO:                       21+ only

TICKETS:                 $55 online at http://www.tasteofdallas.org/foodieexperience.html

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Indoor arena football team, competitors in Champions Indoor Football League, include football stand-outs, gridiron gals, and energetic entertainment for whole family 

 Get ready, as the Marshal is back in town – and he’s got a lock on family-friendly entertainment.  Kicking off  Saturday, March 4 at Mesquite Arena for their first regular season game is the action-packed season for the Dallas Marshals indoor football team, who compete in the Southern Division of the Champions Indoor Football (CIF) League. On March 4, the Dallas Marshals take on the Centex Cavalry at 7:05 p.m. for their regular season opener.  The Marshals played one exhibition game on February 18 against the Arlington Longhorns and won 62-6.

The Dallas Marshals have ushered in a football revolution into North Texas, where the thrill of professional football can be had during any climate because of the indoor play. Fans can cheer on the Marshals in 13 regular-season games, seven of which will be played at home in Mesquite Arena, and -- hopefully -- in three divisional play-off, southern championships and national championship games. The CIF league's season runs until June, when the CIF Champions Bowl will be held to determine the national winning team.

The all-star Dallas Marshals team includes professional athletic stand-outs from North Texas high schools, and college and NFL teams across the country, including:

·       Wide Receiver Cordell Roberson – 6’4”, 215 lbs, Stephen F. Austin University, played for the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns NFL teams

·        Wide Receiver Desmond Roland – 6’1”, 190 lbs, Oklahoma State University, played for the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, lead the Big 12 Conference in Rushing Touchdowns (OSU)

·       Defensive Back Ladarrel McNeil – 6’1”, 208 lbs, All ACC and four-year starter at University of Tennessee

·       Quarterback Kolton Browning – 6’3”, 210 lbs, All-time leading passer at University of Louisiana Monroe – originally from Mabank

·       Defensive Back Joe Powell – 6’1”, 185 lbs, All-Conference at University of Oklahoma

Arena football is an exciting, fresh sport for fans of the gridiron. CIF league rules specify that the game is played on a field 50 yards long by 28 yards wide, with end zones eight yards deep.  Goal posts are ten feet wide and ten feet off the ground, typically suspended from the ceiling.  Each team can have eight players on the field at a time, and up to 25 active players for each game. The game is played in four quarters of 15 minutes each. The clock does not stop for incomplete passes, out-of-bounds plays or first downs, unless it's within the final 90 seconds of either half -- making for an action-packed, fun and high-energy game.

"It’s hard to beat this kind of fast-paced excitement," said Doug Bland, general manager of the Dallas Marshals. "The talent that’s on the field is some of the best in the nation – but the difference is that the fans can get up close and personal with these stars of the gridiron, and enjoy bringing their families to this indoor, air-conditioned arena with plenty for kids to do. This is how football should be played!”

To complement the fast-paced energy on the field, there is plenty of activity for the whole family before, during and after the game. The Dallas Darling Deputies, a professional cheerleading organization whose alumni have gone on to become Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Stars Ice Girls and Mavs dancers, entertain the crowd with their synchronized dancing fun. 

At halftime, enjoy a performance from the new Dallas Mass Band, a community band made up of 300 young people from schools all over Dallas County, including: Lincoln, Cedar Hill, Kimball, Pinkston, Wilmer Hutchins, Skyline, Sunset and Woodrow Wilson high schools.  The young students who make up the Dallas Mass Band volunteer their time for the love of music and performance, and to provide amazing entertainment to the fans of the Dallas Marshals.

In addition to the music and dancing, kids can enjoy inflatables and games around the arena to test their own sports skills or simply run off some energy. After the game, the whole family is invited down onto the field to take selfies with football celebs and get some autographs. The indoor football experience is something for the whole family, as it combines the fast-paced nature of football with a comfortable indoor environment, family-friendly ticket pricing, and entertainment.

Tickets are $12-25, and are available at the door, by calling 972-285-8777, or online at Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com/Resistol-Arena-tickets-Mesquite/venue/98323?brand=mesquiterodeo.

See the complete schedule, roster of players and videos of the Dallas Marshals Darling Deputies on the team's website at www.dallasmarshals.com.

DermOne Dermatology Centers Welcomes New Providers to Mesquite

Board-certified dermatologist and dedicated PA to see patients for all skin issues

MESQUITE, TX– DermOne Dermatology Centers is pleased to welcome two new providers to its Mesquite office, one of five convenient dermatology centers the growing brand has in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Abraham Kuruvilla, M.D., Ph.D., and Heather Capps, M.P.A.S., P.A.-C., are joining the Mesquite practice, offering patients their expertise and skill. Dr. Kuruvilla begins seeing patients at DermOne in Mesquite on Aug. 3, and Heather Capps will begin seeing patients on Aug. 10.

"Finding the right skill and personality fit for our offices as we grow is of paramount importance," said Heather Helle, CEO of DermOne Dermatology Centers. "I am confident that these providers will provide the best care possible to patients in Mesquite, a very important and growing population for DermOne."

Dr. Kuruvilla is a board-certified dermatologist who will treat patients with a wide variety of skin conditions and diseases, including inflammatory conditions, infections, aging-related issues, skin cancers, auto-immune disorders and more. Known for his signature bowtie and a caring manner, Dr. Kuruvilla couples a patient-centered approach with the latest therapies and research to help his patients. He received his degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Kerala in Trivandrum, India, before earning a doctorate in immunology from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.  Dr. Kuruvilla also holds a master's in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a doctorate in hermeneutics from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the Texas Medical Association.

Heather Capps, physician assistant, will also treat all medical dermatologic conditions in her new post at DermOne in Mesquite.  A self-described "team player," Capps enjoys listening to her patients, guiding and supporting them, to improve their skin’s health. Capps earned a master's degree in physician assistant studies from the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), where she was a member of the Pi Alpha National Honor Society, PA Studies Program Ambassador, and was named to the Dean's List. Capps was honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Pediatrics Award from UNTHSC. She also earned a secondary education certification and a bachelor's degree in English from Southern Methodist University, which she used as an English teacher and head ladies' soccer coach at Mesquite ISD's Horn High School before studying to become a PA.

To book an appointment with a provider in the DermOne Dermatology Center in Mesquite, please call 888-881-1626. DermOne Dermatology Center is located at 2856 N. Galloway Ave. in Mesquite.

About DermOne Dermatology Centers:

DermOne is a leading provider of comprehensive dermatology services through a fast-growing network of neighborhood skin care centers. DermOne offers more  providers, more services and more locations, and accepts most major insurance plans. By combining quality, individualized treatment with great service and compassionate care, DermOne strives to ensure the best experience possible for each patient. As DermOne continues to grow, it looks forward to bringing its unique skin care approach to more individuals and neighborhoods across the country – ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality dermatology care. DermOne, based in Toms River, NJ, is made up of more than 35 locations across the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia and Texas.  DermOne has five offices in the DFW Metroplex, located in Arlington, Irving, Mesquite, Waxahachie and its signature office in Grand Prairie. Read more about DermOne at www.dermone.com. Socialize with DermOne via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dermonedermatologycenters and www.Twitter.com/DermOnePCU

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Sweet 16 Birthday Week Special: $16 for 2 Dozen Cookies; Started With Two UT Undergrads Baking for Their Friends; Grown to 16 Stores Across Texas

 

Dallas, TX  – Tiff’s Treats, the much loved, Austin-based, baked-to-order, warm-delivery cookie company today celebrates 16 years in business. For its birthday week, now through January 25^th, and to celebrate 16 years, Tiff’s Treats has a special offer, just $16 for two-dozen warm cookies.  This birthday offer is valid at every Tiff’s Treats location, for delivery or pick up, online only; enter code “SWEET16.” Delivery fees are separate.  In its 16 year history, Tiff’s Treats has grown to 16 stores across Texas, and has baked and served over 50 million cookies.

 

“We never once imagined what Tiff’s Treats would grow into when we first started,” said Tiffany Chen, Tiff’s Treats co-founder.  “We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished, and the type of business we’ve built, only possible with an amazing team of colleagues and customers who love our brand and support us.   This 16 year mark is a perfect time to pause and be so thankful to so many.”

 

Founded in 1999, Tiff’s Treats started out of a college apartment with two friends baking cookies at the University of Texas to help fellow students get through exams.  This past November, Tiff’s Treats opened its 16^th location in Texas and its 1^st location in San Antonio.  With this San Antonio opening, Tiff’s Treats now delivers warm cookies to the four biggest cities in Texas: Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The plan is to open at least 3 more stores in 2015, too!   

 

Reflecting on 16 years in business, co-founders Tiffany and Leon Chen remember – and appreciate – the little and big things that have been part of their story:

 

·       Tiff’s Treats was open two full days before it got its first order, from a girl named Amy at the University Towers of UT.  Cookies were then $5 a dozen and her tip of $5 is still remembered, and appreciated. 

·       The first big order the company took was for 75 dozen, which took them 12 hours to bake.  Now, each store can bake 75 dozen in a half hour.  Multiply that by 16 stores, and at least 12 baking hours a day per location, Tiff’s Treats is now producing close to a million cookies a month on average.

·       A UT advertising student named Matt brought in a logo suggestion in 2001.  Tiff’s Treats traded him some cookies for it, and still use the same logo today.

·       People who work at Tiff’s Treats stick around.  Michael Covington was hired as a delivery driver in 2000 and is now director of operations.  Jeff Sartor was also a delivery driver, joining in 2006, and is now EVP Marketing.

·       The three very first delivery drivers who joined Tiff’s Treats in 1999 are also all back with the company:  Scott Dowling as the Dallas District Manager; Ryan Calhoun as District Marketing Director; and Kullen Kifer as CFO.

·       Tiff’s Treats started doing grand opening fundraisers when it opened its first Austin store beyond the headquarters shop five years ago.  It has now donated over $70,000 in cash to non-profits in its 16-year history as well as nearly $75,000 in donated product in 2014 alone.

• And of course, the sweetest – pun intended – part of the story:  starting the business 16 years ago, just as friends, Tiff and Leon grew so close they are now married.

“It is rare in life to have a job you love working with people you love,” said Leon Chen, Tiff’s Treats co-founder.  “To have started that business yourself, from a little idea and a personal passion, and to build it to something really special and successful along side your spouse…..well, that’s a gift I’m grateful for every day.”

 

About Tiff’s Treats

Tiff’s Treats makes and delivers classic, baked-to-order cookies and brownies straight from the oven to the home or office, warm, in about an hour. Tiff’s Treats is a delicious idea for dessert delivery to your home or business, client gifts and meeting snacks, birthday gifts, a memorable thank you gift, a sweet-tooth fix and more.  Baked fresh when you order from premium ingredients, all cookies and brownies are delivered warm in a white box complete with a colorful ribbon.   Co-founders Tiffany Taylor Chen and Leon Chen founded their business in 1999 as 19-year-old college sophomores at the University of Texas in Austin. After beginning in Chen’s cramped college apartment kitchen, the company grew quickly with the opening of its first Tiff’s Treats store in 2000. Tiff’s Treats operates locations in the Austin, Dallas and Houston areas. For more information, please visit www.cookiedelivery.com.

 

About the 16^th Year Anniversary Special

Now through January 25^th, only customers can buy 2-dozen cookies for $16 (regular price is $24)

Delivery fees are not included in this price.

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