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Cotes du Coeur Holds a Sneak Catalog Preview with Wine, Whiskey, and Porsches

Last night Park Place Porsche was jiving with whiskey and top level sponsors/donors of the April 10 Cotes du Coeur’s International Fine Wine Auction & Celebrity Chef Dinner. The occasion was the catalog preview of the items that will be up for bid.

But before the reviewing started, Macallan‘s Brand Ambassador Jay Liddell (pictured) with a twinkle in his eye told the group assembled around the newest Porsches on the showroom floor that, “If some of you see me with a glass of whiskey, it’s OK. I’m a professional.”

Then, referring to the week’s topic of interest, Jay said, “In the old days, it was actually safer to drink whiskey than water. So, that’s the health care reform I think we all need.”

Let’s hoist a glass on that one.

Then Pappas Brothers Steakhouse Master Sommelier Barbara Werley (pictured) reviewed the catalog listings for the auction at the Hilton Anatole benefiting the American Heart Association. The items are simply remarkable and set many hearts thumping.

While some were sampling wine and being quite charming, Anita Dickey (pictured) was doing her homework reviewing the catalog and taking notes. This girl is going to be prepared for the auction.

Sponsors for last night’s gathering of wine lovers included Central Market, Macallan, Glazer’s, Park Place Porsche, and Sprinkles.

Genesis Women’s Shelter Celebrates Turning 25 with 300 Near and Dear

It’s not every day that an organization turns 25. But it is cause for celebration and that’s what happened last night in honor of Genesis Women’s Shelter‘s marking its 25th year of serving the community.  Plus, it served as a warm-up hoop-la for Genesis’s annual Mother’s Day Luncheon on May 7 at the Hilton Anatole.

(WARNING: The luncheon is on the verge of being another sell out. But, of course, when you have former first lady Laura Bush serving as honorary chair, and Dr. Condoleezza Rice as the featured speaker, what else would you expect.)

But we digress. Back to last night’s party.

Looking like a woman who is thriving on success, Genesis Executive Director Jan Langbein, along with  party hostess Erin Mathews (pictured left with Jan Langbein), was at the front door of a Park Cities estate to meet and greet all 300 guests.

Must admit that the real show stopper of the night (more…)

Capriccio Ristorante Turns Green Tomorrow for Captain Hope’s Kids

Capriccio Ristorante may sound a bit Italian, but tomorrow it’s as Irish as the blarney stone. From 5 p.m. to midnight, the Alpha Road restaurant is partnering up with The Irish American Society to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and help area children in need of homes.

Just bring a gently-used- or new-child’s clothing or toys to Capriccio and you’ll get a ticket into the restaurant’s celebration/fund raiser benefiting Captain Hope’s Kids. Once inside you’ll have “complimentary bites, drink specials, and live music by the Very Verys.”

Junior Associates Left the Greatest Impression Saturday Night

Question of Saturday night: What award goes to Yana Landman Greenstein (pictured right with Chrissy Tebbe)?

Answer: After the jump.

But first let’s review the Junior Associates Circle’s “An Affair of the Art 2010″ last Saturday night in which the Dallas Museum of Art’s Atrium Cafe had its own Cinderella transformation. Usually a “casual fare menu, quick service, and a family-friend atmosphere,” it’s the little stepsister of the DMA’s Seventeen Seventeen, that “boasts a global menu experience that can only be defined as culinary artistry.”

(more…)

Walmart Makes Nice Donations to Visiting Nurses, Tarrant County’s Meals on Wheels

Congratulations to the Visiting Nurses Association and the Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County. They’re two of 147 very lucky local programs providing meals to homebound seniors and other seniors in need. Why are they lucky? Because the Walmart Foundation is divvying up a $2.2 million donation among the 147 to provide essential items like stoves, refrigerators, freezers, delivery vehicles, and other equipment.

“Seniors have been hit especially hard in this economy and we feel a responsibility to help,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “We’re proud to support Meals On Wheels programs across the U.S. who work on the front lines of ending senior hunger.”

“Women Stars of Wine and Food” to Whet and Sate Sunday’s Appetites

This time of year just begs for wine and women. To satisfy the cravings, the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier (if you can say that five times perfectly, you’re sober) is holding Raiser Grazer’s “Women Stars of Wine & Food” on Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Fashion Industry Gallery, aka f.i.g.

You just know you’re in for an evening of incredible food and wine already, don’t you?

At this point, we probably need some translation for those of you who slept through your French class.  Les=The, Dames=Ladies, d’Escoffier=of Escoffier. Who was Escoffier? Oh, you so non-cookie type! Legend goes that all haute cuisine and fine dining was started by Auguste Escoffier, considered “The Chef of Kings” and “The King of Chefs.” Besides being a mouthful of a name, Les Dames d’Escoffier is an international organization made up of professional women in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality industry.  Funds raised from Raiser Grazer will benefit the Dallas Chapter’s established scholarship program and endowments at five Texas colleges and universities for women in the industry. So far, the ladies have raised more than $1M over the years.

This year’s event will feature: (more…)

“National Pancake Day” Flaps Our Jacks

SideDish got us thinking about pancakes. Ironically, today is National Pancake Day and have we got some flapjack ideas for you to have your cakes and fund raise, too!

1. Both Norma’s Cafe locations are offering a pancake for each can of food you bring in today and today only. The cans will be donated to an area nonprofit. Do we see pancakes in your dinner plans?
2. The Bisquick folks are flapping their jacks from another angle. It’s a great way to raise funds. Here are the details:

The Bisquick Pancake Nation program will support and reward nonprofit organizations and qualified public or private schools, with a one-time $250.00 grant towards hosting their next pancake breakfast fundraiser in their local community. A list of funding qualifiers and conditions can be found at www.bisquickpancakenation.com.

Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2010.

If you take them up on their offer, let us know. We’re always open for pancake banquets. Don’t forget the syrup!

North Texas Food Bank’s “Empty Bowl” Was Bowled Over with Soups and Soupers

Remember the movie/Broadway musical Oliver!, when waif-like Oliver takes his bowl to Mr. Bumble and pleads “Please, sir, I want some more“?

Now take that image, but instead of a lone urchin, try 1,938 business people, artisans, and colorful-type grownups. And instead of begging for gruel in a dank orphanage, try gourmet soups prepared by 22 chefs and served up at the Meyerson for the North Texas Food Bank‘s “Empty Bowl.”  Hard to imagine? It was harder to get in last Friday. But the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. lunch was well worth it since it resulted in a 14% increase in funds raised ($164,102.74) for the North Texas Food Bank and a 44% percent increase in attendance at this year’s soup line-up!

Sometimes too much of a good thing can be a bit challenging even for the most well-meaning projects. The first sign of over achievement was trying to get a parking space. Despite “Event Parking” signage directing people to the Cathedral parking lot, drivers were turned away and eventually the sign was removed.

Smart drivers parked in the Meyerson’s parking lot and entered through the lower level, where no food was served, but potter Steve Sprinkle and wood carver Brian Evans (pictured in leprechaun green with Steve) were busy making what else but bowls. There was also a silent auction and bowls for purchase. This scene was the calm before the mosh pit of humanity upstairs. (more…)

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer With Subs From Jersey Mike’s Starting Today

If you’re suffering from cabin fever this afternoon and you can get the dogsled hitched up, head on over to Jersy Mike’s Subs (Spring Valley and the Tollway) from 2:30 -5 p.m. It’ll be a celebration of sub-making (as in sub sandwiches, duh!), face painting, and special guests including 2008 and 2009 Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) Ambassadors, kids who were, or currently are, undergoing cancer treatment at Children’s Medical Center Dallas.

It’s all part of the kick off for a month-long campaign to benefit WOKC by Jersey Mike’s.

“This is a very important cause for us – many of the Jersey Mike’s store owners in the Dallas area have children and we can’t imagine what these parents and children with cancer go through every day,” said Julie Chaump, Jersey Mike’s Dallas co-op president. “Along with the generous support of our customers, we plan to make a difference one sub at a time.”

During the month the 11 participating Jersey Mike’s will contribute 25 cents for each regular sub and 50 cents for each giant sub sold, in addition to special donation buckets. On the final day (Friday, March 12):

“Dallas resident are also invited to help make a difference by making a minimum contribution of a dollar to WOKC in exchange for a free regular sub. . . although the hope is that customers will respond by giving even more.”

Just to be on the safe side of today’s event, call 972-387-1900 to make sure that it’s still on. We suspect it is, but we also know you want to double check us.

Yum! Boston’s Heart-Shaped Pizza Means Money for Juvenile Diabetes Research

Hey, SideDishettes, understand you’re looking for Valentine opportunities. Here’s one to consider: Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar (Did you know their company headquarters is here in Dallas and not Boston? Is that like Houston’s being based in Phoenix?) is teaming up with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International to raise funds for critical research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.

And, my lovelies, you’re probably asking how these two could partner up for Valentine’s Day? Well, the Boston folks will sell heart-shaped pizzas (pictured) and desserts February 12-14 and donate $1 for each item to JDRF.

According to Boston’s COO Mike Best, “Working with charitable organizations is a cornerstone of Boston’s, and it provides an opportunity for local franchisees to engage, support and give back to the communities they serve. We hope to surpass last year’s benchmark of $31,000 as we continue our partnership with JDRF to raise awareness and funding for type 1 diabetes research.”