In the Bag

Peek inside the Dallas-Fort Worth Tastemaker Awards exclusive Tasting Totes

This year, the biggest party of the Dallas and Fort Worth food and beverage scenes came right to your living room. CultureMap's Tastemaker Awards — Virtual Edition brought all the delicious and innovative ideas from our cities' best chefs and bartenders straight to you, courtesy of Tasting Totes that were brimming with goodies.

If you purchased a ticket to the online awards show, hosted by hip-hop legend Bun B, then you also got to indulge in generous samples from nominees. Missed out this year? When you see what you could have enjoyed, you'll be first in line to purchase in 2021, whether the party is virtual or in-person.

VIP ticket-holders had their Tasting Totes delivered right to their door via swanky ride service Alto, while general admission attendees swung by the West Village to pick up their swag bags.

Once home, a feast awaited, complete with a bottle of Grandes Vinos Monasteria Reserva or Old Vine Garnacha (read more about their history here), a six-pack of Topo Chico, and cans of Dallas Blonde and Blind Lemon hard seltzer from Deep Ellum Brewing Co (plus a can of Easy Peasy IPA for VIP attendees).

The next best thing to having 2019 Bartender of the Year winner Chris Unruh make you a drink in person is to have him show you how to do it yourself, step by step onscreen. Equipped with two great Texas spirits, Dripping Springs Vodka and Desert Door Texas Sotol, along with Topo Chico, lime juice, and a to-die-for lavender lemonade mix, guests learned how to mix two signature cocktails to get the party started.

Guests could also shake things up with the first edition of the Tastemakers Cocktail Book, filled with exclusive recipes by Bartender of the Year nominees from across the state.

As for delicious bites from the nominees, VIP guests could dig into a noodle salad from Asian Mint, cacio e pepe pasta from The Charles, smoked salmon from Hugo's Invitados, a shrimp cocktail and concha pastry from Casa Jacaranda, and vegan barbacoa bowls from Toluca.

A salted hazelnut spice mix from chef Toby Archibald and chili condiments and house furikake from Salaryman will surely come in handy during future cooking adventures.

For dessert, you could take your pick from Texas Dugout Pie from Gold Ribbon Confections, bonbons from Kate Weiser Chocolate, spiced dark chocolate from Gemelle, sweets from Better Than Sex, and "baby trops" from La Tarte Tropézienne.

GA diners certainly weren't left out in the cold. Chips and queso from Meso Maya and chili Parmesan potato chips from Love Shack kicked things off, with Archibald's spice mix and a whole bottle of Norma's Cafe ketchup earning spots of honor in pantries all around DFW.

The Charles' pasta made another appearance, this time accompanied by Toluca's vegan elotes, Casa Jacaranda's shrimp empanada, and an assortment of savory nibbles from Little Lilly Sushi. Dessert here included a double-stuffed Oreo bread pudding from Better Than Sex, mini banana pudding from Lucky's Hot Chicken, and Micah cookies from Gold Ribbon Confections.

You can relive the virtual awards ceremony all over again here, as well as toast to all the 2020 Texas Tastemaker winners here. See you next year!

Tasting Totes brought the Tastemaker Awards to you.

Courtesy photo

Tasting Totes brought the Tastemaker Awards to you.

recipes promoted chefs drinks awards desserts tastemakers craft-beer wine cocktails

Wine News

New Vinifera Wine Lounge and Bistro debuts on Flower Mound’s Riverwalk

Vinifera

Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro

A new wine bar and bistro has opened in Flower Mound. Called Vinifera Wine Lounge & Bistro, it's at 4120 River Walk Dr., in a space formerly occupied by a short-lived pizzeria, joining a string of bars overlooking the Riverwalk.

Vinifera is from Jamie Creevy, a British native who moved to Dallas in 2007, and who has worked at concepts such as Henderson Tap House and Peppersmash Concepts. At Vinifera, he's partnered with Chris Kummer, a former US Marine with experience in nightclubs and restaurants, including Chill in Grapevine.

Running the kitchen is executive chef Justin Samsill, who has worked at a wide range of high-end places including Knife, Town Hearth, The Mitchell, Smoke, and Hide. The menu has a big selection of seafood such as mussels, shrimp cocktail, squid pasta, and scallops, as well as steak au poivre, pasta bolognese, and trendy items such as steak frites and a smash burger, with entrees ranging from $19 to $35.

Vegetarian options include an unusual rendition of ratatouille, in which vegetables such as eggplant and tomato are cut into slices and arranged like a pinwheel. There are also salads and harissa carrots with Greek yogurt.

They describe the wine list as being "from all over the world", with 38 offerings by the glass. There are also cocktails.

Between the indoor dining room and outdoor space, the restaurant seats about 130 people. It shares a private event room with next door neighbor Whiskey & Smoke.

Riverwalk is the 158-acre mixed used development developed in 2017 and designed as a destination resembling the Riverwalk in San Antonio, with live music, events, and a range of eatery options including Whiskey & Smoke, Pennywise Pub, and Underdogs Burgers & Brews.

“We are looking to be creative and pivot to keep the area fresh," Creevy says. “People are looking for live music, value, free events, we want to entertain the residents and the community at an inexpensive rate."

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