This Week's Hot Headlines

Good and bad Dallas dining news feeds this week's 5 most popular stories

Editor’s note: Another week has come and gone, and there’s a lot we all probably missed. But we’re looking out for you, kid. Here are the most popular stories from this past week:

1. The 12 best restaurants in Dallas to take out-of-town guests. When the holidays come, so do out-of-town guests. At some point during their visit, you will inevitably be eating out. Choosing the right restaurant is key. For inspiration, we turned to our Top 100 list of the very best restaurants in Dallas and pulled out 12.

2. Burger joint with a view pops up in unexpected Dallas-area location. A new restaurant in Grand Prairie offers views from here to the horizon with its burgers. Called Radial Cafe, it's located at the Grand Prairie Municipal Airport, giving diners a bird's-eye view of aircraft in the sky.

3. Where to eat in Dallas right now: 10 top restaurants with cozy fireplaces. When the temperature drops below 50, it's imperative to take advantage and find a cozy spot to sup. Fire's what you need — a blazing fireplace you can gaze at while dining on casseroles and other wintry foods. Here are 10 options.

4. Nationally recognized hot dog joint quits Deep Ellum. Luscher's Red Hots, the Deep Ellum hot dog joint from Dallas chef Brian Luscher, served its last meal earlier this week, after two years in business. In 2015, it was a contender for Bon Appetit's best new restaurants in America.

5. Master list of Hawaiian poke restaurants flooding Dallas. If you like seafood and fiendishly follow dining trends, you already know about poke, the raw fish sensation from Hawaii. If you do not, then get ready for the invasion of the poke bar, which will hit Dallas hard in 2017.

Out-of-town guests will love Cafe Momentum.

hot-headlines

RIP Rain

Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott dies at 52

Courtesy

Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott

Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

Her passing was noted on the company's Facebook page, stating that "it is with the heaviest hearts that we share the passing of our beloved founder, Rain McDermott. Rain lost her courageous battle with breast cancer, but not without an incredible fight—full of strength, grace, and unwavering spirit. She gave her all, just like she did in everything."

A spokesperson said that "there will be a memorial at a later date, but no details have been confirmed as of yet."

A native Texan, Elizabeth Rain Reglin McDermott grew up in Houston and moved to Plano at the age of 7. According to her biography, when she turned 9, her father took her on a date to the Reunion Tower which inspired her creativity and propelled her desire to leave her own mark on the city.

She attended El Centro College (now Dallas College), earning a degree in pastry, culinary & food service management, then started Dallas Caramel Company in 2007 to satiate her curiosity: Could she make a delicious caramel that would satisfy her sweet tooth?

Her caramels and turtles, which were made at a facility in Wylie, were described as bold, unapologetically delicious, and big as Texas, in 11 flavors — many inspired by Dallas, including Sea Salt, Orange, Cinnamon, Marshmallow, Espresso, TX Drunken Nut (Texas Whiskey & Texas Pecans), Pumpkin, Bacon, Apple Pie, Chocolate, Lemon Meringue, and traditional Original.

According to the post, the company will continue to operate, carrying on "her mission of world caramel domination, one delicious piece at a time."

Friends meanwhile called her "the sweetest and kindest soul," "an amazing woman and mentor," who was "adored for her enthusiasm and determination." Customers expressed gratitude for her wonderful caramels and doting personal service.

"Rain's sweet smile lit up every room, her hugs could fix just about anything, and her love for caramel was only matched by her love for her husband Sean and her dogs Wylie and Maui," the post said. "She poured her heart into Dallas Caramel Company, and every bite of caramel tells a little piece of her story."

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