We Wish You a Merry (Artisan) Market

There’s no better place to celebrate the season than at eatZi’s, and we’ll be making spirits bright at our very merry Artisan Market this Sunday! From Noon to 4 pm on December 19 at our Lovers Lane and Oak Lawn locations, talented artisans from all around the great state of Texas will present their tastiest treats and eats. Sample handmade sweet and savory fare, and pick up a holiday gift or two for the foodies on your list.

Here’s the scoop on the vendors you’ll find at our locations:

Dr. Sue’s Chocolate (left): Decadent dark chocolate you'll feel good about eating is here! The good doctor will have All-Natural Peppermint Bark and Orange Cranberry Bark on hand for sampling and purchase. [Available at Oak Lawn and Lovers Lane]

Roxy’s Chocolates (right): Every batch of rich toffee and velvety fudge is made by hand in vintage Griswold cast iron kettles. [Available only at Lovers Lane] 

The Tamale Company (left): Each of these tempting tamales is made by hand in one of several savory varieties. Just boil these traditional, gluten-free tamales and serve! [Available only at Oak Lawn]

Wiseman House (right): Straight from Hico, Texas, this chocolatier uses only the finest chocolate and freshest ingredients. You’ll dig their divine sipping chocolate and tasty toffee. [Available only at Oak Lawn]

Wackym’s Kitchen (left): Sink your teeth into these unique, natural cookies in delightfully unexpected flavors. Purchase a special four box, created exclusively for eatZi’s that includes Rosemary Cornmeal Shortbread, Margarita, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Snickerdoodle cookies! [Available at Oak Lawn and Lovers Lane]

OAK LAWN MARKET: 3403 Oak Lawn Avenue • Dallas 75219

LOVERS LANE MARKET: 5600 W. Lovers Lane, Ste. 136 • Dallas 75209

See you Sunday!

eatZi's Star Spotlight: Meet Manuel!

I got the chance to chat with another of our popular staff members, Manuel, to hear his story and talk about everything eatZi’s!

Where did you grow up?

The Southwest.

How long have you been living in Dallas?

I’ve been serving families in the Park Cities for 12 years.

How long have you worked at eatZi’s?

I’ve been with eatZi’s a little over a year and a half, but I’ve been working in the coffee and tea industry for more than 22 years.

What’s your eatZi’s item?

Anything from the pasta bar!

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

I live in a vintage apartment complex that was built in 1946, and I love decorating my home. I also love spending quality time with my two dogs (mini beagles), JP and JC. I’m currently training one of them to be a therapy dog for Scottish Rite hospital. I’m also a writer on the side, just like my mother. I have had several articles printed in magazines and papers around Dallas. One of the coolest things I did while not at work was when Julie Andrews came to town last year and I had the honor of serving her afternoon tea. 

If you could go any place in the world, where would it be and why?

After years of research, watching movie clips and seeing post cards, I would love to visit the country of Africa. Something about the majestic countryside really attracts me to Africa. 

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would it be and why?

I would invite Meryl Streep, Hillary Clinton and Maya Angelou, because I’d like to have an open discussion about ways to create awareness to raise money for public schools.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Texas?

It’s got to be Texans’ good old fashioned hospitality.

What’s the most fun thing that’s happened while on the job?

Recently, a bus full of touring college students came to eatZi’s, and I got to greet them at the door. I put together a great presentation and welcomed them in several different languages. They all said how much they loved eatZi’s, because they have nothing like it back home.

Talk to me about customer service.

Adapting to the market industry has been an exciting challenge. Coming from the hotel industry, I’ve found that servicing customers in a restaurant setting is like breaking in a new pair of shoes. I’m very passionate about customer service and making every visit a good experience for our customers. For instance, we recently added a caffeine free iced tea for expectant mothers. 

What’s your favorite part about working at eatZi’s?

I love being reunited with customers from my hotel days and getting to know them all over again. I am also passionate about the youth who visit eatZi’s and accommodating them. 

Biggest seller for kids?

Lemonade.

Biggest Hit Overall?

“The Teaser:” a twist on the Arnold palmer with LOTS of crushed ice.

eatZi’s Chef to Cook for a Cause

Our own Chef Ryan will be a featured chef at the SOLD OUT Young Texans Against Cancer BubblyQ on Thursday, October 13, at Fearing's inside the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas.

Chef Ryan will serve up Italian BBQ Pork Brisket with Fennel, Pepper Salad and Grated Ricotta Salata at the eatZi's chef station throughout the 4th annual event. All proceeds from the evening's festivities will benefit Young Texans Against Cancer, a statewide organization dedicated to raising money for cancer research and increasing awareness.

BubblyQ will showcase Dallas’ best restaurants as guests sample menu highlights at various tasting stations, sip on specialty cocktails and bid on a unique selection of items in the silent auction – including an eatZi’s wine basket valued at $700!

eatZi’s Named to D Magazine’s Best of Big D: Food and Drink List

We’ve always known our bread was the best in town, but it looks like the editors and readers of D Magazine agree! eatZi’s was named to the magazine’s “Best of Big D 2011” list in the Food and Drink category featured online and in print in the August issue.

The D Magazine mention included a much-deserved nod to our Italian Muffins, which were introduced last year. Made from the freshest ingredients and no preservatives, they’re soft and full of all the nooks and crannies you love. Slice them in half and top with butter or your favorite spread. Put them in freezer to keep them longer, or store them on the counter and enjoy them within three days. Our Italian muffins are very popular so we suggest stopping in early in the day to make sure you can get your hands on them! Grab a 4-pack for just $2.99 at either of our markets.

My favorite bread items? In the morning, I can’t resist an Italian Muffin, griddled with a fried egg, provolone cheese and salami with basil spread. When mid-day hunger pangs set in, I crave a sandwich on our signature Bone Bread. I pile on fresh roasted turkey, sprouts and a dollop of ancho mayo. At dinner time, my favorite bread to have on the table is Ciabatta. Our family loves to tear off pieces and eat them with a bowl traditional Minestrone soup—a meal that always reminds me of home (on the East Coast where it isn’t 100 degrees!)

No matter how you like to “break bread,” we have something for everyone with 35 varieties baked fresh daily beginning at 2 a.m. Stop by and say hi to J.C., our baker from France at the Oak Lawn location, who helps ensure every loaf and slice are fresh and ready for you each morning at 7 a.m.

eatZi's Star Spotlight: Meet Virgie!

I recently sat down with Virgie, one of our customers' most beloved employees, to hear what she had to say about her job and the people she serves each day at eatZi's. Read all about one of our "stars" below:


Where did you grow up?
I’m from Lubbock, Texas.


What’s your favorite thing to do or place to go when you’re not at work?
My favorite thing to do is go to happy hour with my friends. Some of my customers join us for happy hour every once in awhile. We all plan when and where we want to go when they come in to eatZi’s to meet up; we have a blast.

If you could go any place in the world, where would it be and why?
Jamaica – I’ve never been and would love to visit. They have the most beautiful waterfalls and clear water, and I absolutely love being close to the ocean.

If you could invite 3 people, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would you invite and why?
That’s a tough one. I think I would invite my grandmother, Mamie, my husband, Tarik, and my daughter, Alexis. They are the three most important people in my life and are always there to encourage me when I’m feeling sad or have a bad day. They’ve always stood beside me and made me happy or cheered me up when I was feeling down. I’m constantly smiling when we’re together.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Texas?
It’s a tie between all the pretty flowers and a big ol’ glass of iced tea. (One thing that’s not my favorite is the heat!)

How long have you worked at eatZi’s?
Five-and-a-half fun-filled years!

What’s your favorite thing about working at eatZi’s?
My favorite thing about working here has to be the wonderful people who come in. I know all of my customers by name and their orders; they’re truly are some of my best friends. One thing I want to add is that I have the best bosses in the world. I wouldn’t even call them my bosses because they are more like my friends, my family. They are always there to listen and make an effort to help us solve problems. Barry and Chef Jay are two of my very best friends. My bosses really care about us and the customers. I’m lucky to have them.

What’s your favorite food at eatZi’s?
It’s hard to pick just one, but if I had to, it would be our Red Velvet cake.

What’s the funniest thing that’s happened while on the job?
The funniest thing that ever happened at work was when I won Super Bowl tickets last year. I heard about a contest on the radio for two free tickets to the Super Bowl, so I entered. Then one day at work I got a phone call from the station saying I won! It was so much fun winning at work; all of my customers were so excited for me. I was screaming and jumping up and down. I was so excited!


We hope you'll stop by the Oak Lawn market to see Virgie soon!

Come See Chef Jay at Taste of Dallas!

If you haven't been to Taste of Dallas, this is the year to go! I recently sat down with the great folks at Al Día to talk about my participation in the 25th annual celebration. I'm thrilled to be a part of the event, which features some of the best chefs (yours truly), restaurants, kid-friendly activities and music North Texas has to offer. Through Sunday, June 10, you can sink your teeth into all the foodie fun starting at 11:00 am each day at Fair Park.

Tomorrow at 1:30 pm, I'll take the stage inside Culinary Hall (off First Avenue) to cook up a Texas-style twist on a traditional dish: Southwestern Turkey Meatloaf and Tomatillo Salsa. For tickets and more details, visit www.tasteofdallas.org. See you there!





Want to try my recipe at home? Here's how:

Pan Southwest Turkey (Turkey Meatloaf)

2 ounces diced yellow onion
2 ounces celery (celery), diced
1 ounce of corn tortillas
4 ounces poblano chile
2 fluid ounces tomatillo salsa
1 / 2 tablespoon minced garlic
1 / 2 tablespoon olive oil
1 / 2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 / 2 egg
1 / 2 bunch of cilantro
2 ounces Jack cheese
1 / 2 minced jalapeno
1.25 pounds ground turkey

Preparation: Cut the tortillas into thin strips (julienne). Remove the seeds from the poblanos and jalapenos and chop into small pieces. Saute onion, celery, poblanos, jalapenos and garlic until translucent. Add the tortillas. Combine all ingredients with turkey, mixing well, and form a loaf. Place loaf on a flat baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1:15. Serve with tomatillo sauce.

Tomatillo Salsa
2 pounds fresh tomatillos
2.5 ounces of diced yellow onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 / 6 tsp ground white pepper
1 / 3 teaspoon kosher salt
1 / 2 ounce chopped jalapeño
4 teaspoons minced cilantro
1 / 4 teaspoon canola oil or canola
1 / 4 cup fresh spinach

Preparation: Sweat the peppers, garlic and onion in oil until soft. Wash and peel the tomatillos. Add the tomatillos, salt and pepper to the mix. Simmer for 15 minutes. Pass the mixture through a grinder. Cool the sauce by placing in a container and then in an ice bath. Add the cilantro when cold.

Chef-Approved Tools of the Trade

When it comes to cooking, having the right tools is just as important as having the right ingredients. There are literally thousands of utensils to choose from and it seems like a new, gimmicky gadget pops up every day.

To cut down on countertop clutter and kitchen-drawer disarray, I’ve put together a list of the top 5 tools every at-home chef should own (no tool belt required):


1. 10” Global Heavy Duty Chef Knife - I honestly can’t work in, own or borrow a kitchen if I don't have one of these on me. Without a chef knife, there is no chef!

2. 8" Heavy Duty Tongs - These are literally an extension of your hands, and you’ll wonder how you ever got along without them. Flip, stir, toss … the options are
limitless.

3. Taylor Cooking Thermometer - This crucial contraption helps ensure that food is cooked to a safe temperature and is “done” perfectly.

4. 10” Piano Whip (Whisk) - You’ll be making sweet, culinary music with this tool in hand. The wires have a thinner gage, so you’ll find it really useful when whipping up an emulsified dressing or making a meringue.

5. Fish Spatula - This lightweight, go-to gizmo slides neatly beneath fish without breaking the delicate flesh. The slots allow cooking oil or poaching liquid to drain back into the pan.


You can find most of these items at your local kitchen supply store, but all are available online from a variety of merchants. They’re not the only tools you’ll need, but they’re certainly ones to put at the top of your list when you’re ready to get cooking!