Executive Chef Chris Ward hosts an afternoon grilling and cooking class Saturday, August 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Mercury.  Assisting Chef Ward this year is Craig Ludwig, former Dallas Star and Stanley Cup winner and longtime friend of the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (GALT).

 Chef Ward will prepare menu classics including Grilled Steaks, Marinated Olives, Garbage Salad, Twice-baked Potatoes, Board Dressing and Baked Alaska for class guests.  Grilled demonstrations take place on the Hasty-Bake Legacy 131 Charcoal Grill to be auctioned off during the event with proceeds benefitting GALT.

 $85 per person full course tasting of demonstrated recipes, recipe cards, two drink tickets and door prizes.  Bid in the silent auction for artwork, spa/restaurant gift certificates, custom jewelry and more.

 Serving from a changing menu, Chef Ward uses influences from Asian, French and Mediterranean cooking to present award winning New American cuisine.  The Mercury evokes both a sophisticated setting and a casual neighborhood atmosphere, offering a unique dining experience.

 GALT is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit all-volunteer group dedicated to placing all greyhounds primarily those that competed and trained for racing, greyhound mixes, large sight hounds and sighthound mixes into loving homes.  GALT facilitates the adoption of greyhounds by providing kennel services and foster homes along with their medical needs, including spay and neuter, assisting them in the transition from track-life to home-life, and educating the public about why the greyhound has been a favored companion dog for more than 4,000 years.  To learn more about GALT go to www.GALTX.org

 The Mercury is located at 11909 Preston Road (Preston and Forest), 972-960-7774.  Seating is limited.  To purchase tickets online www.greytstore.com  and click on the events page or call 972-503-GALT.

Nature’s Plate adds new offerings for spring and summer to the rotating menu of plant-based, prepared meals available for take-out and meal service pick-up.  Nature’s Plate makes tasty and satisfying plant-based foods accessible and convenient using all non-GMO ingredients and organic whenever possible.  

In addition to take-out options, Nature’s Plate offers weekly meal plans available for pick-up every Sunday 3pm-7pm and now on Thursdays from 3pm-7pm.  Pick-up is also available in Plano (500 Coit Road -Sunday, 4:30pm-6pm) and at Oak Cliff’s Local Press and Brew (1605 N. Beckley - Monday 4:30pm-7pm).  

Breakfast Burrito Bowls, Carrot Cake Cookies, Roasted Carrot and Feta Salad, Enchiladas with Cheese Sauce, Lemon Poppyseed Muffins and Chocolate Pudding join globally inspired items such as Buffalo Chickpea Wraps, Chana Masala, Veggie Mac, Pesto Bowls, Red Thai Tofu, Red Beans and Rice and African Bean Soup.  All meals are 100% vegan and many are gluten, soy and nut free and labeled accordingly. 

 Owned and operated by sisters Annette Baker and Marianne Lacko, Nature’s Plate started as a small business venture in 2011 and quickly  expanded to a storefront with an onsite kitchen in 2015. Nature’s Plate is based on the belief that whole, plant-based foods are a big part of the answer to society’s biggest issues – including obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and general lack of health/vitality.  Annette and Marianne are driven to share this concept with others and make it easier to add real food to diets while cutting out processed, factory-farmed items.  Plant-based foods have less impact on the environment than animal food, taking significantly less land and water to produce.

Nature’s Plate is located at 10233 E. Northwest Highway.  For more information, menus and online ordering go to www.NaturesPlate.biz or call 469-307-4217.  

PHOTO COURTESY OF NATURE’S PLATE

Media Contact:

Amity Thomas 

amity@amitythomas.com

214-669-3355

Cadillac Pizza Pub kicks-off the 5th annual season of the Caddy Run on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m with 1/2 priced pizza and beer specials to follow for the athletes.

Each Wednesday through November 16, walkers and runners of all ages and skill levels meet under the Cadillac Pizza Pub sign at 6:30 p.m. for a short 2- 3 mile run through historic downtown McKinney. Post-run back at Cadillac, participants enjoy free bottled water and beer specials. 

Cadillac Pizza Pub is located at 112 South Kentucky Street in McKinney. For more information go to www.CadillacPizzaPub.com or call 972-547-3833. Hours of operation are Tuesday – Thursday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 11:00 am –1:00 a.m. and Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00pm. 

 Dallas’ beloved Easter tradition Easter in Lee Park, hosted by the Lee Park and Arlington Hall Conservancy and the City of Dallas returns to the park on Sunday, April 16 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.  Real Housewife of Dallas’ LeeAnne Locken and Lifestyle Guru Steve Kemble will emcee the festivities.

 Bring a picnic basket and blanket for an afternoon of festivities including the famed Lee Park Pooch Parade sponsored by Kroger, live music from The Gypsy Playboys and DJ Jen Miller, an Easter egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and food trucks including Easy Slider and Ruthie’s Rolling Cafe.

Well behaved, leashed pets are welcome (no retractable leashes please).  Non-profit animal rescue organizations including the SPCA amongst others will be on-site with adoptable pets.

At 2pm, the Lee Park Pooch Parade meanders down Turtle Creek Boulevard with winners selected by a panel of celebrity judges. Prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, Best Group, Most Creative and Best Easter Inspired Outfit.    Registration for the Pooch Parade is $10.  To sign up in advance, go to www.LeeParkConservancy.org.

 “On behalf of the Lee Park and Arlington Hall Conservancy, we are beyond excited to  again host Easter in Lee Park,” says Will Sale, board member and chair of the 2017 event.  “The crowd at last years’ event proved that Dallas was ecstatic for the return of this beloved tradition.”

Easter in the Park is free and open to the public for all ages.

Lee Park and Arlington Hall Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to the continued preservation, conservation, maintenance and further development of the public grounds.  Lee Park is located at 3333 Turtle Creek Boulevard.  For more information and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, email leeparkeaster@gmail.com or call 214-446-4542.

Haystack Burgers and Barley is now open in Turtle Creek Village (3838 Oak Lawn Ave Suite #175). This is the second outpost of the popular eatery from Jenny and Kevin Galvan which debuted the original Haystack in their Richardson neighborhood in 2013.

The fast casual concept serves eight signature Angus burgers with various toppings including jalapeño escabeche, grilled poblanos and house made chili as well as hearty salads, sandwiches, fresh cut Kennebec fries, Haystack onions, fried jalapeños and more.   Sweet selections showcase milk shakes (Nutella, Oreo, Banana Pudding, Chocolate and Vanilla) and the popular ‘Nana Pudding (a Galvan family recipe). Vegetarian fare, a children’s menu and an off-the-menu specials are also available.

Bar offerings include 12 hyperlocal draft beers poured from custom designed copper taps and over 50 American craft beer styles in addition to The Haymaker, a signature frozen cocktail with Maker’s Mark, orange juice, lemonade and custom blended ice tea. 

The Galvan's have a long history in the restaurant business and also the restaurant landscape in the Dallas area.  Kevin is the fourth generation of restaurant owners in his family. Kevin and Jenny owned and operated Ricardos's Tex Mex in Allen for five years. Some of the family recipes can be found on the menus at Haystack. 

The new location offers more than 3,000 square feet interior space with bar and an outdoor patio opening this spring.  A family affair, daughters Kallie and Lindsey have influenced and inspired menu selections as well as decor choices including the whimsical mounted wooden farm animals and frames.

Haystack Burgers and Barley is located at 3838 Oak Lawn Avenue #175 at Blackburn in Turtle Creek Village.   Open seven days a week, hours of operation are 10:30am-10:00pm.  For more information go to www.haystackburgers.com or call 214-377-7802.