Welcome to SideDish’s weekly dispatch of need-to-know News Bites, from quiet closures to opening updates and everything in between, including coronavirus-related intel.
Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen Coming Soon to Lower Greenville
Carol Nguyen snatched up the restaurant space at 1907 Greenville Avenue—formerly home to Shivas Bar and Grill, and before that Sofano’s Bar and Nightclub. There she’ll open Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen, which will serve food inspired by Nguyen’s Ha Noi roots and foods from her favorite street vendors. While she’s opened two other restaurants in the last decade, this third spot will be Nguyen’s first official Vietnamese outpost—an ode to her upbringing, her mother, and grandmother. That looks like banh mi sandwiches with foie gras pate, bun cha hanoi (vermicelli bowls with grilled pork), crab fried rice, goi cuon (spring rolls), and Vietnamese cafe sua da (iced coffee). The menu to start will eventually expand as Ngon marches toward an official September opening. For now, it’s a preview menu—order takeout by phone (469-250-7183) or in person; not dining in for now, but there’s a patio and plans for late-night eats in the works.
Dallas Chocolate Festival Is Virtual This Year
For over a decade now, this festival has showcased artisan-made chocolate to Dallas fans. But this year will be like Valentine’s Day in the fall, when the Dallas Chocolate Festival means savoring your way through a box of chocolates. Forrest Gump would approve. Other than being the socially distanced way to experience the treats, I suppose this also ensures you’ll sample every morsel (rather than stress power-walk to the most popular vendors). The festival happens on September 12 and 13, with virtual classes, demos, and tastings just a click away. Tickets start at $50 (plus $10 for Alto delivery). A portion of proceeds from the annual festival is donated as scholarship funds to local culinary programs for students focused on pastry arts with an emphasis on chocolate.
Dallas Chef Luis Dominguez Passes Away from COVID-19
The Dallas Morning News reported this week that an executive sous chef from HG Sply Co. died from COVID-19 on July 22. (Here’s that article in Spanish.) Luis Dominguez was 38 years old and had moved from Veracruz, Mexico to Dallas when he was 17. The DMN talks to those who were close to Dominguez, and, while any loss of life is tragic, they mourn both a good person and an incredible chef. As of the latest Dallas County coronavirus summary, Hispanic people make up 47.9 percent of reported COVID-19 cases. And as we’ve reported here, essential workers in the food sector are at high-risk, accounting for 16 percent of hospitalized coronavirus cases.
The Giving Table Keep Giving
Sharon Van Meter and Katherine Clapner, two stalwarts of Dallas’ culinary landscape, have teamed up on a new project that raises money for local restaurant relief. A quick recap: The Giving Table began in 2016 and has hosted many fundraising dining events at 3015 at Trinity Groves. This time, though, The Giving Table at Home creates weekly chef-driven family meals. It’s another way you can support the restaurant industry in Texas, which is still suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Proceeds go the Texas Restaurant Association’s Texas Restaurant Relief Fund. For $30, each meal will feed four people, with a dessert option for purchase as well. Place your order online by Monday at 5 p.m. Meals will be ready on Wednesday at 3 p.m. for pick up or delivery. Each week will feature two meal options prepared by 3015 at Trinity Groves, one of which will be vegetarian, and two dessert options from Dude, Sweet Chocolate.
