FOOD & DRINK

LIGHT DINING

Cedar Street Cuisine

Don’t let the term “appetizers” fool you; this fare is substantial.

CEDAR STREET, ALREADY A MIDTOWN FAVORITE with the yup-scale crowd, recently unveiled its long-awaited food service, and all indications are that they’ve got another winner on their hands.

Fog City Diner veteran Scott Colby signed on as executive chef and has concocted a menu Cedar Street president Bram Browder describes as “eclectic appetizers and light dining.” All the selections weigh in under $10, and most are designed for group grazing. There is an amazing selection of foods from pates and cheeses to Shiner Bock poached little-neck clams to “The Smoker’-a selection of venison, Idaho rainbow trout and whiskey fennel sausage-all enough to satisfy like a meal.

While there are no current plans to expand the on-site menu. Colby’s presence has ignited Cedar Street’s burgeoning catering business and may well provide the template for Browder’s contemplated expansion to Scottsdale, Memphis and Los Cabos, Mexico. In the meantime, when you see an available seat at Cedar Street, grab it- they might be in short supply.-Jeff Whittle

LOCAL PRODUCE

OLD-FASHIONED FARMERS MARKETS GO ORGANIC

IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT to find organically grown produce in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Now, Whole Foods Markets, in conjunction with TOGA (Texas Organic Grower Association), is sponsoring a series of weekly old-fashioned farmers markets at their four area stores.

“Whole Foods Markets really supports organic growers,” says organic farmer Gerald Gibson. “And we appreciate that.”

TOGA, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting organic agriculture-food grown without toxic chemicals-as a viable approach to food production.

Local organic growers will set up shop outside Whole Foods store entrances to sell fresh fruits and vegetables. Expect to find the best of locally grown produce including tomatoes, herbs and some of the freshest wheatgrass juice around.-Nancy Nichols



The markets will be held the following Wednesdays from 4-8 p.m.:

Sep. 3: Preston & Park, Piano

Sep. 10: Greenville & Belmont, Dallas

Sep. 17: Skiltman & Kingsley, Dallas

Sep. 24: Beltline & Coit. Richardson

WINE

GRAPEVINE’S GALA RETURNS

Twenty Texas wineries and close to 100,000 people will converge on Grapevine September 13-15 to participate in the 11th Annual GrapeFest, a celebratory tribute to the Texas wine and grape industry. Launching this year’s festivities will be the Texas Champagne Cork Shoot-off featuring the talents of physics professor and Swiss artillery specialist Dr. Heinrich Medicus-the current Guinness World Record holder for propelling a cork from a vigorously shaken champagne bottle over the greatest distance.

But you won’t need acade-mia credentials or munitions experience to enjoy this year’s Fest. Activities include an international wine tasting, the Vintner’s Auction Classic, a black-tie Texas wine gala and a grape stomp competition. The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic-a vino election that invites attendees to vote for their favorite Texas wines-also returns this year.

As the largest wine festival in the Southwest and the oldest in Texas, GrapeFest drew a record-breaking 96,000 people last year and netted S201.000 for the Grapevine Heritage Foundation, the organization that promotes preservation and cultural programs in the Grapevine community. This year, festival promoters promise an even bigger event.

For more information call the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 457-6338.-Mark Stuertz